2021 Faith Promise MIssions Conference

We get monthly reports from our missionaries. Those reports often have thank yous in them. They have praises in them along with prayer requests for their ministry. It is a joy to read about the the thankfulness of the missionaries that we support for praying for them, for supporting them with our finances so that they can minister. It's it's a blessing to hear about the souls that have been saved and the churches that have been planted and those reports by the way are on the left side of that big table back there in front of the window and you are welcome to grab some for yourself and read them.

I would encourage you to do so. Well, I want to read a similar declaration here written in a letter by the apostle Paul. The apostle Paul was an apostle. The apostle Paul was also a missionary. A missionary, an apostle to the Gentiles and he wrote this letter to the church in Philippi, a church that he had planted.

To encourage them, to praise them for what he had heard about them, to thank them for their prayers, and to thank them for their financial support that they had sent to him to help in his ministry. In Philippians chapter four, I'm going to begin reading in verse 10. We're going to read ten and eleven and then go over to verse 14. So, Philippians four verse 10. But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last, your care of me had flourished again whereof you were also careful but you lacked opportunity.

Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Verse 14, notwithstanding, you have done well, that you did communicate with my affliction. Now, you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica, you sent once and again unto my necessity, not because I desire a gift but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all and abound.

I am full having received of Epaphroditus, the things which were sent from you, an odor of of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God but my God shall supply all your need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Let's pray once more. Lord, thank you for your word today. The encouragement that we find here in regards to missions. That we have this wonderful opportunity to be a part of these ministries all around the world.

To be a part of the salvation of lost souls. And places around the world. One day, we will have an opportunity to meet many of these in heaven. And thank you for what you've done. For what you have given to us, entrusted to us, to be used in the ministry of missions.

We thank you, Lord. We thank you for the increase. For those that have been saved. And we pray Lord that you would direct us, that you would encourage us in this ministry today. That we might be willing to give of ourselves, our time, our prayers, and our finances that it might continue to grow.

In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. Want us to notice a couple things from this passage and then I'm going to look at that pamphlet and explain a little bit about our missions ministry this morning. I want us to see first of all, how greatly Paul was blessed and encouraged by this gift. And as he mentioned there, it was not that he couldn't go on without it.

The Lord took care of him and the Lord would enable him to minister with whatever the Lord supplied him with. But it was a blessing for him to receive their gift, to to use it in the ministry of the Lord and in the ministry of the gospel. It was a blessing to him to know that they were thinking about him and that his ministry was important to them and the ministry of the of the evangelism of the lost. That he was a part in all around Europe and Asia. So, first of all, I want us to see that giving to missions is a blessing.

It is a great blessing to those who God have called on the field. For them to receive the funds that God has entrusted us with to help them. It is a blessing to them and that they can do more ministry. It's a blessing to them that they can take care of their families. It's a blessing to them to know that we are praying and thinking about them and I hope that we are.

I hope as you give to missions, you are thinking about who you are giving that money to. I hope you'll take some of those prayer lists and read them. I hope you'll take time from our Wednesday prayer list to pray for our missionaries. Maybe pick one and kind of adopt that missionary. Maybe send them an Email.

Let them know that you personally are praying for them. It is an incredible blessing. Second of all, it's not only a blessing to them but it is fruit for us. As Paul mentioned here, he says, I I thank the Lord that you gave not only for my benefit but also that fruit may abound to your account because as we give and people get saved, that also goes on our account with God. That's laying up treasure where?

In heaven. You know the only thing you are going to take to heaven when you leave this place are the souls of those who you have touched with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The souls of those you have encouraged, you have helped, you have ministered to. None of this will take with us. None of that money we have.

None of those buildings we have. None of those electronics we have. None of those things go with us. Only the souls that come to Christ And we can have a part in winning souls to Christ in China, in England, in Brazil, in Puerto Rico, and Uruguay, in Mexico, in Peru, and I forget what that one is. Right at the moment.

