Unbreakable Missions

Missions as Means of Unfolding the Promise of God

A missions sermon
delivered @ BBTC
South Africa, 2010
by A.B. Seal

Josef Tson: Courage in Christian Ministry

Josef Tson, a Romanian follower of Christ, suffered intensely for his faith at the hands of the Romanian government. Josef shared this powerful testimony at Desiring God in 2000.  He entitled this message Persecution and Christ-likeness. It is available to download for free from the Desiring God website.

This message is full of magnificent statements like, "If all of your enemies are God's instruments, why are you afraid?"

Let me encourage you not to deny yourself the tremendous blessing of listening to this excellent message.

Missions Maxim

You have to go out.

You don't have to come back.

- A Motto of the US Coast Guard

HT:DG 

Hungry?

The great injustice of hunger in the midst an abundance of food in our world is shocking. This moving video depicts the striking degree of hunger which is prevalent in so many places in our world, even while food is often just right around the corner:

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

The Idolatry of Effectiveness

Faithfulness is more to be valued and sought after than effectiveness.

If it is otherwise one will forfeit faithfulness in pursuit of ever newer and "more effective" means.

John G. Paton lived out the truth that faithfulness is more to be valued than effectiveness. After serving for years on the front lines of missions, after losing his wife and child on the mission field, after repeatedly catching the same illness which killed his wife, and after multiple years of apparent ineffectiveness in ministry Paton refused to give up. He labored faithfully for years and years, enduring much hardship and tremendous difficulties when effectiveness in ministry was only a distant hope.

This makes one wonder how many mission agencies would have given up on Paton and withdrew their support because of his apparent ineffectiveness. Yet Paton was steadfast, believing when nearly everything around him was engaged in intense opposition to belief. Paton, like Abraham believed God when there was no earthly reason to believe Him - this is faith.

The Scriptures teach that faith, belief, and trust are highly esteemed by the Lord. When man recognizes his complete inability without God and then leans whole heartedly into Him, who can do that which we we could never do, then faith is involved. And it is precisely faith which pleases Him.

It is interesting to note that Jesus did not call us to effectiveness, rather He has called us to faithfulness and to obedience. Paul is very helpful in this regard, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

As it turned out, Paton did eventually experience great effectiveness later in his life on the mission field. Yet I do not think that this is what most pleased the Lord, rather it seems that the Lord was most pleased with Paton's faith in Him. John G. Paton's faith in the Lord worked itself out in faithful and diligent service to Him in spite of an apparent lack of effectiveness.

In contrast, how plentiful are the examples in America of apparent effectiveness, of multitudes crowding into over sized buildings called churches. Yet it is clear that it is not effectiveness that is most pleasing in God's sight for it is not written in the Scriptures, "Without effectiveness it is impossible to please Him." Rather it is written, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." (Heb. 11:6).

"How will they know?"

Last night after dinner my daughter and I were speaking about the precious treasure that is the Bible. I was explaining to her that in some places in the world it is illegal to possess a Bible. I told her of several of our friends who had gone into such places to bring in Bibles. I also informed her of places where people are imprisoned for possessing a Bible and about a recent incident in Somalia where a man was killed for bringing Bibles into his country.

My insightful six year old was able to catch the implication, “Do they not love God?” My response was brief yet cold, "No they do not love God, they do not love Jesus, and they do not love His book."

She thought for a moment and then delivered her power-packed question, “How will they know it’s good if they haven’t read it?” Her words sounded a note that resonated powerfully with the words of Paul who asked and answered a very similar question in Romans 10.

On a rare occasion during a conversation such a profound statement is unleashed that the conversation simply ceases under the weight of dynamic truth. Instinctively she felt the weight of her own statement and we both sat looking at each other in silence.

Some words can lead to tears and some can lead to worship. These words were a strange mixture of both and of a call to missions – to bring this good book with its life giving good news to peoples who have never had the precious opportunity to hear it or to read it for themselves.

