Mission

[0:00] Luke 19 and verse 10. It says, For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

[0:12] ! Firstly, note the meaning and purpose of mission.

[0:55] Really, the meaning and purpose. People long for meaning and purpose for their lives in general. But there's something more for us that believe. The meaning and purpose of life is fully found in that Christ commitment, in that call of God to serve Him.

[1:12] And as the saying goes, there's a saying that goes, There goes a man on a mission. Or there goes a woman on a mission, you could say. Instead of someone who's got purpose, they've got some intent, there's some resolve there.

[1:27] There's a determination. They're going on a mission. And when we think of missionaries, we think, of course, of those men and women of God who've taken that missionary call and gone to other lands to take the message of the gospel to a foreign culture.

[1:44] But really, it's much, much wider than that. It's much, much more all-encompassing, the idea of mission and missionaries. Now, you've got a pastor here. He's your home missionary, really, isn't he?

[1:56] The ones that minister on the home front, on the mission field, just as much as those that are in other lands. But really, every believer, in a way, is a missionary.

[2:07] Every one of you that believe is a missionary. Really, there's only one cause worthy of your life. It's a big part of God's plan. And that applies to every single believer.

[2:19] To spread the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's something that you can do, each one who knows him tonight. Meaning and purpose. It's been said of the Nazis that in order to utterly crush a man, they would give him work that was utterly and totally meaningless.

[2:35] There was a time where, in World War II, there was hundreds of Jewish prisoners that were surviving on the morsels they were fed in these disease-infested barracks.

[2:48] And it was gruesome, back-breaking work that they were given day after day, working in a factory. One day, the Allied aircraft bombers destroyed that factory where they had worked.

[2:58] So the next morning, the hundreds of inmates were rounded up and herded to the place where the charred remains of that factory were. And the Nazi officer commanded them to shovel cartloads of sand and drag them from one end of the grounds to the other.

[3:16] And the next day, the process was repeated in the reverse. They took that same mound of dirt and shifted it to the other side of the grounds, the other part of the compound.

[3:27] And they thought, well, maybe a mistake has been made when they asked us to shift it. But no, day after day, they hauled that pile of sand from one end to the other, and then the next day, from there, back again, from one end of the camp to the other.

[3:41] And as people were doing this, there were some who started to weep uncontrollably and the guards called him away as he screamed and was beaten into silence. Another time, there was ones who ran towards the electric flight fence and cried out as the blinding flash and the terrible noise destroyed them.

[4:02] And others of the prisoners went mad over this meaningless act of... that utterly purposeless act that they were given to fulfil.

[4:12] and that they were shot by the guards or electrocuted by the fence. And friends, it's a picture for us of how human beings are born with a compelling purpose, to have some purpose, some meaning to life, something that is important, something that they can cling to, that makes sense.

[4:32] even for these in this camp, even if it was working for a support, supporting a cause that they actually hated, at least it was meaning and purpose when they have some act of creating something in the factory.

[4:46] But the meaningless and the purposelessness that they were sent to here was destroying their mind and ruining their life because it didn't have that meaning and that purpose.

[4:56] And it's the same for every believer, meaning and purpose. And really and truly, our true meaning and purpose for life is found in Christ, isn't it? To know the Saviour, it's found in His plan for our lives.

[5:08] And that plan that we have is also including telling others of God's plan. It's showing others of God's saving grace.

[5:19] Sharing that message. Go tell it on the mountain. Tell people about the Saviour that He's come. That there is true life and salvation found through His name.

[5:30] And it's part of our life's mission. Truly, we can be a man, a woman with purpose. A man, a woman with a mission to fulfil. Now, our Lord's mission, what to be our mission?

[5:41] As we read, our Lord, it says that this is the purpose why He came. It says that the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

[5:53] Our last mission ought to be the same, the very same thing. The Lord wants His church to produce men and women who likewise will trust and follow the Saviour, who know His Saviour grace.

[6:05] Matthew 28, verses 18 through 20. We see that great commission of the church, if you'd like to turn there. Matthew 28, from verse 18. Those familiar words of our Saviour's commission to His church.

[6:18] From Matthew 28, from verse 18. It reads, And Jesus came and spake to them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

[6:30] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising 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.

[6:44] And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Our Lord says, verse 19, Go ye. And that word ye, it means you and me.

