The Gospels provide us a glimpse into Jesus\u2019 Model for Missionary Work, as Christ came into the world in the way we should go unto the nations.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 SENT BY GOD<\/strong><\/p>\n 32 times in the gospel of John Jesus indicates God the Father sent him.<\/p>\n Long and short-term missionaries are \u201csent ones\u201d \u2013 not those who desire adventure, new experiences or an alternative to summer vacation. God sent His son into the world. Jesus sent the twelve and then seventy on missionary journeys. \u00a0But Jesus did not stop sending once he ascended to heaven<\/p>\n Acts 1:8-9 \u201cBut you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.\u201d Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He continues to send men and women to the nations with the gospel.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the Father has sent Me, I also send you.\u201d \u2013 John 20:21<\/em><\/p>\n A good mission trip participant sees themself as being sent!<\/strong><\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ACTED VOLUNTARILY<\/strong><\/p>\n Although Jesus was sent by God the Father, He did it voluntarily. He wasn\u2019t compelled, manipulated or forced to come to earth and die for our sins.<\/p>\n John 10:17-18 \u2013 \u201cThe reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life\u2014only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n And because he voluntarily left behind heaven to serve those on earth, he could identify with those He came to serve in a genuine way. No one should be compelled to go on a mission trip. \u00a0The only thing that should be compelling someone to go on a trip is Christ\u2019s love.<\/p>\n 2 Cor. 5:14-15 \u2013 \u201cFor Christ\u2019s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves\u00a0 but for him who died for them and was raised again.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n And because a mission trip is a voluntary act participants can identify with Christ and those we go to serve in a genuine way.<\/p>\n So mission trip participants should see themselves as being sent, act voluntarily\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MOVED WITH COMPASSION<\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus\u2019 identification with people produced real sympathy and compassion.<\/p>\n Matt 9:36 \u2013 \u201cWhen he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n His compassion moved him to: heal the sick, teach truth, feed the hungry, give sight to the blind, and comfort the grieving. Without compassion missionary work is just work, and can honestly be akin to someone riding a rusty old bike: painful to ride, painful to watch, and not very productive.<\/p>\n Mission trip participants should see themselves as being sent, act voluntarily, be moved with compassion\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 COMPELLED TO COMMUNICATE<\/strong><\/p>\n The central activity of missions is the communication of the gospel.<\/p>\n Mark 8:36 \u2013 \u201cWhat good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Jesus healed, cast out demons, raised the dead and fed the hungry; however, all these were secondary. In fact, communication was so central to Jesus\u2019 mission trip that one of his key names was \u201cthe Word.\u201d<\/p>\n John 1:1, 14 \u2013 \u201cIn the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God\u2026And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Eric Wright says it well in A Practical Theology of Missions when he states,<\/p>\n \u201cMissionary activity that fails to focus on the proclamation of the gospel fails to be missionary. Philanthropy, perhaps; missions, no. However, as sinners grow in grace they increasingly manifest both love for God and love for their neighbors. Works of concern and compassion spring up as believers see neighbors in need. Evangelism precedes and produces, social action.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n With Jesus as their example, mission trip participants should see themselves as being sent by God, be acting voluntarily, be moved with compassion, and feel compelled to communicate.<\/p>\n\n
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