SACRIFICE PT 1
Let me start by saying that without a sacrifice there would be no missions. A sacrifice on whose behalf!
Firstly, on Jesus’ behalf, Isaiah 53:3-5, pierced for our transgressions each and every one of us is guilty in our iniquities until we are covered by the blood. That is the first we need to take on in our journey and our message to the world. So without Jesus there is no missions, we as Christians have to take Jesus to the rest of the world. Matthew 28:19, go and make disciples of all the nations. All believers are new creations in Christ Jesus, so Christians let us all put off our old selves and take up our commission. It really is important that we understand what Jesus’ words to nicodemus really meant, Truly truly I say to you that unless a man is born again he will not see the kingdom of God, John 3:3. True conversion is NOT a voluntary act of the human will, it is a supernatural act of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was aware of and declared his unique relationship as the Son of God, to the Father and to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus, so we must listen to the Spirit of God for direction for only he knows which road we are to take. God has given to us freely the Holy Spirit, so the Spirit of God does dwell in us, therefor take up our commission and deliver it to the world. At the very heart of the Gospel is a statement from John (v3:16). When God created man he gave us intelligence, emotion, and a free will which enables us to make our own decisions, to make our own choices. Man was created for God’s Glory Isaiah 43:7. So God draws us to himself, the best way we can glorify God is to choose to freely worship Him. The born again believer is not only freed from the chains of sin and death, we have been given kingdom authority to minister in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was taken, they went forth and preached everywhere, the Holy Spirit was with them and confirmed the word they preached to the world. If we are redeemed and surrendered to God, we become a vehicle for Jesus to witness God’s salvation and purpose to the world. Christ has made Grace the potential for all mankind. The penalty for those who violate God’s law is death, so what is the difference between chastisement and punishment, to be chastised is to be corrected, of the wrong and shown or bought back to righteousness. God chastises those he loves, chastisement is never sent as punishment and always proceeds from Love. Punishment proceeds from justice, disobeying God’s law brings judgement and as I said the penalty of sin is death, a three-fold death physical, spiritual, and eternal. Let us reach the unrighteous, the heathen, the backslider, let us all do what we can do fulfill the commission that Jesus left us. Jesus’ work was far from being finished by the mighty and miraculous deeds he performed in his life, all that proves is that Jesus was who he said he was, the Son of God, his purpose in coming to earth was to bring salvation to all mankind. Christianity is unlike any other religion; Christianity focuses on the death of its founder, but more importantly the resurrection from the dead. Where all other religions preach about the so-called great life and teaching of those who founded them. Although other religions may have SOME ethical value only Christianity offers redemption from sin.So lets be bound to convert the world. Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Who is compelled to this command? It was addressed by Jesus to the disciples, but no doubt was intended for all Christians it is not likely that Christ expected the disciples to do all the work. He meant the responsibility upon all Christians, to rest upon our consciences in all coming time until the work should be done. What is implied by this command? I believe the command itself implies an ability to apply it. It should be remembered though that God is perfect in both love and wisdom; therefore he cannot be so unjust, or so ignorant not to know the limits of our abilities. Let it be observed that Christ assumes our ability to obey this command on the grounding that he has all the power in heaven and on earth and has promised to be with the church in this work. So go and make Christians of all the nations and lets finish the great work which Jesus began. Jesus said ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth has been given to me so without this declaration of Jesus’ authority we could never venture confidently to make disciples. We must be united in effort, by that I don’t mean everyone should agree to one opinion, but we should be one in heart in respect to the Gospel. Also be agreed in tolerating one another and allowing each other to build on our own liberty of opinion according to the Gospel. If the Gospel is preached with love well then we must agree that God agrees with our efforts. Be as patient with others as God has been with you. We all have an individual responsibility to share the Gospel. A condition of success in this work is obedience to the Spirit, confidence in presence, power, and an awareness of Christ to forward with the Church to the accomplishment of this work. The apostles of the early church seemed to know what Jesus was saying, because as I said earlier when Jesus was taken up they departed and went and preached the Gospel of Christ. Another condition of success to the great commission is the need of self-denial, this is essential in order to go forth to every nook and corner of the world where human beings are and preach the Gospel of salvation. Tell them now so the will come, Matt 24:12-14. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Work well done for Christ will receive a well done from Christ
There must be a great lifting up of the heart and soul, our hearts must echo and echo, thy kingdom come thy kingdom come. Until this becomes the cry of the church, until the very heart of the church is missions, missions, missions, we will never see this work come to fulfillment. Don’t complain over what the world is coming to, proclaim the one who is coming to the world. I would like to use a quote from a fellow believer in missions. Little can be accomplished until the church believes the promises of God. Conformity to the world in most every respect has been another great and may I say growing impediment to the world’s conversion. This conformity branches out in so many directions I can only just begin to name it. Charles Finney 1845. Matt 24:12-14, is one of the most important missions discoveries I have made, the ground of this certainty is the sovereignty of Jesus; His triumph is never in question, only our participation in it, or our lack of participation. Ask yourself if building God’s church depended on me would it get done, the purpose of God in world missions will not fail, God cannot and will not fail missions or us. 2Timothy 4:5-22, But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick. Do your utmost to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren.
The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. So I urge us all in the name of Jesus to wake up and enlarge our hearts stretch our minds and spread our wings. Mount up above our limited lives our very important lives, which God does not belittle, and see the great and trilling picture of Gods great purpose, which cannot fail. To this end I give you 2 timothy 4:17 As a great encouragement and great incentive a great hope, for what it will be like to venture into something new and radical for Jesus. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
AMEN.