[6:56] It's all encompassing for every believer that He addressed there, and really the church that He addressed, effectively, we are that same body, aren't we? Go ye. It applies to you and me as well.

[7:08] This is our purpose. This is our mission. Consider today's mission field, if you will. And today's mission field, as I say, the mission field isn't about other countries necessarily, excluding Australia.

[7:21] It includes this land, doesn't it? The mission field is the whole world, going into the whole world. In today's modern Western world, it's been said that 80% of the population rarely darken the doorstep of a church.

[7:35] Of course, we know that, probably, it's much worse than that for those who would darken the doorstep of a Bible-believing, fair-dinkum church. We know that the large majority of people never going to go near such a church, let alone, would hear the gospel and be saved.

[7:54] And I was reflecting lately on the scripture, that in part it says in Jeremiah 8 verse 20, Jeremiah 8 verse 20, the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

[8:08] Friends, this is a very shameful, shocking verse, isn't it? That we could reflect on for ourselves, that the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

[8:21] Of course, it's the sense of, of that lost estate, of the many, are not saved. What a tragic truth it is, that many are not saved, and the time will come, when the harvest is ended.

[8:34] For the meantime, it's still harvest time, for the present, but one day, in time, the harvest will be ended, and many will not be saved. And when life is ended, the large majority are saved.

[8:46] Just that. We are not saved. God is not willing, that any should perish. And we lost forever. There's an opportunity, and we are part of that mission, to tell that truth, of his saving.

[9:00] God is not willing, that any should perish. But the awful truth is, that most will, come to the end, of their earthly journey, and they're going to say, just what the people said there, in Jeremiah 8, verse 20.

[9:11] We are not saved. They'll come to that realisation. I am not saved. And friends, if there's any here, present, or hearing this, that you can know, you can be saved.

[9:22] You can be saved, by the grace of God. While you've still got bread, you can be saved, if you get to be saved. It's a kind of sad reflection. I was in discussion, with a man recently, a professing believer, who wrote to me, and he said, he's mistakenly believed, that he can lose, his salvation.

[9:42] He says, he wrote these words, he said, I am not saved yet, as I'm still being sanctified. sanctified. Quite wrong doctrine.

[9:53] This man, sadly, has totally missed the fact, that salvation is, a present tense possession. We can know salvation, in the here and now, in the present time, in the present day, and, and, mistakenly, taught, such an untruth.

[10:38] Sadly, it's astounding, that many have, this, unbiblical view, of salvation, that they, don't possess it, they can't, even confess, that they are saved.

[10:50] And, they have no clear testimony, of biblical salvation, to think, that such a man, could, think such a thing, despite the many scriptures, that tell us, that we can be saved, present tense, there's many verses, that I shared with you, that tell us, just that, that we are saved, by grace, you are saved, through faith, you are saved, saved, S-A-V-E-D, we can know that today, present tense, that we are saved, and there's many others.

[11:16] And, friends, there's a fact today, that multitudes, are dying, lost, right here in Australia. Even people of church persuasion, who might have some, grasp of scripture, yet, be sadly mistaken, many will say, in that day, the summer is ended, the harvest has passed, we are not saved.

[11:36] God forbid, that would be true for you. The many are, as multitudes, in the valley of decision. They die, lost, and they go into, the blackness and torment, of an eternal hell.

[11:48] And, the suburban church, must be a missionary organisation, every church, every Bible believing church, such as this one, and others in our city, we ought to, each one of us, be a missionary organisation, that's a witness for Christ, to our local community, rather than, just being a haven for the holy.

[12:07] Now there's that, persuasion at times, where we can be a holy club, and not be reaching out. I know this church, is not such a thing, but we ought to be, a missionary organisation. We are meant to be, seeking and saving the lost, just as our saviour did.

[12:22] Missionaries used to live, in the tropics, but really, missionaries now live, in the suburbs. There's a sense, where there's missionaries, in the city of Adelaide, and we need some, missionaries in the city of church, as so called, don't we?

[12:33] We have a mandate, to take this message. There's a tremendous need, that's all around us, even in this proximity, even in this fair country town, and in the city of Adelaide, and suburbs around.

[12:44] There's many needs, there's many lost, many will say, we are not saved. Now, there's some figures here, I wanted to quote, and they're really, they're American figures, but they're American statistics, but the trends here, in America, are probably, just as likely, so in Australia, if not worse, I think.

