THEME: AMIDST THE PANDEMIC - MISSIONS CONTINUES

Missions Month 2021 Sermon No. 1 - First Sunday (October 3, 2021)

Topic: Why get involved in missions when I cannot even go out of my house?
Text: Genesis 1 - 11

INTRODUCTION

At the beginning of the COVID Pandemic, we thought that it will pass quickly in a few months
and everything will go back to normal. But it’s already going on to two years, and the threat of
COVID is as strong as ever. It persists even at the face of vaccines. It continues to affect our
lives, our movement and even our work! COVID 19 has disrupted our plans, our programs and
our dreams of the future.

Current issues to Introduce sermon: (choose 1 or more)

1. Talk about the latest updates in the news regarding COVID 19 Pandemic
a. Variants of the virus
b. Famous and rich people who were victims of COVID
c. People we personally know who were infected by COVID and passed away

2. Vaccine dilemma:
a. People who debate about pros and cons of being vaccinated
b. Fear of long-term effect of the vaccine

3. Economic effect of the quarantine:

a. How our income has been affected drastically.
b. How some lost their jobs, business and livelihood.
c. How plans of marriage, going abroad and building a career has been delayed.

TRANSITIONAL QUESTIONS

1. Why talk about missions when there are current and pressing matters?
Example:
a. The death toll continues to rise.
b. Income is limited and for some food is limited.
c. Some of our friends and loved ones have been infected and some even succumb to
the disease. The Medical care system cannot cope. No more room in hospitals and
even lack of oxygen supply.

2. Why get involve in missions when I cannot even go out of my own house?

We are all personally affected by the COVID Pandemic

TRANSITIONAL PARAGRAPHS

But God’s call for the “Great Commission” is unchanging. I believe it is now more than ever that
the urgency to bring the gospel to the lost, to those who are perishing and to those who are in
unreached places are at an emergency level!
1 Corinthians 10: 13, (AMP) “13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or en-
ticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond
human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and
He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He
[has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be
able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].

The Bible says that every difficulty, trial or adversity we are facing is not uncommon and that
people before us and more importantly people in the Bible have undergone it victoriously. God
will be faithful to His promises. And so, for every problem that we encounter, God has a word
and a promise for us.

THREE BIBLICAL BASES WHY WE MUST FERVENTLY PARTICPATE IN MISSIONS REGARDLESS OF

THE WORLDWIDE ADVERSITY

I. GOD’S HEART FOR BRINGING MAN AND FALLEN CREATION BACK INTO HIS ORIGI-
NAL PURPOSE HAS NOT CHANGED

A. God created a perfect universe.

God declared all that he has made in creation as good.
Genesis 1 – 2,,

B. In the beginning man had perfect intimate relationship with God.

Represented by the Garden of Eden. In the garden God and man spent time together
in intimate relationship, no hindrance in their communication – open and transpar-
ent communication. Man had authority and dominion. Man had an eternal pur-
pose.
Genesis 2

C. MAN’S FALL
Man seeking to be like God outside of God’s Plan. God created man in His image,
but man desiring to have godlike power of knowing good from evil seek it outside of
His will and plan. They disobeyed God’s clear command not to eat of the fruit of the
knowledge of good and evil. Thus, bringing in sin and death into the world. Destroy-
ing God’s perfect will and plan for man.
Genesis 3: 1 – 3

D. GOD UNFOLDS HIS REDEMPTIVE PLAN

 Immediately in Genesis 3: 15, God reveals his plan to save man from the destruction
of sin and death. One day, in His perfect time (in the fullness of time) the seed/off-
spring of the woman (Jesus Christ) will crush the head of the serpent (Satan, sin,
death) but the serpent will strike his heel (death of Jesus on the cross).
Here in this verse, we can see the beginning of God’s plan to save mankind from sin
and death. From that verse and throughout the Old Testament we can see God
working through human crisis and problems to fulfill his redemptive plan.

PRINCIPLE RELEVANT FOR MY LIFE: My situation may not make sense in the moment but I know
God’s plan and purposes are good and full.

