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Introduction:
Every follower of Jesus Christ has been commanded to be On Mission. This year’s theme, On Mission: Until the Whole World Hears, is a call to action. It’s a call to pray, hear, learn about, and engage in what God is doing all around the globe through City United Church.
While a global pandemic may have changed the methods in which we do missions, the command has and will never change. We must continue to be On Mission and be obedient to the Lord’s command and fund local and global missions through the local church so that we can continue to reach all ethical groups for the Gospel, Until the Whole World Hears.
An example of what we will be doing this month is found in the first Church in the book of Acts.
“23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 27And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28And there they abode long time with the disciples.” —Acts 14:23, 27-28 (KJV)
During the month of August, we will be focusing on being On Mission in the following areas:
August 8 What is Missions? (Pastor Gary)
August 15 On Mission – Manna Worldwide (Craig Alsup)
August 22 On Mission in Africa – (Cherith Hunt)
August 29 On Mission – The Timothy Initiative (David Nelms)
Text: John 20:21 (New Testament, CSB)
ON MISSION 2021 WEEK #1: “What Is Missions?”
Today’s Takeaway:
The church exists to be On Mission, and you get to be a part of it.
I. KNOW
WORLD MISSIONS IS
Definition of Missions: Missions is the process of helping everyone in the world hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their cultural context which results in a transformational, disciple-making movement that leads to churches being established among those who have believed.
A. Everyone needs to
“so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —in heaven and on earth and under the earth —11and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” —Philippians 2:10-11
B. Everyone should have the opportunity to
“They said with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! 13I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them say, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the one seated on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” —Revelation 5:12-13
II. UNDERSTAND
WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN WORLD MISSIONS
A. The last
“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)
The
The
The
B. The
The commanded progression of the book of Acts:
1. Acts 1-7: Christianity started in Jerusalem.
2. Acts 8-12: Christianity crossed cultural lines in Judea-Samaria.
3. Acts 13-26: Christianity came to us, the ends of the earth, and now it’s global.
C. The
“…since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. “How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news 16 But not all obeyed the gospel.” —Romans 10:12-16a
III. GET INVOLVED IN DOING
PART FOR WORLD MISSIONS
A. I will
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,” —2 Corinthians 5:20a (KJV)
B. I will
Pray for our current missionaries.
“Brethren, pray for us.” —1 Thessalonians 5:25 (KJV)
Pray for more missionaries to be sent and supported.
“When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” —Matthew 9:36-38
On Mission 2021 Missionary Booklet Download
C. I will
“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life. —1 Timothy 6:17-19
The principle: The gospel is free, but God gives you the opportunity through your money to bring it around the world.
The plan: Making a prayerful Faith Promise Missionary Offering Commitment.
-This system of giving is the biblical plan for supporting the world missionary outreach of our church. (See 2 Corinthians 8:1-15)
-This is a prayer covenant between God and you, to give regularly to global missions what the Lord leads you to give by faith.
A “FAITH PROMISE MISSIONARY OFFERING” can be defined as:
Faith: This means we are trusting God for something we presently do not have.
Promise: This means that if God will do His part in providing the money, we will do our part in giving it back to Him.
Missionary: This means that your allocated gift will be used for supporting the missionary program of our church.
Offering: This means we are giving this amount over and above our Obedient giving (Tithe,10% of your gross income.)
“And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. 18But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided - a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:15-19
D. I will
“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: … 2As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.” —Acts 13:1-3
CONCLUSION: Are you on Mission? Will you be a part of partnering with God in what He wants to do across the globe?
DEEP DIVE QUESTIONS:
Discuss the difference between missional and missions. How are you a part of both?
Read Acts 1:8. What do you find encouraging in this verse?
Which of the steps of obedience are you doing well in? Which one do you need to work on?
Start praying about the Faith Promise Missionary Offering that God would have you give over the next year.