The Character of God and Missions

We Do Missions Because the Wrath of God is Real

Psalm 68:1–2 NASB95

Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered, And let those who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish before God.

Couple things we learn from verses 1-2.

1. There are enemies of God.

Romans 5:10 NASB95

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Those who are in sin.

Those who have not submitted their life to Him.

There is no middle ground when it comes to Go9d and your relationship with Him.

2. The enemies of God will try to flee from His wrath.

3. The enemies of God on the day of judgment will meet the wrath of God.

So this then,

PROPELS US TO THE LOST OUT OF LOVE.

John 3:16 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

PROPELS US TO THE LOST OUT OF NECESSITY.

Romans 10:13–15 NASB95

for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

PROPELS US TO THE LOST BECAUSE WE WERE ONCE LOST.

Ephesians 2:1–3 NASB95

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Ephesians 2:1–5 NASB95

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Ephesians 2:1–4 NASB95

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

Ephesians 2:1–3 NASB95

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

People who experience the grace of God find ways to get to people who need it.

We Do Missions Because the Joy that comes from God is Real.

Psalm 68:3–4 NASB95

But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God; Yes, let them rejoice with gladness. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is the Lord, and exult before Him.

Notice the differences between those who are enemies and these people here.

They are called Righteous. How?

Righteous- means holy.

New Testament term- saints.

Ephesians 1:1–2 NASB95

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

These people don’t run, these stay and worship.

These people don’t scream in perishing, they sing.

Why?

Because there is joy to be found in Jesus Christ that cant be found anywhere else.

Isaiah 55:2 NASB95

“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.

Those who have experienced this joy ache for those who are trying to find it elsewhere.

We Do Missions Because Hurting People are Near to the Heart of God.

Psalm 68:5–7 NASB95

A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. O God, when You went forth before Your people, When You marched through the wilderness, Selah.

A Father to the Fatherless.

A Judge for Widows.

A Home for the Homeless.

An Refuge for prisoners.

We find all this in Jesus Christ.

We were once fatherless, once alone, once homeless, once a prisoner.

We find our refuge in Jesus Christ.

Why should you go?

We serve a God of missions, who has called us to missions, for the purpose of making his name known to the world.

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB95

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Not a Call, a Command.