Our mission today is the same mission given to the disciples and apostles of the Bible. We have been given all the same gifts, we have the same truths they had. We are to share just like they did. If we believe the Bible to be true, then we have to believe the verses that tell us to share the gospel! Our mission is to point people to Jesus. He IS the ONLY hope the world has for salvation. It isn't a secret we are to keep to ourselves. Many people today claim to know Jesus and are headed straight to hell.
3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10: 9-13
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31
In John 6:35, Jesus says He is the bread of life and that anyone that comes to him will never be hungry again and anyone that believes on Him will never thirst again. These are the messages we are to deliver to the world.
I read a comment that said, "all we are is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread". Jesus is the bread of life.
Just like the blind man in John Chapter 9, all I know is "once I was blind but now I see". That is the story we are to share with the world. We are to bear witness to the world. Sharing what Jesus has done for us.
A witness in a trial is called upon to tell what they have seen and what they know to be true. God is calling His people to tell what they know and what they know to be true! Do you know anything about Jesus? Has God done anything for you through Jesus? If you can answer yes, that is what you are to tell the world.
Do you know God loves you?
Tell the world.
Do you know you are saved?
Tell the world.
Do you KNOW who to tell?
Tell the world.
We have examples all through the Bible - Peter at Pentecost, Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunich, Paul to King Agrippa and the list goes on. All these great witnesses just told what they knew!!
The witness in court has to testify to the judge and jury.
The witness for Jesus is to testify to the world.
But, Jesus breaks it down for us, start close, move out.
Anywhere sinners are found there is a need for the gospel.
Our mission field is anywhere lost people can be found and they can be found everywhere.
We start with family and friends, co-workers and strangers. Anyone we meet, anywhere we go. We are always to be "on mission" for Jesus Christ. Telling a lost and dying world that Jesus saves. Everyone we meet is either a believer or in need of the gospel. Let's tell them about our Savior.
What is really sad is most of us won't talk to anyone outside our comfort zone. We will visit friends and relatives but not go to someone who is lost. We will talk about the news, the latest ball scores, anything but Jesus even sometimes to those closest to us.
If we really believe hell is real, if we really believe people are lost and going to hell without Jesus, if we really believe the gospel is for all men, then why aren't we doing more to get the gospel to them??? Why aren't we out there telling a lost and dying world Jesus saves?
Could it be we don't believe everything we claim to believe? Could it be we are "saved and satisfied? Could it be we have forgotten just what Jesus has done for us? We act like we hae to do this alone but we don't. We have the Power of God on our side. If we are saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, prayed up and cleaned up before God, united in love, heart and purpose then we HAVE the Power of God on our witness, our works and our words. But we have to get our lives in the kind of shape God can bless and use - Amen. We are going to have to get like the early church in Acts 2:42-47, 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
When we do, we will see the Lord pour out His power on our witness to the world. Until we do, we will spin our wheels and accomplish nothing for His glory.
We desperately need God's power on our lives and our church today. We will never enjoy His unction and power until our hearts are right with one another and with Him.
If you have a problem with a brother or sister in Christ and you have not dealt with it biblically, THAT is a hindrance to the power of God being manifested in your life. If you have some secret sin buried in your life, THAT is a hindrance to the Power of God in your life. We need to stop looking at others and deal with out own hearts. When we do and when we get where He would have us to be we can and will enjoy His power on our witness.
I want to ask you - How important is being a witness to you?
What are you willing to change in yoru life so you can be a more effective witness?
What price are you willing to pay for the touch of God on your life?
How long has it been since you told anyone about Jesus?
Remember one day we will give an account of our witness to Jesus (Romans 14:12). The hour is late, the tie to tell the world is now.
Church we have been distracted by the world and the devil from the mission we have been given. We all share this responsibility, not just preachers and teachers. Now is the time to recapture our mission. Now is when we have to get back to it, nothing has changed.
It's time to deal with our own personal issues and it's time to deal with our own sins so that the Power of God might rest on us. It's time we obey His voice. We have enjoyed the blessings, let's share them with others. Time is so short, the day of His return IS at hand.
God bless,
til next time
tawanab
(4-11-11)
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