Sunday, September 4th - 10 Reasons Why You Should Be Involved in Global Missions
This Sunday, we began a new series titled "All Things" - inspired by 1 Corinthians 9:22, where Paul makes the statement "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some." Our focus this month will be on global missions, and we finish out the month with our Missions Conference event taking place September 25th-28th. More details coming soon!
A lot of our dear friends and family were traveling this weekend, and we sent over 30 of our ladies to College Station for the Flourish Women's Retreat - so if you were unable to attend this service, I encourage you to dig into this recap of the sermon and get involved in the discussion!
A lot of our dear friends and family were traveling this weekend, and we sent over 30 of our ladies to College Station for the Flourish Women's Retreat - so if you were unable to attend this service, I encourage you to dig into this recap of the sermon and get involved in the discussion!
Why should you be concerned with global missions? Currently, there are missionaries all over the globe, seeking the lost in every corner of the planet in hopes of reaching them with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I feel as though most of us would agree that these missionaries are performing a wonderful, Biblical, God-honoring task by devoting themselves to such a selfless cause...right? I hope you agree, but the truth is - God calls all of us to be involved in HIS mission!
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." - Matthew 28:19-20a.
This is a command from Jesus, and it's hard to argue that it doesn't apply to you today! While this command alone should be enough for us to grasp the importance of global missions and light a fire within us to get involved, Pastor Scott provided us with 10 more reasons this Sunday to participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel across the world.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." - Matthew 28:19-20a.
This is a command from Jesus, and it's hard to argue that it doesn't apply to you today! While this command alone should be enough for us to grasp the importance of global missions and light a fire within us to get involved, Pastor Scott provided us with 10 more reasons this Sunday to participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel across the world.
Why Should I Be Involved in Global Missions?
1. It Reflects God Well
"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9
The desire of God is for all to repent and accept Jesus as their Savior. If this is the desire of God the Father, then we reflect Him well if we are actively involved in the global mission to spread the gospel!
"For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 13:47
This truth is not only shown indirectly in Scripture through the knowledge that God wants all to know the truth of His Son, we also see in this verse that He has specifically designed us, His children, to reflect who He is to the lost world!
"The heart of the Father is to seek and save the lost." - Unknown
1. It Reflects God Well
"The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9
The desire of God is for all to repent and accept Jesus as their Savior. If this is the desire of God the Father, then we reflect Him well if we are actively involved in the global mission to spread the gospel!
"For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 13:47
This truth is not only shown indirectly in Scripture through the knowledge that God wants all to know the truth of His Son, we also see in this verse that He has specifically designed us, His children, to reflect who He is to the lost world!
"The heart of the Father is to seek and save the lost." - Unknown
2. It's Required by the Master
As stated in the introduction, we have been commanded by Jesus Christ himself to go forth and make disciples of all nations in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).
See also - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:8
I don't know about you, but this command sometimes overwhelms me. How am I supposed to reach all nations?! However, when you stop and think about it, we live in a time period where this is more accessible than any other!
How can I reach the United States with the Gospel? As I go about my daily life, be the light - tell others about Jesus - share my testimony - look for opportunities to share the Gospel!
How can I reach nations where I will never step foot upon their soil? Financially support people that do, and pray for them! Missionaries today have websites where you can see how their ministry is making an impact for the Kingdom of God. We have the ability to communicate with people, regardless of their location, and keep up with ongoing events. We have the opportunity to be involved in - and actively be a part of - missions all over the world today...and most of it can be accomplished from the phone in your pocket!
As stated in the introduction, we have been commanded by Jesus Christ himself to go forth and make disciples of all nations in the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).
See also - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:8
I don't know about you, but this command sometimes overwhelms me. How am I supposed to reach all nations?! However, when you stop and think about it, we live in a time period where this is more accessible than any other!
How can I reach the United States with the Gospel? As I go about my daily life, be the light - tell others about Jesus - share my testimony - look for opportunities to share the Gospel!
How can I reach nations where I will never step foot upon their soil? Financially support people that do, and pray for them! Missionaries today have websites where you can see how their ministry is making an impact for the Kingdom of God. We have the ability to communicate with people, regardless of their location, and keep up with ongoing events. We have the opportunity to be involved in - and actively be a part of - missions all over the world today...and most of it can be accomplished from the phone in your pocket!