II. GOD’S REDEMPTIVE PLAN CONTINUES TO BE AT WORK EVEN IN CALAMITOUS/DIF-

FICULT/PAINFUL SITUATIONS

A. God chooses Noah to continue the Redemptive Plan even as the wickedness of man
brings disaster to the whole earth.
Man without the guidance of their relationship with God veer toward wickedness
and sin.
But in the midst of the wickedness of man, God chose a man, Noah, in whom the Re-
demptive plan will be passed on.
Genesis 5

B. God uses the confusion of language as a strategy to further His redemptive plan.
Generations after God cleanse the world by water, man once again stray from God’s
plan and build a tower as a monument to man’s independence from God!

a. Genesis 11: 8, 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the surface
of the entire earth; and they stopped building the city. Man united in one lan-
guage seek to trust themselves more than trust God! The tower represented
their achievement and invincibility. Genesis 11:4, “Come, let us build ourselves a
city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for
ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” The
same mistake Adam and Eve made at the garden, seeking God’s blessing of au-
thority and Dominion outside of the will and the plan of God

b. Genesis 11: 9, “Therefore the name of the city was [b]Babel—because there

the LORD confused the language of the entire earth; and from that place
the LORD scattered and dispersed them over the surface of all the earth. God
confuses man’s language and scatters mankind over all the earth.

Principle Relevant for my life: My situation and circumstances may change but God’s call and
purposes for my life never changes!
 In our generation: 9/11 terror attack, War in Iran, War in Afghanistan, SARS, and COVID
may change my situation and circumstances but God’s call to worship, to serve, to disciple the
nations, and to reach the unreached continue.

III. IN FULFILLING HIS MISSION AND PURPOSES GOD PROVIDES THE WAY, THE MAN-
POWER AND THE RESOURCES

A. In continuing the call and purposes of Adam and Eve, God provided the garments of skin
in the place of the glory of God that covered them. A symbol of God providing for man
what he needs, an introduction of the sacrifice of an innocent in the place of the sinner.
Genesis 3: 21. He also gave them Seth, when they lost Cain and Abel to sin, in whom the
great redemptive plan will be passed on. Genesis 4: 25 - 26

B. When God judged the earth with water and chose Noah to continue the generations of
man – he provided the Ark so that Noah will be saved and his family will be preserved
for the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Genesis 6 - 8

Principle Relevant for my life: God’s provision is exactly what we need when we need it.

God is never going to give us half of what we need. He’s going to give us just what we need
at just the right time.

A lot of times we cannot see God at work in our lives and ministries, providing for us be-
cause it didn’t come the way we thought it should be or it didn’t happen inside the timeline
that we thought would be appropriate. The big hindrance is our preconceived ideas of what
God should provide, how he should provide and when he should provide. And most of the
time it doesn’t happen that way. Because it is God’s mission not ours. He knows what’s
best! And he will provide exactly when we need it and how we need it! Trust God’s provi-
sion!

James Hudson Taylor: “God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.”

CONCLUSION

As we close, we asked the questions, what is the future, post COVID Pandemic? How will it
change our lives? How will it change our church? How will it change the future of our children?

As of now, nobody can predict what is life after COVID 19 Pandemic. Are we, our families and
church ready for the challenge of our time and our generation? Are we sensitive to how and
where God is moving in this time?
 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION FOR SMALL GROUPS

1. Think of 2 or 3 ministries/missions that you have been actively involved since the COVID
quarantines or lockdowns have been enforced. Why and how have you continued to
participate?

2. Do you think there is a connection between COVID, internet growth, gadget affordability
and missions? How are they part of God’s plan for our generation?

3. Share a verse, truth or statement from the message last Sunday that was most meaning-
ful to you.
 THEME: AMIDST THE PANDEMIC - MISSIONS CONTINUES

Missions Month 2021 Sermon No. 2 - Second Sunday (October 10, 2021)
Topic: Why is missions relevant to our family at this time (COVID)?
Blessed to be a blessing
Text: Genesis 12:1-3

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household
to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make
your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever
curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Introduction:
Fourteen months ago, we could hardly have imagined what was about to happen: Covid-19. A
worldwide lockdown. A new word: pandemic.
Then came economic unrest, trouble in our cities (from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes), a ris-
ing death toll, and the search for a vaccine. Add to that an outbreak of floods and so many ty-
phoons that we went through.
The list goes on and on. The last fourteen months have felt like crawling across a minefield
blindfolded. And it’s not over yet. No one knows what the future will bring.
But rather than add our own speculation about the future, (whether or not we become zombies
after two years), I want to address a fundamental question:
Why is missions relevant to us at this time?
1. Because we are called to be a blessing
Abraham was given a difficult task. But it is important to note that God didn’t stop
speaking there. In fact, beginning with verse 2, we find that attached to God’s difficult
commandment was a wonderful covenant—a wonderful blessing should Abram trust
and obey:
And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great.
And so, you shall be a blessing …
Now, many of us, had we been in Abram’s sandals, might never have heard God’s promises at
all. After hearing verse 1, we would have been so engrossed in drawing up our counterproposal,
so busy formulating our excuses, that we would have totally missed everything else God had to
say!
But Abram didn’t stop listening after verse 1! If he had, he might never have obeyed. Because,
you see, obedience to God always arises out of trust in God.

