“The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become.” Henry Martyn Though the phrase “Overseas Missions” never appears in Scripture, the concept of taking the gospel to every creature and culture in the world is one of the most important themes of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, Overseas Missions is at the heart of God’s purpose on earth.
In reading about God’s judgement at Babel, which ended up in the division of the human race into many nations, culture and languages, we read that God used Abraham and his descendants as His special people. We read in the Word that God told Abraham to leave his country and family and go to a land that the Lord would show him. However, as is consistent with the Word, with every instruction and commandment God makes a promise. The Lord told Abraham that if he would obey the commandment He would make of Him a great nation and bless him (Genesis 12:1-2).
In reading about God’s promise to Abraham I believe that the Lord was making His “Overseas Missions” and multicultural intentions obvious. It was God’s design that through the nation of Israel He might reach a lost and dying world. The spirit-filled church today is the spiritual Israel and our “great commission” remains “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”.
Missions is the heart beat of God, and our responsibility, in fulfilling our purpose on this earth , is to get involved in reaching the lost in our suburbs, cities, countries and the world! Jesus emphasised the Great Commission five times in the New Testament (Matthew. 28:18-20; Mark. 16:15; Luke. 24:44-48; John. 20:21; Acts 1:8).
Every church has a responsibility to fulfilling the “Great Commission”. For all our programs and fellowship, one thing for certain must be part of the churches agenda……MISSIONS! Missions in our homes, communities, towns, cities, country and the world. A church cannot experience what God would have for them if we are not obedient to our call to reach this world.
Remember the promise, “Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38).
God will bless our churches in direct proportion to our giving.
That's my five minutes!
