A Local Church With A Global Vision

Bunbury

7/02/10

Sun am

“A local church w/ a global vision”

Intro: In the great event of the second coming of Jesus Christ when it seems as though the entire world comes under the sway of the devil – God has a plan!

We sometimes forget as Christians that this world; although currently under the devil’s influence, is God’s world.

The people of this world are His people, He paid for them w/ His blood.

B/c of this the world is to be a part of our vision as the local church.

Jesus said ..... Matthew 13:38 (NKJV) The field is the world, .....

He has called every church & every believer to have a vision for a lost & dying world.

T/m I want to preach a simple sermon “A local church w/ a global vision”.

Text: Matthew 24:14 (NKJV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

# 1. The gospel message for all the world.

A. We have been commissioned to preach the saving gospel to the world.

a. The truth of the matter is that we can’t save anyone but we can preach to them!

Vs 24. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world .....

i. This is the calling of every believer today – to preach the gospel.

ii. It’s the calling of every church today – to preach the gospel.

iii. We can’t save anyone but we can preach & it’s the preaching that has the power to save.

b. And it’s the foolishness of the preaching of the gospel that God has chosen to reach the world.

i. Some might be inclined to criticise a church that merely preaches & doesn’t build schools / hospitals / orphanages.

ii. All those things may be good in th/s but the church has been called to preach the gospel throughout the world.

1 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

iii. Why? B/c the preaching of the gospel works in every nation / amongst all people.

*** PNG preaching to the people in the Boroko shopping precinct. Around 120 people gathered around me & Coral to hear me preach w/o microphone / notes / assistance. Most bowed their heads w/ me prayed a sinner’s prayer out loud. What attracted them wasn’t a white man in a black nation but the simple / unique gospel message.

B. If we’re going to preach this gospel in the whole world we better get busy.

a. Few Christians realise what a mammoth task it is to even preach the gospel to the whole world.

i. Let me make it little clearer to u/s .....

*** If you were to catch a flight to Beijing, China & preach the gospel – unhindered by authorities – to 1,000 people a day, we would sense great victory in doing so. After all ..... 1,000 every day hearing the gospel??? That’s fantastic, what a powerful ministry!!! After a year 365,000 people have heard the gospel, 10 years later 3.65 million people, 100 years later 36.5 million ..... are you getting the pict?

Great results but China has 1.33 billion people or 19.64% of the world’s population right now – today! To reach this many people @ 1,000 / day it’s going to take over 3600 years! And remember ...... that’s just to preach to them, not get them saved / discipled / sent out to win other Chinese.

ii. As a fellowship we still have not reached the entire world, in fact more than 100 nations remain w/o any fellowship church.

*** We have nations in which we have churches but very few in number. We have 2 churches in Indonesia, the world’s 4th most populous nation! We have a Bible study in France – a nation of 65+ million people!

b. Your involvement can make a major difference.

i. The immediate response of our hearts is .... what difference can I make, I’m only one!

ii. YES BUT YOU ARE ONE! And you do make a difference!!!

*** We have people in our churches all over the world today that have had their lives permanently impacted by one ordinary Christian like you coming to their country. They will never forget your sacrifice / encouragement / example ..... they are strengthened to this very day by a saint like you that took time to go to their nation / city / church & win / inspire them to live for God.

iii. Your involvement computes out into souls – when you invest in world evangelism you’re investing in eternal souls.