SEVEN things you can do to reach your

mission field

                            How Many Squares Can You Find?

At first glance you'll see 16. Keep looking, though. There is more to this than first meets the eye. If you look closely, you’ll see 20, 22, 24, and maybe even 25. That is the most that I have found.

"But", you're thinking, "what in the world does a box of squares have to do with missions? Actually, not much. However the box is useful to make a point. Sometimes we look at missions and we see only one thing – a family moving to Africa to give themselves to the service of the Lord. They go; we give. That’s it. That is missions.

However, I want to challenge such conventional thinking. In fact, I submit to you that as with the box of squares, there is much more to missions than that which immediately meets the eye. If you think about it, this church is a mission. Each pastor, is a missionary. But then, as we carry this out farther, we come to the conclusion that each and every child of God has been called to go, we have all been challenged to be missionaries to our own sphere of influence. 

This morning, I want to share with you seven things – in no particular order -- that each one of us can do to help reach our mission field for Jesus.

1.         Obey the Lord’s leading.      

Understand that the call to share our faith includes you. Not a single one of us here this morning – who claims to be “born again” -- has been given a free pass that excludes us from sharing. I repeat, not one.

Matthew 28:19-20 declares: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

That is called the Great Commission. It contains some of the last words spoken by Jesus prior to His ascension to His Father. These words have served as the basis for millions of people who have gone across the street or around the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

But pastor… Don’t say it. I have already heard it. The Lord has too. Understand this, God doesn't get mixed up and call the wrong number by mistake. 

·         God wanted the stuttering Moses.

·         God wanted fearful Gideon.

·         God wanted David's slingshot to take on the giant.

·         God wanted old Noah to build a boat.

·         God wanted the mantle to pass to young Solomon.

·         God wanted Peter – the big fisherman.

·         God wanted Paul, poor eyesight and all.

To focus only on one’s shortcomings or weaknesses is to fail to focus on God’s great strength which is always sufficient and is made perfect in our weaknesses.

God is not necessarily looking for the:

·         best qualifications,

·         best ability,

·         best charisma, or

·         best type of people.

He would not turn down these sorts automatically, because it's true that some of the most gifted people in our society have also been some of God's best servants. However, God knows that the vast majority of men and women who follow Him, and who do great things in His name, are simply plain and simple folks who dare to trust themselves into His great care.

It is said that Muhammad Ali once gave the following advice to a young man who was wondering whether or not he should remain to college: “Stay in college, get the knowledge, and stay there until you're through. If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.” Obey.

2.         Talk to people about the Lord.

The Samaritan woman, in John 4, came to draw water from the well. She was a person of question-able morals. She was also very lonely and was no doubt dealing with numerous issues in her life. Jesus was there at the well waiting for his disciples to come back from buying food in the city. He engaged her in conversation, and she quickly came to understand that He was from God.

The Bible says that she soon left her water-pot and rushed off to tell others about Jesus. Many became believers because of her influence. Although she was not a disciple at the time, she did believe, and she led others to believe upon Him as well. Jesus told her; she then told others. As a result, a revival broke out in Samaria.

I can’t remember another time in my lifespan when it has been so easy to address spiritual issues.

Look at this stack of recent newspaper articles. Each one touches on God or some aspect of religion.

Would you believe it; some schools are now allowing prayers back into the classrooms.

The Ten Commandments are popping up in prominent places once more.

Signs declaring “God bless America” are more common than signs advertising Coca-Cola.

Talk show hosts openly discuss the place of religion in society.

People are asking questions about prophesy and the end of the world.

They want to know about  the differences between Islam and Christianity.

The President officially called the nation to prayer.

Listen to the songs on the radio: “God Bless the USA”, “God Bless America”, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, and more.

Wow. This is truly amazing.

These are opportunities for us to talk of our faith and how it has helped us during this crisis. We must not waste this chance as we do not know when it will pass this way again, if ever.

