TEXT: Acts 24
*When it comes to the work of missions what we know is that the mission of Christ has been accomplished but the mission for the church is unfinished.
*Missions is not a program of the church it is the whole purpose the church exists!
*The danger for the church in every age is that the church ceases to be a movement and instead becomes a ministry that provides services to people or a place to attend. J.D. Greear
*The purpose of the church is to intentionally engage our culture proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Quote:
“Our mission is not defined by precepts, principles, and priorities but by a person-Jesus Christ.” Russell Moore
I. BELIEF IN THE GOSPEL IMPACTS OUR LIVING AND OUR GIVING
*It’s almost impossible to try and share the Gospel and be a generous giver if what you claim to believe isn’t all that real to you.
Quote:
“Your conscience is your consciousness of what you believe is right or wrong and what you believe is right and wrong is not necessarily the same as what is actually right and wrong.”
1. Our conscience must be cleansed.
Hebrews 9:14
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
2. Our conscience needs calibrated.
3. We need to keep our conscience clear.
4. You can have a calloused conscience.
I Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
*Righteousness
*Temperance
*Judgment
II Corinthians 5:10, 11
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
*Shedding tears and showing concern for our sin is not the same as repentance and change.
*Hell is filled with procrastinators.
*The Spirit convicts through the truth, cleanses us by the truth, comforts us with the truth, and changes us so that we can represent the truth!
John 8:32
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
*The return of Christ will be a wonderful soul thrilling day for freed prisoners but it will also be a horrible moment for fence dwelling procrastinators.