But we can have the opportunity to be part of winning souls and we may not even know here but in heaven one day, In heaven one day, we will. And so, it's not only a blessing to the missionaries but it is it is a blessing to us and to the Lord and particularly to those who come to know Christ as savior. It is fruit that abounds to our account in heaven someday. And then Paul encouraged them with this. He says, know this, that my God shall supply all your what?

All your needs according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. God is going to take care of us. He says, but seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. God says, you put me first, you put the kingdom of God first. God says, I will take care of you.

I will. Watch and see. We have been blessed. My family to be in the ministry. We've also been blessed to be able to give our tithe each week to the church.

We've also been blessed to be able to give considerable amount to missions each month and the church, I was youth pastor at in Georgia and this church here. And God has always taken care of us. I have a son. He'll be a senior in college next year. The Lord has provided for him and for us.

I've got another one in Christian school. The Lord has provided for him and for us. I've got vehicles to drive. I've got clothes to put on. And in more important ways than those.

A church to minister to. A church to pray with Christians to fellowship with. The Lord takes care of us but he asks us to seek first the what? The kingdom of God. How do we do that?

Well, we spend time in his word. We spend time on our knees in prayer and talking with our God. We spend time in church. We spend time in telling others about Jesus. And we spend time supporting worldwide missions.

Which this church does and very well I believe. For such a small church. But I believe maybe we can do just a little bit more. And I would encourage you to. If you want to take out the pamphlet that is in your bulletin this morning.

It explains Faith Promise Missions at our church and and how we do this and I'm just going to take a few minutes to explain this and I'm going to start by reading another passage from first Corinthians chapter 16. First Corinthians chapter 16. You know, Paul not only received money but Paul also collected money to take back to the churches in Jerusalem. You see, the churches in Jerusalem where the church originated were under great duress. There was also a famine in the area and they were struggling and they were hurting.

So, you know something? These churches that Paul planted in Asia Minor which is Turkey today and in Greece and in other places, they were burdened as Paul told them about the plight of the church in Jerusalem. These churches he had planted, they were burdened to give back to the churches in Jerusalem to help them in their time of need. So, they asked Paul if he could take a collection back to the churches in Jerusalem. Isn't that an awesome story?

What a blessing and so Paul was glad to do so and in first Corinthians 16, he writes, now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you. Upon the first day of the week, let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever you shall prove by your letters, then will I send to bring your liberality, your generosity unto Jerusalem. So, Paul said, don't wait for me to come to collect the funds, collect the funds on a weekly, monthly basis. So, when I come, it'll be ready and I can add it to the the collections from other churches to take back to the church in Jerusalem.

Furthermore, in second Corinthians nine, six, and seven, he writes that which is up on the screen here. He says, but I say but this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly. He which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give not grudgingly nor of necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver. Paul said to them, don't give what somebody else gives.

Don't give because you feel like you have to give. Give because you want. You want to give. And again, specifically here he's talking about this collection for the saints in Jerusalem. He said, give freely.

Give willingly. Give what God puts on your what? What God puts on your heart. Not what your friend puts on your heart, not what your preacher puts on your heart. You give what God puts on your heart.

Now, how are you going to find out what God wants you to give to missions or whatever the special offering may be? Well, you need to talk to who? You need to talk to God. You need to ask God. God, what would you have me to give?

And then whatever God lays on your heart, you can give it how? Cheerfully. And faithfully. So that the missionaries can be blessed so that the missions of the gospel can grow so that God can be a blessing to you. In even greater ways.

And so one day, you can meet souls in heaven that have come to know Christ through your giving. That's what Faith Promise Missions is about. If you look on your outline there, if you want to follow, you don't normally get an outline for Sunday but you do today. I wrote, it is a scriptural method of supporting worldwide missions. It's not the only method.

You may decide you personally want to give to somebody outside the local church and there are other ministries that support missionaries and those sort of things. Not the only way to give but it is a scriptural way to support missionaries. It is number one and entirely free will offering. It is not the tithe. It is not taken as a matter of law or necessity but given freely as God leads, as God prospers.

