Blessed to Be a Blessing: Engaging in Global Missions

 

Summary

Psalm 67 serves as a profound reminder of God's ultimate purpose for His people: to be a blessing to the nations. This Psalm is not merely a call for personal or national prosperity but a divine mandate for the people of God to be conduits of His grace and truth to the ends of the earth. Historically, this vision has fueled missionary movements, as seen in the lives of the Puritans and figures like John Eliot, who dedicated their lives to spreading the gospel among unreached peoples. Their efforts were driven by a deep conviction in God's sovereignty and a robust Reformed theology that saw no contradiction between a high view of God's control and a passionate commitment to missions.

The shift in the global center of Christianity from the West to the Global South is a testament to God's ongoing work in the world. This shift challenges us not to become complacent or to abdicate our responsibility in missions. Instead, it calls us to engage more deeply, whether as goers or senders, in the task of making God's name known among all nations. The statistics of the growing Christian presence in places like Africa, Asia, and Latin America should inspire hope and a renewed commitment to the Great Commission.

Psalm 67 emphasizes that God's blessings are not an end in themselves but a means to a greater end: the knowledge, praise, joy, and reverence of God among all peoples. This is the heartbeat of missions and the reason for our blessings. As we reflect on our resources and opportunities, we must ask ourselves how we can leverage them for the sake of the nations. The call is clear: we are blessed to be a blessing, and this involves active participation in God's mission, whether through going, sending, or supporting those who do.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Sovereign Purpose: God's ultimate purpose is to be known, praised, enjoyed, and feared among all nations. This divine mandate calls us to align our lives with His mission, ensuring that our blessings serve the greater purpose of making His name known globally. [25:00]

- Historical Missionary Zeal: The missionary zeal of the Puritans and figures like John Eliot was fueled by a robust Reformed theology that saw God's sovereignty as a catalyst for missions, not a hindrance. This historical perspective challenges us to embrace a theology that compels us to engage in global missions. [03:18]

- Global Shift in Christianity: The shift of Christianity's center from the West to the Global South is a significant move of God, reminding us that His work is not confined to any one region. This shift should inspire us to support and engage with the global church in fulfilling the Great Commission. [11:52]

- Blessed to Be a Blessing: Our blessings are not for personal gain but for the advancement of God's kingdom among the nations. This perspective challenges us to use our resources and opportunities to support missions and make God's salvation known worldwide. [43:49]

- Engagement in Missions: Whether as goers or senders, we are all called to participate in God's mission. This involves a commitment to prayer, support, and active involvement in reaching the unreached, ensuring that every people group has the opportunity to hear the gospel. [31:25]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Reading of Psalm 67
- [01:01] - Historical Context of Missions
- [01:34] - The Puritan Missionary Vision
- [03:18] - John Eliot's Missionary Work
- [05:20] - The Modern Missionary Movement
- [10:06] - Reformed Theology and Missions
- [11:52] - Global Shift in Christianity
- [14:49] - Statistics of Global Christianity
- [16:23] - The Ongoing Need for Missions
- [18:17] - Unreached and Unengaged Peoples
- [21:15] - The Role of Western Missions
- [23:03] - Purpose of God's Blessings
- [25:00] - God's Purpose in Psalm 67
- [33:41] - God's Sovereign Power
- [39:53] - God's Gracious Nature
- [43:49] - Blessed to Be a Blessing
- [49:32] - Call to Engage in Missions
- [51:10] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 67

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the primary purpose of God's blessings according to Psalm 67? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on being a blessing to the nations? [23:03]

2. How does the sermon describe the historical missionary zeal of the Puritans and figures like John Eliot? What theological convictions drove their mission work? [03:18]

3. What significant shift in the global center of Christianity is highlighted in the sermon, and what implications does this have for the church today? [11:52]

4. According to the sermon, what are the four purposes of God as revealed in Psalm 67? [25:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "blessed to be a blessing" in the context of global missions? What does this mean for individual believers and the church as a whole? [43:49]

