INTRO

[Full send video compilation]

Recap send it series (Trey; last week – everywhere)

TENSION

The need is big, so what does a little middle schooler like me have to do with it?

Somebody needs to do something, but I bring nothing to the table (personal story).

Missions isn’t just for missionaries.

TRUTH

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

  • Background: Possibly 4th letter to Corinthians; U-turn church
  • Context: Using Macedonian churches as example for the Corinthian church to give toward the 2nd Jerusalem saints offering.
  • Macedonia (North Greece) – Thessalonica, Philippi, Berea; Poor: Most of their wealth was stolen by the Romans when they conquered the former homeland of Alexander the Great.
  • Achaia (South Greece) – *Corinth* Athens; Wealthy port cities which were the birthplaces of Greek thought and culture.
  • Jerusalem (Palestine) – Mostly Jewish; The church began here, but persecution drove many Christians out. Those who remained were in trouble, and a famine made things worse. Compared to the Greeks, they were different racially, politically, and religiously.

Who is missions for?

  1. Missions is for people who have been saved (v.9; 10:15-16).
  2. It begins w/your gospel experience (v.9; explain the gospel)
  3. Look at Jesus’ example (v.9).
  4. The ultimate goal of the offering – world missions! (Cf.10:15-16)
  5. Remember the facts?
  • There are 7.75 billion people in the world, and 3.23 billion of them live in an unreached people group.
  • There are 17,446 unique people groups, and over 7,400 are unreached (41%)
  • 10/40 window
  • Contains 85% of unreached people.
  • Less than 10% of missionary work is done here.
  • 178,000 people die every day without Jesus.
  • Everyone who’s been saved has a responsibility to give that opportunity to others.
  • Missions is for people with something to give.

Some can give out of need (v.2-3).

  • Poor people understand what it is to be poor.
  • Teens understand what it’s like to struggle.
  • [Quote from Ripkin book]

Some can give out of plenty (v.7).

  • Teens have plenty of: energy, strength, ideas, talents,________

All can give what we have, with joy (v.2; Cf. 9:7).

You have something to give! How are you giving it back to God?

  • Missions is for people who want to experience God (v.2-3).

The Macedonians “Gave beyond their means…” What did that mean?

  • They set aside provisions for food and security in order to give.

What does it mean for teenagers?

  • Giving our futures to God.
  • Giving our teenage years to God.
  • Giving what little money you have to God.’

God came through for them and provided.

  • “Get in the habit of writing checks with your life that only God can cash.”
  • “God Math” – verse 3

Verse 4 – Looking for opportunities to put it all on the line for God.

  • Missions is contagious! (v.1, 8)

A group of little churches in Macedonia inspired a big, wealthy church to get on board w/missions.

I’ve seen an LMBC teen from HHS inspire an entire church to get on board w/ missions in the DR.

Teens are almost always the tip of the sword.

  • COVID missions.

Missions isn’t just for missionaries.

APPLICATION

Teens & Missions…

#1 – First: Give yourself to God first, then serve.

  • The greatest gift you can give God is you.
  • The greatest gift you can give a lost & dying world is you, full of Jesus. The world doesn’t need the next MJ, LeBron, or Tom Brady.
  • What do you need to give God? Salvation? Baptism?

#2 – Figure: Figure out one thing you can give to God tonight.

  • What do you have to give? Social Media, Summer, Attention, TIME
  • You’ll never do it until you start (v.11). What’s your first step?

#3 – Faith: Take a step out of your comfort zone.

  • Trunk-or-Treat
  • HHS Football
  • Summer mission trip

#4 – Fire: Learn from the examples of people on fire for God.

  • Biography of Hudson Taylor
  • Follow missionaries on Instagram

LANDING