In other words, we obey God because we believe that he knows what is best. That is why,
Bible commands so often seem connected with Bible promises—to help us see that there is re-
ward in earnestly seeking God; that there are blessings in obedience.
What did God mean when he said, “… in you all the families of the earth will be blessed”?
As the rest of the Old Testament unfolds, we begin to understand that, through the Jews—
Abram’s family—God was going to send a Savior, whose atoning blood would “sprinkle many
nations” (Isa. 52:15).
And when we turn over to the New Testament, we find that it is through Jesus—the descendant
of Abram—that people from “every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues” (Rev. 7:9)
will be redeemed and made God’s very own.

2. When we Bless others, God takes care of our needs

No questions asked. No altering of the plans. Abram just got up from his place, packed his bags,
and left “as the LORD had spoken to him.”
And in this regard, Abram is a classic example of what it means to walk with God. Because it
was the LORD who spoke, and because he trusted God’s promise to do him good, Abram simply
obeyed.
So, we must all ask ourselves, “What about me? Am I simply obeying the LORD? Or are there
clear commandments of God that I have left undone? Am I dragging my feet because I’m not
quite sure I trust that God will really work things out for my good?”
All disobedience boils down to one of the two. Either we do not care what God says (he is not
Lord); or we do not believe what God says (we do not trust him).
For the Christian—the person who has come to know God in Christ—the problem is usually one
of faith. We struggle to obey because we struggle to believe that God’s way will really work out
for the best.
So, like Abram, we need to listen to and trust God’s promises! “Abram went forth as the LORD
had spoken” because he believed that God would do as he said: that he would bless him; that
he would care for him; that he wouldn’t leave him wandering in the wilderness but would truly
bring him to “the land which I will show you.”
Abram was also able to give his nephew Lot first dibs in the new land (ch. 13) because he con-
tinued to believe that God would bring him to “the land which I will show you.”
And he was able to show unbelievable kindness to Lot (ch. 14), even after Lot’s selfishness, be-
cause he knew that it was the LORD who held his destiny in his hands.
Abram’s simple faith that God really was on his side allowed him to do what was right again and
again!
Learn from Abram. God is not stingy! He will not leave you in the desert when once you have
obeyed. No! He brought Abram to the promised land, and he will fulfill all his promises to us if
we will but trust and obey!
3. The more we are blessed by God, the more He expects us to help others
God brings you and I through different experiences so that we help others through what they
are going through. God has blessed us, and he expects us to help others.
What is it that God wants you and I to do?
Application:
1. Reach them (unreached peoples)
We need to do everything we can to reach others for Jesus. If we will do what Jesus wants us
to do, people will be drawn to us. We cannot let this church become a church where we have a
little club. We exist for others because that’s what Jesus wants us to do. We can’t be comfort-
able until everyone knows and loves Jesus.
2. Warn them
Once we reach people, It’s the kindness of God that draws them to repent. That’s why we do
small groups or auxiliary group fellowships. There we can sharpen each other. It’s where you
and I can say, “I have issues”, “Please for me”.
3. Teach them
Our role is to equip the body of Christ to do ministry. We need to use our individual and collec-
tive gifts and talents to edify, uplift and empower the church for the ministry.
4. Help them reach their full potential
Every person has potential—no matter how much they may have achieved already, or messed
up so far, and no matter how old they are. There’s still more God has for them to be and do to
fulfill their full potential in Christ!
 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION FOR SMALL GROUPS

1. God’s intent was to bless the whole world through Abram’s family. Why do you think
God chose this method?

2. If the blessing that was to come through Abram was always intended to be for all the
people on the earth, why does the church have such a struggle to truly be a blessing to
all the earth?

3. How have you experienced God’s compassionate heart searching you out? How have
you been found?
 THEME: AMIDST THE PANDEMIC - MISSIONS CONTINUES

Missions Month 2021 Sermon No. 3 - Third Sunday (October 17, 2021)
Topic: How to remain faithful to the Great Commission in this time of crisis?
Text: Matthew 9:35-38, selected verses from the Gospels

Introduction:

God’s mission is a theme that runs through the whole Bible. In the Old Testament we see that
through the ages, seasons and circumstances of God’s people, the Lord’s plan of salvation has
always prevailed. His mission remained constant.

