No Plan "B"

When the Lord Jesus returned to heaven on Ascension Day, His mission on earth had been completed. Upon His arrival He was met by a band of angels who provided a royal greeting complete with songs of praise and adoration. He was paraded through the golden streets of Glory and worshipped in a ceremony led by Gabriel.

“Welcome home Jesus!” they called out to Him. “Were you able to complete the task you were sent to do?”, Jesus answered “Yes, I was born in Bethlehem. I lived among people, taught them and performed miracles for them. I revealed to them why I cam to earth. Then I died on a cross outside Jerusalem was buried in a tomb that was sealed by the Roman government. On the third day I rose from the grave. Behold, I am alive forevermore! I died for the whole world so that every sinner might be saved.”

Jesus answered “Yes, I was born in Bethlehem. I lived among people, taught them and performed miracles for them. I revealed to them why I cam to earth

Then Gabriel spoke up, “You said you died for the whole world. But does the whole world know about your death and salvation?”

“No,” replied Jesus, “but I told my disciples to go and tell them.”

Then Gabriel asked, “But Lord, what if they fail? What alternative plan do you have?”

Jesus said, “I have no other plan!”

Obviously, none of they Heavenly host would ask Jesus if he was successful in His task…that would be a silly question. Gabriel wouldn’t ask Jesus if He had a plan B…that would be ludicrous.

Before Jesus ascended back into Heaven He gave clear instructions. He gave them a mandate…not an option…but a mandate.

Matthew 28:18–20 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

He reminded them that they would be able to fulfill this mandate by faith in Him and through the power of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

PRAYER

His mandate was clear -

Mark 16:15 NIV

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

This mandate was not just for them…it continues with us. It is a mandate that is more than just doing projects or implementing programs. If our projects and programs do not promote sharing God’s love, salvation, and growing disciples, they are not fulfilling the mandate.

The current population of the world is 7.53 billion (in 2012 it was 6.5 billion). Jesus loves every single one of them. Out of the 16,000 people groups in the world, approximately 6700 are unreached people groups…accounting for about 42% of the world’s population.

What do we need to understand about Jesus’ mandate?

It is a command with no other option except to obey

God Himself divinely enables us to fulfill the mandate

The mandate cannot be accomplished without the power of God’s Holy Spirit

The mandate can only be achieved through faith in action

Jesus does not have a “plan B”

Big Idea: Since Jesus only has one plan to reach the lost, let’s give ourselves to His mandate, by faith, fully empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Transitional: The Holy Spirit enables us to activate our faith through stepping out in both giving and commitment

FAITH PROMISE GIVING

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Skim through

Romans 12:3 NIV

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Matthew 13:31–32 NIV

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31 NIV

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.

In Jesus told the Disciple that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed they could tell a mountain to be cast into to the sea and it would be done

-31

If we want to grow in our giving we should ask God to grow our faith

Pray for more faith

In , a man brought his demon possessed son to be prayed for — the Disciples were unsuccessful. Jesus told them man to believe — He said “I believe! Please help my unbelief”

It is a legitimate thing to pray to God for more faith…stronger faith

Pray for more faith

If we want to grow in our giving we should ask God to bring the resources that we do not yet see

Pray for resources you do not have

If God puts it in your heart to give 50 dollars and you know there is no way for you to come up with it…pray, in faith, “Lord, show me where to get this money and I will give it”. Or, “Lord, I long to give....please make it possible and help me to be faithful to keep my promise.”

It might not be money every time — it might be time — it might be a call to intercessory prayer — it might be a call to fast and pray — whatever it is, God will enable you to give — ask Him to make it happen.

If we desire to grow in giving...pray that God will give us the determination and strength to obey His promptings

Pray for resolve to keep your promise when the miracle happens

Pray to become faith-filled stewards as a way of life

As you pray this kind of prayer…God will stir your heart and begin to change the way you look at your money, time, talent, and other resources

Pray and trust the true Source to provide what you need to fulfill your promise

We are not our own source — God is always our Source of faith, strength, etc.

Transitional: You cannot truly accomplish faith promise giving unless you have made a true commitment to take action based upon faith — remember, faith promise giving is not always about the money…it is about your whole way of life

FAITH PROMISE COMMITMENT

faith promise commitment is...

Based upon the knowledge that God is pleased to make miracles giving happen through you

This kind of commitment is totally dependent on God to bring the money, strength, situations, etc. to make miracles possible

With this faith-driving commitment, you cannot depend on known resources or your own ingenuity, but it is driven by the excitement of knowing that God is please to channel miracles through you

Missions giving increase, helping a neighbor or stranger in need when you have no idea how…you just step out in faith and watch God work.

faith promise commitment is...

Based upon what you believe is God’s desires to do through you, not upon what you think you can afford

What does God want to do through you?

What does God want to do through your family?

What does God want to do through Powerhouse?

If it is something God wants done…He will use you if you will dare to believe and step out in a faith promise committment

“Lord, I know you are leading me to … I am scared and uncertain…but I trust you and I will follow your lead”

faith promise commitment is...

Based upon a commitment big enough to stretch your faith and challenging enough to drive you to your knees

Look at Nehemiah’s prayer - Neh 1

Illustration: Every Christian could be represented by one of the following:

1. Dead Sea: The Jordan River pours millions of cubic feet of water into the Dead Sea — but no marine or animal life can survive there. You can dive into the water but it pushes you to the surface because of the high concentration of minerals. The Dead Sea has no life. Why? Because it is always receiving water but the water has no outlet. It takes in but never gives out

Dead Sea

2. The Sea of Galilee: Water flows into the Sea of Galilee from the mountains of Lebanon. You can stand at the head of the Jordan River where it flows out of the Sea of Galilee southward. Fishermen there bring in tons of fish every day. Even though it is fished all the time, the supply doesn’t run out. It has so much life because it not only receives water from the mountains but it is also constantly giving water out to the Jordan River.

Are you a Dead Sea Christian or a Sea of Galilee Christian?

Would you rather be in a place full of life or where nothing can survive?

The Sea of Galilee

CHALLENGE

The first question we must always ask is this: “How is your relationship with Jesus?”

Non-existent

Jesus came so that you can have abundant life — fulness of joy, purpose, and peace

Luke-warm

Revelation 3:16 NIV

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

On fire

What are you willing to do to keep our missionaries on the front lines?

You can make all the difference in world by praying and by giving financially

You can make all the difference in the world by going to help them

What are you willing to commit to in your own backyard mission-field?

You can make all the difference in the world by praying, giving, and working in the field where God has planted you

How willing are you to “go” wherever God might call you to go, whether it be near or far?

We are all potential candidates for the mission-field “out there in the world”

We are all definitely called to the mission-field where we live today

Since Jesus only has one plan to reach the lost, let’s give ourselves to His mandate, by faith, fully empowered by the Holy Spirit.

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