3. Redemption is Needed
This one is pretty simple - we are to reach all nations because all have fallen short.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;" - Romans 3:23
I believe that we too often take for granted the fact that it's hard to throw a rock in Texas without hitting a church. Many of us have grown up listening to the Gospel message. It can be hard for to us to believe that there are people in this world that have never heard the Gospel message of Jesus Christ - but there are - and they need to hear it just as much as us.
This one is pretty simple - we are to reach all nations because all have fallen short.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;" - Romans 3:23
I believe that we too often take for granted the fact that it's hard to throw a rock in Texas without hitting a church. Many of us have grown up listening to the Gospel message. It can be hard for to us to believe that there are people in this world that have never heard the Gospel message of Jesus Christ - but there are - and they need to hear it just as much as us.
4. It Refocuses Our Perspective
Scott gave a great example this Sunday of how simply flipping the orientation of the World Map as we know it can completely change the way we view different countries, their sizes, and which ones are the "most important".
The same can be said in our lives. Our perspective has a large impact on how we view what is important, where we focus our efforts, and what we deem necessary.
I'll be very upfront and honest here - I have not been on a foreign mission trip yet. However, I have been on a mission trip to Boston, MA. Though this is still within the continental US, I have to say, I was blown away by the difference in culture when it comes to religion and spirituality. That trip radically shifted my perspective, and I feel as though I've heard the same general message from many individuals who have embarked on a mission journey.
Seeing how other people live their lives allows you to challenge your own perspective and ask yourself, "what is really important to me?".
Scott gave another powerful example of this on Sunday. He explained that there have been missionaries who have worked with immigrants in a foreign land - meaning, whatever country the missionary is living in, they work with immigrants to that country - and through seeing how these immigrants are treated, the missionaries return home with a different view of immigration in their home country.
Being involved in global missions can have the same impact on you! Our perspective needs to be challenged and refocused from time to time. This is how we grow and mature as a Christian.
Scott gave a great example this Sunday of how simply flipping the orientation of the World Map as we know it can completely change the way we view different countries, their sizes, and which ones are the "most important".
The same can be said in our lives. Our perspective has a large impact on how we view what is important, where we focus our efforts, and what we deem necessary.
I'll be very upfront and honest here - I have not been on a foreign mission trip yet. However, I have been on a mission trip to Boston, MA. Though this is still within the continental US, I have to say, I was blown away by the difference in culture when it comes to religion and spirituality. That trip radically shifted my perspective, and I feel as though I've heard the same general message from many individuals who have embarked on a mission journey.
Seeing how other people live their lives allows you to challenge your own perspective and ask yourself, "what is really important to me?".
Scott gave another powerful example of this on Sunday. He explained that there have been missionaries who have worked with immigrants in a foreign land - meaning, whatever country the missionary is living in, they work with immigrants to that country - and through seeing how these immigrants are treated, the missionaries return home with a different view of immigration in their home country.
Being involved in global missions can have the same impact on you! Our perspective needs to be challenged and refocused from time to time. This is how we grow and mature as a Christian.
5. It Rallies Us to Be Holy
" Come to your senses and stop sinning; for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame." - 1 Corinthians 15-34
A huge hinderance to the spread of the Gospel is hypocrisy. If lost people cannot look at your life and see there is something different about you, then why would they assume something is different about you? We cannot be the light of the world or the salt of the earth if our lives look no different than those around us!
When we involve ourselves in the bigger picture - the global mission of God - it challenges us to deny the temptations of sin in our own lives so that we can more effectively serve in a global capacity.
" Come to your senses and stop sinning; for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame." - 1 Corinthians 15-34
A huge hinderance to the spread of the Gospel is hypocrisy. If lost people cannot look at your life and see there is something different about you, then why would they assume something is different about you? We cannot be the light of the world or the salt of the earth if our lives look no different than those around us!
When we involve ourselves in the bigger picture - the global mission of God - it challenges us to deny the temptations of sin in our own lives so that we can more effectively serve in a global capacity.
6. It Reinvigorates the Local Work
As Christians, we should be equally concerned with the local work of the Kingdom of God as much as the global work - these two focuses should be in balance.
Scott gave a great example of a tire that has an imbalance. It's impossible for a vehicle to travel forward at acceptable speeds when a tire is out of balance or has low pressure. The same can be said about the work of the Kingdom in spreading the Gospel - if we are disproportionately concerned with Kingdom work in our local area, then the vehicle of the Gospel is not going to travel as efficiently or quickly as it would if things were in balance.
