BEYOND THE BORDERS NOTES

INTRO

Acts 1:8 NLT

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

WHAT IF THE LAST NAME ON YOUR PRAYER LIST IS FROM A NATION YOU’VE NEVER EVEN THOUGHT TO PRAY FOR?

MAIN IDEA

THE GREAT COMMISSION WAS NEVER MEANT TO STOP AT THE EDGE OF OUR COMFORT, IT STOPS AT THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.

1. EVERY BELIEVER HAS A ROLE IN THE NATIONS.

A. YOU GO, GIVE, OR SEND, BUT YOU’RE NEVER EXEMPT.

Romans 10:14–15 NLT

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

EVERYONE IN THE KINGDOM AS A POSITION.

GOD DOESN’T NEED YOU, BUT IN HIS GRACE HE’S CHOSEN TO USE YOU.

B. PRAYER IS WARFARE FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM.

Colossians 4:2–3 NLT

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.

PRAYER IS THE ONE MISSION TRIP YOU CAN TAKE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THE MISSIONARY ON THE FRONT LINES IS ONLY AS STRONG AS THE PEOPLE PRAYING BEHIND THEM.

C. GIVING MULTIPLIES WHAT YOU COULD NEVER DELIVER YOURSELF.

Philippians 4:15–17 NLT

As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

YOUR OFFERING HAS A PASSPORT YOUR FEET WILL NEVER NEED.

GENEROSITY LETS YOU STAND IN ROOMS YOU’LL NEVER PHYSICALLY ENTER.

2. THE GOSPEL IS BIGGER THAN OUR COMFORT.

A. GOD’S HEART HAS ALWAYS BEEN GLOBAL.

Revelation 7:9 NLT

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.

THE GOSPEL WAS NEVER MEANT TO STAY LOCAL, IT WAS BORN TO GO GLOBAL.

B. OBEDIENCE REQUIRES LEAVING SOMETHING FAMILIAR.

Genesis 12:1 NLT

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.

EVERY “GO” IN SCRIPTURE REQUIRED LEAVING SOMETHING COMFORTABLE BEHIND.

GOD’S BIGGEST ASSIGNMENTS RARELY FIT INSIDE YOUR CURRENT COMFORT ZONE.

C. THE HARVEST IS WAITING ON WILLING HANDS.

Matthew 9:37–38 NLT

He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

THE HARVEST ISN’T SHORT ON NEED, IT’S SHORT ON WILLINGNESS.

3. YOUR YES ECHOES BEYOND WHAT YOU’LL SEE.

A. FAITHFULNESS HERE PREPARES YOU FOR THERE.

Luke 16:10 NLT

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

FAITHFULNESS IN THE SMALL ASSIGNMENT IS THE AUDITION FOR THE BIGGER ONE.

GOD RARELY SENDS YOU TO THE NATIONS BEFORE HE’S TESTED YOU IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

B. LEGACY IS MEASURED IN GENERATIONS, NOT MOMENTS.

2 Timothy 2:2 NLT

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

A MOMENT CAN INSPIRE A ROOM. A LEGACY CAN OUTLIVE A LIFETIME.

THE GOSPEL YOU PASS ON WILL PREACH LONG AFTER YOUR VOICE IS GONE.

Matthew 24:14 NLT

And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

JESUS TIED THE FINISH LINE OF HISTORY TO THE SPREAD OF HIS GOSPEL.

CONCLUSION/CLOSE

BEFORE YOU CAN GO AND TELL THE WORLD, YOU HAVE TO LET HIM TELL YOU WHO YOU REALLY ARE; FORGIVEN, CHOSEN, SENT.