By the way, a recent study by Public Agenda found that:

·         Two-thirds of people in the U.S. say they want religion to play a greater role in society,

·         69% say religion is the best way to strengthen family values,

·         62% say it's most important for religion to influence personal behavior.

The point is, again, people are interested in matters of faith. Tell them.

3.         Pray for people to find salvation.

Anne Graham Lotz, Billy Graham’s daughter, recently noted: “I've watched as this nation has turned to prayer. We've seen prayer vigils. And in our city, we have prayer vigils. Our nation has been hit and devastated by … terror and now I believe it is our choice as a nation as to whether we're going to implode and just disintegrate emotionally and spiritually or whether we'll make the choice to be stronger. I think right now, we have the opportunity to come through this spiritually stronger than we've been in the past because we turn to God.

I would say for several years now Americans, in a sense, have shaken their fist at God and said, ‘God, we want you out of our schools, our government, our business, we want you out of our market-place.’ And God, who is a gentleman, has just quietly backed out of our national and political life as well as our public life thereby removing his hand of blessing and protection. We need to turn to God first of all and say, ‘God, we're sorry we have treated you this way, and we invite you now to come into our national life. We put our trust in you.’”

I agree. It is time to pray.

·         Pray and repent.

·         Pray for the lost.

·         Pray for our enemies.

·         Pray that the Lord of the harvest would send forth laborers into the harvest.

·         Pray for opportunities to lead people to Christ.

·         Pray for missionaries and other Christian workers.

Some may wonder, does prayer really change things? Look around. Things certainly are changing. I believe that it is in part due to prayer. Pray.

4.         Be accessible to needy people.

Many, if not most, of the people that came to or that were brought to Jesus during His earthly ministry were people who were in need:

They were blind,

Had leprosy,

Were crippled in some way,

Were troubled due to some sin, and so forth.

True, they came in faith for a healing, but they also came due to His compassion. They simply knew that He cared. One way that we can touch our mission field today is to show that we care too.

Do you realize that according to a study by the Pew Research Center: seven out of 10 Americans currently feel depressed, nearly half have had trouble concentrating, and nearly one-third report having trouble sleeping at night.

What a great time to testify to people about the peace of God, the love of God and of His sovereign control over this planet.

Remember this rule, though. People don’t care about how much you know until they know that you care. You manifest caring by listening.

By the way, I want to point out that God also knows what it is like to lose a loved one to some horrific death. It is okay to remind people that He gave up His only Son to the cross. He's emotionally involved in people’s pain and He has the answers that can bring comfort that passes human understanding.

5.         Be bold. Don’t cower at opportunities to share Jesus

The current issue of Leadership reports on a Christian by the name of Esam who lives in the Islamic nation of Jordan. Esam runs a camping ministry where each summer more than 500 children enjoy games, songs, an obstacle course, and learn about Jesus. In addition, Esam heads up a ministry to Palestinian and Iraqi refugees, offering clothing and food. He also visits inmates in local jails, providing care packages of toiletries and reading material, including a Bible.

With each gift, Esam says, "I'm giving this to you because Jesus loves you and so do I." Esam says he's blessed by being able to serve. However, that blessing is not without a price.

While the government has not stopped Esam's efforts, his public testimony has provoked a violent reaction from others. Three years ago, one of the camp buildings was firebombed. No one was hurt, but the damage is still visible. Two years ago, an arsonist caused $30,000 worth of damage to Esam's small Christian bookstore in Amman. And then the threats got personal‑phone calls day and night telling him he would be killed.

"But I cannot stop serving the Lord Jesus," he says simply. "He is my life."

When asked if he still gets threatening calls, he answered with a smile, "No, I got caller ID and I no longer answer unknown callers." He also goes home by a different route each night.      

Eight people, including two Americans, are currently awaiting trial in Afghanistan for seeking to convert Muslims to the Christian faith. Such witnessing is literally against the law in numerous countries of the world. The punishment for violating these repressive laws can range from prison to death. 

