Living with Purpose

A little girl went to church and heard a missionary give a testimony. The guest speaker also referred to different Biblical missionaries like Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Jonah, and others. The little girl started talking to her school teacher one day about whales and the story of Jonah being swallowed by one. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal, its throat was very small. The little girl insisted that it happened because the Bible said it did. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I’ll ask Jonah”. The Teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to hell?” The little girl replied, “Then you ask him.”
When I entered the military the word “mission” took on a new and exciting meaning for me. I’ve always felt called to mission work, but I’ve also felt that was a generally understood call for any Christian that remembers Jesus’ last words on earth: “Go and make followers of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do all the things I have told you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matt. 28:19-20). The work of field missionaries is like “feet to the gospel”. They have been there; sharing Christ’s love with those that need it. I enjoy reading about missionaries and hearing their stories. The great challenges missionaries have to overcome have always intrigued my own adventurous spirit.
People have different perspectives of what a missionary is. Truth is, as Christians, we’re all missionaries. Wherever you find yourself, that’s your own personal mission field. Being a missionary is not always a life filled with jungle treks, huts, pagan women, male cannibals, and significant conversions of some obscure tribe. You are a missionary in your school, in your organization, at work, on the sports field, even in your home. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “We are ambassadors for Christ (Christ’s missionaries). God is speaking to you through us. We are speaking for Christ and we ask you from our hearts to turn from your sins and come to God.” Receive your filling of the Spirit of truth in the church. Be encouraged in the church. Worship God in the church. Then move beyond the four walls of the church and share with others the Good News of Christ. Missionaries are simply those who promote the gospel of Christ. The Bible says in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power of God. It is the way. He saves people from the punishment of their sins if they put their trust in Him.”
When attempting to advance God’s Kingdom, Christians must take care lest they hinder its progress rather than promote it. So, as an ambassador for Christ this is what we should do with the Good News of Christ: 1) Don’t Hold It Down—Lift it up. Well-meaning Christians may hinder the building of the God’s Kingdom because of sentimental reasons. They want everything to remain the same. It’s a new day. To reach people in this modern day of technology new ways of doing ministry must be used to attract and reach people for the faith. We must accept we are living in different times now and our world is desperately searching to satisfy the longing soul. Psalm 20:5 says, “We will …lift up our banners in the name of our God!” Christians must take the gospel and work together in unity and lift high the banner of Salvation. God’s Word has not changed, but some of our methods of presenting it needs to. You are to be a modern missionary with a timely message for the masses in chaos. You’re to present yourself as a messenger in every arena where there is a soul.
2) Don’t Hold It In—Let it out. There’s a Scripture that speaks of our willingness to share the Good News. “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He (Jesus) comes in His own shining-greatness…” (Luke 9:26). Don’t fail in your witness for Christ because of your self-consciousness. Become God-conscious. God is the one that is able to supply needed strength and courage. Some people (or groups) act as if they have a corner on Salvation. This is impossible. This gospel is not for any exclusive individual, group, or denomination. It’s for “whosoever believeth” (John 3:16). You can help promote the gospel by helping others. Assist the less fortunate, comfort the lonely, and share Christ with the unsaved. Don’t hold it in—let it out.
3)Don’t Hold It Back—Launch it forth. Despite any physical limitations, all believers can send forth the gospel through prayer. This is the starting point. Distance is no problem with God. You can touch anyone, anywhere around the world in answer to prayers. Millions of people can be reached through churches, books, TV, the internet—the avenues of resources are almost endless. Let’s be generous in our giving, cooperating with God, and seeing ourselves as Christ’s ambassadors to all men and women. Surely as God has called us, He will equip us. Find a church where you can equip yourselves for your next missionary journey by Bible study and fellowship, attend church faithfully, and follow God in all your ways.
• This weekly column is written by Matt Dobson. A graduate of Florida State University, Univ. of West Florida, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, he is Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Jay, Florida and a 1LT Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves. Matt can be reached by email: rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts concerning faith, belief, and Christian living. Visit the Living With Purpose website at www.living-with-purpose.org.