Every Member A Missionary Series

Every Member a Missionary

Colossians 4:2-6

Rev. Brian Bill

3/22/09

[Mission Impossible Theme Song]

Mission: Impossible began as a television series in the late 60’s that chronicled the missions of a team of secret agents known as the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). A hallmark of the series shows the team leader receiving his instructions on a tape: “Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is... As usual, should you or any member of your I.M. Force be captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your existence. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Jim.”

We’re beginning a three-part series today called “Mission Possible.” God has called each of us to join Him in mission. This mission, should we choose to accept it, is both clear and compelling. At the same time, it is challenging. With His help however, the achievement of this mission is possible.

Using PBC’s mission statement as a guideline, we will seek to understand and apply our connecting and equipping responsibilities: “The mission of Pontiac Bible Church is to connect people to Jesus and equip them to be growing and faithful followers.” For our purposes this morning, we’re going to focus on the first part of God’s plan for PBC: connecting people to Jesus.

On Mission

I want to propose that while it’s good for our church to have a mission statement; it’s even better for PBC people to be on mission. We could say it like this: Missionaries on mission connect others to Christ.

Wasn’t it great last week to see so many students on mission during the morning services? Pastor Jeff did a super job preaching, reminding us that God wants us to be willing. After the first service I spent the rest of the morning hanging out with our children’s ministry.

I am totally impressed with the caliber of our staff of servants! The Promiseland leaders were prepared, joyful and focused on helping kids understand how much God loves them. The music time was outstanding and the teaching time was creative as the children learned that it is time to beat the greed! They also discovered that real superheroes break down barriers and make friendships with those who don’t yet know Jesus. During the singing time, I heard one of the leaders encourage the kids to invite their friends to our Easter service at Pontiac Township High School. Talk about being on mission!

I then visited the two-year-olds and the three-year-olds. These teachers were also on mission as they ministered to these precious children. I sat down and helped a girl do a puzzle and she immediately realized that I wasn’t much help. After struggling with where to put a certain piece, she turned to me and said, “You’re not very good at puzzles.” The timing of my visit was good however, because the teachers announced that it was snack time. As the adults came around with some hand sanitizer, the kids eagerly washed up. That is, except for one little boy that ignored the sanitizer so he could keep playing with trucks. Two girls immediately raised their hands and told on him, announcing to the class that he hadn’t washed his hands. It didn’t seem to bother him at all. Right before I left, the whole church lost power for a few seconds. As I stood up to leave, one little boy looked up at the lights and then at me and said, “I didn’t do it!”

I finished my morning in the Nursery. Let’s just say that I have a renewed appreciation for those who work in this ministry! I held a baby who was having a hard time and I didn’t have much success calming him down. One of the nursery workers laughed really hard when she saw me look at my watch. Now I understand what’s behind the looks I get from the nursery team when the sermon goes too long! I think it’s the only room in the building with a count-down clock!

On Wednesday night, I had the privilege of hanging out with the AWANA clubbers. I was struck with how many adults and teenagers are serving in this ministry as well. I thanked one high schooler for what she was doing and she said, “I love it and want to do it for two more years!” When I visited one group, I told the kids that I wished I had something like AWANA when I was their age. One of the leaders told me that the reason she likes this ministry so much is that each week the kids learn that Jesus is offering salvation to them. I popped into one room and saw a group of boys quoting various verses of Scripture. I stood outside another room and heard Pat McGee teaching as he repeated this phrase three times: “Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive! Jesus is alive!” I smiled when I finished the night by going to Council Time and heard Steve Hartzell teaching about where our Bible comes from.