Keeping Missions Central in the Church (Pastors-NG)

1. We cannot lead to where we are not going.

What are some hindrances to missions?

Doctrinal. People have not really come to a solid understanding of the exclusivity of Christ. Additionally, people have not come to understand how God has chosen to communicate His Word to this world. Faith comes from hearing? Yes or no. How can they hear unless they are sent? Yes or no. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. — Before that Romans 10:15 “15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Lack of understanding about the need. The greatest resource we have to give is not financial but Bible teachers. Some might say “why don’t we just send money.” The poverty in this world is only a small reflection of the theological famine in the land.

Apathy. We only have some much energy to give. Many people desire the preeminence in life and missions does not fit into their agenda.

Practical Ideas

Choose an area of the world and study it and share it with your church. Missionaries are not the only Christians who should know geography.

Have missions services and conferences that require high commitment and sacrifice to execute. Taking the easy way our sends the wrong message about the importance of missions.

Look for ways to incorporate missions into your services. - A card that gets passed around during Sunday School to sign. - Members giving updates on their missionary. - When telling stories to illustrate a point consider using a missions story.

Practically: Star in your own life what you would want to see in the life of your church.

2. Rejoicing had an important role in the mission of the early church.

Acts 14:27 “27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

We should love to gather and rejoice

Everybody likes a party, and for those so inclined Luke 15 might rank as their favorite chapter of the Bible.

Here we learn of the rejoicing of the shepherd who finds his lost sheep

the woman who finds her missing silver coin

the father whose prodigal son returns

We learn of a time of rejoicing take place in heaven whenever a sinner comes to repentance.

What can we learn about celebrations from Luke 15?

We should recognize when God has done a work though us for our good and His glory. Acts 15:4 “4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.”

In 2 Chron we learn that God is looking in this world for people with hearts complete/perfect whom he can show Himself strong.

When He shows Himself strong in our lives we rejoice. Acts 15:12 “12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.”

There must be a gathering of people in order to have a party. Each story they went out and gathered people to tell the story.

We should make this a pattern of our lives.

A desire to rejoice and calling or gathering people to join us.

There is rejoicing in Heaven. Luke 15:10 “10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Practically: Even when you do not have funds to take on a missionary you can give time to rejoicing with them.

3. Help every member see how they should be a fellow helper of the truth.

3 John makes for a great sermon to demonstrate how our role of helping others matters. 3 John 7-8 “7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”

The story of Aquila and Priscilla help people see the connection between discipleship and sending. Acts 18:26 “26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”

Romans 16:3-4 “3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”

Practical: Think through the process in your church from visitor card to prayer card. Communicate this to your church.

4. An understanding of the need with a lack of understanding concerning our identity in Christ will make for a paralyzed church.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Dressed for this.

Have you ever heard “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” Well good news. You are already dressed for the job you have and should want!

Luke 24:49 “49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8 “8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”