My Thoughts Inexactly (06/11/16)

NOTES:

• Today's subject is "missions."
• Make missions convention one of the highlights on your church's annual calendar.
• Pray this way:  "Lord, what do you want me to give?"  Don't pray, "Lord, do you want me to give?"  Of course He does!  The worse thing you can do is to not pray about giving.
• Hell is hot, eternity is forever, time is running out and opportunities have never been so grand and varied.
• Opportunity is everywhere.  We must quickly and wisely distribute the message.
• What is your best idea for promoting missions?
• This resource from Joshua Project contains a wealth of information and ideas.

Look At The Fields (Jn. 4:35)

photo: Mary Katherine May (www.QualityMusicandBooks.com)

Look at their variety.  There is not one field but there are many fields.

Look at their disadvantage.  No one is looking at them, no one is coming toward them, no one is working in them.

Look at their opportunity.  The fields are ready now.  Jesus knows this fact.  His disciples know this fact because He told them.  The harvest fields do not know they are ready.

Look at their tragedy.  They are "white already."  If no one goes to work in the fields, then the harvest in those fields will rot.  People will perish.  Consider this:  All that might stand in the way of someone's spending eternity in heaven with Jesus is my unwillingness to work in the field.

Observations From Mt. 20:1-16

1. The Lord recruits workers into a covenant, not a contract.
2. The highest motivation for working for the Lord is the pleasure of selection, not the promise of reward.
3. Getting what you don't deserve is more exciting than getting what you do deserve.  Grace always invokes a reaction.  Either you will be infatuated by it or you will be infuriated by it.
4. Beware that what starts out sweet doesn't end sour.  Why do many workers end up bitter?  They are bitter because they view service as fulfillment of a contract instead of privilege within a covenant.  They are bitter because they don't understand the behavior of grace.  (Grace isn't fair, logical, earned, deserved, bought, exchanged, cheap, or theoretical.  Grace is demonstrated (Rom. 5:6-8), extended (Rom. 10:21), extravagant (Eph. 1:8), greater than all your sin, higher than your best alternative, stronger than your fiercest doubt, deeper than our wildest imagination, everything.)  They are bitter because it's easier to blame than to take responsibility.
5. Just because you are working in the church doesn't mean you are working in the harvest field. The harvest field is the place where sinners are gathered.  The church is the place where saints are gathered.
6. Harvest isn't automatic.  The crop would be either wasted or harvested, depending on the amount of workers and the quality of their work.
7. One worker shouldn't compare his work with another person's work. The standard isn't the amount of a person's work; the standard is the amount of the unharvested crop.  See also 2 Cor. 10:12.
8. There is something worse than perceived injustice.  The greater calamity was to not be selected to work, thus not getting paid at all.
9. Remember what you "got yourself into."  The call to serve is always on Jesus's terms, not your own.
10. Notice the progression.  The 6:00 A.M. workers were hired at a set amount.  The 9:00 A.M., 2:00 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. workers were hired with the promise of “what is right.”  The 5:00 P.M. workers were hired with no mention of pay.

Selected For The Harvest (Mt. 20:1-16) (Part 5)

Conclusion: The Cave Analogy (Plato)¹

“Suppose a man is born in a cave and spends his entire life tied to a post, facing the wall at the rear of the cave. He cannot look to the right or the left, only forward. The light from the outside shines form behind him on the wall he faces. Occasionally people and animals walk by the cave's entrance and, as they do, their shadows are cast on the wall. These shadows and the dim light on the wall are all he ever knows of reality. To him they are reality. To speak of a world outside the cave, made of color and three dimensions, would be incomprehensible and unbelievable to him. But what would it mean if a mirror where held up to him, in which he could get a glimpse of the world outside the cave? Everything would change! He would then see the shadows in the context of a larger and deeper reality of depth and color.”

Is it possible you don't know of a world outside your Christian “cave” called church?  Today I have tried to hold up a mirror, so you can get a glimpse of a serious reality.  The harvest is ready.  If the urgency and immediacy of the harvest are not addressed, then the travesty will come.  While you continue to gather for church services, lost people will die, having never made right with their Savior, Jesus Christ.  What are you going to do about it?

The Lord is calling workers.  The harvest of souls will not gather itself.  Have you heard the Lord's voice today, calling you to speak to lost souls?  Perhaps it is that you still don't grasp what's at stake. Souls who are not gathered, those who are not won to Jesus, will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. What are you going to do about it?