At the time when Christ was born, Israel as a nation no longer had political power. The whole
area of Palestine and much of the known world of that era were part of the Roman
Empire. This was a challenging time for the Jews. And yet, God chose this period in history to be
the perfect time to send Jesus into the world to fulfill God’s plan of redemption.
As we face these challenging times when our world continues to struggle with a pandemic, let’s
remember that God’s mission has not changed. The Great Commission
still stands.

But how do we continue to obey the Great Commission in this time of Covid? How do we bal-
ance our response to this crisis with our response to the need of missions?

Let us look at the example of Jesus Christ and learn from it.

Matthew 9:35-38
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the
good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds,
he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a
shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

A. HAVE THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE (V.35)

Jesus had the right perspective. He knew what his purpose was. He knew His mission. And He
proclaimed His message — “The Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15).

— Jesus was secure in His PERSONHOOD (Identity) (Matthew 3:16-17) At Jesus’ baptism, God
the Father and the Holy Spirit has affirmed and confirmed His identity. Jesus ministered out of
this strong sense of His identity as Son of God, filled with the Holy Spirit. His declarations, “I
am… the bread of life… the way the truth and the life… the light of the world… the good shep-
herd…” etc. all showed that He was certain of His personhood and identity.
— In this time of challenges and crisis, it is important to have a proper perspective of
our identity: We are beloved children of God. We are empowered by His Spirit and He is
with us as we go through all these difficulties. We are not victims. In Christ we are victo-
rious. We are His ambassadors, His channels of blessing to the world.

— Jesus stayed true to His PURPOSE — He worked to accomplish His purpose and mission —
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the
good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” (vs. 35) (cf. John 4:34 “My
food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”) Jesus was not distracted by the
needs, difficulties and challenges that the people were facing at that time. As He addressed the
pressing needs of the people, He proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus was not distracted by his popularity as well. He intentionally withdrew from the crowds
and spent time alone with God (Mark 1:35). When people wanted him to be king, Jesus was
not blinded by a worldly crown and chose the cross instead. Jesus stayed focused on His pur-
pose to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10)

— Jesus never lost sight of the big PICTURE — Yes, the Roman Empire was in power, but the
Kingdom of God has greater power. With Jesus’ arrival, the Kingdom of Heaven has started to
invade the kingdoms of this world. Jesus proclaimed, “The Kingdom of
God is at hand…” (Mark 1:14,15)
Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand the nature of His Kingdom. They thought He would stir up a
political revolution, overthrow their present godless government and establish the kingdom of
Israel that time. But Jesus patiently taught them what the Kingdom of God is like. (Cf: Matthew
5, sermon on the mount, parables on the kingdom)
Jesus saw beyond their present problems of injustice, sickness, material needs, demonic op-
pression and death. He saw the deeper problem of sin. He saw the people’s need of a Savior.
“They were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”

Jesus never forgot that He came to save the lost and to initiate the beginning of God’s reign on
earth in the lives of all who will believe in Him for salvation.

In this time of pandemic and all its accompanying challenges and crises, it is important for us to
have a proper perspective not only of our identity but also of our purpose. We are children of
God, saved by His grace and we have been commissioned and empowered to make disciples of
all nations, to be His instruments in expanding God’s
Kingdom here in on earth, for His glory.
It is important that as we face the chaos, we don’t lose sight of the big picture. Covid is a global
crisis causing sickness and death, but sin has long been a global crisis destroying lives and bring-
ing eternal death. Pandemics are temporary. The Kingdom of God is for eternity.

B. REACH OUT TO PEOPLE (v.36)

Jesus’ ministry was all about reaching out to people. Jesus did not create programs, build
church buildings or establish organizations or denominations. Jesus made disciples. He called
people to follow Him. And for what purpose? So, He can make them fishers of men.
(Matthew 4:19)

Jesus’ heart was compassionate towards people. He reflected God’s love toward people. He
spent much time with people. He reached out to people and ministered to people. His compas-
sion was expansive and inclusive. For Jesus there were no outcasts, no second-class citizens.
He touched the leper. He forgave the adulteress. He was a friend of sinners. He healed the sick.
He fed the hungry. He cast out demons from people. He raised the dead. He blessed the chil-
dren. Jesus’ actions overflowed from his compassion for people.

