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TheCrucialQuestionsSeries
ByR.C.Sproul
WhoIsJesus?
CanITrusttheBible?
DoesPrayerChangeThings?
CanIKnowGod’sWill?
HowShouldILiveinThisWorld?
WhatDoesItMeantoBeBornAgain?
CanIBeSureI’mSaved?
WhatIsFaith?
WhatCanIDowithMyGuilt?
WhatIstheTrinity?
WhatIsBaptism?
CanIHaveJoyinMyLife?
WhoIstheHolySpirit?
DoesGodControlEverything?
HowCanIDevelopaChristianConscience?
WhatIstheLord’sSupper?
WhatIstheChurch?
WhatIsRepentance?
WhatIstheRelationshipbetweenChurchandState?
AreThesetheLastDays?
WhatIstheGreatCommission?
CanILoseMySalvation?
FreedigitaleditionsavailableatReformationTrust.com/FreeCQ
WhatIstheGreatCommission?
©2015byR.C.Sproul
PublishedbyReformationTrustPublishingadivisionofLigonierMinistries421LigonierCourt,Sanford,FL32771Ligonier.orgReformationTrust.com
PrintedinNorthMankato,MNCorporateGraphicsAugust2015Firstedition
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans—electronic,mechanical,photocopy,recording,orotherwise—withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher,ReformationTrustPublishing.Theonlyexceptionisbriefquotationsinpublishedreviews.
Coverdesign:GearboxStudiosInteriordesignandtypeset:KatherineLloyd,TheDESK
AllScripturequotationsarefromTheHolyBible,EnglishStandardVersion,copyright©2001byCrosswayBibles,adivisionofGoodNewsPublishers.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Sproul,R.C.(RobertCharles),1939-Whatisthegreatcommission?/byR.C.Sproul.pagescm.--(Crucialquestionsseries;No.21)ISBN978-1-56769-498-71.GreatCommission(Bible)I.Title.BV2074.S672015269'.2--dc23
2015018382
CONTENTS
One—WhatIstheGospel?
Two—WhatIsEvangelism?
Three—MobilizingtheLaity
Four—SystematicEvangelism
Five—TheBiblicalBasisforMissions
Six—SeekingtheLost
ThebattlebetweenthePersianarmyofDariusIandthetroopsofGreecethattookplaceatMarathonin490BCwasawatershedmomentintheGreco-PersianWarsandinthehistoryofWesternsociety.Untilthatpoint,DariushadnotbeendefeatedinhisquesttoconquerGreece,andPersiandominanceacrosstheMediterraneanregionhadgrownsteadilyformorethanonehundredandfiftyyears.ThedefeatofthesuperiorPersianforcesbytheGreekarmyatMarathonusheredinthetwo-hundred-yearinfluenceofClassicalGreekcultureandthedeclineoftheMedo-PersianEmpire.
Thiswasahugelyimportantbattle—yetthepeoplebackhomehadnoideaoftheoutcomeinthebattle’simmediateaftermath.Theyhadtowaitanxiouslytogetsomewordofwhathadhappened.Buttoday,inmostcases,wedon’thavetowaitverylongforupdatesonsignificantevents.Weliveinaworldwherenewstravelsveryrapidly,withsophisticatedtechnologyto
announcewhatisgoingonaroundtheglobeinamatterofmoments.Intheancientworld,though,itwasnotlikethat.Abattleofstrategicimportanceforthehistoryofthenationmayhavebeentakingplacetwothousandmilesaway,anditwouldcertainlyhavetakensometimeforreportstotravelsofar.
Armiesintheancientworldusedrunnerstocarrywordabouttheoutcomeofbattles.Thepeopleathomewouldpostlookoutstowatchforsomesignofamessenger.It’ssaidthatthewatchmancouldtellbythebearingoftherunnerwhetherhewascomingwithgoodnewsorbad.
OneoftheenduringlegaciesoftheBattleofMarathonisastheinspirationofthemarathon-lengthrace.ThelegendisthatarunnerbroughtnewsoftheAthenianvictorytothecityofAthensanddroppeddeadfromexhaustionafterhearrived.Hepushedhimselftotheabsolutelimitbecausehewasbearinggoodnews,andhewantedthepeopletobeabletorejoiceinit.
TheApostlePaulalludedtothesepracticesinhisepistletotheRomans,wherehesaid,“Howbeautifularethefeetofthosewhopreachthegoodnews!”(10:15).Picturehowthewatchmancouldseethefeetflyingastherunnerrushedtothecitygatestobringgoodnews.Itwasabeautifulsight,andthepeoplewouldshoutcelebrationsofvictoryatthesightofhim.Theyhadawordforthatkindofamessage:itwasaeuangelion,agoodmessage—agospel.
ThewordgospelderivesfromtheOldEnglishgodspell,meaning“goodstory”or“goodmessage.”GodspelltranslatestheLatinevangelium,whichisderivedfromtheGreekeuangelion.TheGreekwordismadeupoftheprefixeu-andtherootangelion.TheprefixeuisfoundfrequentlyintheEnglishlanguageandreferstosomething“good.”Takethewordeuphemism,forexample.Adentistabouttodrillmightsay,“Thismaycauseabitofdiscomfort,”ratherthan,“Thisisgoingtohurt.”Heusessofterwordstotaketheedgeoffsomethingthatisdifficultforusto
hear.That’saeuphemism:statingsomethinginbettertermsthanitactuallyis.Likewise,atafuneral,whenaministerstandsupandsayssomethingniceaboutthedeceased,wecallthataeulogy,a“goodword.”
Whenthatprefixeuisaddedtotherootangelion,whichmeans“message”(thesamerootgivesustheword“angel”or“messenger”),wegeteuangelion,“goodmessage.”Originally,thewordeuangelionfunctionedasaliteralexpressionforanygoodreport—particularlyinthecontextofmilitaryengagementsorpoliticalcampaigns.ButwhenwecometotheNewTestament,theconceptofaeuangeliontakesonanewmeaning.JesusbeganHisministrywithapublicproclamationaboutgoodnewsthatHewasannouncingtothepeople:whatwecallthegospelofthekingdom.Hedeclaredanewstateofaffairs,whichHeillustratedinmanydifferentwayswithparables,saying“thekingdomofheavenislikethis”or“thekingdomofGodislikethat.”
BythetimethatwegettotheEpistles,weseethattheusageofeuangelionorgospelundergoesachange.AfterthepersonalministryofJesus—afterHislife,death,andresurrection—theNewTestamentwritersnolongerspeakaboutthegospelofthekingdom.Instead,theytalkabout“thegospelofJesusChrist.”ApostolicpreachingwasfocusedonthepersonandtheworkofJesus.That’swhatthewordeuangelioncametomeanbythecloseoftheNewTestament:ithadtodowithamessageandannouncementaboutJesus,includingwhoHewasandwhatHedid.
WereadofthisgospelinLuke24:
Butonthefirstdayoftheweek,atearlydawn,theywenttothetomb,takingthespicestheyhadprepared.Andtheyfoundthestonerolledawayfromthetomb,butwhentheywentintheydidnotfindthebodyoftheLordJesus.Whiletheywereperplexedaboutthis,
behold,twomenstoodbythemindazzlingapparel.Andastheywerefrightenedandbowedtheirfacestotheground,themensaidtothem,“Whydoyouseekthelivingamongthedead?Heisnothere,buthasrisen.Rememberhowhetoldyou,whilehewasstillinGalilee,thattheSonofManmustbedeliveredintothehandsofsinfulmenandbecrucifiedandonthethirddayrise.”Andtheyrememberedhiswords,andreturningfromthetombtheytoldallthesethingstotheelevenandtoalltherest.(Luke24:1–9)
ThinkaboutwhatitwaslikefortheElevenwhenthesewomencamerunningbackfromthetombandintheirexcitementsaidtothem,“He’snotthere,butHehasarisen.”Thismessagewasnotjustanygoodnews.Itwasnotjustawordofavictoryinbattleortheannouncementofapoliticalhero’selection.Thiswasthegreatestmessagethathadeverbeencommunicatedtotheworld.Thiswasanannouncementthatchangedeverything.Ifthismessageistrue,ithastochangeeverything.Youcannothearitandbeindifferent.That’swhypeopleareoftensohostiletotheproclamationofthegospel:theyunderstandthatifitistrue,lifecanneverbethesame.