Since the harvest is ready and the Lord is calling workers, you must answer His call.  The call is to work in the harvest, not just in the church.  What you do for the Lord inside the church primarily benefits those who claim to know Him, those who have been harvested.  Is your time taken up with Christian activities, leaving no time to impact lost people? What adjustments do you need to make?

1 Patterson, Ben. Deepening Your Conversation With God: The Life-Changing Power of Prayer. The Pastor's Soul Series. Ed. David L. Goetz. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 1999. p. 99.

Selected For The Harvest (Mt. 20:1-16) (Part 4)

Thesis: Since the harvest is ready and the Lord is calling workers, you must answer His call.

YOU MUST ANSWER THE LORD'S CALL.

“‘YOU ALSO GO INTO THE VINEYARD, AND WHATEVER IS RIGHT I WILL GIVE YOU.’ AND SO THEY WENT.” (Mt. 20:4)

YOU MUST ANSWER THE LORD'S CALL TO FAITHFULNESS.  There is no faithfulness without hard work.  Where did you ever get the idea that working in the Lord's harvest field was easy, effortless work?  There is no faithfulness without quality work.  Where did some workers ever get the idea that the Lord of the harvest accepts leftover, inferior efforts?  There is no faithfulness without character work.  The laborers who were hired at 5:00 P.M. demonstrated good character.  They demonstrated patience, waiting eleven hours until a foreman came to hire them.  They demonstrated willingness, wanting to work, even if it was only for one hour.

YOU MUST ANSWER THE LORD'S CALL TO TRUST.  The Lord can be trusted to give you “whatever is right.”  You must believe the Lord is “a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6b).  The first workers did not believe this.  The older brother did not believe this (Lu. 15:29-30). Do you believe this?  Ephesians 3:20 tells us that the Lord is “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think....”  1 Corinthians 2:9 talks about “things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those that love Him.”

Selected For The Harvest (Mt. 20:1-16) (Part 3)

YOU SHOULD WORK FOR THE LORD BECAUSE HE IS CALLING WORKERS.

THE LANDOWNER “SENT THE LABORERS INTO HIS VINEYARD” (Mt. 20:2).  He selected laborers and then sent them to their labor.

THE LORD OWNS THE HARVEST, BUT IT WILL NOT BE GATHERED WITHOUT WORKERS.  Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” (Mt. 9:37-38).  The harvest will not gather itself.  Before people come to Jesus, you must bring Jesus to them.

THE LORD OWNS THE WORKERS, BUT THEY WILL NOT BE MOBILIZED WITHOUT CAUSE.  “Is there not a cause?” (1 Sam. 17:29, KJV).  Those who understand the cause cannot stay out of the harvest fields.  Remember that the call is not to be interested in the harvest or to agree that the harvest is important and should be gathered; the call is to participate actively, consistently and gratefully in the gathering.  The harvest is ready and the Lord of the harvest is calling workers.  What are you going to do about it?

Selected For The Harvest (Mt. 20:1-16) (Part 2)

YOU SHOULD WORK FOR THE LORD BECAUSE THE HARVEST IS READY.

THE LANDOWNER “WENT OUT EARLY IN THE MORNING TO HIRE LABORERS” (Mt. 20:1).

Why did he need to hire laborers?  The grapes were ripe and bountiful, and they needed to be harvested before the devastating rains came.  Let's switch from the grape harvest to the harvest of human souls.  Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” (Jn. 4:35).  “White” means “ready.” Any delay would mean disaster.

THERE IS AN URGENCY CONCERNING THE HARVEST.  There is an urgent goal: The Lord wants all the harvest to be gathered.  There is an urgent means: All the harvest will not be gathered without all the workers.  There is an urgent deadline: The time for harvest is almost over.  Jesus said, “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” (Jn. 9:4).   There is an urgent motivation: Some of the un-gathered harvest consists of your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers and your family members.  What are you going to do about it?

THERE IS AN IMMEDIACY CONCERNING THE HARVEST.  “But when the crop permits, he immediately puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mk. 4:29)  The problem with “tomorrow” is that you're not guaranteed it,  The problem with "someday" is that it never arrives.  The problem with "today" is procrastination.  You do understand that “today” really means “not now,” right?  The immediacy of “now” is biblical (2 Cor. 6:2).  What are you going to do about it?

