Introduction: In this lesson we will cover some characteristics of a missionary.
Missionaries Barnabas and Paul were:
Called as they Ministered– Acts 13:2 They were busy in the Lord’s service. God will use people that are already involved in God’s work. It’s difficult for God to use a person that is lazy or not doing anything for the Lord. People find open doors as their walking not just sitting idle. Here they begin their first missionary journey.
Called as they Fasted– Acts 13:2 fasting will deny the demands of the flesh to focus on God and hear Him clearly.
Called by the Holy Ghost– Acts 13:2 This is how God leads today Acts 16:6-7. They were not forced into it by (a pastor) nor kept back by a certain person (wife/employer).
Obedient to the Calling– Acts 13:4 They did it right away, didn’t waste time.
The Characteristics of a Missionary:
Full of the Holy Ghost– Acts 11:21-25 “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith”. When a person gets saved, they get all of the Holy Ghost, however, the question is, do we get all of Him? In other words, we can be full of the Holy Ghost, or full of something else.
Leading Lost People to the Lord– Acts 11:24 “and much people was added unto the Lord”.
Trustworthy– Acts 11:29-30 These men could be trusted with taking money from one church to another.
Putting Themselves at Risk– Acts 15:25-27 Missionary Jim Elliot was killed in 1956 attempting to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador.
Teaching and Preaching-Acts 15:35 This is the great commission- Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost”.
Compassionate and Concerned– Acts 15:36 To follow up with people that have recently gotten saved is a great thing. To visit them and encourage a new believer.
Conclusion: This lesson will give us a better idea of how missionaries are called and a little of what they do as we see Paul and Barnabas.
Anchor Baptist Church 