While it is vital to grasp the importance of being involved in missions on a global scale, it is equally as vital to be involved on a local scale.
As Christians, we should be equally concerned with the local work of the Kingdom of God as much as the global work - these two focuses should be in balance.
Scott gave a great example of a tire that has an imbalance. It's impossible for a vehicle to travel forward at acceptable speeds when a tire is out of balance or has low pressure. The same can be said about the work of the Kingdom in spreading the Gospel - if we are disproportionately concerned with Kingdom work in our local area, then the vehicle of the Gospel is not going to travel as efficiently or quickly as it would if things were in balance.
While it is vital to grasp the importance of being involved in missions on a global scale, it is equally as vital to be involved on a local scale.
7. It Requisitions Funds
Not many people like talking about money (unless it's about making money), but the truth of the matter when it comes to global missions is this - ministering to people in need costs money and resources.
There are plenty of organizations in the world raising funds to meet the physical needs of those who can't provide for themselves - medical care, stray animals, crisis response, hungry children, etc... These are all benevolent, meaningful causes and they each raise a tremendous amount of support year after year. Should we not also provide resources to those who seek to make an eternal difference in the lives of people who would otherwise never hear the name of Jesus?
Scott pointed out that each year, after the Missions Conference at Marsh Lane Baptist Church, the amount given towards missions increases by an average of 37%. However, it does tend to decrease over the course of the year. I hope that we can all recognize the value of a dollar in a foreign country when it comes to spreading the Gospel, and be sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit when it comes to financially supporting our foreign missionaries.
I saw a statistic that really put things into perspective - an online estimate showed that Americans are predicted to spend over 1 billion dollars on Halloween costumes for their pets, but only give $450 million towards missions. I'm not judging if you dress your cat up next month, but I challenge you to also make a financial impact on God's mission around the world!
Not many people like talking about money (unless it's about making money), but the truth of the matter when it comes to global missions is this - ministering to people in need costs money and resources.
There are plenty of organizations in the world raising funds to meet the physical needs of those who can't provide for themselves - medical care, stray animals, crisis response, hungry children, etc... These are all benevolent, meaningful causes and they each raise a tremendous amount of support year after year. Should we not also provide resources to those who seek to make an eternal difference in the lives of people who would otherwise never hear the name of Jesus?
Scott pointed out that each year, after the Missions Conference at Marsh Lane Baptist Church, the amount given towards missions increases by an average of 37%. However, it does tend to decrease over the course of the year. I hope that we can all recognize the value of a dollar in a foreign country when it comes to spreading the Gospel, and be sensitive to the guidance of the Spirit when it comes to financially supporting our foreign missionaries.
I saw a statistic that really put things into perspective - an online estimate showed that Americans are predicted to spend over 1 billion dollars on Halloween costumes for their pets, but only give $450 million towards missions. I'm not judging if you dress your cat up next month, but I challenge you to also make a financial impact on God's mission around the world!
8. It Makes Us Receptive to the Call
In my opinion, this goes hand in hand with the fact that global missions has the ability to refocus our perspective. Scott gave a few examples of individuals and families who committed to being involved in global missions by attending a missions trip, then accepted the call to become a full-time missionary.
On paper, there's not much that would convince us to leave the comforts of our homes and voluntarily move somewhere without running water, air conditioning, fast food, or any of the other luxuries we tend to take for granted here in the States. But, what if God has a spot on the map picked out just for you, where He knows you could make an eternal difference in other people's lives? It may require you making the decision to get involved in global missions to be receptive to that call, and follow the guidance of God in your life.
If that last paragraph made you uncomfortable, consider this - there are plenty of ways to be involved in global missions. Running a missions organization requires numerous people, each serving in a different capacity. So, don't be afraid to get involved and "risk" being called to serve in a higher capacity...look for ways to get involved because that's what God wants you to do! And if that still sounds scary, well then start over at reason number 1 and see how you feel when you get here the second time!
In my opinion, this goes hand in hand with the fact that global missions has the ability to refocus our perspective. Scott gave a few examples of individuals and families who committed to being involved in global missions by attending a missions trip, then accepted the call to become a full-time missionary.
