Disclaimer Please note that all my sermons come from the Lord. But I get my info from many sources from my library and other sources. I do not claim all material as my originality. I don’t quote all sources but I give credit to the Lord who is the author of all sermons. “All originality and no plagiarism makes for dull preaching" Charles Spurgeon
Mission Message
Text: Psalm 113:7-8
Topics: need for the Gospel, obedience, the Great Commission, sacrifice
Introduction: Visitors to West Africa are overwhelmed by the poverty, disease and destitute quality of life in these countries. The 1,600 people groups there live daily with drought and famine. But even as you survey the barren, dry countryside, Psalm 113:7-8 offers hope of God’s love and redemption. "He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the needy from the ash heap, To make them sit with princes, With the princes of His people" (NASB). It reminds us that God can lift the poor and needy peoples of West Africa and throughout the world and make them become the sons of God. But if they are to become the people of God you must obey and witness. You must pray. You must give. And possibly, you must go.
1. A command to obey. Jesus told us to go. He commanded us to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. If you don’t accept responsibility for the task, who will? You have been given the words of eternal life. You have a message of hope for those in despair. You have the water of life for a thirsty and dying world. God expects you to obey His command to make disciples of all nations.
2. A commitment to make. If the poor and needy of West Africa and elsewhere are to find hope and become the sons of God, we must be committed to do what we can. For you, that may mean praying for the nations and peoples in darkness. God said in Psalm 2:8 (NASB), "’Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.’" We must make a commitment to pray for the unreached people groups of West Africa and throughout the world. We must also make a commitment to do whatever God leads us to do. For you, that may mean participating in a short-term mission trip. But it might instead mean a decision to plant your life among those who need to know Jesus.
3. A cost to pay. Those who go as missionaries must pay a cost to respond to God’s call. Missionaries in West Africa accept a sacrificial lifestyle, sometimes without amenities such as dependable electricity and running water. They are subject to malaria and other health challenges. It is not unusual for them to have to evacuate their assigned country due to a government coup, political upheaval or ethnic violence. But we also must pay a cost. You and I must be willing to give generously and sacrificially to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® to support those who go.
4. A compromise to evade. Whether or not the lost peoples of the world hear the Gospel and join us as princes of God depends on our submission to the lordship of Christ. You cannot compromise in order to hold on to your safety and security and still reach the destitute and dying. You cannot compromise for the sake of a comfortable lifestyle and still fulfill God’s mission. You must go all the way in obedience and commitment.