Jesus crossed barriers to go and reach out to people.

He crossed cultural, social and moral barriers to talk to the Samaritan woman (Jn.4). He crossed
geographical and cultural barriers to heal the demon-possessed man in the Greek- speaking
province of Decapolis (Mark 5:1-20)

This pandemic has caused a crisis but it has also opened so many opportunities for us to be
Christ’s ambassadors to a world that desperately needs Him.

As our country and our whole world continues to struggle with this pandemic, now more than
ever, people need to know the love and compassion of Jesus. In this time when fear is rampant,
people need to experience the peace that only Jesus can give. In this time when many are at
the point of despair people need to know the hope that is in Christ Jesus.

Let’s ask God to fill our hearts with compassion for people. And like Jesus, let’s reach out to
people and minister to their needs. Let’s cross all kinds of barriers and bring the love of Jesus to
them.

C. REALIGN YOUR PRIORITIES

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and
helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plenti-
ful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into
his harvest field.”

Jesus had compassion on the crowds because “they were harassed and helpless, like sheep
without a shepherd.” Jesus saw beyond the obvious needs they were presenting to Him. He saw
their real needs, their deepest needs, their eternal needs. He saw the real condition of their
hearts — their helplessness, their need for salvation.
There is a sense of urgency when Jesus said that “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are
few.”

The harvest is a priority. Sending workers is a priority; a priority that calls for much prayer. Dur-
ing these times when movement across countries and regions are restricted, the harvest has
become even more plentiful, and the workers have become fewer. The need for prayer has be-
come even greater.
Prayer plays a huge role in missions. Prayer is something that everyone — even children, PWDs,
super senior citizens —can do. Prayer does not cost a centavo. Yet prayer can reach places that
missionaries cannot. Prayer is a simple act, yet it can accomplish things in the spiritual realm
that mere human effort cannot.

In the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15), the Shepherd leaves the 99 to search for one lost
sheep. To the shepherd, finding that one lost sheep was important and urgent. Even with all
the troubles of this pandemic, reaching the lost remains important and urgent to God. Mis-
sions is still a priority.

Jesus sums it up in his question, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and
loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
“What will it profit a man if he survives covid but loses his soul?”

God is not willing that anyone should perish but that all would come to repentance. (2 Peter
3:9)

When we look at Jesus’ life and ministry we see that His priority was to fulfill God’s purpose for
His life here on earth. (John 3:16,17, Phil. 2:6-11)
How about us? What is our call? Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny them-
selves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). And, “Go and make disciples of
all nations… (Matthew 28:18-20)

We have a global crisis on one hand and the great commission on the other hand. This is a chal-
lenge for all of us who call ourselves disciples of Jesus.
To remain obedient to Christ’s command in this time of covid, let’s realign our priorities with
His priorities and participate in whatever we can to fulfill the Great Commission.

Matthew 24 (signs of the end of the age. Focus on verse 14)

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all
nations, and then the end will come.

Conclusion
There is no doubt that we are in the end times. This pandemic is just one of the signs. Let us not
be distracted and let us not be sidetracked. Let’s remain faithful to our task and fulfill the Great
Commission. Let’s have the right perspective, reach out to people, realign our priorities and do
everything we can to participate in the task of reaching the unreached until the end will come.

———————

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION FOR SMALL GROUPS

- What verse, phrase or statement in the sermon had an impact on you?

- Reflect on the main points of “How to remain faithful to the great commission in this time of
crisis”:
1. Have the right perspective — With what perspective are you viewing these times?
2. Reach out to people — In what ways are you reaching out to people?
3. Realign your priorities — How are your priorities aligned with God’s priorities?

- In which of these 3 areas do you need to grow?

- How are you going to apply these in own your life and context?
- What practical steps or actions are you going to take to remain faithful in obeying the Great
Commission?
 THEME: AMIDST THE PANDEMIC - MISSIONS CONTINUES

Missions Month 2021 Sermon No. 4- Fourth Sunday (October 24, 2021)
Topic: How to avoid the trap of focusing on the temporal and not lose sight on the eternal?
Text: Revelation 5 - 22

INTRODUCTION:

If there is one good thing that happens in the lockdown policy or house quarantine that we ex-
perience today, what do you think that is? I think one of the good things that came out of the
recent lockdown policy imposed by the government due to the COVID 19 or Coronavirus scare
is that people were forced to stay home for at least one month. Everyone has a time to rest,
time for their family and some do things they have never done before.

