Don’t Lose Sight of the Mission
Matthew 28:18-20
Pastor John Talley
November 8, 2020

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18-20


God did not leave the church on the earth to battle for

, but to lead others in of Him as part of .

I. The “WHY” of missions – It is about the worship of God

  • A. God’s passion

    1. Isaiah 48:9-11 – “for my name sake”

      9 “For my name’s sake I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. 10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. 11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. —Isaiah 48:9-11

    2. Matthew 5:16 – “give glory to your Father who is in Heaven”

      16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. —Matthew 5:16

    3. Ephesians 1:4-6, 12,14 “to the praise of His glory”

      4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. … 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. … 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. —Ephesians 1:4-6, 12, 14

  • B. Our mission

    1. Our authority – Matthew 28:18-20

      18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18-20

      a. All authority has been given to Christ
      b. Therefore we make disciples

    2. Our focus – the world
      a. Psalm 66:1-5 – “all the earth worships you”

      1 To the choirmaster. A Song. A Psalm. Shout for joy to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. 4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah 5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. —Psalm 66:1-5

      b. Psalm 67:2-4 – “your saving power among all nations”

      2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah —Psalm 67:2-4

      c. Psalm 97:1 – “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice”

      1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! —Psalm 97:1

      d. Revelation 5:9-14 – “from every tribe and language and people and nation”

      9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. —Revelation 5:9-14

      e. Revelation 7:9-12 – “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages”

      9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” —Revelation 7:9-12

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. —John Piper

II. The “HOW” of missions – Swenson video

III. The “WHAT” of missions – It is about sacrifice

  • A. Biblical foundation

    1. Genesis 3:15 – “bruise your head…bruise his heel”

      15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” —Genesis 3:15

    2. Matthew 16:21-26 – “deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”

      21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? —Matthew 16:21-26

    3. Acts 5:41-42 – “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name”

      41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. —Acts 5:41-42

    4. I Peter 5:6-10 – “after you have suffered a little while”

      6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. —1 Peter 5:6-10

Scripturally,

and go hand in hand as part of the God has called all those who worship Him to .

  • B. Practical application
    1. Pray (full list with Scripture below)
      1. Pray that persecuted believers will sense God’s presence
      2. Pray that they will feel connected to the greater Body of Christ
      3. Pray that they will experience God’s comfort when their family members are killed, injured, or imprisoned for their witness.
      4. Pray that they will have more opportunities to share the gospel
      5. Pray for their boldness to make Christ known
      6. Pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors
      7. Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by authorities or others who wish to silence them
      8. Pray that they will rejoice in suffering
      9. Pray that they will be refreshed through God’s Word and grow in their faith
      10. Pray that they will be strengthened through the prayers of fellow believers
    2. Give
    3. Go

, , and are to choose from; they are all of the church on mission.


10 Prayer Points for the Persecuted Church

  1. Pray that persecuted believers will sense God’s presence

    “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” —Hebrews 13:5

  2. Pray that they will feel connected to the greater Body of Christ

    “As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” —1 Corinthians 12:20, 26

  3. Pray that they will experience God’s comfort when their family members are killed, injured, or imprisoned for their witness.

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.” —2 Corinthians 1:3-5

  4. Pray that they will have more opportunities to share the gospel

    “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison.” —Colossians 4:3

  5. Pray for their boldness to make Christ known

    “And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” —Philippians 1:14

  6. Pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors

    “But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’” —Matthew 5:44

  7. Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by authorities or others who wish to silence them

    “But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.” —Acts 9:25

  8. Pray that they will rejoice in suffering

    “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” —Acts 5:41

  9. Pray that they will be refreshed through God’s Word and grow in their faith

    “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” —Ephesians 6:17

  10. Pray that they will be strengthened through the prayers of fellow believers

    “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt;save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” —Jude 20-25


Small Group Questions

  1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

  2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind? This would be a great opportunity as a group to use the Ask a Pastor feature and that way we can address it either directly or in the messages in the future.

