Mobilising the Church for Missions: Fulfilling God's Dream and Vision

Introduction (5m)

Saving the Lost - A Vision from William Booth

Video: Saving the Lost - A Vision from William Booth | 5:00

Can I be honest and say that as I was preparing for this sermon, I came to a sense I didn’t want to preach it!

WB’s vision was designed to be a rebuke to a Church that had forgotten why it existed - to help Jesus save souls by keeping saved and getting others saved, and to serve suffering humanity.

But someone once said publicly about my preaching that they were getting fed up of being told off every week!

So I am always mindful of those times when the Spirit seeks to lead me to rebuke in order to encourage to do better!

And in the context of our passage, Jesus doesn’t help!

In the middle of his Olivet Discourse, on his way to cross, and warning his disciples they will suffer tribulation, persecution after he is gone and before the ultimate triumph of KoG.

Part of his warning is the theme of judgment of those who are not working towards this ultimate triumph.

And I have to be faithful to the text and preach what the Spirit tells me to preach!

Explanation (5m)

As we continue to look at who we are and what we do for God in these days and as we continue our Big Conversation, one thing from this passage is clear: God needs TSA/Maidenhead Corps to be fully mobilised

We are soldiers, in spiritual warfare, assembled, ready, and deployed to fight against the forces of sin, to overthrow Satan’s power, to win souls for Jesus!

God expects us to be an Army on its knees. But we dare not be an Army on its bums!

Photo: An Army on Its Knees

No spectators in TSA. We are all expected to be rescuers. Fully mobilised. Every person making a contribution.

We dare not be unfaithful foot soldiers

The ones who do nothing but hide what J has given us in the ground.

It seems J was having a go at the Pharisees here.

They had received the law and the prophets from God through their predecessors.

But they chose to bury it, unchanged. They buried it where ordinary people could not find it.

They did not use the responsibility God gave them well.

They wanted a religion without change and without risk.

O Lord, save us from being Pharisees and wicked and lazy foot soldiers!

I want each one of us to be able to hear Jesus’ words to the faithful servants instead

Matthew 25:21 NLT

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

Called to be good and faithful foot soldiers. Or in the context of parable - servants or slaves. God has given each one of us - no exceptions - abilities and opportunities.

Jesus’ parable makes it clear that what God has given each of us is priceless - the stewardship responsibility he gives us is no trivial matter

Our context: 1p lowest currency, £50 highest.

Jesus’ day: denarius (low) was a day’s wages for a common labourer. A talent (high) was worth 6,000 denarii. In today’s money: Around a minimum of £600,000.

It is probable that those listening to J that day didn’t know anyone who had nearly £5,000,000 to invest! These are huge amounts of money!

Each one of us has been so blessed with the abilities and opportunities God has given us!

Might be knowledge, health, strength, time, intellect, advantages, opportunities, job, vocation, people such as a spouse or children or friend, and natural abilities.

And whatever he has given us, Jesus expects us to use it.

The Master has made an investment in each one us as his servants, and he expects a return on his investment.

Application (5m)

What this message is not

Listen up! Preached a few weeks ago about working hard and serving the Lord enthusiastically - to serve with spiritual fervour and ensure our spiritual fire doesn’t go out.

Lost count of number of people who approached me afterwards wondering what more they could do!

Such a Salvationist response! And a trap I have often fallen into!

That message was not necessarily about doing more. It was certainly about doing something! But it was as much about doing what we are already doing in focused and passionate way, to be aflame for Christ. Wholehearted and all in!

And please hear me: today’s message is no different!

The master gave his talents to his servants in a way that corresponded with their ability. One five, one two, one one.

Our ability to serve God is affected by many things - he simply asks us to do as much as we can.

We are each called - in our way, and according to our ability - to come to value what the Master values

The good and faithful servants valued what the Master had given them, had invested it wisely, and received the reward of sharing the satisfaction of the master of the good investments they had made.

So let’s be unselfish

Let’s faithfully invest in the Kingdom, by looking outwards and investing in others according to our abilities.

Let’s help rescue them and bring them to Jesus.

Let’s care for them. Let’s not let them drown.

Let’s understand the mind of Christ and do what he would do if he were here - be his hands and feet in our community and in the world.

Let’s not be spectators

Let’s not be an Army on its bums. Let’s not be Asleep in the Light.

Let’s be fully mobilised. Let’s be good and faithful servants.

Next Steps

Keith Green - Asleep in the Light

Video: Keith Green - Asleep in the Light | 4:00