[13:02] And they're quoting here, 70 to 80% of all church growth, in America, is not growth at all, and is people moving, from one church to another. That's a problem, isn't it?

[13:13] We want to be reaching lost souls, we don't want necessarily, transfer to growth. It's been said, 95% of Americans, believe in a God, small genie, of some sort. So there's a lot of religiosity, out there.

[13:25] Spirituality, if you like. Nearly three, Americans in four, believe there is no such thing, as absolute truth. They don't believe, there's an absolute truth. Three out of four people.

[13:35] Now they deny, that there is absolute truth, but of course we know, absolutely there is, absolute truth. The word of God. It's statistically, clear that evangelicals, don't live any differently, than other Americans, when it comes to ethics, and lifestyle.

[13:51] For some, it's just lip service, isn't it? Less than 40% of Americans, attend church. I'd say that, Australian statistics, are probably worse than that. That's, only 60% of American adults, gave money to a church, in the past year.

[14:06] A majority of people, who become Christians, drop out of church, within six to eight weeks. You know, they make a profession, but then, they're missing. Friends, the sad, sad statistics, about the church, we're meant to be, a missionary organisation, that's enriching our city, that's, touching lives, that's winning souls, and yet, we're missing the mark, quite often, I think, the church line loves.

[14:29] So, what is God's plan? God's plan, is that we be a missionary outpost. And, friends, it is a hostile frontier, that we're in, isn't it? I know, I was talking with other brothers, lately, of how, there's a hostility, to the gospel.

[14:42] There's, there's an animosity, there's a disregard, there's a neglect, of the gospel. Yet, we are meant to be those, who are part of the search and rescue operation. I like to think of that scripture, how the son of man is, is said to, to, to seek and to save, that which was lost.

[15:00] And it's the same for you and me. We, we're the search and rescue team, aren't we really? We, we're more important than the SES, and the CFS, and everything else. We are the search and rescue, the, the, the sole search and rescue team, that should be reaching out, that missionary, um, endeavour, that we should, be part of.

[15:18] And when we think about missionaries, we can see, some of the pioneer missionaries of old. I know, people might like to read, biographies, I know someone's talking about, a missionary, lately with me, and how, it's really good to read, biographies of missionaries, and the revivalists, and reformers, and missionaries of old.

[15:36] It's quite inspiring. And one such pioneer missionary, we could, uh, hear about, for example, is William Carey. William Carey, if you've ever felt, the immensity of the task before you, uh, of, of being discouraged, maybe, when you're trying to witness to friends, to schoolmates, and workmates, and people that you're associated with.

[15:55] It can be discouraging, when you're trying to reach out, and you get knockbacks. Have a, think about, the story of William Carey. He had so many obstacles, and opposition, to his ministry, as a missionary.

[16:08] So many frustrations, and failures. So we can take heart, as we consider, for example, just the one example, of this man of God, William Carey. And God used William Carey, to launch the modern missionary movement, that we know today.

[16:22] And he faced all these things, and much, much more. William Carey, he was undereducated, underfunded, and underestimated. Everything was against him. He was brought up, in abject poverty.

[16:35] He never had the benefit, of a high school education. Yet, Carey's formal education, while it ended, in junior high school, junior school rather, at age 12, Carey taught himself.

[16:48] He taught himself, Latin, and went on to master, Greek, and Hebrew, and French, and Dutch. And later in life, he became a professor, of Bengali, Sanskrit, and Marathi, in a college in Calcutta, which was quite a significant college, called Fort William Corrie College.

[17:08] And Carey and his co-workers, they started over 100 Christian schools, for over 8,000 Indian children, of all castes. And he launched, the first Christian college in Asia, which continues to this day.

[17:22] Carey's work, included translating the Bible, into six languages, six languages, and New Testaments, and Gospels, into 29 other languages. And when you think about it, Carey's achievements, were really quite astounding, given the fact that, his bold project, to plant the Gospel, reaching the Hindus in India, was actually, completely illegal.

[17:45] By an act of British Parliament, it was illegal, for anyone to do missionary work, in India. And yet, for the first 20 years, Carey's mission, has to be carried out, with care, and with regards, of all of that, to avoid, I guess, him, getting into, legal strife.

[18:02] But Carey, was subjected, to vicious criticism, and gossip, as well, throughout, his ministry. And under the extreme, Indian heat, he had to cope, with snakes, and crocodiles, and tigers, and mosquitoes, and also, sadly, Carey's wife, Dorothy, went insane.

