Understanding The Assignment

The Time is at Hand

“Repent! Turn from your sins and be baptized!”

The crowd stared in amazement at the man who had come from the desert, looking as worn as a rock polished smooth by driving sand. His words were powerful and moved the hearts of many to action. They longed to be free from their burden of shame and condemnation.

“There is One who comes after me that is greater than I. One Whose sandals I am not worthy to unlatch. I baptize with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

John the Baptist was a man on mission. The cousin to Jesus Christ, he knew the purpose and calling on his life. Doubts were few, fears kept at bay, onward he pushed to lay the foundation for the arrival of the Messiah. The Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, and he needed to proclaim the truth to as many as would listen.

The Jewish religious leaders sought him out, to inquire who he was. Was he the Messiah? Another prophet? Elijah? Each time his answer remained steadfast. He pointed them to Who was to come. “Don’t look to me,” he insisted, “But keep your eyes ready for the One Who will change the course of history.”

The next day, as many were gathered to listen to the words of this bold preacher, John looked up and saw the Christ coming toward the crowd.

“Look! There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of Whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man Who has priority over me, because He was before me and existed before I did.’”

From that moment on, his own followers began to leave and seek after Jesus. John was well pleased. This was the plan all along and the will of the Father. He was merely a tool, an instrument and vessel, that was created to make the path straight for the coming King.

“Yes,” John thought, “I must decrease. He must and will increase.”

Changed For a Reason

“Take heed and listen to my words! Jesus is the Son of God!”

Men and women throughout the synagogue looked around in confusion. Was this some sort of a joke? If it were not for the vehement, passion coming from his tone and words, they all would have been roaring with laughter.

“Is not this the very man who harassed and over threw and destroyed in Jerusalem those who called upon this Name? Didn’t he come here for the express purpose of arresting those connected to the movement called The Way and bringing them in chains before the chief priests?”

The chatter continued among them, but Saul’s words and passion grew in strength daily. He didn’t care what they thought about him, he only knew the miraculous encounter he had, which reversed the trajectory of his life forever, must be shared with others.

He could still see the blinding light, feel the searing pain behind his eyes and hear the thunderous Voice that rebuked his actions. He knew, this would be the fuel that would propel him forward for the rest of his days.

As he continued to grow in his faith and belief, the Holy Spirit revealed the mission at hand. While the brethren were assembled at church, worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke.

“Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.”

By this time, those closest to him knew Saul, by the name of Paul. A new life, new name and fresh vision. As his travels began, it became apparent Paul was to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles within the region. This birthed a new body of believers within the community and displayed the love of the Father toward all people groups, not just the Jews.

He preached boldly.

Showed no fear.

And traveled to the far corners of the surrounding countries, proclaiming that salvation was open to all who would believe. The Jew and Gentile. The slave and free. The man and woman. The young and old.

It was a message designed specifically for this man, and Paul heeded the call with full vigor.

Follow Through to the End

The high priest asked, “Are these charges true?”

As the Sanhedrin council waited for the reply, they could not help but notice, the face of this man they hated, shone as if he were an angel. They knew the truth. They had paid the men to lie and fabricate stories, but they stood, stone cold, pleased with their actions to silence this menace. Then Stephen spoke and recounted the story of Israel’s redemptive history, beginning with their ancestral father Abraham.

He recited the victories and defeats of the Israeli nation, reminding them all of the power of God’s hand over the centuries, and pointing out the failure to believe and obey God’s commands throughout the generations. Chasing after other gods and constructing idols to bow before in worship, their disobedience was evident.

“An ignorant people,” Stephen thought, as the power of the Holy Spirit filled him, giving authority to his statements.

“You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears. You are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit, as your forefathers were, so you are and so you do. Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you now have betrayed and murdered!”

Immediately a cry of rebellion rose from among them all. The audacity of this man! Anger coursed through their veins until it would no longer be contained. They rushed forward, seized him and dragged him out of the city. Stone after stone began to hit its mark, as the frenzy of the crowd reached hysteria.

Stephen fell to his knees and cried loudly, “Lord, fix not this sin upon them!”

Then all was silent.

A tremendous follower of Jesus, determined to speak the truth, regardless of what it cost. He was more worried about obedience, then even the breath in his lungs.

Take Notes, Learn and Apply

Our scriptures are cram, packed with examples of those who have gone before us, completely confident in the purpose of their calling. Men and women whose lives were changed by the power of the blood of Jesus. This was something that could not remain hidden. The opportunity to gain a new life, was a beautiful gift all should receive. How could they not raise their voices and proclaim the miracle they had been given?

Yet, we hesitate.

We pause.

What if we offend someone?

Dear friends, it’s time we understood the assignment.

The three men we just read about above, were not confused with their purpose. Jesus told them, very plainly- His words apply to us all.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Some of you may know this verse by the name, The Great Commission. It is our marching orders. Wherever you are located on this globe, that is your section of the “ends of the earth”, and that is where your assignment has been placed.

John the Baptist understood it wasn’t about him and making his name known. It was all about Jesus Christ, the King and Messiah. He was the great One. Jesus was the only One Who could make all things new and cleanse every sin. John continuously pointed those around him to Christ.

Paul’s life was wrecked for a purpose. God planned to use him, to spread the good news to those outside of the Jewish nation. The vision was clear and Paul ran with all enthusiasm to complete the calling. He was able to touch people, others could not. He was gifted to speak and connect with those, like no one else could. Paul took the gospel to anyone and everyone God placed in his path.

Stephen was a fireball for the Lord. Completely fearless in his preaching, his love for Jesus was apparent to those he encountered. His passion was for lost souls. His mission was to save as many as he could, and he was effective at his job. This is what caused such hate to rise against him. Envy of other’s confidence, will always lead to destruction. Stephen; however, only had eyes for the will of the Father, and he fulfilled his purpose to his very last breath.

Don’t have a calling you say?

Have no idea what your mission would be?

You don’t have a purpose?

Lies and filth from the enemy!

Wake up church! Our assignment is no different than John, Paul, Stephen and anyone else we read about within the scriptures. We are to seek and save the lost. We are to speak boldly and passionately about Christ and proclaim the freedom we have found; continuously pointing others to Jesus and the cross. Obedience is better than sacrifice, and Jesus made known with pure, clarity that we are to be busy about the Father’s business. We all carry something no one else can and we all reach people others cannot. Look around you. The fields are ripe for the harvest.

Dear friends, the time is at hand! You have been changed for a reason! I pray a fresh fire of revival and a passion to see the lost found, would stir within your bones. The days are dark, there are thousands who need the Light. May we all work diligently, hand in hand, and follow through completely to the end of our days!