* Understand this!
God does not need us!
God was doing a number of things before creation.
1. He was having fellowship with his Son. "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.'' Jn. 17:5
2. He was creating angels and stars. "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.''
Job 38:7
3. He was planning for a church. "Unto me, who am less than the least of all the saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all me see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages hath been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.'' Eph. 3:8,9
4. He was preparing for a kingdom. "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'' Matt. 25:34
5. God was planning for a Saviour. "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.'' Rev. 13:8
If we seriously study the Word of God, and look at all of the things God was planning for, you will find that missions was interwoven all through the planning process.
Scripture - Genesis chapter 3:15,
If we look at the entire passage of Scripture very carefully, we find that the mission of reconciling man back to himself
involved God himself.
Therefore we find that God, was the first Missionary.
This was something God did not have to do.
This would lead me to believe that God is very serious about missions and the
missionary work that is going on all around the world.
There are several passages of Scripture that shows the love of God reaching out to the entire world. Genesis 9:9,
Here in this passage of Scripture you find that God was establishing His covenant with Noah and his family, they were the entire world at this time, so we see that God again was reaching out to the entire world.
In reaching out to the entire world as God would be doing, we find another passage of Scripture in Genesis 12:3; "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'' God giving the Abrahamic covenant, never expected Abraham to keep this covenant, but God would keep it through him. That has always been the plan of God.
Again we find God confirming the covenant to Abraham's son Isaac. "And I will make thy seed to multiply as the as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.''
God again confirming His reaching out to a world needing His dear Son.
It was through this seed came a man named Jacob, whose name was changed by God to Israel.
God's plan was that the nation of Israel was to be His megaphone to broadcast the good news, or the gospel to the entire world.
If you read in the Old Testament very much, you find a nation that God had problems with. That nation was Israel. They refused to obey God and worship Him.
(The gospel message is always hindered by people who refuse to obey God. This would be true today, just as much or more as it was in the Old Testament.)
I have heard this saying many times and I'm sure you have to; "Missions is the heart beat of God''.
Believe it or not this statement is true. 2 Pet 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But what is tragic, is that we refuse to tell that person nearest us the good news that God's Son, Jesus Christ has paid our sin debt. We are just like the children of Israel in many ways. We are looking more at the world then we are at a loving Saviour.
The Thought of Missions Message 2
Introduction - Have you ever thought about giving a part of yourself to save a person from their destruction. God did, and His thought of missions is revealed in the wonderful grace and mercy of God.
Let me remind you that in Genesis 3:16, a tragic thing happened, "And when the women saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her; and he did eat.''
God was even thinking about us in the fall of Adam and Eve.
In His Holiness, God deals with the sin.
God pronounces a five fold judgment.
1. Genesis 3:17, upon the man, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake.'' God is careful never to put a curse on Adam.
He curses the serpent, Satan, and the soil, but not mankind.
The reason, of course, is that He desired to redeem man and therefore, would not curse that which He planned to later save.
Even so, the unsaved man can expect nothing good in this life apart from Christ.
2. The next judgment came upon the woman. Genesis 3:16, "In sorrow thou shall bring forth children.'' The suffering of childbirth is not so much a direct judgment from God, but rather an indirect result of sin. Sin always causes suffering, sickness, separation, and sorrow.
3. The next judgment was upon nature. Genesis 3:18, "Thorns... and thistles shall it bring forth.'' From this point on, mans paradise becomes a wilderness. It has been said that the scientific principle called the second law of thermodynamics came into being. Which states that when energy is being transformed from one state to another, some of it is turned into heat energy which cannot be converted back into useful form. Sort of like a wind up clock slowly running down.
4. The fourth judgment was upon the serpent. Genesis 3:14, "And...God said unto the serpent...upon thy belly shalt thou go.'' The serpent is not offered a chance to explain its actions as God allowed Adam and Eve to do. Judgment is passed out immediately. For lending its body to Satan, the serpent was cursed to crawl in the dust from that point on.
5. The fifth judgment was upon the devil. Genesis 3:15, "And I will put enmity between thee and woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.''
This would be of course the thrilling prediction of the cross and the resurrection.
Dealing with the thought of missions, it was not just the judgment of God that took placebut the grace of God as well.
The threefold Grace of God can be seen.
