LET THE CHURCH KNOW

Lesson 11 for June 16, 2012

M I S S I O N A R Y R E P O R TIf we understand the book of Acts as a missionary report, we can see how Luke tells how the Church quickly grew in that time, thank to the divine intervention.The author wrote about the results of that evangelism in his report.

Pentecost: “That day about three thousand souls were added to them” (2: 41)

After Pentecost: “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved”(2: 47)

The lame healing: “many of those believed… about five thousand” (4: 4)

After Ananias’ and Sapphira’s death: “believers… multitudes of both men and women”(5: 14)Aeneas’ healing: “So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord”(9: 35)

The Church in Antioch: “A great number believed and turned to the Lord” (11: 21)

Barnabas visiting Antioch: “A great many people were added to the Lord” (11: 24)

Paul’s first missionary trip: “As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region” (13: 48-49)

M I S S I O N A R Y R E P O R TIf we understand the book of Acts as a missionary report, we can see how Luke tells how the Church quickly grew in that time, thank to the divine intervention.The author wrote about the results of that evangelism in his report.

Paul and Barnabas in Derbe: “When they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to” (14: 21)

Paul’s second missionary trip: “Increased in number daily” (16: 5)

Thessalonica: “Some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women” (17: 4)

Berea: “Many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men” (17: 12)

Athens: “However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them” (17: 34)

Corinth: “Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized” (18: 8)

Ephesus: “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (19: 20)

While the act of reporting on our witnessing and evangelistic endeavors is not as important as the news of the gospel itself, it does represent a key link in the chain of God’s plan to save lost humanity. Communicating God’s activity throughout the church is essential.

1. MOTIVATION:Why to report?

2. CONTENT:What to report?

3. RESULT:What is the goal of reporting?

This week we’ll study the different aspects of a missionary report.

M I S S I O N A R Y R E P O R T

MOTIVATION, WHY TO REPORT?What our reports say depends on the reaction we expect from those who will read those reports.We can find a good example of that when the 12 spies who were sent to the land of Canaan returned and reported (Numbers, 13: 26-33; 14: 1-9)

What about God?

Called to action

Objective dataa) The land is goodb) Inhabitants are dangerous

CALEB:“Let us go up at once and

take possession, for we are well able to overcome it”

(Nm. 13: 30)

God will keep His promise (Nm. 4: 8-9)

10 SPIES:“We are not able to go up

against the people, for they are stronger than we”

(Nm. 13: 31)

They didn’t bear God in mind (Nm. 13: 32-33)

In order to avoid our reports from not making the right impression or making the people who hear them feel that they were deceived by those reports in the future, we must follow some rules.

a) Information must be the most detailed possible.

b) Reports must be the most honest and fairest possible.

c) We must reveal God’s will through His blessings.

d) We must not highlight what we’ve done, but what God has done through us, or how we fulfilled God’s will.

e) We must seek God’s will for our Church, and follow it.

MOTIVATION, WHY TO REPORT?

CONTENT, WHAT TO REPORT?

“On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry” (Acts, 21:18-19)

We don’t need to be great evangelists like Paul to share

WHAT GOD HAS DONE through us with the church when we are witnesses and

evangelists for Him.That must be done humbly

and with enthusiasm and love for the souls.

“Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts, 14: 27)

RESULT, WHAT IS THE GOAL OF REPORTING?

When Peter and John were arrested and judged after healing the born lame (Acts, 4: 1-22), they reported on what happened before the Council to the Church (Acts, 4: 23-33)

As a result of that report, believers were motivated to:

PRAY(v. 24-30)

STUDY THE

WORD (v. 25-28)

TESTIFY (v. 31-33)

After Paul’s third missionary trip, he came back to Jerusalem and reported on his missionary activities among the Gentile to the Church. That report generated diverse reactions.Those who heard Paul’s report because they wanted to see the wonders God was doing to spread the Gospel, praised God.Those who heard Paul’s report with some prejudice against his “theology”, criticized him and weren’t favored by his experiences; they didn’t feel motivated to praise God.

“On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs” (Acts, 21: 18-21)

RESULT, WHAT IS THE GOAL OF REPORTING?

Some people are hesitant to turn in successful reports because they wonder if it is a form of boasting in human achievement. In reality, however, God is glorified by faithful reporting, and His church is strengthened in the faith and resolve to continue working for Him. Reporting can greatly encourage other church members also to get involved in the work of evangelism and soul-winning.

When Peter visited Cornelius and baptized him and all who were gathered at his house, the leaders of the Church called him to explain why he had broken the Jewish customs. We can read his report on Acts, 11: 4-17.

“When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also

granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”” (Acts, 11: 18)

RESULT, WHAT IS THE GOAL OF REPORTING?

Peter’s report emphasized what God had done. As a result of it, the eyes of those who were hearing weren’t set upon Peter, but upon God.

When missionary reports are properly presented, their main results are:

They invite to pray, to study the Bible and to testify.

When the report is well received, it leads to praising God. If it is not, then it generates criticism.

They encourage the Church to keep working with witnessing and evangelism.

They glorify God.

RESULT, WHAT IS THE GOAL OF REPORTING?

“Let those who gain such an experience in working for the Lord write an account of it for our papers, that others may be encouraged. Let the canvasser tell of the joy and blessing he has received in his ministry as an evangelist. These reports should find a place in our papers, for they are far-reaching in their influence. They will be as sweet fragrance in the church, a savor of life unto life. Thus it is seen that God works with those who co-operate with Him”

E.G.W. (Colpolteur Ministry, cp. 11, pg. 79)