The Urgency of Missions
Matthew 9:36-38 - "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (NIV)
Matthew 24:14 - "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Matthew 25:41-43 - “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’" (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (NIV)
Hebrews 3:12-13 - "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." (NIV)
1 Peter 4:7 - "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (NIV)
2 Peter 3:9-10 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." (NIV)
This world won't last forever. There is an end coming. The universe that we live in has a time stamp on it. One day, Jesus will return. And after that we will face judgement (2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, there is an urgency to our mission. Not only will this world pass away, but people's very lives are quickly ebbing away. Even if someone has fifty years left to live on this earth, that is still very quick in light of eternity. We should not delay in our obedience to Jesus and his Great Commission. We don't have "all the time in the world." We only have the days we are given to maximize all the potential of missionary endeavor we have been built with.
An urgency for missions also comes as we view the desperate situation of mankind. Jesus had great compassion on the multitudes that were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36). Out of this place of compassion, Jesus calls us to action. While we as a church remain inactive, the devil is left to harass families, communities and nations throughout our world. We have been given keys of authority in binding up the enemy and loosing the Holy Spirit into these desperate situations (Matt. 16:19). But, will we step up to the task of missions?
The urgent call to missions is not a call to rush around frantically trying to save people. When Jesus looked at the harassed people of his day, he gave a call for his disciples to pray (Matt. 9:38) Urgency should lead us to our knees. From there, we receive our directions for our unique contribution in missions. Jesus himself only did what his Father gave him to do - not more, not less (John 5:19-20). After we have received our instructions from Jesus, we are then called to obey with focused determination without delay. People's lives are hanging in the balance. The end is near (1 Peter 4:7). So, listen and obey, as you walk with Jesus in missions.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
1 Peter 4:7 - "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (NIV)
Matthew 24:14 - "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Matthew 25:41-43 - “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’" (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (NIV)
Hebrews 3:12-13 - "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." (NIV)
1 Peter 4:7 - "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (NIV)
2 Peter 3:9-10 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." (NIV)
This world won't last forever. There is an end coming. The universe that we live in has a time stamp on it. One day, Jesus will return. And after that we will face judgement (2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, there is an urgency to our mission. Not only will this world pass away, but people's very lives are quickly ebbing away. Even if someone has fifty years left to live on this earth, that is still very quick in light of eternity. We should not delay in our obedience to Jesus and his Great Commission. We don't have "all the time in the world." We only have the days we are given to maximize all the potential of missionary endeavor we have been built with.
An urgency for missions also comes as we view the desperate situation of mankind. Jesus had great compassion on the multitudes that were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36). Out of this place of compassion, Jesus calls us to action. While we as a church remain inactive, the devil is left to harass families, communities and nations throughout our world. We have been given keys of authority in binding up the enemy and loosing the Holy Spirit into these desperate situations (Matt. 16:19). But, will we step up to the task of missions?
The urgent call to missions is not a call to rush around frantically trying to save people. When Jesus looked at the harassed people of his day, he gave a call for his disciples to pray (Matt. 9:38) Urgency should lead us to our knees. From there, we receive our directions for our unique contribution in missions. Jesus himself only did what his Father gave him to do - not more, not less (John 5:19-20). After we have received our instructions from Jesus, we are then called to obey with focused determination without delay. People's lives are hanging in the balance. The end is near (1 Peter 4:7). So, listen and obey, as you walk with Jesus in missions.
For More Study
- Matthew 9-10
- Matthew 25
- Acts 4
- Hebrews 3
- 2 Peter 3
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Do you have an urgency in your heart to fulfill Jesus' Great Commission? Is there apathy in your heart toward those who are lost? If so, why?
- Often we feel overwhelmed by the desperation that we see around us. Typically, the feeling of being overwhelmed does not lead us to action. What did Jesus do with the huge need that he saw around him? First, he called his disciples to pray (Matt. 9:38). Then, Jesus touched and healed one person at a time. You can be faithful with the next person God puts in front of you.
- Is there a particular person that you have delayed in contacting due to apathy? You know that Jesus is calling you to share the Gospel with this person, but many other distractions come in the way. Why don't you commit and make a plan of action to reach out today!
Memorization
1 Peter 4:7 - "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (NIV)
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