WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.879 I'm sure you can hear my accent. I tell people, we live in Bristol, UK, and so they think we should have a West Country accent. 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:19.500 I tell them it is a West Country accent, but it's a lot further west, near that westernmost outpost of Irish civilization called San Francisco. 00:00:20.359 --> 00:00:26.820 That's where we're from. So I don't think my accent is difficult to understand in any event. 00:00:26.820 --> 00:00:37.600 But my wife and I, we work for Africa Inland Mission. I'm the international director, and our international office is in Bristol, so that's why we're there. 00:00:37.939 --> 00:00:48.219 But we worked for about 20 years in Africa, 10 years in a little place called Comoro Islands down by Madagascar, five years in another country called Djibouti. 00:00:48.879 --> 00:00:53.700 And probably most of you have never heard of Djibouti, but you can look it up and find it. It really is there. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:01:01.660 And then another few years in another country in the Horn of Africa that I don't like to say out loud just for security issues. 00:01:02.160 --> 00:01:09.760 But we were actually kicked out of that country after a few years, and since then we've been in Bristol with our organization. 00:01:11.240 --> 00:01:14.400 We have two grown-up daughters and one grandson. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:23.600 I didn't have an option of showing pictures, but I would show you a whole bunch of pictures of him, but that gets kind of irritating after a while, doesn't it? 00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:31.620 I was in South Korea not long ago, and I offered to show pictures of my grandson to some Korean people, and they said, 00:01:31.860 --> 00:01:37.660 oh, in Korea you have to pay people to show pictures of your grandchildren, so I didn't want to do that. 00:01:37.659 --> 00:01:51.659 I'm going to talk with you about sending and what it means and the privilege of sending missionaries. 00:01:52.179 --> 00:01:55.939 I understand sometimes we don't like to use the word missionary anymore. 00:01:55.939 --> 00:02:02.579 In the U.K., that's not a popular word because it just brings up all these colonial notions and, you know, 00:02:02.659 --> 00:02:06.480 these old guys in their pith helmets marching through the jungle. 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:10.979 So people almost have abandoned that word. 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:16.879 I still use it, but if you prefer another word, they call them global partners in the U.K. 00:02:16.979 --> 00:02:21.020 or international workers or this and that, but I still stick with the old term. 00:02:21.020 --> 00:02:29.219 So, missionaries is what I'm going to talk about and the particular aspect of sending missionaries. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:37.120 My text is John chapter 20, starting in verse 19. 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:43.760 It's only four or five verses I'll read, 19 through 23. 00:02:51.020 --> 00:02:57.520 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, 00:02:59.060 --> 00:03:02.400 the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of Jesus, 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:08.260 Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:10.040 Peace be with you. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:14.240 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 00:03:15.100 --> 00:03:17.860 Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 00:03:17.860 --> 00:03:20.900 Jesus said to them, Peace be with you. 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:24.780 As the Father has sent me, even so I'm sending you. 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:29.300 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 00:03:29.380 --> 00:03:30.780 Receive the Holy Spirit. 00:03:31.260 --> 00:03:33.800 If you forgive the sins of any, they're forgiven them. 00:03:33.880 --> 00:03:37.960 If you will withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:44.680 Serving as senders. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:51.379 That is a particular privilege and prerogative of a local church like yours. 00:03:52.100 --> 00:03:53.600 Serving as sending. 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:55.100 Serving as senders. 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:59.000 Usually when I preach in the UK or the United States, 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:06.400 there's these apocryphal stories of people supporting their missionaries in Africa 00:04:06.400 --> 00:04:08.520 by sending them used tea bags. 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:11.080 And that might seem like a funny story. 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:14.240 You might think that's one of these Christian legends that goes around the churches. 00:04:14.480 --> 00:04:20.300 But I've actually met at least two missionaries who used to receive used tea bags 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:22.000 that were sent to them in Africa. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:25.199 So that apocryphal story is really true. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:28.540 But that's not what I'm going to talk about today. 00:04:28.540 --> 00:04:33.240 I'm not going to talk about what you might think are the usual themes of sending, 00:04:33.780 --> 00:04:37.000 sending and supporting, how we need to pray for our missionaries, 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:40.319 how we need to financially support them, how we need to visit them, 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:44.400 welcome them, emotionally support them, send them used tea bags 00:04:44.400 --> 00:04:46.480 or your old worn-out clothes or whatever. 00:04:47.080 --> 00:04:48.780 You know all these things. 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:53.100 And you don't need me to stand here and say that you should pray for 00:04:53.100 --> 00:04:57.080 and financially support and encourage any missionaries that you know. 00:04:57.079 --> 00:04:59.359 I think that's pretty obvious and you know it. 00:04:59.899 --> 00:05:04.859 The thing that I want to talk about today is the privilege of sending. 00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:15.519 Before I do, let's stop just a minute and dwell on the wonder of this passage. 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:17.539 We read through this. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.039 We're probably pretty used to it. 00:05:19.099 --> 00:05:21.039 We read through these resurrection stories. 00:05:22.439 --> 00:05:25.099 But let's just stop for a minute. 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:26.320 These are the disciples. 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:27.920 It's Sunday. 00:05:28.200 --> 00:05:30.939 It's the day Jesus has risen from the dead. 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:35.760 A couple of them have apparently seen Him already. 00:05:35.960 --> 00:05:37.060 But they're in this room. 00:05:37.300 --> 00:05:38.160 The door's locked. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:39.460 They're still confused. 00:05:39.760 --> 00:05:41.020 They're still very scared. 