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GOD'S PLAN FOR MISSIONS by Cooper Abrams
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GOD'S PLAN FOR MISSIONS by Cooper Abrams
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Modern missions began in England in the 1787, with William Carey. He was a cobbler and believed God. As a saved man Carey accepted God's commandment to "to go into all the world and make disciples, first in Jerusalem, in all Judeae, Samaria and to the uttermost part of the world (Matt. 28:19-20).
William Carey wanted to go to the Polynesian Islands, but God instead directed him to India. It was Henry Nott, that God wanted to send to these far away islands.
Henry Nott was a brick mason, who surrendered his life to Christ's will and when God burdened his heart, he followed God's call and arrived in Tahiti after a six month voyage in 1797. It would be twenty two years before he would see the first person saved.
Our modern idea of the island paradise did not exist in 1797. It was a barbarous place of worst of the vilest of sins. It was ruled by a evil King name Pomare. He was a huge man would, with his queen, would be carried on the shoulders of his subjects everywhere he went. He did not even feed himself, being fed like a fish. This evil king was estimated to have killed 2000 people and sacrificed them to his idols.
His wife was a member of a class of people called the "are-ois". They blacken their bodies with charcoal and planted their face red. Their only occupation was dancing, wrestling, boxing, and act of buffoonery. Often they murdered their children as soon as they were born. Po-mares' wife Id-deah had killed three of their children.
The island was in a constant state of war. They burned their defeated enemies homes, killed all the village. If one was to escape they would hunt him down until every one was killed. "O-ro" was the god of war and hundreds were sacrificed on his pagan altars to ensure victory in battle.
If one had been harmed he would hunt his enemy until the right moment would come and he would then kill him in a fit of revenge. He would then take stones a beat the body to a pulp. The body would then be dried to a thin sheet and a hole cut in the middle. this would be placed over the head of the victor and worn as a "ti-bu-tia" a Tihitian garment. The victims arms dangled in the front the legs behind the back.
Children were sacrifice by throwing them alive to the sharks in the sea or into the fiery craters of volcanoes. Old people and those with handicaps would be taken to the sea shore under the pretence of being given a bath. They would be thrown alive into a hole in the sand, covered with stones and sand the tramped down with their feet. The murderers would leave and divide up the persons belonging completely unconcerned for the victim.
These were the people to God sent Henry Nott. Barbaric, heathen completely devoid of any decency, morals or compassion or love. Yet, Nott knew that Jesus Christ died for people, he paid their sin debt and needed to know the love of Christ. He went there preaching the gospel seeking to make disciples of them.
Two of Knott's, fellow missionaries were murdered, several their abandoned their missions work and went into trading business. He was left alone, yet he knew his calling was sure, and for 22 years he preached with not one soul saved!
Pomare's son became king and after many years, finally received Christ as his Savior. On May 19, 1819, Nott baptized Pomare II. In a short time laws were passed that forbid all the cruel murders. The islands were at peace.
I. The Great Commission. (Matthew 28:91-20)
William Carey, Henry Nott and thousands of other men just like you and I, after being born again have accepted the commandment and commission of God to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. In time God blessed their efforts, their sacrifices for the Lord and people were saved and churches were established.
Missions: English word, not in the Bible. Word missionary has two definitions according to Webster: "1. One or a group sent by a church to carry on religious work in a area. 2. A person who attempts to persuade of covert others."
Closest word in the NT is evangelist. Used three times, Acts 21:8, refers to the deacon Philip, Eph. 4:11, referring to the gift of an itinerant preacher, and 2 Tim. 4:5, when Paul told Timothy to do the work of an evangelist.
But William Carey, Henry Nott, Adoniram Judson, and thousands since them who surrendered to take the Gospel to the far regions of the earth....did not go alone....They went with Christ.....and also they went under the directs and with the support and prayers of local churches.....that simply means individual faithful born again believer's working together in a local congregation.
B. The going V19, the baptizing, and teaching of V20 are participles. A participle is a form of a verb that has the qualities of both a verb and an also an adjective. It describes the action of the verb which is to teach or make disciples.
2. Our command and it implementation is taken from the pages of this sacred Book.
2. It means to appoint another as one's representative. Missionaries are the deputies of the church with support then in prayer and financially.
3. Everyone is not called to go the regions beyond their geographical area. Thus our program is to sent those to who God has called to other fields of services.