THERE IS A TRAVESTY CONCERNING THE HARVEST.  The travesty is this: The un-gathered harvest will rot and wither while we who know Jesus continue to “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8).  That doesn't seem right, does it?  What are you going to do about it?

Selected For The Harvest (Mt. 20:1-16) (Part 1)

Questions:

• What is the right motivation for missions and evangelism (working in the Lord's harvest fields)?
• Is the harvest something you can afford to postpone?
• Why will some souls remain unharvested?
• If the harvest should rot, what might the church have been guilty of doing?
• Is it possible you have forgotten or have never understood what's at stake with the harvest?

Assumptions:

• I assume that you want to hear whatever the Holy Spirit has to say to you.
• I assume that you will join Him in keeping forefront the harvest of souls.
• I assume that you will not leave such a critical thing as the Lord's harvest only to the “professionals” – missionaries and evangelists.

Transition: The question I want to address is this: Why should you work for the Lord? (By “work for the Lord” I mean work in the harvest, not just work in the church.)

Mike & Debbie Hampton

Mike & Debbie were our guests last night at Apollo Assembly of God.  They are missionaries to the Cayman Islands.  Mike spoke about "Roof-Diggers" from Mk. 2:1-4.  For roof-diggers it's all about three things:  loving people, working together, bringing the hurting and lost to Jesus.  (If you weren't here and wish to see the Powerpoint presentation, let me know.)  This picture of the girl about to be baptized...That did it for me.  I was mush after that.

Summary of Sunday, November 4, 2012

• Morning
•  Attendance, 87. (We're inching closer to our goal of 100 by year's end.)
• Guests, 4.  Two children, one teen, one adult.  (There are many good churches in the area.  We're honored when guests choose us.)
• For the annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner, all requested food items were donated.  Some items were donated from community partners.  The remainder was donated by attendees of AAG.  Thank you.  (Our goal is to serve 400 meals.)
• Last installment in "Lego God" sermon series.  I preached "The Grandfather God" (Ex. 20:3-5a; Lu. 16:19-31).  Grandfathers have been known to break the rules.  Grandfathers have been known to be manipulated by their grandkids.  Willfully, of course!  God is not our grandfather.  He does not break the rules.  Remember sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:7).  God is not manipulated by His creation.  He doesn't automatically admit everyone to heaven.  How does someone get to heaven?  Trust in Jesus Christ alone (Jn. 14:6).
• One person repented of her sin and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  That is why we do what we do!  Heaven threw a party and we crashed it.  What a blast!
• The service ended with Communion.  What a joy to see Katie receive communion for the first time!
• Evening
• Attendance, 42.  Nineteen were youth.
• Wonderful time at the altar, praying with 3 youth.
• Guests:  Mike & Debbie Hampton, missionaries to the Cayman Islands.  Mike spoke from Mk. 2:1-4, "Roof-Diggers."
• For roof-diggers, it's all about loving people.
• For roof-diggers, it's all about working together.
• For roof-diggers, it's all about bringing the hurting and the lost to Jesus.
• Challenged the youth to adopt a Speed-the-Light (missions) goal.  Can this group raise $5,000?  I think they can.  I believe they will.

The Next Addition to Our Missions Family Will Be...

Ben & Wendy McClure
Laos / Thailand

Instead of agonizing over missions decisions once a year at review time (usually September, when we consider new projects, new missionaries, etc.), I've decided to start earlier.  Earlier is better.  It gives more time to pray, more time to believe, more time to dream, more time to inspire others.  Right now I'm preparing for September.

By faith I welcome Ben & Wendy into our missions family.  September, 2013 I would like to make it official.  We've already sent $5 per month for the rest of their term.  It's not much, but it shows intent.

Apollo Assembly, get excited now about churches that will be planted in Laos and Thailand!  It is your generosity and faithfulness that enables me to write this way, dream this way and set such bold direction.  We can't add new missionaries for monthly support without your continued involvement.  Thank you for choosing to impact the world!

