Is Life Just a Game To See Who Wins?

1. Is Life Just a Game To See Who Wins? We should look at life with a strategy to accomplish a purpose bigger than ourselves

2. Why should I go to the world? • What is the “missionary call”? • A sense of divine call is NOT necessary to witness beyond any national border • The vision at Troas, “Macedonian Call”, is NOT his missionary call, nor is it or was it normative • Any “call” to missionary service is NOT associated with a definite field at home or abroad • Kane suggests dropping the idea of “call” and speak of guidance • Thousands of youth WAIT IN VAIN for a call experience, then dismiss the possibility of serving the Lord somewhere in the world

3. Biblical Doctrine of “calling” • A comprehensive term encompassing all areas of our salvation • Paul referred to his call to apostleship (Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1) • Two passages could refer to a call to ministry: • Acts 13:2, “for the work to which I have called them.” • Paul called at his conversion to be apostle to Gentiles (Acts 9:16; 22:21; 26:16-18) • Not a separate call to missionary service—never a separate distinction—merely a new dimension to their ministry • Acts 16:10, “concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them” • This “call” was on their SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY • Just a process to move evangelists into new territory

4. More on “call” • God may use a variety of means to provide guidance, conviction, burden, etc. • The “callings” of God are unchangeable. NIV Rom 11:29 “for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.” • No requirement for a “call” in any biblical listing • Could this refer to a call to a geographic location? • Most missionaries do not end up in the country that first caught their attention • Best missionaries spend extended time in pastorate before going as a missionary • Many serve a number of terms overseas returning “home” to a fruitful ministry • Often the choice of a mission board is more important than a field

5. Term “Missionary” • English derivative from Latin word, misio. • Comes from the Latin Vulgate for “apostle” • No one is now called to be an apostle (can’t fulfill the requirements of Acts 1– Although Apostolic Renewal Movement) • The contemporary usage means a “sent one” from the etymology of “apostle”, but meaning often does not come from the root meaning, rather from Biblical usage • We have virtually created a distinct office in the church for a missionary, which does not exist in the Bible • God is continually constituting or placing gifted men in the church as evangelists, pastors and teachers all over the world

6. Mandate to the Corporate Church Marginalized or Ignored Why are the laborers still so few? Mat 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” • Prayerlessness and apathy • Confusion about “call” produces complacency • Emphasis on “greatness”, “bigness”, “success” and “benefits” discourage getting out of the limelight – Some are told “Don’t become a missionary nobody!” • False expectations generate disillusions and discouragements

7. Does the “need” constitute a call? • Rom 15:20, 23, It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known … Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand." • “Why should anyone have a chance to hear the gospel twice until everyone has a chance to hear it once?” • Any publicized ministry opportunity in a local church receives 50-100+ resumes • Bible Colleges have innumerable candidates seeking positions • Overseas opportunities often can not find enough candidates

8. What does it take? • Ministry is basically the same anywhere in the world • Major difference is language acquisition and cultural adaptation and appreciation • There is no need for a “call” to learn a language! Absurd! • There is no special “call” to live in another country • The only element is guidance to where to minister – this is no difference being led to Dallas, Texas or to Mexico City. Each require special preparation to be effective. • It all depends on the servant’s heart to open to any possibility, giving God full liberty to guide wherever He most wants a laborer in the harvest.

9. The Spirit’s Guidance • The Word of God • Discover God’s commands, heart, desire, purpose, plan for man and commit to same • Identify with examples, mentors, models • Adapt the priorities revealed Scriptures as your personal priorities • Spiritual needs of lost world become major priority • Exposure to the gospel • Receptivity to gospel • Possibility of hearing the gospel • Make good Choices or Plans for accomplishing His objectives • Reach unsaved people anywhere • Reach the unsaved that no one else has ever reached, or even has ever been interested in…except Jesus

10. The Spirit’s Guidance • Are selfish interests clouding the Spirit’s guidance? Only hope for bearing fruit is dying to self-interests • John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

11. Decision Making and Will of God • Priority to obeying Moral Will expressed • Includes witnessing to the lost • Obeying the Great Commission and Greatest Commandment (5 Purposes) • Moral and Spiritual qualifications enough to join a missionary team (Acts 16:1-2) • All decisions based on applied wisdom (with a few interventions as exceptions) • Timing, destinations and personnel all chosen to most effectively accomplish His purposes

12. How God has equipped us for our contribution to His kingdom purpose indicates a general direction to pursue Importance of Personal Profile • His “workmanship” determines direction of ministry Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. • Spiritual gift • Heart or Passion • Abilities or Talents • Personality • Experience

13. 7 Motivating Incentives • Compassion Christ’s compassion is our model (Mat 14:14 When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them; Acts 17:16) • Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. • Love 2 Cor 5:14-15 “love of Christ constrains me” • Fear of the Lord (2 Cor 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, [that is, He will do what He said] we persuade men…

14. 7 Motivating Incentives • Rewards – 1 Cor 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will reive his own reward according to his own labor. • Personal satisfaction -- Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. • Volunteer for strategic service -- 1 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward.

15. Your turn to play the game of life… Play it wisely