20-20 Vision for Missions.

The term 20-20 vision indicates that person sees clearly from near and far. That means that the person does not have neither myopia (near-sightedness) nor hyperopia (far-sightedness).

The vision Jesus transmitted to the disciples regarding missions was a balanced one: 20-20

The vision Jesus transmitted to the disciples regarding missions was a balanced one: 20-20

Before He ascended back to Heaven, He gathered them together and gave them a very specific regarding missions:

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Jesus came to reach those who were near, Israelites; and those who were far, the Gentiles.

The disciples were focusing on the restoration of the kingdom of Israel, but Jesus told them they should focus on the mission He was entrusting to them.

The people of Jerusalem and Judea could represent those near: those in your city and state; Samaria could represent a mid-vision: those in neighboring states; and the remotest part of the earth could represent those who were far.

When it has to do with missions, many churches suffer myopia or the hyperopia. Some focus on reaching those around them, but neglect those far from them. The opposite is also true…

Clear vision on Home Missions.

One thing must be clear: if you are a Christian, you are a missionary! You have been entrusted with a mission: making disciples of all nations, preaching the gospel to all creation.

A clear vision on Home Missions demands that you:

Start witnessing to those close to you.

Jesus reminded the disciples that they should illuminate those in darkness.

Matthew 5:14 NASB95

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

You are the light those in darkness need to see. Some Christians are “a light on the street, and darkness at their home”. You cannot illuminate the entire world, but you can illuminate your home.

You are the light those in darkness need to see.

Matthew 5:15–16 NASB95

nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Mat 5:15-16

Pay attention to this portion: “it gives light to all who are in the house.”

Those close to you might be your parents, your spouse, your children, your siblings, and even your grandparents.

I was the first one in my family that came to Jesus. The light that I was bringing home was so strong that my wife could not believe it, but later she met Jesus. My mother was next, then my sister, then two of my sisters-in-law, my brothers heard the gospel, but I doubt they responded properly.

Extend the reach to those around you.

We cannot be satisfied with just reaching our family. That is only the starting point!

We are surrounded by people we know that are on their way to Hell. They need to see the light, they need to hear the message, and you are the more indicated to tell them about Jesus and about what Jesus did for you, and in you.

Since you already have an established relationship with them, your friends should be the first candidates to be reached. They know you, and they will be the first to realize that something has happened to you: you are changed! You stop drinking, smoking, cursing, womanizing, etc.

Then those with whom you have regular contact: co-workers, fellow students, neighbors, and lastly, strangers.

Let’s imitate the Samaritan woman of ! As soon as her encounter with Jesus finished, she went to her village and told those she knew about Jesus.

Clear vision on Foreign Missions.

We have been given the responsibility of making disciples of all nations. The problem is that we cannot personally go to all nations. But that does not exempt us from our responsibility!

Partial obedience amounts to disobedience! If we do home mission, but not foreign mission, we are disobedient!

How can we have a clear vision on foreign missions?

Experience a short term foreign mission.

Most people have wrong ideas about what it means going out as missionaries...

The only way you can truly know if that is for you is experiencing it for a short term.

The majority of believers never have been on foreign mission field, where the culture is different, the language, the food, and the laws are different.

Go for a week or two, but go! Go to teach, to preach, to build houses, to open wells, to help at a foreign church, etc. But never forget that the ultimate goal is to make new believers, reach people for Christ, or to edify those that are already reach.

Illust. Missionary report from teaching trip to Philippines.

Support foreign missionaries.

You must either go to foreign mission field or support those that go. “Either you fish or cut bait!” Either go or you send!

Probably other responsibilities will not allow us to cross borders or oceans to fulfill the responsibility, but we can support those that are willing to go or do the work in other countries. What kind of support can we provide?

Financial support.

Missionaries have needs that only can be cover by money. Food, cloth, health, resources, materials, gas, vehicle, etc.

We do foreign missions when we participate financially in supplying their needs.

Prayer support.

Missionaries face dangers and loneliness, they need wisdom and strength. We may pray for them and their families, and for the people they are trying to reach.

Encouragement support.

Paul visit the cities where he had made disciples to encouragement:

Acts 14:21–22 NASB95

After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Act 14:21-22

You have no idea of the positive effect of receiving a letter from those that pray for them. It communicates “you’re not alone”, “we’re praying for you”, “you’re not forgotten”, “we care for you”.

All of us can do that! How much it cost? A stamp and a few minutes writing!

Let’s not forget that they are fulfilling our responsibility!

20-20! Home missions and foreign missions. I encourage you to take a short term mission trip and to witness to those in your Jerusalem and Judea.