[18:22] Imagine that, on several occasions, she attacked him, with a knife, and she was diagnosed, as insane, and had to be, physically restrained, for 12 years, of her life. But Carey's also, lost her five-year-old son, Peter, who died of dysentery, and every family member, suffered malaria, dysentery, and other tropical diseases.

[18:43] Carey's first co-worker, squandered all their money, and bankrupted the mission, forcing William, to work on a plantation, to support, his malnourished family. And in the first, seven months in India, the Carey's had to, relocate five times.

[19:00] And although, Carey wrote home frequently, to his family admission, it was 17 months, before they received, their first letter. And even one of those, first letters, criticized Carey, for being swallowed up, in the pursuits, of a merchant.

[19:15] Somehow, while often sick, holding down, a full-time secular job, surrounded by domestic turmoil, with an insane wife, screaming from the next room, Carey mastered, Bengali, and Sanskrit.

[19:29] And by 1797, the New Testament, was translated, into Bengali, and ready for printing. He established, several schools, and was preaching regularly, in Bengali, the Indian tongue.

[19:41] However, after seven years, seven years, of tireless toil, in India, Carey still did not, have a single convert. Imagine the discouragement, of this pioneer missionary.

[19:54] How did Carey manage, to maintain, such a productive schedule? How did he manage, to cope, with those crushing, disappointments, the endless distractions, the undeserved criticism, the physical ailments, and the heartbreaking tragedies?

[20:11] How did he manage, to persevere, and to endure, to keep on, keeping on, without even a single convert, to encourage, and justify, all of his effort, and sacrifice?

[20:23] It took resolute faith. William Carey, was totally sold out, to serving Christ. We can learn, from him, can't we today?

[20:34] Take a leaf, from William Carey's book, in these modern times, and really, have much more, convenience, really, don't be in comparison. William Carey, that's just one, one missionary, we can talk about.

[20:46] For another example, we can look at, the Bible missionary, Paul himself, and someone has written, a kind of tongue-in-cheek, response to, the Apostle Paul, as if he was, writing to them, to apply, to make an application, to apply, to be a missionary, and there was, a tongue-in-cheek, response, that someone's, penned here, from the mission, as it were, and saying, there's so many problems, with Paul, he just wouldn't be suitable, he just would totally, be not a suitable candidate, to be a missionary, and so they, were, were against, Paul, saying he had, such severe, eye trouble, you know, he had some, physical ailment, a thorn in the flesh, we could surmise, it might have been, eye trouble, or some other, physical handicap, maybe that would, write him off, as a missionary, and the, the kind of, tongue-in-cheek, response, that they wrote here, I'll just quote, some of that, financial pressures, Paul knew some, financial pressures, do you think, it's seemly, for a missionary, to do part-time, secular work, we have heard, that you're making, tents on the side, in a letter, to the church, at Philippi, you admitted, they were the only, church supporting you, we wonder why, public opinion, was against him, is it true, that you have a jail record, certain brethren, report you did, two years time, in Caesarea, and was imprisoned, at Rome, you made so much, trouble for the, businessmen, at Ephesus, they referred to you, as one of the men, who turned the world, upside down, sensationalism, has no place, in missions, we also, before the lurid, over the wall, episode of Damascus, we're appalled, at your obvious, lack of, conciliatory behavior, diplomatic men, are not stoned, and dragged out, of the city gate, or assaulted, by furious mobs, have you ever suspected, that gentleman words, might gain you more friends,

[22:34] I enclosed a copy, of Dallius Canega's book, How to Win Jews, and Influence Greeks, and public opinion, was against him, radical faith, he was, obviously, quite, forthright, in, in the, messages, that he gave, as the Lord, stood behind him, and someone, might criticize him, for that, and goes on, to say, in a recent sermon, he said, God forbid, that I should glory, in anything, save the cross of Christ, it seems, you ought to glory, in our heritage, in our denominational program, or this or that, they wanted some praise, to their mission, but he wanted, to give all the glory, to God, God forbid, that I should glory, in anything, but the cross of Christ, they criticized, Paul, for how he was committed, to delivering, the word of God, your sermons, and taking too long, one place, you talked until midnight, and a young man, was so sleepy, that he fell out of the window, and broke his knee, it's reported, that Dr. Luke says, you're a thin little man, bald, frequently sick, and always so, entertained, over your churches, that you sleep, very poorly, and you wrote, to Timothy, to fight a good fight, fighting is hardly, a recommendation, from a missionary, you boast,