  3. Why is it important to understand that worship is the goal of the church, not missions?

  4. Share with each other what sacrifices God has laid on your heart for the expansion of His kingdom.

  5. Spend some time praying for the specific countries provided (Ethiopia, Uganda, China, Nigeria).


Overviews of the Persecuted Church in Ethiopia, Uganda, China, and Nigeria

Ethiopia

  • OVERVIEW:
    The gospel first came to Ethiopia in the first century A.D. Despite its early origins, many Ethiopian Christians still face persecution. In southern Ethiopia, the rise of Wahhabi Islam among the Oromo Muslims along with recent political unrest have resulted in a wave of attacks against Christians across the region. Many churches and believers’ homes have been destroyed, and several Christians have been martyred for their faith. Eastern Ethiopia has one of the largest Somali populations in the world, and Christians there are persecuted by both their communities and their families. As in the south, recent political upheavals have led to large-scale attacks on Christians in the east. In northern Ethiopia, some traditional Christians persecute evangelical believers. They tear down churches, physically assault them and deny them jobs and burial places. Several majority Muslim tribal groups throughout Ethiopia also heavily persecute Christians. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in Ethiopia, and the government generally works to protect the rights of Christians. However, vestiges of Communist rule lead authorities to monitor the activities of churches and Christian organizations, particularly those that are evangelical. Still, evangelical churches in Ethiopia continue to establish other churches and send missionaries to difficult areas, resulting in church growth.
  • MAJOR RELIGIONS:
    Ethiopia is still a majority Christian country (42 percent Orthodox and 17 percent evangelical), but Islam is growing and Muslims now account for one-third of the population.
  • PERSECUTOR:
    Believers living in the north, south and east face harsh physical and societal persecution, especially those who convert to evangelical Christianity from Islam or the Orthodox Church.
  • THE PERSECUTED:
    1. When mobs damaged three churches in a small village southeast of Addis Ababa, it initially seemed like their enemies had succeeded. Christians were discouraged and humiliated, and some new believers left. Then, Christians from other parts of the country came to rebuild the three churches. As building progressed, the persecutors told each other, “We thought we could eradicate them, but they are building better buildings, having better instruments and their number is increasing. God is really with them and for them.” Christian leaders report they have welcomed 37 more people into the body of Christ since then, that the spiritual lives of believers have been revived, and that the churches are united. One church member said, “God has a way to work in us and to build our lives through the persecution.” Praise God for the loving care of these other believers who encourage their brothers and sisters.
    2. A pastor in western Ethiopia was murdered after he refused to give money to a rebel group. Pastor Negus, in ministry for 20 years, was from a small town in the West Elega Zone of the Oromia region. A rebel group called the Oromia Liberation Front (OLF) approached the pastor in November 2019 and asked the pastor for monetary assistance. They also directed him to tell his congregation to provide money and food to their cause. Though Pastor Negus knew the OLF was known for killing those suspected to be pro-government or those who do not help them, he refused to let them use the church for political purposes. The rebels killed him instantly. His children, ranging from ages 5 to 18, and his wife have since been supported by local believers Pray for their family and for the faith of believers in that area to remain strong.
    3. When five families came to faith in a small village, they became at odds with the rest of their community. Shango became a believer in 2002. Through his faithful witness, he led four other families to faith in Jesus, and they worshipped at his house. In that area, evangelical Christianity is regarded as anti-Ethiopian Orthodox, and the evangelical believers were discriminated against in community life and frequently had their livestock stolen. Recently, Orthodox priests asked the believers to participate in a feast in the name of a dead person, knowing evangelical believers do not participate in such ceremonies. When they declined, the priests levied heavy fines. When the believers appealed to the government, the government fined the priests for acting illegally. In outrage, the priests incited their followers to burn down the homes and businesses of the evangelicals. On June 6, five families lost their homes and provisions. A local church planter was threatened with death if he did not leave the area. Pray the faithful actions of the evangelical believers will be seen by their neighbors and will give testimony to their persecutors.

Uganda

  • OVERVIEW:
    Uganda has the reputation of being one of the most Christianized countries in Africa. Many churches or organizations choose it as a destination for short-term trips and mission projects due to its ease of access and welcoming atmosphere. It remains a strongly Christian nation, with high church attendance. However, Uganda’s unique history makes it particularly vulnerable to the influence of Islam. During the 1970s, Uganda was ruled by a dictator named Idi Amin. At one point, Amin visited fellow dictator Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. Gaddafi inspired him to make Uganda a member of the Organization of Islamic Countries and begin to Islamize the country. Many of the policies Amin put into place continue to influence society and government today. Uganda’s parliament even recently passed Sharia banking, which gives zero interest loans to Islamic projects. Arab countries also continue to invest large amounts of resources into furthering Muslim interests within the country. As a result of this, radical Islam’s influence has grown by more than 7 percent in the last three years, and many Christians within the majority Muslim border regions are facing severe persecution, especially those who convert from Islam. Despite this, evangelical churches in Uganda are trying to educate others on what is happening and rise up against the threat of Islam. Many churches are training their leaders how to evangelize Muslims and care for those who become Christians. Members within these churches in Muslim majority areas have even become full-time caretakers for persecuted believers.
  • MAJOR RELIGIONS:
    Uganda is a majority Christian country.
  • PERSECUTOR:
    Persecution comes from Islamists within communities, especially along the eastern, southwestern and northern borders.
  • THE PERSECUTED:
    1. Three children in Uganda have been living on their own since their grandmother forced them out of her home for becoming Christians. Penny, Elijah and Charity’s parents are Muslim, and when it was time for Penny, the oldest, to attend school, her parents couldn’t afford it. A teacher in her grandmother’s town agreed to teach the children, so the they moved in with their grandmother. Soon after their schooling started, their grandmother noticed the children talking about Jesus and sneaking away on Sunday mornings to attend Sunday school. The grandmother forced the three children, ages 12, 10 and 6, out of her house and left them on their own. Penny cared for the other two as best as she could with help from her teacher. Earlier this year, their teacher asked for help from a VOM-supported front-line worker, who has agreed to care for them.
    2. Syamusudini began sharing the gospel with friends at school after being rejected by his Muslim family and moving in with a local pastor. One of his friends, Muhindo, listened carefully and soon decided that he, too, would follow Christ. Since he didn’t speak Arabic, Muhindo had never understood the Muslim prayer services, but he understood the words of Jesus. Like his friend Syamusudini, Muhindo was rejected by his family. When his father learned of his Christian faith, he came after Muhindo with a machete. Muhindo then fled to his friend, where he was welcomed as part of the family. “I am a new creation, and I understand the one I pray to,” he said. Pray for Muhindo and Syamusudini as they mature in faith, and pray that their families will also come to know Christ.

