THREE SIMPLE TRUTHS ABOUT MISSIONS
You may or may not know it but the words mission, missions, or missionary are not found in the Bible. In fact, the word rapture or trinity are not found in the Bible. Though they are not Bible words, they sure have become a part of the Christian vocabulary.
Though the word missions is not found in the Bible, one this is for certain: it sure is illustrated and commanded in Scripture.
It is my conviction that the Bible is not a book about theology as such, but rather, a record of theology in mission - God in action in behalf of the salvation of mankind. THE BIBLE IN ITS TOTALITY ASCRIBES ONLY ONE INTENTION TO GOD: TO SAVE MANKIND.
II Peter 3:9
I. Missions is the HEART of Christ
John 4:4 “And he must needs go through Samaria”
There were two highways from Judea to the northern territory of Galilee. One is shorter than the other. Devout Jews avoided the route through Samaria and preferred the longer route than to journey among people they detested. The MUST of our text was not a necessity imposed by geographical restrictions.
The route through Samaria was a necessary way because there was a needy woman. His heart was so filled with love for the lost, he went the route other Jews would not dare.
God had only one Son, and He made Him a missionary.
Mark 1:38 “And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.”
II. Missions is the HOPE of the Condemned
Without the gospel, man is helpless, hopeless, and hell bound. Though the lost here may not recognize it, the domed in hell know the hope of the lost is missions (Luke 16:27,28). They recognize the urgency of the hour.
The story is told of an agnostic professor who visited the Fiji Islands. The professor remarked to an elderly choir “You are a great leader, but it is a pity you have been taken in by those Christian missionaries. No one believes the Bible anymore. People are tired of the story of Christ dying on cross for the sins of mankind. They know better now. I am sorry you been so foolish as to accept their story.”
The old chief’s eyes flashed as he answered, “See that great rock over there? On it we smashed the heads of our victims. Notice the furnace next to it? In that oven we used to roast the bodies of our victims. If it wasn’t for the those missionaries and the message they brought that changed us from cannibals to Christians, you would our next supper.”
See Romans 10: 13,14,15.
A. Wonder which thrilled Paul
1. Simplicity of the Gospel
2. Sufficiency of the Gospel
B. Worry which troubled Paul
1. Ignorance of so many - Acts 4:12
2. Indifference of so many
The great question is not, “Will the heathen be saved, if we do not send them the gospel?” but “Are we saved ourselves if we do not send them the gospel?”
III. Missions is the HEALTH of the Church
Mark 16:15 What was the last command of His lips must have been one of the dearest desires of His heart. Since salvation through Christ has been provided for all men, it must be proclaimed to al men.
Only as the church fulfills her missionary obligation does she justify her existence. The mission of the church is missions.
The best remedy of a sick church is to put it on a missionary diet.
A. Must visualize - John 4:35
B. Must agonize - Matthew 9: 37, 38
C. Must evangelize - Psalm 126:5,6
The church that does not evangelize will fossilize!
If God wills the evangelization of the world, and you refuse to support missions, then you are opposed to the will of God.
The supreme task of the church is the evangelization of the world. When God loved, He loved the world. When the Father gave His Son, He gave His Son for the world. When the Son died, He died for the world. God’s vision is the world.
If the business of the church is not about God’s business, the church has no business being in business.
There is a bridge built across Panther Creek in Western Kentucky. It was built by the United States government. It was a source of pride and a symbol of recovery. Today, years later, the bridge looks as new as the day in which it was built because there is no road leading to it or from it.
A bridge that doesn’t carry traffic is a bridge in name only, and a church that doesn’t go with the GOSPEL is a church in name only.
Conclusion:
CHRIST ALONE CAN SAVE THE WORLD, BUT CHRIST CANNOT SAVE THE WORLD ALONE.
Are you part of the problem or the solution? Are you willing to get the Gospel to some area of the world where Christ has not been preached?
Coca-Cola seems to be everywhere. How did it get there? A motto that is posted in the company headquarters explains it: THINK GLOBALLY, BUT ACT LOCALLY.