F. We will look at the use of the Greek word "propempo."
2. The word is used nine times and Scripture and give us an incite into the practical side of missions.
3. It is translated into several English words: brought, being brought, accompanied and supported.
Literally it means to "brought forward, to escort, to aid in one's travels, bring on a journey, conduct forth. In other words it means to help someone who is traveling because of their ministry for the Lord.
2. It means: to help on one's journey with food, money and by arranging for means of travel and etc.
3. Here the local church at Antioch, aided Paul and Barnabas by financially supporting them and arranging travel.
4. A lesson I had to learn some years ago had to do with finances. It was the idea of being supported by someone else.
We think nothing of the fact that when one employs a person to work for him that he is paid wages that he might live and prosper. I was in business very successfully and so was my wife when God called me to preach. It was a matter of pride for me to take care of my family and provide for my on means. When God called me to preach I soon had to learn and important lesson: I found that I needed help from others and I received and used it but I was not comfortable in doing so.
I would have preferred to pay my own way to bear the expense myself alone. I learned in time that this was unscriptural and not God's revealed plan.
Paul said "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward." (1 Timothy 5:17-18) He states the laborer is worthy of his hire, he said do not muzzle the ox that threads out the grain. Those who faithfully labored in the Word serving the Lord full times are worthy of double honor. Double honor means both respect and financial support.
These verses and others opened my eyes to an important this truth.
Pastors and Missionaries are God's servants and the deputies of those that send them. They are not going out on their own at their will and desire, but at God's will and they being sent out by the local congregation.
The work is not the missionary's work, but it is the work and task God has assigned to the church. It is not the missionaries call alone, but the call to God's congregation(s) to send and missionaries out into the uttermost part of the world. Sending them mean to commission them meaning to give them the church's approval, and to assist them in prayer and financial support.
William Carey, upon who modern missions is begun, agreed only to go to India, if the churches in England who were sending him would "hold on to the ropes." He recognized the vital role of churches in helping him and being a part of the work the Lord had called the church to do in sending him.
Here it means moral support, the church escorted them to the boat. It was a joyous and yet sad occasion to see these missionaries off on their journeys. Today it would be like the folks in the church going to the airport, or giving a farewell fellowship for those going out. . What an encouragement it is to a missionary to know that the folks back home are with them in prayer and standing by them.
2. It means here again they were given moral and prayer support.
Here it means financial help. Paul is saying when he comes to Spain he is asking them to help him on his journey and sustain him in the ministry God had called him too. Some get the idea that Paul refused financial help and paid his own way financially. That is only partly true. Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:1-7, explains that there were those who were attacking him and accusing him of preaching for money. He said in verse 8 that the "robbed other churches," meaning he was supported by other churches that he might minister to them. They do not seem to have been helping him in his ministry to them. Note verse 9. He clearly stated that he had a right as one called of God to have the support of God's congregation. At times he was supported by the offerings of churches and other times supported himself.
2. However, note:
- This was not a one time offering.
3. Paul planned to visit them and in V6, request they be prepared to financially help him. In verse 11, He recommends Timothy to them and asked the to help him financially also. Here Paul used the word twice to ask the Corinthians to help the saints in Jerusalem, himself and Timothy in their work.
Here it means to support momentarily. Note the reason given in Verse 15. Paul planned to visit them twice. Once going to Macedonia and then returning...yet God changed his plans. Paul was saying he wanted to give them the opportunity to be a part of his ministry and have reward from helping him win others to Christ. Phil. 4:13-19.. Paul commends the Philippians for their concern for him and their financially helping him.
Paul said no other church helped him. In verse 16 he states that several times this church sent help. In verse 17 clearly Paul not asking for help personally, but for the sake of the carrying the Gospel. Verse 19 ... God inspired Paul to write that because they gave to missions God would blessed them. Because they help meet the needs of others ...God promised to met the needs they had.
It is not a blanket promise to all Christians that God will supply all the needs of Christians. The context of the statement is in giving to help others. Therefore the verse is only a promise to those who generously give to support the work of the Lord.
It is also translated "sent forward" and means Means financial support. Verse is saying, "Do everything you can to help Zen the lawyer and Apollos on their way, and see that have everything they need."
John states his joy at their walk in Christ in truth. He commends their faithfulness to the brethren and strangers. Verse 6 John commends their love, and says you will continue to do well by helping these traveling missionaries. They helped them with food, money, lodging and arrangements. These were missionaries who went for the sake of Christ Jesus.
