GodGod’’s Plan for Missions in s Plan for Missions in the New Testamentthe New Testament

The attitude of Israel towards God changed in The attitude of Israel towards God changed in some ways, but the attitude of Jonah pervaded some ways, but the attitude of Jonah pervaded

into the NTinto the NT

11

NT BackgroundNT Background

• Maccabees were a Jewish national liberation movement that fought for Maccabees were a Jewish national liberation movement that fought for and won independence from Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Hellenistic and won independence from Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Hellenistic Seleucid dynastySeleucid dynasty

• Founded the Hasmonean royal dynasty (140-37 BC) under Simon Founded the Hasmonean royal dynasty (140-37 BC) under Simon Maccabaeus.Maccabaeus.• His brother defeated the Seleucid Greek Army in the Maccabean Revolt His brother defeated the Seleucid Greek Army in the Maccabean Revolt

in 165 BCin 165 BC• Herodian Dynasty established by Rome in 37 BC by marrying a Herodian Dynasty established by Rome in 37 BC by marrying a

Hasmonean princess, Mariamne, then drowned last male Hasmonean Hasmonean princess, Mariamne, then drowned last male Hasmonean heir in the Jordan. heir in the Jordan.

• Pharisees and Sadducees evolved in this period until 70 ADPharisees and Sadducees evolved in this period until 70 AD• Extreme legalists and despisers' of GentilesExtreme legalists and despisers' of Gentiles• Extreme skeptics and high priestly power brokers with RomeExtreme skeptics and high priestly power brokers with Rome

• Harnack estimated that 7% of Roman Empire was Jewish!Harnack estimated that 7% of Roman Empire was Jewish!

22

End of 400 yrs of silenceEnd of 400 yrs of silence

• Malachi to birth of Jesus – Announcement of virgin birth Malachi to birth of Jesus – Announcement of virgin birth to Joseph (Luke 1:20) and Mary (Luke 1:30)to Joseph (Luke 1:20) and Mary (Luke 1:30)

• John begins with the John begins with the ““Word was made flesh and dwelt Word was made flesh and dwelt among usamong us”” (1:14) (1:14)

• John ends with, John ends with, ““As the Father has sent Me, I am As the Father has sent Me, I am sending yousending you”” (20:21) – He did it, now we are to tell it! (20:21) – He did it, now we are to tell it!

• Third revelation was to Simeon: Third revelation was to Simeon: ““For my eyes have seen For my eyes have seen Your salvation Your salvation 3131 Which You have prepared before the Which You have prepared before the face face of all peoplesof all peoples, , 3232 A light to bring A light to bring revelation to the revelation to the GentilesGentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel" (, And the glory of Your people Israel" (NKJNKJ Luke Luke 2:30-32) 2:30-32)

33

From implicit to explicitFrom implicit to explicit

• From describing His global purpose of wanting to From describing His global purpose of wanting to bless the bless the ““familiesfamilies”” of the world with Abraham of the world with Abraham’’s s blessing of being granted blessing of being granted righteousness by faithrighteousness by faith

• To explicitly commanding that His disciples go to To explicitly commanding that His disciples go to everyevery ““familyfamily””: : ““tongue, tribe, people and nationtongue, tribe, people and nation””

• ““The Son of Man has come to seek and to save The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that that which was lostwhich was lost”” (Luke 19:10) (Luke 19:10)

• The call to The call to ““follow mefollow me”” implies that they were to do implies that they were to do the same thing, i.e. they too will seek out the lost. the same thing, i.e. they too will seek out the lost.

44

Jesus not easy to followJesus not easy to follow

• Could not deviate even to bury their father (Matt 8:22)Could not deviate even to bury their father (Matt 8:22)

• Required dying to self interests (Matt 10:38)Required dying to self interests (Matt 10:38)

• His popularity would gather large groups of followers, but His popularity would gather large groups of followers, but followers followers or spectators are not disciples or spectators are not disciples and He was only interested in and He was only interested in disciples. disciples.