For for faith promise to work the way it's supposed to. We encourage you to give to the church, to the general fund, your tithe, your offering, whatever it is and then ask the Lord what he would give to ask you to give above that to missions. That is what we do personally. But it is free will, entirely free will. Number two, it is given for a specific purpose.

As the churches were giving to Paul for the for the needs of the saints in Jerusalem as the members of Philippi gave to the church an offering to take to Paul. It's a it's a given for a specific purpose, for needs outside the local congregation, for missionaries, and missions project. What is given goes into a separate account only to be used for missions as voted on by the church. So, it doesn't go in my pocket, doesn't go in anybody else's pocket here, doesn't go for building renovations, doesn't go for curriculum here at the church. Missions money goes to missionaries and missions projects.

As voted on by the church. Number three, it is given on the first day of the week as a commitment. On a weekly or monthly basis, through the local church, as a local church has been commanded to go into all the world and want. Preach the gospel. And so it is through the local church.

We collect it on a weekly or monthly basis. However, you want to give. This allows us as a church to be confident that we can allocate those funds to certain missionaries on a monthly basis or special projects as needed. Number four, it is given, committed, or promised in faith of the Lord's provision. As you ask the Lord what you he would have you to give, we base our goal for the year and what we give to our missionaries on what comes in in the month of May.

If you'll notice, there is a card stapled to that pamphlet. We do not collect that card. That is only for your benefit. We don't turn them in. We don't collect them.

That is simply there to remind you to pray and ask the Lord what he would have you to give. We base our monthly goal on what comes in on the month of May. And then, based on that, we make plans for our giving for the year to missionaries. And as we do and we give in the month of May, as you write something down personally or make a mental note, it is given in faith trusting the Lord that I can do this each each month. That's why it's called faith promise missions.

Is an exercise of our faith trusting God to provide both for our needs and for our missionaries. Can can can God do that? Can God do that? Yes. Matter of fact, he has said he will.

If we will be willing to give not only of our finances but of ourselves. It's a scriptural method of supporting worldwide missions. It's a method of supporting worldwide missions through the local church. It encourages individual responsibility and participation in worldwide missions and giving, and praying and going and I hope that you'll do all of those as you are given opportunity to pray for the missionaries, to give to the missionaries, and to go and take tracks and go with the word of God to your neighbor across the street. All of that's part of worldwide missions.

It can be a very effective means of supporting world evangelism. If done properly, it will provide both for the church's local needs and missions outreach. And the Lord has taken care of us here. We've been doing it now this ways for the most part since I've been here and going back before that, they were doing some form of faith promise missions before I came and guess what? The needs of the church have been taken care of.

The needs of the missionaries have been taken care of and we've been able to take on new missionaries. We've been able to do some big projects around the church that needed to be done too. The Lord keeps his promises if we are willing to trust and to follow him. How does Faith Promise Missions work? Attend as many of the conference services possible.

Commit yourself to pray for our missionaries. Don't just give. Please, when you give, what? Pray. You know, God answers prayer.

Which is more powerful? Prayer? Or this? You tell me. Which is more powerful?

Prayer is more powerful. So, don't just give, pray. Pray for the missionaries. Pray for that the funds that you give to go to them will result in the salvation of lost souls. And in the blessing of those missionaries.

Pray for God's guidance in making a year long commitment. Make a commitment in giving to missions by filling out that faith promise card. Again, we don't collect it. We set our monthly goal based upon what we give in the month of May. We have a little gauge right here.

It looks like a clock. Right now, it's at 100% because we just kept our faith promise missions go monthly goal the same as previous years. See, we didn't have missions conference this past year and we continue to give almost exactly the same around about the same amount as we did the year before COVID and the Lord blessed and we reached our goal. It's 100% at the top there. Once we get our new goal in at the end of May, we'll begin starting going around the clock and if I keep up with it, which I struggle to sometimes, you'll be able to see how we're doing with reaching our missions goal.