2. The sermon mentions a shift in the global center of Christianity. How might this shift challenge traditional views of missions and the role of Western churches? [16:23]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's sovereignty and missionary work are interconnected? How does this perspective challenge or affirm your understanding of missions? [09:19]

4. How does the sermon use the example of John Eliot to illustrate the impact of a robust Reformed theology on missions? What lessons can be drawn from his life and work? [05:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the resources and opportunities you have. How can you leverage them to support global missions, either as a goer or a sender? [49:32]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of engaging with unreached peoples. What steps can you take to become more informed and involved in reaching these groups? [32:06]

3. Consider the shift in the global center of Christianity. How can you support and learn from the growing Christian presence in the Global South? [14:49]

4. The sermon challenges us to align our lives with God's mission. What specific changes can you make in your daily life to better reflect this alignment? [25:00]

5. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and its implications for missions in your personal study and prayer life? [09:19]

6. The sermon calls for active participation in God's mission. What practical steps can you take this week to engage more deeply in missions, whether locally or globally? [31:25]

7. Reflect on the historical examples of missionary zeal mentioned in the sermon. How can these stories inspire and motivate you in your own faith journey and mission involvement? [03:18]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereign Purpose for All Nations
God's ultimate purpose is for His name to be known, praised, enjoyed, and feared among all nations. This divine mandate calls believers to align their lives with His mission, ensuring that their blessings serve the greater purpose of making His name known globally. The call is not just for personal or national prosperity but for a global impact that reflects God's heart for the world. As believers, understanding this purpose helps to reframe how they view their resources and opportunities, seeing them as tools for advancing God's kingdom. [25:00]

Psalm 96:3-4 (ESV): "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods."

Reflection: How can you use your current resources and opportunities to make God's name known in your community or globally today?


Day 2: Historical Missionary Zeal
The missionary zeal of the Puritans and figures like John Eliot was fueled by a robust Reformed theology that saw God's sovereignty as a catalyst for missions, not a hindrance. This historical perspective challenges modern believers to embrace a theology that compels them to engage in global missions. The conviction that God's control over all things does not negate human responsibility but rather empowers it, is a powerful motivator for mission work. Understanding this can inspire believers to take bold steps in sharing the gospel, knowing that their efforts are part of a larger divine plan. [03:18]

Acts 13:47 (ESV): "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's sovereignty in your life. How can this understanding motivate you to engage in missions or support those who do?


Day 3: Embracing the Global Shift in Christianity
The shift of Christianity's center from the West to the Global South is a significant move of God, reminding believers that His work is not confined to any one region. This shift should inspire believers to support and engage with the global church in fulfilling the Great Commission. The growing Christian presence in places like Africa, Asia, and Latin America is a testament to God's ongoing work and a call to action for believers everywhere. By embracing this shift, believers can find new ways to connect with and support the global body of Christ. [11:52]

Isaiah 49:6 (ESV): "He says: 'It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'"

Reflection: How can you actively support the global church today, whether through prayer, financial support, or building relationships with believers from different cultures?


Day 4: Blessed to Be a Blessing
Believers are blessed not for personal gain but for the advancement of God's kingdom among the nations. This perspective challenges them to use their resources and opportunities to support missions and make God's salvation known worldwide. Understanding that blessings are a means to a greater end can transform how believers view their lives and their purpose. By seeing themselves as conduits of God's grace, they can find joy and fulfillment in being part of His mission to reach all peoples. [43:49]

2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

Reflection: Identify one blessing in your life that you can use to bless others today. How can you leverage this blessing for the sake of God's kingdom?


