Missionary. The word makes us think of someone who is living their lives overseas in a foreign country. But God said we were also to be His witnesses in Jerusalem (meaning within our own city). Too often we only think about missionaries as those who are sharing the gospel with the “ends of the earth.” But according to God, there is also a missionary task to undertake right here at home – where you live, work, and play. That is why our Church family at FBC Newton continues to hold to the idea of:
“I Am a Disciple.
I Am a Disciple-Maker.
And I Am a Missionary.
So as I am going,
I will change my conversations, and
I will excel still more.”
Missionaries. We are to be on mission for Jesus. According to the Acts 1:8 passage I mentioned above, along with the Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20, we are to be His witnesses as we are going. So I encourage you toward the following missionary tasks:
As I am going out and about each day, I will find intentional ways to take the gospel message to my neighbors – both to those who live next door to me and also to those who live far from me. This includes those who live very differently from me.
As I am going, I will pray for those I know who do not know Jesus. (I’ll keep a top 5 list of those who I know need to come to know Christ).
As I am going, I will also send others to places I can’t go. (I’ll give financially to send missionaries to farther locations.)
As I am going, I will be on mission. (I will personally get involved in missionary opportunities right around me – with people in community, with people who work beside me, and with the people I’m involved in recreational activities with.)
In regard to: “I Will Keep a Top 5 List” – Every follower of Christ is a missionary, and therefore every follower of Christ needs to keep a list of people they are praying for to receive Christ or come back to a right relationship with Him. Write down 5 blank lines somewhere in your Bible, or on a card that you put in your Bible. And begin asking God who to write into those 5 blanks as your top 5. Once you write them down, begin praying for them – strive to pray for them every day, and also pray that He will give you a chance to talk to them about Him someday.
In regard to sending others, be sure you are a good sender. Finances are important, but there is more to it. Will you commit to being a good sender? Will you bless those who have gone farther with your prayers, with your care, and with your support? Do you have a missionary you correspond with regularly? Why not?
In regard to the statement “I will go” – You are already going each day, so as you are going, be on mission. But also, God has a desire for more of us to leave the comfort of our homes and go farther. Where does God want you to go? Are you willing to ask Him?
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