Missionary work is not an option but an obligation

 

                                                                     Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Rajan

1.    1. GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF THE MISSION

Even after 2000 years, the Gospel is not yet preached to all the Nations. It hurt us, if it hurt us how will it hurt our Lord. Nevertheless, a small advertisement reaches the nook and corner of the world, Why? Because we did not give the first priority to the Great Commission of God and disobey. Another reason is “ the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” ( 2 Cor 4:4) Individuals and the Church did not take the Great Commission very seriously. Christians became so selfish, forgetting about eternal life, Godliness and not understood the mission of God. So, satan had blinded the eyes, and he also kept millions of people in the darkness. The Bible warns us that ‘all the human beings will appear before the while throne judgement’ (Rev. 20:12, Mat 25:33,34,46 Daniel 12:2) God in His own wisdom created the universe and created the human being as the prime of all creations and created Adam and Eve in His own image and likeness. God gave a special task to the man. Sin came to the world through the disobedience of the man. God had several missions and one of the foremost missions of God was His redemption plan of the human race. It was pronounced in Gen. 3:15 about the Saviour who will come, destroy the Satan, and liberate the humanity from the clutches of Sin. God selected Abraham to bless the whole nations (Gen 12:2,3) and He also chosen the people of Israel to bless the whole world (Gen 12:3, 22:18). This is a promise to Abraham and to the whole world. The whole world has been blessed through the nation Israel by the coming of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Gal 4:5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we 6 Friends Focus March 2019 might receive the adoption as sons.

2.      2. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO FULFILL THE MISSION OF GOD

John 3:16 says that ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’ God sent His own son as the first missionary to this world. So, the missionary work is created by God and it is His work. As God wants all the people of this world to be saved ( I Tim 2:4), we should involve in God’s mission. God needs you and me to fulfil his mission. Luke 24: 45-48 ‘ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. This responsibility is given to each one us and God had chosen us to proclaim the good news to all.

 

3.     JESUS ALSO COMMISSIONED US TO FULFIL HIS MISSION

 Missionary work is not an option but it is an obligation of all the disciples of Christ. God not only chosen us, but to proclaim the good news Pet 2:9. ‘But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.’ Before he ascend to heaven after his resurrection, he gave the commission to each one us to proclaim the good news to all the creations. Mat 28:19, Mark 16:15, Luke 24: 45-48. In mark 5:19 Jesus clearly gave the commands to the person who was redeemed, ‘“Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you…’ St. paul who understood the mission of God said that ‘For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel ( I Cor 9:16). I am debtor for the Gospel, which redeemed me. (Rom 1:14). As this is the God’s task and Command of Christ, we have to involve in the missionary work with all the possible ways. We should give priority to the missionary work, pray and give towards that, so that God’s kingdom will be extended.

 

4.      4.. PEOPLE ARE WAITING TO HEAR THE GOSPEL AND RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari people are searching the Truth to attain salvation. For this reason, they used to do holy pilgrimages, celebrate many festivals, give their wealth, some hurt themselves physically and many do the holy dips in the rivers to get the forgiveness of sins. In addition, it is our primary duty to proclaim the good news that Jesus is the only way. Moreover, we should show it to all through our lifestyle. 2000 year ago, Jesus said ‘Go’ now people are calling us to COME and share the Gospel. Individuals, families and communities are responding to the Friends Focus March 2019 7 Gospel and get Transformed. Even it is happening in our mission among Kukna, Varli, Chamra, Sikh, Malto Santal and so on. What is your response? “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Rom 10:13-15. There is a very valuable lesson that we learn from these four lepers, especially when they said,’ “What we’re doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us…’ they knew they needed to tell others what they had found enough food where inside the country people are dying without food.2 Kings 7:9-11 In our nation, still people are waiting and wandering to get the spiritual food. Moreover, we have to feed them with the good news so that they can be saved from the everlasting destruction.

 

5.     5. CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN TO JUDGE THE WORLD

 Jesus is coming again as He promised. He will come as a Judge. And we have to give account to God. 2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Tim 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. Each person will be judged according to what they had done while they are in the planet earth. Rev. 20:13. We have to give account to God for our lives, ( Time, Treasurer and Talents). Where will you spent your eternity? What are the steps you are taking to bring others to spend their eternity with God.

 

6. YOUR LIFE WILL BE MORE MEANINGFUL IF YOU INVOLVE IN GOD’S PLAN God created each one of us in His own image and likeness. We have created to live eternally but we can spend the eternity in two places one with God and another is without God i.e hell. Choice is ours; we have to choice the right choice and help other to choose the right one. God created us with a purpose, He wishes to work with Him in the eternal plan of Salvation. He calls the people who fulfil this plan as His co-workers (I Cor 3:9, John 15:15 ) For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. Jesus also calls us as his own brothers and sisters. “ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” ( Mat 12:50) We have such a great privilege. Let our prime purpose of the life is to win the people for His kingdom. Our life is very short and the opportunities will vanish let us use the time to build God’s kingdom.

 

 - Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Rajan