Answering the Call: Urgency in Global Missions

Devotional

Day 1: Urgency in Alleviating Suffering

Our world is filled with both physical and spiritual suffering, and as followers of Christ, we are called to address both with urgency. The call to missions is a call to action, urging us to invest our lives and resources in alleviating suffering and reaching the unreached. This is not just about charity but about aligning our hearts with God's heart for the nations. We are in a spiritual war, and our lives should reflect this reality by focusing on eternal treasures and maximizing our resources for the Kingdom. The urgency of missions is a reminder that our time is limited, and the need is great. [00:43]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can use your resources this week to alleviate suffering in your community or beyond?

Day 2: The Missionary's Unique Calling

Missionaries are uniquely called to go where Christ is not yet known, following the example of Paul who moved on to new regions after completing his work. This task is immense, with thousands of unreached people groups still waiting to hear the gospel. It requires a heart aligned with God's heart for the nations and a willingness to step into the unknown. The call to be a frontier missionary is not just for a select few but is a challenge for all believers to consider how they can support or participate in this vital work. [03:13]

"And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation." (Romans 15:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you support the work of missionaries who are reaching unreached people groups, either through prayer, financial support, or personal involvement?

Day 3: Calvinism's Missionary Mandate

The doctrines of grace, often summarized in the five points of Calvinism, are deeply connected to the missionary mandate. These doctrines provide both urgency and assurance in God's sovereign work in missions. Total depravity reminds us of the necessity to preach the gospel, as people are spiritually dead without it. Unconditional election assures us that no one is excluded from the gospel offer. Limited atonement emphasizes the effectiveness of Christ's sacrifice for His people. Irresistible grace gives us hope that God will overcome resistance to the gospel. Perseverance of the saints assures us that God will sustain His missionaries through suffering. [06:14]

"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: Which of the five points of Calvinism resonates most with you in the context of missions, and how can it inspire you to share the gospel more boldly?

Day 4: Christ's Call in John 10:16

John 10:16 is a pivotal text that reminds us of Christ's mission to gather His people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This is a call to action, urging us to be part of God's grand mission. The verse speaks of other sheep not of this fold, and the necessity for them to be brought in. It is a reminder that the gospel is not just for us but for the whole world, and we are called to be active participants in this mission. [17:16]

"And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the "other sheep" in your life that God is calling you to reach out to with the love and message of Christ?

Day 5: Confidence in God's Sovereignty

The assurance that God has committed Himself to bring His sheep home should propel us to be risk-taking, joyful, and confident missionaries. Trusting in God's promises and His power to save gives us the courage to step out in faith, knowing that He is sovereign over all. This confidence is not based on our abilities but on God's faithfulness and His commitment to His mission. As we engage in missions, we can be assured that God will sustain us and bring about His purposes. [41:39]

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust more in God's sovereignty, and how can you take a step of faith in that area this week?

Sermon Summary

In our time together, we have explored the profound call to missions, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of reaching the unreached peoples of the world. We are reminded that our lives should be dedicated to alleviating suffering, both physical and spiritual, and that our resources should be maximized for the cause of the Kingdom. The call to missions is not just a call to action but a call to align our hearts with God's heart for the nations. We are in a spiritual war, and our lives should reflect that reality by investing in eternal treasures.

Paul's testimony in Romans 15 serves as a model for us. He completed his work in one region and moved on to where Christ was not yet known. This is the unique calling of missionaries: to go where the name of Christ is not named and to plant churches among people groups who have no access to the gospel. The task is immense, with thousands of people groups yet to be reached. We are called to be frontier missionaries, especially those of us who hold to the doctrines of grace, which are inherently missionary doctrines.

The five points of Calvinism—total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints—are not just theological concepts but are deeply connected to the missionary mandate. They remind us of the urgency and the assurance we have in God's sovereign work in missions. Total depravity calls us to preach the gospel, as people are spiritually dead without it. Unconditional election assures us that no one is excluded from the gospel offer. Limited atonement emphasizes the effectiveness of Christ's sacrifice for His people. Irresistible grace gives us hope that God will overcome resistance to the gospel. Perseverance of the saints assures us that God will sustain His missionaries through suffering.

John 10:16 is a pivotal text, reminding us that Christ has other sheep not of this fold, and He must bring them also. This is a call to action, a call to go and make disciples of all nations. It is a call to be part of God's grand mission to gather His people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. We are urged to be risk-taking, joyful, and confident missionaries, trusting in God's promises and His power to save.