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:44.640 And all of a sudden, Jesus comes and stands among them. 00:05:45.780 --> 00:05:49.840 I just stopped for a minute and thought about that this morning as I was preparing. 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:53.560 It's like, Jesus is there standing among them. 00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:59.139 This man they've seen crucified three days before is now standing among them. 00:06:00.739 --> 00:06:06.539 Think about how amazing that would have been for the people in that room. 00:06:06.659 --> 00:06:08.759 All of a sudden, Jesus is there. 00:06:09.099 --> 00:06:13.819 Jesus is truly risen from the dead and Jesus is standing here among us. 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:17.060 Think how amazing it would be if Jesus was standing here among us. 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:18.879 And I know He is here by the Holy Spirit. 00:06:18.980 --> 00:06:22.259 But what if Jesus was physically standing here among us? 00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:24.540 That would blow our minds, wouldn't it? 00:06:25.139 --> 00:06:29.139 And think of these disciples who'd seen Him killed three days before, 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:31.180 who don't have the benefits that we have. 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:33.699 And all of a sudden, Jesus is there. 00:06:34.039 --> 00:06:35.680 Jesus is risen from the dead. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:37.399 Jesus is with us. 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:44.099 What an amazing moment that must have been for those disciples. 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:47.179 Jesus stood among them. 00:06:47.319 --> 00:06:48.139 He rose from the dead. 00:06:48.359 --> 00:06:49.579 And He pronounced peace. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:53.259 Not just once, twice to their troubled souls. 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:54.679 And I know, we get used to this again. 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:55.560 Peace be upon you. 00:06:55.579 --> 00:06:57.439 Be a shalom in the Arabs. 00:06:57.599 --> 00:06:58.179 Salam alaikum. 00:06:58.339 --> 00:06:59.179 Whatever you want to say. 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:03.659 But Jesus speaking peace. 00:07:03.660 --> 00:07:03.860 Peace. 00:07:05.980 --> 00:07:10.380 Jesus still speaks peace to troubled souls. 00:07:12.780 --> 00:07:16.640 He showed them the ultimate proof of His grace and love. 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:18.380 He says, look at my hands. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:20.440 Look at my side. 00:07:21.320 --> 00:07:23.800 What greater proof could they have? 00:07:23.960 --> 00:07:29.300 And what greater proof could we have of the grace and love of Jesus Christ? 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:31.200 He died for me. 00:07:31.200 --> 00:07:31.260 He died for me. 00:07:33.660 --> 00:07:35.960 He breathes on them. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:38.980 He says, receive the Holy Spirit. 00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:44.080 He talks about forgiveness of sins. 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:50.040 And somehow gives them even power and authority to forgive sins. 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:57.940 Think of the comfort, peace, and the grace the disciples would have received at that moment. 00:07:57.939 --> 00:08:05.579 And that very same comfort, grace, and peace is available to us. 00:08:08.219 --> 00:08:11.480 Jesus is present with His people. 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:14.759 Offering forgiveness. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:17.040 Offering proof of His love. 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:18.399 Offering peace. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:20.779 Offering power of the Holy Spirit. 00:08:20.779 --> 00:08:21.659 Offering peace. 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:22.139 Yeah. 00:08:22.419 --> 00:08:22.599 Yeah. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:26.139 Today, just as much as He was there in that upper room. 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:37.959 If we're talking about mission sending, 00:08:39.319 --> 00:08:42.299 I need to say something that you all know, 00:08:42.299 --> 00:08:46.019 but it seems like it needs to be said anyway. 00:08:46.439 --> 00:08:51.599 Your country for years has been a destination for missionaries, 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:54.799 not a country that was sending missionaries. 00:08:54.939 --> 00:08:58.439 And there are still, I met a number of missionaries that are here 00:08:58.439 --> 00:09:02.079 helping in your church planting efforts in this country. 00:09:03.579 --> 00:09:10.419 But at the same time, you are now the ones bringing the gospel to Ireland 00:09:10.419 --> 00:09:12.259 and beyond Ireland. 00:09:12.459 --> 00:09:15.339 Your country was a destination for missionaries. 00:09:15.339 --> 00:09:20.799 Now your country is starting to become a sender of missionaries. 00:09:22.299 --> 00:09:26.919 And can we just stop and appreciate what an amazing thing that is? 00:09:27.419 --> 00:09:32.479 What an amazing thing that the Lord is doing in this country. 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:38.799 I think of, in just looking out at you and thinking of the people I met 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:46.859 this last weekend of the multicultural nature of Ireland now. 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:49.740 And that's another thing that God has done, 00:09:49.819 --> 00:09:56.059 how God has blessed Ireland by bringing in believers from other nations. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:09:59.859 Same thing in the UK. 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:00.879 You know this. 00:10:01.099 --> 00:10:03.439 The biggest churches in London, they're all African churches. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:04.719 Incredible thing. 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:08.759 I was at a conference a couple months ago, 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:11.340 and the man who was standing up in front, he said, 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:12.600 he was a British man, he said, 00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:14.720 we prayed for revival, 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:18.000 and we didn't recognize it when it came, 00:10:18.300 --> 00:10:19.920 because its face was black. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:21.600 Wow. 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:23.540 That was quite a statement. 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:26.360 The Lord is using Africans, 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:27.960 Latin Americans, 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:29.080 Asians, 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:31.540 to bring renewal and revival 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:33.159 to our churches. