John 20:21- Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you; as my Father hath sent me, even so I send you.
John 15:16- Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the father in my name, he may give it to you.
Acts 1:18- But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in all Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth
Mark 1:17- Come, follow me, Jesus said and I will make you fishers of men!!.
We have established in the past that missions, soul winning is the heart beat of the Father. His will is reconcilation, Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father and he has given us that MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (2 Corinthians 5:18). Furthermore, we see in the scriptures (some listed above) how Abba has already planned the continuity of the ministry of Jesus by inviting us to be co-labourers in the field (Mathew 28:19).
A perfect example for us of this continuity is how the disciples walked in the footsteps of Jesus after the Holy Spirit descended upon them following the ascension. They preached the Gospel (Acts 2:38), proclaimed Jesus (Acts 2:36), healed the sick and SOULS, hallelujah!!! were added to the church daily (Acts 2:47).
They prayed and fasted, just like Jesus (Luke 6:12). They moved from place to place, being led by the HOLY SPIRIT, just like Jesus. Their lives were not theirs to command, just like Jesus (John 5:30). They loved not their lives till death just like Jesus (Luke 24:7).
Brethren, how are we walking? How well are we yielded. If an internal audit is done, how closely patterned is your live to that of our Lord Jesus. How is your consecration? how is your friendship with Jesus? how is your prayer life? when last did you intercede for the lost? how is your obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit? how is your faith? where is your passion? where is your hunger? There is so much work to be done, much ground to be covered, bearing in mind that that time that no man or angel knows is coming and when he comes back, he is not coming as a shepherd or as a missionary.
Written by Sis Oluwaseun Ogundare
www.wpmi.org