[23:50] I've fought with wild beasts, at Ephesus, what on earth do you mean, of course, it could be, people that were wild beasts, at Ephesus, so he goes on and on, we could see, the part, the tongue in cheek, reference there, to Paul, that there could be, many reasons, why in a human, way of looking at things, he might be discounted, that's not suitable, to be a missionary, he didn't have, enough financial support, he had public opinion, against him, he wasn't diplomatic, he talked about, fighting the faith, whereas some today, would say, it's more about, being accommodating, and such, but of course, we know, that that is just, what we want to be, we should be, uncompromising, like Paul was, can you think, friends today, of a greater cause, that can occupy, your intent, and your energy, a noble purpose, in life, a noble mission, that you can engage in, to serve the living God, maybe God is calling you, to serve, afar, or closer, at hand, there's, a whole mission field, out there, and like it's been said, that, every man, outside of Christ, is a mission field, and every man, who is in Christ, is a missionary, every man and woman, who is in Christ, you are a missionary, and those who are, outside of Christ, they're the mission field, so the mission field, is as close, as the front door here, isn't it, really, brothers and sisters tonight, so what about you, and about me, when we think about this, that is God's plan, that God's plan, is to send missionaries, and that we are, the answer to that call, every believer, in that real sense of it, every believer, is a missionary, and that's not to discount, that the ultimate, of those who would, would take a call, to actually go to another country, and minister, but don't neglect, the mission field, that is on your doorstep, people here today, every one of us, can be a missionary, there's a part, that you can play, every believer, and you might have the, thought that, what about, little old me, what can I do, you know, who am I, there's a part, that you can play, everyone that is here tonight, that knows the saviour, when you think about, little things, they can, be very important, even just little components, in your, you're driving, your car around, if one little component, is missing in your car, then it could be disastrous, and it'll stop it functioning, and it's been said, of spacecraft, and such things, as for example, the Space Shuttle Columbia, there was something, little, in the spaceship,

[26:27] Columbia, that, caused a delay, in its second flight, and the Space Shuttle's flight, was postponed, simply because, of a clogged, oil filter, now it's just a little bit, of a problem, with the oil, five quarts of oil, that needed a change, it was worth, maybe $25, they reckon, set back, the American space mission, and, cost American taxpayers, approximately, $3 million, a day, just that $25, of the clogged, oil filter, and in, the 1960s, someone forgot, to remove the dust cover, on a Saturn rocket, and its giant engine, shut down, on another occasion, a costly satellite, was lost, because, it's just a punctuation mark, missing, from the computer program, and, in the early, return, of the Apollo 13, in 1917, it was a multi-million dollar, moon landing, that was aborted, was cut short, because, a short circuit, was caused, by a piece of wire, worth about 50 cents, so just something small, caused a complete, disaster, for,

[27:39] America's space program, on a number of occasions, and think of it again, for yourself, just if one small component, of your car, is not working, it will, basically not run, and, I'm trying to illustrate, the point, that, every believer, is important, every part of the body, has a function, to fulfill, don't we, and you know, I know, it can be a mistake, it can be a mistake, in my church, and I'm sure, it can happen here, where the pastor, he keeps everything, on the pastor, and friends, he's only one man, that we all need, to do our part, as a body, we've all got a part, to play, and especially, in that part of missions, we're all called, to missions, don't let it be, that we have any thought, that the missionaries, are doing it all, we don't do anything, but we've got a mission, all around this building, all around this town, this region, that this can be, a missionary organization, that makes an impact, and that means, you and me, as those small parts, of that body, those small, we might feel, that we're a small part, that we can play, but your small part, that you can play, is important, because we can all, play a part, in God's plan, for many, and we can be, a disciple, ourselves, being one, who's willing, to receive, and learn, and grow, and strong, strengthen, in your faith, being one, who's willing, to give out, those tracts, you know, the, the invites, to the special meeting, coming up, there's opportunities, you can go, and who knows, whether that, that small act, of passing out, that leaflet, might be, a life changing, an eternity changing, impact, pray for people, to be saved, we can all, make an impact, in our, social circle, in our circle, of influence, there's people, that you know, that you can, already relate to, as, as a, a co-worker, or a friend, an acquaintance, you can reach them, for Christ, don't neglect, to take, that opportunity, when it comes to missions, may we have, the mindset, no half measures, no half measures, that we pull out, all the stops, we stop making excuses, for why we're not, reaching out, we, we stop making, all the, excuses, those, those weak, excuses, that we, tend to use, while we're not, doing it, it says in Ecclesiastes, 9 verse 10, in part, it says, whatsoever thou, hand, findeth to do, do it, with thy mind, and whatever God's, put on your heart, to do, do it with your mind, do that, which God has, put on your heart, to do, wholeheartedly, with all your, mind, and strength, and will, give of your best, to the master, hold not back, from doing something, for Christ, and friends,