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:39.319 Ireland was a valley of dry bones, 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:42.299 not so many years ago, 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:44.699 as far as the gospel was concerned. 00:10:44.839 --> 00:10:46.959 And the Lord is breathing life 00:10:46.959 --> 00:10:48.919 into this country. 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:50.279 You may be small, 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:51.480 but you are here. 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:55.139 You know the gospel, 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:56.299 you know the territory, 00:10:56.599 --> 00:10:57.399 you know the people, 00:10:57.579 --> 00:10:58.419 you know the language, 00:10:58.579 --> 00:10:59.299 you know the culture, 00:10:59.579 --> 00:11:00.699 you have the word of God, 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:01.820 you have the Holy Spirit, 00:11:02.040 --> 00:11:02.840 you have the church, 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:05.060 everything is here in you, 00:11:05.180 --> 00:11:06.020 in your churches, 00:11:06.160 --> 00:11:07.320 to bring the gospel 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:08.640 to Caragalline, 00:11:08.920 --> 00:11:09.400 to Cork, 00:11:09.640 --> 00:11:10.180 to Ireland, 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:10.940 to Europe, 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:12.020 to North Africa, 00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:13.300 to the ends of the earth. 00:11:13.400 --> 00:11:14.480 Everything is here 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:16.580 in your churches already. 00:11:20.160 --> 00:11:21.980 I use the word missionaries, 00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:24.960 and let me just define that term 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:26.259 before I go any further. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:30.080 There are a lot of ways, 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:30.799 again, 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.340 to define this, 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:34.019 but here's what I'm talking about 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:35.200 when I talk about a missionary. 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:36.639 With few exceptions, 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:38.279 missionaries are people 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:38.939 who are sent. 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.500 They're sent ones. 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:43.759 It's the Latin derivation 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:45.799 of the Greek word apostolos, 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.259 from which we get apostle. 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:49.399 An apostle is a sent one. 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:50.360 Okay, 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:51.799 literally that's what it means. 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:52.319 Okay, 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:54.620 so missionary in the same sense. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.780 Missionaries are people 00:11:55.780 --> 00:11:56.720 who were sent, 00:11:57.379 --> 00:11:58.920 usually cross-culturally, 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:01.260 to perform or support 00:12:01.260 --> 00:12:03.100 apostolic ministry 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:04.200 of preaching, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.020 teaching, 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:06.220 building the church 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.180 of Jesus Christ. 00:12:08.040 --> 00:12:08.240 Okay, 00:12:08.660 --> 00:12:10.080 that's what we consider 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:11.420 missionaries to be. 00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:12.960 There are a great variety 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:14.540 of ways to do this. 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.880 And people who are 00:12:16.880 --> 00:12:18.120 in support roles, 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.880 not front-line preaching 00:12:19.880 --> 00:12:20.760 and teaching, 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:21.779 they're critical 00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.759 to this effort. 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:24.399 But fundamentally, 00:12:24.799 --> 00:12:25.919 that's what mission 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:27.319 and missionaries are. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.919 People who were sent 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:31.500 to advance the kingdom of God, 00:12:31.819 --> 00:12:32.980 bringing the gospel 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:34.220 to people in places 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:35.519 where there is no gospel. 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:37.860 Okay, 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.799 just so you know 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:40.240 when I'm talking about missions, 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.819 what I'm talking about. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:42.860 Okay, 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:44.360 let's go back to the text 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:45.179 for just a minute. 00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:46.879 John 20, 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:48.100 19 through 23. 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:50.800 What I want to emphasize 00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:51.879 is the importance 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:52.920 and privilege 00:12:52.920 --> 00:12:54.279 of sending. 00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:57.620 What happened 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:59.200 on that first Easter? 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:01.019 Who did Jesus see? 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:02.500 As far as I can 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.740 piece together the events, 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.840 or who saw Jesus 00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:05.639 more likely? 00:13:06.300 --> 00:13:07.019 First of all, 00:13:07.060 --> 00:13:08.040 it was Mary Magdalene, 00:13:08.159 --> 00:13:09.100 as far as I can tell. 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.080 And then there were 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:10.920 some other women. 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:12.740 Okay, 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:13.480 so Mary, 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:13.940 the women, 00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:14.980 and then Peter. 00:13:16.040 --> 00:13:17.080 He met Peter. 