And then give what the Lord has laid on your heart monthly or weekly as he provides. You must use a church offering envelope or otherwise designate the amount specifically for missions. So, when you give the missions, you need to use the envelopes and normally, they're not there this morning but next week, they'll be back on the back table back there. When you get the envelopes, you write down your name and number on a pad and all that but if you use those, then, you can mark how much you want to go to missions on the envelope or you can write it on the check. So, but you have to do that.

So, we will know that it's going specifically to missions. So, designated funds will be kept in a separate account, only approved for missions, and God will never to provide if we commit ourselves and resources to his service. This builds trust and faith in God in a numerous areas of life. Why should I get in involved in faith promise missions? Why?

Because you can have a part in God's plan for world evangelism. You can be a missionary. You can support a missionary. You can partner with a missionary. And see souls come to Christ all over the world.

See churches planted. See ministries grow. See servants of the Lord trained. In ministry. You can serve God with other Christians in this endeavor.

You can enjoy the blessings and rewards that come as a result of sacrificial giving and seeing the lost souls come to Christ. God challenges us to lay up treasure where? In heaven. What greater treasure is there than a safe soul? God promises to give more unto us when we give of ourselves and our resources and service to others.

If you sow sparingly, you're going to what? Reap sparingly but if you sow bountifully, you're going to what? Reap bountifully. Now, does he mean that you give $10 you're going to get a 100? No.

We are not preaching the prosperity gospel. God's blessings don't always come in what? Dollar bills. But there are far greater blessings than dollar bills. And God will often give through you what he may not otherwise give to you.

The day is coming when the master shall return To see what has been accomplished with the talents which he has entrusted to us. There's a parable about that, you know. The servants, the the stewards of the house, the master left to go, some other place for a time. He entrusted money, talents, with his stewards and when he came back, he took an accounting of what they did with what he had entrusted them with. Two of them had used their talents, invested them, used them, and were able to give more back to the master than what they were given.

The third had just hid his in the dirt and done nothing with it. The two were praised. The one was not. Which will we be? One day, the master will return And what will we have to lay at his feet?

What treasures will we have laid up in heaven? With what he has given. Or will we have spent all our time, energy, and money on things that are passing away. There's really One thing on this Earth you can take to heaven The lives of those you have touched with the word of God. Whether you've talked to them personally or handed them a track or supported and prayed for missionaries who did the same.

Will there be anyone in heaven? Because of you. Will there be anyone in heaven because you gave them a track? Will there be anyone in heaven because you showed them the love of Christ? Will there be anyone in heaven because you gave them the gospel?

Will there be anyone in heaven because you were involved in the ministries of the church? Will there be anyone in heaven because you gave and supported missionaries who took the gospel of Jesus Christ. Will there be any souls there? Because of you. Because that is the most important treasure we can ever have because it will be eternal and so are the souls who trust Christ.

Let's pray. Dear Lord, thank you. Thank you Lord for Those who brought the gospel to us so that we could be saved. We pray Lord if there's one in here today that's never trusted Christ as savior. As we sing this hymn of invitation that you would that you would convict them of their sin, that you would open up their heart to see the love of Christ.

That they might come today as we sing and I'll meet them down here and show them. Through your word, the wage of salvation. Lord, I pray they would come and Lord, for those of us who are here this morning, who know you, I pray Lord. I ask Lord. I request of you that you would work in our hearts to open up our eyes to see the opportunities that are before us.

That you would open our heart, convict us, Lord, of the hardness of our heart. If we have put temporal things of earth above eternal things in heaven. Before the souls of people. And Lord that we might be that we might commit ourselves to you in service. In telling others the gospel and passing out tracks and get involved in ministry here.

In supporting missionaries with our prayers and and finances as you provide and Lord, if you if you call by going ourselves to win souls to the savior. Lord, may we be softhearted today and may you do a mighty work in Missouri Avenue Baptist Church, we do pray. In Jesus name, amen.