WHY INVEST OUR TIME AND MONEY HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY NEEDS RIGHT HERE AT HOME?
Scripture answers this question with unmistakeable clarity.
Jesus came, died and rose to begin the process of taking the gospel to every nation so that every person would have the opportunity to believe in Him and receive salvation.
His departing words to His disciples in Matthew 28:20 was to continue the task He started until the task was finished. While He was speaking to the Twelve it is clear from Acts 1:8 that He intended this for all his disciples, then and now.
Acts 1:8 “You shall be my witnesses in ….
- Jerusalem?
- Judea & Samaria?
- Ends of the earth?
- all of the above?
Answer: d – Acts 1:8 uses the word “and” not “or”
Matthew 20:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations …” (emphasis added)
Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (emphasis added)
Luke 24:47 “… and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations …” (emphasis added)
Matthew 24:14 “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (emphasis added)
Mark 13:10 “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” (emphasis added)
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 “that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself …. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (emphasis added)
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Here’s a compelling question: “If most of the resources are here (U.S.) and most of the need is there (unreached people groups) shouldn’t most of the resources be moved from here to there?”
What others say:
“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.” Hudson Taylor
“The mission of the church is missions.” Oswald J. Smith
“The command has been to ‘go,’ but we have stayed — in body, gifts, prayer and influence. He has asked us to be witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth … but 99% of Christians have kept puttering around in the homeland.” Robert Savage
“If ten men are carrying a log — nine of them on the little end and one at the heavy end — and you want to help, which end will you lift on?” William Borden
“No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once.” Oswald J. Smith
“Someone asked ‘Will the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved?’ It is more a question with me whether we — who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not — can be saved.” Charles Spurgeon
