Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8

1. Intro.
1. there use to be a TV show called "Mission Impossible"
2. many Christians feel that the work God has called us to perform is a "mission impossible"
3. has God laid to great of a burden upon us
4. is our mission an impossible one
2. the mission personnel - Matthew 28:19 [go ye]
1. by definition we are all missionaries
1. Webster defines "missionary" as someone who has been sent on a mission
2. if someone were to ask, how many of us are Christians, I think we would all raise your hands
3. if someone were to ask, how many of us are missionaries, I wonder who would raise their hands
4. if we would raise our hands saying that we are a Christian, then we should raise our hand for being a missionary
2. we are either a missionary or a mission field
3. some might say, "I thought you had to be called to be a missionary"
1. consider yourself "called," hear what Jesus said in John 15:8, 16
2. God has called, and chosen each of us to be "on a mission" for Him
3. think of it, we have been chosen to be part of the greatest endeavor in all the world
4. we should be proud to be a part of God's mission
3. the mission plan - Matthew 28:19 [teach all nations]
1. what are we to do
1. preach the gospel, share Jesus Christ
2. baptize
3. disciple them - 20
2. everyone, everywhere is lost without Jesus Christ
1. the only way people are going to be save is by hearing the gospel - Romans 10:14
2. the world needs to be saved, but they must hear the gospel
3. we have all been called to be missionaries; to share the gospel of Jesus Christ
1. believers are to be baptized and made disciples
2. this is often where we fail in the great commission, we forget about disciple making
3. after people are won to Christ and baptized, they need to be trained to do the same
4. this is how missions work
4. someone has said that witnessing is "one beggar telling another beggar where he can find bread"
1. Jesus said we are to be the light of the world, but a light that is hidden is no good
2. Jesus said we are to be salt of the earth, but salt left in it's shaker is not serving it's purpose
5. where is our mission to be conducted - Acts 1:8
1. in Jerusalem, where we live
1. God has a purpose for us where we are
2. part of that purpose is to help in fulfilling His great commission to evangelize the world
3. many people think that a missionary is someone who gets on a ship or a plane, and travels abroad to share the gospel
4. if we are not good missionaries at home, we will not be very good missionaries abroad
5. just because we support missions through various offerings, does not negate our responsibility to reach our own people, here in this place
2. in Judaea, and in Samaria
1. this is an extension of home missions
2. we are to reach further out, and be involved in mission work in other parts of our state, and nation
3. we are called to reach everyone
3. utter most part of the earth
1. this is foreign missions, all around the world
2. this may seem like an impossible mission; it's magnitude is staggering
3. there are more people alive today, that have never heard the gospel; than were alive when Jesus walked the face of this earth
4. we are called to reaching into places that are closed to the gospel
5. we are doing frontier missions work, reaching into places and touching the lives of people, who have never heard the name of Jesus
6. what makes this mission possible rather than impossible is because of the power of missions
4. the power of mission - Acts 1:8
1. we can evangelize the world because we have been energized with the power of the Spirit of God
1. it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the power that enables us to be effective witnesses
2. the Great Commission is God's Plan, and he furnishes the power to do it
3. if we are not faithful at witnessing or doing missions, it is not because we can't, but because we wont
4. the success of the Great Commission is not dependent upon our potential, our personalities, or our power, but upon Holy Spirit's power
2. as we go and fulfill the great commission, we will enjoy a great consolation - Matthew 28:20
5. a special presence in missions - Matthew 28:20 [I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world]
1. wherever and whenever we are involved in God's work, we are not alone
2. the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us to this great endeavor will always be with us
1. what enables missionaries to stay on the field even though they don't see much fruit, and become discouraged
2. what encourages them to stay in spite of all the cultural differences
3. it is the same thing that will encourage us to stay on the job here at home and in our community
4. Jesus is with us
6. Conclusion
1. our involvement in missions is not a matter of calling, because we have been called
2. it is not a matter of credentials, because God has authorized us to do it
3. it is a matter of willingness, are we willing to commit ourselves to being witnesses
4. will we be obedient to the commands of Christ
1. it is the Great Commission not a Great Suggestion
2. we can be involved in the work here by telling others about Christ, and inviting them to church
3. we can be involved nationally, and internationally by giving and praying
4. will you get involved the mission that is possible