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:19.240 And then the two 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.540 on the Emmaus Road. 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:21.520 Those are the ones 00:13:21.520 --> 00:13:22.620 that are listed. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:24.460 And then these 12. 00:13:25.520 --> 00:13:25.800 So, 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:26.700 this is the day 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:27.820 he rose from the dead. 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:29.240 One of the first meetings, 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:30.580 the first meeting 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:31.139 he has 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.420 with all the disciples 00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:33.020 together. 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.460 What does he say? 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:34.980 He says, 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.020 Peace be upon you. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.240 Then he says, 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.139 Peace be upon you. 00:13:38.160 --> 00:13:39.000 He says that twice. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.100 And then, 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.879 what's the very next thing 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.800 out of his mouth? 00:13:44.640 --> 00:13:45.400 As the Father 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.299 has sent me, 00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:48.819 so I am sending you. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:51.819 Think about the things 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:53.199 he could have said 00:13:53.199 --> 00:13:54.899 after those initial 00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:56.199 greetings of peace. 00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:56.779 Peace be upon you. 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.519 Think about the things 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:57.980 he could have said. 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:58.399 He could have said, 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.039 Why weren't you there 00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:00.579 with the women? 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.840 Why weren't you there 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.299 at the tomb? 00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:03.299 Why didn't you believe 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:03.860 what I said? 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:04.980 There's all kinds of things 00:14:04.980 --> 00:14:05.740 he could have said. 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:08.000 He didn't say those things. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.279 He said, 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:11.740 The Father has sent me, 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:13.079 so I am sending you. 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:15.000 Think of the importance 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:16.679 of sending. 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:19.340 That that's almost 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:20.039 the first thing 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:20.620 that comes out 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.539 of Jesus' mouth 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.700 the first time 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:24.240 he sees his disciples. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:26.220 Sending is a big deal. 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.340 God sent Noah. 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.320 God sent Abraham. 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.299 God sent Moses. 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:30.279 God sent the prophets. 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:31.960 Finally, God sent Jesus. 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.879 It's a huge priority 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.600 for our God 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:37.200 that he sends. 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.720 Third thing he says to them, 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:40.519 I am risen. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.620 Peace be upon you. 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.899 Let's get going. 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:44.620 And the sending 00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:46.220 that started that day 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:48.439 continues until this day. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:51.220 Don't believe that was 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.819 exclusively for the disciples. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:54.579 It comes down to us. 00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:55.980 As the Father has sent me, 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.519 so I send you. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.980 Sending is a joint enterprise 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:02.000 of the Father, 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:02.980 the Son, 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.459 the Holy Spirit, 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.240 and the church. 00:15:08.079 --> 00:15:10.019 Think about that for a minute. 00:15:10.019 --> 00:15:11.679 Our little churches, 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:13.199 and even if it's some huge 00:15:13.199 --> 00:15:15.240 American mega church, 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.939 it's still really very small 00:15:17.939 --> 00:15:19.120 compared to the Father, 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.659 the Son, 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:20.600 and the Holy Spirit. 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.139 Our little churches, 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.019 we have the privilege 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.179 of partnering 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:27.120 with the Holy Trinity 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:30.419 in sending missionaries. 00:15:31.559 --> 00:15:33.840 It is a high privilege 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.340 that the Lord gives 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.399 to his church. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:39.519 Who is sent? 00:15:40.579 --> 00:15:41.919 I believe that all of us 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.539 are sent. 