Some people say we are all Missionaries. That’s not really true. A Missionary is someone who is “sent.” Now, that could be globally or locally, but they are sent out. However, we all have the same Mission.
Paul was a Missionary. A Missionary’s job is to proclaim to those that don’t know Jesus, that He is The King. That was Paul’s job.
What happened when people heard the news and believed? They were transformed by the Savior. They were treated as equals in ethnicity, gender and economic status. New families were created that would eat together, take care of the poor, and help one another. They lived like Jesus was actually their King.
I cannot compare myself with someone like Paul. But for a moment I want to share with you what ALL Missionaries (or effective Missionaries) have in common.
Mainly, they don’t work alone but are in partnership with the body of Christ. Take someone like Lydia. She lived in Thyatira and was a business woman. She sold purple dye. She owned a spacious home, had servants, and the disciples often stayed at her house if they needed lodging along the way. She housed and took care of Paul and Silas after their brutal beating.
And then there’s John Mark. He was an official assistant to Paul during some of his journeys, like a business manager. And Tertius; I know, you’ve never heard of him, but in those days, there were no eye-glasses. So, if you were losing your eye-sight, there were people who would read to you and those who would write for you (Scribes). That was Tertius. He was a Scribe to Paul. He actually wrote the entire book of Romans for Paul. There are 16 chapters in the book of Romans and it isn’t until the 16th chapter, after Paul sends his greetings to this one and that one that Tertius actually says, “And I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.”
A lot of these people helped Paul financially. In all of his greetings you’ll hear, and greet this one who was my benefactor.
All of these people, and more, had a part in Paul’s Mission. He did not do the work alone. He had partnership. For some it was financial, for others running back and forth for him. There were those who wrote and read for him, and those who housed him during his travels, even a doctor who went along with him (Luke).
You, the church, play a significant role in the Great Commission. You may not produce films and other media that reach people with the Gospel around the world, but you do many other things that make us partners.
This is to say, thank you.