• ““Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.2424 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,:men,:2525 …, for He knew what was in man …, for He knew what was in man”” ( (NKJNKJ John 2:23-25). John 2:23-25).

• Parable of the landowner: Parable of the landowner: ““Therefore I say to you, this kingdom of Therefore I say to you, this kingdom of God will be taken away from you [Israel], and be given to a nation God will be taken away from you [Israel], and be given to a nation [Gentiles] producing the fruit of it[Gentiles] producing the fruit of it”” (Matt 21:43) (Matt 21:43)

55

Heel bone with nail driven through it

Purpose of Purpose of church agechurch age• 140 verses 140 verses refer to refer to ““the kingdom of Godthe kingdom of God””

• ““This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the whole world for a witness to all the nations [ethne]nations [ethne], and , and then the end shall comethen the end shall come”” (Matt 24:14) (Matt 24:14)

• The end result of the ChurchThe end result of the Church: : ““at the cost of your own at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people and nationtribe, language, people and nation”” (Rev 5:9 (Rev 5:9NETNET))

• Post resurrection ministry records Post resurrection ministry records 5 distinct reiterations 5 distinct reiterations of the Great Commissionof the Great Commission

• Called Called ““GreatGreat”” because of because of exaggerated emphasis exaggerated emphasis before Ascensionbefore Ascension

66

Matt 28:18-20Matt 28:18-20

• Preamble DeclarationPreamble Declaration: : ““All powerAll power”” is mine is mine (vs.18)(vs.18)

• CommandsCommands: : ““ThereforeTherefore……• GoingGoing• Make Disciples of all nations [Make Disciples of all nations [ethneethne]]• BaptizingBaptizing• Teaching to obeyTeaching to obey

• Final AssuranceFinal Assurance: : ““RememberRemember, I am with you always, I am with you always, to the , to the end of the ageend of the age”” (vs. 20) (vs. 20)• GideonGideon only needed assurance God was with him (Jud 6:13-16) only needed assurance God was with him (Jud 6:13-16)• CalebCaleb: : ““Assuming the LORD is with me, I will conquer them, as the Assuming the LORD is with me, I will conquer them, as the

LORD promisedLORD promised”” ( (NETNETJosh 14:12) Josh 14:12) • JeremiahJeremiah: : ““But the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome OneBut the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One””

((NKJNKJ Jeremiah 20:11) Jeremiah 20:11) 77

The Vision RealizedThe Vision Realized

• ““They were singing a new song: They were singing a new song: ““You are worthy to take the You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from from every tribe, language, people and nationevery tribe, language, people and nation”” (Rev. 5:9) (Rev. 5:9)

• ““After these things I looked, and here was an enormous crowd After these things I looked, and here was an enormous crowd that no one could count, made up of that no one could count, made up of persons from every persons from every nation, tribe, people, and languagenation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the , standing before the throne and before the Lamb dressed in long white robes, and throne and before the Lamb dressed in long white robes, and with palm branches in their handswith palm branches in their hands”” (Rev 7:9) (Rev 7:9)

• ““Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language, and peopleto every nation, tribe, language, and people”” (Rev 14:6) (Rev 14:6)

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JesusJesus’’ Vision of the Vision of the Priority of the ChurchPriority of the Church

•Do we FIRST attempt to win everybody Do we FIRST attempt to win everybody within any one ethnic people group? within any one ethnic people group?

•Do we Prioritize Do we Prioritize planting the Gospel planting the Gospel and disciples in every ethnic people and disciples in every ethnic people groupgroup, , thenthen prioritize winning everyone prioritize winning everyone within each people group?within each people group?

