Today is Baptist men’s day and the pastor asked me to speak about our role missions. But, I need to lead up to it with a little back ground. First, what does the word mean? The way we use it actually comes from its usage by the Jesuits back in the 1500’s describing their action of sending of members abroad. Or simply, to be sent. But I would say that you don’t have to go abroad to be on a mission for God. However, our ultimate goal is to participate in God’s mission. If you are not actively participating in God’s work, then you are not living your life in step with God. Think back to when you got saved. For me, it was in 1983 at a Bill Glass crusade. I think all of us can remember being so on fire for Jesus at that point. You would’ve went anywhere for Jesus. But the world has ways of dulling our spirituality and then questioning our commitment. Maybe all we need is a little refresher. So, let’s look at what Jesus says about how we should be living our lives.
First in Matthew 22:36-40;
36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’t 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’t 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
These commandments that Jesus points to are the basis of what we are to be about. Loving God and loving each other. As he stated in verse 40, this is the basis for everything else given to us from God in the form of laws, prophecy, etc. We have many programs right here at First Baptist of Cherryville, that you can participate in, that allow you to fulfill these commands. We have the Bereavement team, the Prayer Quilt group, various groups that visit Nursing homes and shut-ins, RAs, GAs and many more. But if you listen closely to what these activities represent, you’ll notice that they tend only focus on loving and caring for people already a part of the church. Now, I think we can all agree that Jesus’ entire life was focused on the lost on not the found. Fortunately, we have other groups right here at First Baptist of Cherryville based on reaching the lost too. There are a number of folks dedicated to the Outdoor Blessings, God’s Planned Harvest, Upwards, the FEET ministry and various annual mission trips. Each of these ministries are here to provide you and I with ways to interact with the lost. This is great, but are you involved?! Now some of you may also be thinking that maybe you can participate in these and never even think about going off to foreign lands like Africa, China, or even Philadelphia. Thinking in this way means that we may be short sighted on Jesus’ other command known as the Great Commission. We know what Jesus also gave us the following command before he left us. In Matthew 28:18-20 it says,
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
To summarize, bring all people to their salvation through Jesus and then teach them to Love as he described in the two commandments earlier. So, here we have it… the command is to go. As we said earlier, missions literally means to be sent. We cannot sit here in Cherryville and be confident that on judgment day we can stand in front of God with confidence in our actions or inactions. So, how are we called fulfill this? Let’s take a slight detour first. This is the typical male solution to being sent some place.
1. Define the destination and length of stay
2. Find a place to stay while there
3. Break out the map and plan the route, looking for quickest and easiest.
4. Identify stopping points if necessary (this means we have to know if women and children going too?)
5. Calculate mileage and time
6. Check out the equipment
7. Identify a start time
8. Set a goal end time
9. Go… and drive like Dale Earnhardt to beat that time!
We do the same on a mission trip, with a few additional tasks.
10. Watch David’s DVD
11. Identify the work
12. Raise money
13. Gather tools and materials
14. Develop a work plan
15. Make sure Stan Bumgarner and Joe Alexander are available to go J
16. Execute the plan
Oh and I forgot one….
17. Show pictures of what really happened (especially the bloopers)
So, what’s wrong with that? It sounds like men can accomplish all kinds of Godly missions using this template. Men are naturally task driven, problem solvers… so why aren’t we out solving the problem of the world and bringing them to Jesus? Maybe we just don’t know where to go or what to do. More likely, we lose our focus and try to solve the wrong problems. It is my opinion that our biggest problem is our perspective on the work that needs to be done. As Henry Blackaby said in his Experiencing God training; we always try to be obedient by asking, what is God’s will for my life? However, that question is so self-centered. The real question we should ask is; what is God’s will? We need to find out where God is and try to understand His plan!!! Then we need to go and get involved in that. Find out where God is moving and go there. So many of us are trying to limit God’s will to:
1. where you are already
2. what you are good at doing
3. if you are comfortable with the task at hand
4. if you have time to get involved
This is completely the wrong approach! Once again I’ll say; these thoughts are self-centered. We need to focus on being one with God so we’ll be where he wants us when he wants us there. We should not limit God to the abilities you know you have. If He has work for you to do, he will provide the tools for you to use. So, when we feel that we are not equipped for the task. All we have to remember is that a spiritual gift is more than a mere talent. Once again, as Henry Blackaby said; a spiritual gift is a super-natural empowering to accomplish the assignments that God gives you. And we all have a gift and are called to use them to serve others. It is written in (1 Peter 4:10) 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
Are we scared to fail? Once again, if you are in God’s will, the outcome will be as God planned. And it will be measured by his standard, not ours. We have nothing to fear, as it is written in (2 Timothy 1:7-8) 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.
So, let’s look at one of the most successful groups of people that have a real heart for loving others and sharing God’s plan. And they have a presence right here in our church. The women! Think about all the things in our community that are based on love and serving in our church and community. You’ll notice that many of these things are typically being lead and performed by women. From caring for our children and elderly, to doing all forms bible studies, outreach, and participating in every church sponsored mission project. In general, they have a real knack for helping others. That is why the WMU is celebrating 125 years of service.
So to give equal perspective, here is a woman’s approach to a mission trip (given to me by a woman!)
1. Find out where you are going
2. Arrange for sitters for any kids or pets
3. Watch the David’s DVD to find out what to wear
4. Go shopping for clothes to wear
5. Get your hair cut
6. Ensure you have your hair, beauty and other supplies
7. Find out who is in charge of snacks
8. Find out if there is a Wal-Mart near by
9. Get movies, music and blankets for the bus ride
10. Pray for stopping and shopping along the way
11. *** Hope to find someone there that will touch their heart ***
Notice the last one, the real mission is touching of the heart. It is very natural for women to follow those two commandments Jesus pointed to; love God and love others.
However, shouldn’t the men of the church be the examples here? Shouldn’t we lead the charge? Didn’t God call us to be the head of the church and our families? Society wants to empower women and degrade men. I’m in no way saying this to take away from what the women do. And I encourage them to continue with all that they do. But, the real question is, what is our problem? While women don’t want men to act like the master, leaving them as mere servants. They do want us to lead the way!
Looking back out our mission projects again; maybe sometimes it isn’t the building that needs fixing. Have you ever considered that hammers, wrenches, shovels and paint brushes may not be the only tools God wants us to use on His mission trips? Have you ever considered that a completed room or landscaped yard may not be the ultimate outcome desired? We have to remind ourselves, God sends us on His missions and not ours! We need be sure that when we arrive, we know that God’s plan is being accomplished. There is a common saying (used on many mission trips) that goes like this. Don’t just stand there, do something! But maybe God is saying to us, don’t just do something, stand there! For just a moment, let’s all be very quiet and listen for God. When you finally focus so you can hear Him, it will be so loud you won’t hear anything but Him!
Finally, being a Christian is much more than the walk down the aisle! Those are the first steps in which you finally walked with God. And as we’ve just heard, the journey doesn’t stop down here at the altar at First Baptist. Some of you will be called to go out into this community. Some will be called to go out into this country. And some may even be called to go out around the world. But we are all called listen and then to go teach people to Love GOD and Love each other!
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