[30:31] I, I like to, to urge, also, that we don't have, the mindset, of late time, older, of late time, more qualified, of late time, more trained, that, that we've got some, day in the future, and we keep putting it off, and when we're going, to get around to it, it's a big trap, isn't it, don't make that trap, don't fall for that trap, that you're going, wait until you, you feel more confident, as a Christian, as a, as a newborn Christian, you can still be a witness, for Christ, you can still tell another, of your saviour, and, in talking about, this same verse, in Ecclesiastes 9, 10, whatsoever thou, hand findeth to do, do that, with all thy might, Ecclesiastes 9, 10, Spurgeon, was preaching on this text, and he said this, if Christ Jesus, should lead, the upper world, and come into the midst, of this hall, this morning, what answer, would you give, if after showing you, his wounded hands, and feet, and his red side, he should put this question, to you, I have done, all this for thee, what hast thou done, for me, because we know, there's a song, along that theme, and, let me put that question, for him, and in his behalf, you have known his love, so have you, for two years, so have you, 30, 20, 10, 3, 1, he has done, all this for you, has bled away, his precious life, has died in agony, and his most exquisite, upon the cross, what have you done, for him, turn over your diary now, can you remember, the contributions, you've given, out of your wealth, or what do they amount to, add them up, think of what you've done, for him, how much of your time, have you spent, in his service, add that up, turn over another week, and then observe, how much time, you have spent, in praying, for the progress, of his kingdom, what have you done then, add that up,

[32:21] I will do so, for myself, and I can say, without a boast, I have laboured, to serve God, and I have been in labours, more abundant, but when I come, to add all up, and set, what I have done, side by side, with what I owe, to Christ, it is less than nothing, and vanity, he says, all this I have done, for you, what have you done, for me, as, his mother said, in John 2 verse 5, do whatever, he tells you, do whatever, he tells you, he's given us, the instructions, this is the mandate, the, the, this is the standing orders, this is the direction, that we have, do whatever he tells you, if you truly, want to serve Christ, do not do, what you feel, like doing, but do, what he commands you, to do, don't wait, for a feeling, don't wait, for some, vision, or some, you know, some, electricity, some, warm and fuzzies, do what he tells you to do, you don't have to feel like it, it might even, not come naturally, comfortably, for you, if God is telling you, to do something, do that, do it, and, it says that, that the church really is called to carry on,

[33:38] Christ's earthly ministry, I started off by saying, that I present here, an important subject, really there's nothing more important, than eternal souls, is that, nothing is more important than that, and this world will pass away, but, eternal souls will live on, somewhere, and friends, it's important that we tell, others, of your saviour, and friends, really let me close, by saying this, that this is too important, to neglect, it's too important, to neglect, and, another little, story to illustrate that, is about, car makers, in the automobile industry, car makers try to, naturally, develop, you know, later and later models, have more and more features, more and more special, little, secrets that they, have, that they want to keep, for themselves, and, to give their, car an edge, on the competition, and, as a company, that, that can offer, a new, and desirable feature, is, is one that will get, more sales, and, will be able to get, the edge of the tough market, and, so that's why, it's surprising, when,

