Making an Eternal Impact Through Missions

Our primary opportunity, as we saw last week, is to reach lost souls for Jesus Christ. And I shared this story about Jesus's encounter with the Samaritan woman as they were there at the well. This woman, despite her past, became the first evangelist in her community and she demonstrated that God can use anyone to spread his message of hope and salvation. [00:01:01] (27 seconds)


First, we must fully devote ourselves to God through worship, service, and prayer. Second, we should share the good news simply. Don't make it hard, don't make it challenging, but share it simply. Just like the Samaritan woman did, she simply said this when she went back to the village, she said these words, come and see. Come and see Jesus. Come and see this man who told me everything he knew about me. [00:01:41] (27 seconds)


Without concern, we risk becoming blind to the opportunities that God has given us. Without concern, we risk becoming blind to the opportunities that God has given us. Through Christ's love, do you have a concern for others? Do you have a concern for the lost? Do you have a concern for missions? [00:08:53] (15 seconds)


There's always been Christians, and there have always been churches that have no concern for those that are lost. Look back at verse number 15. This is what it says. It says, As you know, you Philippians were the only ones, the only church, think about this, you're the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the good news and then traveled from Macedonia. No other church did this. [00:11:16] (24 seconds)


Paul writes this powerful truth in verses 11 through 13. For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Church, contentment is crucial for missions. If we're always focused on what we lack, then we will never give to the work that needs to be done. [00:12:04] (21 seconds)


Great missions giving churches stay committed to the cause of missions. Paul highlights this in verse 16 when he's talking to the Philippians. He says, Even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent help once more. Even when I moved from one place to another, you were faithful to send help to where I was at. You see, this wasn't a one -time thing. This wasn't a one -time effort. The Philippians consistently supported Paul's missionary work. [00:14:33] (28 seconds)


Paul says in verse 17, not that I desire your gift. Oh, it's good. Thanks for sending your gift. But it's not that I desire it. What I desire is that more be credited to your accounts. For they are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Did you know that every act of giving is actually recorded in heaven? [00:17:29] (22 seconds)


You see, that's exactly what Paul says. That's exactly what Paul says happens here. When we invest in missions, we get credit for our giving with God. Some people are like, well, do I get credit with the church? Yeah, you get credit with the church, but that doesn't matter. Credit with God is what matters more. Well, if I get credit with the church, then I can maybe put it on my taxes and get a tax write -off. Well, maybe, but who cares? [00:18:23] (19 seconds)


You see, church, ultimately missions is about bringing glory and honor to God. Missions and the giving that we do, it's not about bringing glory. It's not about bringing glory and honor to new life. It's not about you saying, hey, I gave this much to missions last year. No, it's about saying, look what God has done in and through me, in and through this church, and we praise God that people have come to know him as Lord and Savior. [00:20:15] (21 seconds)


Jesus said these words in Matthew 5, 16, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds. They're going to see your good deeds. It's hard not to notice the good deeds that you do. They're going to see your good deeds, but it's not about glorifying you. What does it say here? They will glorify their friends. Father in heaven. [00:20:36] (20 seconds)