Pondering this recent conversation I am surprised at how coldly and callously I was able reply to my daughter's question, "Do they not love God." My answer was matter of fact, rather than heart broken sorrow for those who have never heard the life giving good news. She was troubled by this problem and was already working out the answer in her heart, I was not.

May it not be that I would consider those who know not Christ nor His glorious gospel without feeling the pain of this and without considering the gospel mission solution to it.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

- Romans 10:14-15

The Battle Cry

HT: BraveHeartedGospel.com

Following the Footsteps of Christ

- K.P. Yohannan
HT: BraveHeartedGospel.com

And this Gospel

of the Kingdom

WILL BE Proclaimed

throughout the WHOLE world

as a testimony to ALL nations,

and THEN the end will come.


- Jesus, Matthew 24:14

BBTC Vision to Expand

Back to the Bible Training College has a vision to expand their ministry. This brief video highlights the Bible College as well as their vision to expand. May the Church in America engage in supporting this vibrant ministry.

AS

the Father has SENT Me,

Even So

I AM SENDING you.

- Jesus, John 20:21b

FPBC to BBTC 2009

Here is a brief video highlighting our recent trip to the Back to the Bible Training College in Barberton, South Africa:

THIS IS WAR!

- Paul Washer
HT: BraveHeartedGospel.com

Gifts from the Church in America

The students with their new ESV Study Bibles.

The students with their new books, Desiring God and Finally Alive.

BBTC is Hoping to Grow

This is the building in which the BBTC students go to class. The building is designed to hold 90 students. There are currently about 106 students attending. Needless to say the facility is quite cramped.


The College is seeking to expand in order to be able to serve and equip more students. A goal has thus far been set at being able to house and train 300 students. This will require significant expansion and therefore a significant expense. This College does not charge the students admission, but rather is supported by donations.

There are currently students from 14 countries across the continent of Africa. This is a non-denominational College which is accredited through another University in Europe. The students can graduate after a 3 year training program. The College also offers post graduate degree programs.

The students at the College will be quick to tell you that the Church in Africa struggles due to a lack of adequately trained and equipped pastors and teachers. BBTC is helping to fill this need by equipping pastors and missionaries with Biblical training and teaching as well as materials such as those provided during our brief trip to the College.

A video will be released later with more details as to the needs regarding the hoped for expansion.

Ever Heard the Call to Missions?

Have you heard the call to missions?

If not, it is not because Jesus hasn't sounded the call.

What will you do about His divine call? Sit there? And say things like, "If He calls me, then I'll go. I'm just waiting for His call."

Have you ever read this amazing and best selling book called the Bible? It is replete with commands to spread the glories of the Gospel to places where it has not yet been. Will you enjoy your comfort now and procrastinate discomfort until you will have your fill of it as you face the King of Kings and try to explain your disobedience and your poor stewardship of His magnificent Gospel and His great commission. Or would you forsake your comfort now and carry the glorious Gospel to places where Jesus has never even been heard of?

Good news is only good to those who get to hear it...

HT: JT

Upcoming Trip to Africa

Next month I will be headed to a small Bible College in South Africa for a few weeks. I will have some opportunities to share the Lord's word and to teach through my all time favorite book (aside from the Bible).

We have been in contact with DG, who in keeping with past generous practices may again possibly provide books for the students at this College.

We are raising funds to purchase Study Bibles and additional training materials for the students from a bookstore in South Africa (this saves greatly by avoiding international shipping rates). If you are interested in supporting this equipping ministry you are welcome to contact me.

"At The Heart of True Biblical Missions"

Missions Moravian Style

"May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering."

HT:RO

"Declare His Glory Among The Nations"

Yesterday I listened to this great message on missions: Declare His Glory Among the Nations. "We have the best news in all the world. Let's sing it, and let's spread it."

In this sermon on Psalm 96, Piper briefly highlights two websites and encourages us to check them out:

JoshuaProject.net

PeopleGroups.org