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      "Missions"
      Selected Scriptures
      Theme: Although the cross was the work of God, the work of winning souls has been entrusted to the church.

        1. The Obligation to Witness – "We believe that it is the obligation of the saved to witness …"

          1. The Salvation through the Gospel

            1. There is nothing that should mean more to a believer than the fact that they have been reconciled to God through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ – cp. Romans 5:10-11
            2. When a person is brought into the awareness of the great work of reconciliation wrought by God through Jesus Christ, then, having gained wisdom they will seek to win others to see the same truths – Proverbs 11:30
            3. The most effective witnesses are the ones who are absolutely thrilled with the relationship that they possess with Christ – cp. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

          2. The Stewardship of the Gospel

            1. As indicated above, the will of God is that those who have been reconciled to Him then become "ambassadors for Christ" – cp. 2 Corinthians 5:20
            2. The treasure of the Gospel has been entrusted to mere men to take and proclaim to others – cp. 2 Corinthians 4:7
            3. Recognizing the importance of this stewardship – it is necessary that we be faithful – cp. 1 Corinthians 4:2.

        2. The Opportunity to witness - "… by life and by word of the truths of Holy Scripture …"

          1. The Opportunity to Demonstrate Truth

            1. The first priority in the attempt to witness concerning the grace of God through Jesus Christ is to develop a reputation as a person given to obedience to the Word of God.
            2. As we observe the realities of the truths of Scripture, our lives are changed – we are sanctified by means of God’s Word – cp. John 17:17; 15:3; Ephesians 5:26; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2
            3. As the realities of this sanctification process become evident, the life of the believer becomes a means by which the glory of God is manifest – cp. Matthew 5:16
            4. As believers live consistently, giving evidence of their hope in Christ, unbelievers are able to see clearly the veracity of the Gospel and will inquire concerning our hope – 1 Peter 3:15
            5. It is in this sense that we "earn the right to be heard" – as we live consistently righteous lives before the world.

          2. The Opportunity to Discuss Truth

            1. Very often, it is by means of the way we live that we are then able to give clear expression concerning our faith.
            2. It is absolutely necessary that we not think that our lives are adequate – it is necessary that we also share the truth verbally.
            3. The Scriptures teach us that it is necessary for the redeemed of the Lord to say so – cp. Psalm 107:1-2
            4. God is very clear that it is the spoken word about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that produces faith in those who hear – cp. Romans 10:17
            5. The idea of speaking to others about the wonderful grace that has been showered upon us is the great joy of the believer – cp. 1 Peter 2:9-10.

        3. The Objective of Witnessing – "… and to seek to proclaim the Gospel to all mankind."

          1. The Primacy of Preaching

            1. We say that we believe that it is our responsibility to "seek to proclaim the Gospel" – essentially this refers to the primary role of preaching – cp. 1 Corinthians 1:18-21
            2. Indeed it is through the ministry of the local church that the preaching is to most commonly occur – the pulpits of the local churches is where it will be most effective.
            3. Thus, in order to have the plan & program of God most effectively executed, it is necessary to establish local churches from where the Gospel would sound forth.
            4. In talking about the issue of missions, this must be the passion and heart of the matter – establishing local churches that will establish local churches that will establish local churches that will ... until the Lord returns.
            5. It is in this way that we are able to see the Great Commission fulfilled – where we go into all the world to preach the Gospel and enable the preaching to continue – cp. Mark 16:15

          2. The Priority of People

            1. There are two essential issues here – the development of those who will do the preaching and the compassion for those who need to hear the preaching.
            2. First, the development of those who will do the preaching.
              1. We are commissioned as spiritual leadership to see raised up those who will be able to "carry the torch" of the Gospel – cp. 2 Timothy 2:2
              2. This refers to the plan to see people brought from a condition of degeneracy to a condition of spiritual leadership whereby they are spiritually reproducing themselves – 1 Timothy 1:2; Philippians 2:19-20.
              3. This is the basic issue of "making disciples" – reproducing yourself in those who will then take the Gospel and share it with others – Matthew 28:19-20
                1. This process begins with those who you lead to Christ
                2. It ends when they are going into "all the world" and leading others to Christ
              4. It is these servants of Christ who will go and preach the Gospel that Christ commanded us to be praying that He would work through us to raise up – cp. Luke 10:2.
                1. This is not something that the local church can be satisfied is occurring somewhere else – that someone else is training servants of Christ (whether it would be schools or mission agencies)
                2. Rather, we must recognize OUR primary duty to be producing those of our own number who will do the necessary duty of advancing the Gospel – cp. Acts 13:1-3.
            3. Second, the compassion for those who need to hear the preaching – the lost who must be told if they are to believe.
              1. This refers to those whose eyes are blinded to the truth of the Gospel through Satan’s dominion – cp. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
              2. When Christ looked on the multitude and saw their lost condition, we are told that He was moved to compassion and immediately began teaching them – cp. Mark 6:34
              3. These are the ones who inhabit the "uttermost parts of the earth" that need us to go to them and share the Gospel so that they might be saved – cp. Luke 24:47; Acts 1:11
              4. Even as the Father sent Christ into the world to reconcile men to Himself, Christ has sent us into the world to do the same thing – cp. John 20:21
            4. Understanding the tremendous sacrifice of Christ who for the joy set before Him endured the cross and despised the shame of crucifixion we are to "win for the Lamb the reward of His sufferings" (the motto of the first great Protestant missionary movement by the Moravians) .

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