Why We Have A Passion For Missions

Why We Have A Passion For Missions

April 25, 2010 | Todd Cyphers
Matthew 24:1-14

WHY WE HAVE A PASSION FOR MISSIONS

Matthew 24:1-14

1.  God’s desire is to be known and enjoyed among the nations.

2.  God’s plan to bring salvation among the nations is to work in and through our going, proclaiming and sacrificing.

Questions for this week:

I.  For Starters:

  1. Have you ever thought about moving to another country to work or live and be an ambassador of Christ overseas? Explain.
  2. What impressions would you get about the future if you only got your information from media and people around you?
  3. On the label packaging for an iron it read, "Do not iron clothes on body." Why do you think there are such silly labels and what does this say about human nature?

II. Overview of Scripture

  1. Read Matthew 24:1-31 -Read the MacArthur study notes for this section.
  2. When and where did the disciples ask Jesus their question? Vs 1
  3. What did Jesus want them to know about the great Temple? Vs 2
  4. Can you imagine if someone took you to the White House and said, “This will soon be destroyed”? What would be your reaction?
  5. What did the disciples want to know in vs. 3?
  6. What problems will mark the end of the world? Vs 6-8
  7. What will happen to believers during this time? Vs 9-13
  8. What will mark the world & how does that bode well for false prophets? Vs 12
  9. What will God make sure of in verse 14?
  10.  Describe the last days on earth? Vs 15-22
  11.  What will be true of God’s elect? Vs 24
  12.  How will the believers recognize Jesus’ return? Vs 25-27
  13.  How will the holy angels be involved in the last days? Vs 31

III. Growing deeper

1. Review Sunday’s message with someone.

2. Read the quote below and discuss.  What then is the main reason to be involved in missions & what would be the main deterrent that keeps us from being involved?

“If we love God’s fame and are committed to magnifying His name above all things, we cannot be indifferent to world missions”                  John Piper

3.  Read Matthew 28:18-20 and Psalm 67. What do you see are God’s deepest desires in the area of world missions?

4.  The ninth affirmation of the Danvers Statement says this:

With half the world's population outside the reach of indige­nous evangelism; with countless other lost people in those societies that have heard the gospel; with the stresses and miseries of sickness, malnutrition, homelessness, illiteracy, ignorance, aging, addiction, crime, incarceration, neuroses, and loneliness, no man or woman who feels a passion from God to make His grace known in word and deed need ever live without a fulfilling ministry for the glory of Christ and the good of this fallen world.

When people say I don’t know what God wants to do with my life, what is one thing we could for sure tell them?

5.  Every believer in Jesus is a “sender” or a “sent one” as far as world missions goes. How are you fulfilling this missional work? What do you sense God may be showing you about mission involvement?