Lessons from the Mission Field

1. Read: 1 Corinthians 16:17, 18 “I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.”

2. About the Text:

1) In Paul’s close to his epistle to the church at Corinth, he acknowledges those who were instrumental in giving him personal aid in his ministry.

2) He says specifically that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus refreshed his spirit.

3) These also refreshed the spirit of the church in Corinth as well.

4) One of the most interesting aspects of mission work is that it does uplift our spirits to hear of the good works that are going on in other places.

5) Paul then says, “Therefore, acknowledge ye them that are such.”

6) We understand Paul to mean that the church at Corinth was to acknowledge/recognize those that refreshed them.

7) Today I would like to do something similar.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. This is one of the first things noticed when one enters the country.

i. My Mission Trips have seen lower, middle, and upper class, but mostly lower class.

ii. General condition of the country.

1) The street conditions. (Narrow, potholes, no stripes, etc.)

2) The buses are crowded.

3) Pedestrians are numerous.

4) Armed guards are stationed at banks and other places that have valuables.

5) All the houses had bars and gates on the front due to poverty related crime.

iii. Among our brethren,

1) Housing conditions are poor.

2) Many only have cold running water in sinks and bathrooms.

3) Most buildings had no insulation.

4) Many of our brethren are among the poor.

2. Jesus statement regarding the poor. “For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.” (Matt.14:7).

i. He said this in response to Judas who questioned him about the use of the precious ointment with which he had been anointed.

ii. John explains that Judas really wanted the money because he was a covetous man and stole from the disciple’s treasury (John 12:6).

iii. But the saying was also instructive to those who would continue to be Jesus’ disciples.

iv. Jesus expects his disciples to do good to the poor.

3. In fact, God sees us as having a special obligation to help the poor.

i. God has a special affinity for the poor.

1) James 2:5, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

2) 1 Corinthians 1:26 “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:”

3) 2 Cor.8:9 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

ii. God wants us to help the poor.

1) Galatians 2:10 “Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.”

2) Acts 20:35 “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

3) Hebrews 13:6 “But to do good and to communicate (fellowship/share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

4) Ephesians 4:28 “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”

4. Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10).

1. In My Mission Trips, I learned that although there were poor, their attitude was not poor.

i. We met people who worked hard.

ii. We met people who worshipped faithfully.

2. We must be rich not in this world’s goods, but in the things which God values.

i. This means we must recognize the principle of stewardship.

1) All things belong to God. “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.” (Psalm 50:10-12).

2) We will be judged not by what we have stored up in this life, but by our attitude toward it! 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

ii. This means we must lay up treasure in heaven.

1) We must use what we have for the furtherance of the gospel.

2) Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).

3) Righteousness–Proverbs 11:4 states, “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.”

4) Wisdom–Proverbs 16:16 “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”

5) Leading the Lost to Christ–Daniel 12:3 “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

6) Faithful Living–We look for the crown of righteousness which the Lord shall give! 2 Tim.4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

7) These are the heavenly treasures for which we should be seeking!

iii. This means we must not love the things of this world. John writes, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17).

1. My Mission Trips

i. While many there were poor, they did not let this affect their attitude toward work.

ii. They were all hard workers.

iii. Many we met were highly educated, yet they worked at what they could get.

iv. Their common thinking was that they were working for God.

2. When we understand that God is the “boss” of our lives, no work is too tedious!

i. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”

ii. Ephesians 6:5-8 says, “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”

iii. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

3. It should be our attitude that it is always a pleasure to serve the Lord!

i. Psalm 1:2 says, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

ii. Psalm 112:1 “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.”

iii. Romans 7:22 “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:”

iv. Phil.2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

v. Revelation 4:11 states “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

1. In the mission field.

i. In just about all other countries of the world, time is regarded very differently.

ii. This can range from being very conservative to very liberal with time.

2. Time is the one true possession in this life which God has given us.

3. Time is the one area in our lives that many just are not willing to sacrifice for God.

i. Are we so preoccupied with time that we forget the Lord?

ii. Are we so rushed with our schedule that we can’t pray and study the Bible?

iii. Do our jobs frequently take us away from worshipping God?

iv. Does the life of our business take away from the business of life?

v. Can we stay for a few minutes and speak to our brothers and sisters in Christ?

vi. Don’t worry about finishing, worry about giving God honor, praise, and glory.

4. Jesus sacrificed His life for us–the whole life–not just parts of it. Can we sacrifice a few hours a week and on occasion a little more than that?

i. In this day and age, when time is more valued than any other earthly possession, will we honor God by sacrificing our time to Him?

ii. Mark 8:2 “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:” How many of us would have stuck around for that sermon?

iii. We read in Acts 20:7 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Count me out Paul, I have to go to work tomorrow, if your not done by 7:00 I am leaving!

5. We often sing Matthew 6:33. Seek ye first. Have you ever noticed that the only commitment that verse requires is our time?

1. I am glad that I had the opportunity to go to My Mission Trips. Let us always remember.

i. The poor are always with us.

ii. The less we have, the more we value what we do have.

iii. A good attitude toward life and work comes from a knowledge that one is serving God.

iv. Time is our most important sacrifice to God.

2. Invitation