Missions

James Perkins in Tanzania

An Introduction to Missions
by James Perkins

Why Missions? Because Jesus instructed it before He ascended to heaven. He said, "Go throughout every nation and preach the gospel to every living creature” (Matt. 28:19). There are people today who have never heard the gospel. In America, we have television, radio, newspapers, and so forth, which tell us about the gospel. Also, we have outreach groups that go and share the gospel with those who have never accepted Christ. Even though we have the benefit of electronic communication, there are still people who have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Somebody has to get the word to them. This is the duty of every Christian.

Why International Missions?
Many people in international countries do not have access to the kinds of communication we have. Many of them do not have a church in their community and no one has ever shared the gospel with them. They are unsaved people whose souls may be lost. It is our duty as Christians to reach these people.

What can we do?
Think about how you learned about Jesus and why you got saved. How did accepting Christ make you feel? Do you think others might share your feelings of exuberance for having received salvation? Would you deny them this experience? What about church? Why do you go? What keeps you going back? Of what value is church to you? Could these same values apply to others?

Sharing the gospel is what we are supposed to do. Letting others know that we are Christians and believe in Jesus is supposed to be joyous. While in London I met a person in Heathrow Airport who was wearing a turban and looked as if he may be of Indian descent. Therefore, I assumed he was a Muslim of the Sheik faith. I stopped him and presented my assumptions. He said I was correct. You see, he was showing the world his faith through his headwear since his religious beliefs require that he not cut his hair.

As Christians, we are not required to wear turbans so nobody knows what we are until we tell them. We can keep our faith a secret and many of us do. But Jesus commands us to go and tell somebody and to not be ashamed; less he will be ashamed of us before the Father.

In our faith, we don't have to worry about being reprimanded or talking to non-Christians as my Muslim friend feared. Yet, we act like him when it comes to spreading the gospel.

What are some of the benefits of being obedient to the Word of God? It makes you stronger in the faith. Jesus does not want to lose a soul to the devil. If you are obedient, you can help save souls. If you are obedient, you can touch someone and be touched by the lives of others. Jesus said that "to whom much is given; much is expected."

We have been given a lot. You can use the gifts that God has given you to further his Kingdom. You can be a servant with whom God is well pleased.