On paper, there's not much that would convince us to leave the comforts of our homes and voluntarily move somewhere without running water, air conditioning, fast food, or any of the other luxuries we tend to take for granted here in the States. But, what if God has a spot on the map picked out just for you, where He knows you could make an eternal difference in other people's lives? It may require you making the decision to get involved in global missions to be receptive to that call, and follow the guidance of God in your life.
If that last paragraph made you uncomfortable, consider this - there are plenty of ways to be involved in global missions. Running a missions organization requires numerous people, each serving in a different capacity. So, don't be afraid to get involved and "risk" being called to serve in a higher capacity...look for ways to get involved because that's what God wants you to do! And if that still sounds scary, well then start over at reason number 1 and see how you feel when you get here the second time!
9. It Releases Gratitude
"But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!" - Ephesians 2:4-5
Do these verses invoke a sense of gratitude in your heart? They should! To know that Christ died for you despite all your flaws, hang-ups and shortcomings should generate thankfulness in your own life.
Guess what? These verses were not written for you and you alone...they were written for everyone! So, if you have experienced forgiveness from God in your life, how amazing would it feel to be a part of spreading that same forgiveness to someone else's life!
"But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!" - Ephesians 2:4-5
Do these verses invoke a sense of gratitude in your heart? They should! To know that Christ died for you despite all your flaws, hang-ups and shortcomings should generate thankfulness in your own life.
Guess what? These verses were not written for you and you alone...they were written for everyone! So, if you have experienced forgiveness from God in your life, how amazing would it feel to be a part of spreading that same forgiveness to someone else's life!
10. It Refreshes Fellowship
I can honestly say I've never heard someone return from a mission trip and complain that the people there were boring, they didn't meet anyone interesting, or that they wish they hadn't met the people they did.
The same should be true for our local mission! Scott encouraged us today to look forward to the missions conference at the end of the month - there will be fellowship, food, games, music and fun each night of the conference.
As Christians, we should be able to gather and enjoy one another's company no matter the geographical location. Getting involved in missions is another way for us to grow closer, enjoy the gift of fellowship and expand our reach to individuals we would never meet otherwise.
I can honestly say I've never heard someone return from a mission trip and complain that the people there were boring, they didn't meet anyone interesting, or that they wish they hadn't met the people they did.
The same should be true for our local mission! Scott encouraged us today to look forward to the missions conference at the end of the month - there will be fellowship, food, games, music and fun each night of the conference.
As Christians, we should be able to gather and enjoy one another's company no matter the geographical location. Getting involved in missions is another way for us to grow closer, enjoy the gift of fellowship and expand our reach to individuals we would never meet otherwise.
Lastly, Scott issued a couple of challenges for us all:
1. What else?
10 reasons to get involved in global missions have been provided, but what's another reason not listed? Is there something important to you that was not mentioned?
2. What's missing in your life?
Reflect on each of these 10 reasons. If you're still thinking, "I just don't really see the importance of me being involved in this...", then which of these 10 reasons is not ringing true in your own life?
I challenge you to think on these things throughout the week, and continue to do so as we progress through this series on global missions. Also, I encourage you to discuss in the comments below! Share your reasons why missions are important, or an experience you had on a mission trip, or maybe an area that God is working on you to be more globally minded. Go one step further - have coffee with a friend and discuss it with them!
I hope and pray that each one of us take a serious look into our own lives and evaluate our stance when it comes to global missions. Regardless of where you stand, I know that the coming weeks will continue to challenge us all and draw us deeper into the mission of God to reach lost souls with the Gospel message.
1. What else?
10 reasons to get involved in global missions have been provided, but what's another reason not listed? Is there something important to you that was not mentioned?
2. What's missing in your life?
Reflect on each of these 10 reasons. If you're still thinking, "I just don't really see the importance of me being involved in this...", then which of these 10 reasons is not ringing true in your own life?
I challenge you to think on these things throughout the week, and continue to do so as we progress through this series on global missions. Also, I encourage you to discuss in the comments below! Share your reasons why missions are important, or an experience you had on a mission trip, or maybe an area that God is working on you to be more globally minded. Go one step further - have coffee with a friend and discuss it with them!
I hope and pray that each one of us take a serious look into our own lives and evaluate our stance when it comes to global missions. Regardless of where you stand, I know that the coming weeks will continue to challenge us all and draw us deeper into the mission of God to reach lost souls with the Gospel message.
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Thank you for this great message.