Mere Missions

T he H oly S pirit : E mpower • 67

gives the calling, gifting, anointing, and instruction in missions. He infuses us with Himself that we might have the power to obey His direction in missions and ministry. We now have within us the ability to cry out to the Father what Jesus Himself cried out, “nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26.39b). Whatever the Spirit of the Lord is prompting us to do, we can lean upon the wise words of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Without the Holy Spirit and our absolute surrender to Him, there would be no missions. 1. It is the Holy Spirit who calls and gifts people for missions (Acts 13.2). 2. It is the Holy Spirt who empowers people for missions (Acts 1.8). 3. It is the Holy Spirit who guides and gives directions for missions (Acts 8.29; 16.6-7). The Great Commission verses (Matt. 28.19-20; Mark 16.15; Luke 24.47; John 20.22-23) reveal the Church’s missionary duties. It sets forth the basic framework and essentials for our assignment in missions. We find our directions for missions not in the limitless, ever-growing, ever-changing needs as they appear to us. We find our directions for missions in the Great Commission. Here it is clearly defined and delineated through a charter, compass, and a plan. a. Charter (given by a Sovereign Power): All authority has been given to Jesus. b. Compass (North. South. East. West.): Go (all the world, all nations, all creation) c. Plan (Simple yet detailed proposal on what to do)