Go Ye into all the world

[0:00] People long for meaning and purpose in their lives. People long to have something meaningful. And really the only cause worthy of your life is to be a part of God's plan.

[0:12] To spread the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ. To take the good news, the gospel to other people. And there's a story told about how years ago there were people in awful places called concentration camps in World War II.

[0:29] And the Nazis, in order to utterly crush a man, would give him work that was totally meaningless. In those days they were being tortured and punished in awful conditions.

[0:41] In disease infested barracks, places where they used to live. They were infested with disease. And they were given little food and gruesome, back breaking work in a factory.

[0:52] And one day the factory that these people worked in, these prisoners, the factory was bombed and destroyed. And next morning the Nazis, they still got them to come out and to go where the factory was that had burnt down.

[1:08] And they commanded them to take cartloads of sand from one place to the other. To the other side of the factory. And they thought maybe someone had put that huge pile of sand in the wrong place.

[1:20] So they were just moving it to where it should have been put. The next day the process was repeated in a reverse. The guards got the prisoners to take the sand from the other end of the factory and cart it in the wheelbarrows back to the other end of the compound.

[1:38] And they thought maybe a mistake has been made again. But then they kept doing that day after day after day, meaningless work. And people started to crack up and got really frustrated because it was meaningless work.

[1:52] And they screamed and they just couldn't cope with the punishment of that. It was really a way of torturing them. And it was an awful experience that they had. Dozens of the prisoners went mad because it was meaningless work that they were being given to do.

[2:07] Life and human beings have got a search for meaning, for something purposeful, for something that's got meaning to it and purpose. We cling to life when we have something meaningful to occupy ourselves with.

[2:22] Even if it's supporting those that we are imprisoned by. But meaninglessness and purposelessness destroys the mind and ruins the life.

[2:35] So that was just to illustrate how we all need purpose and meaning. And something purposeful. A way to live life with meaning and purpose. And really our life's meaning as a believer, as a born again Christian, our life's meaning is found in serving the Lord Jesus and loving Him.

[2:53] Our life's meaning is found in finding God's plan for our lives. And that includes you. Our part in this plan is to follow the Lord Jesus and to help others to follow Him.

[3:04] And that's our life's mission. To be what the Lord would have us to be and to do. And the Lord wants us to be, as a people, as a church, Christians who want to tell others about the message of salvation.

[3:18] We want to be people who encourage others to follow and obey the Lord Jesus. And we see the Lord Jesus is planned for us here in Matthew 28. A familiar passage. And it says, Amen.

[3:30] He says, Go ye. Go ye. That means you. Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

[3:50] And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. He says, Go ye. Go ye. That means you. Go you.

[4:01] Go me. Every one of us. One and all. The call comes from our Lord's lips to go. This is our mission. This is our purpose. To go and tell, to go and share the message.

[4:12] To go and share the gospel. The message, the good news about salvation. Today's mission field, think of it. The world in which we live. In today's modern western world, 80% of the population, rarely dark.

[4:26] And the doorstep of a church. Many people have never been to church, let alone heard the message of salvation. And really the church, God's church should be a missionary organization.

[4:39] That is why we are here. We are called to be serving, to be reaching, to be reaching out. And to be a witness for Christ in the local community and beyond.

[4:51] Rather than a haven full of holy. As much as we want this to be a place where God's people can worship in spirit and in truth. And we can grow in our faith and get stronger in our walk with the Lord.

[5:02] This is also a missionary organization that we can serve the Lord in. And it's encouraging when we get people to come and say that, you know what? How can we minister? How can we be a part?

[5:14] You know, sometimes people come to church thinking, how can you help me? Rather than, how can we help the church? And we need to be as a people. To be fired up with the call, with the mission that is about us, all around us.

[5:29] Missionaries used to live in the tropics. Now missionaries live in the suburbs. There are some that were at once countries that the missionaries went to, that are actually sending missionaries to Western countries.

[5:41] Because they see how heathen and godless our Western world is. Countries like the UK and the USA. Sometimes there's actually missionaries going to these heathen countries.

[5:53] Which is what they are really now. Some people call Australia a Christian country. But we know that really it's not. It's just as godless as many other countries. And there's tremendous need.

[6:04] We have a mandate. We have a mission field even all around us. Look at some of the statistics. 95% of Americans believe in a god of some sort.

