Sharing Our Faith with the Nations

Introduction

I remember my pastor speaking at a church in the Philippines when I was a young boy. I had never been out of the country and dreamed about how cool that might be. Little did I know the gospel message of the kingdom would take me on some of the most exciting missions around the world. ‌

I have a world map in my office with little magnets marking where the Lord has allowed me to minister for his name. I have magnets in Europe, Africa, Mexico, Belize, Egypt, Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Iraq. The Lord has allowed me to form friendships so dear to my heart in all these places.

But why do we do it? Why do we spend the time, effort, and money to go to other places when the need is so great right here at home? I’ve even had people ask, “Why don’t we just send the money to them instead of putting ourselves in harms way?” My answer was: “Because God told me to go.”

I have since come to understand God’s heart on the matter, which provides a much better explanation. Money can never replace the love relationship one experiences when we are together. If sharing our money with people was the goal, then going makes no sense, but if sharing my soul with others is the goal, I must go in person.

I have been to Ukraine 5 times, preaching in churches and teaching a 40-hour college course on discipleship. Some places I’ve been are now under Russian occupation and some I have lost to the war. It’s one thing for the U.S. to send financial and military aid, but it’s something else entirely when Nancy Pelosi personally flies over to be with the Ukrainian president. Money usually has a hidden agenda or expectations attached to it. But sending someone speaks volumes of love and concern. So it is with us as ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.

This morning, I want us to get the heart of God on this idea of missions and our biblical responsibility in it.

Update for Mission Church (2 min)

David’s Heart on Mission work in Armenia. (5 min)

God's Heart is for the Nations.

The Reality of God’s Heaven

Revelation 7:9–10 ESV

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

The Purpose for Abraham’s Call

Genesis 12:3 ESV

3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Galatians 3:8 ESV

8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

The Reflection of God’s Heart in the Church

Our community is asking the question, “Do we want a multi-ethnic church? Do we want to try and celebrate more than one culture?”

A multi-ethnic church represents the Throne room of God.

A multi-ethnic church represents the community we serve.

Ephesians 2:12–19 ESV

12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Christ’s Heart is for the Nations.

The gospel to all nations

Matthew 24:3–8 ESV

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

The gospel brings the end of the age.

Matthew 24:9–14 ESV

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The gospel demands a proclamation.

Luke 24:44–47 ESV

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Ask Christ to open your mind to understand the Scriptures.

Christ should suffer

Christ will rise on the third day

Repentance and forgiveness should be proclaimed to all nations.

The Spirit’s Heart is for the Nations.

The gospel movement requires power.

The movement would begin at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:47 ESV

47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

The movement must expand.

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The gospel movement requires a calling.

Acts 13:2–3 ESV

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

The gospel movement requires us to be sent.

Romans 10:14–15 ESV

14 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? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

My mission trip to Iraq. The man in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Witnessing through facebook. A pastor in Mexico City. The call to go to Sulaymaniyah. A moment of Discipleship. Salvation in a foreign land. His message to me last Thursday: Hello Sir, You are just like my father and it’s like our souls are connected, and I felt super happy when I woke up today and have started one of my best days… Thank you so much, may Gold bless you

Prayer Moment over the Kenya Team.