Real ReasonsReal Reasons

to do

MISSIONS

to do

MISSIONSBy James G. McHaffieBy James G. McHaffie

1. God the Father considered missions important enough to give his only Son

1. God the Father considered missions important enough to give his only Son

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

2. The Son gave his life on the cross

2. The Son gave his life on the cross

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

3. The Holy Spirit was given to empower us to do missions

3. The Holy Spirit was given to empower us to do missions

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

4. Jesus commands us to do missions

4. Jesus commands us to do missions

“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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

“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 of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

5. The Time of Harvest is Now5. The Time of Harvest is Now

Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:35)

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4)

Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:35)

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4)

6. Without missions the nations would have no hope 6. Without missions the nations would have no hope

“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 they preach unless they are sent?... (Romans 10:14-15)

“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 they preach unless they are sent?... (Romans 10:14-15)

7. Jesus promised blessing and provision when we are involved in missions

7. Jesus promised blessing and provision when we are involved in missions

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

8. Statistics tell us that churches who emphasize missions have more converts and better finances.

8. Statistics tell us that churches who emphasize missions have more converts and better finances.

Churches with conventions averaged 121% more per capita in missions giving

Churches with conventions averaged 121% more per capita in missions giving

Churches reporting annual missions convention also report 67% more converts than the churches without missions conventions

Churches reporting annual missions convention also report 67% more converts than the churches without missions conventions

9. We are accountable for our involvement or lack of involvement in missions

9. We are accountable for our involvement or lack of involvement in missions

“When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” (Ezekiel 3:18)

“When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.” (Ezekiel 3:18)

10. Missions provides an opportunity for people in the congregation to experience living by faith

10. Missions provides an opportunity for people in the congregation to experience living by faith

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

11. The whole business of the whole church is to preach the whole gospel to the whole world.

11. The whole business of the whole church is to preach the whole gospel to the whole world.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

12. Missions is wise and shining12. Missions is wise and shining

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30)

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

13. Not doing missions is sin13. Not doing missions is sin

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.” (James 4:17)

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.” (James 4:17)

14. Missions brings joy in heaven.14. Missions brings joy in heaven.

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

Every Christian of today is the product of the missionary work of yesterday.

Every Christian of today is the product of the missionary work of yesterday.

15. We are indebted to missions15. We are indebted to missions