The MISSION
1. THE MOST
MISSION
The Invasion of Normandy – WWII
The entire Invasion of Normandy campaign was orchestrated by American General Dwight D. Eisenhower and is still the largest seaborne invasion in history. For the troops at Omaha beach, nothing went as planned. Difficulties in navigation meant their initial landings drifted eastward and the beach was, by far, the most heavily fortified and defended. Their intelligence did not anticipate the veterans of the German 352nd division meeting them at the landing. Ten landing craft were lost before they even reached the beach, engineers struggled to blow up the defenses and many who made it to land couldn’t get through the planned exit points.
Despite the unbelievable odds, groups of bloody and water-logged survivors carved improvised footholds on the beach and exploited weaker points further inland to achieve their objectives over subsequent days. Though the two footholds were the most fragile of any across the beach, the German 352nd division were equally reduced to small groups, all thanks to the heroism of a few and the sacrifice of many. It wasn’t easy, convenient or to some even logical, but it was THE MISSION! Every regiment achieved their objectives and landing on the beach spelled the beginning of the end for Hitler’s forces.
The greatest success story in human history is how the gospel message spread across the Mediterranean world. Followers of Jesus grew from a few hundred on the day of Pentecost to more than six million people by the end of the second century.
TEXT: Acts 1:8 (KJV)
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. —Acts 1:8 (KJV)
2. THE PLAN OF
- MISSION of the CHURCH
There is no other plan. THE MISSION of Jesus has now become THE MISSION of HIS CHURCH!
The fact that Jesus left this mission in the hands of mere humanity is astounding.
There are 3 kinds of people…Those that MAKE IT HAPPEN, Those that WATCH IT HAPPEN, and those who WONDER WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!
Why the church is here. This church is a place where people can:
- KNOW GOD (Weekend Experiences)
- FIND FREEDOM (Small Groups)
- DISCOVER THEIR PURPOSE (Growth Track)
- MAKE A DIFFERENCE (Dream Team)
In this short strategic plan to take the gospel to the human race, Jesus made it clear that His plan included the entire planet. But, taking the gospel to the world began with the people in closest proximity to His followers.
Our Jerusalem (culturally and geographically close): Family, neighbors, and work associates fit into this group. We have regular contact with these people in the course of our daily activities. We speak their language and know their culture.
Our Judea (culturally similar but geographically more distant): People in our socio-economic and ethnic group that are not in our immediate network of relationships.
Our Samaria (culturally different but geographically within reach): Every community today has a group of disenfranchised people who need ministry. For example, inner-city ministries would target people in our Samaria.
Our Ends of the Earth (culturally and geographically distant): This group includes people we can only reach via short-term mission trips, global initiatives, and partnerships in missions to cultures all over the world.
Apollo 11 - To Boldly Go…
Arguably the greatest feat of human technology in world history, the 1969 Moon landing by Apollo 11 is by far the best-known and most monumental NASA mission. The mission launched on July 16, 1969, with a crew consisting of Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong. The launch and lunar orbital insertion were executed without flaw and were witnessed by hundreds of millions of people on live TV.
The craft came in two parts: Columbia, the command module that would stay in orbit around the Moon and ferry the men back home to Earth, and Eagle, the lunar module that would land on the Moon. The descent to the Moon’s surface occurred on July 20.
With over 500 million people on Earth watching the event on TV, Armstrong was in charge of landing the Eagle on the lunar surface. The descent was tricky because the planned landing site was filled with large rocks. It was a dangerous spot for a touchdown.
Armstrong had just seconds of fuel to spare when he set the lunar module on the surface of the Moon about 6.4 kilometers (4 mi) away from the planned landing spot. When he turned off the engine and the craft settled into the lunar dust, Armstrong uttered the famous words, “The Eagle has landed.”[10]
Over the course of several lunar excursions, the two men collected rocks, performed experiments, talked to the president, and famously planted and saluted the US flag. In total, they spent over 20 hours walking on the Moon.
Their craft returned successfully to Earth several days later, having laid the groundwork for five more lunar missions in the near future.
HOW CAN THE CHURCH COMPLETE THE MISSION
Psalm 68:11 – New King James Version
11 The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it:
COMPLETING THE MISSION:
1. Speed up Bible Translation
There are more than 30,000 different ethnic languages around the world that desperately need the Word of God in their own language and dialect. If we are going to fulfill the Mission, we need to focus on how we can contribute more towards Bible translations. Millions of dollars are being raised by Christian organizations to see this happen.
