Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 13:1-5
Charles Malik, Lebanese ambassador to
the United Nations, asked in a speech: "What has been the
greatest American contribution to the rest of the world? Has it
been money? Has it been food? Has it been medical skill? Has it
been military might? Has it been industrial know-how?" Then
he answered, "The greatest thing to come out of America has
been the American missionary effort: The quiet, selfless men and
women who have left the comfort and security of their homeland
to bring the gospel of Christianity to less favored nations."
We hear about churches that are
"missions-minded." Bible Baptist Church, does not have
a mission’s program— We ARE a mission’s program!
Missions is Bible Baptist Church’s purpose for existence.
It is our total thrust from the Cradle Roll through the senior
Saint; from the pew to the pulpit.
Coca-Cola seems to be everywhere.
But how does it get there? This motto, posted in the company's
headquarters, explains it: THINK GLOBALLY, BUT ACT LOCALLY.
What this slogan is to Coke, the Great Commission is to the church.
Successful missionary outreach
is the result of: "An infusion of factual INFORMATION with
Scriptural INSPIRATION that leads to evangelistic INNOVATION."
I. A CONVICTION — All without Christ
are LOST.
A. If all
are not lost, why to people go to hell? Even in Hell, they are
mission-minded.
B. If all
are not lost, then why did Christ die?
1. If all are not lost, then John 3:16 is useless!
2. God had only one Son and He was a missionary.
C. If all
are not lost, then why did Christ commission the disciples? The
dis-ciples were missionaries.
D. If all
are not lost, what is the church for? To send out missionaries
(Acts 13).
E. If all
are not lost, why preach? (Rom. 10:1-17).
II. A CURE — The Gospel will save the LOST.
A. What
is the Gospel? It is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).
1. Power to change a life.
The story is told of a agnostic college
professor who visited the Fiji Islands. He remarked to an elderly
chief, "You're a great leader, but it's a pity you've been
taken in by those Christian missionaries. No one believes
the Bible anymore. People are tired of the story of Christ
dying on a cross for the sins of mankind. They know better
now. I'm sorry you've been so foolish as to accept their
story."
The old chief's eyes flashed as he answered,
"See that great rock over there? On it we smashed the
heads of our victims. Notice the furnace next to it?
In that oven we used to roast the bodies of our enemies.
If it wasn’t for those missionaries and the Gospel of Christ
that changed us from cannibals into Christians, you'd be our next
supper!
2. This is what people really need, not just
humanitarian charity.
B. If you
had a cure for cancer, it would be criminal to withhold it.
III. A COMMAND — Every Christian is responsible
to take the Gospel the LOST (Acts 8:1, 4).
A. You
are either a missionary or a mission field.
B. Not
just a preacher’s job.
C. Not
an optional thing. "It’s against my nature!" Yes,
and it’s against mine too!
1.
The closest thing to the heart of God is winning the lost to Christ.
2.
He who has a little heart for the lost has little heart for the
Savior.
3.
Perhaps the reason many people are not involved in missions is
because they don’t think their religion is worth sharing.
IV. A COMPLIANCE — I will make myself available
to go after the LOST.
A. I will go
in presence.
1. The Gospel has never been where someone hasn’t
taken it.
2. Many people think that God can't use them
where they are. But it is certain that God can't use them where
they ain’t.
B. I will go
in prayer. Paul said, "Brethren, pray for us…"
C. I will go
in pocketbook (2 Cor. 10:15-16).
1. The tithe is obedient giving. Commanded
2. The offering is love giving. Prove the sincerity
of your love.
3. Faith promise mission giving is faith giving.
CONCLUSION: Are you part of the problem or the solution?
Are you willing to help get the Gospel to some area of the world
where Christ has not been preached?