Introduction: Our annual Missions Conference is coming very soon (March 10-14). As we consider how we do Missions at Wayside, it is vital to look to our Lord. Missions is the preaching of the Gospel to everyone, at home and abroad. How did Jesus preach the Gospel?

I. Jesus presented Himself as the one and only Savior (John 7:37-38 and 8:12).

• A. We must preach Jesus in that exclusive way. There is no other Path to God than Jesus.
  
• B. We must preach with our lives as well as our words. Jesus said that all would recognize us as Jesus' disciples by the love we have for one another (John 13:35). Well, think about it. How are we doing here at Wayside? Are you reaching out in friendship to all your fellow members, or do you have a clique you like, and avoid and think ill of the rest. Think about it! (I Jn. 4:20-21)

II. Jesus preached both grace and repentance (John 8:10-11).

• A. No one ever got saved by keeping the Law. It condemns us all. It is our schoolmaster to drive us to a Savior, Jesus. Jesus said to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you."
  
• B. But He also said, "Go and sin no more." We cannot earn salvation by keeping the Law, but that does not mean we should freely break God's Law. Jesus demands that His people lead lives of holiness.

III. Jesus preached the Gospel to all kinds of people. The rich powerful Pharisee, Nicodemus. The demon possessed prostitute, Mary Magdalene. Lepers and tax collectors. Rich and poor. Jew or Samaritan. The upper classes, and the common man. The elderly and the young children.

• A. Likewise, we are called by God to reach out to all men and women and children around the world. Beware of isolating yourself from others based on race or wealth or age or any other worldly thing. Treat everyone with love and respect.
  
• B. Especially in the Church (James 2:1-9). There is no place here for prejudice. We ARE prejudiced. Let's face the fact. Then let's work to overcome our lack of love for one another.

IV. Jesus mingled the preaching of the Gospel with deeds of compassion and mercy.
Matthew 9:35-38

• A. Louis and Ann Carter are prime examples of mercy mingled with the Gospel, as they go to Africa and other countries, healing the sick.
  
• B. Most Christians have hard hearts toward the lost, as measured by our involvement with missions. Only a minority want to join the missions committee. Only a minority give much money to speed the gospel around the world. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." If your treasure is in the bank vault, your heart will be in the bank vault, too. If you devote your treasure to winning the lost to Christ, your heart will be with people, with missions and with Jesus. Have your surrendered your pocketbook to God? If not, then you haven't really surrendered your heart. Jesus gave His all to bring the Gospel of life to fallen men. He left the glories of Heaven. He was born into a dirt poor family. He live a life of poverty. He gave up his life on the cross. What are we willing to do to serve Him? Spend a couple of hours each week in church, and give a few dollars? Is that enough, do you think?

Conclusion: What do we learn about missions as we consider how Jesus preached the Gospel? We learn that we must lift Him up, in doctrine, and also in our love for one another. We must preach both grace and repentance. We must reach out to every social class. We must be filled with compassion for the lost. We must learn to put our treasure at the disposal of Jesus. May the Lord give us the will and strength to learn from Jesus' preaching of the Gospel. Amen