|
Have We Forgotten The Mission?
The title of this message should make us think about our lives, our priorities and our children. I want to read only
a couple of verses of scripture which are from Christ himself and then I want us to ask ourselves if we are following the
instructions Christ gave us.
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 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.
You may be thinking, Preacher what has this to do with my mission? Well listen to this:
There was a time when most Americans respected the Bible, and you could quote it with authority. In 1963, according to
Gallup, 65% believed the Bible literally; today the number is only 32%. There was a time when most Americans were familiar
with biblical doctrine. You could say, "Believe in Jesus," and at least they knew what you meant. But today most
would be mystified. Newsweek tells of a child who saw a crucifix and asked, "Mommy, what's that man doing?" There
was a time when most Americans accepted absolute standards. They might disagree on what those absolutes were, but they knew
that some things are really right or wrong. Today 70% reject moral absolutes. Chuck Colson, Christianity Today, November 9,
1992, p. 112
People Jesus gave us a mission to tell every nation and every generation about God and Christ and Salvation through his
Blood. Well it is now 2006 and I dare say that if this same poll was taken there would be great changes in the results. In
1992 only 32% believed in the Bible, God's handbook to Christians. I would guess that now 14 years later only about 15% believe
in the Bible. You may ask how do you figure this, it is simple, how many of you watch the discovery channel on TV? Have you
noticed how many shows there are about trying to disprove the Bible? There is at least 3 a week. That tells me that they,
Satan's helpers are trying harder to win souls than we are as Christians. Most Christians do not witness to others about Christ
outside of Church. Why? Because of the attitude of the people they associate with. At most work places it is against the rules
for you to speak to another employee about the Bible or Christ. In most shopping centers if you begin to speak of Christ and
his love for man, they will call the police. So Christians feel limited as to where and how they can witness so they do not
witness. They say well that is the preachers job. WELL GUESS WHAT, when Jesus said go forth and teach all nations he did not
say Peter only you go or John and Peter no he told all the disciples to go forth and teach. If you are a Christian then you
are a disciple of Christ and this message applies to you.
We preachers can only reach the people we come in contact with, and you people can reach far more than we can. People
will listen if they see Jesus in your life, so ask yourself, does my life reflect Christ or is something missing. When you
see me here in Church you will see the same man when you see me outside of Church, I always live for Christ not just on Sunday.
A lot of so called Christians are going to be surprised when they stand before the judgment, they are going to say did I not
go to Church and worship every Sunday and God is going to ask what about the rest of the week. You can not be a Christian
only one day a week. Either you are a Christian, meaning that you put Christ above all else everyday and you act like a Christian
every day, or else you are lost. You are either Saved or Lost.
Look at 1st Corinthians 9:13-14
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at
the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
The Bible here is not just talking about Preachers. It is talking about the followers of Christ.
Galatians 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live
in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Do you see that being a Christian means that you live for Christ because he lives in you.
Mark 8:38
38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall
the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
If you are a Christian then you live as Christ, You worship Christ, and You are not ashamed of Christ. We do not have
to fear what others think of us, but we better fear what God thinks of us. So many times I see people that call themselves
Christians acting just like the lost of this world. When you go out to eat do you pray before eating or do you do as everyone
else and just start eating? When you go out does it offend you to be around others who are drinking and cursing? Do you offer
to pray with someone that you know is having a bad day? How many times have you been in a position to speak to someone who
is lost but do not because you think they will make fun of you or will no longer want to be around you.
These are just a few things that make us different from the rest of the world. When some one sees you they should wonder
what you have that they don't. If the lost person does not see a difference between you and them, guess what there probably
is no difference.
So are we living up to the mission Christ gave us or have we forgotten our purpose? Take a close look at your life and
if something is missing then pray that God restore it. If you do not know Christ as your savior then now is the time to ask
him into your heart. We can not serve to Gods and if we serve the wrong one the Bible says we will be cast into the lake
of fire, and if we serve our Savior we must carry on the mission he gave us. Let us pray:
Father please forgive us where we fail you and guide us to do your will in life, lead us in all that we do and give us
the wisdom to know your will for our lives that we may serve you in what ever way You choose. Amen!
|