Number one, God seeking Adam out. Adam didn't take the first step to God, but it was God taking the first step to Adam. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.'' Luke 19:10
Number two, God promised them a Saviour. Genesis 3:15 He as well clothed them, some innocent animal had to die so that Adam and his wife could be clothed. Think about this the innocent dying for the guilty.
The third act of grace was God driving Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Which was a act of mercy from God.
Genesis 3:24
This was a well thought out process by God, and because of sin, and separation, man must be reconciled back to God.
You say in this thought process, there must be a cost, there was a tremendous cost, payment was made on the cross of Calvary for you and me.
Have you ever thought about missions the way God has thought about missions?
Biblical Missions From the Scriptures
Message 3
Introduction -
Biblical Missions- Going, giving, and praying,
(If you cannot go, send someone in your place)
One must give their self to understand the giving or going part of the Great Commission.
2 Cor 8:1-5
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
Isa 6:8-9
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
Biblical relation - Missions, PRAYING, PREACHING, PLANTING
(Prayer is the key that opens or closes the door of opportunity) this is the reason many doors are closing (Lack of Prayer).
The Preaching - of the Gospel to the unconverted everywhere according to Biblical principals.
Once the Gospel is proclaimed by the command of Christ, the third principal is
(Planting or establishing of Strong, spiritual, self supporting (indigenous) church in every country and with every race of people.
Missions - comes from the Latin Mitto - (I send) or "sent one"
Every believer has been charged by Christ to be a witness.
But a Missionary is a -
1. God converted
2. God called
3. God chosen
4. God charged
5. God sent
The Local Church - and members must understand the doctrine of the great commission.
1. Preaching - proclaiming the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. (Everyone)
2. Teaching - discipleship training, to new converts.
3. Baptising - Mark of identification with Christ.
4. Teaching them to observe all things- Teaching them so that they can teach others.
Missions is not just the programme of the church - It is the whole purpose of the Scriptural New Testament Church.
Friendship with Christ - John 15:14-27
(The bond of Friendship relates the goal for obedience through missions)
1. Path of Missions - Jn. 15:14
2. Privilege of Missions - Jn. 15:15
3. Programme of Missions - Jn. 15:16
4. Partnership of Missions - Jn. 15:17
5. People of Missions - Jn. 15:18-25
6. Power of Missions - Jn. 15:26-27
Obligation To Biblical Missions Message 4 John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Introduction - Each person that knows Christ as their personal Saviour must see their obligation of getting the Gospel out to the unreached regions.
Missions - (God's work) meaning, the total redemptive purpose and plan of God to establish His church.
"The Mission" of Christ is by His work on the cross. (II Peter 3:9)
* The purpose is for souls to be saved, His plan is for redemption.
Missions - (God's way) meaning, God's way of getting the redemptive message out is by the activity of His church.
God did not call angels to do it, but chose men - Rom. 10:13-15
* The church is sent by God to do a work where unto He has called them. It is not their work, but the Lord's work.
Missions - Guide– (God's Word) meaning, The Word of God is the only instruction guide we have. The Bible guides the believer into their responsibility to witness, and sow the seed.
None of God's children are excused from this responsibility!
* Only by the Spirit of God, by His word, can, mold, shape, develop, and make someone into a witness.
Heb 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Missions operation -
(God's will) meaning, Outreach calls for effective, activity, going beyond the boundaries, and borders of self.
He believer is charged to go the second mile and beyond.
Local churches responsibility to inform the membership as to the need in the regions beyond.
Matt 5:41
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Missionary (God's worker) meaning, without them there is no mission work.
God's plan is to communicate to people through people.
Luke 14:23
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Mission Field - (God's World) meaning, Matt. 28:16-20
The great commission demands believers to go into all nations and teach all people.
Every soul upon the whole earth, that has ever been and that will ever be, is to be given the Gospel.
Oppression Of Biblical Missions Message 5
The Oppression of Biblical Missions:
* When you think of oppressions to missions, your mind goes to the devil and his demons or to the sinner and his sin.
* The devil is definitely against God's,
Plan, Programme, Personnel, Place of Worship, and the Preaching of the Gospel.
* One can fool himself into thinking that everybody is for missions and missionaries.
Especially coming to their land.
The oppression toward missions does not always come from the devil and his usual crowd.
It is said that many of God's people have never obeyed God's command to reach the lost souls of humanity.
* Here's a thought for you.... why support missionaries when there is such a great need in this place! A prevailing thought every place in the world.