Day 5: Engaging in God's Mission
Whether as goers or senders, all believers are called to participate in God's mission. This involves a commitment to prayer, support, and active involvement in reaching the unreached, ensuring that every people group has the opportunity to hear the gospel. Understanding this call helps believers see their role in the larger mission of God, whether they are called to go themselves or to support those who do. By engaging in this mission, believers can experience the joy of being part of God's redemptive work in the world. [31:25]

Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV): "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"

Reflection: Consider your role in God's mission. Are you called to go, send, or support? What is one specific step you can take today to fulfill this role?

Quotes



The missionary endeavor of the Protestants in England burst forth out of the soil of a very rich Reformed, Puritan theology. You remember the Puritans. They were the pastors and the teachers between 1560 and 1660 who wanted to purify the Church of England in accord with the theological and practical teachings of the Reformation. [00:01:38]

They had a view of Biblical authority and God’s sovereignty that produced an undaunted hope for the world. They were deeply stirred with a passion for God’s coming kingdom. They really believed in Psalm 86:8 and 9. It goes like this. There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours. [00:02:12]

The mindset the vast majority of the Pilgrims who came from England to America was we’re on an errand into the wilderness to advance the kingdom of God and to reach the nations the Algonquin and the Cherokee and Iroquois and the dozens and dozens of tribes that were in America, the unreached peoples, the frontiers, the place where the gospel was going to bring victory among the nations. [00:04:55]

And his motto for life was, “Prayers and pains, through faith in Christ Jesus, will do anything.” And one of the great tragedies of our land is that was completely destroyed. We have much to grieve over with regard to our history. But what I want to say is that the earliest, risk taking, pains taking, prayer soaked, missionary adventure into the unreached nations of the world among Puritans was driven by a profound confidence in the sovereignty of God and a rich and robust Reformed theology. [00:08:14]

So when 1793 comes, you not only have William Carey driven by this very same Reformed vision of God’s triumph in the world because of His sovereign promises, but you have David Brainerd, you have Adoniram Judson, you have Alexander Duff, David Livingstone. They’re all driven by the same theology. They’re all Reformed. They’re all Calvinistic. [00:09:43]

At the beginning of the 20th century, Europeans dominated the world church – 70.6% of the world’s Christian population was European or European descent. By the end of the 20th century, so 11 years ago, the European percentage of world Christianity had shrunk from 70% to 28% of the total, and Latin America and Africa alone, without Asia, combined made 43% of the world’s Christians. [00:12:14]

When you hear statistics like that be careful that you do not draw false inferences like the day of missions or the day of Western missions is over. There are people talking that way, and it is horrific, I think. To say, for example, just send your money to third world missions because they can do it better, and we’re not needed anymore, here’s the way I translate that philosophy. Let them shed their blood, not us. [00:16:23]

There are, as we speak – I updated this from the joshuaproject.net yesterday, who keep week by week tabs on these statistics – there are, as we speak, 6,872 unreached peoples. So you can go to their website – joshuaproject.net – and see the precise definition of unreached, representing 41% of the population of the world in those peoples. [00:18:04]

The purpose of God in this prayer – this is the way you pray when you’re praying “Thy kingdom come,” this is the way you pray – God’s purpose is to be known, praised, enjoyed, and feared. Those are the four purposes of God in this Psalm. Let’s just look at them. Number one, God’s purpose is to be known. [00:25:03]

If we are children of God, then the only thing that will bring true and lasting satisfaction is to throw our lives into the purpose of our Father. And the purpose of our Father is to be known and praised and enjoyed and reverenced among all the nations. [00:28:25]

There are three kinds of people we like to say at Bethlehem – goers, senders, and disobedient. And there aren’t any other kind. And so I do not expect you nor want all of you to go. When Paul was heading for Spain, and he wrote his missionary letter called Romans to get support. “I want you to speed me on my journey.” He meant don’t go with me. [00:31:05]

Blessing is on the church in America for the sake of the nations. And even though the center of gravity has moved from Europe to America and now to the global south, my prayer is I’m simply… I’m in God’s face about this. No, no, no, no, no, no, the church in North America will not be left behind in this process. [00:48:34]

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Transcript
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