The Urgency And Importance of Participating In Mission Work

SERMON DELIVERED BY PASTOR M.A MAKINDE, AGBELEKALE AREA SUPERINTENDENT DURING THE 48^TH LAWNA ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, 3RD – 9TH AUGUST, 2024.

TOPIC: THE URGENCY AND IMPORTANCE OF PARTICIPATING IN MISSION WORK.

TEXT: MATTHEW 28:19-20:

GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST. TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS, WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: AND, LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. AMEN

THE POINTS TO CONSIDER UNDER THIS TOPIC ARE:

INTRODUCTION

Today’s Global events are evidences and signals that the second coming of Jesus Christ, promised in Acts of the Apostles 1:10-11 is imminent.

If that is the case, it therefore means that now is the time for us to wake up to our responsibility of participating in the work of evangelizing the world for Christ, in fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15).

The “Great Commission” was given, not only to the eleven Disciples but to every follower of Jesus Christ.

The reason there are many non – Christians in the world today is because so many Christians have failed to support Mission Fields.

Many people are dying today without knowing Christ. We need to be fast about the Mission work.

2 THE DESIRE OF GOD TO SAVE THE WORLD.

> In John 3:16, The Bible made us to know that God is Love.

> That was why He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to the world.

> That those who believe in Him might be saved, through His atoning death.

> God does not want anyone to perish (Matt. 1:21; John 1: 29).

> Jesus’ main work while on earth was to bring men and women into the Kingdom of God.

> If that was His main work, it is also ours — both as individuals and as a Church.

> When that Mission has been fulfilled Jesus will come again and the World will end.

Matthew 24:14 “And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the end come”.

3 MISSION WORK AS GOD’S SAVING STRATEGY

> From the days of Jonah till date,

> Mission work has always been God’s strategy to evangelize the unbelieving nations of the world.

> As we shall find in the book of Acts of the Apostles 16: 6-10.

> Mission work contributes to the expansion of Gods Kingdom.

> Mission work has eternal consequences, determining the eternal destiny of countless individuals.

> God wants us to work as Missionaries and support Missionary activities wherever we may be.

> The purpose of the CHURCH is to be a witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world.

> This is the Church’s primary purpose, all other functions are secondary to it.

> What does it mean to be a witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

> It means to reach out to the World and draw men and women to Him.

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul wrote ; We are therefore Christ ambassadors.

> And our work as ambassadors is to reconcile men and women to God.

> Mission is not just one of several programs of the Church, it is the one all-embracing programme of the Church.

4. GOD IS NOT HELPLESS

> Sending us locally, ( Home Mission) and to Foreign countries through His Church to evangelize the world does not mean that God is helpless without us.

> As God, He is able to bring the lost back to Himself without any human effort, just as He inspired the lost Son to come to his father (Luke 15:11-32).

> Today, we the Church has been appointed to continue the Mission work of Jesus upon this earth. Hence, It is important to note that:

> The Church of God is a Witnessing Church,

> The Church of God is a Missionary Church.

> The Church started in Europe, India, China, Korea, even in Africa because Missionaries went to those places and preached the Gospel.

5 WE ARE BLESSED TO BLESS OTHERS

Just as God desired to bless the whole earth through Abraham in Gen. 22:18,

we also are saved that we might be able to share the blessing of Salvation with the unbelieving world.

> The work of Home and Foreign Evangelism is every Christian’s responsibility and it calls for urgency and involvement.

Now, why the need for urgency. It is because of:-

The Great Commission [Math 28;18-20] is a time-sensitive command.
People are dying daily without knowing Christ.
Evil is increasing day by day.

Every Christian must obey Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations

The reason there are so many non-Christians in the world today — is because so many Christians have failed to obey the last great commission of our Lord i.e GO YE TO ALL NATIONS.

Every Church member needs to keep in mind that the main purpose of the Church is to be a supporter of Mission Fields not only in the local area.

If any Church is not evangelizing, not reaching out, it is a dying Church.

Indeed, the Physical and Spiritual balance of any Church is best measured not by the number of Christians it attracts, but rather by the number of Mission work and Missionaries it sent out.

6 WE ARE NEEDED IN THE MISSION FIELDS BOTH HOME AND FOREIGN.

Currently, we have Foreign Mission Field in Sierra Leone, Cote Divoire, Canada, Uganda, South Africa, Lesotho and United Kingdom and more are still coming to emerge by the grace of God.

Also, we have Home Mission Field in the Northern part of this nation and Niger republic.

> All these Mission Fields, both Home and Foreign need our support in kind and cash if they are to continue to survive.

> At the moment, we have Missionary committee as commissioned by the Fathers which for long time has only been the Chairman and the Secretary.

> Appreciation goes to our Fathers for such innovation.

> This important body be enlarged for greater productivity.

1 Members of the Church who have passion for Mission work are needed.

2 Members of the Church who are blessed materially and could use their God-giving materials in support of Mission work are needed.

3 Member of the Church who are financially blessed and could use their financial blessings to support Mission work are needed.

> We must go and establish this Gospel in every corner of the earth.

> Today, there are more non-Christians in the world than never before in history.

> On the other hand, there are also many more Christians available to accomplish the task than ever before.

> Involvement in Mission work is both urgent and important.

> It is a matter of obedience, love, and expansion of the Kingdom of God, with eternal consequences.

> Many of us may not be able to go as foreign Missionaries physically, like in Acts of the Apostles 16:6-10, but through our Prayer assistance and Financial support, we can be part of those who are actively participating in what is happening in the Mission Fields.

CONCLUSION

God wants us to be our brothers’ keepers by rising up to save their souls.

Therefore, let us participate in Missionary Works by investing our Time, Efforts, Prayer, Money and other available resources in this Global Soul Winning Project.

As we continue to invest our Interest, Energy and Resources voluntarily, willingly and cheerfully in God’s Soul Winning Venture (according to 2 Corinthians. 9:6-7), surely, the Lord will not allow our labour to go in vain (according to 1 Corinthians. 15:58).

Our individual and joint participation in Mission Works is very urgent and necessary.

MAY THE LORD GOD BLESS US FROM HIS WORD IN JESUS NAME.!