Embracing Global Missions: A Call to Action
Summary
This week marks the beginning of our Global Ministries Week, a time dedicated to expanding our understanding of God's work around the world. It's easy to become absorbed in our own lives and challenges, but hearing from those who serve globally reminds us of the vastness of God's kingdom and the diverse needs that exist beyond our immediate surroundings. We have the privilege of hosting speakers from various nations who will share their experiences and the opportunities available for us to participate in global missions. This is a chance to step out of our comfort zones and consider how we might support or even join these efforts.
Reflecting on the stories of those who once sat among us and are now serving in distant lands, we are reminded of the call to go beyond our local community. The loneliness and challenges faced by missionaries like Mike and Jen Cratch in Papua New Guinea highlight the sacrifices made for the sake of the gospel. Yet, their stories also inspire us to consider our role in God's mission. The statistics are sobering: 28% of the world's population has yet to hear the gospel, and 48,000 people die daily without knowing Christ. This reality compels us to act, to pray, and to support those on the front lines.
Our church's mission has evolved from focusing solely on our local community to embracing a global vision. We are called to be witnesses not just in Simi Valley but to the ends of the earth. This mission is not just about numbers; it's about ensuring that every person has the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. As we grow, we are committed to sending out more missionaries, supporting global ministries, and using every resource available to spread the gospel.
The growth of the church worldwide is a testament to God's power and faithfulness. From China to Korea, we see incredible movements of God, even in places where the gospel was once thought impossible to penetrate. These stories encourage us to remain steadfast in our mission and to trust that God is at work in ways we cannot always see.
In Malachi 1, God challenges us to offer Him our best, not half-hearted worship. As a church, we strive to honor God with excellence, recognizing that He deserves our wholehearted devotion. We are reminded that God’s name will be great among the nations, and we are invited to be part of that global worship.
Key Takeaways:
1. Global Perspective: It's crucial to step outside our local context and recognize the broader scope of God's work worldwide. Engaging with global missions helps us see beyond our immediate challenges and understand the diverse needs of the global church. [00:52]
2. Missionary Sacrifice: The stories of missionaries like Mike and Jen Cratch remind us of the sacrifices made for the gospel. Their experiences of loneliness and cultural challenges highlight the need for our support and prayers. [04:21]
3. Urgency of the Gospel: With 28% of the world yet to hear the gospel, there is an urgent need for action. The reality of 48,000 people dying daily without knowing Christ compels us to prioritize missions and evangelism. [16:42]
4. Evolving Mission: Our church's mission has expanded from a local focus to a global vision. We are called to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, using every resource to ensure that all have the opportunity to hear the gospel. [19:27]
5. Excellence in Worship: God deserves our best, not half-hearted worship. Malachi 1 challenges us to offer God excellence, recognizing that His name will be great among the nations. Our worship should reflect His greatness and holiness. [28:01]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Global Ministries Week
- [00:52] - Expanding Our Worldview
- [01:46] - Stories of Our Missionaries
- [04:21] - Challenges Faced by Missionaries
- [05:37] - Live Call with Mike and Jen Cratch
- [07:27] - Prayer Requests from Papua New Guinea
- [09:23] - Call to Support Global Missions
- [16:42] - The Urgency of the Gospel
- [19:27] - Evolving Church Mission
- [22:20] - The Cost of Growth
- [24:11] - Encouraging Global Church Growth
- [26:02] - God's Work Around the World
- [28:01] - Excellence in Worship
- [30:09] - A Call to Wholehearted Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Global Ministries Week
Bible Reading:
- Malachi 1:6-11
- Romans 1:20
- Matthew 28:19-20
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Observation Questions:
1. What are some of the challenges faced by missionaries like Mike and Jen Cratch in Papua New Guinea, as mentioned in the sermon? [04:21]
2. According to the sermon, what percentage of the world's population has yet to hear the gospel, and how many people die daily without knowing Christ? [16:42]
3. How has the mission of the church evolved from a local focus to a global vision, as discussed in the sermon? [19:27]
4. What does Malachi 1 challenge us to offer to God, and how does this relate to our worship? [28:01]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the loneliness experienced by missionaries like Mike and Jen Cratch highlight the importance of community and support in global missions? [04:21]
2. What does the urgency of the gospel mean for the church's mission, and how should this urgency influence our actions and priorities? [16:42]
3. In what ways does the growth of the church worldwide serve as a testament to God's power and faithfulness, as mentioned in the sermon? [24:11]
4. How does Malachi 1:6-11 challenge us to reflect on the quality of our worship and offerings to God? [28:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the stories of missionaries like Mike and Jen Cratch. How can you personally support global missions, whether through prayer, financial support, or considering a mission trip yourself? [04:21]
2. With 28% of the world yet to hear the gospel, what specific steps can you take to prioritize missions and evangelism in your life? [16:42]
3. How can you expand your perspective to see beyond your local context and engage with the broader scope of God's work worldwide? [00:52]
4. In what ways can you contribute to the church's evolving mission to be witnesses to the ends of the earth? Consider practical actions you can take within your community or globally. [19:27]
5. Reflect on your current worship practices. How can you ensure that you are offering God your best and not half-hearted worship? [28:01]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can step out of your comfort zone to support or participate in global missions. What is one action you can take this week to move in that direction? [01:15]
7. Consider the growth of the church in countries like China and Korea. How can these stories inspire you to remain steadfast in your faith and mission? [24:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Expanding Our Worldview
In our daily lives, it's easy to become focused on our immediate surroundings and personal challenges. However, stepping outside of our local context allows us to see the broader scope of God's work worldwide. Engaging with global missions helps us understand the diverse needs of the global church and reminds us of the vastness of God's kingdom. By listening to the stories of those serving in different parts of the world, we gain a deeper appreciation for the unique challenges and opportunities that exist beyond our own experiences. This perspective encourages us to consider how we might contribute to God's work on a global scale. [00:52]
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally learn about and pray for a specific country or people group this week to expand your understanding of God's global work?
