The Heart of a Missionary
Persuading People – Part 1

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:11

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

The Apostle Paul lets us know that he worked hard to persuade people to trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Even if he might seem crazy to people around him, it didn’t matter to Paul.  All he wanted was for everyone to see and understand the love of God.  That is the heart of a missionary.

            David Brainerd was a missionary to the American Indians in the 1700s.  He wrote: “…I cared not how or where I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could but gain souls for Christ.” 

            David Livingstone was a Scottish missionary, doctor, and explorer who helped open the heart of Africa to missions.  His travels covered one-third of the continents.  He wrote: “I am a missionary, heart and soul…in this service I hope to live; in it I wish to die.”

            C.T. Studd was an English missionary, serving China, India, and Africa.  His motto was: “If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”

            Down through the generations, God’s people carry one common passion: persuading people that Jesus is the answer.  That is the heart of every believer because every believer really is a missionary.  We accept our mission from Jesus Himself who said: “Go into all the world, preaching, teaching, baptizing in Jesus’ name” (Matthew 28:19).

Father, I want to be used of you to help others love you like I do.  Grant me opportunities today!  In Jesus’ name, amen.