Your Missions Involvement - Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20 and Romans 15:23-28 - December 14, 2008

Sunday School Lesson - Your Missions Involvement – December 14. 2008

This is lesson two (2) in our Bible study entitled “A Heart for Missions.”

Our scripture is Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20 and Romans 15:23-28.

We begin with scriptures of JESUS telling HIS disciples to pray for workers, followed with the Great Commission and then the Apostle Paul carrying out the Great Commission.

GOD calls all believers to missions. The word “Go” used in the Great Commission means as a believer goes. All believers go somewhere every day. Some believers are to provide funds for others to go fulfill a special calling, some are to go, some are to teach and prepare others to go and the list goes on. The opportunity for missions, which is reaching out to others for CHRIST, is always present – at the grocery, service station, doctors office, friends, neighbors, barber shop, hair salon, restaurant, flying, soup kitchen, church, socials, golf clubs, traveling, on a cruise and this list goes on and on. You may never know the impact your witness has made upon someone who may have been observing you as you reflected the love of GOD in your life. You may have spoken an encouraging word to that person or to someone else and you reflected CHRIST causing that person to want what you have. You could witness to someone and he or she prayed to receive CHRIST as his or her SAVIOR.

The important thing is for all believers to know that they are GOD’S visible representation of HIS love, care and provision. You may think this is scary. It is, because we are GOD’S representative 24/7 and without the presence and power of the HOLY SPIRIT dwelling within us, it is impossible.

Our study begins with CHRIST preaching, healing the people and training HIS disciples. Activity is important but so is prayer.

Let’s read Matthew 9:35-38:

The Lord of the Harvest

35 Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their • synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every[17] Or every kind of disease and every sickness.[18] Other mss add among the people 36 When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

JESUS was preaching the Good News in towns, villages and in the synagogues the Good News. HE presented the message and HE confirmed the message by healing those with diseases and sickness.

It is important to observe those you are ministering to. JESUS observed those HE was speaking to were weary and worn down. HE had compassion for them because they were spiritually lost although there were religious leaders all around them. When people have no hope and feel helpless to do anything about their circumstances, they are in are truly weary. JESUS offered them hope. HE offered hope that was real because HE confirmed what HE said with evidence of HIS power and authority.

Sometimes religious leaders conclude that some people are not worthy of them spending their time to reach out to them. JESUS considered every person important and worthy to be exposed to the Good News. Once a person is exposed to the Good News, GOD works within his or her heart to bring salvation. GOD is the LORD of the harvest. Our job, as GOD’S representative, is to present what GOD lays upon our heart to do, say or present to others. It is HIS job to work in their hearts to bring about salvation. Last week we discussed the power of the Word of GOD and GOD’S power to work in a person’s heart to present him or her with the opportunity to receive salvation.

JESUS had compassion for those seeking the truth and HE told the disciples to pray to the LORD of harvest to send out workers into HIS harvest.

GOD’S plan is for believers to be HIS representatives to those lost in sin and spiritual darkness. It is a partnership between a believer and GOD. When a believer desires to serve GOD through CHRIST, GOD will direct him or her to those who are to receive salvation. GOD knows the hearts of every person on the face of the earth. HE knows those who are ready to receive salvation, thus the harvest is getting ripe. Any farmer or person who gardens knows when the harvest is nearing ripe and he or she knows that harvest time can be critical or else the fruit may spoil or rot. That sends chills over me to think that I missed an opportunity to reach out to someone who was ripe for harvest. I cannot decide whether or not a person is ripe for harvest but GOD can and that is why we must rely upon HIM to direct us.

I remember the first time I witnessed to a man. I was scared. I gave him my testimony. The man turned and looked at me and said, “You know what, I have been thinking about things like that recently.” WOW! I did not know that but GOD did. The man did not pray to receive CHRIST but I told him how to receive CHRIST when he was ready. Did he? Only eternity will reveal it because I have never seen the man again. This was over thirty-five (35) years ago.

I can tell you it is exciting for GOD to shoot you like an arrow to a person who is ready to receive the word of GOD. Present what GOD lays upon your heart and leave the results to HIM. HE may direct you to become more involved in someone’s life or direct you to guide him or her to someone else who can help him or her grow spiritually. HE may have others lined up to build upon the seed you plant in his or her heart. GOD’S desire is for no one to go to Hell but for all to accept CHRIST as his or her SAVIOR.

Let’s read Matthew 28:16-20:

The Great Commission

16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped,[5] Other mss add Him but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of[6] Lit and instruct, or and disciple (as a verb) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,[7] Lit look I am with you always,[8] Lit all the days to the end of the age.”