Because of the danger of an unknown enemy, people were gripped with fear. Many people
around the globe, rich and poor, were infected by the virus, and many of them died. (Include
recent statistics of COVID19 in the Philippines).

Although some took the matter lightly, I am sure many realized that life indeed is so uncertain.
It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor. The COVID 19 phenomenon made people think
or rethink about life.

Looking at the present situation, it’s either people remained focused in doing God’s will or out
of focus simply reacting to Pandemic. People remained on track with a clear sense of purpose
or out of track because of discouragement. People are hopeful because they understood the
times or live a life of fear because of the situation. The list can go on and on.

TRANSITION QUESTION:

How about us? In this pandemic are we still focused in doing God’s will? Are we still on track
with a clear sense of reason why we exist? Are we still people of hope bringing light and hope
to others? How about the Great Commission? Is it still part of our agenda as a believer?

TRANSITION STATEMENTS

While there are concerns that are important and demands attention, I believe that we need to
continue what God has called us to be and to do. Especially in this Pandemic, we need to fo-
cus on God’s will and fulfill why we are here. While living our lives with the demands of the
pandemic (temporal), let us also do what God demands from us: Missions (eternal)! Our
theme clearly challenges us, AMIDST THE PANDEMIC, the Mission continues.

THREE THINGS to put in mind that will help us to be focused on continuing the Mission.

1. The truth that in the end God will save man to enjoy Him forever.

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from ev-
ery nation, every tribe, every people, and every language, standing before the throne and be-
fore the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
And they cried out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and
to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)

A time is coming when every person, from every nation, will finally enjoy God’s goodness and
love forever. No longer will they take His grace for granted. No longer will they rebel for God
has saved them. All of them who came to Him and surrendered their rebellion, will take His sal -
vation, rejoice in it, and savor it for all eternity.

2. The truth that in the end all nations fill the earth with God’s glory.

And they sang a new song saying, “Worthy are you to take the book and to break its seals; for
You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and
people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will
reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)

Our original mission when God created us will eventually be fulfilled. It is here, in Revelation 5,
that we see humans finally reigning over earth and declaring God’s glory. Human beings filling
the earth with God’s glory just as they were intended to do. God blesses the nations with eter-
nal life, so that they can fulfill their mission to be a blessing to the new earth that they will
reign over.

3. The truth that in the end eternal death and the power of sin is defeated.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away…
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men,
and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among
them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death;
there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And
He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new… it is done. I am the Alpha
and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of
the water of life without cost.” (Revelation 21:1-6)

The pain of our rebellion is no more. Jesus, by redeeming all the nations, has defeated death.
Jesus has freed the earth from the darkness of death that us fallen human beings created. The
earth – the new earth – will be the kingdom of God that reign in light, love, and life. Corruption,
violence, and death will be gone forever. We will finally experience the eternal life we were
created for.

What is this for us?

The story of the Bible concludes when God reveals His glory to all the nations so that he will re-
ceive glory from all the nations. Our Father, coming to save us, His lost children. The nations,
scattered all over the earth today in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, all over the world, are all
God’s lost children. God has been on mission to save them with the Gospel. Though we are
rebels, God has chosen to save us through Jesus Christ.

Jesus says in Matthew 24:14, This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as
a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. The end is guaranteed; God will de-
stroy death; God will destroy cancer, sickness, and disease; God will give us eternal life in a new
heaven and a new earth… but this glorious end only comes when we fulfill our mission and fill
the earth with God’s glory by taking the Gospel to every nation.

NOW WHAT?

As we think and rethink about our lives during this pandemic in the light of what God’s will is,
let us find practical, new and current methods as we continue to participate in Missions. Doing
this daily will help us not only to focus on the temporal but also to what is eternal.

1. Focus on continuing the Mission through prayer. The great movement of missions and evan-
gelism have often been fueled by a revival of prayer. Oswald Chambers noted that “Prayer does
not equip us for greater works – prayer is the greater work.

2. Focus on continuing the Mission through giving. During a time of crisis, it is tempting to turn
inward. This can be true to our individua giving. We develop a protectionary mindset. Churches
have adopted this way of thinking which is harmful to the ministry. When resources become
scarce, we often times cut back on our giving, hopefully not in Missions. When we do so, we will
miss the abundant joy that comes when we give out of our poverty. We need to make difficult
choices on our budget but we should never lose our focus and heart for the nations. When we
can’t go, we need to give even more generously.

