Missionary Motives

Missionary Motives

INTRODUCTION Original message prepared for Baguio Youth Gospel Centre Conference, December, 1958.

2 Corinthians 5:14, "For the love of Christ constraineth us . . ."

All believers are, or ought to be, constrained by the love of Jesus Christ to serve Him from conversion to death or the rapture. Unfortunately, many Christians have vague ideas as to why they should serve Christ, but no definite, concrete thinking on this very important matter.

Meaning of "constrained": It means to compel, to impel, to drive forward In the Old Testament men were compelled by law and in the New Testament we are compelled by love. Which is the greater power? I believe Love is.

Many believers would be willing to serve Jesus if He called them to Bible School and full time service.

While waiting for this special call they do not feel any particular need or urge to serve the Master, Jesus Christ the Saviour. To understand a text one must study the context. The context of 2 Corinthians 5:14 gives us several incentives for service.

Death is an unpopular topic, yet one that we must constantly face. In 2 Corinthians 5:1 Paul speaks about the building of God in heaven. See also John 14:2, "In My Father’s house are many mansions."

Luke 14:23, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled"

I believe that the second coming of Christ is delayed, waiting for the mansions to be filled-for souls to be saved and the heavenly inheritance claimed I believe that God gave me a title deed to my mansion at conversion in 1936.

How many of your friends, loved ones, acquaintances do not have the title deed? As a Christian I am constrained to persuade men to be definite about the possession of that home NOW. Can I be selfish and keep this without sharing it? No. I must tell others.

2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith. . ." The way and plan of salvation is so simple.

Everyone of my friends, the aged, the young, the illiterate, the simple-minded, everyone can meet this simple condition of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. On December 23, 1958, all the poor in Manila (indigents) trooped to designated places to share in the Malacanang gifts. The simple requirement was poverty, and many applied and received the food and clothes.

If God required that each pay one hundred pesos for salvation, then many would be excluded But God only requires faith which everyone possesses.

All can meet this requirement-all can believe. But someone must tell them the wonderful story of Jesus and the cross before they can believe it.

2 Corinthians 5:9, "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him." The heartfelt cry of every believer is to please His Master Jesus Christ.

We no longer live to please ourselves. We long to please our new Master.

Story: A violin player was applauded, etc., but showed no sign of response. His eyes were glued on a spot in the balcony. He was watching his teacher sitting there. Finally, after the third encore, the teacher applauded and the violinist smiled and responded You and I are waiting for HIS smile of approval.

Let us do our best to serve Him faithfully, not mere men pleasers but working with an eye single to HIS honour and glory.

This is the judgment of you and me, the believers, at the "Bema." (See Lesson 84)

We will not be judged on our acceptance of Christ. We will be judged on the superstructure that we build on the foundation (Christ). 1 Corinthians 3:11.

All of our works will be tested by fire. If we have served Him faithfully He will reward us. Some will win many crowns and stars. The unfaithful will not only lose rewards, but they will suffer loss and the "terror of the Lord" may abide on them, 2 Corinthians 5:11. The fact that someday I will be judged makes me walk circumspectly and serve diligently. It is not only negative that I am afraid of punishment. It is positive for I want rewards and crowns to lay at the feet of the Saviour, Revelation 4:10-11.

"Christ died for all." This is the blessed Gospel story. This is the reason why I left the comforts of life in Canada to go to China. I knew that Jesus loved all the Chinese and that He died for each one. This is the reason why I came to the Philippines. I am not afraid to preach to anyone and then wonder whether this one was included at Calvary.

Furthermore, if Jesus died for all, then each has a right to know about it.

We serve Jesus by informing them of this great fact. To us it is a well known fact, but many have not heard or realized it as yet.

All need a Saviour. Jesus died for ALL. Then let us tell everyone.

The life of service is an unselfish life, not serving self but serving others.

I left farming, for it seemed to be such a selfish way of life. Working hours, days, weeks, and never helping anyone but yourself.

2 Corinthians 5:15, "... should not henceforth live unto themselves. . ."

Today I give my life to Jesus Christ to serve Him. He has saved me. He has purchased me.

He has redeemed me. I belong to Him. He must have all I possess.

If salvation were the object of life, then we could be translated at conversion, straight to heaven. If that had happened who would have brought us the Gospel?

We are saved to serve--to serve not ourselves but HIM and our neighbours.

He is the potter. I am the clay. He is the Master. I am the servant. He is the Lord and I must obey orders.

The one serving others rejoices in all the successes and pleasures that come to the lives of others.

2 Corinthians 5:19, "... and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." Reconciliation infers that two people were enemies. This is very true. The two parties were God and the sinner. To us as believers has been given the task of bringing the news of the reconciliation won on Calvary to the sinner hiding from God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 calls us ambassadors. We are the official representatives of the government of heaven to the sinner whose back is turned against God

Wouldn’t you like to be the Philippine Islands ambassador to Canada? But to be an ambassador of the court of heaven is a far greater honour and responsibility.

We are not to be retired ambassadors, but ambassadors on active duty.

CONCLUSION Because of these seven reasons I am constrained to serve the Lord Jesus Christ today. The sphere of service or type of service is not important at this moment. The important thing is, Am I faithfully serving Him where He wants me to be?

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