Mark, Kim & Breanna Gardner -- July 8 @ 6:30 PM

Tomorrow night at 6:30 will be a missionary service w/ children's emphasis.  I'll let Mark tell you about his ministry more in-depth, but here is an excerpt he sent.
    Kim and I just finished our third term as missionaries in Southern Africa. We had spent two terms in Angola, and after receiving a request to teach a workshop, "Children and the Holy Spirit" in Namibia, we decided to visit Namibia. While there, we felt the Lord speak to us that it was His desire to pour out His Spirit on Namibia, and that He wanted us to be a part of that.
    We just want more of God, so we left Angola and moved to Namibia.
   The ministries we started for children's ministry training and outreaches, as well as the NGO to handicapped children are still going strong in Angola, not just because of emphasis on personal discipleship, but because the Lord prepared very capable Angolan hands to take up where we left off.
   Because of the simple desire to be part of a move of the Holy Spirit, we have stayed in Namibia through some very difficult times. When we arrived there were 4 other...missionary units in the country, and now we remain the only one. Difficulties are not pleasant, but if they create the perfect storm for a spiritual outpouring, then that's where we want to set our sails.

Mark is a ventriloquist.  You won't want to miss Koko, the monkey.  I hear he is very mischievous (the monkey, that is).  You will laugh a lot but, most importantly, the children will hear about Jesus.  Let's be sure we do everything possible to pack the place with kids.  One last excerpt from Mark:

Namibia is a sleeping giant who the Spirit is calling in these last days to rise, stand up, and take her position in the battlefield for souls.


We're Not Done Yet

Each time you celebrate something exciting in missions, it is a short-lived celebration.  It's not that the current item is unworthy of continued rejoicing.  The size of the unfinished task, however, remains enormous.  If you're wondering whether your prayer investment, your financial sacrifice and your time commitment are needed, consider these missions statistics.  http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2012/june/7060412.html.

Keep on praying! Keep on giving! Keep on speaking! Keep on going!

On behalf of every missionary...Thank You for your faithfulness!

Nations on the Move

Mike & Tina Hook @ L.A.G on 04.10.11

Don't forget the children's service, this Sunday night @ 7:00.  Newly appointed missionaries to Scotland, Mike & Tina Hook, will be with us.  You won't want to miss their "Hall of Heroes" presentation.  Dress casually.  Children's times are usually quite active.

Children's Missions Service, April 10

The service will be at 6:00 P.M. I promise dismissal by 7:30 P.M. so the children won't be too tired for school on Monday.

Rev. Mike & Tina Hook are newly appointed missionaries to Scotland. They have a strong background in children's ministry. I can personally vouch for the quality ministry your children will experience. My own children benefited from the Hook's top-notch children's church.

Now is the time, parents, to put this on your calendar. Now is the time, grandparents, to ask for the grandchildren for a few hours that Sunday night. Now is the time to pray. I'm believing some children will meet Jesus that night! I'm believing some children might be healed that night! Perhaps a child is called into full-time ministry that night!

Adults, this evening won't work without you. You are the key to this evening's success. Please attend.

Missions Convention Is This Sunday!

Our theme is "What an Opportunity!" For information on the speaker click http://ronedski.blogspot.com/2010/09/missions-convention-101710.html.

Please come prepared with your faith promise (the sum you will trust God to provide in the next 12 months so you can give it to missions).

For those who aren't giving to missions, please consider a missions investment of $10 per month.

Our current missions obligation is $605 per month. Together we can maintain, if not exceed, this.

Revs. Bill & Eileen Meyer 09.26.10

Revs. Bill & Eileen Meyer, directors of Sarah's Heart Children's Home, will be our guests September 26. The service begins at 10:30 A.M. All donations received in the second offering will go exclusively toward the children's home. Be sure to stop by their display table.

Missions Convention 10.17.10

Rev. Shelley Carl, missionary to Japan, will be our guest speaker. Information on Shelley's ministry can be found at http://www.ministryhome.org/members/shine/ministry. You can find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shelleycarl. Members and attendees of Lockport Assembly of God will be asked to set aside a monthly contribution for missions.

Wes & Carol Mathis (Japan) @ L.A.G. on June 6

Rev. Wes & Carol Mathis are missionaries to the Military and International community at Neighborhood Church in Okinawa, Japan. For more information, visit http://worldmissions.ag.org/. Type in "Wes Mathis" in the missionary directory box. You can then view a brief description of their ministry. You can view their website at http://www.okinawaneighborhood.org/.

This is a great opportunity to invite servicemen, veterans, and military families to church. Service is at 10:30.