The Basis Of Missions: The Unfinished Task Of God
07 NOVEMBER 2021 | TRADITIONAL AND PRAYER & PRAISE SERVICES
Rev Raymond Fong
Scripture Passage: Genesis 12:1-4, Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
WATCH | SERMON (VIDEO)
READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | Having a COMPELLING VISION propels us to finish what we start. Perseveringly, faithfully.
Revelation 7:9-10 tells of a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before God in joyful worship. To visualize family members, relatives, a neighbour, a migrant worker or child you reached out to, as present in that glorious gathering is the “why” that gives us the necessary resolve to complete any given task by the LORD. Having such a compelling vision for Missions will ensure that we accomplish the mission to “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19-20). Just as Abram was called, blessed, and tasked by God to be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:1-4), we who belong to Christ have become spiritual descendants of Abraham and heirs of God’s glorious eternal inheritance (Galatians 3:29) to carry on the legacy of our calling in the Great Commission.
Essence of God’s Task
The essence of the task “Go!” reflects the missionary heart of God. In creation, Abba Father sent forth His Word. In salvation, He sent His Son. At Pentecost, He sent His Spirit for our sanctification. God goes about and does His work to pave the way for us to His heart – it is not the church that has a mission, but rather it is the mission of God that has a church. (Andrew Peh) Missions is a movement from a loving God to the world, not merely the church to the world. We are God’s privileged people to be part of His mission. From creation, to salvation, to sanctification, God was always doing. He now sends us as His holy set-apart people to declare His praises to the nations!
Scope of God’s Task
Where are we to go? God fulfilled His promise that Abraham would become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. (Genesis 18:18) God had earlier disrupted His people who had become proud when they tried to make a name for themselves by building the Tower of Babel. (Genesis 11) Having dispersed them across the earth, nations of diverse cultures and languages came to be formed.
While human pride in Babel divided God’s people, the arrival of Pentecost united them and reversed its divisive effects. God’s divine assignment to bring a blessing of salvation to the nations had now become a reality. Jesus’ disciples began speaking in diverse tongues proclaiming the wonders of God when the Holy Spirit came upon them. These were Jews who were fiercely proud of their culture, yet obeyed their Master’s call to leave a comfortable way of life and go beyond their culture and community to baptize the nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God’s endowment of His Spirit made them powerful witnesses of His grace in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Where are the opportunities for us to witness?
- In our Jerusalem (of immediate area and same culture): at home with our family, friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbourhood residents
- In our Judea (of outlying area but same culture): with local and foreign friends and strangers staying and working with us in Singapore
- In our Samaria (of outlying area with different culture): strangers in nearby countries
- In our EOTE (of distant places with different cultures): strangers in distant lands
The reality of these different landscapes entails a cross-territorial, cross-cultural willingness to go to the nations for those of us so called. Yet open doors currently exist where nations are already in Singapore as represented by our foreign front liners and workers, domestic helpers, and Malaysian friends. How can we bless them?
Work of God’s Task
Abraham’s obedience to God to go and reconcile people back to Him is for us today an ongoing, unfinished task of blessing till Jesus returns.
1. Proclamation - How can the world call on the One they have not believed in, whom they have not heard, unless someone goes and preaches to them? (Romans 10:14) To proclaim is to bless others with the truth of who Christ is, the good news of salvation, the hope and love found in Jesus as LORD. Relating to our captive listeners through digital and mass media, Bible translations and literature distribution are some means of proclaiming this urgent task. What a blessing that the pandemic has compelled us to use digital means all the more for “the gospel is only good news if it gets there on time.” (Carl F.H Henry)
Suggestions: Send our worship services link to someone and reflect on a sermon with them; message an encouraging scripture; attend Alpha with a friend; give toward the work of gospel proclamation.
2. Presence – We bless when we are present and relating authentically with others to care for their needs. The world is not interested in how much we know, but how much we care. Are we showing radical love and hospitality by forging thriving communities with our presence to bring hope to the disadvantaged and vulnerable, recovery of sight for the blind, freedom for prisoners and the oppressed, healing for the broken hearted? (Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 61:1) To the least, last and lost, the World Council of Churches defines salvation as: economic justice against exploitation, human dignity against oppression, solidarity against alienation, hope against despair. As Methodists, we intentionally break poverty and disease cycles through Godly transformation of communities, start schools to educate and equip the young with skills and a sustainable future, train village doctors, feed the hungry, stay with the lonely, comfort the grieving.
Suggestions: Enquire after a migrant friend’s family; show kindness to your domestic helper; journey with a friend who wrestles with mental and emotional issues; encourage our missions field partners by praying and providing for their needs; support the Koinonia Inclusion Network for the disabled.
3. Persuasion – As we persuade others to be reconciled to God, His Spirit transforms us to mature as disciples who in turn disciple others in the way and truth of God. “The church exists for one reason – to draw men to Christ, to make them little Christs.” (C.S Lewis)
Suggestions: Journey with a new believer; join Discipleship & Nurture training with a friend; invite someone to join your SG, sign up for BMC, or read BRD devotions with someone; mentor/disciple someone in the missions field; scan the Missions Awareness Month QR code and pray for the nations.
Promise in God’s Task
Entailing sacrifice, bold faith and willing obedience, Abraham had to leave his country, his relatives, his family, a thriving prosperous city for a foreign land with foreign cultures. We can only go if we are first secured in God’s promises to go with us, anoint us with holy courage and every spiritual blessing. “Surely I am with you” affirmed Jesus of His presence. (Matthew 28:20) God provides us with the words and divine wisdom to say when we want to lovingly and fearlessly declare the gospel of hope to a disgruntled stranger, even before the authorities. (Ephesians 6:19, Luke 12:11-12) In a whisper God assured weary Elijah of a preserved community of 7,000 others who were faithfully working like he was. (1 Kings 19:18) After we have loved, God brings in a harvest of flourishing churches as glittering diamonds hidden in what may have seemed like failure.
Heart for God’s Task
Missions is not just activity but a posture of the heart. To first appreciate the missionary heart of God who is patient to restore the least, last and lost to Him. (2 Peter 3:9) The Greatest Commandment to love must precede the Great Commission to go, which in turn is cradled lovingly by the church community. The task of reaching billions of people for Christ, including those in the impoverished 10/40 window, is not finished. But the nations have come to Singapore - picture your colleague, a neighbour, someone in your midst crying for the LORD. Spend and be spent in the work of saving souls, go to those who need you most. (John Wesley)
With compelling vision, let us finish the assignment to GO as God’s blessed people – to reach just one more for Jesus. May our hearts be broken for the causes that break God’s own heart.
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. Read and reflect on Genesis 12:1-4. What strikes you deeply about God’s call to Abram?
2. How is our God a missionary God? Share from your understanding of God’s work and purposes in Scripture and your life.
3. What is your task? Who is that one (or ones) God is calling you to go and be a blessing to?
4. The work of the task: Proclamation, Presence and Persuasion. Take a few moments to quietly discern what the Lord is calling you to do in each of these areas. Share with each other.
5. How do the promises of God’s presence and blessings upon you assure you for your task? Take time to rest in His promises.
6. How can you or your Small Group play a part in missions? Share a few practical ways and commit to prayer.
7. Pray for yourself/each other to be committed to finish the task God has assigned.