China

  • OVERVIEW:
    Explosive growth has characterized the church for at least the past 30 years. About 100 million Christians live in China, but only 30 million are affiliated with the government-authorized Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), the state church controlled by the Communist government. The remaining 70 million worship in unapproved house churches. Despite continual pressure and oppression from the Communist government, house church leaders refuse to compromise the gospel and join government-approved churches. About 60 percent of believers in China live in rural areas. Few house church leaders have formal theological training or access to Bible study materials.
  • MAJOR RELIGIONS:
    Because of decades of atheistic communist belief promoted by the government, most Chinese are nonreligious, though about 20 percent are Buddhist and another 20 percent practice Chinese folk religion.
  • PERSECUTOR:
    The main persecutor is the government.
  • THE PERSECUTED:
    1. Chinese authorities removed two more crosses from church buildings in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, on July 7, reminiscent of mass cross removals across the province in 2014. More than 100 security personnel arrived at the Aodi Christian Church and the Yinchang Christian Church at 5 a.m. with cranes. After breaking the locks, they began removing crosses from the churches’ steeples. When church members tried to stop the officials, the authorities beat them, even pushing a man in his 80s to the ground. As the crosses at both churches were demolished, Christians sang hymns and prayed outside. Christians fear a recurrence of the widespread crackdown that occurred in 2014, shortly after Xi Jinping came to power. Pray that Chinese Christians will respond wisely to government actions.
    2. On June 11, authorities in China’s Fujian province destroyed more than a dozen Christian homes that had been used as worship spaces by members of the Xingguang Church. At 9 a.m., more than 100 officials from various government departments arrived at the Christians’ homes, dragged furniture from the homes into the hallways and proceeded to destroy the furniture while preventing the Christians from using cellphones to take video of the destruction. The church was initially shut down in a May 3 raid in which police entered a residence by force and beat church members. During that raid, neighbors took video of police officers shouting at and beating the Christians. Please pray for members of the Xingguang Church and for all Chinese Christians.

Nigeria

  • OVERVIEW:
    Nigeria is sharply divided along religious lines with a Muslim-dominated north and a majority-Christian south. There are more than 80 million professing Christians in Africa’s most populous nation, the fruit of both pioneer mission work and the return of freed slaves who carried the gospel with them to the continent from Europe following the abolition of slavery in England in 1833. Foreign missionary activity in the Muslim majority north has declined significantly over the past 10 years as a result of the emergence of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram. Based in the north, Boko Haram is affiliated with al-Qaida and has also aligned itself with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS). Although Boko Haram appears to have weakened in the northeast, it is believed to be the source of increasing attacks on Christian villages by a group of militant Fulani herdsmen, a tribe known for its adherence to strict Islam. They have attacked Christian villages for many years, and in the last two years they have committed more acts of extreme violence against Christians than any other group globally. Muslims in the north want to create a separate country governed by Sharia, or Islamic law, and those in the middle states, such as Kaduna, Plateau, Benue and Abuja, are strategic in the battle. The terrorist groups want to drive Christians out of these mixed states and continue their push for an Islamist nation.
  • MAJOR RELIGIONS:
    The nation is divided between Christians and Sunni Muslims, with most Christians in the south and most Muslims in the north.
  • PERSECUTOR:
    Boko Haram militants and Fulani Islamic militants work together to target Christian villages for destruction.
  • THE PERSECUTED:
    When Islamists sent a warning letter to the Bakkai community in Kankara state, villagers requested protection from local vigilantes. But when the attack occurred, on June 28, the militants easily overpowered them, killing nine and injuring many others. And that was just one of the violent attacks in June. “About 395 Nigerians were killed and 48 injured in attacks in June 2020,” a local VOM worker said. “Muslim Fulani herdsmen have been taking siege of farmlands and killing the people.” Both Muslims and Christians have been affected by these attacks. Pray for the many families that have lost loved ones.