2. Use Saturation Evangelism
Saturation evangelism is the idea of using every available channel to reach every available person at any time. According to the parable of the sower, there are four kinds of hearts and at any given time, one fourth of those hearts are receptive to the Gospel message. It is our job as the church to spread seeds to those that are receptive when they are receptive. There are some hearts that are hard, but when storms of suffering hit – like natural disasters, pandemics, famines – God can create open hearts for reaching those in need.
3. Plant More Churches
We must plant all kinds of churches for all kinds of people. Smaller Churches that are excited can reproduce quickly. Medium size churches take more time to reproduce, but can offer people a community. Mega churches usually take much longer to reproduce, but can impact the community.
4. Mobilize More Believers
We must be mobilized to connect with other churches and partner together to complete the MISSION.
5. Unite Around the Great Commandment
We need to be united around the Great Commandment of loving God and loving one another. – LOVE IS THE ANSWER and MOTIVATION!!
6. Urge Every Believer to be an Ambassador of Christ
Every believer needs to know that they are not only a Christian saved by Christ – but they are an ambassador to share His Word with a lost generation.
7. Pray for the Great Commission
Finally, we need to pray for those who have not yet heard the Good News.
I Am A Person of Vision
I Am A Person of Vision
I have been a pew-warmer, a fence-walker, a spectator for too long.
I am getting up, getting right and getting going.
I may not see the entire picture, but I see my picture.
I can’t try everything, but I will try something.
I may fail trying, but I won’t fail to try.
I may not make much on my investment, but I won’t bury my talent in the ground.
I will act even though I receive no thanks in return.
I will pray and leave the answer up to God.
I will witness and leave the response up to the person.
I will smile even though no one smiles back.
I will give because it is right, not because I expect something in exchange for my gift.
I am blood-bought, Word-taught and miraculously-wrought.
I am divinely created, Spirit-filled, God-called and Heaven-sent.
I am saved by grace, programmed to succeed, wired for power and mission- oriented.
God is my commander-in-chief.
Jesus is my Savior.
My pastor is my coach.
The Bible is my blueprint.
The Holy Ghost is my Guide.
The world is my mission field.
I will be immune to criticism, unbowed by critics, unmoved by suffering and unashamed of the Gospel.
I will obey like Noah, sacrifice like Abraham, fight like David, pray like Daniel, be patient like Job, see God’s greatness like Isaiah, weep like Jeremiah, preach like Peter and reach out like Paul.
I have nothing greater to live for and nothing better to die for. I am a person of vision!
3.
TO THE MISSION
Knowing the Mission is not enough.
Mike Tyson - “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face (mouth).”
What Tyson said is similar to the old saying “no plan survives first contact with the enemy”.
Holyfield won. Despite the massive 15/2 odds against him. He won. WHY? He understood what he was up against to begin with.
Think about – The Battle of Midway – WWII
Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan was on a bit of a hot streak in their conquests, capturing Malaysia and the Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore. Their next plan was to lure U.S. Aircraft Carriers into a trap, sink them and capture Midway Island so they could continue launching attacks on the Americans from the East Pacific. What the Japanese didn’t know was that American code breakers had already cracked their communications, known as JN-25. They were able to pinpoint Midway as the target, predict the order of the battle and predict the day of attack as either June 4 or 5 (incidentally, it was the fourth). Because they knew what to expect, the MISSION was clear! The U.S. permanently crippled the Japanese naval fleet, destroying 200 naval aviators — a deficit from which the Land of the Rising Sun never recovered. Historically, the Battle of Midway is seen as the most important turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II. It was this victory that allowed the Americans to go on the offensive and capture momentum — a momentum that the Japanese would never regain before they ultimately surrendered.
2 Corinthians 2:11 ASV – that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
4.
TO THE MISSION
The MISSION of Louise Robinson Chapman (Africa: 1920-1940)
Found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred for his Christian faith. It is the moving testimony of martyr Louise Robinson Chapman.
I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low-living, sight-walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions,mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. Idon’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, leanon His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough,my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He’ll have noproblems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!
This vibrant declaration of Christian commitment comes from Dr. Nina Gunter. She got it from veteran missionary Louise Robinson Chapman (Africa: 1920-1940).