99

Prejudicial Early History Prejudicial Early History

of NT Churchof NT Church• Early Jewish Christians despised Gentiles Early Jewish Christians despised Gentiles

• Their priority was to establish the Jewish Kingdom over the world Their priority was to establish the Jewish Kingdom over the world (Acts 1:6)(Acts 1:6)• Did they think from a Power-Base of Jewish control they could Did they think from a Power-Base of Jewish control they could

make the make the ““nationsnations”” submissive to Christ? … or to them? submissive to Christ? … or to them?• For ten+ years they went everywhere, For ten+ years they went everywhere, ““speaking the message to speaking the message to

no one but Jewsno one but Jews”” (Acts 11:19) (Acts 11:19)

• No Jewish kingdom (millennium) until the preaching task is done: No Jewish kingdom (millennium) until the preaching task is done: • ““And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world in all the world

as a witness to all the nations as a witness to all the nations [ethne] and [ethne] and then then the end will the end will comecome”” (Matt 24:14) (Matt 24:14)

• It would be 19 years (49 AD) before the Jewish Christian Church It would be 19 years (49 AD) before the Jewish Christian Church formally accepted Gentile believersformally accepted Gentile believers

• Paul wrote Romans 4 to convince Jewish believers that it was GoPaul wrote Romans 4 to convince Jewish believers that it was Godd’’s plan to save Gentiles (62 AD, or 32 years after Pentecost)s plan to save Gentiles (62 AD, or 32 years after Pentecost)

1010

Four Contexts of Gospel ExtensionFour Contexts of Gospel Extension

• ““But you will But you will receive power receive power when the Holy Spirit has when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the to the farthest parts of the earthfarthest parts of the earth”” (Acts 1:8) (Acts 1:8)

E-0. E-0. JerusalemJerusalem (familiar starting point, religiously similar)(familiar starting point, religiously similar)

E-1. E-1. JudahJudah (monocultural evangelism of non-churched)(monocultural evangelism of non-churched)

E-2. E-2. SamariaSamaria (cross cultural evangelism of ethnically (cross cultural evangelism of ethnically different but same nationality)different but same nationality)

E-3. E-3. Farthest parts Farthest parts of the earth (cross cultural, remote of the earth (cross cultural, remote locations, multiple barriers and risks)locations, multiple barriers and risks)

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Baptism of the SpiritBaptism of the Spirit

• John the Baptist promised Jesus would baptize in the Spirit John the Baptist promised Jesus would baptize in the Spirit (Mat 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lu 3:16; Jn 1:33) – (Mat 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lu 3:16; Jn 1:33) – the only mentionthe only mention!!

• Jesus now declares Jesus now declares ““not many days from nownot many days from now”” (Ac 1:5) (Ac 1:5)

• Told to Told to wait for the promise wait for the promise of the Spirit (of the Spirit (50-3-40=7)50-3-40=7)

• First explanationFirst explanation: 1 Cor 12:13, : 1 Cor 12:13, ““For by one Spirit we were For by one Spirit we were allall baptized [ baptized [““put intoput into””] into one body] into one body……”” – – ““the churchthe church”” (Col (Col 1:18)1:18)

• Now every believer is baptized by the SpiritNow every believer is baptized by the Spirit, , ““WhenWhen you you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) – heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation) – whenwhen you believed in Christ you believed in Christ – you were marked with the seal of – you were marked with the seal of the the promised Holy Spiritpromised Holy Spirit”” (Eph 1:13). (Eph 1:13). 1212

Baptism of the SpiritBaptism of the Spirit

• The The ““powerpower”” is not a sensual experience, but a living is not a sensual experience, but a living empowerment to be able to obeyempowerment to be able to obey

• ““When he comes, he will When he comes, he will convict convict the world the world of guilt in regard to of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgmentsin and righteousness and judgment”” (John 16:8) (John 16:8)

• The promise of the Spirit is for all believers equally: The promise of the Spirit is for all believers equally: ““For the For the promise is for you and your children and for promise is for you and your children and for all who are far all who are far awayaway, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself" (" (NETNET Acts Acts 2:39). 2:39).