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.220 Acts 1.8, 00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:46.620 You receive power 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.279 when the Holy Spirit 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.039 comes upon you. 00:15:49.100 --> 00:15:49.919 You be my witnesses 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.679 in Jerusalem, 00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:51.860 Judea, Samaria, 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:53.199 the ends of the earth. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.199 We'll talk about that 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:56.039 a little bit later. 00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:59.059 How does he send? 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:01.039 As the Father has sent me, 00:16:01.199 --> 00:16:02.340 so I'm sending you. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:02.819 Okay, 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:04.759 what exactly does that mean? 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.039 I like it. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.459 It's one of these 00:16:06.459 --> 00:16:07.379 little preacher tricks 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.879 because there's some alliteration. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.459 There's three M's in there. 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:11.379 Okay, 00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:12.620 there's the means. 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:14.219 He sends by the power 00:16:14.219 --> 00:16:14.919 of the Holy Spirit. 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:15.740 He breathes on them, 00:16:15.819 --> 00:16:17.000 says receive the Holy Spirit. 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:18.279 There's the message, 00:16:18.719 --> 00:16:20.059 forgiveness of sins. 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.019 Again, 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:21.740 Luke 24, 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:23.399 Luke 24, 47, 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:25.059 repentance and forgiveness 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:26.439 of sins should be proclaimed 00:16:26.439 --> 00:16:27.099 in his name 00:16:27.099 --> 00:16:28.120 to all nations 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.799 beginning from Jerusalem. 00:16:30.599 --> 00:16:31.159 By the way, 00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:32.139 there's a great commission 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:33.559 in all four Gospels 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:34.779 and in the book of Acts. 00:16:35.099 --> 00:16:35.339 Right? 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.320 It's not just in Matthew. 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:37.460 We're talking about 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.680 John's commission here, 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.759 but there's one in each 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.580 of the Gospels. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:41.740 Yeah. 00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:42.879 And, 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.280 okay, 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.300 the means, 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.080 the message, 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:45.639 and finally, 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:46.440 the method, 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:48.180 as the Father has sent me, 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.899 so I send you. 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:51.680 Now, 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.720 with those first two, 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.519 the means, 00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.680 meaning the Holy Spirit, 00:16:54.940 --> 00:16:55.800 the message, 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:57.000 forgiveness of sins, 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:58.000 there's some little 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.919 difficult things 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:01.240 to understand 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.980 in this text 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:04.420 about when did they 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.200 actually receive 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.900 the Holy Spirit. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.440 Was it there? 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.700 Was it the day of Pentecost? 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.759 What does it mean 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.680 that the disciples 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.500 have the authority 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.359 to forgive sins 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:12.640 or retain sins? 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:14.599 I'm not going to go into those. 00:17:14.680 --> 00:17:15.220 I'm going to let 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.839 your capable pastor 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.519 talk about 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.460 those with you 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.140 another day. 00:17:19.640 --> 00:17:20.380 That's the privilege 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:21.440 of a visiting speaker. 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:22.559 He gets to jump over 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.660 the difficult things 00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.859 and leave it for the pastor. 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.619 He doesn't have that privilege. 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:27.879 I want to focus 00:17:27.879 --> 00:17:28.739 on the method. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:30.059 The method, 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.500 as the Father has sent me, 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.959 so I send you. 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.079 So, 00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:37.479 if we want to know 00:17:37.479 --> 00:17:39.099 how Jesus sends the disciples, 00:17:39.239 --> 00:17:39.979 we need to look at 00:17:39.979 --> 00:17:41.679 how the Father sent Jesus. 00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:43.139 So, 00:17:43.239 --> 00:17:44.459 how did the Father 00:17:44.459 --> 00:17:45.119 send Jesus? 00:17:45.239 --> 00:17:45.500 Again, 00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:46.259 I don't believe 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.199 this is just for 00:17:47.199 --> 00:17:48.359 foreign missionaries 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:48.919 like myself. 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:49.679 I believe this is 00:17:49.679 --> 00:17:50.500 for all of us. 00:17:52.199 --> 00:17:53.000 First of all, 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.859 he sent Jesus 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:55.099 as the sacrifice. 