November 27, 2022

The reality of giving yourself to a lifetime of mission

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Mark 4:1-34
Service Type:

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

« Love is not proud Jesus and the World »