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Is the Supreme Task Affordable?

The Affordable Task
The late Oswald J. Smith once stated, “The supreme task of the church is the evangelization of the world.”This statement has biblical support from the repetition of the Great Commission by our Lord (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8, and more).Yet, it seems that many church­es are struggling with the task of reaching the world, as the cost of reaching the world becomes more expensive.

In a day of $4 per gallon fuel and economic uncertainty, many be­lievers have chosen to trim their spending.Sadly, the first two budget cuts for many are (1) Faith Promise Missions, and (2) Christian Education.The second is trag­ic because it also affects the training of future missionaries.Missionaries and churches alike are feeling the effects of the worldwide devaluation of the Amer­ican dollar.What is to be our response?How can we continue to expand our vision for world evangeli­zation?

Sometimes the “mission program” is referred to. However, missions cannot be simply a program.It must be the purpose. Missions must be constantly promoted from the pulpit, in the Sunday School, and in every ministry of the church.

Next, insure that missionary speakers are able to share their vision, their burden and their strategy with conviction and passion. A fire in the missionary will help to kindle a fire in the hearts of the people. If the missionary is able to communicate his burden and strategy for effective­ly reaching his field, then people will want to invest.

It is also important to portray a global vision.If the people realize the possibility of having a global impact, then will give more willingly. Help them see the reality of unreached in distant lands.

Finally, always be challenged to believe in a big God. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that God is able to “do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” What an incredible thought! God says, “Get your biggest dream of what you think I can do, and I can top that!” $4 per gallon fuel is no problem for the God who owns it all (Psa. 24:1)!

May the Lord increase our faith and expand our vision as we seek to remain faithful to the supreme task. Let’s reach the world in our generation.

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28 Comments

  1. Pastor Wynn,
    We have been home for two months on furlough. In fact, we will be with you on September 10 and are looking forward to it. In this short period of furlough, we have found that God’s people have been very generous to us in spite of high cost and expensive transportation cost. Though I say this, I do not know how people are giving on a regular basis. Before coming home on furlough I preached for several weeks on FP Missions. I encouraged our church that, in spite of the fallen dollar and rising cost, we ought to trust God to provide. We raised our FP comittment and God has provided for us in many tremendos ways.
    Well, we look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.

  2. Pastor Wynn. I lived in NJ in 60 & 70’s and heard people saying the Muslims will tkae over the world. This wake up call is a bit late but never the less needed. Many women have followed women’s lib teaching and decided on a career outside the home rather than have children or only have one or two. Many people want to wait until they can afford children. You can never afford children. I had seven and most of the years my children were growing up my husband worked part time.God supplied and we didn’t go hungry. I don’t pretend to say we always had what we wanted but we were never hungry or put out of our house. It is a shame that we value our salvation less than the Muslims value Mohammed. We have a living , risen Savior that cares for us and answers our prayers and yet people are drawn to a dead and lifeless god, Mohammed. It makes no sense. We as christians haven’t joined the fight. We refuse the uniform of moderat dress, we let other things get in the way of worship. A muslim is not ashamed to wear a head dress and look differently and all God asks is we dress modestly and wear our hair like women or men and not like it could be either.
    The Muslims insist on observing their holy days and we do if it is convenient. Shame on us. We need to show the world what it means to be a christrian, a born again, blood washed, sin forgiven christian.

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