Why the Church Must Send and Support Rooted in the Great Commission Sending and supporting are not optional side projects but the natural obedience of a church under the risen Christ. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20). The command is clear. The promise is sure. Paul shows the logic that binds sending to salvation. “How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent” (Romans 10:14–15). At Antioch, the Spirit called and the church sent (Acts 13:2–3). - Christ commands, we go. - The church sends, preachers preach. - People hear, believe, and call on Christ. - God saves, and the church rejoices. Why Sending Is Not Optional Sending flows from Jesus’ own mission. “Peace be with you,” He said. “As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you” (John 20:21). Every gathered church is a sent people, and every sent person is anchored in a gathered church. The Lord also names the urgency. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2). Prayer for laborers and the practice of sending are inseparable. - Obedience to Christ’s command - Love for neighbors and nations - Stewardship of the gospel entrusted to us (1 Thessalonians 2:4) - Alignment with the Spirit’s leading (Acts 13:2) What Support Really Means Support is not spare change; it is gospel partnership. John commends churches that “send them on their way in a manner worthy of God” and adds, “Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 6, 8). When we support, we share in the work and the reward. Paul thanks the Philippians for tangible aid in gospel advance. “Even in Thessalonica you sent me aid again and again when I was in need” (Philippians 4:16). He then anchors their generosity in God’s sufficiency: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). - Intercessory prayer that opens doors (Colossians 4:2–3) - Financial generosity from cheerful hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7) - Member care and practical help, especially amid hardship (Hebrews 13:3) - Hospitality and logistics for travel and transitions (Romans 12:13; Romans 15:24) - Advocacy, communication, and encouragement as true partners (Philippians 1:5) - Accountability in doctrine, conduct, and stewardship (2 Corinthians 8:21) A Sending Culture at Home A sending culture is built by equipping, not by hype. Christ “gave some to be… evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–12). A church shaped by Acts 1:8 will look both near and far, all at once. Pathways matter. Disciples are formed, tested, and commended in the ordinary rhythms of church life. The pattern is multiplication: “what you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Elders appoint and strengthen leaders (Titus 1:5), and congregations lay hands carefully (Acts 13:3). - Preach and sing God’s heart for the nations regularly (Psalm 67; Psalm 96:3) - Normalize evangelism and disciple-making in everyday life (Matthew 28:19–20) - Create apprenticeships for teaching, shepherding, and cross-cultural ministry - Engage local outreach as training ground for global sending (Acts 11:20–26) - Involve elders in assessment, character formation, and commendation (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Acts 15:40) - Celebrate reports and testimonies to nourish faith and vision (Acts 14:27) Stewardship, Suffering, and Risk Sending and suffering walk together. “Join me in suffering, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). “We must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Jesus said, “whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:35). “It has been granted to you… not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him” (Philippians 1:29). Stewardship brings wisdom to risk. Churches prepare workers to endure, care for families, and plan for contingencies, while trusting God who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:8–10). Epaphroditus “nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life” (Philippians 2:30). - Train workers to be wise and innocent in hostile settings (Matthew 10:16–18) - Embrace appropriate security practices without muzzling the gospel (Acts 9:25) - Hold clear evacuation and crisis-care plans, with member care on both sides - Strengthen the sending base in prayer and practical readiness (Ephesians 6:18) - Expect opposition and persevere with joy (2 Corinthians 6:4–10; James 1:2–4) Measuring Fruit Faithfully God measures fruitfulness by faithfulness first. “I planted the seed and Apollos watered, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). We sow, water, and trust. The aim is abiding fruit in Christ. “I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). - Fidelity to the gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3–4; Galatians 1:8) - Prayer saturation and dependence (Colossians 4:2–4) - Faithful proclamation and discipling (Acts 20:20–21; Colossians 1:28) - Baptisms, healthy churches planted, and leaders raised (Acts 16:5; 2 Timothy 2:2) - Scripture access and language acquisition for long-term fruit (1 Corinthians 9:20–23) - Integrity, transparency, and stewardship (1 Corinthians 4:2) How Every Member Helps Send Every member plays a role. Gifts differ, grace is the same. “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). The body works as one (Romans 12:4–8). Simple, steady steps strengthen sending. God uses ordinary means to do extraordinary things. - Pray by name for workers and open doors (Colossians 4:2–3) - Give firstfruits with joyful hearts (Proverbs 3:9; 2 Corinthians 9:7) - Offer hospitality, skills, and care for needs (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:16) - Advocate for a people group or project until it is well supported (Acts 13:2–3) - Mentor and disciple emerging workers (2 Timothy 2:2) - Join wisely planned short-term efforts that serve long-term goals (Acts 11:22) - Encourage with regular notes, visits, and practical help (Philippians 2:25) - Welcome and reintegrate returning workers with honor (3 John 6) Guardrails: Doctrine and Accountability The gospel must remain central. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… He was buried… He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). “Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse” (Galatians 1:8). Leaders guard the flock and the mission. Shepherds keep watch, wolves prowl (Acts 20:28–30). “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house… for whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 10–11). “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (1 Timothy 5:22). - Clear doctrinal statement and behavioral standards for workers and partners - Thorough assessment of character, competence, and calling - Financial openness, audited processes, and shared dashboards - Regular reporting, pastoral care, and mutual correction in love Conclusion: Glad Obligation and Joyful Privilege Sending and supporting are the church being the church. “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3). Heaven’s song announces the end for which we labor: “by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). So we press on with confidence. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Unreached focus and local faithfulness. Both-and, not either-or. Christ sets a concentric pattern from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Paul aimed where Christ was not named (Romans 15:20–21), while churches strengthened local witness (Acts 16:5). Vocational models. Some raise support; some are bivocational. Paul worked with his hands at times (Acts 18:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:9) and taught that “those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). Choose models by gospel effectiveness, integrity, and sustainability. Short-term wisdom. Use short-term service to serve long-term strategy. Avoid zeal without knowledge (Proverbs 19:2). Listen well and submit to field leadership (James 1:19; Acts 11:22). Prioritize humility, learning, and genuine service. Security and civil obedience. Be shrewd and innocent (Matthew 10:16–18). Submit to authorities where conscience allows (Romans 13:1–4), and obey God rather than men when required (Acts 5:29). Plan for digital, legal, and physical security with clarity and care. Family and soul care. Qualification and care include households. Elders manage homes well (1 Timothy 3:4–5). Husbands love sacrificially (Ephesians 5:25). Fathers nurture, not provoke (Colossians 3:21). Churches shoulder care before, during, and after deployment. Suffering and contingency. Expect affliction and prepare to endure. God delivers and comforts so we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:8–10). Honor those who risk their lives for Christ (Philippians 2:29–30). Strengthen souls with the truth that through many tribulations we enter the kingdom (Acts 14:22). Language, culture, and longevity. Become all things to all for the gospel’s sake (1 Corinthians 9:22–23). Invest deeply in language and culture to plant durable churches, translate Scripture, and pass leadership to locals in due time. Funding and accountability. Build transparent budgets, clear outcomes, and mutual review rhythms. “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). Share stories of grace and lessons learned. Walk in the light. Guarding the gospel from drift. Keep the message central and pure. Proclaim Christ crucified and risen (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Confront any practice not in step with the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:14). Aim to present everyone mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28), for the joy set before us, that great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue (Revelation 7:9). |
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