ThekeytounderstandingtheimportanceofthegospelisfoundinthefirstverseofthebookofRomans,whenPaulidentifieshimselfas“Paul,anapostle,aslaveofJesusChristsetapartforthegospelofGod”(1:1).WhenPaulspeaksaboutthegospelofGod,heisnotsayingthatitisamessageaboutGod,butthatitisamessagethatbelongstoGod.Inotherwords,he’ssayingthatthisgospelcomestousfromGod.ItisGodwhodeclaredChristtobetheMessiahbyraisingHimfromthedead.ItisGodwhoannouncestotheworldtheessenceofwhatwecallthekerygma:theproclamationofthelife,death,resurrection,ascension,andreturnofChrist.So,then,thewholetaskofevangelismismerelytorepeattotheworldwhatGodHimselfhasfirstdeclared.Hewastheoriginalmessenger.
Whatisthenatureofthismessage?Duringthenineteenthcentury,therewasaperiodofskepticismaboutthereliabilityofScriptureandaboutmanyofScripture’sclaimsregardingsupernaturaleventssuchasmiracles.Inresponse,somereducedthemeaningofChristianitytotheethicalcoreoftheteachingofJesus,claimingthatwhatmattersisnotJesus’supernaturalstatusorauthority,butratherthepowerandrelevanceofHisteachings.Accordingtothisinterpretation,therealgospelhastodowiththemessageofJesusforhumanrelationships,becauseHetaughtpeoplehowtogetalongwithoneanother.Thisperspectivecametobeknownasthe“socialgospel”;itbeckonedthechurchtoanewmissionofgettinginvolvedwithsocialjusticeandcaringforthesick,thepoor,thedying,andtheoppressed.
ButifwearebasingourdefinitionofgospelontheNewTestamentsenseoftheword,thenthereisnoroomforamerelysocialgospel.ThegospelintheNewTestament,firstandforemost,isamessageaboutapersonandaboutwhatHeaccomplishedthroughHislife,death,resurrection,andascension.Thisdoesnotmeanthatthechurchshouldnotbeconcernedwithethicsandsocialjustice,forifthegospelofChrististrue,thesocialimplicationsarestaggering.Infact,itisbecauseofthatgospelthatthechurchmustbecomeconsciousoftheneedsofthosewhoarebrokenandhurting.ButwecanneverreplacethemessageofChristwithahumanenterpriseofsocialconcern.Oursocialconcernflowsoutofthegospel—itdoesnotreplacethegospel.
Thegospel,initsessence,isanannouncementaboutJesus,whoHimselfembodiesthebreakthroughintohistoryofthekingdomofGod.ThegoodnewsoftheNewTestamentstartsasamessageaboutthekingdomandendsasthemessageoftheKing.
MartinLutheroncesaid,“EveryChristianmustbecomeChristtohisneighbor.”WashesuggestingthateachChristianshoulddieonacrosstoatoneforthesinsofhisneighbors?No,hewassayingthatChristisinvisibletoourunbelievingneighbors.Theydon’tseethecross,theemptytomb,orthetransfiguredJesus.Theydon’tseeHiminHisascendedglory,andtheydon’tseeHimattherighthandoftheFather.Alltheyseeisyouandme—andinseeingus,theymustseeChrist.
ThatpictureofhowwerelatetoChrist—andhowChristrelatesthroughustoothers—hasalwaysmeantsomethingtome.WhenIwasconverted,itwasthroughamanwhotoldmeaboutChrist,andthoughIcan’trememberawordhesaid,IsawthepowerofChristinhim.WhenIsawit,IknewthatIhadtohaveit,whateveritwas(Icertainlydidn’tknowatthetime).HewasafaithfulwitnesstoChrist.
WhatdoesitmeantobeawitnesstoChrist?Whatisevangelism?Aretheythesamething?Thewordevangelismobviouslyhassomethingtodowiththeevangel,thegoodmessage.Evangelism,initssimplestdefinition,is“gospeling”or“makingthegospelknown.”
TheGreatCommissioninMatthew’sgospelisoneofthechurch’sgreatchartersforevangelism.Itreads:
NowtheelevendiscipleswenttoGalilee,tothemountaintowhichJesushaddirectedthem.Andwhentheysawhimtheyworshipedhim,butsomedoubted.AndJesuscameandsaidtothem,“Allauthorityinheavenandonearthhasbeengiventome.Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIhavecommandedyou.Andbehold,Iamwithyoualways,totheendoftheage.”(Matt.28:16–20)
NoticethatJesusprefacesthiscommissionbyannouncingtoHisdisciplesthatHehasbeengivenallauthorityonheavenandearth.TheimpetusforthetaskofthechurchtobeinvolvedinevangelismresidesintheauthorityofChrist,whocommandsthatthechurchbeengagedincertainkindsofactivity.
Inrecentyears,discussionhasemergedonwhetherevangelismisevenanappropriateenterpriseofthechurch.YetitseemsunthinkabletomethatachurchshouldconsiderwhetherevangelismisanappropriateenterprisewhenithasthemandateoftheauthoritativecommandoftheLordandHeadofthechurch.
Whyhasthisbecomeadebatablepoint?EmilBrunnergaveoneanswerinTheMediator,hisclassicworkonChrist.Brunnerlashedoutatthemodernchurch,sayingthattheissuesof
nineteenth-centuryliberalism,forexample,arenotamatteroftechnicaldebatesaboutminorpointsofdoctrine.Rather,thequestionisessentiallyoneofunbelief,andwehavetorecognizethatwedoliveinatimewhenthereisagreatdealofunbelief,notonlyoutsidethechurchbutinsideitaswell.Whenstrongunbeliefispresent,thechurch’svision,zeal,passion,andcommitmentforevangelismtendtodecline.Whowouldbezealousabouturgingotherpeopletobelievesomethingthattheythemselvesdonotbelieve?
Butitwouldbesimplistictoassumethateverydiscussionaboutthelegitimacyofevangelismresidesinunbelief.That’scertainlyafactor,butthereareotherreasonsaswell.Inmanycircles,evangelismhasabadnamebecauseitconjuresupideasofhigh-pressuretechniques,simplisticbuttonholing,andinsensitiveformsofcommunication.Forothers,evangelismimpliesthosehigh-poweredsalespitchesthatalmostintimidateormanipulatepeopleinto“responding”inthewaythesalespersondesires.Butthat’snotwhattheBibleteachesusaboutevangelism.
TheBibleteachesthatevangelismistheproclamationofthegospeltothewholeworld.Thattaskisstillcentraltothemissionofthechurch.ButnoticeinMatthew’saccountthatJesusisnotjustinterestedindeclaringasimplemessage.Hegoesbeyondthat,saying,“Makedisciples.”TheGreekwordtranslated“disciple,”mathētēs,means“onewhoisalearnerorstudent.”It’spartofthechurch’smissiontobeinvolvedininstructingandcatechizing—thatis,indiscipling—people;thisinvolvesnotjustaskingforaninitialcommitment,butrootingandgroundingpeopleinthewholecounselofGod.Butthere’ssomeoverlapbetweendiscipling,evangelism,teaching,andsoon,whichwecanseeasweconsiderthemandategiventothechurchintheopeningchapterofthebookofActs.
