God, The Great Commission and The United States – Part III

“Then Jesus came to them and 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 the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”   Matthew 28: 18-20 

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“The Bible advocates and demands that we show love for the needy brethren.  These affluent believers must share with the poorer churches.  Is missions an option for superwealthy countries like America?  The biblical answer is clear.  Every Christian in America has some minimal responsibility to get involved in helping the poor brethren in the Church in other countries.  God has not given this superabundance of blessings to American Christians so we can sit back and enjoy the luxuries of this society – or even in spiritual terms, so we can gorge ourselves on books, teaching cassettes and deeper-life conferences.  He has left us on this earth to be stewards of these spiritual and material blessings, learning how to share with others and administer our wealth to accomplish the purposes of God.”                K.P.  Yohannan, Revolution in World Missions

Paul writes to the wealthy Christians in Corinth, “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:  But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want:  that there may be equality.”     2 Corinthians 8: 13-14

We have learned that missions is not an option, as well as, that Christians living within the United States do have a responsibility, a role, in reaching the lost souls of this world, especially in other countries.  For many people, they have never become involved in reaching the lost souls in other countries.  When we don’t get involved in fulfilling The Great Commission, we go AGAINST  the command of Christ himself. 

So how can we fulfill our responsibility in fulfilling The Great Commission:

1. Financially:  I know a lot of Christians will poke their chests out, and proudly proclaim that they give every year to the Annie Armstrong or Lottie Moon offering.  While this is good, it just isn’t good enough.  I would be willing to bet that the avg. offering isn’t greater than $100.  God did not bless America in such abundance so we can give $100 here or there.  He wants us to be invested financially.  This means chosing a country, a mission organization (such as Gospel for Brazil…hint, hint), and dedicating a monthly allowance to sponsor a missionary, preferrably a native missionary.  This can be done for as little as $10 or $20 per month.  They often live in such poor conditions, going hungry often, and facing constant persecution. It may not seem like much but trust me, it will go a long way in providing for a disciple of God that is sacrificing greatly so that no one will have to die and live in eternal damnation.

2.  Become a short-term or long-term missionary:  The greatest four weeks of my life have been spent in Brazil.  Going to another country in the name of Christ and sharing His name, His Gospel with people that have never heard is life-changing (and this is understating that).  I have grown so much spiritually because of these trips.  I would exchange the greatest preaching, and the most beautiful churches that America has to offer to have the honor to go in Christ’s name. 

I understand that, physically, not everyone will be able to go on a mission trip.  They are not vacations, and you work hard.  I also know a lot of people will state that they haven’t “felt led or called” to go.  My view is that if they would open their hearts, their spirits to that calling, God would call more people to go.  He’s not going to speak to someone that isn’t listening.

3. Prayer Warrior:  For those that do not physically go nor do they give financially, they can become prayer warriors for those that are going and giving.  No one will question the power of having prayer warriors going before God on their behalf.  We’re not talking about saying a quick, “God, bless Patrick and Christy while they’re in Brazil, and keep them safe.”  This goes deeper.  It’s interceding on behalf of all the lost souls and missionaries in an area you feel God is leading you to pray for.  In addition, you can become a “recruiter” for other’s who may become sponsors or missionaries.  Take that passion and share it. 

Please go before God in prayer with an open heart and open spirit seeking His guidance in the ways that you can become involved.  There are those that encompass all three into their lives.  It’s not an all or nothing deal.  You can chose (with God’s guidance.)  Christy and I are encompassing all three into our lives.

So where do you start in fulfilling The Great Commission?

P.