Day 2: Embracing Missionary Sacrifice
The stories of missionaries like Mike and Jen Cratch serve as powerful reminders of the sacrifices made for the sake of the gospel. These individuals often face loneliness, cultural challenges, and personal hardships as they serve in distant lands. Their dedication highlights the importance of supporting and praying for those on the front lines of global missions. As we reflect on their experiences, we are challenged to consider the sacrifices we might be called to make in our own lives for the sake of spreading the gospel. [04:21]
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." (Matthew 19:29, ESV)
Reflection: What is one comfort or convenience you can sacrifice this week to support a missionary or mission organization in prayer or financially?
Day 3: Responding to the Urgency of the Gospel
With 28% of the world's population yet to hear the gospel, there is an urgent need for action. The reality that 48,000 people die daily without knowing Christ compels us to prioritize missions and evangelism. This urgency calls us to examine our own lives and consider how we can actively participate in sharing the good news. Whether through prayer, financial support, or personal involvement, each of us has a role to play in ensuring that every person has the opportunity to hear about Jesus. [16:42]
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?" (Romans 10:14, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who has not heard the gospel. How can you take a step this week to share the love of Christ with them?
Day 4: Embracing a Global Mission
Our church's mission has evolved from focusing solely on our local community to embracing a global vision. We are called to be witnesses not just in our immediate surroundings but to the ends of the earth. This mission is not just about numbers; it's about ensuring that every person has the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. As we grow, we are committed to sending out more missionaries, supporting global ministries, and using every resource available to spread the gospel. [19:27]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this month to support your church's global mission efforts, whether through volunteering, giving, or advocating?
Day 5: Offering Excellence in Worship
In Malachi 1, God challenges us to offer Him our best, not half-hearted worship. As a church, we strive to honor God with excellence, recognizing that He deserves our wholehearted devotion. This call to excellence in worship is a reminder that God's name will be great among the nations, and we are invited to be part of that global worship. Our worship should reflect His greatness and holiness, inspiring us to live lives that honor Him in all that we do. [28:01]
"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!" (Psalm 34:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your worship or daily life can you strive for greater excellence this week to honor God more fully?
Quotes
Every time I go overseas or hear from someone overseas it just blows my mind because I get so caught up in my little world here in Simi Valley and pretty much I start thinking like this is this is it, you know and and then you start thinking that our problems are major and then you start listening to people around the world you realize okay, there's a lot more to this world than Simi Valley. [00:43:36]
Some of you in this room right now won't be with us in a couple years and I think about some of the people that used to just sit in this room and now they're somewhere overseas and I think okay there's with a group this size some of you will end up in another country serving God another country. [01:16:47]
I was talking to some of them this week and I said you know what what do you struggle with and one of them said you know just loneliness it's just weird you know I'm sitting in this crowd at Cornerstone surrounded you know with this fellowship of all these people we all believed we lived in that same city we were my friends we got tight and now suddenly I'm sitting in the other side of the world by myself. [04:16:00]
The stats are that 48,000 people die every day who never had the chance to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. 48,000 a day and so that's who Mike and Jen and the kids are out reaching as they're searching for these tribes who have never heard about Jesus and they're learning their language and trying to translate the scriptures in their language first that no one even knows their language. [16:55:36]
Our goal you know for the last few years has not been just to give every individual in our community an accurate picture of God but really every every person on our planet an accurate picture of God and that's why we're sending missionaries all around the world that's why we started our Bible college so we could raise up college students who had an understanding of the word of God and could actually teach others. [19:58:08]
The church in China has actually since the communist takeover in 1949 the the the Christian church has actually grown since the communists take over tenfold they estimate there are more Christians in China than there are in America now it's pretty intense in the in Nepal the the nation of Nepal in 1960 in 1960 in Nepal there were 25 believers estimated 25 Christians now there are over 400 thousand. [24:09:20]
In Malachi chapter 1, this was my heart the very first Sunday I just said you know I we got to give God excellence and Malachi you know was the last last uh prophet you know before you know he prophesized John the Baptist the forerunner and the Christ coming you know there's 400 years of silence after Malachi. [26:50:52]
God says to these people who are kind of giving these half-hearted sacrifices and bringing them because they're like oh yeah okay time for worship again time to go give to God and they give these half-hearted worship services sacrifice and God says you know what I wish someone would shut the doors to that temple I'd rather they just not worship me at all than to bring me this half-hearted lame sacrifice. [28:42:79]
I don't ever want to be a church where God looks down and goes you know what if that's all you've got just close the doors just shut the doors to that place because that's not the way you worship a holy God because I deserve your best he goes my name will be great among the nations so if you don't want to worship me there are people all around the world who will worship me. [29:55:20]
The Bible says if you will embrace that relationship with you will accept this free gift you can have eternal life you can have this relationship with God where there's no barrier anymore of all your crimes all your sin everything you did where you offended him and you know you have the Bible says that barrier is taken away because of Christ he becomes this bridge. [35:10:24]
The Bible tells us that even though you are guilty though that this God in heaven who made you still loves you he loves you so much that he had his son come down on the earth and on that cross Jesus was paying for your crimes that you know you're guilty of Jesus paid for those. [34:53:59]
You guys we want to on our 12-year anniversary come before God and and give him an offering of ourselves as pure and undefiled the purity to come with childlike faith and say okay God I want to give you all of my words bring you everything that I am if you've never given your life to Jesus that's where it starts. [36:22:80]
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