"On The Greatest Mission With The Greatest Message To
The Greatest Mission Field!"
Mark 16:15
INTRO.Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma, endured untold hardships trying to reach the lost for Christ. For seven heartbreaking years, he suffered hunger and destitution. During this time he was thrown into Ava prison, and for seventeen months was subjected to almost incredible mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life, he carried the ugly marks made by the chains and iron shackles which had cruelly bound him. Undaunted, upon his release, he asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume preaching the gospel.
The godless ruler indignantly denied his request, saying, "My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might say, but I fear they might be impressed by your scars and turn to your religion." Adoniram Judson had a mission. He was going to reach the savages of Burma, at all costs, with the gospel of Jesus Christ! The Church has a similar mission, but one of even greater importance! I want to title the message, "On The Greatest Mission With The Greatest Message To The Greatest Mission Field!" The apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 9:22b—“I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
The Church must meet the needs of a lost and dying world! We must reach out to those without hope and bring hope to them! It is the greatest challenge in the whole world, but it is well worth it! Three things I want us to look at tonight. First, The Greatest Mission, Second, The Greatest Message, and Lastly, The Greatest MissionField. What is the ONLY HOPE the World has for the future? The message that has been committed to God's Church!
(1)The Greatest Mission
Text: Mark 16:15a—“Go ye...”
- THE ADVANCEMENT. That small word "Go" implies a forward advancement. Our word “go” is translated from a Greek word which means "To walk, travel, or journey." So, as we walk along life's way, we MUST share the Good News! 2 Corinthians 5:19b-20a tells us, "God… hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are the ambassadors for Christ...". Our word "ambassador" is translated from a Greek word which means "representative." We are the representatives of God!
B. THE ATTITUDE. We must go with:
- A Broken Heart (Psalm 126:5, 6).
- A Brave Determination (Romans 10:1).
We are on the GREATEST MISSION in the whole world, though it is
challenging, and at times heart-breaking, it is rewarding! Galatians
6:9 challenges us, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due
season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
(2) The Greatest Message
Text: Mark 16:15c—“... preach the GOSPEL to every creature"
*We have the GREATEST MESSAGE to proclaim of all-- THE GOSPEL!
THE GOSPEL IS:
- POWERFUL (Romans 1:16).
- PENETRATING (Hebrews 4:12).
- PLEASING (when received) (James 1:17-18).
(3) The Greatest Mission Field
Text: Mark 16:15b—“... into ALL THE WORLD...”
- THE EXTREME URGENCY. In the U.S. alone, a 1988 Gallup poll showed: Only 33% of Americans claimed to be born-again. 72% claimed to be religious, saying they believed Jesus is the Son Of God. Many are as Jesus said are walking down the road where “…wideisthegate,andbroadistheway,that leadethtodestruction,andmanytherebewhich go inthereat.” (Matthew 7:13b).
- THE EVIDENT REALITY. We are living in a nation foretold by Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:5, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof...". Many are religious. But many are religious and LOST! We are living in the GREATEST MISSION FIELD in the World! We MUST carry the Good News to this lost and dying world! It is IMPERATIVE!
CLOSING: God has given to His Church the GREATEST MISSION ever: To win
the world for Him! It is not an easy task, and we won't win all, but
we MUST WIN all we can for Him while we can!
Will you be faithful to go for God? He went all the way to Calvary
for you and me. Will we carry His Word to those around us?