[6:16] Nearly three Americans in four believe there is no such thing as absolute truth. 70 to 80% of all church growth in America is not growth at all. It's people moving from one church to another.

[6:29] So there's a huge mission field. A huge untapped load of people all around us in this community. That have never darkened the doorstep of a church. Let alone heard the message of salvation.

[6:41] If they've gone to a church it may have been a church that's not really preached the message of salvation. Clearly. And God's plan is for his church to be a missionary outpost on a hostile frontier.

[6:54] From which Christians conduct search and rescue missions in enemy territory. If we look back for a moment in church history we can learn about the life of a missionary called William Carey.

[7:07] If you sometimes feel discouraged and overwhelmed at times by the immensity of the challenge that faces us as a church. And as we try to minister and reach out in different ways in our personal witness too.

[7:21] Before you become discouraged by the seemingly never ending series of obstacles and opposition. The frustrations and failures take heart. The man whom God used to launch the modern missionary movement faced all this and much much more.

[7:38] Let me tell you about William Carey for a moment. A famous missionary who went to Asia. He was under educated. He was under funded and underestimated.

[7:50] William Carey. He seemed to have everything against him. He was brought up in abject poverty. He never had the benefit of high school. Here he was. He never been to high school.

[8:01] No to that kids. He never even went to high school. And yet God used this man in tremendous ways. It's amazing when you consider that. Because yet at age 12. Carey taught himself Latin.

[8:13] He went on to master on his own. Greek, French, Hebrew and Dutch. He became the professor of Bengali, Sanskrit and Marathi in Calcutta.

[8:26] Carey and his co-workers started over 100 Christian schools. For over 8,000 Indian children of all castes. And he launched the first Christian college in Asia.

[8:39] Which continues to this day. Carey finally succeeded in translating the Bible into six languages. And New Testaments and Gospels into 29 other languages.

[8:50] Isn't that amazing? Here was this man. He had only been to primary school. And God used him in such a tremendous way. And Carey's achievements are all the more astounding. When you consider that his bold project to plant the gospel among the Hindus in India.

[9:05] Was completely illegal. By the act of parliament, of the British parliament. It was illegal for any missionary to work in India. And for the first 20 years, Carey's mission to India had to be carried out with ingenuity and care.

[9:22] He had to be careful. Because what he was doing he could get locked up for. Imagine that. We know it's only so true that in our nation too. If you stand up for Christ and the gospel, you can face punishment in our country too.

[9:35] As numbers of our own have. Of recent days. Where the civil authorities, the secular government of our world, doesn't like the gospel being preached.

[9:47] Carey was subjected to vicious criticism and gossip. And under the extreme Indian heat and abject poverty, initially with daily dangers from snakes, crocodiles and tigers.

[9:59] He was in this remote mosquito ridden jungle house. Wild animals all around him. Mosquitoes buzzing around. Lots of disease and dangers.

[10:10] Here was this man. And Carey's wife Dorothy went insane. What an awful thing. On several occasions she attacked him with a knife.

[10:21] She was diagnosed insane. And had to be physically restrained for the last 12 years of her life. And the Careys also lost their 5 year old son, Peter, who died of dysentery.

[10:33] And every family member suffered frequently from malaria and other tropical diseases. It was an awful test in time. A lot of trials and suffering that Carey went through. And Carey's first co-worker squandered all their money.

[10:47] He wasted the money. He bankrupted the mission. Forcing William to work on a plantation to provide for his malnourished family. And Carey wrote home frequently to the missionary society to tell them of their work.

[11:02] And after 17 months he got some news back from home. Of course they didn't have the rapid communication we had. They had to send their letters straight, donkey post or whatever they had.

[11:13] And then onto the ship. And had to go and take miles and pints of time for the letters to get delivered. And here he was. He got the first letters back from his mission society.

[11:24] And the letters criticised Carey. So what a disappointment. What a discouragement that he faced on a constant level. And somehow while often sick, holding down a full time secular job.

[11:35] He was surrounded with turmoil with his wife screaming from the next room. Carey mastered more languages. And by 1797 the New Testament was translated into Bengali and ready for printing.

[11:50] Imagine that. In these countries the people never had God's word in their own language. Carey translated it so they could read it in their own language. And after seven years of turmoil and tireless work in India.

