Sunday, December 14, 1997 In Your Absence:
In this week's lesson, which came from Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 9:37-38, Matthew 28:19-20, and Philippians 4:14-16, we learned about becoming more involved in missions. Last week's lesson spoke to the fact that the nations of the world wander in darkness and that they need the light of God and His Word. As Christians, one of our primary responsibilities is to carry that light to the peoples of the world, and this week's lesson showed us some of the ways that we might be able to do it.
The first thing that we can do is let our light shine so that those around us will be able to see the work of God which has taken place in our own hearts and lives. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus told His listeners that those who follow Him should let their light shine so that God will be praised. When a person receives Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately indwells that new believer. If we will allow, the Holy Spirit will then work through us and minister to those around us. It is not so much that we must have great theological skill or ability to minister for Him, though. As much as anything, we simply need to surrender our life to the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit and let Him have His way with us. Another thing that Christians can do to be involved in missions is to pray. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus told His disciples that there is much work to be done to bring those on the outside into the fold. He told them to pray and ask their heavenly Father to send workers. As Christians, we can pray that God will call out new missionaries. We can also pray for those who are already at work for Him and ask His special blessings on their efforts.
Christians can do a couple of other things to support missions. In Matthew 28:19-20, we can receive God's call on our life and be willing to become a missionary. Thus, we can actually go to the mission field. In a real sense, all Christians are missionaries and ministers right where they live. However, in another sense, some are called to specifically relocate to another area of the world so that they can minister. While we do not have to choose on our own to go to the mission field to be a good Christian, being a good, faithful Christian means that we will be willing to go if God calls us. The Bible teaches in I Corinthians 6:19-20 that we have been bought for a price. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid our sin debt and purchased the rights to our life. Therefore, when we come to Him, we should be willing to turn complete control of our life over to Him and to go wherever He leads. The final thing which we can do to be involved in missions is to provide financial support. Getting the gospel out takes a tremendous committment in all areas of our life, including the use of our money.
Every Christian should be willing to do their part so that the gospel of Jesus, the Christ, can go forward to the uttermost parts of the world. However, this critical work will not happen unless Christians like you and me take the work seriously. As you go through the coming week, ask the Lord to show you how you can be a part of His work and then let yourself get involved in the greatest work in this world.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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