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?
- Missions is for people who have been saved (v.9; 10:15-16).
- It begins w/your gospel experience (v.9; explain the gospel)
- Look at Jesus’ example (v.9).
- The ultimate goal of the offering – world missions! (Cf.10:15-16)
- 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