[12:04] Carey still did not have a single convert. How did William Carey manage to maintain such a productive schedule. And endure the crushing disappointments.

[12:16] And the distractions. The undeserved criticisms. The heartbreaking tragedies. How did he manage to persevere in all of this testing time. Without even the encouragement of a single convert.

[12:29] To justify all of his effort and sacrifice. It took a resolute faith. He had a resolute faith. He was totally sold out to serving Christ. He was a man with a mission.

[12:41] A man with a mission. You too can be a man. A woman. A person with a mission. As you have this missionary call of our Lord in your ears.

[12:52] As you hear his call. As he says go ye. As he says go. As he says go. As he says go. And tell. Go and share the message of the gospel with others. A bible missionary.

[13:03] A bible missionary. Paul was a bible missionary. He took the gospel seriously. And took it with him. Wherever he went. Here's an imaginary letter. That Paul would have received from a modern missionary society.

[13:17] Look at Paul. His health was against him. Here's what they could have said about him. They could have said. We're told you're afflicted with severe eye trouble. You know.

[13:28] He would be discounted. Didn't have good eyesight. Financial pressures were against him. They write. Do you think it's right for a missionary to do part time secular work.

[13:39] We've heard that you're making tents on the side. You know. Public opinion was against him. Is it true that you have a jail record. Certain brethren report.

[13:50] But you did two years time at Caesarea. And was imprisoned at Rome. He had radical fame. He spoke about the call that was on his life.

[14:03] And about wonderful revelations that the Lord gave to him. Of the task of world evangelism. He was uncompromising. He wrote letters. Challenging churches where there was sin.

[14:14] And there was danger. He was committed to delivering the word of God. You can imagine the missionary society saying something like. Your sermons are much too long.

[14:25] We were so long for our time. At one place you talk till midnight. And a young man was so sleepy. He fell out the window. You know. And he hurt himself.

[14:36] He was committed to the work of the Lord. You can imagine the missionary society could say something like. Dr. Luke reports that you're a thin little man. Bald. Frequently sick.

[14:47] And always so agitated over your churches. That you sleep very poorly. He was committed to fighting for the faith. Now someone had called him a bit too strong.

[14:59] A bit too full on. He wrote recently to Timothy that he had fought a good fight. Now some people wouldn't like language like that. Fighting a good fight.

[15:11] And he was unconventional. You could think of how someone like that. Might be thought of inappropriate to be a missionary. Just as William Carey.

[15:22] And there's various other missionaries through church history. But they. The church didn't always back them. And support the work that they were doing. It was so revolutionary. To go to another land.

[15:34] And to take such risks. To face such great dangers. But think about you. Think about me today now. Are you a man? Are you a person? With a mission?

[15:45] Are you someone who's got a mission? In your life? Has God put something on your heart? Some call. For you to do. To reach out. To another. There's a part that you can play.

[15:56] Even though you might feel. Like you're insignificant. Some of us at times we feel. Like how could you. God use me. I'm just an ordinary. Everyday person.

[16:07] And I don't feel like I can. Step out. And really do too much. And you might feel like. Really. I'm just too. Small.

[16:18] And too. Too new as a Christian. To do much. To serve the Lord. But. Little things. And. Young Christians. Can have an important part to play.

[16:32] It's like. You could think of. The space shuttle. As it was. Being prepared. For a very important flight. The space shuttle's flight.

[16:43] Was clogged. By. An oil filter. The five quarts of oil. Needed. For a change. Was worth. Only about. Twenty five dollars.

[16:54] They had to take that part off. The shuttle. And replace it. And yet. The setback cost. American taxpayers. Approximately. Three million dollars a day. That small part. On that space shuttle. Of course.

[17:05] It was vital. It was important. That that part. Was functioning correctly. And like that too. Even young people today. Young Christians tonight. You have all got. An important part to play.

[17:17] In God's plan. If you're a Christian. Then you are. Someone that God. Has. Reached out. In God's plan. And given an important job. To do. Every one of you.

[17:28] Here tonight. God. Counts you as important. You're important enough. That the Lord Jesus died. On the cross. For your sin. And mine. To take the penalty. And payment for it.

[17:39] And we've got such a wonderful story. To tell. To share with others. How they can experience that salvation too. It's wonderful to have. That wonderful. Privilege. To take the message.