[34:46] Mercedes-Benz, had an ad on television, that showed, one of their cars, being crashed, into a brick wall, during a safety test, and, that way, it's, withstood the impact, and, it revealed, why the, energy absorbing, construction, saved lives, and, so, even though, Mercedes-Benz, holds the patent, on this safety design, they, have allowed competitors, the free use, of this safety design, because the company, did not want to enforce, its claim, and, and, Mercedes-Benz spokesman, was asked, why, why are you doing this, and he said this, because some things, in life, are too important, not, to share, and some things, in life, are too important, not to share, because think about, people that we rub shoulders with, through our lives, and, friends, there's no guarantee, of tomorrow, some of the people, like you know, that, might be on the edge, of eternity, and they're lost, and they'll come, before the judgment seat, and they'll say, we are not saved, and, friends, that, that's a telling thought, isn't it, the people that we know, might be, before the judgment throne, in days to come, and they're going to say, we are not saved, friends, the harvest time is now, and the harvest workers, it's not, it's not, it's not, some select few, it's not just a pastor, it's not, some, some missionary, is going to fly in, and reach our city, it's you and me, it's you and me, you've got to reach my bridge, amen, it's you and me, we are the harvest workers, for this harvest field, it's you and me, that's all there is, it's not, he's not going to send some angels, to tell souls, how to get saved, it's you and me, that are the missionaries, for this city, and friends, the Christian, your life is too important, to invest in anything, less than, the creator's plan, to redeem, the cosmos, you're part of that, you've got meaning, you've got purpose, there's no greater meaning, and purpose, than to be a missionary, in your city, or wherever God puts you, and the message, of the Lord Jesus, has been entrusted, to you and me, it's too important, to be glad, it's been entrusted, to you, it's too important, for you to keep it secret, from those that are lost, that are perishing, without you, take that, opportunity, make that opportunity, to present that, message, to those that you can, while you can, they may reject, you might, you may, they may be offended, you might lose a friend, but yet, you must, you must tell, you must tell, friends, it's the only cause, that can satisfy, your need, for your own personal, meaning and purpose, the only cause, worthy of your life, it's, it's, there's nothing more important, nothing more critical, than, for you to be a part, of God's plan, to spread the good news, about the Lord, isn't it time, that you got busy, find that,

[37:50] God given strength, to open your mouth, and tell, another soul, friends, his mission, is the work, of search and rescue, the son of man, has come to seek, and to save, that which was lost, and we are, in that same, endeavour, his mission, is your mission, it's the same one, we are part, of that search and rescue, operation, to seek, and to save, that which was lost, we have that same calling, that same responsibility, do not discount, what you can do, you know, we can all, have that thought, who am I, I don't feel, very strong, or very confident, or, there's lots of reasons, we could think, well, Paul had lots of reasons, why he couldn't serve, everything, was against Paul, and he was, a Christian killer, virtually, wasn't he, he was seen, as an enemy, of the gospel, and what, what hope, would he have, to present Christ, to others, and yet God, took him, out of darkness, and gave him, the saving grace, friends, it's truly, our meaning, and purpose, for our life, the harvest, has passed, summer, is entered, and we are not saved, and pray, that you might know, the saviour tonight, friends, that we that know, the saviour, will realise, many are lost, the harvest will be, finished one day, one day, we'll clock in, and clock out, for the last time, whether earthly, in our life, or God's time clock, he's going to say, time's up, the harvest has ended, and many are going, to be lost,

[39:29] Kerry and Paul, were up against it, but they went, there's a part, that you can play, even if you might, feel so little, I mean the very name, Paul means little, he was a little man, he was little, but he was big, in the kingdom of God, so don't say, I'm too small, I'm too insignificant, what can God, do with me, God can do with you, what he did with, William Kerry, with Paul the apostle, let's pray, Lord we thank you, that you are the one, who is the Lord, of the harvest, and we pray, as you've called us to pray, send forth flavours, into your harvest, and Lord help us, to be a part, of the answers, of our prayer, that we'll, answer the call, also, in each, of our individual ways, to, what part of the harvest, you're sending us to, take us, and use us Lord, let us not hold back, help us to see, that, your strength, is, the strength, that we need, at hand,

[40:44] Lord this message, is so important, we pray, if there's any lost, that they'll know, to save him, they'll know Lord, that, you died on the cross, you rose again, paying the price, the penalty, for our sin, and, that great gift, of eternal life, is ours, and we can save, I am saved, I am saved, present tense, it's not something, I'm going to hope, for, or, attain, by any, sanctifying of myself, that, I can say, I am saved, because of the virtue, of your shed blood, and because I've received, that gift, which is the only way, to be saved, and that that salvation, is eternal, it's never ending, it's eternal life, everlasting life, life, and we pray, that each one, will have that assurance, and as such, saved people, we will want to see, others saved too, Lord God, lead us, and guide us, we pray, in Jesus name, Amen.