We have no such impediments. We can share our faith without having to worry about death threats, prison, and the like. The cost to us is so slight compared to what many others are experiencing in other parts of the world.

Acts 6:7-9 (New Century Version) reminds us, though, that persecution is not new: “The word of God was continuing to spread. The group of followers in Jerusalem increased, and a great number of the Jewish priests believed and obeyed. Stephen was richly blessed by God who gave him the power to do great miracles and signs among the people. But some Jewish people were against him.” This opposition grew until in chapter 7 the people literally stoned Stephen to death. Stephen knew of the danger and yet he continued on with his mission. As a result, only heaven will able to attest to how many people have found Christ as a result of this brother’s bold witness. 

6.         Be a friend

Friendship evangelism means one friend sharing the Good News of the Gospel with another friend, someone he or she already knows, someone with whom a basic level of friendship already exists...someone who is not committed to faith in Christ.

It has been proven that friendship evangelism is one of the most effective means of reaching people for Jesus. The number one reason that people try a church is due to a personal invitation from a friend or loved one. In fact, If we were to take a survey in most congregations, 75% to 90% would say a friend or relative led them to Christ.

In Mark 5:19, we read of a man who was healed and then wanted to go with Jesus. But, Jesus replied: “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

The late astronomer Carl Sagan kept a framed postcard near his shaving mirror. The message on the card read: "Dear friend, Just a line to let you know that I am alive and kicking, and going grand. It's a treat." The card was signed by a passenger on the Titanic, and postmarked the day before it went down.

We never know when life will take some sudden and tragic turn. It is then that your friend may well think of you and call out to you for help.

7.            Hospitality

Moving beyond friendship, let look at hospitality for a brief moment. Hospitality has always been a virtue and a duty of God's people.  Old Testament and New tells us of the need to show care in our homes to strangers and to one another. 

Hospitality is an evangelistic tool, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and breaking down misunderstandings or resistance. 

Hospitality serves to strengthen new converts. 

Hospitality meets benevolent needs. 

Hospitality creates fellowship. 

Hospitality makes the church a home and the home a church.   

Today's Christian Woman once carried an article on entertaining. The author noted that "The ministry of welcoming others into our homes and lives remains a call we must not ignore. Hospitality does not mean opening our homes to others only when we have everything spotlessly in order; it is a willing-ness to share during the difficulties as well as during the joyful times of life. Make your guests part of the family, and they will truly feel at home."

I remember a story that Billy Graham used to tell. It was of a church member in Boston who said to himself, "I cannot speak in prayer meetings. I cannot do many other things in Christian service, but I can put two extra plates on my dinner table every Sunday and invite two young men who are away from home to eat with me." He did that for many years. He led many to Christ. When he died some time ago, he was to be buried in another city. Because he was a well-known Christian, a special bus was chartered to convey the funeral party. it was made known that any young people who had becomes Christians through his influence would be welcomed. They had to charter extra buses, because 150 persons came to honor the man who had preached the Gospel by means of an extra dinner plate. 

In an article titled, "Where Are the Visitors?" Lyle Schaller says, "The most influential question that can be asked of a first time visitor is, 'Would you like to come home with us for dinner?'"  For those not interested in "knocking on doors," Schaller notes, "Just open your door." 

Some of the best Christians that I have known as a pastor, have been people who regularly practiced hospitality.

Romans 12:13 declares, “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

1 Timothy 3:2 says that an overseer “must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach….”

1 Peter 4:8-10 likewise tells us “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.”

Pretty clear, isn’t it?

If you can’t have someone over, for whatever reason, then invite somebody out. Get involved in their life. Your hospitality will not only open the door to your home, it may also open the door to someone’s heart.

In conclusion, when God defined the mission field He spoke of it reaching from our home base to the very ends of the earth. Someone else wisely pointed out that whenever/wherever you find a person without Jesus, you have found a mission field. Let’s touch that field with the Gospel for surely the harvest is truly ripe and ready for harvest.