00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:58.899 We know that. 00:17:59.459 --> 00:18:00.959 He does not send us 00:18:00.959 --> 00:18:02.019 to be a sacrifice 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.899 for sins. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.219 The sacrifice of Christ 00:18:04.219 --> 00:18:05.839 was done once for all. 00:18:05.959 --> 00:18:07.659 But he does send us 00:18:07.659 --> 00:18:09.539 to lay down our lives 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.639 for the advance 00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:11.919 of the kingdom of God. 00:18:12.459 --> 00:18:14.179 Paul says in Philippians 2.7, 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.719 he says, 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:16.519 even if I'm being poured out 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.039 like a drink offering 00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.539 on the sacrifice 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.059 and service 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:21.000 of your faith, 00:18:21.139 --> 00:18:21.639 I rejoice 00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.619 and share my joy 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:23.219 with you all. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:23.720 Paul said, 00:18:23.779 --> 00:18:25.279 I'm willing to be poured out 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.160 like that wine 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.860 they used to pour 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.740 on the sacrifices 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.720 in the Old Testament. 00:18:29.339 --> 00:18:29.720 Paul said, 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.600 that's what I'm willing 00:18:30.600 --> 00:18:31.960 to be poured out 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:33.000 for the church 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.839 and for the gospel. 00:18:34.600 --> 00:18:35.259 That's the way 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.259 the Father sent Jesus. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.220 That's the way 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.420 Jesus sends us. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.299 He sends, 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.880 the Father sent Jesus 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.759 to serve. 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.279 Matthew 20, 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:47.480 26 through 28, 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:49.180 Son of Man 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:49.880 did not come 00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:51.140 to be served, 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:52.400 but to serve. 00:18:52.620 --> 00:18:53.340 Give his life 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:54.520 as a ransom for many. 00:18:54.780 --> 00:18:55.100 Again, 00:18:56.020 --> 00:18:57.020 our call is not 00:18:57.020 --> 00:18:57.900 to give our lives 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.600 as a ransom. 00:18:58.800 --> 00:18:58.980 No, 00:18:59.120 --> 00:19:00.280 done once and for all. 00:19:00.440 --> 00:19:01.520 But our call certainly 00:19:01.520 --> 00:19:02.300 is to follow 00:19:02.300 --> 00:19:04.020 the leading of our Master 00:19:04.020 --> 00:19:05.460 and not to want 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:07.180 to be served 00:19:07.180 --> 00:19:08.000 but to serve. 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:10.080 He came as a sacrifice. 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:11.259 He came as a servant. 00:19:11.560 --> 00:19:13.440 He also came to suffer. 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.060 And we know 00:19:15.060 --> 00:19:16.320 that Jesus was sent 00:19:16.320 --> 00:19:17.200 for the purpose 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:18.360 of the cross. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.940 And as the Father 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.600 sent Jesus, 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:22.059 so Jesus sends us. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.119 Paul said this 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.659 in Colossians 1, 24, 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.959 I rejoice in my sufferings 00:19:26.959 --> 00:19:27.959 for your sake 00:19:27.959 --> 00:19:29.319 and in my flesh 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.419 I'm filling up 00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:31.219 what is lacking 00:19:31.219 --> 00:19:33.039 in Christ's afflictions. 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.859 Now that's a difficult 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.859 verse as well 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.480 and it certainly 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:37.119 doesn't mean 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:38.219 that Paul is adding 00:19:38.219 --> 00:19:39.619 something to the atonement. 00:19:39.959 --> 00:19:40.240 No. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.799 Once for all, 00:19:41.879 --> 00:19:42.759 but Paul is 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:44.079 willing to suffer 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:46.079 to bring the message 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:46.959 of that atonement 00:19:46.959 --> 00:19:48.079 to the Colossians 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.859 and to other communities 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.859 in the Mediterranean. 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:52.699 So, 00:19:53.439 --> 00:19:54.339 sacrifice, 00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.379 suffering, 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.000 service 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.079 are the ways 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.879 the Father sent 00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.339 the Son. 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.039 They're ways 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.519 the Son 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.980 sends the disciples. 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:03.819 Christ was sent 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.759 in humility. 00:20:06.139 --> 00:20:07.299 Philippians chapter 2, 00:20:07.399 --> 00:20:08.240 you know these verses. 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:09.179 He was in the form 00:20:09.179 --> 00:20:09.679 of God. 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.579 He did not count 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.500 equality with God 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.460 a thing to be grasped 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.460 but emptied himself 00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.620 taking the form 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:15.279 of a servant 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.319 born in the likeness 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.819 of men 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:18.519 found in human form. 