"You Were Made For A Mission" Series

Where should we go to share the Good News? Let me encourage you to complete the Acts 1:8 card as we talk about this. We are to share the Good News with those with whom we have a . . .

1. Personal Connection - “Jerusalem”

Jesus said we need to start at home, our Jerusalem. These are folks who are part of our family or who are our friends. People that we are already connected with and share our lives with. The fact is that this should be the most natural place to start in sharing what Christ has done for me.

2. Proximate Connection - “Judea”

Jesus also emphasized the need to reach out beyond those I already have a relationship with to those close to me that I have the possibility of developing a relationship with. People who are in my “Proximity.” Co-workers, neighbors, fellow club members, other parents whose kids are in little league with my kids, etc.

3. Potential Connection - “Samaria”

The Samaritans had a culture that was different from the disciples. In fact, the Jews typically look down their noses at the Samaritans. Jesus said, though, that if we are going to be faithful to share the Good News, we must not overlook those that are different than us, whose lifestyle, culture, or economic standing is different that ours. We cannot content ourselves with reaching out only to those whose are like us - we must also seek to reach those who are not like us.

4. Possible Connection - “the ends of the earth”

We might be intimidated when we consider the challenge of going to the “ends of the earth” to share the Good News, but by the power and providence of God, it is possible for you and me to be involved in touching the ends of the earth for Christ.

For years, of course, we have understood that we can participate in taking the Good News to the ends of the earth by supporting those who would devote their lives to that challenge. Through our giving to support missionary work, we can touch the ends of the earth for Christ.

But in this day in which we now live, it is literally possible for us to travel to foreign lands to participate first hand in taking the Gospel to the world, and I would highly recommend that you do so at least once in your life time.

(Have folks look over their card)

Let me encourage you to make this card part of your daily prayer time, asking God to prepare their hearts, to prepare the way, and to prepare you. Having thought about our personal mission field, let’s talk about how we might move forward in living on mission for God.

Four “Be” Attitudes of an Effective Witness

1. Be Praying -

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” - Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

We need to ask the Lord of the harvest to send us forth into His harvest field, keeping divine appoints where, as willing workers, we might be led across the path of a seeking soul, so we might tell them about our gracious God.