Pride hinders from going and coming! Scripture - II Peter 1:4-9
Virtue - moral strength, Godly influence - (Clean life)
Knowledge - spiritual experience, wisdom - (a clear mind)
Temperance - self control, self discipline - (a controlled life)
Patience - suffering - endurance - (a content heart)
Godliness - one that is Godly in character and attitude - (a committed will)
Brotherly kindness - love and kindness towards a brother in Christ - (a caring person)
Charity - unselfish love - (A Christlike being)
* There are many Christians who do not understand God working through them to reach the world.
* They oppress the very thought of Giving! Going,
* An obedient Christian, will seek a way to GO, GIVE and show forth the GLORY.
Oppressions may come, but promises are much greater!
1. His presence - Matt. 28:16-20
2. His protection - Mark 16:15-18
3. His program - Luke 24:46-48
4. His peace - John 14:27-31
5. His power - Acts 1:8
* Do not let human objectives, satanic oppressions, or emotion depression stop you from obeying God!
Giving Biblical Missions Message 6
Introduction - "God does not support His ministry through bake sales, car boot sales (garage sales), auctions, or the government.
God's way - Tithes, offerings and Faith Promise giving...
Scripture ref. - Malachi 3:8-10
* Tithing is the basis of obedience.
* The tithe is the Lord's and the storehouse is the church.
Lev. 27:30, I Cor. 16:2, Matt. 23:23, Acts 4:37
Offerings come from sacrificing (Malachi 3:8b)
Offerings are above and beyond the tithe; it is sacrificial giving to aid the local church in their operations.
* The best way to support Biblical missions is through the Faith promise principal.
Faith promise is giving beyond your power!
Forgetting all
Impossibilities and
Trust
Him!
• Christ gave His all - II Cor. 8:9, (How much have you given Him)
• Verses to be used - II Cor. 5:7; 8:10-12; 9:5-7; 10:15,16
* Faith Promise is by Faith . . . . Not Feelings
Not given by the funds that you have.... But it is by faith in God...
Drawing on the bank of Heaven!
The Principal Of Biblical Missions Message 7
I. Faith Promise Giving - Passes our ability. (II Cor. 8:1-3)
A. Grace of God bestowed (verse 1)
B. Great trials and deep poverty (verse 2)
C. Gave beyond their power (resources) (verse 3)
II. Faith Promise Giving - Proves our Love. (II Cor. 8:4-9)
A. Praying with much in treaty, vs. 4
B. Personally they gave themselves first vs. 5
C. Personnel involvement vs. 6
D. Progression in Grace vs. 7
E. Prove their sincerity and love vs. 8
F. Provide a giving example vs. 9
III. Faith Promise Giving - Performs our Promise (II Cor. 8:10-15)
A. Promise made a year ago vs. 10
B. Perform the doing of it vs. 11a
C. Performance made of a willing mind vs. 11b-12
D. Produces an equality in Giving vs. 13-15
IV. Faith Promise Giving is by Purpose (II Cor. 9:1-17)
A. 9:7a (Purpose based in the heart . . . . Not in the head)
B. (Purpose birthed in the heart, as a Christian we are to have a new heart)
* Not a heart of getting but Giving...
C. Purpose built in the Heart - (purpose established, performed by giving)
V. Faith Promise Giving is by Plan
A. 9:7b (Planned from a willing heart)
* God's plan for sinners, II Peter 3:9
B. Planned from a working Heart, by asking God how much you can trust Him for.
VI. Faith Promise Giving is by Pleasure
A. 9:7c (Pleasure giving effects the givers gift) Jn. 3:16
* You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.....
B. Pleasure giving effects the giver's God
(God has been moved many times in the Bible)
*Jonah in reference to Nineveh
The Promise Biblical Missions Message number eight
"Seven blessings that Faith Promise Missions accomplishes"
1. Strengthens our Burden for the Lost! (John 4:35)
2. Allows us to support missionaries... (Fields of service we cannot go)
We have a part in their ministry... (Luke 6:19-21)
3. Financial obligation, given by faith... Not to be budgeted into our finances...
(Strengthens our faith) (Hebrews 10:38; 11:6)
4. It increases the tithe and offerings... (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
5. It increases our vision... (Proverbs 29:18)
6. Allows us to be obedient to God's command...
"The Great Commission" (Matthew 28:18-19)
7. Effects our Spiritual Life! (Luke 16:10-11)
* Giving demonstrates our Love not Law (John 3:16)
* Give our Faith Promise Cards!
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