Missionaries - witnesses turned professional - Acts 13

It must be profound that Barnabas and Saul were called out of a local church fellowship particularly in our days when schools of missions abound.
It is instructive that their mandate and the activities recorded in chapter 13 is the same mandate the Lord gave to the whole church and practiced by the first group of believers.

What therefore distinguishes the missionary (professional witness) from you and me - the run –of-the-mill ordinary witness?
I.    The specific call: v2
The Holy Spirit, the power house behind all witnesses ‘sets apart’ the missionary.  Just as certain singers emerge out of a body of singers.  Just as some basketball players are signed on to the NBA, missionaries must be called. Otherwise, like John Mark in v13, they soon become homesick, discouraged and quit!
II    The partnership v1-3
It is of note that the call of Paul and Barnabas was within the context of a fellowship to underpin the fact that the whole church had a part in the specific assignment of the called.  Nothing provides a support base, a home base for the missionary more than the fact that he is an extension of a home church.
As touching on the missionary (the called) it is important that:
a)    He hears the call v47
Nothing sustains a man during challenging times as knowing the purpose why he is where he is.  Paul later listed all the challenges he had gone through on account of the gospel. “ I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?”  (2 Cor. 11v23-30).  This factor must have explained why John Mark abandoned ship midway at Perga in Pamphilia.  Same happened in the days of the Lord after many left because of the difficulties of the Master’s teaching but Peter summoned up the answer for those called.  “To whom shall we go?  You have the words of life” (John 6v68).

b)    He knows the word
We had made this observation about, Stephen, Peter and now Paul.  There is no way I can present the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ if I do not know it.  It is instructive the way Paul quoted extensively from the scriptures.
c)    He must stay plugged in
The power to witness, the power to speak the word boldly (v46) the wisdom to know when to change the approach, the wisdom to know when to move on or stay - all come from being Spirit filled and staying so.  It is the Lord’s work and must be done the Lord’s way!  In order for the word to spread through the whole region (v49), the disciples had to be filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (v52).
Father, help me to hear your call loud and clear  regarding the role you will have me play in this business of extending the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the utmost part of the world.  In His ever powerful name I pray.  AMEN.