After the death and resurrection of CHRIST, CHRIST remained upon earth for forty (40) days teaching HIS disciples and meeting other people. Then HE ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the FATHER. The FATHER gave all power and authority to CHRIST.

Acts 1:3:

3 After He had suffered (Been crucified), He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

During these forty (40) days, JESUS appeared to over 500 people. The Apostle Paul recorded this fact in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8:

3 For I (Paul) passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to • Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen • asleep.[3] Jn 11:11; Ac 7:60; 1 Th 4:13–15 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.

Some of HIS disciples doubted that it was really HIM. HE spent time to confirm that HE had really been raised from the dead. We have to keep in mind that HE had HIS glorified body which was completely under HIS control. HE could eat or not eat. HE could choose to be recognized or not. HE could either walk through a door without opening it or open the door and then walk through it. This mystified the disciples. This is the type of body believers will have after the second coming of CHRIST.

JESUS told HIS disciples to go and make disciples. This message is for believers today. As mentioned earlier all believers are called to spread the gospel but some have a special calling to be preachers, evangelists, teachers, deacons, etc.

The word “Go” means as you “Go” carry out the Great Commission. Whether a believer is doing his or her daily routine, going to a mission field or serving in a mission field, he or she is to be ready to present the Good News. There are weary souls all around us who are seeking truth. Believers have that truth and CHRIST intends for them to share it and reach out to others as directs.

GOD has given all authority to CHRIST and with that authority HE commissions every believer to “Go”. HIS instructions are to go to all nations. The word used for “nations” is not other countries but go to other people groups, to other races, to other ethnic groups, cultures and language groups. It is clear that CHRIST tells believers to not restrict where they are to go and to whom they are to present the Good News.

I know here in Spartanburg, SC we have Hispanics, Russians, Orientals, Ukrainians, Laotians, Germans and the list goes on. We have various groups coming to us. Our church has a program to teach English as a second language. Shepherds Door has a ministry to a variety of various groups. Churches send mission teams too many different countries and areas within the United States.

I was flying back from Poland and sat next to a man who was planning for a team of young people to come from the Netherlands to go to New York City to spread the Good News. CHRIST admonished HIS disciples to pray for workers to be sent to the field for the harvest. GOD calls believers from where ever they are willing to come. If there are not enough responding from America, HE calls them from the Netherlands. GOD’S work will go forward. Are you are open to receive the call?

CHRIST said to baptize and to teach them. These are actions. To baptize is a public act to confirm outwardly what a believer has done inwardly. It represents that the new believer has died to his or her old life and been resurrected to walk in partnership with CHRIST. Then we are to teach others what GOD has taught and revealed to us, as believers through the study of HIS Word and the HOLY SPIRIT.

Let’s read Romans 15:23-28:

Paul’s Travel Plans

22 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 23 But now I no longer have any work to do in these provinces,[10] Lit now, having no longer a place in these parts and I have strongly desired for many years to come to you 24 whenever I travel to Spain.[11] Other mss add I will come to you. For I do hope to see you when I pass through, and to be sent on my way there by you, once I have first enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am traveling to Jerusalem to serve the saints; 26 for Macedonia and Achaia[12] The churches of these provinces were pleased to make a contribution to the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual benefits, then they are obligated to minister to Jews[13] Lit to them in material needs. 28 So when I have finished this and safely delivered the funds[14] Lit delivered this fruit to them, I will go by way of you to Spain.

This scripture gives us an example of the application of the Great Commission. The Apostle Paul had a special calling to present the gospel to the Gentiles. He wanted to present the gospel to those who had not had the opportunity to hear it. Paul taught the new converts and helped them to grow spiritually. Then he expected them to continue the evangelism and missionary efforts after he moved on to another area.

Paul knew the Christians in Rome were on a firm Christian foundation therefore, he had not visited them when he wrote his letter to them. But he had plans to visit them en-route to Spain. HE had to first go to Jerusalem to deliver the funds the Gentile Christians had collected to help the poor Christians in Jerusalem. There was a famine in Jerusalem and the Jewish Christians were in need of support. The Gentile Christians in Macedonia (MASS uh DOH nih uh) and Achaia (uh KAY yuh) believed that since the Jewish Christians had shared the gospel with them, they wanted to share their resources with them.

This is the heart of missions. There are those in need and GOD has blessed others with the means to meet those needs. We are to go and make disciples. Our objective in missions is for them to eventually be self-sufficient.