Tag: great commission
Missions partnership
Scripture reading for September 5: Philippians 4
“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:14-19
Paul ended his letter to the church a Philippi by thanking them for their partnership with him in his calling of sharing the Gospel to the Gentiles. No other church had entered into this partnership with him. It was a partnership of giving and receiving. Paul was the recipient of their support to him through their representative Epaphroditus. Their gifts were a fragrant offering and a sacrifice that pleased God. These descriptive terms came from the offerings of the priests before the incense altar in the Tabernacle. As the aroma of the incense along with the blood of the sacrifice rose before the Lord, so these gifts were pleasing to God and acceptable as a sacrifice. Paul stated in faith that God would reward those giving to him with meeting their every need. This was guaranteed by Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior, seated in glory at God’s right hand.
The great commission given by Jesus to His church(Matthew 28:18-20) of going to the ends of the earth and preaching to all was being worked out practically in the church at Philippi. Paul had gone there as a missionary and preached. Souls had been saved as they received the Word. These souls had heard the call to take the Gospel to others and had partnered with a missionary, Paul, to help send him to others who needed to hear. The offerings sent to meet the needs of Paul were a fragrant offering that pleased God and helped him preach. The partnership was rewarded by God meeting needs.
Have you ever viewed your giving to missions and missionaries as a partnership? As you give, do you see your offerings as a fragrant sacrifice that pleases God? Do you believe that as you give to missions God will supply all your own needs through Christ Jesus?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing plan to reach the ends of the earth through sending Your people to preach. As I give, these Scriptures help me to see how I am partnering with other believers to fulfill Your plan of salvation. Thank You that You have and will meet all my needs through Jesus! Amen.
Jesus Alive, Now and Forever!
Scripture reading for February 7th: Matthew 28, Psalm 28, Proverbs 28
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:17-20 “And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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.””
Matthew records Jesus’ final words to His remaining eleven disciples. This instruction is known as the “great commission” and is really a continuation of Jesus’ mission to seek and save lost people. Jesus will now complete His mission through those who worship Him and keep faith in His death and resurrection. Jesus promises to be with them always, in every place and circumstance, right up until He returns!
Faith’s confession: Lord Jesus, I believe in Your coming to earth as a man, Your sacrificial death, and Your amazing resurrection from the dead, crowned with all authority in heaven and earth. Help me to obey Your instructions as I know that You are with me always! Amen! Action step: Ask the Lord to give you opportunity to share the Gospel with someone or show the love of Jesus to an unbeliever.
Psalm 28:8-9 “The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His Anointed. Oh, save Your people and bless Your heritage! Be their Shepherd and carry them forever.”
Preaching good news to all!
Scripture reading for March 12th: Mark 16:1-20, Psalms 55:1-23, Proverbs 11:7
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, just as He said He would. Death could not hold Him and He showed Himself alive to the women, the disciples, and others. The eleven remaining disciples had a hard time believing the reports of those who had seen Him. “Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.” (Mark 16:14) These men should have been expecting the resurrection because Jesus had repeatedly told them about the crucifixion and coming resurrection. To whom much is given, much is required. A rebuke is a sign of love to those who can be corrected by it. (Proverbs 13:1) (Revelation 3:19)
Jesus had final instructions for these disciples. They were not to sit around feeling sorry for themselves and thinking of the good old days when Jesus was with them. They must now go into all the world with the good news of Jesus Christ and preach to every creature. Some would believe and be baptized unto salvation and others would refuse the good news and be eternally condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
Those who believed had Jesus’ promise to confirm the good news with signs that would follow them and the preaching of the Gospel. They would drive out demonic forces as they spoke in His name. They would lay hands on the sick and see people healed in His name. If they were poisoned or ran into satanic opposition, God promised to protect them. Jesus would give them support.
Jesus was then taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19) Acts records that Jesus was taken up into heaven on a cloud and would return the same way as He left. (Acts 1:9-11) Jesus had told the high priest and elders that they would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Might One and coming on clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:62) From that position of power and authority, Jesus prays for us and watches over us as we preach the Gospel to every creature. This is His plan to reach the entire world! When this command is fulfilled, Jesus will come again on the clouds for His Bride, the church! What exciting days we live in!