Key Takeaways

1. taking, joyful, and confident missionaries, trusting in His promises and power to save. [41:39]
** [41:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Prayer for Alleviating Suffering
[00:43] - Maximizing Resources for the Kingdom
[01:19] - Call to Missions
[02:25] - Paul's Testimony and Missionary Model
[03:13] - Unique Calling of Missionaries
[04:49] - Recruiting Martyr-Hearted Missionaries
[06:14] - Calvinism as Missionary Doctrine
[07:25] - Unconditional Election and Mission
[09:59] - Limited Atonement and Mission
[12:29] - Irresistible Grace and Mission
[14:04] - Perseverance of the Saints
[16:00] - Radical Missionary Churches
[17:16] - John 10:16: A Missionary Call
[19:26] - Theological Background of John 10
[30:35] - Danger of Hyper-Calvinism
[36:19] - Encouragement from John 10:16
[41:39] - Confidence in God's Sovereignty
[49:40] - Prayer for Mobilization

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 10:16
- Romans 15:18-20
- Matthew 24:14

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Observation Questions:

In John 10:16, what does Jesus mean when He says, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold"? How does this relate to the call to missions? [17:16]
According to Romans 15:18-20, what was Paul's approach to missions, and how did he determine when his work in a region was complete? [02:25]
How does the sermon describe the connection between the five points of Calvinism and the missionary mandate? [06:14]
What is the significance of the phrase "investing in eternal treasures" as mentioned in the sermon? [00:43]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of "total depravity" in Calvinism emphasize the urgency of preaching the gospel to unreached people groups? [06:47]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of God's sovereignty in missions, particularly in the context of John 10:16? [41:39]
How might Paul's model of missions in Romans 15 challenge contemporary approaches to missionary work? [02:25]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the doctrines of grace should inspire confidence and joy in missionaries? [05:36]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current lifestyle and resources. How can you maximize them for the Kingdom, as suggested in the sermon? What specific changes can you make this week? [00:43]
The sermon calls for "martyr-hearted missionaries." What does this mean to you personally, and how can you cultivate a heart willing to take risks for the gospel? [04:49]
Consider the idea of "unconditional election" and its implication that no one is excluded from the gospel offer. How can this shape your interactions with people from different backgrounds? [07:25]
How can you actively participate in God's mission to gather His people from every tribe, tongue, and nation? Identify one practical step you can take this month. [17:16]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of aligning our hearts with God's heart for the nations. What steps can you take to better understand and align with God's heart for missions? [03:13]
Reflect on a time when you felt resistant to God's call in your life. How can the concept of "irresistible grace" encourage you to trust in God's ability to overcome that resistance? [12:29]
How can you support missionaries in your community or church, either through prayer, financial support, or other means? What is one action you can commit to this week? [41:39]

Sermon Clips

Father in heaven we want our lives to count for the alleviation of pain, especially the pain of hell, for as many as we can in short of that, the pain of hunger and the pain of torture in the pain of homelessness and alienation lack of medical resources, water food. [00:06:30]

Missionaries have a unique calling namely to go where the name of Christ is not named to plant churches among people groups who don't have any churches they don't have any pastors they don't have any schools they don't have any literature they don't have any testimony to Christ. [00:20:02]

The doctrines of grace are missionary doctrines all five of the five points of Calvinism are missionary doctrines and I want to try to just summarize that for you as I begin and then take you to the tenth chapter of John to unpack it. [00:06:16]

Total depravity means all people everywhere without exception are fallen sinful and spiritually dead and perishing without the gospel and without the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit that comes with the preaching of the gospel alone. [00:06:44]

Unconditional election means no person no people group may claim exclusion from God's purposes because of any race or social class or education or prior creed or religion if God has chosen who he will unconditionally then no conditions can be used to withhold the gospel offer. [00:07:22]

The doctrine of irresistible grace doesn't mean that the grace of God can't be resisted it means God suffers it to be resisted until he decides to overcome the resistance and when he chooses to overcome the resistance he saves. [00:12:22]

Perseverance of the saints God can and will sustain his missionary Saints through suffering so that they go on trusting him and serving him and he will see to it that they keep believing the gospel and therefore that the gospel will be preached throughout the whole world. [00:13:58]

John 10:16 is the answer here the Jewish disciples perhaps beginning to feel like they are the elect heirs of Abraham and no others and Jesus appears I have other sheep that are not of this fold he means among the Gentiles. [00:31:44]

The Lord has committed himself to bring his sheep home I have other sheep that are not of this fold I must bring them also one of those Greek constructions with that famous word it is necessary I'm su this this is a necessity I must bring them. [00:41:19]

The confidence is that the Lord Himself says you go you preach I'll bring them I must bring them also now he won't do it without us and therefore he will see to it that enough of you are called into missions to get the work done. [00:41:50]

When you preach the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit the Shepherd is still calling the voice of the Shepherd is authentically being heard and when his voice is authentically heard the dead are raised and a call is effectual and his own sheep follow him. [00:43:15]

If you love the glory of God and if you love people you have three possibilities go sinned or disobey and if you're not a conscious goer or a conscious sender you are disobedient to the glory and to love the close of the story. [00:46:08]

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