How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:14 )
"Christ’s Last Words and the Least Reached"
by Jill K, missionary to Asia
We hold dear the truth that God is sovereign over all things, including the gift of salvation. Does this mean that we shouldn’t care about missions or evangelism, since it is God who changes hearts? Absolutely not!
The truth of the matter is that Christ commands us to teach others everything he has revealed to us. Sharing the good news of the gospel is absolutely our job and our joy… We just know that giving light, life, and saving faith to dead hearts is the work of the Spirit.
For some of us, this passion for global missions might be something new. Life is crazy-busy here in Orlando, and our connection to the world might be only as often as the next natural disaster or terrorist attack. For others of us, our passion and urgency about global missions can easily slide. We can become jaded, or the task can seem too big.
Scripture is clear, though, and we are challenged to think beyond ourselves. If we allow our hearts to be pierced by the truth of Scripture, we would be opened up to the need for the gospel among all peoples.
Christ is the only way to salvation, to forgiveness, to right standing with God (John 14:6). All the peoples who have come into our land need to hear of Christ and most can hear or have access when the church shines bright and beautiful right here at home. May we never lose our zeal to be Christ’s ambassadors, imploring people right here to be reconciled to God.
But there are entire people groups for whom there are no known Christian witnesses. No Scripture. No churches. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of every nation. We still need to go to ends and edges of the earth, to the millions who have never heard. “And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?”
So our belief in God’s sovereignty actually invigorates our evangelism as we cling to God’s promises: He has sheep from other pastures and his sheep will know his voice and will follow Him (John 10). God is the giver of Life! He has promised that there will be a great multitude from every tribe and tongue and people (Revelation 7). Trusting in these promises, we, his disciples, can step into seemingly hopeless lands with bold hope and with confidence that our labor is not in vain.
As believers in Christ, let us live as boldly as these truths deserve. Let’s pray for the church to be built among Tribal peoples, Hindus, Unbelieving, Muslims and Buddhists. (THUMB: easy to remember and pray for, right?). Let’s pray for missionaries to be sent into the unreached harvest fields (Luke 10:2) and for receptive soil in these hard places (Matthew 13:5). Please pray for the strengthening and effectiveness of the servants who are sent out and ask “that the Word of God may speed ahead and be honored as happened among you” (2 Thess 3:1). And let’s pray for disciples far away and for those of us right here, that we may live lives “worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work” (Col 1:10).
Come quickly Lord Jesus, and by your grace, enable us to live for the eternal gladness and glory ahead when we stand before you. “May the Lamb receive the full reward of His suffering.*”
*For the story of this quote, please see thereward.org
How to pray...
- Pray for Matt and Jill K. and their family. Pray for their work in Asia, for creative outreach, partnering with new church planters, and reaching unreached peoples.
- Pray for John Hutchings and Emily Walker serving in East Asia. They are part of our church family, and they are teaching English and building relationships in their country.
- Pray for Japan, a nation that is historically resistant to the gospel. LBC has partnered with Mission to the World to do disaster relief. Thank God for the years of fruitful service of the missionaries there.
- Pray for those affected by the recent earthquake in central Italy. The death toll has risen to 278.
For the Family
Today our prayers are focused on God’s work on the continent of Asia. Look at Asia on a world map… what a huge place! Over 4 BILLION people live in Asia, and they all need to hear about Jesus. Talk as a family:
- Have you had Chinese food before? What is it like? How is it different from American food?
- Can you imagine what it might be like to live in China as a missionary? Besides eating Chinese food every day, what do you think might be different about living there?
- Talk about how brave and creative missionaries are, and pray for them.