This same message, given by Dr. Charles Stanley over 20 years ago, still sticks with me today. It is a message that changed the way I live my life. Don't get distracted and miss the greatest opportunity you have right now.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Views of Kyoto
We are enjoying the cooler days of "summer" here in Japan. Here are some random pics of things we see.
And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." - Luke 10:2
These last two are my favorite.
Tuesday, September 09, 2014
What does "Unreached" Mean?
Sometimes I hear Americans say, "But America is still unreached." or, "We have lots of people here who need Christ too." While Americans have responsibility to help other Americans, we have an even greater calling to make disciples of ALL nations, not just in America. (Matt. 28:18-19) Why?
When Jesus said, "Go make disciples of all nations" he did not mean only for some of the disciples. All of us are to be engaged in this passion of God's to reach the world for Christ!
"Nations" or "Ethnos" in Greek, means an ethno-linguistic grouping with a common self-identity that is shared by its various members. For strategic purposes it is the largest group within which the Gospel can spread without encountering barriers of linguistic or cultural understanding.
In Matthew & in Revelation it is guaranteed that every ethnos will be reached, or have believers in it on the last day. An "ethnos" or a people group is considered unreached (UPG) when there is no indigenous community of believing Christians able to engage this people group effectively with the gospel. Technically speaking, the percentage of evangelical Christians in this people group is less than 2 percent. Lower than 2 percent would mean (theoretically) that they are in danger of becoming 0 percent again without sustained missionary effort from the outside! Japan is currently less than 1% Christian, and therefore the second largest unreached people group in the world.
So is missions simply caring for the sick or feeding the hungry? Is it simply educating the savage? Obviously, when we look at the Bible the answer is a resounding "No". While missions should include mercy and practical forms of love, Jesus' final words - the Great Commission- was one command and only one. We are to make disciples of EVERY ethnos, every people group. We must not be distracted from this greatest calling and heartbeat of God expressed throughout the Scriptures. When this mission is completed the end will come, according to Matthew 24:14! And this is the key to ALL good missionary endeavors: Are we making disciples? In these terms Japan is a spiritual wasteland in great need of our prayers and investment.
When Jesus said, "Go make disciples of all nations" he did not mean only for some of the disciples. All of us are to be engaged in this passion of God's to reach the world for Christ!
"Nations" or "Ethnos" in Greek, means an ethno-linguistic grouping with a common self-identity that is shared by its various members. For strategic purposes it is the largest group within which the Gospel can spread without encountering barriers of linguistic or cultural understanding.
In Matthew & in Revelation it is guaranteed that every ethnos will be reached, or have believers in it on the last day. An "ethnos" or a people group is considered unreached (UPG) when there is no indigenous community of believing Christians able to engage this people group effectively with the gospel. Technically speaking, the percentage of evangelical Christians in this people group is less than 2 percent. Lower than 2 percent would mean (theoretically) that they are in danger of becoming 0 percent again without sustained missionary effort from the outside! Japan is currently less than 1% Christian, and therefore the second largest unreached people group in the world.
So is missions simply caring for the sick or feeding the hungry? Is it simply educating the savage? Obviously, when we look at the Bible the answer is a resounding "No". While missions should include mercy and practical forms of love, Jesus' final words - the Great Commission- was one command and only one. We are to make disciples of EVERY ethnos, every people group. We must not be distracted from this greatest calling and heartbeat of God expressed throughout the Scriptures. When this mission is completed the end will come, according to Matthew 24:14! And this is the key to ALL good missionary endeavors: Are we making disciples? In these terms Japan is a spiritual wasteland in great need of our prayers and investment.
Saturday, September 06, 2014
"There is MORE of God's Heart for You to Enjoy!"
Watch this powerful message called, "God's Whole Heart"
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