Sermon on Sunday 7 July 2019 by Pastor Justin
The first part of the Great Commission is in Mark 16:15 - He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." The second part is about disciple-making and is in Matthew 28:19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." The second part is often omitted, but we should not dilute any of the truth. In the book of Acts, the Great Commission was brought to the world. Acts 9:15 - But the Lord said "Go! For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and kings, as well as to the people of Israel." Some bibles use the word "vessel" instead of "instrument". The word "instrument" in Greek refers to "body". We are the chosen body of Christ. This body in the bible is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This is the spirit of Christ that dwells in us. We are able to communicate with Him, have a relationship with Him and hear His voice. God especially chose you. Everything you do, abide in Him and obey Him. This is a demonstration of your faith. You still sin because of your old man. Therefore, in your faith walk, you must have humility. Bring down your pride and live by the Spirit. You must allow God to renew your mind by reading the word. The "treatment" heals you from the inside out.
Before the apostle Paul was converted, he was named Saul. Saul was from the city of Tarsus. Philippians 3:5-6 - circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. We first meet Saul when Stephen was martyred (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:20). He put Christ's followers in jail and orchestrated Stephen's martyrdom. Saul was personally responsible for the death and persecution of many believers. He was a very feared man (Acts 8:1-3; 9:13).
On his way to Damascus, a light from heaven flashed and Saul fell to the ground. Acts 9:3-5 - He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Then God spoke to a man named Ananias, instructing him to go to Saul's house and heal Saul's sight. God told Ananias that Saul was His chosen instrument. Saul's eyes were healed and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. When Saul came to Christ, his conversion was so powerful that he received a new name, Paul the Apostle.
The word "go" in Acts 9:15 is important. Even if you are chosen, you have to wait for the word "go". Isaiah 6:9 - He said, "Go and tell this people: 'Be every hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving."
God chose a person such as Saul. God chooses those who are weak to shame those who are strong. Don't underestimate yourself. Focus on Christ. In you there is a treasure, a power in you, a power that is of God. Believe and act by faith, then the Holy Spirit can move in you, to separate the light from darkness. Faith is demonstrated by your obedience. God directed Paul. Paul wrote about half of the New Testament. Acts 28:31 - Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:13 - Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
The requirements of righteousness is to live by the Spirit and not by the flesh. Romans 8:4 - in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
1. We are an unclean instrument. We often do things unpleasing to God. Acts 9:1-2 - Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. But the Lord will wash you clean, because you have victory over sin. You cannot develop into a habitual sinner. Then you will not be chosen; you will not be used.
2. Become an empty instrument, like Paul. An empty vessel has no will of its own. The Lord will fill you. Acts 9:6 - 'Not get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
3. You are a chosen instrument. When He chooses you, you will move mightily. A touch will propel you for decades. Acts 9:15 and Acts 10:41 - He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen - by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
4. He will fill you so you become a filled instrument. It is not about healing or miracles. It is about the kingdom of God; the name of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is still at work and the gospel must be preached to the whole world. 2 Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
5. You are a separated instrument. You and I are separated. We each have a special calling. Some are in the marketplace, some are at home. We must have faith. The blessing is coming but are you worthy of it? Acts 13:2 - While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
6. You are an honoured instrument. He called you brethren when He was resurrected. Acts 26:16 - "Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you."
7. You are a suffering instrument. When you work in the Holy Spirit, the devil is furious with you. The world may hate you. Whatever situation you are in, give thanks to God. The kingdom of heaven is not about worrying about material things. It is about righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 - But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but now destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2 Timothy 2:11-12 - Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us.
Pray and believe. Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
John 15:16 - You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
If you continue to live in the world, the world will love you. But then you are in trouble. The world belongs to the devil. John 15:19 - The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
Even if we are hated by the world, we want to belong to God. We want to be good and faithful servants.
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