Transformative Power of the Gospel in Mongolia

 

Summary

In my sermon today, I emphasized the transformative power of the gospel and the importance of gospel-driven imagination in Christian ministry. This imagination allows us to envision not only the current state of our lives and communities but also the potential for transformation through Jesus Christ. I shared insights into the work of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and Alliance Missions, highlighting the fruitful outcomes where theological education, leadership development, quality materials in the heart language, and church planting converge.

I introduced my family and our journey to Mongolia, where we lead the Kingdom Leadership Training Center. Our center is Christ-centered, with the Bible as the primary text, and we strive to be contextually appropriate, symbolized by our logo that incorporates Mongolian elements. Psalm 1:3 serves as our key verse, illustrating our desire for our students to be like trees planted by streams of living water, flourishing in their faith.

I spoke about the metaphor of a tree or forest representing the growth of the church, as seen in Psalm 1 and throughout the New Testament. The concept of shalom, meaning flourishing, is central to our vision for the church in Mongolia—a place that is often dry and in need of the living water that Jesus provides.

I discussed the critical need for quality Christian resources in Mongolia, where there is a theological famine. We have published books, including A.W. Tozer's "The Pursuit of God," which are having a significant impact. We also translated "Soul Care" by Dr. Rob Riemer, aiding in the inner healing of many Mongolians.

Church planting is another vital aspect of our mission. I introduced the president of the Mongolian Alliance Churches and emphasized the importance of Missions 360, where countries that have received missionaries are now sending their own to other parts of the world.

I shared the strategic importance of Mongolia, located between Russia and China, and its potential for gospel outreach. Since 1990, when Mongolia opened up, the number of believers has grown from four to over 45,000. We aim to raise a healthy network of churches that can endure for centuries, much like planting trees that will grow into a forest.

Our work also includes peacemaking and reconciliation through the gospel, addressing critical needs such as alcoholism with ministries like Celebrate Recovery, and engaging in prison ministry. We invite the congregation to partner with us in prayer and support for Mongolia, envisioning a future where the church there blooms like the Mongolian summer.

Key Takeaways:

- Gospel-driven imagination is not merely wishful thinking; it is a disciplined vision that sees beyond the present reality to the potential of what God can do through us. Just as a tree in the desert defies its arid surroundings by drawing life from hidden streams, we too are called to draw from the living water of Christ to bring life to the barren places in our lives and communities. [46:18]

- Theological education and leadership development are not ends in themselves but are means to equip believers to become deeply rooted in Christ. Like an aspen grove, where individual trees are connected by a single root system, our training center aims to foster a connected body of Christ-centered leaders who can support and nourish one another in their shared mission. [49:09]

- The scarcity of quality Christian resources in a language that resonates with the heart is a form of famine. By addressing this need through translation and publication, we are not just filling shelves with books; we are sowing seeds of truth that will grow into a harvest of righteousness in the lives of those who read them. [51:19]

- Church planting is a long-term investment in the kingdom of God. It is about more than establishing a physical location for worship; it is about cultivating a community that embodies the love, peace, and reconciliation of the gospel, extending branches of hope into the surrounding society. [53:22]

- Peacemaking is a reflection of the gospel's power to transform hearts and mend broken relationships. As we teach and model reconciliation, we are participating in the restoration of shalom, the flourishing of individuals and communities as they align with God's design for wholeness and harmony. [56:02]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 1:1-6
- "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction."

2. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
- "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

#### Observation Questions
1. What metaphor is used in Psalm 1 to describe a person who delights in the law of the Lord? How does this metaphor relate to the growth of the church? ([43:02])
2. According to the sermon, what are the three components that contribute to the growth of a healthy network of churches? ([46:42])
3. How has the number of believers in Mongolia changed since 1990, and what does this signify about the potential for gospel outreach in the region? ([42:03])
4. What role does theological education and leadership development play in the mission work described in the sermon? ([47:09])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of a tree planted by streams of water in Psalm 1 illustrate the concept of shalom and flourishing in the context of Christian ministry? ([45:00])
2. In what ways does the scarcity of quality Christian resources in Mongolia represent a "theological famine," and how does addressing this need contribute to the growth of the church? ([51:19])
3. How does the concept of "gospel-driven imagination" challenge us to see beyond the present reality to the potential of what God can do through us? ([45:48])
4. What is the significance of Missions 360, and how does it reflect the global nature of the church's mission? ([40:23])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the metaphor of a tree planted by streams of water. In what areas of your life do you need to draw more deeply from the "living water" of Christ to bring life to barren places? ([43:02])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of theological education and leadership development. How can you support or get involved in these areas within your own church or community? ([47:09])
3. Consider the impact of quality Christian resources in your own spiritual growth. What steps can you take to ensure that you and others have access to such resources? ([51:19])
4. Church planting is described as a long-term investment in the kingdom of God. How can you contribute to the cultivation of a community that embodies the love, peace, and reconciliation of the gospel? ([53:22])
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of peacemaking and reconciliation. Are there relationships in your life that need healing? What practical steps can you take to pursue reconciliation and restore shalom? ([56:02])
6. Reflect on the growth of the church in Mongolia since 1990. How does this story inspire you to participate in global missions, and what specific actions can you take to support mission work? ([42:03])
7. The concept of "gospel-driven imagination" encourages us to envision transformation through Jesus Christ. How can you cultivate this kind of imagination in your daily life and ministry? ([45:48])

Devotional

Day 1: Envisioning Gospel Transformation
Gospel-driven imagination is not a passive dream but an active vision that propels believers to see beyond their current circumstances to the transformative possibilities in Christ. This imagination is rooted in the truth of the gospel, which has the power to change not only individuals but entire communities. It is a disciplined vision that acknowledges the harsh realities of the present but refuses to be limited by them, choosing instead to focus on the potential for growth and renewal through the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to tap into this imagination, allowing it to guide their actions and ministries, so they can become agents of change in the world, bringing life to places that are spiritually barren and dry. [46:18]

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Reflection: How can you apply gospel-driven imagination to a specific area in your life that seems barren or stagnant, trusting God to bring transformation?

Day 2: Rooted in Christ-Centered Leadership
Theological education and leadership development are crucial for equipping believers to become deeply rooted in their faith, much like an interconnected grove where each tree supports the others. This process is not merely academic but is a spiritual journey that fosters a strong, interconnected community of believers. By becoming deeply rooted in Christ, leaders can provide nourishment and support to one another, ensuring that the body of Christ grows strong and resilient. This shared mission is to embody the love and wisdom of Jesus, enabling them to lead effectively and cultivate a vibrant faith community. [49:09]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your roots in Christ this week, and how can this growth support others in your faith community?

Day 3: Sowing Seeds of Truth
Addressing the scarcity of quality Christian resources in one's heart language is akin to sowing seeds of truth that will grow into a harvest of righteousness. This endeavor goes beyond mere translation; it involves the careful cultivation of materials that resonate with the cultural and spiritual context of the readers. By providing access to these resources, believers are equipped with the nourishment needed for spiritual growth and maturity. The seeds of truth planted through these resources have the potential to bear fruit in the lives of individuals and, by extension, in the wider community, as they come to a deeper understanding of God's word and its implications for their lives. [51:19]

Hosea 10:12 (ESV)
"Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you."

Reflection: What Christian resource has deeply impacted your life, and how can you share this treasure with someone else who might benefit from it?

Day 4: Cultivating Gospel Communities
Church planting is a strategic and long-term investment in the kingdom of God, akin to cultivating a forest that will provide shelter and life for generations to come. It is about creating communities that not only gather for worship but also embody the transformative love, peace, and reconciliation found in the gospel. These communities become beacons of hope, extending the reach of the gospel into society and drawing others into a relationship with Christ. The vision is to see these communities flourish, becoming self-sustaining and replicating, as they impact the world with the message of Jesus. [53:22]

Isaiah 61:3-4 (ESV)
"To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations."

