Impression about our task under the UPGs
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[edit] Lessons we have learnt in the past to motivate us into a new future
- Impression about our task under the UPGs
[edit] I. God’s Evaluation of our Missions Efforts
[edit] God’s perspective
From God’s perspective the completion of world evangelization particularly frontier mission’s out-reach to the Remaining Unevangelized Peoples (UPG), is long overdue. This project of world evangelization has been dragged on for too many generations. It is time for the global church to re-direct her resources and efforts towards reaching the “ends of the earth” nations. We have invested much but harvested little, mainly under the least responsive peoples. What is the Lord saying to us?
Already from the beginning, God had the vision of "To the end of the earth!" In Genesis 1:28, God gave this command to Adam and Eve: “And God blessed them and God said to them ‘Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it.’" This command was repeated when Noah left the ark. Genesis 9:1 says, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” When God called Abraham, He told him “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you,” (Genesis 12:3). This was repeated in Genesis 18:18 “and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.”
[edit] In the past we have learnt
In the past we have learnt, get down to work, ready for sacrifices; dreaming, sitting down and mourning about the slow progress is not enough. Let us set a goal to accomplish the GREAT COMMISSION with the right motive, which is for God’s pleasure and for His Name to be honoured among the nations. Let us beware that we do not do God’s work out of selfish ambition or self-centered motive. World evangelization is not just fulfilling God’s passion for the lost or the saving of lost souls from eternal damnation. It is a tribute to God’s glory and honour because He rightfully deserves it! It is true; God is seeking worshippers from all ethnê in this world. The Old Testament has many verses in which we see that the peoples in this world will worship him:
Psalm 45:17 - The nations will praise you forever and ever.
Psalm 47:1 - Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
Psalm 66:8 - Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard.
[edit] We have seen with our spiritual eyes the many UPGs in this world
We have seen with our spiritual eyes the many UPGs in this world and God has laid a burden about their needs on our hearts. The LORD has opened the door; we have witnessed that in the last years hundreds of workers have moved out to bring the GOSPEL to the peoples, who did not have any Gospel witness before. Let us have this vision about the evangelization of the UPGs personally, and we as a worldwide church will have to re-organize repeatedly our priorities around God’s plan to re-align them to God’s purposes. Praise the LORD, in the past years there was much re-shuffling, but it is important, if we are reminded about the priorities of GOD repeatedly. This is for many painful, up-setting, unpleasant, discomforting, and disruptive to what they have been so accustomed to. There is a need for redeployment about workers and resources in the wider church in this world, if we will see that the Gospel will touch the uttermost parts of this world. We have to pray that the LORD will use us to bring this challenge to the churches and Christians everywhere.
[edit] The Holy Spirit has to stir up
The Holy Spirit has to stir up the different leadership levels in the Body so that the grass-root com-munities will also be stirred up to work in unity in the fear of the Lord and in obedience to His voice. Compared to the magnitude of the GREAT COMMISSION, what has been accomplished so far seems insignificant, there are still 6 900 peoples mainly untouched by the Gospel, and these peoples are 27% of the world population. Be not discouraged or disheartened. Take heart, be strong and be consciously aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence. For the Holy Spirit will empower us all to finish the task even in the midst of shakings and setbacks. Let us believe and trust, this generation’s contribu-tion to world missions will far outweigh those of past generations. God chooses to bless the work of our hands with greater fruitfulness and He will extend His peace to the remotest parts of the earth, i.e. the remaining unevangelized people groups. (Inspiration from Haggai 1 & 2) If we do intercede for the remaining unevangelized peoples, we will be shocked and surprised with some upheaval in this world, because through these upheavals new doors get open for the presenting of the Gospel. (See Revelation 8:3-5). We have seen this in the past in this world, we can be sure, it will happen again.
[edit] II. What Do We See?
[edit] Giants and grasshoppers
Do we see giants and grasshoppers in the land of the remaining unevangelized peoples (Numbers 13:32b.33)? ON THE OTHER HAND, do we as a worldwide fellowship of Christians see God as Mighty Conqueror leading us to possess our inheritance among the nations? Our faith in the Al-mighty is challenged!
[edit] Spirit-anointed vision
Let us acquire a Spirit-anointed vision to see the nations as God sees them. When God gives His Word concerning any matter, He will watch His Word to perform it at all costs even beyond human imagination. When we ask God to give us “nations for our in¬herit¬ance and the ends of the earth for our possession” (Psalm 2:8), we must lay hold of His promise and be clear about our responsibility with regard to world evangelization. Let us learn from Abraham, he had received a promise and has lived according this promise (Roman 4:19-24), the life of Abraham is an example for us, we have countless promises for the remaining unevangelized peoples in this world, let us claim these promises and believe that God will use us to see the fulfilment of these promises. Let us not waver through unbelief, but give God the Glory, being fully persuaded that God has the power to do what HE has promised.
God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfil? (Numbers 23:19).
• Can we see the earth being filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea? (Habakkuk 2:14) • Can we see all the nations the Lord has made coming to wor¬ship before Him and bringing glory to His Name? (Psalm 86:9; see also Isaiah 60, that even the children of Ishmael will worship the living God). • Can we see the gospel of the Kingdom being preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations (ethnê)? (Matthew 24:14). • Can we see God’s Name being honoured among the nations from the rising to the setting of the sun (Psalm 113:3), and in every place, incense and pure offerings are brought to His Name because His Name is great among the nations? (Malachi 1:11).
[edit] Let us ponder over these promises
Let us ponder over these promises (there are many others) and pray them into existence. Let us seek the Lord concerning our part in these promises and study faithfully the Scriptures. God who imparts His vision to us, will by His Spirit embolden, enable and appoint us to our place of service in His Kingdom to carry out His redemptive purpose. Like Paul, we are called to obey the ‘heavenly vision’ (Acts 26:19). Like Paul, God sends us to open the eyes of the blind and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God so that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18). Paul’s vision replicates Christ’s mis-sion on earth (Luke 4:18-21).
May the Holy Spirit correct our shortcomings and our small faith to understand HIS grand plans for the remaining unevangelized peoples in this world, and enable us to perceive what God is doing in our midst and to align ourselves with His visionary mission to bring to closure the Great Commission.
I was inspired for this message through an article from Wee Lay Hong, Singapore.