AsJesuspreparedtoascendintoheaven,HegatheredHisdisciplesaroundHim.DuringthislastopportunitytospeakwithHimasapersononearth,thedisciplesaskedHimaquestion:
“Lord,willyouatthistimerestorethekingdomtoIsrael?”(Acts1:6).Inotherwords,wasHegoingtobethemessiahtheyhadbeenhopingfromthebeginningthatHewouldbe?Jesusdoesnotdisparagethembysaying,“HowmanytimesdoIhavetotellyouI’mnotgoingtorestorethekingdomtoIsrael?”WhatHesaysisveryimportantforunderstandingthemissionofthechurch:
ItisnotforyoutoknowtimesorseasonsthattheFatherhasfixedbyhisownauthority.ButyouwillreceivepowerwhentheHolySpirithascomeuponyou,andyouwillbemywitnessesinJerusalemandinallJudeaandSamaria,andtotheendoftheearth.(Acts1:8)
Jesustellsthedisciples,firstofall,thattherearecertainthingsthatareinthehandsoftheFatherthatarenoneoftheirbusiness;nothingcanfrustrateHisplans,sotheyshouldquitworryingaboutit.Butthen,Hegivesthemamandate:“Youwillbemywitnesses.”Often,peopleusetheverbtowitnessinterchangeablywiththeverbtoevangelize,asifthetwowordsweresynonyms.ButthesetermsdonotmeanthesamethingintheNewTestament,thoughtheyarecertainlyintimatelyandinseparablyrelated.IntheNewTestament,witnessingisagenericwordthatencompassesdifferentkindsofwaysofcommunicatingthegospel—andoneofthesewaysisevangelism.
Therefore,allevangelismiswitness,butnotallwitnessisevangelism.Evangelismisaspecialkindofwitness.Tobearwitnesstosomething,accordingtotheNewTestament,istocallattentiontoit.Thewordfor“witness”inGreekismartyria,fromwhichwegettheEnglishword“martyr.”NewTestamentChristiansunderstoodthatonewaythattheycalledattentiontothetruthofChrist,onewaytheysoughttomakevisibletheinvisiblekingdom,thatis,tobearwitnesstoit,wasbydyingforit.Theymademanifestsomethingthatwasinvisibletotheirunbelievingneighbors.
Jesuswasleaving,goingtotherighthandoftheFather,toHiscoronation.HewasgoingtobecrownedtheKingofthatkingdomthatHehadannounced.Butwedon’tseethekingdom;it’sinvisible.Youcan’tlookupintheskyandseeJesussittingonathrone.Somepeoplehavesoughttospiritualizethekingdomaltogether,saying,“It’ssomethingthat’sintheheartsofmen.”No,thekingdomofGodisanobjectivereality,notjustasubjectivefeeling—butit’sinvisible.So,whatisthechurch’stask?TomakevisibletheinvisiblekingdomofGod.That’swhatwitnessingisallabout.
Towitnessmeansthatyoushowpeoplesomethingtheydon’tsee.Therearemanywaystodothis,accordingtoScripture.WhenwecelebratetheLord’sSupper,we’redoingsomethingvisiblethatshowsforththeLord’sdeathuntilHecomes.Jesusspokeofanotherwaytowitness:“Bythisallpeoplewillknowthatyouaremydisciples,ifyouhaveloveforoneanother”(John13:35).ThewayChristiansrelatetoeachother—whichissomethingthatpeoplecansee—bearswitnesstoChrist.Whenwefeedthehungry,clothethenaked,andvisittheimprisoned,webearwitnesstothecompassionofChrist.TheChristian,withoutconvertingpeopletoChrist,canstillbearwitnesstowhoJesusisandwhatHeislike.
There’sacertainsenseinwhichthebearingofwitnesstothekingdomofChristiseveryhumanbeing’sGodgivenresponsibility,becauseeveryhumanbeingismadeintheimageofGod.TobemadeintheimageofGodistodemonstratetothewholecreationthecharacterofGod.Butsincethefall,theimageofGodinmanhasbeenobscured;wehavenotreflectedandmirroredtheholinessofGodtoafallenworld.
Evangelism,ontheotherhand,istheactualproclamation—eitheroralorwritten,butcertainlyverbal—ofthegospel.ItisdeclaringthemessageofthepersonandworkofChrist,whoHeisandwhatHehasdoneonbehalfofsinnerslikeyouandme.
Thatmeansthereareseveralthingsthatevangelismisnot.Itisnotlivingyourlifeasanexample.Itisnotbuildingrelationshipswithpeople.Itisnotgivingone’spersonaltestimony.Anditisnotinvitingsomeonetochurch.Thesethingsmaybegoodandhelpful,buttheyarenotevangelism.Theymaylaythegroundworkforevangelism.Theymayallowotherstorelatetous,ortheymaycausesomeonetobecuriousaboutwhywelivethewaywedo.Buttheyarenotevangelism,becausetheydon’tproclaimthegospel.TheymaysaysomethingaboutJesus,buttheydonotproclaimthepersonandworkofChrist.
Whenweconsiderourownroleinwitnessingandevangelism,wehavetobecarefulthatwe’renotonlydoingpre-evangelismandmakingappointmentsforotherpeopletodoevangelism,andthatwearen’tsimplybeingasilentwitness.Wemustbesurethatthechurchisfulfillingitsmandatetodoevangelism,whichistheactualproclamationofthepersonandworkofChrist.That’sthemessagethatGodhasendowedwithpower,throughwhichHehaschosenthefoolishnessofpreachingtosavetheworld.It’sthe“powerofGodforsalvation,”astheApostlePauldescribedit(Rom.1:16).
NoteveryChristianiscalledtobeanevangelist.IntheNewTestament,weseethechurchdefinedasabodywithunityindiversity;theHolySpiritgivesgiftstoeverymemberofthebodyofChrist.EverysinglepersoninthechurchhasbeengiftedbytheHolySpirittodoandperformsometasktobearwitnesstoChrist.Thereareteachers,evangelists,administrators,andahostofotherofficesthatChristestablishesinHischurch.Everyone,nomattertheirgift,mustbewillingtomakeaconfessionoffaiththemselves.ButnoteveryoneiscalledtobewhattheNewTestamentcallsanevangelist,someonewhofocusesonproclaimingthegospelofChrist.
Somemaygiveasighofrelief,notingthedifficultytheyhavewithtellingothersabouttheirfaith.Butrememberthis:everyChristianmustbewillingtoconfessChristwiththeirmouths,or
they’refarfromthekingdom.Likewise,itiseveryChristian’sdutytomakesurethatthetaskofevangelismisdone.Areallteachers?No—butitisyourresponsibilityasamemberofthebodyofChristtomakesurethatteachingisdone.Iseveryoneamissionary?No—butitisyourresponsibilitytomakesurethatthemissionaryenterpriseiscarriedout.So,weallhaveapartintheresponsibilityofthewholemissionofthechurch.
Thereisnoenterprisethat’smoreexcitingthanevangelism.I’mnotanevangelist;I’mateacher.Itseemsobvioustomeandtothosewhoknowmethatmygiftandcallingistoteach.WhenIwasanewChristian,Ifirstvolunteeredtobeanevangelist;Godsaid“no.”Next,Iwantedtobeamissionary;Godsaid“no”again.Ididnotwanttobeateacher;butIprobablytalkedtoathousandpeopleone-on-oneaboutJesusChristbeforeIeversawasinglepersonrespondtothegospel.There’sstillasenseinwhichIhavetheheartofanevangelist,andIcareaboutevangelists,butitisnotmygift.
