An Undistracted Restatement: Strategies for moving toward the unreached in 2006 Remix

On January 8th I made an announcement at the end of a sermon. I know the announcement hasn't been forgotten. However, I am afraid that the sermon probably has. I believe that it is right and that it is God glorifying for every person at FCC to make an intentional effort to move toward the unreached and the unevangelized in 2006. I am writing this from the Bethlehem Pastor's Conference in Minneapolis, MN. This seems to be a theme thus far in the conference.

In light of these things, I want to remind you of the sermon. I think it's content is important, because it was through years of coming to grips with the content of this sermon that ultimately drove the announcement at the end. Read. Review. Remember. Respond.

I want to plea with you to be move your prayers and your income and your lives in some way toward the lost people of the world - particularly toward the unevangelized and unreached peoples.

I do want to make this clear on the outset - my call for you to move closer to the unreached is not necessarily a call to leave your vocation and to become a full time missionary. I want to be careful not to overstate that point (as some of you may indeed be called to do just that) and I do not wish to understand that point and demean the work that you do every day - as you seek to exalt Christ in the employment that he has called you to.

That being said here are several ways that you can move toward the unreached 2006:

1. Understand what ought to drive us: Love for God's glory, love for Christ.
The fight to find a soul-satisfying love for the glory of God will ultimately drive you toward others.

- Isaiah 26:8
- Romans 9:17
- Isaiah 66:19 (a promise to send messengers)
- Isaiah 12:4

As you begin to read through the Bible this year, look for how many times God's glory and his name and fame among the nations are mentioned and talked about throughout the entirety of the Scriptures. Read it. Think about it. Meditate on the reality of that truth, and ultimately believe it and in believing it, live for it.

2. Allow your heart to meditate on both the Glory and terror of the Gospel.
The Gospel is that on which everything is based.

Why did the Son of God come to earth and to his final hour and ultimate death?
John l7:1 "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy son that the Son may glorify thee."

This is a heavenly plan to glorify the Godhead in all the work of redemption!

And why will Jesus come again in the great day of final judgment?
2 Thessalonians 1:9-10, "Those who do not obey the gospel will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at in all who have believed..."

Unless we begin with the sovereign majesty of God and his ultimate devotion to his own glory above all else, our missionary theology and strategy and motivation will become man-centered and will in the end degenerate into a powerless sentimentality. We need to think about the reality of redemption and the reality of the consequences of unbelief. Romans 10:11-17.

3. Valuing Eternal Treasure more than earthly gain and comfort. Hebrews 12:25-29 helps us to recognize the fact that all will be shaken. That is a promise. My deep desire is that this congregation experiences the incredible joy of knowing what it means to have a life that's laid down. I deeply want this congregation to be known for its joyful sacrifice for the Kingdom of God. So seek ways to put your Treasure in heaven. Base your choices on Eternity.

4. This will require you to travel toward need, not ease. (Hebrews 13:12-16) Rather than seeking ways that you can make your family and your life more comfortable this year - why not seek ways to engage you and your family in the needs of others. As you seek to involve yourself in the life of others (in your workplace, neighborhood, intentionally going outside of your cultural circles) then your heart will be open to those who are without the Gospel.

- Involve your family in prayer walks in the Reddick Neighborhood.
- Consider taking your family vacation in a foreign country (read the Orme's Story here).
- Every person here with children has deliberately put your child in a sport or some sort of arts. What if you talked together as a family about laying down a sport or a lesson (or whatever) and used that time and that money to pray for or give to an unreached people group? Perhaps this time and money could be used to serve as a family (visit a nursing home or serve in some way).

5. Intentionally help your family move away from being America-exclusive.
Think in terms of all peoples.

- Learn about other places on the globe. Geography is important.
- Learn about other peoples of the earth, especially those that are yet unreached with the Gospel. (Global Prayer Digest, Joshua Project.net,) Adopt a people group as a family.
- Missionary prayer cards. Take one per week and pray at meals for that missionary and the field on which they serve.
- Missionary Biographies. Read them and talk about it with your family!
- Don't limit vocational conversations with your children to just the US. Don't assume that your kids will live and work here.
- Try ethnic foods (with your kids) ? and make those meal times a time to discuss cultural differences and to help your family understand that we're not the only language or culture. We pray for the country and the peoples in the country whose food we're eating.

6. Pray this prayer:

Father, am I (and my family) exactly and strategically where you want us in light of your harvest and of the unreached peoples of the world?