That’s correct it will cost you zero dollars to be a missionary right where you are!
How can this be possible since we all know that missions cost hundreds to thousands of dollars annually? While in seminary it finally dawn on me what the pastor was teaching us from a biblical point of view concerning missions & the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:16-20 emphasis on verses 19-20).
“19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
I know – Yes, you are correct that Jesus was speaking to His disciples as written in these verses however, we are all disciples (servants) of the Lord Jesus Christ and are given this task as Christians and followers of Christ. We have the responsibility to tell others the “Good News” about Jesus Christ. This is not only the tasks of pastors, elders, deacons, and seminary students.
So, how exactly can we become missionaries right where we are for zero dollars?
By stepping outside of our comfort zone and speaking with someone – anyone about Christ. I hear you…yes, it is hard at times for many of us to go up to or speak up to a stranger let alone someone we know about religion and especially Christ. What if they think we are fanatics?!
Examples of how you can approach anyone about the Good News of Christ:
a. Speak to your doctor about Christ or their staff
b. Speak to the person behind you at the checkout register about Christ
c. Speak with the person asking for money about Christ
d. Handout salvation flyers on cars, grocery carts, at the on sale shelf in the grocery store.
e. Literally the possibilities are endless.
You don’t have to spend more than 3 minutes telling the “Good News” – But you can if you like 🙂
One common way is to speak about:
a. How all people have sinned (Romans 3:10—12, 23).
b. Explain the penalty of our sinful life (Romans 6:23).
c. Now comes the best part (Romans 6:23) – “but the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord.” Quoting John 3:16 may help explain this free gift.
d. Invite the person to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior – share (Romans 10:9—10, 13).
e. Ensure the person is invited to church or provide them the knowledge that they need to seek out a church to join.
Another common way is the use the Roman Road” salvation outline:
The “Romans Road” lays out God’s plan of salvation through a series of Bible verses from the book of Romans. When arranged in order, these verses form an easy, systematic way of explaining the message of salvation.
The Roman’s Road clearly defines: (1) who needs salvation; (2) why we need salvation; (3) how God provides
salvation; (4) how we receive salvation; (5) the results of salvation.
Romans Road to Salvation
• Everyone needs salvation because we have all sinned.
Romans 3:10—12, 23 “…as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
• The price (or consequence) of sin is death.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• Jesus Christ died for our sins. He paid the price for our sin.
Romans 5:8 “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• We receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9—10, 13 “…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the
heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” “ For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
• Salvation through Jesus brings us into a relationship of peace with God.
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:38—39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Personally responding to the Romans Road:
1. Admit you are a sinner.
2. Understand that as a sinner, you deserve death.
3. Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from sin and death.
4. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
5. Repent by turning from your old life of sin to a new life in Christ.
6. Receive, through faith in Jesus Christ, his free gift of salvation.
5/16/2024 – NWH