Tonight we kicked off the night with a lot of fun and some powerful worship
Afterwards we had a poweful moment as one of our students shared his testimony from his time on a missiosn trip to Moldova this past week.
What Shep did this past week is not only serve the people of Moldova, but also serve our God. In the church world, this past week, Shepard acted as a missionary and went on a mission trip.
People view missions as going out of the country. But really in its most basic form, missions is simply what the church does to tell people that God loves them, he has a plan and a purpose for their lives, but sin keeps them separated from the plan and purpose. So God provided a way for people to reconnect with that plan and purpose. That way is through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
ASK: What keeps people from telling people about Jesus?
There are many reasons, some of it is insecurity in their knowledge. Some of it is fear that people will not be happy with them. Some of that apprehension comes with the idea that you’re on your own. But that’s not the case. The reality is that taking part in missions is actually partnering with God.
There’s this greek phrase that explains what’s happening here it is “Missio Dei.” This phrase means “Mission of God.” The idea is that missions, reaching the lost, is not something the church or Christians invented. Rather, it is started by and continues to be operated by God himself. So when you are reaching the lost, you’re not acting on your own, but partnering with God to do the work.
ILL: Going to an arcade and seeing someone already in the middle of a game, you put in a few quarters, and suddenly you have joined in as player 2. Player 1 has already made progress, gotten power-ups ready for you, and cleared a path so that you can be effective in the moment you join. God is player 1, you’re jumping in, and he’s already prepared the way for you.
Yes, there’s some buy-in. You have to put your own effort into it, and you have to put in the work to keep going, but you’re not flying solo.
For many of us, we know the call:
Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)
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.”
We know that early church leaders like Paul were passionate about spreading the gospel. Look at what Romans 1:15 says:
So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
But why is he so eager to do it? Why should we be eager to spread the gospel? He’s not looking at this as a “God is making me do this.” He’s looking at it as something that he is passionate about doing! Why? Let’s read on
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Paul had a fundamental understanding that the gospel is THE thing that can provide salvation for everyone. He knew logically that there was no other way to heaven. He knew from careful study and discipleship that if people did not accept the true Christ, they would go to hell.
He also knew that the only way they could repent was if the Gospel was preached to them!
Romans 10:13-14 – for, “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?
People don’t just happen to get saved. There’s no “back door” into the kingdom of God. There’s one way, that’s by grace, through faith in Jesus. But they can’t know about that unless someone shares the gospel.
So how did Paul
He spoke from a place of experience
2 Corinthians 5:11 – Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
In this verse Paul tells us that he’s experienced the Lord, he knows what it means to have genuine reverence and awe for Him, and that experience drives him to share his faith!
Not that everyone understood it! People would hear Paul speak and apparently, they thought he was crazy!
2 Corinthians 5:13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
People may not understand why you’re taking a stand for righteousness. They may think you’re crazy for believing in a Holy God who has called you to be Holy. But you are not standing on something that comes out of thin air. If you call yourself a Christian, if you’ve prayed that prayer of “God forgive me of my sins,” then like Paul, you not only know the truth, you’ve experienced it firsthand, and NO ONE can rob you of that.
Beyond that Paul speaks from a place of true compassion and love for the people.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Being convinced of the truth and being full of love, Paul and others were eager to preach the gospel because they knew it was the only hope for those who would receive it. Love motivates our actions, our words, and our thoughts. Not earthly love that is concerned about the flesh, but the Love of God that is concerned about the eternal soul of the people we see.
Adventures in Student Ministry 