June 8, 2014

Missions: June 6, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JUNE 6, 2014.

MISSIONS

DEFINITION:

A group of persons sent by a church to carry on religious work, especially evangelism in foreign lands and often to establish schools, orphanages, churches and hospitals; also short term programs to assist missionaries and national leaders; and mission projects in their own city or neighborhood.

SCRIPTURE:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Christian missions are unique in the aggressive movements of history. Christianity in its pure form has no “axe to grind,” no system to foster, and no profit motivation. Its job is simply to “seek and to save that which is lost.”--- Nothing more, nothing less---. The word missionary means, “One who is sent.” The word missionary, one who is sent, is from the Latin. The word Apostle means the same and is from the Greek.

Typically people think of missionaries as those who God calls to set aside their personal ambitions to go to a foreign land in order to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.

The words recorded in Matthew 28:19 (above) were Jesus last commandment to His disciples before He ascended into heaven. These words of Jesus are called the “Great Commission.” Even though it was spoken to His disciples this commandment is for all believers down through the centuries.

We, as believers, have a responsibility to be involved in missions. When we find Jesus as our Savior we have several responsibilities. These include glorifying God in all that we do and to “seek and save that which was lost.” So our mission responsibility is to reach out to those in the world we live in that do not know Jesus and share with them the good news of the gospel.

Our mission field is where we are. Some may go to the deepest jungles of the Amazon and others will be on Main Street in your home town. Whether it is next door or to the farthest corner of the world, we are to go and make disciples. It is not an option but a command to all who call Jesus “Lord.”

We are to share the greatest truth there is with others --- Jesus loves me. We are to be sympathetic to the greatest problem that people face today --- fear. We need to be able to communicate answers for the greatest need that families have today --- love. The exciting news, the greatest promise we have as believers needs to be communicated to all – the return of Christ. And the greatest need that people want answers for today is – security (for today and for eternity).

Our text book is the Bible. The New Testament is a book of missions. The Gospels tell of the mission accomplishments of Jesus. The Acts tell of the missionary endeavors of the Apostles. The disciples were launched into the world, after they completed their training with Jesus, by the power of the resurrection.

Today the need for missions is greater than ever. The world is shrinking in size but expanding in population. We live in a world of conflicting, confusing beliefs and complex problems. But most important is that we live in a world of a dire spiritual need.

On a personal note, several of our grandchildren have gone on short term mission trips. In fact three of our grandchildren will be going with teams this summer. One is going to Ecuador. Two of them are in Dominican Republic, as you read this devotional, sharing the Gospel message in obedience to the Great Commission.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 1:12.

To all that received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.

PRAYER:

Father, help me to be a shining light in this world of darkness, ready for each and every opportunity to share Your love with those whose spiritual needs are great.





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