Facing a Task Unfinished

Introduction:

Story behind the song

"Facing a Task Unfinished" is a hymn written by Frank Houghton in the 1930s, inspired by a call for missionaries during a tumultuous period in China's history.

Historical Context

In March 1929, the China Inland Mission (CIM) issued a call for 200 new missionaries to serve in China, following a challenging time marked by civil unrest and the withdrawal of many missionaries due to safety concerns. This period saw significant loss, including the martyrdom of CIM workers, which heightened the urgency for new recruits to continue the mission's work. 

The Hymn's Creation

Frank Houghton, who had served as a missionary in China, wrote "Facing a Task Unfinished" to support this appeal for missionaries. The hymn was first published in the January 1931 issue of CIM's journal, "China's Millions," and was intended to inspire and mobilize Christians to respond to the urgent need for evangelism and support in China.

*Microsoft Copilot

[Verse 1] Facing a task unfinished That drives us to our knees A need that, undiminished Rebukes our slothful ease We, who rejoice to know Thee Renew before Thy throne The solemn pledge we owe Thee To go and make Thee known

[Verse 3] We bear the torch that flaming Fell from the hands of those Who gave their lives proclaiming That Jesus died and rose Ours is the same commission The same glad message ours Fired by the same ambition To Thee we yield our powers

[Verse 4] O Father who sustained them O Spirit who inspired Savior, whose love constrained them To toil with zeal untired From cowardice defend us From lethargy awake! Forth on Thine errands send us To labor for Thy sake

[Refrain] We go to all the world With kingdom hope unfurled No other name has power to save But Jesus Christ, the Lord

Tonight, we will look at our unfinished task as we prepare for our upcoming revival services.

Luke 10:1–12 ESV

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “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. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

1. The Commission (v.1)

Luke 10:1 ESV

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

72 sent out

Why 72?

Some argue because the Sanhedrin had 70 plus 1 high priest

Some argue it is a reference back to the 70 elders that Moses had to help him with judgment

The Bible doesn’t say, but the most likely answer is that Jesus was going to 36 towns

Look at the last part of the verse

Why 2?

There is accountability

There is protection and encouragement

There is a witness (every matter is established by two witnesses)

They were to proclaim that Jesus was coming to town

The Kingdom of God is at hand

2. The Intercession (v.2)

Luke 10:2 ESV

2 And he said to them, “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.

There is a guaranteed harvest

It is too big for us to get it all in

We need divine aid to get the job done

Pray for workers

3. The Mission (vv.3-12)

What is the difference between a mission and commission?

The Mission is the core purpose or goal we are trying to accomplish

A Commission is a formal appointment for a specific task

For example, a pastor’s mission is to reach the lost and shepherd the flock

A pastor might be commissioned to go plant a church among a certain people group

Look at the way in which they are sent

Luke 10:3–12 ESV

3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

The way in which they are sent:

With Haste

Only With Divine Help

With a Message

Conclusion

You have been given a mission

You have been called to intercession

You have been commissioned

Are you in the mission field or on the mission team?