3. Focus on continuing the Mission by grabbing every opportunity to go and make disciples a
priority. If all of us are prepared and sensitive to the Holy Spirit, there will be opportunities for
gospel-centered conversations. Let us seize the moment to walk across our yards and streets
and be a blessing and share the Gospel to everyone we meet.
 (YOU CAN GIVE YOUR OWN CHALLENGE TO YOUR CHURCH MEMBERS)

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION FOR SMALL GROUPS

1. What are the things that concerns you during this pandemic?

2. As a believer, what should be my concern and focus?

3. What do you think are the things that will/might get our focus out of Missions?

4. Why is it that is possible to focus on the temporal things and lose sight if the eternal things?

5. In a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is the lowest and 10 is the highest, how fulfilled am I in doing
missions? What grade will I give myself? What will I do to make the grade go higher?
 THEME: AMIDST THE PANDEMIC - MISSIONS CONTINUES

Missions Month 2021 Sermon No. 5 - Fifth Sunday (October 31, 2021)
Topic: The Great Commission Revisited
Text: Matthew 28:18-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to
them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disci-
ples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you al-
ways, to the end of the age."

Introduction
Many times, we look at the great commission and have selectively used and misrepresented it.
We have a tendency to read or misread favorite text to suit our own theologies. What is the
Great Commission really saying!
I. The Framework of the Great Commission
A. Notice that the GC is in between a Great Declaration and a Great Promise
1) This declaration is a very staggering claim of our risen Lord “All authority in the
universe has been given to me.”
2) The Romans crucified in the most appalling and shameful death, a criminal’s cru-
cifixion claims that even Caesar will bow to Him.
3) He is Lord of history, the nations, the government, the universe, and the church.
4) It’s a statement that has cosmic implications about the supreme and universal
Lordship. Make no mistake about it He is Lord of All.
5) And the GC flows out of this declaration that He is Lord and has authority over
all.
B. Notice the therefore, it links the great declaration, the affirmation to the GC. The "make
disciples" it is an imperative verb, the only command in the passage.
1) That is the imperative. So, all our English translations mislead us because they
begin with the command "go."
2) In Greek, it's a present participle, which strictly speaking should be translated,
"Therefore, as you're going, make disciples of all nations."
3) So, the emphasis is not on the going, it is on the making of disciples.
 4) Disciple means an apprentice or a student. The disciples left all to follow Jesus.
Everything- their livelihood, jobs, and family, what they owned to stick to this
man and become a learner, an intern, if you please to follow Jesus.
5) For three years they followed him, now since they learned from him, they are to
call others both Jews and Gentiles to do the same.
C. How does one become a disciple?
1) All nations are ta ethne and refers to simply the world, the world beyond the
Jewish world, the Gentiles.
2) So, Jesus is saying the whole world is your mission field, invite all peoples of all
cultures and all geographical areas to become now my students of Jesus, to learn
from Him. It also means tribes, ethnicity or ethno linguistic groups.
3) How are they to do it? Well, he goes on to say by baptizing and by teaching.
“Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
a) In the ancient world, to be baptized into the name of somebody meant to
come under the allegiance of that person, to surrender ownership to that
person. You became in a sense that person's property.
b) To be baptized into the name of the triune God means that now your
supreme loyalty is no longer to your biological family, culture, ethnic group,
or your nation's state, it is to the triune God. You belong to the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. That is where discipleship begins.
4) Baptism is also a corporate event, not an individual event. You are baptized into
the community of all those who profess the name of the Triune God.
a) So, it is in the context of community that people learn what discipleship
means. Discipleship is not something we can learn in solitude, we cannot
learn it individualistically.
b) It is in community, the community of the baptized, that we learn what it
is to be an apprentice to Jesus, and to grow into the mission and the pur-
poses of Jesus.

