The reality of giving yourself to a lifetime of mission
Introduction
Thinking about the reality of giving yourself to a lifetime of mission service to the Lord Jesus
Whether close to home, in the UK from a different part of the world considering being sent
Mark 4 gives us three things to think about Missionary Service
We need to be committed to Evangelism
Book from Rico Tice
He mentions a ‘pain line’
This can feel increasingly painful in our increasingly secular times
There can be a tendency to replace evangelism with other things
Stat re evangelical mission agencies in the UK
We must see why evangelism is so necessary
Overview of first few chapters of Mark
Jesus had announced the kingdom of God in Mark 1:15
This religious leaders of the day reject this
Jesus appoints new leaders – Mark 3
Jesus tells them how the kingdom of God will grow – Mark 4
As the seed is scattered
The seed – is the word of God (4:14)
Evangelism is the way people will hear the good news and the kingdom will grow
Before we can share with others – we need to know this ourselves
We must listen to God’s word – v3, 9, 15, 16, 20, 23, 24
Have you listened carefully to the gospel message?
Have you received the word with faith?
God’s kingdom – you are either in/out and forgiven/unforgiven
Depends upon our response to Jesus Christ
Explanation of His work
Do you know Him?
Do you love Him?
Have you turned from your sin and believed in Him?
Those who have believed – are entrusted with the gospel
We do not hide it but proclaim it to others
Quote from Hudson Taylor
We need to pray for God to provide opportunity for the gospel to be preached
Examples
We must be committed to Evangelism
The reality of mission can look disappointing
Jesus tells us some surprising but crucial words
He tells us things we might not want to hear
Three potential problems:
Mission work will always meet with a mixed response
Reading 4:15-19
Despite your work, you might see the seed of the gospel snatched away
Example
This may be something we have experienced
The results of sharing the gospel are out of our hands
Reading 4:26-28
The lack of mission growth can seem devastating
Example
Mission work will rarely look impressive
Example
This is not to say we do not serve God in our work
Reading 4:30-34
The seed looks so small – you can hardly see it
The world is impressed by ‘big’ things
A life of mission work for Jesus Christ will rarely look ‘impressive’
It is not always easy
Are we ready for this cost?
Jesus tells us it is meant to be this way
This is the nature of the kingdom we are called to invest in
Example of Jesus Christ
The outcome of mission is certain
The response to mission work may meet a mixed response but the harvest is coming (v20)
Examples
The results of sharing the gospel is within God’s hands (v26-29)
God is in the business of causing seed to grow
This helps against the temptation to despair
Our task is to sow the seed – He is the Lord of the harvest
This helps against the temptation to pride
God causes the seed to grow (not us)
Example
There is nothing more permanent to invest our life in that mission
Example of James Gilmore
Quote from James Gilmore
We can all give ourselves to the task of making disciples of all nations
Closing Remarks