Missions are not just for foreign fields. Any true church will be engaging in missions in its local community. Missions begin with a God-ordained gospel opportunity and consist of a Christ-centered gospel message that encourages sinners to repent and believe in Christ.

Pray for and proclaim the good news. God is pleased with our prayers for gospel growth and expansion. After all, Christ died as a ransom for all and is the mediator for His people. Since God made salvation available through His Son, He is pleased with prayers that align with His saving work.

Pray for peaceful gospel work. The enemies of the faith seek continually to hinder our service for the Lord. The Lord promised that His people would face persecution in this spiritually foreign land. But there are times when the Lord grants His people peace in this world so that they are unhindered in their service for Him.

Believe on and boast in Christ! The resurrection of Jesus was necessary to secure our salvation and eternal life. We were the unrighteous ones for whom Christ died. He then rose from the dead so that we could be clothed in His righteousness. The appropriate response to Him is faith and worship.

Extol the merciful Savior. During His triumphal entry, Jesus rode into Jerusalem amid the shouts of praise and cries for salvation. While the Jews hoped for a political savior, Jesus had come to save His people from their sins. This moment was foretold by the prophet Zechariah, and it fulfilled the long-sung song, Psalm 118.

Remain steadfast in the battle for truth. The truth is under attack in our world. The enemy seeks to undermine the truth of God’s Word even in the minds of God’s people. It is every believer’s responsibility to wage the good warfare against these errors by protecting and proclaiming the truth.

You were saved to serve. Christ saved us according to His grace and mercy. He transformed us from enemies of the cross to faithful and loving children. Christ’s great salvation produced a people who glorify His name through their faithful service and constant witness.

The commands of God necessitate the gospel. The Law of God and the commands of God were given to reveal God’s holy character, the sinfulness of man, and the need for a Savior. Without the commands of God, sin would be left undefined, and the sacrifice of Christ would make no sense. God’s laws are good and point to God’s gracious salvation.

Lovingly correct error. Truth is under attack from without and within the church. The church must stand for truth, identify error, and lovingly correct those who have wandered into falsehood. A love for God, for sound doctrine, and for souls compels the church to proclaim the Scripture and correct deviant doctrines.

Uphold the truth. The book of 1 Timothy calls the church to hold high and guard the truth of God’s Word. The world continually seeks to undermine and marginalize the gospel and the Scriptures. But Christ has entrusted His Word to His church and uses the church to both protect His Word and proclaim it.