Mission Day 13 The Treasure Of Mission

Rebekah Hargraves
May 24, 2023

2 Peter 1:3-10
1 Timothy 2:1-6
Jude 1:17-23
Deuteronomy 28:9-10
Matthew 13:44-46
Jesus’ final instructions to His followers before ascending into heaven are known as the Great Commission: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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 everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
This, friends, is our mission in life, our greatest calling, and one important reason we are not instantly transported to Heaven the moment we are saved. We have been tasked with seeing those who need rescuing from the bondage of sin and death and making sure they know the truth about the love of God in Christ for them.
Similarly, we see in 2 Peter 1:7-8 that we are to combine “brotherly affection with love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What does this tell us?
It teaches us that the good news of salvation in Christ is not something we are to selfishly keep to ourselves. Rather, we are to be effective and fruitful in our knowledge of our Lord.
How?
By joyfully sharing the hope of Christ’s life of service, propitiatory death on our behalf, and sin-conquering resurrection, ensuring we too have eternal victory (Mark 10:45), with others through brotherly love and concern for their spiritual well-being.
This joy is the treasure and reward of our day-to-day Great Commission work.
All too often in this age of social media platforms and online ministry, we are deceived into thinking the treasure of this mission, the reward we must seek, is fame, popularity, and the esteem of our “followers.”
But nothing could be further from the truth.
Our mission is not about us. It is not about making our name famous, receiving an earthly reward, or patting ourselves on the back for a “job well done.”
No, this mission – if we truly understand it and live it out faithfully! – is all about others understanding just how deeply the Father loves them and coming to faith in Christ. Knowing we are being used by God to help bring others into His kingdom is a treasure sweeter, more fulfilling, and above and beyond anything else we could ever imagine.
Jesus said in Matthew 13:44-46, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.”
The kingdom of God is a treasure worth more
than anything else and sharing it with others is our greatest joy.
This perspective is everything!
If we seek to fulfill the Great Commission from this viewpoint, suddenly, we see people in need of Jesus at every turn.
Suddenly, our love for them grows infinitely, making it impossible for us to withhold the good news of the love and grace of Jesus.
Suddenly, the joy of sharing in God’s divine rescue work is so life-giving it becomes second nature. (Jude 1:17-23)
Maybe you are reading these words, though, and wondering how we can invest in this treasure. How can we grow in our love for people and our desire to share with them the good news of the Gospel?
Well, friend, it all begins with prayer. When we pray for someone, our love for them grows, as does our Spirit-led guidance for how and when to share truth with them. (Romans 10:1)
1 Timothy 2:1-4 says,
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
So, friend, what are you waiting for? Let your knees hit the floor as you cry out to God for a Jesus-inspired love for your fellow image bearers and the opportunity to share with them about Jesus. Then get ready; God will do an amazing work in and through you!
Can We Pray With You?
Prayer is central to our ministry as believers in Jesus as we carry eachother’s burdens and intercede for one another. Our team is honored to share the work of praying alongside you!
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