God's Heart for the Nations

Introduction

Really excited for this weekend

“A Biblical Basis for Missions” would also be an appropriate title

Pray

Explanation

God’s heart has always been for all peoples.

God’s heart

Genesis 12:1-4 (blessing to all peoples)

Joshua 4:23-24 (Exodus)

Joshua 2:8-14 (Rahab, a Gentile)

Isaiah 56:7 (house of prayer for all nations)

Habakkuk 2:14 (earth will be filled)

Psalm 67:1-7 (blessed to be a blessing)

Israel’s calling

Exodus 19:4-6 (kingdom of priests)

Isaiah 49:6 (light to the Gentiles, fulfilled in Christ)

1 Kings 8:41-43 (foreigners will worship)

Psalm 96:3-5 (declare his glory)

Jesus’ ministry

Matthew 8:5-10 (centurion)

Luke 10:1-4 (to the 70)

John 4:1-4 (detour to Samaria)

John 12:32 (all men)

Acts 1:1 (Jesus continues)

PNG — Insignificant people, insignificant land

The mystery of the Gospel is that salvation is offered to people from every nation.

Briefly mention Acts 10 (Cornelius)

Ephesians 3:1-13 (Gentiles are fellow heirs)

Colossians 1:27 (Christ in you, Gentiles)

The mission of making disciples is urgent because people are lost for eternity without Jesus.

Hardly need to prove this with Scripture.

We know it, but do you really believe it? Has it made its way from your head to your heart?

Paul was ready to go to hell on behalf of others (Romans 9:3), but most of us are “practical universalists.”

Not “what will God say to those who never heard?”… But, “what will we say to God about those who never heard?”

PNG guy — Did your father have this book?

Significant progress has been made, but an urgent task still remains.

Habakkuk 2:14

1/3 “Christian”, 1/3 reached areas, 1/3 unreached

All the low hanging fruit has been picked.

80% of people have a Bible in their language, but the last 20% are the most difficult.

The Gospel has spread to every country on earth, but within every country are roughly 2.5 billion “unreached” who live without any sustainable church movement (mostly in North Africa, Middle East, and South Asia)

Because only roughly 3% of missionaries go to new places, close to 6 million people live in people groups without any missionary witness to begin with.

Every Christian receives a God-sized purpose, a Jesus-spoken promise, and Holy Spirit power.

Matthew 28:20 — If the commission isn’t binding, neither is the promise.

Acts 1:8 — Holy Spirit power

Jesus is worthy.

Revelation 5:6-10