• Three signs that marked the SpiritThree signs that marked the Spirit’’s coming:s coming:• Mighty sound of a tornadoMighty sound of a tornado• ““tongues of firetongues of fire””• The 120 first recipients spoke in The 120 first recipients spoke in 16 languages 16 languages (a hint of God(a hint of God’’s s

purpose?)purpose?)1313

GodGod’’s Plan for Missions in s Plan for Missions in the New Testamentthe New Testament

The attitude of Israel towards God changed in The attitude of Israel towards God changed in some ways, but the attitude of Jonah pervaded some ways, but the attitude of Jonah pervaded

into the NTinto the NT

1414

Phase 1: E-0 JerusalemPhase 1: E-0 Jerusalem

• Evangelize the people religiously and culturally most like Evangelize the people religiously and culturally most like youyou

• As Peter preached in the Temple grounds to win religious As Peter preached in the Temple grounds to win religious people in Jerusalem who needed the gospelpeople in Jerusalem who needed the gospel

• "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrinehave filled Jerusalem with your doctrine”” ((NKJNKJ Acts 5:28) Acts 5:28)

• ““Then the word of God spread, and the Then the word of God spread, and the number of the number of the disciples multiplieddisciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faithmany of the priests were obedient to the faith””((NKJNKJ Acts 6:7) Acts 6:7)

1515

Phase 1: E-0 JerusalemPhase 1: E-0 Jerusalem

• Three-fold model to be reproduced world-wide: Three-fold model to be reproduced world-wide:

(1) focus on (1) focus on individual conversion and disciple-making individual conversion and disciple-making with nominal Christians who will come to church, with nominal Christians who will come to church,

(2) multiplying the evangelism of the disciples by (2) multiplying the evangelism of the disciples by saturating a city with Gospel teaching resulting in saturating a city with Gospel teaching resulting in small-group fellowships small-group fellowships or new congregations in or new congregations in homeshomes

(3) these new congregations take responsibility for (3) these new congregations take responsibility for continuing this process in other areas such that continuing this process in other areas such that each church will birth new [house] churches. each church will birth new [house] churches.

1616

Phase 2: E-1 Rural JudahPhase 2: E-1 Rural Judah

• Evangelize people culturally most like you and live in Evangelize people culturally most like you and live in your region, but are your region, but are indifferent religiouslyindifferent religiously

• Jewish believers preached to Jewish believers preached to unsaved resistant or unsaved resistant or indifferent Jews indifferent Jews throughout Judeathroughout Judea

• At first it was a popular church (At first it was a popular church (““favor of all the peoplefavor of all the people””– – Acts 2:47).Acts 2:47).

• ExclusivityExclusivity of the gospel brought persecution (Acts 4:12) of the gospel brought persecution (Acts 4:12) – It was trust in Jesus, or be lost… even if you were a Jew– It was trust in Jesus, or be lost… even if you were a Jew

• This is the This is the ““offense of the crossoffense of the cross”” (Gal 5:11) – unless you (Gal 5:11) – unless you are are confronting the lost confronting the lost you will never know what this is.you will never know what this is.

1717

Phase 3: E-2 SamariaPhase 3: E-2 Samaria

• Evangelize people who are linguistically like you (speak your Evangelize people who are linguistically like you (speak your language), but are language), but are different ethnically, culturally, and religiouslydifferent ethnically, culturally, and religiously

• Acts 8:1 – God brought persecution to force believers out of Acts 8:1 – God brought persecution to force believers out of Jerusalem and Judah into Samaria.Jerusalem and Judah into Samaria.

• Samaritans were a distrusted, despised, and isolated neighbors Samaritans were a distrusted, despised, and isolated neighbors due to due to racial prejudiceracial prejudice. .

• God God forced the intervention forced the intervention of the apostle Peter to confirm that of the apostle Peter to confirm that they received the Spirit as did the Jew. they received the Spirit as did the Jew.

• Second application of the Second application of the ““keys to the kingdom of heavenkeys to the kingdom of heaven”” (Matt (Matt 16:19).16:19).

