Sunday Morning March 30, 2003 Bel Aire Baptist Church
Series: “Church On The Rocks” [#19]
MISSIONS
1 Corinthians 16:1-23
Introduction:
1. When we think of missions, we think of missionaries preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ in places like Africa and third-world countries. Although this is happening, this is not all that missions are.
2. I believe we ought to be extremely missions minded. I am all for the Cooperative Program, Lottie Moon Missions Offering, Annie Armstrong Missions Offering, etc… What I am not for is thinking that because we send some money to mission offerings that we have fulfilled our duties.
3. This morning as we conclude our study in 1 Corinthians I want us to find out what true mission work is and ask ourselves how we are doing in the area of missions. We find three necessary components of successful mission work in our text.
The 1st component of a successful mission’s ministry is…
Finances
1. Whether we like to hear this or not, money is a necessary part of ministry. This church was told to take an offering every Sunday. Each person was to give based upon their income. This money was to be used to help support ministers and congregations as they ministered where they were.
2. Money is a “touchy” subject because most people don’t have as much money as they feel like they should. That is why our text says to give a portion of your income. It is like anything else in God’s service. If everyone will do their part, there will not be such a burden and pressure placed upon just a few. Scripture tells us that we are to give 10% of our income. This is called our tithe. An offering is a gift given that is over and above the tithe.
3. You may be thinking, “How greedy can this preacher be?” Remember everything you have is from God. God wants you to give, but he wants you to give with a cheerful heart. For those of you that God has richly blessed financially, He wants you to use that blessing to bless others.
1 Timothy 6:10
The 2nd component of a successful mission’s ministry is…
Faithfulness
1 Corinthians 16:5-12, 15-24
1. It takes people that will be faithful to God in their calling. Our text has examples of men, women, and congregations who were faithful.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9
2. Notice that Paul was staying in Ephesus because God was opening a door of ministry. He didn’t stay because he wanted to. He stayed because God said so.
3. God has you in Hobbs, NM for a reason. You live in your neighborhood for a reason. You work at a certain job for a reason. You are in this church for a reason. What God calls you to do is to be faithful in telling the Good News of Jesus Christ and helping other believers grow stronger in the faith right where you are at.
The 3rd component of a successful mission’s ministry is…
Fruitfulness
1. Every person bears fruit. Unfortunately many believers in Jesus Christ are busy bearing bad fruit. The main component of missions is the fruit our lives bear. People are drawn to Jesus Christ or pushed away from Jesus Christ depending upon our lives. How does the world know we are believers in Jesus Christ?
Matthew 7:15-23
2. What kind of fruit should our lives bear as Christians?
Galatians 5:22-23
3. See, missions isn’t just overseas. In fact we are sitting right in the middle of a mission field and guess who the missionaries are? Us!
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Conclusion:
1. Christians, we are called to serve faithfully right here in Hobbs.
Matthew 28:19-20
2. Christians, what kind of fruit is your life bearing?
3. If you are here without Jesus, your life could be changed today.