These missionaries were to refuse to take anything from the Gentiles. They were to be supported only God's way by God's people. John says they should be helped as fellow helpers to the truth. They were preaching the Gospel and John says this church should help them to do and a joint work together.
Verse 9-11, is a sad commentary on the fact some do not have the burden for missions. Some have no vision of seeing the Gospel preached and souls saved.
There was a man in the church named Diothrephes, who loved only himself. He saw himself at number 1 in the church. He opposed giving to missionaries. The word "received" in verse 8, means to "pay any attention to." Diotrephes openly spoke against them, falsely accused them. He was like some self righteous deacons in churches today. They think they are to rule the church take great pride in exercising their power in the churches. Diotrephes even cast out of the church those who wanted to help them. Verse 11...Says the man was in the church, in leadership...yet was lost. He was an evil man that this church has allowed to have this power.
John, the "son of thunder" warns him that he is coming and will meet him face to face and take care of this man who was ruled by pride.
John them commends the man Demetrius who had a good report and testimony. I think John was commending him to the church to replace Diothrephes.
Supporting missions and God's missionaries is a great privilege that God has given to the church. It is both a privilege and a responsibility also. The missions minded church will be a church that is bless by the Lord.
GOD'S PEOPLE HEAR THE TRUTH THE KNOW IT AND THEY FOLLOW IT.
CONCLUSION:
Missions is a partnership a team effort of those the go and those the send them out.
Missionaries are the deputies of the churches, go out for them taking the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.
Standing with them in friendship, in prayer, and in monetary support.
This is God's plan, our opportunity and privilege.
Introduction: I have been asked several times questions about a church giving to support their pastor and also missions. This message will focus on giving to missions.
A. There is but one command in the commission: That is to "Teach" (V19), or make "disciples of all nations". That is the verb of action.
II: WE ARE COMMANDED TO MAKE DISCIPLES.
A. Matt. 29:19-20 & Acts 1:8 clear establish that God intends for us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. We are commanded to "make disciples." We do it by going, teaching and baptizing.
II. THE USE OF THE WORD "PROPEMPO."
1. The Local church has the command to preach in it geographical area. (Jerusalem)
B. The first distinctive of a Baptist church or a true New Testament church is that the Bible, God's written Word is the sole authority of our faith and practice.
2. Next within it geographical location. (all Judaea)
3. Third: to the regions beyond it areas such as it state or nation. (Samaria)
4. Fourth: To the "uttermost part of the world"
1. We believe the Bible! And we follow it!
C. We need to know is what we are doing in accordance with God's revealed Word?
1. Are our methods Biblical?
D. As Fundamental Baptist we use the deputation method of sending missionaries. Is it correct?
2. Are our programs Biblical?
3. Is our message Biblical?
1. Deputation is the process of being deputized.
E. I would like us to do a little word study in the NT and see what were the methods God directed to Early church to use.
1. It is translated into various English words to show its meaning in the various places it is used.
4. It has three applications or meaning all which are intertwined.
a. Prayer support.
b. Moral support - Standing by or with another and backing another up.
c. Monetary Support.
A. Acts 15:1-3.
1. The word "brought" is the Greek word "propempo."
B. Acts 20:33-38. Verse 38 says "they accompanied them." You see it was more that just money or financial support.
C. Acts 20:1-5. V5 "brought us" Here the word means they escorted them to the boat and saw them off.
1. Note they kneeled in prayer for those going and the work God had called them too.
D. Romans 15:22-24. Verse 24 "to be brought" or "to be set forward by you."
E. 1 Corinthians 16:5-11. The word if found twice in this passage in verse 6, "bring me" and in verse 11, "conduct." In both cases the same word used is "propempo."
1. Verse 1, Paul says he is giving an order to them as he had given the churches in Galatia. The Corinthians were taking an offering for the poor saints at Jerusalem. Because they were Christians ... they were under great persecution. Most were not even able to make a living.
F. 2 Corinthians 1:14-16. Verse 16 "to be brought."
- V2 Each was take on each Sunday
- In accordance with how they were blessed.
- Two people did the accounting.
G. Titus 3:12-13 Verse13 the word translated "bring" is the word "propempo."
H. 3 John 4-6 In verse 6 the phrase is "bring forward on their journey" and is the one Greek word "propempo."
The Bible gives us the example.
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*All rights reserved. This work is reserved in its use only to preserve the author's ownership of his work. Any part of this work may be used without the author's permission. All that he asks is that proper credit be given. (All quotations are from the Authorized Version - The King James Bible. )
