Mission Minded Messiah

Big Idea.

Matthew gives a summary statement of Jesus’ mission, insight into his heart and a record of his instruction to train his readers for their mission as followers of Jesus.

Talking with a few people from church the other day conversation turned to movies and Tom Cruise.

Someone said that when he dumped Nicole that was it - dead to them.

For something to change there needs to be a PRINCIPLE, PASSION, PLAN

PASSION

PLAN

The Mission Impossible franchises are some of the best fun.

The technology is cool, the action is full throttle and of course the Mission is Impossible.

And the movies always start by setting the scene for that now famous line to be delivered … “Your Mission should you choose to accept it ...”

Well, as followers of Jesus we have accepted a mission - the Great Commission, Matt 28.

Kids talk - how will they know where the treasure is?

In our passage today, at the end of chapter 9 Jesus is getting ready to send his disciples out on a short term mission. A little practice run, a dress rehearsal before the big gig.

And in preparation for us to hear about that mission Matthew gives us a summary of Jesus’ mission, a glimpse into the Saviour’s heart, and instruction to his disciples.

In the Mission Impossible movies the objective is always to save the world. Stop the bad guys from blowing it up. Those stories always resonate with us because they point us to the bigger story, the over arching narrative of our existence …

It has always been God’s objective - to save the world.

So, what’s my motivation for this mission?

How will the world know?

I go to a local gym, down in the mall. Great cause I just walk to the gym. Not so great I have to come up with my own program. The other morning I just walked down with no plan and came home feeling that I had not achieved very much at all.

Great cause I just walk to the gym. Not so great I have to come up with my own program. The other morning I just walked down with no plan and came home feeling that I had not achieved very much at all.

Daily plan - without a plan for the day there is no intentionality, lots more wasted time, you can get to the end of the day and feel like nothing of substance was achieved.

Mindset for productivity.

On our mission as followers of Jesus we need a mindset for fruitfulness.

What is the mission mindset?

Jesus’ Mission determines our Conviction (v35)

Matthew reports that Jesus came, taught, proclaimed and healed.

Historical Jesus. Came to show us God and his Kingdom.

Came to show us how to be a part of that kingdom and to open the way.

Came to show us God and his Kingdom.

Our Conviction - to take that message out to the world.

If people are to have hope in this life, peace with God and eternal life to come they must repent and believe in the name of Jesus.

Acts 4:12 NIV

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Romans 10:9 NIV

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans

Romans 10:14 ESV

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Romans 9:14 ESV

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!

Romans 9:15–17 ESV

15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Romans 10:15–17 ESV

15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 9:

Romans 10:14

Our conviction is that apart from a personal, saving relationship with Jesus people will not be, cannot be saved. That they are doomed to a life without persevering and robust hope and an eternity under the weight of God’s wrath.

Jesus’ Heart drives our Compassion (v36)

Jesus has great compassion on the lost.

They are like helpless, defenceless, shepherd-less sheep.

They need help not harassment.

It is not the church’s role to wag a judgemental finger toward the lost. It is not our right to sit in self-righteous indignation toward the lost. It is not our place to be offended by the lost - that is hard work. It is not reflecting the character of Jesus to live our lives without concern for the lost.

Compassion means to be cut to the heart by their condition - even if they do not perceive their dire need.

Our compassion drives us, compels us, motivates us to action, to over come our fears of ridicule and rejection.

Compassion means we are energised by the urgent need of the good news of Jesus to go out.

Jesus’ instruction directs our Call (v37-38)

Instruction from Jesus to his followers.

Prayer.

The job is very big. The work force is rather small.

Therefore, let’s panic and not do anything???

No. Prayer.

Pray that God would raise up workers.

He is about to send his disciples out on a mission. At the end of Matthew we have the great Commission - the church’s mission, to go out to all nations with the good news of Jesus.

But Prayer is a big part of that mission.

Maybe the next steep in our mission is to pray.

Prayer triplets.

Prayer meetings.

Prayer in small groups.

Prayer each day, personal and with your spouse, your family.

Pray that God would use us to reach the lost around us.