• When Peter and John prayed, they received the SpiritWhen Peter and John prayed, they received the Spirit

• Transformation period, since then the Holy Spirit comes Transformation period, since then the Holy Spirit comes immediately on all believers immediately. immediately on all believers immediately. 1818

Phase 4: E-3 Ends of the earthPhase 4: E-3 Ends of the earth

• Only preached to Only preached to ““comfort zonecomfort zone”” ( (““to the Jews onlto the Jews onlyy”” – Ac 11:19). – Ac 11:19).

• No vision yet No vision yet for Gentile evangelism. for Gentile evangelism.

• Paul enters the ministry Paul enters the ministry uniquelyuniquely: special : special appearance of Jesus (Acts 9:) -- Nowhere again appearance of Jesus (Acts 9:) -- Nowhere again does this special does this special ““callcall”” occur in the NT (call to occur in the NT (call to salvation and ministry) – like the call of Abraham salvation and ministry) – like the call of Abraham

• God was so determined to God was so determined to ““blessbless”” the nations He the nations He made a special apostle go primarily to the Gentilesmade a special apostle go primarily to the Gentiles

1919

E-3 E-3

• ""So I said, So I said, ‘‘Who are You, Lord?Who are You, Lord?’’ And He said, And He said, ‘‘I am Jesus, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. whom you are persecuting.

• 1616 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for appeared to you for this purposethis purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the , to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet I will yet reveal to youreveal to you. .

• 1717 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the GentilesGentiles, , to whom I now send youto whom I now send you, ,

• 1818 to to open their eyesopen their eyes, in order to turn them from , in order to turn them from darkness to darkness to lightlight, and from , and from the power of Satan to Godthe power of Satan to God, that they may , that they may receive receive forgivenessforgiveness of sins and an of sins and an inheritanceinheritance among those among those who are sanctified by faith in Mewho are sanctified by faith in Me’’ ”” ( (NKJNKJ Acts 26:15). Acts 26:15).

2020

Principles of E-3 in Acts 9-28Principles of E-3 in Acts 9-28

1.1. Persecution of believers Persecution of believers was directly perceived by Jesuswas directly perceived by Jesus: The : The Holy Spirit in the believer gives direct connection to JesusHoly Spirit in the believer gives direct connection to Jesus

2.2. PaulPaul’’s s unique call unique call to salvation was also his to salvation was also his unique call unique call to the to the ministryministry

1.1. He was commanded to take the gospel to the GentilesHe was commanded to take the gospel to the Gentiles2.2. He did not volunteer or demonstrate his willingness to preach the He did not volunteer or demonstrate his willingness to preach the

gospel: gospel: ““For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this. because I am compelled to do this. WoeWoe [ [‘‘wrathwrath”” of God] to me if I of God] to me if I do not preach the gospel! (do not preach the gospel! (NETNET 1 Corinthians 9:16) 1 Corinthians 9:16)

• Transformation of Gentiles was described as Transformation of Gentiles was described as a human-divine a human-divine coordinationcoordination: : ““to open their eyesto open their eyes”” by confrontational by confrontational evangelism: evangelism:

• Paul exhorted, preached, persuaded, spoke boldly, reasoned Paul exhorted, preached, persuaded, spoke boldly, reasoned out of the scriptures, explained and gave evidence, disputed, out of the scriptures, explained and gave evidence, disputed, provoked curiosity, answered questions and contextualized the provoked curiosity, answered questions and contextualized the message -- This becomes the message -- This becomes the NORM for evangelismNORM for evangelism

2121

Global Mission of the EpistlesGlobal Mission of the Epistles

• The mandate of planting the gospel and a community The mandate of planting the gospel and a community of believers in the Gentile people groups that in turn of believers in the Gentile people groups that in turn evangelized their region permeates the epistles.evangelized their region permeates the epistles.• ““The gospel that I preach The gospel that I preach among the Gentiles among the Gentiles (Gal 2:2);(Gal 2:2);• ““all those all those everywhereeverywhere”” (1 Cor 1:2); (1 Cor 1:2); • ““bothboth Jews and Greeks Jews and Greeks”” (1 Cor 1:24); (1 Cor 1:24); • ““through us spreads through us spreads everywhereeverywhere the fragrance of the the fragrance of the

knowledge of himknowledge of him”” (2 Cor 2:14); (2 Cor 2:14);• ““reconciling reconciling the world the world to himself (2 Cor 5:19);to himself (2 Cor 5:19);• ““so that we can preach the gospel in so that we can preach the gospel in regions beyond regions beyond

you. For we do not want to boast about work already you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another mandone in another man’’s territorys territory”” (2 Cor 10:16); (2 Cor 10:16);

