## Christ's 3-fold Commission

## John 4:35

When we think of the Great Commission, we usually assume that we are talking about the command in Mark to "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" or Matthew's record of "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..." However, tonight I want us to consider the rest of Christ's three-fold command.

I. Look on the fields... John 4:35

A. Many have no vision at all.

1. The Scripture tells us that without vision, people perish.

2. If we are to see the need, we must look on the fields.

3. How can we do this? By being here when missionaries present their particular field of service.

4. God help those who would say, "I'm not going to church tonight, because it is just a missionary speaker."

5. We must realize that God is grieved with that kind of attitude toward the lost and dying world!

B. We must look with discernment.

1. What do you see when you look at the world?

2. Are we just moved emotionally by the faces of the little children?

3. Can we grasp the reality of millions of souls in Hell because we didn't reach them with the gospel?

4. Have bought the lie of the devil that says, "Don't get excited, God is a God of love, He will understand..."?

C. We must realize the urgency of Christ's command.

1. "Say ye not, There are yet four months and then cometh the harvest..."

2. Jesus is saying to His disciples and to us tonight...Don't procrastinate!

3. In the great wheat fields of the plains workers are hired to work day and night to harvest the wheat.

4. Because wheat not harvested is wheat lost...no way to recover it.

5. Can't you hear the urgency in our Lord's voice tonight?

6. "...look on the fields; for they are white already unto harvest"

II. Pray ye therefore... Mt. 9:37-38

A. What is the need?

1. Some will say that we need money, and lots of it.

2. Others might come up with other ideas, but the Lord makes clear what the need truly is.

3. We must pray!

B. How shall we pray?

1. Some pray "Lord, help all those missionaries."

2. A good rule to follow is that when we pray in general, God answers in general.

3. But, when we pray in specific, God will answer in specifics.

4. We are commanded by Christ to pray that God will send forth labourers into His harvest.

C. The need for labourers.

1. We don't need more people, we need more people who are willing to get involved in the harvest.

2. From where will the labourers come?

3. Bible colleges, get them from there!

4. From where do Bible colleges get their students?

5. No matter how we want to look at the need, the only place God calls workers into the harvest is in the local church.

6. We need to be praying that God will call men and women out of this church to serve Him on the mission field.

III. Go to the nations, and to the individual.

A. We cannot go to the nations or to the individuals unless we first:

1. Lift up our eyes and look.

a. it isn't that we are blind

b. it is simply that we are preoccupied with ourselves

c. preoccupation leads to selfishness and selfishness will hinder our involvement in world-wide missions!

2. We must pray about missions.

a. prayer is our source of personnel and power

b. mission work is spiritual work, dealing with the struggle for men's souls

c. we can send missionaries with our money, but if we do not support them with our prayers they will be powerless

B. When we have a proper vision of the work that must be done, and we have prayed for the personnel and preparation for the work then we can:

1. Go to all nations...

2. Go to every creature...

3. Go to the regions beyond...

4. Go to the uttermost part of the earth...

What will you do for missions? Will you make an investment for eternity? Jesus commands us to "Look" what do you see? He commands us to "Pray" will you? He commands us to "Go" are you willing to go? Holding the ropes. Will you be obedient to God tonight? Ask God what He would have you do to reach this world for Christ, and then do it!