WeknowthatonlytheHolySpiritcanchangeaheart;buttobeusedbyGodtocommunicatethatgospeltoahumanbeing—isthereanygreaterprivilegeinthisworldthanthat?IfthemanwholedmetoChristwereconvictedofmurderinthefirstdegree,orifhescandalizedtheChristiancommunitybyunbecomingconduct,orrepudiatedhisfriendshipwithme,IwouldstillbeeternallygratefulthatheopenedhismouthandtaughtmeaboutChrist.WhenIthinkofhim,Ithinkagainofthattext,“Howbeautifularethefeetofthosewhopreachthegoodnews!”
OnatriptoIsraeltovisitthegeographicsitesoftheOldandNewTestaments,IwasfascinatedtoseethesituationinIsrael.Thiscountry,ofcourse,hasbeenaplaceofstrifefordecades.Wesawpeopleincivilianclotheswalkingdownthestreetwithgunsovertheirshoulders.Thereweremenonthebeachesinbathingsuitswithsubmachinegunsstrappedacrosstheirbodies.TravelingthroughtheGolanHeights,wesawsignsalongtheroadswarningthatthefieldswerefulloflandmines.Wesawplentyofothermilitaryactivityaswell.Itseemedsoincongruous:dailylifewasgoingoninaroutinefashion,yettherewasalwaysathreatofmilitaryconfrontationthatcouldcomeatanymoment.
WhatwasmostinterestingaboutthemilitarysituationinIsraelwashowthissmallnationhastobepreparedforthepossibilityofamilitaryencounteratvirtuallyanymoment,andhowitisfullycommittedtoastateofmilitarypreparedness.Upongraduationfromhighschool,everymaleinIsraelisrequiredtoenterthe
militaryforthreeyearsofservice.Everygraduatingfemaleisrequiredtogointotheservicefortwoyears.Afterthetimeofserviceisup,they’restillrequiredtospendonemonthoutofeveryyearinreservetraininguntilagefifty-one.There’sasenseinwhicheverycitizenisalwaysconsideredapartofthearmy.
InIsrael,militarypreparednessisthenorm.AndtheNewTestamentindicatesthatsomethingsimilarisexpectedofthechurch.Whileitisnotthemilitancyofthesword,theimageryintheScripturesandonthelipsofJesusindescribingthemissionofthechurchisborrowedfromthemilitaryworld.Anarmy’sreadinessisoneofitsmostimportantqualities,anditseemsthatthechurchtodaycertainlyhasanadequatenumberoftroops.Wehaveconsiderabletrainingopportunitiesavailabletous.Whatwelackistheabilitytocometogetherforaction—tobemobilized.
Often,itisassumedthatthebestwaytocarryoutthemissionofthechurchistohireapreacheroraministerialstaffandletthemhandletheengagementsnecessaryforthebattletobewon.Buthaveyoueverheardofanarmywhosegeneralwastheonlyoneinthefight?Foranarmytobesuccessful,ithastohaveaskilled,trained,andmobilizedrank-and-file.That’snolesstrueinthekingdomofGod,andinthewarfarethatisnotagainstfleshandbloodbutagainstrulersandauthoritiesandspiritualforcesofevil(Eph.6:12).
Therearesomeimportantbiblicaltextsthatspeaktotheissueofthemobilizationofthelaity.OneofthemostimportantonesisfoundinExodus,intheaccountofMoses’beingvisitedbyhisfather-in-law,Jethro.Itbegins:
ThenextdayMosessattojudgethepeople,andthepeoplestoodaroundMosesfrommorningtillevening.WhenMoses’father-in-lawsawallthathewasdoingforthepeople,hesaid,“Whatisthisthatyouaredoingforthepeople?Whydoyousitalone,
andallthepeoplestandaroundyoufrommorningtillevening?”AndMosessaidtohisfather-in-law,“BecausethepeoplecometometoinquireofGod;whentheyhaveadispute,theycometomeandIdecidebetweenonepersonandanother,andImakethemknowthestatutesofGodandhislaws.”(Ex.18:13–16)
JethrosawMosesministeringtothepeoplealldaylong.Hescratchedhisheadandsaid,“Moses,whatareyoudoing?”WecanalmostreadbetweenthelineshereanddetecttheslightesthintofprideonMoses’part,oratleastasenseofafeelingofaccomplishmentofajobwelldone,asheexplainshiscrucialroleinleadingandjudgingthepeople.
InsteadofcongratulatingMoses,Jethrolecturedhim:
Moses’father-in-lawsaidtohim,“Whatyouaredoingisnotgood.Youandthepeoplewithyouwillcertainlywearyourselvesout,forthethingistooheavyforyou.Youarenotabletodoitalone.”(vv.17–18)
NoticethatJethrodidn’tcometoMosesandsayhewasworriedthatMoseshadbittenoffmorethanhecouldchew,andthatitmightnotendwell.Rather,hespokeincertainties:thisstateofaffairswouldsurelywearMosesandthepeopleout.It’snotanygoodforanyonewhenpeoplethinkthattheycanhandlealloftheaffairsofGodbythemselves.Itsimplycannotbedone.
JethrothengaveMosesasolution:
Nowobeymyvoice;Iwillgiveyouadvice,andGodbewithyou!YoushallrepresentthepeoplebeforeGodandbringtheircasestoGod,andyoushallwarn
themaboutthestatutesandthelaws,andmakethemknowthewayinwhichtheymustwalkandwhattheymustdo.Moreover,lookforablemenfromallthepeople,menwhofearGod,whoaretrustworthyandhateabribe,andplacesuchmenoverthepeopleaschiefsofthousands,ofhundreds,offifties,andoftens.Andletthemjudgethepeopleatalltimes.Everygreatmattertheyshallbringtoyou,butanysmallmattertheyshalldecidethemselves.Soitwillbeeasierforyou,andtheywillbeartheburdenwithyou.Ifyoudothis,Godwilldirectyou,youwillbeabletoendure,andallthispeoplealsowillgototheirplaceinpeace.(vv.19–23)
GodmovedMosesthroughJethrotoimplementacarefulorganizationalstructure,notunlikeamilitaryorganization,thatwouldprovideclearresponsibilityandahighdegreeofagilityinreactingtocircumstances.JethrourgedMosestolookformenwhofearedGodandlovedrighteousnessandtosetthemoverthepeopleasjudges.ThejudgeswouldhearthesmallcasesandbringtoMosesanythingtheycouldn’thandle.Inthisway,theburdenwouldbespreadamongmany.
Wesometimesdismissorganizationassomethingthatsecularpeopledo.WewanttohavethespontaneousfreedomoftheSpirit.There’ssometimesasubtlemistrustofcarefulplanning,strategy,andorganizationinthechurch—butGodHimselfordainsthatthiskindoforganizationtakeplace.Everyoneisministeredtoinit,everyoneisaccountedfor,andallofthebasesarecovered.
InthebookofNumbers,Mosesfinallyimplementsthisorganizationalprocess.Inchapter11,thepeoplecomplainthattheyhavenomeattoeat.Inthewilderness,therewasnofood.Therewasonlyscrubgrassfortheirherdstograzeon.Therewerenocropsandnolivestockforthemtoeat.Theyweresubsistingdailyonthismiraculousprovisionfromheaven,calledmanna,thatGodhadgiventothem.Mannaforbreakfast,mannaforlunch,
mannafordinner.Ifyouwanttohaveamidnightsnack,manna.
