SF914 - Let The Nations Be Glad, God's Amazing Work Among the People of Romania (Psalms 67 1-7)
Psalms 67:1-7
Introduction
I want to speak to you about some exciting things to Lord is doing in the country of Romania.
Romania is located in Eastern Europe. It is about the size of the state of Oregon and has about the same population as the state of Pennsylvania.
Romania is a very poor country. Many of the people live on the equivalent of $50.00 per month.
The modern history of Romania is dominated by 40 years of Communist rule, particularly the rule of Nicolae Ceausescu. He was an unusually cruel and evil ruler. During his reign he tried to enslave the people by destroying their homes and villages and placing them in large apartment buildings where he could better control them. He also attempted to destroy Christianity.
The Orthodox Church which is the largest and most influential church in Romania was infiltrated and controlled by the communists. By the end of Ceausescu’s rule nearly every local Orthodox priest (pastor) was an informant for the communist government.
During the days of communism Christians were not allowed to meet without state approval and oversight. Therefore, many Christian groups met in secret or “underground” groups. The government was constantly trying to infiltrate these groups. If Christians refused to cooperate they would be arrested and would often just “disappear” never to be seen or heard from again.
Because of the persecution, the Christian churches in Romania were very strong. That is there were very few people who wanted to be associated with the church knowing that arrest and death were a possibility.
However, the gospel could not be freely proclaimed in Romania. God heard the prayer of his people and in 1989 revolution swept over Romania and Ceausescu was arrested and executed. This ushered in a new day of freedom in Romania.
The largest evangelical church in Europe is Emmanuel Baptist Church located in the Romanian city of Oradea. This church has an interesting history. During the final years of communism God’s blessings were upon this church. The church was growing and the Lord had provide the leadership of Emmanuel with friends in the US and England. Because of these friendships the communist were careful not to persecute the leaders of the church.
A few months prior to the fall of communism Ceausescu delivered a speech in Oradea in which he called for the destruction of Emmanuel church. One of Emmanuel’s pastors later predicted that God was going to judge Ceausescu and with in less than a year Ceausescu was arrested and executed.
Today Emmanuel’s 4000 seat worship center stands on the very spot where Ceausescu delivered his speech calling for the destruction of the church!
Today Romania is open to the gospel and is in great need of both physical and spiritual help. The people are hungry for the Word of God. In many places they will walk great distances in the cold and rain to hear the gospel preached.
The question I want to answer this morning is why should we be concerned with Romania or for that matter any other land?
Why do missions?
1A. Because God has Been Gracious to Us (67:1-2)
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
2A. Because We Love God (67:3, 6)
John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
Mark 16:15 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
3A. Because God Desires and Deserves to be Worshipped (67:4-5)
Psalm 18:3 “I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised…”
Revelation 5:12 "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."
John Piper in his book “Let the Nations be Glad,” defines missions in these words, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exist because worship doesn’t.”