Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16
Preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t do it! 1 Corinthians 9:16
Nora thought that missionaries were always out-of-style and out-of-touch—until she met Dan Barker, that is. One Sunday morning during a fall missions festival, Dan fired up the engine of his classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He roared his Hog up the center aisle of church to announce an interesting sermon that Sunday night. That evening, decked out in leather from head to toe, Dan told what it was like to talk about Jesus with bikers from Alaska to Argentina.
Nora suddenly realized that missionaries could be mighty cool.
Missionaries are ordinary people. But they do understand Christ’s command to his followers to “go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).
You became a missionary as soon as you trusted Christ to be your Savior. That doesn’t mean you have to jump on the next flight to some place like “Ukarumpa.” What it really means is that wherever you go and whatever you do, your words and actions help people understand better who Jesus is.
You might have a tough time seeing yourself as a missionary. You wonder if you’re good, smart, or spiritual enough. But if you think that way, think again:
• God gives you the power to do what he commands you to do. The Holy Spirit lives inside you, so you have everything you need for the task.
• God doesn’t expect you to be perfect. You are useful to God in spite of your faults and failures.
• God doesn’t give you the job of being a missionary all by yourself. God plunked you down as just one part of a world of believers. The job belongs to all of us.
• God brings the results. It’s not up to you to change anybody’s heart or force anyone to trust in Christ. You share his message through your words and actions, and he takes responsibility for the results in people’s lives.
You are sent by God to share the Good News of Jesus Christ wherever you go. And you are his chosen representative to your next-door neighbors, your classmates, and to people all over the world. What an awesome privilege!
TALK: How does it feel to know that God has chosen you to be his representative?
PRAY: God, thanks for making us your representatives. Help us believe that we are up to the challenge!
ACT: Talk to someone today about what Christ has done in your life.
