2008 State Missions Theme Interpretation

Whatever It Takes
Mississippi

John 15:1-16

In Jesus’ final discourse with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion (John 13-16), He encourages them five different times to ask for whatever it is they need from their Heavenly Father. Jesus’ assurance of spiritual provision is just as real today as it was in the first century. Believers who long to see the mission of God completed can ask in Jesus’ name for whatever is needed to accomplish that task. Whatever It Takes: Mississippi becomes the theme for the 2008 Margaret Lackey State Mission Offering as we claim the promise of Christ and act upon the provision of the Holy Spirit to plant new churches, send missionaries, and train ministry evangelism leaders throughout our state.

• Obey What is Commanded (John 15:3-5, 9, 14-16)

  Jesus’ encouragement to ask for whatever is needed is preceded by the exhortation to live in obedience to His commandments. His commandments include receiving instruction from the Father (15:3), remaining connected to the Holy Spirit (15:4-5), and releasing the love of Jesus (15:12-14). By receiving instruction from God’s words (15:3), we are declared His “friends” (15:5) and understand His plans. When we ask in accord with God’s plans, we have assurance that He hears and grants our requests. By remaining vitally connected to the Spirit of God through Jesus, who is the vine, we are assured that our work will be effective and produce a redemptive harvest. By releasing the love of Christ wherever we go, we transform lives, renew congregations, and prove ourselves to be faithful disciples (15:9).

  The ministry actions afforded by the Margaret Lackey State Missions Offering demonstrate the willingness of Mississippi Baptists to be obedient. Mission volunteers and church planters are being obedient to reach out to distant lands or unchurched people groups. Community ministry leaders are learning new skills to love the unlovely. All are humbled in the process and confess deeper dependence on the nourishing presence of the Spirit. Our generosity in giving fulfills a desire to be more obedient to God’s commands.

• Ask What is Needed (15:7, 16)

  Jesus’ encouragement to ask for what is needed proceeds from His high expectations. Disciples are to produce much fruit (15:2, 4, 5, 8). The lostness and spiritual hunger in our world demand a compassionate response from believers. Jesus exhorts us to awaken to those needs, and promises a harvest of eternal life. Jesus anticipates our need for strength to complete the mission of God and invites us to ask for His help in remarkable proportions. Whatever it takes. Whatever you ask. Whatever. His provision is limited only by our reluctance or complacency. He grants us authority to use His name— the powerful, death-defying, world-creating, life-transforming name of Jesus.

  The Margaret Lackey State Missions Offering has grown by double-digit percentages in the last few years and has exceeded two million dollars for the first time ever. Could that success be due to our willingness to ask God for intervention and generosity? Could that growth be God’s blessing on our witnessing efforts among unreached people of the world? Could our emphasis on calling laborers for God’s harvest at mission camps and on college campuses contribute to the growth? The answers are all a resounding “Yes!” And we should be ashamed to consider asking for less than Whatever It Takes to win Mississippi and the world to Jesus.

• Give What is Required (15:13-16)

  Jesus speaks of friendship and defines it in ultimate terms. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (15:13). He makes good on this statement when just hours later He goes to Calvary. His instructions to us call for similar, sacrificial response. He indicates we have been “chosen and ordained” (15;16). We are chosen to pray for God’s mission to be accomplished. We are chosen to go into a world needing a redemptive witness. We are chosen to love everyone as a brother or sister in Christ. We are chosen to give obediently and cheerfully according to the Word of God. We are chosen to be fruitful in the eternal gospel harvest.

  The Margaret Lackey State Missions Offering reminds us of our calling in Christ and moves us toward a new level of generosity. We are training future mission leaders, sending volunteer missionaries, assisting community evangelism projects, and partnering together with new congregations. All of these endeavors help us live up to our calling, remain connected to the Spirit, and release the love of Jesus. Pray that Mississippi Baptists do Whatever it Takes to reach the world for Christ.