May 23, 2015 LOCAL MISSIONARIES
2 Corinthians 5:18-21: “Now all of these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Acts 1:8: “but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
When we hear that someone is a missionary, we normally think of someone in “full time ministry” serving in a foreign country or involved in some particular national or state mission organization. This limited view or definition of what it means to be a missionary has been a dis-service to the Christian community. Clearly, the scriptures teach that each and every believer is called to be a missionary in the truest since of the word. In very simple terms, a missionary is one who demonstrates and tells the good news of the Gospel. We have been given the Holy Spirit and it is the job of the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us and to those around us. Jesus did not say that we should be witnesses; He said that “you shall be My witnesses”-and that includes us. Because we now live in a kingdom of light-and we are light-all aspects of our lives are to reflect His kingdom. We are not missionaries because we may do occasional mission activity; we are missionaries “full time” because of who we are-people who have been made new who represent another kingdom. The new life that we have been given is in and of itself a witness to those who live in darkness. Just the other day, an elderly neighbor needed something done that she could not do, and God prompted me to do what was needed. I was busy on my own chores, but when I put my shores aside and took care of the neighbor-it really felt great and I was probably blessed more than the neighbor. I’m sure you have had similar experiences. Over the last several days, I have thought about how we place a lot of emphasis on foreign missions and on mission organizations on a national level—but how about the fellow down the street, the lady who works at the grocery store, the neighbor next door, the banker, the school teacher, the homeless person we see walking down the street-who are the missionaries to them? The answer to that question is quite obvious. Perhaps the main point to all of this is whether are not the life we live is in keeping with our new nature-who we really are-or are we living our lives according to our own dictates. It is possible to be a Christian and yet not live in our new identity due to the fact that we don’t yet understand our new identity, or for some reason we just choose to live according to our old self. The good news is that being a witness, or being a missionary, is a by-product of knowing who we are in Christ-it’s natural to reflect our Father. Our part is to be sensitive to what the Spirit of God is saying to us and then act on what He says. When it’s in our heart to know Him and to follow Him, then we will be effective ambassadors for Him. So, let us begin to see ourselves as full time missionaries, as witnesses, serving the area in which we live. If we understand who we are-then just let us be ourselves-that is, our new self!
1 Peter 3:15: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who ask you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
Mathew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Blessings,
Buddy
2 Corinthians 5:18-21: “Now all of these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Acts 1:8: “but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
When we hear that someone is a missionary, we normally think of someone in “full time ministry” serving in a foreign country or involved in some particular national or state mission organization. This limited view or definition of what it means to be a missionary has been a dis-service to the Christian community. Clearly, the scriptures teach that each and every believer is called to be a missionary in the truest since of the word. In very simple terms, a missionary is one who demonstrates and tells the good news of the Gospel. We have been given the Holy Spirit and it is the job of the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us and to those around us. Jesus did not say that we should be witnesses; He said that “you shall be My witnesses”-and that includes us. Because we now live in a kingdom of light-and we are light-all aspects of our lives are to reflect His kingdom. We are not missionaries because we may do occasional mission activity; we are missionaries “full time” because of who we are-people who have been made new who represent another kingdom. The new life that we have been given is in and of itself a witness to those who live in darkness. Just the other day, an elderly neighbor needed something done that she could not do, and God prompted me to do what was needed. I was busy on my own chores, but when I put my shores aside and took care of the neighbor-it really felt great and I was probably blessed more than the neighbor. I’m sure you have had similar experiences. Over the last several days, I have thought about how we place a lot of emphasis on foreign missions and on mission organizations on a national level—but how about the fellow down the street, the lady who works at the grocery store, the neighbor next door, the banker, the school teacher, the homeless person we see walking down the street-who are the missionaries to them? The answer to that question is quite obvious. Perhaps the main point to all of this is whether are not the life we live is in keeping with our new nature-who we really are-or are we living our lives according to our own dictates. It is possible to be a Christian and yet not live in our new identity due to the fact that we don’t yet understand our new identity, or for some reason we just choose to live according to our old self. The good news is that being a witness, or being a missionary, is a by-product of knowing who we are in Christ-it’s natural to reflect our Father. Our part is to be sensitive to what the Spirit of God is saying to us and then act on what He says. When it’s in our heart to know Him and to follow Him, then we will be effective ambassadors for Him. So, let us begin to see ourselves as full time missionaries, as witnesses, serving the area in which we live. If we understand who we are-then just let us be ourselves-that is, our new self!
1 Peter 3:15: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who ask you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
Mathew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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