So,thepeoplebegantopinefortheirslave-labordaysinEgypt.Theydidn’trememberthescourgingstheyreceivedfromtheiroverseersorhowniceitwaswhenPharaohforcedthemtomakebrickswithoutstraw.Alltheyrememberedwerethegoodolddaysoftheleeks,garlic,cucumbers,andonions—andtheywerereadytotradeintheirsalvationforacucumber.
Moseswasattheendofhisrope,andheappealedtotheLord,sayingthatleadingthismurmuringpeoplewastoogreataburdenforhimtobear.Inhisdistress,Mosesprays,“Ifyouwilltreatmelikethis,killmeatonce,ifIfindfavorinyoursight,thatImaynotseemywretchedness”(Num.11:15).
TheLordpromisedtogivethepeoplemeat—butsomuchmeatthattheywouldbesickfromit:
Youshallnoteatjustoneday,ortwodays,orfivedays,ortendays,ortwentydays,butawholemonth,untilitcomesoutatyournostrilsandbecomesloathsometoyou,becauseyouhaverejectedtheLordwhoisamongyou.(vv.19–20)
TheLordalsotoldMosestogatherseventyelderstobeartheburdenofleadingthepeople.Then,weread:
TheLordcamedowninthecloudandspoketohim,andtooksomeoftheSpiritthatwasonhimandputitontheseventyelders.AndassoonastheSpiritrestedonthem,theyprophesied.Buttheydidnotcontinuedoingit.Nowtwomenremainedinthecamp,onenamedEldad,andtheothernamedMedad,andtheSpiritrestedonthem.(v.25)
Seeingthesemenprophesying,JoshuachimedinandsaidtoMoses,“MylordMoses,stopthem”(v.28).ThepeoplewereusedtohavingonlyMosesbeinganointedbytheHolyGod.Thislookedlikeaninsurrectiontothem:someoneelsewasmanifestingthepowerofGodbesidesMoses.
It’scrucialwhatMosessaystoJoshuahere.Hesays,“Areyoujealousformysake?WouldthatalltheLord’speoplewereprophets,thattheLordwouldputhisSpiritonthem!”(v.29).MosessawthatinsteadofoneleadertobringtheIsraelitesintothePromisedLand,therewereseventy-one.Hisprayerwasthat,someday,alloftheLord’speoplewouldbeprophets,thatatsomepointGodwouldpouroutHisSpirituponallmen.
BythetimewegettotheprophetJoel,thatprayerofMoseshadbecomeaprophecy.JoelsaidthattheLorddeclared,“Anditshallcometopassafterward,thatIwillpouroutmySpiritonallflesh;yoursonsandyourdaughtersshallprophesy,youroldmenshalldreamdreams,andyouryoungmenshallseevisions”(Joel2:28).AtPentecost,theprophecyofJoelwasfulfilledandtheSpiritwaspouredoutuponthewholechurch(seeActs2:14–21).NolongeristheSpiritlimitedtoaselectfew;Hebelongstoandindwellsallbelievers.
TheNewTestamentportraitofthechurchisthatofanorganizationenergizedbyGodtheHolySpirit.IntheNewTestamentdoctrineofthechurch,everysinglepersoninthebodyofChristhasbeenenabledandenergizedbyGodtheHolySpirittobebattleready—tobeapartofthemissionthatGodhasgiventoHischurch.Tolookatthechurchasanorganizationwherethelaborandministryaredoneonlybytheministersistomisstheentirepoint.Theministers’primarytaskistoequipthesaints—therank-and-file,thepeopleinthepews.TheministryofthechurchbelongstothepeopleofGodwhohavebeengiftedbytheHolySpirittocarryitout.
ManyChristiansgotheirentireliveswithoutbeingusedbyGodtobethehumaninstrumentandmeansbywhichapersoncomestoChrist.Myowncallingisnotasanevangelist,butseeinganotherhumanbeingcometoChrististhemostmeaningfulministryexperienceI’veeverhad.
Ioncewashiredbyachurchtobetheministeroftheology,whichmeantthatmyjobwastoteach.Theyalsoaddedtomyjobdescription“ministerofevangelism.”IsaidIdidn’tknowanythingaboutevangelism.So,theysentmetoaseminartotraininevangelism.
Theministerleadingtheseminartalkedabouthowtomemorizeanoutline,howheuseskeyquestionstostimulatediscussion,andhowthere’sapatterntothewayinwhichevangelismistoflow.Theideabehindthemethodheusedwastofocusattentionontheultimateissueofaperson’sindividualredemption—howcanhe
justifyhimselfbeforeGod?Mostpeoplewillsaythattheyhavelivedagoodlife;veryfewwillsaythattheyhavebeenjustifiedbyfaithaloneinChristalone.
Methodssuchasthesehavemuchtorecommendthem.Theyareeasytolearn,andtheymakeitpossibleforpeopletoengageindiscussionsaboutChristianity,thoughcaremustbetakenthatoneisnotsimplyreadingascriptbutratherisreallyconnectingwiththeotherperson.
Ultimately,evangelismislessaboutthemethodoneusesandmoreaboutthemessageoneproclaims.Evangelism,remember,istheproclamationofthegospel—tellingthestory,announcingthenews.Somefearthattheydon’tknowenoughtoevangelize.Isay,“Tellthemwhatyoudoknow.”Leavethedefenseofthetruthclaimstotheapologistandholdforththesimplemessageofthegospel.Anyonewhohastheabilitytospeakaboutthreeorfoursimpleprinciplescanbecomeaneffectiveevangelist.Thisiswhereevangelismprogramsandtrainingcanhelp.
ThebookofActstellsusofStephen,thefirstChristianmartyr.Heisstonedtodeathinchapter7,uponwhichaterriblepersecutionbreaksout.Itlooksasiftheendofthenascentchurchmightbenear.Butthenweread:
AndSaulapprovedofhis[Stephen’s]execution.AndtherearoseonthatdayagreatpersecutionagainstthechurchinJerusalem,andtheywereallscatteredthroughouttheregionsofJudeaandSamaria,excepttheapostles.DevoutmenburiedStephenandmadegreatlamentationoverhim.ButSaulwasravagingthechurch,andenteringhouseafterhouse,hedraggedoffmenandwomenandcommittedthemtoprison.Nowthosewhowerescatteredwentaboutpreachingtheword.(Acts8:1–4)
HowdidtheChristianchurchmovefromtwelvepeopletoanarmy?Thentoanation?Thentoanentireempire,andeventuallytobecomethegreatestculturalinfluenceinWesterncivilization?Thesecretisrightthereinthelastverse:“Thosewhowerescatteredwentaboutpreachingtheword.”
Whoweretheywhowerescatteredabroad?TherewasagreatpersecutionagainstthechurchatJerusalem,andtheywereallscatteredabroad,throughouttheregionsofJudeaandSamaria—allexcepttheApostles.Itwastherank-andfilebelieverswhocausedthisenormousexpansionoftheearlychurch.
IsthereanystructuretothisspreadingevangelismthatwecanfindinthebookofActs?Yes—weseeinthefirstchapterofActsthatthecommissionisgiventotheearlychurchbyJesus:“YouwillreceivepowerwhentheHolySpirithascomeuponyou,andyouwillbemywitnessesinJerusalemandinallJudeaandSamaria,andtotheendoftheearth”(Acts1:8).ThisdescriptionfollowsthepatternoftheGreatCommission.