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.779 He humbled himself 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.860 by becoming obedient 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:22.160 to the point of death, 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.579 even death on a cross. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.980 We keep coming back 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:25.880 to these same things, 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.980 these same themes. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.000 They're all linked together 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.559 but if the Lord 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:31.160 is sending us out, 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.980 it must be 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.279 as the Father 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.160 sent the Son 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.440 in humility. 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:37.819 There's no place 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:38.600 for arrogance 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.880 in the people 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.519 that the Lord 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.200 sends out. 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.380 Whether to a local 00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.420 community here, 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.940 in Ireland, 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.120 whether to the ends 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:46.740 of the earth, 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:48.400 we go out in humility 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:50.059 following the example 00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.860 of our Lord. 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.600 Incarnationally, 00:20:55.860 --> 00:20:56.779 the Father sent 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.259 the Son 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.380 incarnationally. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.100 That's one of those 00:20:59.100 --> 00:21:00.340 big theological words. 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:02.840 Incarnation, 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.600 it means He became 00:21:03.600 --> 00:21:04.039 flesh. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.259 Okay? 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:06.500 He became one of us. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.440 Stop for a minute 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.579 and think about that. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:13.559 that God the Father 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.960 sent His Son. 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.859 What an amazing thing 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:23.000 that God the Father 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:25.039 sent His own Son. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:29.559 He sent a person. 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.220 He didn't just send 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.859 a message. 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:34.319 He sent a person. 00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.440 And now, 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.299 He continues 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.659 to send people. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.059 We send money 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.659 to missions? 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:42.220 That's a good thing. 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.299 Please keep doing that. 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:45.980 We do media ministries. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:46.559 I'm involved 00:21:46.559 --> 00:21:47.759 in an online ministry, 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.700 sharing my faith 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.139 with people 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.980 in different countries. 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.000 That's wonderful. 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.920 Keep doing that. 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:53.640 We do short-term things. 00:21:53.800 --> 00:21:54.779 Send for two weeks. 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:56.039 That's great. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:57.759 Okay? 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:58.920 But the model 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.539 that we're trying 00:21:59.539 --> 00:21:59.980 to follow 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:02.100 is this incarnational model. 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:02.900 As the Father 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.600 sent the Son, 00:22:03.840 --> 00:22:05.140 so the Son sends us. 00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:07.220 We become incarnate 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.400 among the peoples 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.080 that we're trying 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:10.060 to reach out to. 00:22:10.620 --> 00:22:10.940 Okay? 00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:11.820 That involves 00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:13.000 learning their language. 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:13.940 That involves 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:15.200 understanding their culture. 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:15.920 That involves 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:17.140 living together with them, 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.580 sharing life with them 00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.940 as much as we can. 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:21.120 And that's true in Ireland 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:22.259 as well as is true 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.900 in Djibouti 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:24.340 and the Comorra Islands. 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.000 Okay? 00:22:25.600 --> 00:22:26.660 It's true for all of us. 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:30.380 We are incarnational ministers 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:33.660 as Jesus was incarnated to us. 