• ““all over the world all over the world this gospel is bearing fruitthis gospel is bearing fruit”” (Col 1:6). (Col 1:6). 2222

Global Mission of the EpistlesGlobal Mission of the Epistles

• Magna CartaMagna Carta of the Church: of the Church: ““but now [the gospel has been] but now [the gospel has been] revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that command of the eternal God, so that all nations all nations might believe might believe and obey him—and obey him—““ ( (NIVNIV Romans 16:26). Romans 16:26).

• Apathy of believers explained by practical Apathy of believers explained by practical universalismuniversalism or or inclusivisminclusivism (everyone will be saved) of professing Christians. (everyone will be saved) of professing Christians.

• People all over the world in every tongue and culture are without People all over the world in every tongue and culture are without hope of eternal life hope of eternal life unless they hear unless they hear and and by faith trust by faith trust in Christ. in Christ.

• ““To be utterly convinced of this fact will mean that one cannot be To be utterly convinced of this fact will mean that one cannot be placid and unmoved. People are dying, and the gospel must be placid and unmoved. People are dying, and the gospel must be taken to them! ... (Rom 10:13,14). Will you be that preacher?taken to them! ... (Rom 10:13,14). Will you be that preacher?””

2323

Global Mission of the NT ChurchGlobal Mission of the NT Church

• ““A New Testament church is a body of believers, A New Testament church is a body of believers, baptizedbaptized upon their profession of faith in Jesus upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who Christ as Lord and Savior, who gather together gather together regularly regularly to worship to worship God in Christ and God in Christ and praypray for for one another and for the world; to one another and for the world; to shareshare in each in each otherother’’s lives [fellowship] both in an s lives [fellowship] both in an accountability relationship and assisting one accountability relationship and assisting one anotheranother’’s needs; to s needs; to learnlearn the meaning of the the meaning of the Word of God and the implications of its Word of God and the implications of its commands, then to disperse throughout society commands, then to disperse throughout society and the world to and the world to live out the teachings live out the teachings and and to to share the blessings share the blessings of Godof God’’s grace to mans grace to man””

2424

Global Mission Priority of the NT Global Mission Priority of the NT ChurchChurch

• Most of the Great CommissionMost of the Great Commission’’s focus on all s focus on all ““nationsnations”” [[ethneethne], ], ““people,people,”” ““tongues,tongues,”” ““tribes,tribes,”” which translate which translate today in today in PEOPLE GROUPSPEOPLE GROUPS..

• Once unleashed within a people group, the Bible describes Once unleashed within a people group, the Bible describes the gospel as spreading throughout a people group.the gospel as spreading throughout a people group.

• The end scene is of people from The end scene is of people from ““every tongue, tribe and every tongue, tribe and nationnation”” without reference to the number from each group. without reference to the number from each group.

• Can it be justified to say the Can it be justified to say the firstfirst prioritypriority of the Church of the Church should be planting the gospel in every people group, should be planting the gospel in every people group, thenthen focus on mass evangelism?focus on mass evangelism?

