Intro:

• If you missed last week, I preached a message entitled “missions is a mindset”
• “Missions is a mindset” means that missions is not a trip, it’s not an international program, it is a mindset. 
• Every day we have the opportunity to think missionally or mundane. 

Acts 13:1-6 (NLT) 1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. 4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. 5 There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. 6 Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

Five things we see from this passage:

1. Mindset of mission - CONSECRATION
   1. This prayer and fasting initiative set the stage for God to speak to them in this way. 
   2. Count Zinzendorf born in 1700, rich Austrian heritage, started a town called Hernhutt in Germany for Christian refugees. Started a prayer movement in 1720’s that lasted 100 years. 
   3. Prayer and fasting always leads to a sense of passion and purpose. 
2. Mindset of mission - CALLING
   1. The phrase is “special work to which I have called them”
      1. They had been called for a “deed” or a “work”
      2. They had been summoned or invited into
   2. Think about Paul
      1. Fashioned for this
      2. Saved by Grace
      3. 15 years prior
      4. In this place by sovereignty 
   3. 1 Corinthians 12:6 (NASB95) — 6 There are varieties of EFFECTS, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
   4. The mindset of missions is I am CALLED
3. Mindset of mission - COVERING
   1. God spoke to 5 people.
      1. This is an important element of missional living. We all need covering. 
   2. Why you need covering
      1. Confirmation - You never want to be somewhere God hasn’t called you! 
      2. Accountability - you need accountability for your sake and the sake of the reputation of the gospel.
      3. Strength - You need the relational support, the prayer support, the emotional support. 
   3. The Lord said, divide, separate, dedicate these guys to the work I have for them. 
   4. “The men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way”
4. Mindset of mission - COURAGE
   1. This passage acts like they just went straight to the boat! You talk about courage. This is guts. 
   2. This is the fun part. At some point, it must turn into a movement. You must do it! 
   3. Something that I have learned about Christianity in the wild is that it always takes COURAGE! 
   4. Witnessing on airplanes, preaching the gospel. 
5. The first two Moravian missionaries

1. Mindset of mission - CLOSENESS
   1. When you are out in the wild, your only guidance is the Holy Spirit
   2. We played a game in youth camp where one person had to be blindfolded and there was only one voice they were supposed to listen to, but everybody else was shouting at them. 
   3. When you go out on mission, you have to listen to the Holy Spirit.

Look at what Paul did - Started in Syria, went to Cypress, went into modern day turkey, took about 9-12 months.

Let’s talk about you again - What does God have for you? What assignment? 

• Consecrate, hear the Call, get Covered, have Courage, and stay Close