Rescue Mission or Pleasure Cruise?
July 15, 2018 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: Our task on Earth is to glorify God and to share His Good News.
Focus Passage: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Supplemental Passage: And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20 NASB)
Introduction: People all over the world were extremely concerned about the boys in Thailand, who were trapped in a cave. The world's attention was focused on those boys and their coach; and rightfully so. Thank God they're all out; safe and sound. It's also a good illustration and admonition to the Church, as well. We should be this concerned and focused on winning people, who are lost in the cave of sin and darkness. They're stuck, with no hope in sight. They're goners. And, we, who have the Light...the Rescuer....the Savior....should go and get them, in Jesus' name. We should be more concerned about lost people dying and going to Hell. We should be working to win them to Jesus. Sadly, too many Christians see themselves as sitting on a cruise ship, wondering why they're not being ministered to and served more; wondering why more is not being done for them; more concerned that their place on the cruise ship should be better; rather than seeing themselves on a battleship, or on a Rescue Mission into the dark cave of lostness to save people; to bring them out in Jesus' name. – David Worley [https://www.facebook.com/david.worley.9/posts/10212637389913057]
I. Mission (What)
a. Make Disciples
b. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, " (Matthew 28:19a NASB)
c. so that I may by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22c NASB)
d. so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. (1 Corinthians 9:23b NASB)
II. Means (How)
a. "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19b-20 NASB)
b. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 NASB)
c. I have become all things to all men, (1 Corinthians 9:22b NASB)
d. I do all things for the sake of the gospel,. (1 Corinthians 9:23a NASB)
III. Motivation (Why)
a. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18 NASB)
1. Because Jesus told us to, that's why!
b. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:16 NASB)
c. Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Application/Invitation: Have you been distracted by the sights on the way to rescue and forgotten about those who are lost and dying without Jesus? It is time to refocus on the task at hand. Commit TODAY to share the Gospel with one person before the end of the year.
