TODAY’S “GOOD NEWS” – November 7, 2004

MESSAGE:  “TEAMING UP TO WIN:

…Giving the Gospel to the Whole World!”

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 28:16-18; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-23

KEY VERSE:  v. 18-19  “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”

FOCUS:  God’s delivery system of hope includes you.

THINK ON THIS:  The disciples (of Jesus) had certainly been witnesses to dramatic miracles, revolutionary teaching, and remarkable fellowship.  Yet it was not until they experienced the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, that they caught the vision and gained the courage to spread the Gospel; that they internalized the Great Commission.  It was in that ‘moment of time,’ not during the prior three years, that the disciples saw their future.”        ~ President Richard Hagood                                                   in “Fulfilling the Promise:  NNU at One Hundred”

I. THE CONTENT OF MISSIONS IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

…Answering:  “What is the missional message?”

II. THE MOTIVATION OF MISSIONS IS THE RISEN CHRIST

…Answering:  “Why do we do missions?”

III. THE SCOPE OF MISSIONS IS ALL CREATION

…Answering:  “Who do we target in missions?”

IV. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MISSIONS BELONGS TO US ALL

…Answering:  “Who is saddled with the missional task?”

CONCLUSION:  “We should love to hear of gospel triumphs as Christ plants His Church among peoples held for centuries by alien powers of darkness.”                                                                                 ~ John Piper in “Don’t Waste Your Life”