Being A Person Sent By God (Acts 19:8-11, John1:6) – A Sermon Outline

Introduction: Sermon outline on being sent by God

“There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John” (John 1:6)

Like John the Baptist, God is looking for men and women He can send into His harvest field. Are you willing to be one of them? Dwight Moody was once told, “Moody, the world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully committed to Him.” Moody answered that call and God used him powerfully.

Proposition: God can use anyone who is available and willing to serve Him.

In case you are asking the question, “What does God expect of me if He sends me?”, here are 5 things He would look for.

1) You are sent by God to be a presence

• Your presence, when you walk with Christ in your neighborhood, can be a catalyst for the Holy Spirit to use you. A leader once said that we have the capacity to influence around 3000 people in a lifetime. That’s a lot of people! So, have you asked God to make an impact through your presence? It may quite surprise you to see what He will do in answer to your request.

• In Acts 19:8-10, while in Ephesus, Paul made his presence felt in an unmistakable way. the scripture says, “Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months…He…had discussions daily…This went on for two years…”. What a powerful legacy Paul left behind.

• Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to make us a blessing in His power through our presence. Let’s also live in a way that others would see the love of Jesus exemplified through us.

Illustration – Use an illustration of a man of God that you personally know/have read about whom God has used effectively.

2) You are sent by God as a partner

Jesus said …”As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)

• God sends you out as a partner in the ministry of the Kingdom, just like He sent His Son, Jesus. Someone said, “God had only one Son. He was a Missionary”.

• Going as a partner is vital. Many would gladly give, and pray, for God’s work, but not many are willing to go. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37).”

• What the Lord is looking for is not people with exceptional talent or skill. He is looking for your willingness. He looks for availability more than ability! Are you willing to partner with Him?

3) You are sent to proclaim

• Being a presence alone is inadequate. We need to share the powerful message of salvation through Jesus. As mentioned earlier, this is exactly what Paul did in Ephesus. Acts 19:10 says, “…all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”

• Illustration – A man met his neighbor regularly in the driveway outside their homes on Sundays while getting his car ready to go to church. The neighbor invited him on every occasion to join him for a game of golf, which he politely refused as he was on his way to church. After many such invitations the neighbor said one day,”You know, It’s strange. I have invited you many times on a Sunday to join me for golf, but you have never invited me to join you for your church service!”

• We have the most powerful message in the world. Let’s share it lavishly with everyone we meet. Let’s not allow fear, rejection, or embarrassment stop us. Someone said, “Yes, let your life speak for Christ, but let not your lips be silent.”

• For an article titled “5 Qualities of Preachers on Fire” click here.

4) You are sent by God to persuade

• “Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for 3 months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God (Acts 19:8).”

• As we are sent by God and faithfully share God’s Word, ask Him for wisdom to make the word come alive in the hearts of people. Ask Him for creative ways to share the message as clearly as possible. Keep persuading people to respond to the call of Christ. In time, we will see the results of our ministry.

• Never give up on anyone. I prayed for the salvation of my family for 18 years, before the first member accepted Jesus. Amazingly, it was the family member I least expected to be saved (shame on me!). Since then, almost everyone in my family circle has turned to Christ. Surely, He will bring the rewards for the seed we sow in His harvest field.

5) You are sent by God in power

• “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11-12)

• The presence and authority of Jesus within us, ensures that the power of His Holy Spirit will work through us in signs, wonders, and miracles! We see that happening over and over again in the life and ministry of Jesus, and right through the Book of Acts.

• When we are sent by God and people see the resurrection power of the Lord working through us, many hearts will be opened to receive the message we share. Acts 19:20 says, “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.’

Conclusion

• Are you willing to be a man sent by God? Are you ready to allow Him to use us in whatever way He wants to? We should never forget that we are saved because someone shared the Gospel with us in the past. Will you do the same for our generation that desperately needs the message of the cross ?

• As Pastor Colton Wickramaratne of The People’s Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka would often say, “God’s method is a man/woman. You are that man/woman.” Amen!

• Download one of our sermons about 3 men God used here.