Missionary...
What comes to mind when you think about the word, Missionary?
Would you use Missionary to describe God?

After God created the world we see the beautiful picture of Adam and Eve walking with God every afternoon in the Garden of Eden.
Suddenly, tragedy occurred, the Fall, sin and death entered the human race.
Who came to our rescue?

Would you describe Jesus as a Missionary?

Jesus left Heaven and came to earth. He went from one town, village and city to the next seek people out, teaching them what life is all about; who God is, who they are and that the Kingdom of God is near.
Then Jesus willingly died for us. On the third day, He rose from the dead for us. He conquered sin, death and evil. He then walked around in a resurrected, fully healed body explaining why He died in our place. Then He ascended up into Heaven and sits praying for us to be adopted into His family.

Jesus is the ultimate missionary.

Once Jesus adopts us into His family, He sends us out to the people in our lives to share with them the greatest news about Jesus. Jesus adopts anyone who will respond to His free gift of salvation. Then each newly adopted child of God is a missionary for Jesus.

Think of that, you and I are missionaries for Jesus. Jesus sends us to our family. Jesus sends us to our neighbors. Jesus sends us to our co-workers. Jesus sends us to our friends to talk with them about Jesus.

Mark 16:15 Jesus said to His disciples, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

When was the last time you had a conversation about Jesus with the people in your life? 

Maybe you can ask them about their view of God and listen to what they say.
Maybe you can ask them about their view of Jesus and listen to what they have to say.
Maybe you can ask them about their view of how to get right with God and then listen to what they say.

Jesus has adopted you into His family. Jesus has created you to be His missionary for your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.

How are you doing with that?

Let's pray together for our church to see ourselves in this way,
Pastor Chris

Thoughts to encourage you with...

God dreamed of you before the foundation of world.
Eph 1:4 Long before God laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.

God planned when you would be born and to whom you would be born.
Acts 17:26 God created all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and God marked out their appointed times in history.

God uniquely and purposefully created you one of a kind.
Ps 139:13 God, You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

God loves you beyond your wildest dreams.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son that whom so ever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

God wants and invites you to be adopted into His family.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God wants and invites you to serve His church family.
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

God wants you to share the great news of Jesus with others.
Matt 28:19-20 Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Have you said "Yes" to Jesus' invitation to be adopted into His family?
Are you experiencing and growing in Jesus' love for you?
Are you using your spiritual gifts to serve Jesus' church?
Are you sharing the great news of Jesus with others?

Encouraged,
Pastor Chris