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Like many of you, I remember as a child when missionaries came to my church and told stories and showed pictures of their work overseas. I was both amazed and shocked to hear about the wonderful things they had seen but also the scary things they had endured in order to help people far away find God.
These people, to me, where like superheroes. They must be special and possess special powers to do this work. I knew that I was not like them. I didn't have the faith or the knowledge needed to do this work. So I threw a few dollars in the plate and prayed a prayer for them...and went back to my comfortable life. That's exactly the problem. We have decided that only SOME people are missionaries and we are just normal Chrsitians. But that isn't supposed to be the case. The whole world is a mission field. Our local school is a mission field full of students who don't know God's love. Our neighborhoods are a mission field full of families who don't know Jesus yet. Our own families may be mission fields with loved ones who haven't accepted God's grace in their lives. And we are the missionaries most likely to be used to share that love and grace and truth. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that "you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light" No longer is the work of proclaiming the good news just for a few, but for all. We are all missionaries. We may never go overseas to do the work, but our mission field is all around us. Open your eyes and share the good news. In Christ, Pastor Scott
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There are certain things you just can't do alone. A three legged race doesn't work alone. A relay race doesn't either. You can't do tag-team wrestling by yourself. And you can't throw a touchdown to yourself. You need a partner or a team.
Jesus knew that if we were going to be successful in accomplishing the mission he was giving us (to make disciples), we would need each other. In Matthew 6 Jesus sends out his disciples to preach, drive out demons and heal people; but he doesn't send them out alone. He sends them out in pairs. This is for safety, but also for teamwork and encouragement. If one is having a bad day, the other can cheer them up. If one is weak, the other can be strong. If one is struggling, the other can step in. They can help each other, lean on each other and support each other. Jesus sends them out 2x2...just like God sent the animals to the ark, Jesus sends his disciples into the world. We still need each other. Husbands and wives need each other. Families need each other. And churches need each other. We support one another and help each other fulfill the mission. We are stronger together and can do more together. If we try to do it alone, we are likely to fail, burn out, be discouraged, become weary and quit. Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement? Is there someone in our church you can support? Can you lend a hand? Or do you need support? If so, I encourage you to be vulnerable and tell someone. If nobody knows you need help they may not see it. Tell a friend or fellow church member (or pastor) and ask for prayer, support and love. We are stronger together. We can accomplish this mission together with God's help. Amen. Pastor Scott |
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