TheApostlesandtheearlybelieverswerealsocommissionedtomakeaspecificannouncement.WhenweanalyzethepreachingfoundinthebookofActs,werepeatedlyseewhattheologianscallthekerygma,or“proclamation,”whichisthesameessentialmessageineverysermon.Thismessageconsistsofthebasicrealitiesofthedeath,resurrection,andascensionofChrist.Then,inadditiontothekerygma,wefindintheNewTestamenttheemergenceofwhatwascalledthedidachē,or“teaching,”whichsupplementedtheinitialproclamationofChrist’ssalvificwork.
Theorganizationofthechurchusuallyworkedinthisfashion:Christianswentoutandproclaimedthegospel.Otherpeoplerespondedtothegospel,werebaptized,andthenwereimmediatelytaughtthecontentofthedidachē.Thiswassimilartowhatwemightthinkofaslearningacatechismortheessentialteachingsofthechurch.That’swhennewbelieverslearnedaboutthebroadoutlinesofGod’sworkintheworld,fromcreationtothe
livesofAbraham,Isaac,andJacobtoHiscurrentworkthroughJesusChristandtheHolySpirit.ThechurchdidnottrytowaituntiltheworldwaseducatedinJudaismoreveninallofthetheologyofChristianitybeforecallingtheworldtocommitmenttoChrist.
Teachingisvitallyimportant.But,generallyspeaking,itisbestreceivedafterapersonhasrespondedtothegospel.WecannoteducatepeopleintothekingdomofGod.Educationissomethingthattakesplaceafterconversion.So,theNewTestamentchurchwasmobilized,itwasenergized,andithadvisiontogooutand,inaverysimpleway,presentthegospelandthenfollowupwithteaching.Icallthisapproach“systematicevangelism.”
Atmypreviouschurch,webegantovisitpeopleintheirhomesforthepurposeofevangelism.WhenweidentifiedourselvesasrepresentativesofthePresbyterianchurch,theinitialresponsesandassumptionsofourhostswerethatwewerecomingformoneyorinvitingthemforchurchmembership.That’stheonlyreasonPresbyterianshadevervisitedthembefore.Wewouldsay,“We’renotheretoaskyouforapledgecard.We’renothereeventoaskyoutojoinourchurch.We’reheretotalktoyouaboutChrist.”Itblewthemaway.
Thisapproachwassystematic,mobilized,andscheduled.Attimes,itseemedsomechanicalanduninspiring.Butwewent,weekafterweek,forayearandahalf.Wewouldcometogetherasthechurch,thenwewouldgoouttogetherinteams;beforeanybodysetfootinthatcommunity,wehadcorporateprayer,kneelingandprayingforeverysinglepersonwhowentoutintothatcommunity.Theyknewthatthechurchwasbehindtheminthismission.Intheend,wemetandexplainedthegospeltomanypeoplewhomwemightnothavecomeacrosshadweusedalesssystematicapproach.
Inthe1960s,sometheologiansbelievedthattheysawintheNewTestamentatensionorconflictbetweenGodtheFatherandGodtheSon.Intheirview,GodtheFatherisportrayedasanangrydeitywhoonlyhasroomforwrathtowardtheworld;Heaimedtobringjusticetobearbypunishingthewholeofmankind.Ontheotherhand,GodtheSon,whoischaracterizedbyamuchgreaterspiritofcompassionandmercyandlove,comesonthesceneofhistoryinordertopersuadetheFathertosparesomeofthesewickedpeopleandtoinducetheFathertoredeemthoseforwhomChristlaiddownHislife.
Thisview,however,isunsupportedbythebiblicalevidence.EvenacursoryreadingoftheScripturesindicatesthatJesussawHismissionandcallingasthatwhichfulfillsthedesireoftheFather.HisfoodanddrinkweretodothewilloftheFather;JesuscameintotheworldbecauseHewassentintotheworldbytheFather.ItwastheFather’sideatobringaboutredemptionandtoactonHis
concernandlovefortheworld.So,Hetookaction:HesentHisonlybegottenSon.Tothinkotherwisewouldbe,atminimum,tounderminetheverymissionofthechurchitself.
ThebiblicalbasisformissionsbeginswithGod’sworkofsendingHisSonforourredemption.Nearlyeverylocalchurchhasaportionofitsbudgetdesignatedforthetaskofmissions.MostChristianshavesomeideaofwhatmissionmeans—butthebasisforthatmissionmaynotbeasclear.
Whatismission,andwhatistheprincipalfoundationforthemissionofthechurch?ThewordmissionitselfcomesfromtheLatinverbmissio,whichmeans“tosend.”So,literally,missionshastodowithsending.IntheScriptures,weseetheverbtosendbeingusedoverandover,inamultitudeofways.Butthere’sasenseinwhichthewholelifeofthechurchandthewholeexperienceoftheChristianarerootedultimatelyinsomekindofsendingthatisfoundedintheauthorityandtheactionofGodHimself.
ItisGodwhoinstitutes,sanctifies,andmandatesthemissionofthechurch.OneofthemostfamouspassagesintheBiblespeakstothismission:“ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlySon,thatwhoeverbelievesinhimshouldnotperishbuthaveeternallife”(John3:16).Manypeopleknowthisverse,buthowmanyknowthenextverse?“ForGoddidnotsendhisSonintotheworldtocondemntheworld,butinorderthattheworldmightbesavedthroughhim”(v.17).ThemotivebehindthedivineactionofredemptioncrystallizedinJohn3:16liesintheactionofGodinsendingHisSonintotheworld.Thepurposewasnotnegativebutpositive;Goddidn’tsendtheSonforthepurposeofjudgment,butratherforthepurposeofredemption.Verse34revealsmoreaboutthatmission:“ForhewhomGodhassentuttersthewordsofGod,forhegivestheSpiritwithoutmeasure.”WhoistheonewhomGodhadsent?It’sJesusChrist,andHewassentspeakingthewordsofGodandgivingtheHolySpiritwithoutmeasure.
JesusspeaksalsoinHisHighPriestlyPrayerofspeakingthewordsofGodandofhavingbeensentbytheFather:“ForIhavegiventhemthewordsthatyougaveme,andtheyhavereceivedthemandhavecometoknowintruththatIcamefromyou;andtheyhavebelievedthatyousentme”(John17:8).AsHecontinuestoprayforthedisciples,Hesays,“Asyousentmeintotheworld,soIhavesentthemintotheworld”(v.18).Hereweseethebasisforthemissionofthechurch.GodsentChrist;Christsentthechurch.ThebiblicalbasisformissionsistheWordofGodspokenindivineauthority;itisthemandateofChrist.
Weliveinatimewhereinthesecularcultureandmanyecclesiasticalauthoritiesdismissthewholeconceptofworldmissions.Someclaimthatthetimeofworldmissionaryactivityisover.Oneargumentofferedforthisisthatmissionsarenotonlyunnecessarybutareadestructiveforceunleashedupontheworld.Thechargeisthatworldmissionshavebeennothingmorethanaplatformforimperialismandfortheexploitationoftheunderdevelopednationsbytheindustrializednationsintheworld.Thereisalsothesociologicalconsiderationthatcivilizationisacorruptinginfluenceuponinnocentnativeswhowouldhavegreaterwell-beingandpeacewithouttheproblemsoftheWesternworldthatareinevitablycarriedinthecarpetbagsofthemissionary.
Thisispurenonsense,ofcourse,andnotsupportedbyevidence.Modernmissionsprovidevaluablemedical,educational,andagriculturalresources,inadditiontotheimportantworkofpreachingthegospel.Unfortunately,thenumberofmissionariesinthefieldcontinuestodecline,becauseasignificantportionofthechurchnolongerbelievesthatit’snecessarytofulfillthemandatefromChristtocarrythegospeltotheendsoftheearth.
