As part of our Vision 3000 / each 1 reach 1, I recently taught a bible study on the difference between church member ideals and missionary ideals. Every person who sits in a church should feel compelled to share their faith. In other words, you’re a missionary where you live. There are startling statistics about the lostness in our nation. Along with Canada, the United States comprises the 3rd largest mission field. How is that possible with all the churches and Christ-followers in our country? Indeed, it’s hard to fathom.
This isn’t the same country our parents and grandparents grew up in and enjoyed. We are far from Christ as a nation. The book of Matthew ends with a passage frequently referred to as The Great Commission. These are the last words Jesus spoke before he ascended into Heaven:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Surely making disciples begins in our nation, state, town and neighborhood. Right where we live, with the people we socialize, do business with and see on a regular basis. We are excited about what Emmanuel is about to do and I’ll write more about that later but in the meantime, I invite you to listen to the teaching about the difference between being a missionary minded individual vs merely a church member. How you see yourself and approach sharing the gospel makes all the difference in eternity for those around you. It is available below and as a podcast.
Teaching Notes: MissionariesNotMembers