“I have been to many countries and seen much poverty and suffering. Everywhere I go people tell me of their hardships and struggles, and ask for help, and I give what I can. But of all the countries I have been to, the poorest one I have been to is America.” - Mother Teresa

You are not a missionary because you go on a mission trip, you are a missionary because you are a Christian. 

Christ is in you for them.

"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” -Matthew 9:35-39

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father” -John 14:12

1. We are called to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom (v. 35)

“It’s always winter and has been for ever so long…. always winter, but never Christmas” - C.S. Lewis

“This world is not simply a theater for individual conversion narratives, to be discarded at the end when we all go to heaven. No, the ultimate purpose of Jesus is not only individual salvation and pardon for sins but also the renewal of this world, the end of disease, poverty, injustice, violence, suffering, and death. The climax of history is not a higher form of disembodied consciousness but a feast.” -Tim Keller

2. We are compelled to move with compassion (vs. 36)

Our need is to feel compassion because of their need.  

“Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” -Mark 10:42-45 (MSG)

3. We are challenged to pray for Gospel laborers (vs. 37-38)

Jesus’ concern isn’t that the lost won’t come to the Father; Jesus’ concern is that the church won’t go to the lost.  

What would be different in this world if God answered every one of your prayers from this past week? 

This Week’s Challenge:

• fast for one meal each day the entirety of this week 
• pray for one ½ hour each day
• corporate prayer in the Church Library from 12-1 pm every day this week

Is the way we are doing church right here at Wildwood helping to penetrate the world with the Gospel?

Jesus knew that the temptation would be there in His church to do everything except for the one thing He told them to do.