MEMORY VERSE: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10: 14.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 10: 1-9.
INTRODUCTION
Every believer has a call to missions 2 Corinthians 5:18. Missions is the sending out of believers to proclaim the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ to the unreached people group (UPG) as well as the unchurched and un- accessible people group (UUPG). A people group can be considered unreached if evangelical Christians are less than 2% of the entire population. Mission is at the heart of what the church stands for Acts 2:41. It is what Jesus commissioned us to do Mark 16:15. Everyone has a role to play in missions Acts 4:34-35.
OUTLINE
- THE MISSIONARY GOD
- A MANDATE FOR ALL BELIEVERS
- THE MISSIONARY GOD
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are all involved in missions. God the Father initiated the process by sending the Son, Jesus Christ to the world to save humanity John 3:17. Jesus came in obedience to the Father’s instruction to redeem the world from eternal damnation John 10:10. Jesus has now commissioned every believer to continue with the task Matthew 28:19-20; John 20:21. The Holy Spirit is always with us to lead and empower us Acts 1:8; 8:29, guide us Acts 16:6-7, strengthen us Acts 4: 8,13 and help us to finish the task 2 Timothy 4:7
2. A MANDATE FOR ALL BELIEVERS
Every believer has been commissioned to do ‘missions’ Matthew 28:19-20; John 20:21. You have no choice if you are born again John 15:16.The question is not Whether you are called to do missions, rather the question is whether you obey the call. Paul was not disobedient to the call Act 26:19-20. One can get involved in any of these areas:
Preaching: Some are called and set apart to go to different lands to preach the gospel Acts 13:1-2. The work of missions demands that some people should go to those who have not heard the gospel. Jesus, our perfect example was going from place to place preaching the gospel Matthew 4:23; Luke 19:10. Jesus commanded us to go to the entire world Acts 1:8. Unless there are people who will go and preach there is no way missions can be done: we need men and women of all ages and background who will traverse lands to proclaim the gospel Isaiah 6:8.
Praying: Mission work thrives on prayer and without much prayer, mission’s work will suffer. Paul enjoined the Ephesians church partner with him in prayers Ephesians 6:18-20. Regular prayers must be offered to God for missionaries and mission’s work Colossians 4:2-4. We ought to remember missionaries in family altars and personal private prayers 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2.
Paying: Missions is a very expensive venture. This is why God has blessed His children so they can finance His project 2 Corinthians 12:15. Paul commended the Philippians for being exceptional in financing missions work Philippians 4:14-19 Individuals, families, group of people, organisations, churches. companies etc can pay for the missionary’s salary, children’s school fees, or help missionaries on training. You can adopt a mission field and finance their work.
CONCLUSION
Missions is one vital assignment that God has given to every believer. Be involved.
FURTHER READINGS:
SUN: Mark 16:15-16.
MON: Romans 10 14.
TUE: Acts 26:15-20.
WED: Colossians 4:2-4.
THUR: John 20:22-23.
FRI: John 14:26-27
SAT: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3.