ButthemissionofGodhasalwaysbeenasendingprogram.GodspoketoAbraminthelandoftheChaldeansandsenthimtoanewlandwherehewouldbethefatherofagreatnation.HecametoMosesinthemidstoftheMidianitewildernessandsentMoses
toPharaohwiththemessage,“Letmypeoplego.”GodsentHischildrenoutofEgyptandintothePromisedLand.WhentheyweredisobedienttothecovenantthatGodhadmadewiththem,Hesenttheprophetstowarnthem.Whenthatdidn’tbringthemaround,HesentHisSon.
Thewordapostlemeans“onewhoissent.”InthetimeoftheNewTestament,anapostlewasonewhowouldcarrytheauthoritytospeakinthenameoftheonewhohadsenthim.IntheNewTestament,thefirstApostleisChristHimself,theonesentbytheFather.Then,theFatherandSonsenttheHolySpirit.Then,theSpiritwaspouredoutonthechurch,andthechurchwassenttocompletetheministryofChristinalltheworld—toeverytongue,toeverynation,toeverytribe.
InRomans10,Paulraisesaseriesofquestionsthatspeakdirectlytothematterofourresponsibility.Havingaffirmedthat“everyonewhocallsonthenameoftheLordwillbesaved”(v.13),hethenasks:
Howthenwilltheycallonhiminwhomtheyhavenotbelieved?Andhowaretheytobelieveinhimofwhomtheyhaveneverheard?Andhowaretheytohearwithoutsomeonepreaching?Andhowaretheytopreachunlesstheyaresent?Asitiswritten,“Howbeautifularethefeetofthosewhopreachthegoodnews!”(vv.14–15)
NoonecancalluponChristtosavethemiftheydon’tbelieveinHim.Paulputshisfingeronthechallengeandtheresponsibilityofthechurch:tosend,sothatpeoplemighthearaboutChrist,anduponhearing,mightbelieveandbesaved.
Whenisthemissionarymandateover?Whenithasbeenfulfilled,andthemandateofChristhasbeencompleted.Ifsomeonestandsupinachurchmeetingandsaysthatthedayofmissionisover,
resisthimwithallofyourmight,becausethatpersonisadvocatingnothinglessthantreasontotheLordofthechurch.Itisthechurch’sdutytofulfilltheGreatCommission,tosendpeopleintoalltheworld.That’swhatmissionsisallabout.
OnedaywhenwewerelivinginPennsylvania,ourdogranawayfromhome.Ilovedmydog,soIdidn’tjustsitathomeandwhistle.Isetoutonfoot,andtheninthecar,tosearchformylostdog.IhadtogoaroundtheoutskirtsoftheLigonierValleyStudyCenter,situatedinthemountainsinaratherremotearea.It’snotlikethesuburbswhereyoulookoutyourwindowandseeintothewindowofyournext-doorneighbor.Manyhomesweresituatedonten-,fifty-,orevenhundred-acrelots.Thehouseswerewidelyseparatedfromeachother;wedidn’tknoweveryonewholivedupanddownthestreet.
Inthatarea,thereweretwotypesofpeople.Onetypewasthosewhowereveryrich,whousedtheareaasasummerresort.Anothertypewaspeoplewhoweredesperatelypoor:the“Appalachianmountainpeople.”Theylivedvirtuallysidebysidewiththeextravagantlywealthy.AsIwaslookingformydog,IbegantogodownroadsanddrivewaysthatI’dnevertraveled
before.TheoneimpressionthatIcarrywithmefromthatexperiencewascomingouttheendofmydriveway,turningrightontothestreet,andgoinglessthanaquarterofamilebeforeturningdownadrivewaythatIhadpassedprobablyathousandtimes.
Ihadnoideawhatwasattheendofthatdriveway,butIcouldn’tbelievewhatwasthere.ItwasasifIhadsteppedintoadifferentcenturyoranotherworld—aworldofabjectpoverty.Isawpeoplelivingwithoutfood,withoutadequateshelter,andwithoutsufficientclothing;theywereobviouslyunemployedandbarelyekingoutanexistence.Ihadnoideathosepeopleevenlivedthere,andyet,theirresidencewaslessthantwothousandfeetfrommyhouse.I’dbeenthereeightornineyearswithoutrealizingthattheylivedrightacrossthestreetfromme.
It’seasyforustoshieldourselves—notconsciously,notmaliciously—butnevertheless,topassontheothersideinordertoremainunawareofthepainandthespiritualhopelessnessthatisaroundus.ThatwasnotthewayofJesus.Helookedforthepain.Hesearchedforlostpeople.Thatwasthefirststepinredeemingthem.
Jesusgainedareputationforassociatingwiththosewhowereconsideredoutcasts.Pariahs,undesirables,theunlovelyoftheJewishculture—allthesegatheredaroundJesus.ThisdisturbedthePhariseesandscribes,thedignitariesandclergyoftheday.Theyhadadoptedatraditionthattaughtsalvationbysegregation:keepyourselfawayfromanyonewhoisinvolvedinsin;thatishowyoucansecureyourownredemption.Itwaspartoftheirworkingphilosophytoisolatethemselvesfromthosewhoweresinners.Jesuscameanddefiedthattraditionbyopenlyassociatingwiththepariahsoftheculture.
ItwasononeoftheseoccasionsthatthePhariseesbegantogrumbleandcomplainaboutJesus’companions.Inresponse,Jesustellsaseriesofparables,thefirstofwhichreadsasfollows:
Whatmanofyou,havingahundredsheep,ifhehaslostoneofthem,doesnotleavetheninety-nineintheopencountry,andgoaftertheonethatislost,untilhefindsit?Andwhenhehasfoundit,helaysitonhisshoulders,rejoicing.Andwhenhecomeshome,hecallstogetherhisfriendsandhisneighbors,sayingtothem,“Rejoicewithme,forIhavefoundmysheepthatwaslost.”Justso,Itellyou,therewillbemorejoyinheavenoveronesinnerwhorepentsthanoverninety-ninerighteouspersonswhoneednorepentance.(Luke15:4–7)
Thisparableiscalled“theparableofthelostsheep.”Therearethosetodaywhodon’tbelievethatanyoneislost;theyrejectthewholeconceptofbeinglost.Therearethosewhoareuniversalists,whobelieveeveryonegoestoheavenautomatically;justificationisnotbyfaithorworks,butsimplybydeath—becausenooneistrulylost.Thentherearethosewhosaythat,givenenoughtime,lostpeoplewilleventuallyfindtheirwayback.Wejustneedtoleavethemalone.
However,ifnooneislost,oriftheywillfindtheirwaybackontheirown,thenthemissionofChristwasawasteoftime;theatonementofChristwasnotneeded.ThiscastsashadowuponthewholemissionofJesusHimself.
JesusdefinedHismissionbysaying,“TheSonofMancametoseekandtosavethelost”(Luke19:10).Hedidn’tsimplysaythatHecametosavethelost,butthatHecametoseekandtosavethem.Thatis,beforethelostcanberedeemed,theymustfirstbefound.
Itisfindingthelostthatnecessitatestheendeavorofmissions.It’seasyforustodeceiveourselvesintothinkingthatnooneislost,andonewayofdoingthatistodistanceourselvesfromthesearch—thatis,tomakesurethatwekeepourselvesuninformedabout
theneedsofthelost,toinsulateourselvesfromknowingwhatisreallygoingonintheworld.Forinstance,wedon’tgooutofourwaytounderstandandlearnaboutallofthepeoplewhoarestarvinginthisworld.Whenweareconfrontedwithit,ourconsciencesareprickedandwearemovedtoaction.Butwedon’tgooutofourwaytofindmisery;wethinkthere’senoughmiseryinourownlives,withoutlookingformore.
