| Hi Harry,
� Discuss.
Certainly Sir!!! Currently discuss-ting...
� So, why do we send Missionaries?
� Why don't we go ourselves?
� Why do we go ourselves?
Whether we go or stay (whatever that means in our context), we need to be
sure that the place we're in is where the LORD has for us now. It may not
be His place for us tomorrow. But it needs to be now.
The great commission was to go into all the world, but it was preceded by
the command to preach first in the local area, gradually expanding
(Jerusalem -> Judea -> Samaria -> rest off the world). Acts 1:8 expands on
Matthew 28:19, and Luke 24:49 points out that they should wait for the Holy
Spirit's power beforehand too.
From this I understand that we should be able to represent the LORD in the
difficulty of our immediate domestic and cultural situation before we rush
off to manipulate other cultures!
This is an easy principle to understand. It is 'what we are' rather, even,
than 'what we say' that communicates to hte people we live with. It is no
good trying to teach the most correct doctrine if the attitudes and
disposition we manifest are ungracious, unloving, selfish, or otherwise
unholy and manifestly different from the character of the LORD Jesus. If
we can't portray His image amongst those who can read us closest (being in
our own culture), we don't stand much chance if we also have another
culture to contend with.
I have heard of missionaries who have gone more out of escapism than out of
evangelistic zeal, who have ended up in dire straits, where the LORD is sadly
misrepresented. This isn't saying that most - or even many - are like that,
but it is to stress that we need to hear God's voice for where we should
be.
If you (generic) feel that the great commission is a burden and call which
needs no further qualification, then that may well be an indication that
you personally should be looking for where the LORD would equip you to
serve. But the (spiritual and practical) equipping is still a prerequisite,
under His guidance. Also, that burden should not be taken as a license to
turn it into a guilt trip for others. I'm not saying you're doing that,
Harry - just that I've seen it done. Neither am I saying that your sister-
in-the-LORD was doing that.
Our first responsibilty is to walk so close to the LORD that if He says to
us (directly, or through someone else, and usually both would confirm the
other) 'Go!', our hearts are ready to getupandgo. Via whatever training
may be needed. That should take away the liability to use 'unprepared' or
'training' as an excuse to fob off the LORD's call.
Ultimately, when this life has been completed, what counts is what we have
done in obedience to Him. Not what we have done extra that He didn't call
us to (whether at home or abroad). And only in the true perspective, then,
will we see indisputably what we already know in our hearts, if we can only
admit it. That He is worth all we have and are....
Andrew
|
| Well Harry,
I think the difference is a matter of calling. Missions is no easy
task, as I'm sure you know from reading the bulletins from PNG. The
people that I know who want to be missionaries have felt a call very
strongly. They know without a doubt that God is sending them. I have
one friend and his now fiance that both feel called to ministry with
Wycliffe Bible Translators. I however are more in the same boat as you
thinking 'gee is this something God desires of me' and at the same time
thinking 'oh no, suppose I have to go someplace where I have to do the
equivalent of *camping* - yikes!.' Now this is not a fear that keeps
me up at nights. I'm not feeling very burdened about it. Sometimes I
just wonder about it when I'm thinking about what I should be doing for
God.
However, while some went out from Jerusalem, others stayed and
supported the ones who went out. I feel this is biblical too. I think
we need to make sure that we have a global view of our local ministry.
A few people sent out can change the world. The bible says that 12 men
turned the world upside down. Through our giving we can enable that
ministry. I think God desires both goers and givers. We all have
different callings, we need to be obedient to what God is telling us.
Now that may change over time. When God told Abraham to go...that's
all He told him...and he went! To me...that alone showed the type of
faith Abraham had. I would have been asking God to have a seat to
discuss the details. :'} I also know others who God has broken to the
point of them saying "Send me Lord" and then He didn't. He just wanted
them to be willing. Now I don't pretend to understand that, but
perhaps it's a preparation for the future.
Well I'll stop rambling now.
Jill
|
| Hi Harry
I guess the attitude we all ought to have is one of "I am a missionary
- wherever I am". I think we 'ordinary' christians seem to think that
missionary's are super-christians with a special calling, but, the fact
is, we are all called to be missionaries; the question is "Where"?
Personally speaking, I have sought God quite regularly regarding where
He wants me to be (especially after watching the Keith Green video you
refer to) and I know for a fact that I am currently where God wants me
to be. Does this mean I am not a missionary? or that I am of no use to
God at the moment? NO!!!!! I am called to be a light to the world right
where God has placed me. We all need to be aware of this calling and
also to be constantly listening for His instruction. To be honest, I
think God would need to give me 10 scriptures, 5 prophecies, a
writing-on-the-wall command and a spritual transformation before He'd
get me in some nasty, hot country with big spiders and snakes etc.
Yours cowardly
Ben
|