II. Characteristics of those in God’s Kingdom

A. "Teaching them to observe(obey) all that I have commanded you" So what is it that
Jesus has commanded them?
1) We all find this in Scripture.
2) Like Matthew 5-8 is what we call the Sermon on the Mount. This is the mani-
festo of the kingdom of God. This is how God’s society will look like. It de-
scribes the people who belong to this kingdom. A new society that is form-
ing.
3) What does this look like? In Matthew 5:3-12 spells out the characteristic of
the people in this kingdom, the Beatitudes. For example
 a) Those who are meek and they will inherit the earth. Meek people are those who
don't assert themselves. They are not interested in being number one all the
time. They are quite happy to stay in the shadows and let other people take all
the glory. They don't want to be in the spotlight all the time, and that is how it
was with Jesus.
b) Those who are "peacemakers." Not peace-lovers, which we all tend to be, but
they are peacemakers. Disciples are those who go into situations of conflict, of
violence, whether in families or in inner city neighborhoods. They go into those
places that others don't want to go, and they build bridges between people, en-
abling people to listen to each other, to talk face-to-face. So, Jesus expects that
disciples should be in the forefront of all those peacemaking initiatives within
cities, between nations, on the international scene as well as the local scene. He
says they will be called the children of God because God is in the business of
making peace between himself and his rebellious, alienated creation. So, when-
ever we are agents of peacemaking, of reconciliation, we are imitating God, we
are showing the family likeness.
c) Then He calls us also to be salts and lights. This shows the kind of impact
Jesus disciples must have. Salt to preserved society otherwise will just rot
is left alone. And to be lights to shine and show works of justice and rec-
onciliation and peacemaking.
d) And many other teachings that we called to do and to say.

B. What’s the Difference?

1) In Matthew 6-8, Jesus talks about loving our enemies, sharing our posses-
sions with the poor and underprivileged. Doing good not only with friends
but all for what difference would that make for the pagans already do good
only to those who do good to them. Bless those who curse you. This should
make us distinct with those who do not belong to the kingdom.
2) We should be eager to discover what Jesus teaches concerning discipleship
and then to practice it, for how on earth can we invite others to be disci-
ples? That is the logic of this text.
3) If Jesus defines discipleship as obeying everything that I have taught you. In
other words, not picking and choosing what we find convenient to obey.
4) Jesus is not talking about priorities, Jesus never uses that language. It is very
comprehensive: obey everything I have taught you. That is the definition of
discipleship.
5) Jesus expects of the church, which is out there in the world, to proclaim the
good news of the kingdom to the nations, to the world. He is also engaged in
costly peacemaking initiatives between peoples. He is engaged in the pursuit
of justice for the poor and the oppressed. He is engaged in sharing its re-
sources with the needy, the underprivileged. He is seeking to love those who
persecuted the church, to bless them and not to curse them.
6) This is a very holistic understanding of the church's engagement in the world.
 III. Then finally we come to the great promise: "For lo, I am with you always even unto the
end of the age."
A. Jesus promises his empowering Spirit, his presence, to us his church if we are willing to
obey him.
B. This is not a promise that we can take out of context and apply to any situation, that Je-
sus is with us wherever we are. It is a promise that we can claim, only if we are seeking
to obey Jesus, to be his disciples, who invite others to be his disciples with us.
C. And yes there will be difficulties and suffering. There will be persecution. We should ex-
pect this. It can even mean that we sacrifice the ultimate, our lives.
D. But amidst all these we have the assurance that He will be with us as long as we obey to
be his disciples and call others to be His disciples.

IV. Conclusion.
A. God called all of us to proclaim and make disciples of all nations.
1) Not all are called to full-time ministries.
2) Some are called to be professionals, some manual labor, some in the medical field
etc.
What is your calling? Commit your whole life to Jesus now!
B. How do I know what my calling is? Use this acronym to determine your calling in life
G- Glory of God. Is God Glorified in what I am doing?
O- Opportunities. Are there opportunities for the sharing of the Gospel?
A. Affirmation. Is the church and my brothers and sisters affirming in what I am doing?
L- Love. Do I really love what I am doing?
The greatest calling is to serve our Master, our Savior Jesus Christ. Perhaps there are some of
you whom God is calling for a special service to Him. Is he calling you for full-time service, to be
a pastor/pastora or a missionary to the regions beyond? Please do not hesitate, say Yes Lord,
Here Am I Send Me!

All authority has been given to me.

Therefore, make disciples of all peoples.
Baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything that I have taught.
And I am with you always … "
 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION FOR SMALL GROUPS

1. What do you think of obedience-based discipleship? Meaning we focus of obeying god’s

word and making the word of God relevant to the disciple that it becomes his life.
2. “If you focus on planting churches only, we might not have disciples, but if you focus on
making disciples, we will have a church that is strong ang vibrant and full of disciples.”
What do you think of this statement? Why?
3. What is your calling? Please explain?
4. What is your commitment to the evangelization of the world particularly to the un-
reached people groups (UPG)?

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