2525

Global blessing of NT Global blessing of NT salvationsalvation

• ““Any effort to study theology without noticing Any effort to study theology without noticing strategic missiological implication strategic missiological implication is an incomplete is an incomplete study, as is any study of missions that does not study, as is any study of missions that does not mark critical theological foundations. Proper study mark critical theological foundations. Proper study will conclude that both theology and missiology are will conclude that both theology and missiology are inextricably linked inextricably linked ... All who are grateful for their ... All who are grateful for their salvation will inevitably be motivated to join God in salvation will inevitably be motivated to join God in His missionary enterpriseHis missionary enterprise. To do less is nothing . To do less is nothing more than spiritual selfishness.more than spiritual selfishness.”” J. SimmonsJ. Simmons

• Many today believe that confrontational evangelism Many today believe that confrontational evangelism is out of mode, too offensive to others (does more is out of mode, too offensive to others (does more harm than good) or too much to expect of harm than good) or too much to expect of contemporary Christians. contemporary Christians.

2626

Do you agree?Do you agree?

• Orthodoxy is Orthodoxy is no assurance no assurance of missiological fervor, but of missiological fervor, but it is a foundational influence. When a breakdown of it is a foundational influence. When a breakdown of missiological fervor within orthodoxy does occur, missiological fervor within orthodoxy does occur, however, it is often reflected in a however, it is often reflected in a widening gap widening gap between theological belief and Christian practice. For between theological belief and Christian practice. For instance, someone may give his or her enthusiastic instance, someone may give his or her enthusiastic assent to John 14:6 that Jesus Christ is the only way assent to John 14:6 that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. At the same time, one might admit to the Father. At the same time, one might admit doubts that God would condemndoubts that God would condemn someone to hell who someone to hell who sincerely practices a religion other than Christianity. sincerely practices a religion other than Christianity. Winston Crawley prophetically called a "religious Winston Crawley prophetically called a "religious relativism" that is very similar to a form of Hindu relativism" that is very similar to a form of Hindu doctrine.doctrine.

2727

Missions exist because sin Missions exist because sin exists in every personexists in every person

• Missions is a fraud and a waste if no sin barrier existsMissions is a fraud and a waste if no sin barrier exists

• Sin erects a barrier because of the nature of sinSin erects a barrier because of the nature of sin

• Those separated from God by the sin barrier are LOST.Those separated from God by the sin barrier are LOST.• Those who do end up perishing, do so because they Those who do end up perishing, do so because they

refuse refuse ““to to love the truth love the truth and so be savedand so be saved”” (2 Thess 2:10). (2 Thess 2:10).

• Lostness is a state of Lostness is a state of hopelessness and isolation hopelessness and isolation from from GodGod’’s acceptance and fellowship. This state will never s acceptance and fellowship. This state will never change from birth to death to eternity except during change from birth to death to eternity except during this life experience this life experience a messenger of God intervenes a messenger of God intervenes in in the sinnerthe sinner’’s life to share the s life to share the only acceptable solution only acceptable solution to to manman’’s sin, the death of Christ on the cross as Gods sin, the death of Christ on the cross as God’’s s salvation salvation

2828

ConclusionConclusion

• ““Although God's salvation begins and ends with His purposes, Although God's salvation begins and ends with His purposes, His sovereignty His sovereignty chooses to include us in the processchooses to include us in the process. We . We are called to stand, not at a distance admiring this work of God's are called to stand, not at a distance admiring this work of God's salvation, but nearby, so that we might be available for his use.salvation, but nearby, so that we might be available for his use.””

• At the place of availability, we embrace his purposes as our own At the place of availability, we embrace his purposes as our own and seek his wisdom for ourselves, thereby and seek his wisdom for ourselves, thereby seeing the world seeing the world as he sees it. as he sees it.

• William Carey,William Carey,‘”‘”LiveLive and act alone for Godand act alone for God,' working to the ,' working to the point of 'indefatigable industry, till we point of 'indefatigable industry, till we can't find a soul that's can't find a soul that's destitute of Christ in all the worlddestitute of Christ in all the world”” ... ...

• Move Move from the place of observation to the place of from the place of observation to the place of availabilityavailability, thereby joining him in this great work of missions. , thereby joining him in this great work of missions. Whatever sacrifice is required to move the distance is, from and Whatever sacrifice is required to move the distance is, from and

eternal perspective, eternal perspective, worth it !worth it !2929