The Holy Ghost: The Unseen
Authority Behind Missions
Text: Acts 13:1-4 IBCSS March 15, 2009
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
Millions of people have little knowledge about the Holy Ghost. Even
numbers of believers could not speak much or write much about the third
Person of the Trinity. It may shock us, but even some professing believers
during the New Testament time were caught unaware and were found ignorant
about the indwelling act of the Holy Ghost.
In Acts 19:1-2, it is written, 1 And it came to pass, that, while
Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to
Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye
received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have
not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (KJV)
The Holy Ghost is the unseen power behind missions. We may not notice
His presence like we see our physical and visible co-workers, but the Word
of God tells us that He indwells the believer and He works in us and through
the ministry that God has entrusted us. Without His help, we surely cannot
fulfil the Great Commission.
The Holy Ghost is God and not just a mere active force as many
cultists believe and teach. In Acts 5:3-4, it is written, 3 But Peter said,
Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to
keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it
not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why
hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men,
but unto God. (KJV) These verses will enlighten our mind and teach us that
the Holy Ghost is not a human being but God.
As we serve the Lord Jesus Christ, we should be also aware that the
Holy Ghost has emotion and could be grieved by our questionable deportment.
In Ephesians 4:29-30, it is written, 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed
out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it
may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of
God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (KJV)
Behind our success in the ministry is our obedience to the will of
the Holy Ghost, and certainly, behind our failure is our indifferent
attitude toward Him. The more we submit ourselves to His will, the more we
become Christ-like, and the more we look upon Jesus, the more we become
pleasing to God. In II Corinthians 3:17-18, it is written, 17 Now the Lord
is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of
the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
as by the Spirit of the Lord. (KJV)
(I)
He Sets Aside
Believers For A
Purpose
Acts 13:1-2
-Believers
must be sensitive to
the leading of the Holy Ghost
Spiritual sensitivity is so important in
the life of a servant especially in discerning the leading of the Holy
Ghost. Paying attention to a visible authority is surely easier than taking
note from an unseen authority. For such reasons, Christians must then live
in deep spirituality so they could perceive what the Holy Ghost wants them
to do in the ministry.
In Acts 13:1-2, it is written, 1 Now there were in the church that
was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that
was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought
up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and
fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work
whereunto I have called them. (KJV)
We must keep in mind that every believer has a special purpose in
life and without spiritual sensitivity, he may fail to fulfil his role; and
as a sad result, his purpose in life will be defeated. To avoid such
failure, we must live a holy life and establish a strong prayer life so we
may have deep communion with the Holy Ghost. In such spiritual condition, it
will be easier for us to know His leading.
(II) He Sends
Forth Believers To
The Mission Field
Acts 13:3-4
-Believers
must submit to the
will of the Holy Ghost
In Acts 13:3-4, it is written, 3 And when they had fasted and prayed,
and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they,
being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence
they sailed to Cyprus. (KJV) It is evident from these passages that the Holy
Ghost is the One who send missionaries to the mission field and He uses
godly believers as instruments to support labourers in their missionary
task.
Sending labourers in the spiritual harvest field is God’s act of
mercy for the benefit of fallen man. For such reason, Christians should be
willing to submit to the will of the Holy Ghost so they could be used in
reaching the lost with the Gospel of Christ. As we see the spiritual need of
the world, may we not grieve the Holy Ghost by ignoring His direction, but
always willing and ready to go wherever He leads us.
(III) He Empowers
Believers In An
Unusual Way
Acts 13:9-11 Acts 1:8
-Believers
must rely on the
power of the Holy Ghost
Going to the mission field is going to the battle field. Spiritual
warfare is prevalent and inevitable in the ministry, but we praise God for
He is mindful of His servants empowering them with the Holy Ghost as they
serve Him. In Acts 13:9-11, it is written, 9 Then Saul, (who also is
called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And
said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the
devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to
pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord
is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a
season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went
about seeking some to lead him by the hand. (KJV) Without doubt, Paul was
able to overcome Elymas victoriously only through the power of the Holy
Ghost.
THE POWER
OF TRUTH
