“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions,
and the nearer we get to Him
the more intensely missionary we must become” (Henry Martyn)
Today nine of every ten people in the world are lost. Of these nine, six of them have never heard a clear presentation of the gospel. Of these six, three of them have no one near them to tell them about Christ. What an urgent call for us, Christians, to tell others – the unreached people – about Christ and His saving power! Are we not the people of the Book? Are not the Word of God is full with examples and commandments for us to go? Are we so caught up with many concert events, talent nights, motivational preaching and Christmas parties that we forget to tell and urging Christians to become missionaries in their workplaces, communities, and to the unreached people of the world?
The first message at the birth of Christ was a missionary message. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10, NLT). The first prayer Christ taught was a missionary prayer. “May [Father’s] Kingdom come soon” (Matthew 6:10). The first disciple, Andrew, was a missionary. “Andrew went to find… and told him, ‘We have found the Messiah’” (John 1:41). The first message of the risen Lord was a missionary message. “’Don’t cling to me… But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’” (John 20:17). The first command of the risen Lord to His disciples was a missionary command. “[But] you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere… and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
What more can I write to proof of God’s concern for the unreached people? That we become mission-minded disciples as He is? The first apostolic sermon was a missionary sermon (see Acts 2:17-39). The greatest reason for Christian love was a missionary reason. “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16). The first coming of Christ was a missionary work. “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10). The second coming of Christ is to be hastened by missionary work. “[The] Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
And the most famous of all – our Saviour’s last wish on earth! His wish was a missionary wish:
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20, NLT).
The last wish of the departing Savior should be the first wish of His people. His last command should be our first concern. Therefore, rise up O people of God! Rise up church – evangelical churches! Rise up and go to the unreached people and tell them about the risen Christ! Be missionaries for the lost world to the unreached people. I can hear as if God is tell us: “Be missionary because I am a missionary” or listen to Jesus’ words to His disciples: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). Amen.
“The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions,
and the nearer we get to Him
the more intensely missionary we must become”
THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.
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