WhenIwasachild,itwasstillnormalforthedoctortomakehousecalls,wherehewouldactuallycometoyourhouse.Everyday,hewoulddrivethroughthecommunityandvisitchildren,theelderly,orwhoeverwassick.Today,ifyou’resick,thedoctorisnotgoingtocometoyou;youhavegotothedoctor.Unfortunately,manychurchesoperatethesameway;theyhangoutashingleandinvitepeopletocometothem.
ButJesusdidn’thaveabuilding;Hedidn’twaitbehindcloseddoorsforpeopletocomeandseeHim.Hiswasaministryof“walkingaround.”Hewentouttowherethepeoplewere.That’swhatmissionsisallabout.TheministryofChristwasaministryofsearchingforpainandforthosewhoarelost.
ThesecondparablethatJesustellsthePhariseesreadsasfollows:
Orwhatwoman,havingtensilvercoins,ifshelosesonecoin,doesnotlightalampandsweepthehouseandseekdiligentlyuntilshefindsit?Andwhenshehasfoundit,shecallstogetherherfriendsandneighbors,saying,“Rejoicewithme,forIhavefoundthecointhatIhadlost.”Justso,Itellyou,thereisjoybeforetheangelsofGodoveronesinnerwhorepents.(vv.8–10)
Maybethisistheonlytimethewomanhaseversweptthehouse.She’slostsomething,andshewillturnovereverythingtofindatenthofherfortune.Shelostonecoin,andshedidn’tjustmissit
andsay,“That’sallright;Ihaveninecoinsleft.”Shemovedheavenandearthtofindthatcoin.
Didyoueverlosesomethingvaluablethatwasimportanttoyou?Ifso,thenyouknowthatinnerpanicyoufeelasyoutrytofindit.IrememberwhenIwaslivinginthehomeofafriendwhowasbackintheNetherlandsfinishinghisdoctoraldissertation.BeforeheleftfortheNetherlands,hegavemeakeytohissafedepositbox.Hesaid,“IfIeverhaveanemergency,Iwillcontactyou.Ihavefundssetasideinthissafedepositbox.Ifsomethingcomesup,allyouhavetodoistakethatkeytothebank,getoutthebox,andwiremethemoney.”
Severalmonthspassed,andIgotanurgentmessagesayingthatheneededmoneydesperately.IwentrightintomydeskwhereIknewIhadputthekey,openedupthedrawerinthecentersection,lookeddown—andthekeywasgone.Ihadnoideawhereitwas.Isearchedthehousefrantically.Icouldn’tfindit.Iwenttothebankandexplainedthesituation.Theysaid,“We’resorry.Withoutthatkey,wearenotallowedtoletyouinheretoopenthatbox.”
Iexplainedthesituationtomystudentsinmyclass.Ihadmywholeclasscometomyhouse,andwewentoverthathousewithafine-toothedcomb.Welifteduptherugs.Wewentthroughthewinterclothes.Wetookoutthedrawers.Weruffledthecurtains.Wesystematicallywentthrougheverysquareinchofthathouse.
Eventually,aftermuchsearching,Ifoundthatkey.WhenIfoundit,Iwentnuts.Iwasleapingforjoy,jumpingupanddown—andIthought,hereIamrejoicingoverfindingakey.IrejoicedalsowhenIfoundmylostdog.Whatdoesheavendowhenalostpersonisfound?Thereismorejoyinheavenoveronesinnerwhorepentsthatoverninety-ninerighteouspeoplewhoneednorepentance.
IgetexcitedwhenIfindmylostdog.IgetexcitedwhenIfindakeythatislost.IgetexcitedwhenIfindsomemoneythatislost.
Heavenhasafeastwhenalostpersonisfound.Wewilllookforkeys.Wewilllookforcoins.Wewilllookforsheep.Whywon’twelookforpeople?
Ifyou’veeverbeenlostinthewoods,youknowwhataterriblefeelingitis.It’seasytomakeoneturn,thenanother;then,suddenly,thelandmarksalllookthesameandyoubecomedisoriented.Youcanstartmovingfartherawayfromthepointofrecognition,gettingdeeperintothewoodswithoutknowingit.Therealizationthatyouarelostcanbeterrifying.Butevenmoreterrifying,therearethosewhoarelostwhodon’tevenknowit.
OneofmyfavoriteillustrationsofthisideacomesfromAliceinWonderland.Aliceiswalkingalonganddoesn’tknowwhereshe’sgoing.Shecomestoaforkintheroadanddoesn’tknowwhichwaytogo.She’sparalyzedwithindecision,andsittingupinthetreeistheCheshireCat,grinningfromeartoear.AlicefindsabitofencouragementbythepresenceoftheCheshireCat,andsheaskshim,“WhichwayshouldIgo?”
Thecatsays,“Well,itdepends.Whereareyouheading?”
Alicesays,“Idon’tknow.”
Thecatsays,“Thenitdoesn’tmatterwhichwayyougo.”
Manypeopletodayarelikethat.Theyhavenoideawheretheyareandnocluewherethey’regoing.Theirwholelivesconsistofwanderingaboutaimlessly,withoutpurpose,design,meaning,orsignificance.It’sonethingtobelost;it’sanothertobelostandnotknowit.Whenapersonisinthatstate,itisinevitablethattheywillexperienceacrisisandrealizetheyhavenoideawheretheyareorhowtheygotthere.
Godputsapriorityonseekingpeoplelikethat.Afterthelostcoinandthelostsheep,JesusturnsHisattentiontopeople.Theparableoftheprodigalson(Luke15:11–32)isafamiliarstory,andit’s
importanttokeepthefocuswhereitbelongs:notonthelostson,butonthefatherandhisgreatjoyattherepentanceandreturnoftheson.Whenthefatherseeshissonfaroff,heracesdowntheroadandembraceshim,killsthefattedcalf,givesthesignetringtohim,andclotheshimwithacloakofhonor.Ashesaystotheolderbrother,“Itwasfittingtocelebrateandbeglad,forthisyourbrotherwasdead,andisalive;hewaslost,andisfound”(v.32).
ThisparabletellsuswhatGodislike.Herunsafterthelost,andHerejoiceswhenonepersonisredeemed.
Thatisthemissionofthechurch,andeachofushasaresponsibilitytomakesurethatthelostaresoughtandfound.We’renotdealingwithcoinsorsheep,andwe’renotdealingwithdogsorkeys.WearedealingwithpeoplewhomChristloves.HesaidsoHimself.
AboutTheAuthor
Dr.R.C.SproulisthefounderandchairmanofLigonierMinistries,aninternationalChristiandiscipleshiporganizationlocatednearOrlando,Fla.HealsoservesascopastoratSaintAndrew’sChapelinSanford,Fla.,aschancellorofReformationBibleCollege,andasexecutiveeditorofTabletalkmagazine.HisteachingcanbeheardaroundtheworldonthedailyradioprogramRenewingYourMind.
Duringhisdistinguishedacademiccareer,Dr.Sproulhelpedtrainmenfortheministryasaprofessoratseveraltheologicalseminaries.
Heisauthorofmorethanninetybooks,includingTheHolinessofGod,ChosenbyGod,TheInvisibleHand,FaithAlone,Everyone’saTheologian,TruthsWeConfess,TheTruthoftheCross,andThePrayeroftheLord.HealsoservedasgeneraleditoroftheReformationStudyBibleandhaswrittenseveralchildren’sbooks,includingTheDonkeyWhoCarriedaKing.Dr.Sproulandhiswife,Vesta,maketheirhomeinSanford,Fla.
FurtheryourBiblestudywithTabletalkmagazine,anotherlearningtoolfromR.C.Sproul.
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