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As you walk out the doors of Calvary Tri-City look up, over those doors are the words “You Are Now Entering The Mission Field”. There is no reminder that is more appropriate. How many of us read and take to heart it’s meaning? They are nice words, a message worth contemplating on as we go home to eat, watch the game or some other social/secular activity. These words should be over the inside of the doors of our homes, on the sun visors of our cars. And all too sadly in some cases on the outside of the doors going into our homes and cars. Has your neighbor heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why Not? In the City it’s just a few short steps to their doors, in the country it’s just a stroll down the lane. How about your family? Have you taught your children and your children’s children the precepts of G_D and the saving grace of Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Why Not? Prov. 13:22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Are you leaving a spiritual inheritance to your children or a material inheritance? Why Not? Matt. 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Matt. 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: And more importantly have you been an example of Christ or are your children right in seeing your example and calling all Christians Hypocrites? Your coworkers? Your friends and associates? The waitress in the donut shop or the clerk at the store register? All need to hear the good news. It’s easy to talk with people about sports, movies, the economy, crime, wars and natural disasters. Why should sharing the most life impacting gift ever given, be so hard? G_D’s Word Tells us that “ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2Tim. 1:7. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Heb. 13:6 Why are we so meek, when in Christ , with His Spirit “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” Eph. 3:12 . That “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.“ Phil. 1:20 It’s when we realize that we can effect more change in our homes, Neighborhoods, City’s, Counties, State, Government and the World by following and obeying what Jesus commanded us to do in Mark 16:15. The words Jesus said are clear “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ will impact the world more than any stimulus package could hope to. Jesus died for everyone, not just some. I at times forget that, He died for Osama bin Laden, (if he had heard and accepted the Gospel do you think that he would have founded Al Qaeda?) Jesus died for Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Barrak Obama. He died for the drug addict, the drug dealer, the prostitute and the pimp. the swindler and the thief. He died for the homosexual, the pedophile, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Rosie O’Donal, Paris Hilton and the other rich and shameless, He is Messiah to all or He is Messiah to none. Have we forgotten we are Christ’s ambassadors? Do we think we can leave it up to a handful of missionary’s to fulfill the great commission. Supporting those brave souls called to take the message of Christ to other countries is wonderful, but it does not let us off the hook with our own mission field and our Lord’s command to preach the gospel to those within our sphere of influence. Our financial support does not give us a pass to sit back like the “frozen chosen” and let others do our job. Those of us who have received the gift of Salvation and understand Biblical prophecy know that G_D’s Word is alive. We know that the world is in the condition it’s in due to sin. We know that we cannot through our works set up the kingdom of G_D here on earth. We know that the watered down politically correct social gospel taught by so many church pastors is meaningless. We know that the world’s condition and the falling away from G_D is right where G_D has told us it would be. We know what is going to happen, we just don’t know the time or the day, we do however know the season. G_D’s time clock is coming to an end. Knowing this does not let us off the hook, We are still called to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2Tim. 4:2 Pastor John mentioned a few weeks ago and again last week that we who are saved 2Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 1Cor. 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 1Cor. 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 1Cor. 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 1Cor. 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. The gist of this is that we all have a calling. We all have things that G_D has planned for our lives and it is up to us to search out and follow what he has called us to. We have diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit to use. How we use them, and how we perform the tasks G_D has called us for leads to the rewards each of us will receive. If we live our live in Christ as the Man given 5 talents and doubled them we will have rewards that will pass through the flame. On the other hand if we are like the man who received 1 talent and buried it most of his actions are stubble to be consumed by fire. (see Matt. 25:14-30) My desire is to see my work pass through the flame, my fear is that when my chaff is consumed that in the flames I will see the faces of those I did not present the gospel to when I had the opportunity to and know they are in Hell. If I present the Gospel to someone, it is then their choice to accept it or reject it, if I on the other hand, sit in my house and indulge myself, telling myself what a great christian I am for making it to church once a week, and keep my talent to myself then……………. | |||
