Friday, December 5, 2008

Missions is at the Heart of God

I am preaching this coming Sunday on missions. I have been preaching on the gospel for the past 5 weeks (4 weeks on personally understanding and applying the gospel and 1 week on taking the gospel to others). This week I will conclude that series with an emphasis on missions. When I use the word "missions" I mean mostly the idea of going where there is not gospel presence to preach to those who've never heard. This is one of my favorite subjects to preach on because I think missions is at the heart of God. Here's why I think this.

1. Jesus began His ministry with an emphasis on preaching the gospel. In Mark 1:15 Mark's first recorded words of Jesus are, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
2. The gospel according to Mark ends with Jesus saying, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15).
3. The apostle Paul didn't want his life to count for anything except to finish his calling from God. Acts 20:24 says, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received form the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
4. Jesus gave His life so that missions would be guaranteed success. Revelation 5:9-10 says, "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." Christ has purchased people from the ends of the earth who need to hear the gospel.
So missions is at the heart of the Bible and the heart of God. That is not to say that there is not an emphasis on the church and the need to present the church prefect for her Groom. It is to say that in order for there to be the church, there most first be missions.
If you are anywhere near the Pulaski, VA area we'd love to have you come and worship with us this Sunday.

4 comments:

Greg Breazeale said...

I wrote a post recently about this idea. If God exists to glorify Himself in all things, then this logically implies mission! Reflecting His glory means living in such a way that He is glorified in our good deeds of mercy and giving and caring and helping and people see that, and glorify our Father in Heaven. Good post!

GB

Pastor Randy said...

Good point Greg. I'm glad to see you on here. I think you are absolutely right. Let your light shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Always pointing to the Father and always proclaiming the gospel of Christ.

BoldLion said...

I will continue to be praying for you all and your preaching His Word to them too!

Yes, there is mission out there that need to be done. There is another kind of mission that can be done without going out of the country. Mission to your next door or to other that need help. See my blog what the church family had done for me which is a true blessing that I don't deserve to get.

In Christ Alone,
'Guerite ~ BoldLion

BillyB said...

God's revelation of his missionary heart begins in the old testament. Isaiah 49:6 tells us that it was not enough that Jesus be God's servant to restore Israel, but that He be a light for the nations, to be God's salvation to the ends of the earth.

As Christians (little Jesuses) we are to do what Jesus did. Bring light to that part of the world where we are and extend our influence for Him, to the ends of the earth, either by sending or going.

Our mission is missions, for we carry with us Him.