Reflection: What role can you play in supporting or participating in a church-planting initiative, either locally or globally?

Day 5: Restoring Shalom through Reconciliation
Peacemaking and reconciliation are at the heart of the gospel's transformative power. By engaging in these acts, believers participate in the restoration of shalom—God's design for wholeness and harmony in relationships. This process involves teaching and modeling forgiveness, addressing deep-seated issues like addiction, and extending the peace of Christ to all areas of life. As individuals and communities align with God's design, they experience the flourishing that comes from living in right relationship with God and one another. [56:02]

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (ESV)
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation."

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation? What steps can you take this week to move towards peace and restoration in that relationship?

Quotes

1) "But yet I believe that one of the most important disciplines in Christian ministry is gospel-driven imagination. It is the ability to see things not just as they are, but as they can be as they are transformed through the power of Jesus Christ. When we look at our lives, when we look at the lives of those around us, it is not where I am today, but it is who Jesus is at work in my life." [46:18] ( | | )

2) "So I was talking to a senior member of our leadership. He says, you know, when I have looked at what the Christian and Missionary Alliance and Alliance Missions has done, when I look at the places where it has been most fruitful, there have kind of been three components that have consistently been at work. And those three components are theological education, leadership development, developing leaders, quality materials translated into the heart language of the people, and the third is church planting." [46:57] ( | | )

3) "This is the primary ministry that Cindy and I are involved in. We lead an NGO called Kingdom Leadership Training Center. This is our logo. When you look at this logo, what do you notice? What is at the center? A cross. And that is because all our training is Christ-centered. It is focused on the person of Jesus. The Bible is the primary text." [47:36] ( | | )

4) "I believe that the image that the author is bringing about here is of a word that doesn't actually appear in the psalm, but we see it throughout the Old Testament, and it is the concept of shalom. Shalom is often interpreted as peace, but it has a larger meaning, which means flourishing. And it is this idea of a tree not just doing okay, not just eking out an existence like a poorly fed house plant, but of just an abundance of fruit, the most healthy, beautiful tree that you have ever seen." [45:34] ( | | )

5) "Our school has three different levels of certificate, diploma, and then bachelor's. It takes six years to progressively go through that program. We're fully accredited through Asian Theological Association. Our people coming into our school have to be involved, active in a local church, before they can actually enter our school. It is not a discipleship training school, because discipleship is the job of the local church, and we do not want to do that, so then people will send people to us to disciple, but we are training leaders." [49:09] ( | | )

6) "This is Bat and Hungra, and they actually were in the video that you just saw earlier. They were elected about a year ago at a meeting of all the Alliance Churches that came together. Would you please pray for Bat and Hungra that God would give them wisdom, would give them a voice, would give them unity as they lead our churches and also help in planting other churches so that we would see other congregations built up throughout Mongolia." [53:22] ( | | )

7) "We are also involved in several other things in Mongolia. One of the critical needs that is present is people who are battling alcoholism. Celebrate Recovery has been a very valuable ministry for that. It's estimated that around 25% of Mongolian men, and I think that's actually quite low, struggle with alcohol addiction in some way." [54:41] ( | | )

8) "Another thing that God is doing is through peacemaking. We teach peacemaking at three different levels of teaching people how to be reconciled to one another and make peace through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This, again, has just been a phenomenal desire that people have that say, please, come, talk to me about this. I want to make peace." [56:02] ( | | )

9) "I planted the seed Apollos watered, but the Lord God made it grow. Oftentimes when I think about what we're doing in Mongolia, I go back to that metaphor of planting trees, and I say that we're there to plant trees. We want to see a forest that is built up over time that as people are growing down into the roots of Jesus Christ, that that church will endure for centuries forward." [38:14] ( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?