Today we are still in the series of “Let’s Lose Some Weight”...

 ...but our emphasis is obviously missions. After doing Mission’s Conventions for over 30 years, what does one say that hasn’t already been said? How do you convince people to understand the Great Commission? To be sacrificial? Simply, to care about the lost. The Word of God is pretty clear…Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Romans 10:13-15 (NKJV) “For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" 

1. A Simple Test. Do we believe the Great Commission is biblical and is to be obeyed? Do we support the Mission of Life Church to send out missionaries to the ends of the earth? Do we support our missionaries by praying for them (adopting them) and being here when they minister to us? Do you have a greater desire to be entertained in church than to hear the heart of someone called to a distant land or to lost here in America? We may need to stop thinking church is all about us. Do we actually give to our General Missions of Life Church above our tithes? Does our mission’s giving resemble more a token than a sacrifice? Example…Is our cable bill (Direct TV, Dish, etc.) more than what we give to missions? Our entertainment more important than souls? What are some practical ways you can increase your mission’s giving? What could that look like? Let’s say in 2021 you gave the Lord $50/$75/$100/ $200 a month to missions and it appears God has blessed you, then double your giving and watch God bless you.

2. Pastor Dan Betzer and Doctor Oswald J. Smith. Pastor Betzer was pastoring a struggling church in Sandusky, Ohio in the 60s. He asked God why were they struggling? God spoke to him to do three things that would change his ministry and life forever. 1. Have a Mission’s Convention yearly. 2. Invite Dr. Oswald J. Smith 3. Faith promise Goal of $20,000. Okay with a Mission’s Convention even though I have no clue. Okay with inviting Dr. Smith because he probably will not come. Faith promise for $20,000 when our annual budget is $16,000…impossible. After singing some beautiful mission’s songs, Betzer introduced Dr. Smith to the excited congregation and he approached the pulpit and then, just stood there without saying a word for a few minutes. He drops the bomb: Dr. Smith, “What did you want from me? How many times have you heard the gospel? How many church services have you attended? Were you expecting something new from me? What right do you have to hear the gospel over and over when so many have never heard it for the first time? What makes you so special?” Wow! Let’s lose the weight of disobedience to the Great Commission.