[17:50] To other people. An old time preacher. Called Spurgeon. Was preaching on. This text. It's Ecclesiastes 9 verse 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do. Do it with thy mind.

[18:02] Do it with thy mind. Spurgeon said this. He said. If Christ Jesus left. The upper world. And came into the midst. Of this hall this morning. What answer could you give.

[18:13] If after showing you. His wounded hands and feet. And his rent side. He should put this question. I have done all this for thee. What has thou done for me?

[18:24] Let me put that question. For him. And in his behalf. You have known his love. So of you. Forty years. So of you. Thirteen. Twenty.

[18:35] Ten. Three. One. He has done all this for you. He has bled away. His precious life. He has died in agonies. Most exquisite. Upon the cross. What have you done for him?

[18:47] Turn over your diary now. Can you remember the contributions you have given? Add your substance. And what they amount to. Add them up. Think of what you have done for him. How much of your time.

[18:58] Have you spent in his service? Add that up. Turn over another leaf. Then observe how much time. Have you spent in praying. For the progress of his kingdom. What have you done there?

[19:09] Add that up. I will do so for myself. And I can say. Without a boast. I have labored to serve God. Do whatever he tells you. The Lord Jesus says. In John 2 verse 5.

[19:21] If you truly want to serve the Lord. Do not. Do what you feel like doing. But do what he commands you to do. Do whatever he commands you to do. That's what he said.

[19:32] In John 2 verse 5. And the Lord Jesus. We know. His call. His commission. His command. Was to go ye. Go ye. And tell others. About the message.

[19:43] And it's too important. To neglect this truth. Friends. Tonight. It's critical. It's vital. It's. It's so needful. We know that. There's loved ones that are in our circle.

[19:55] Of acquaintance. Who know. Not the saviour. There's many people. Young people. You might have family members. Mums and dads. Brothers and sisters. There's always someone. That you can share the message with.

[20:07] There's someone that you can tell. There's someone you can take the message to. And it really. It's such a simple message. That the Lord Jesus came into the world. To save sinners. He came to take the penalty for our sin.

[20:20] To pay the price for it. And to take our punishment. On his own body. And think about. How this message. Is just too important. To neglect it.

[20:31] To neglect it. It's too important. Let me just close with one. Little account. It's set in the auto industry. Because of the. Tense competition. In the automobile industry.

[20:43] Car makers tend to keep their design features secret. And if a car maker. Invent some secret. Advantage. Some extra selling point. With their car.

[20:54] In a tough market. They want to keep it to themselves. And that's why it's surprising. That. There was a Mercedes Benz advert. That showed. One of their cars. Being crashed into a brick wall.

[21:06] During a safety test. And the way it was stood the impact. Was revealed. The energy absorbing construction. Had saved lives. And even though Mercedes Benz. Held the patent. On this safety design. They. Allowed their competitors.

[21:17] Freely. To use this feature. Because the company. When asked. They said. Some things. In life. Are too important. Not to share. It's too important. Not.

[21:28] For us to keep this. Safety feature. To ourselves. In our cars. We want. Other car makers. To put these safety features. Into their cars. To build. Safety feature. To ourselves.

[21:39] In our cars. We want. Other car makers. To put these safety features. Into their cars too. Because it's going to save lives. And Christians and I. Christians and I. This message. Is too important.

[21:50] To not share it. It's too important. For us to neglect it. To neglect the message. To share it with others. Your life is too important. To invest it.

[22:02] In other things. At the expense of. of the message that God has given you to deliver. The Creator's plan to redeem the cosmos. He's put it into your hands.

[22:13] The Creator's plan to reach others with this message of salvation. You are His messenger. You are the one that's been commissioned. He's not here in person now on planet Earth, but He's given the message to you and me.

[22:27] And you should be a person with a mission. That your life's calling is to take that message, to not keep it secret. It's too important to keep it secret, to keep it to yourself, when those that are lost and perishing without Him need to hear it.

[22:44] And the only cause that can satisfy your need for meaning and purpose, the only cause, the only cause worthy of your life, is to take that call that He has put out, to take that call, to be His hand extended, to play your part in being a messenger, to spread that good news message, that gospel message.

[23:08] Isn't it time that you got busy? Isn't it time that we took it seriously and took it personally tonight? I urge you, one and all, to take this call and apply it personally.

[23:20]