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.440 There's probably other things, 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.779 but those are some ideas 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:40.820 about how the Father 00:22:40.820 --> 00:22:41.600 sent Jesus. 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.799 Now let's look at 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.880 a little bit more 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:46.039 about how Jesus sends us. 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:47.980 That's how the Father sent. 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.600 How does Jesus send? 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.439 First of all, 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:52.339 it's Jesus who sends. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.219 And that's an... 00:22:54.219 --> 00:22:55.439 I know I keep saying 00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:56.839 obvious things to you, 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.559 but sometimes 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.419 these obvious things 00:22:58.419 --> 00:22:59.419 are good to repeat. 00:23:00.659 --> 00:23:02.899 Jesus sends people. 00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:06.079 He may use individuals 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:07.399 who hear His call. 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.719 He may use churches 00:23:08.719 --> 00:23:10.659 who confirm that call, 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:13.000 but it's Jesus who sends. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:13.719 Better, 00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:15.619 it's the Trinity 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.599 that sends, 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:19.279 especially the Holy Spirit. 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:22.219 But the Holy Trinity, 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.740 the Holy Spirit, 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:27.679 sends through the church. 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.579 Okay? 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:33.079 The church called to listen 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:34.399 to the voice of God, 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:36.299 identify people 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:37.719 that the Lord is calling, 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:38.659 commission, 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:39.779 and send, 00:23:39.939 --> 00:23:41.459 and train those people. 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:41.559 people. 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.480 In AIM, 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:47.880 we are a mission-sending agency. 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:49.680 We send missionaries, 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:52.079 but we do not send anybody 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:53.500 by ourselves. 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:55.700 We only send people 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:57.460 that the church has identified, 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.200 that have received their call 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.900 through the church, 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:02.120 and that the church has sent to us. 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:03.220 We send them together. 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.259 We don't want people 00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:05.220 who self-call. 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:07.460 We want people 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.640 whose call is confirmed 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:11.200 by the church. 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:14.039 We talk a lot in AIM 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:15.819 about the missionary call. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.759 What does that mean? 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.740 Somebody's called 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.620 to be a missionary. 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:21.140 And there's mystery here 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:21.799 in the Scripture, 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:25.160 but there's only a couple things 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.279 that are really clear. 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:28.220 One is that the missionary call 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:30.200 comes from the Holy Spirit, 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.779 and the second is 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.559 that it comes 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.759 through the church, 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.960 or it's confirmed 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.220 and acted upon 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:39.019 by the local church. 00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.180 So, 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:45.319 I'm referring to Acts chapter 13 here, 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.380 where the Holy Spirit 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:47.539 says to the church, 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:49.640 set apart Saul and Barnabas 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.299 for the work 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.720 that I have called them to. 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:53.620 And that is by far 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.759 the clearest teaching 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.860 we have anywhere in the Scripture 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:57.480 about a missionary call. 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.900 You can see the critical role 00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:01.280 that the local church 00:25:01.280 --> 00:25:02.220 plays in that. 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:04.160 The call comes 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.940 from the Spirit, 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.560 but it comes 00:25:06.560 --> 00:25:07.420 through the church, 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.460 and it's confirmed 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:09.400 and acted upon 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.660 by the church. 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:12.240 I believe every church 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.420 needs to take this 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.480 very seriously. 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.380 And we take it seriously 00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:17.440 in AIM too. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:19.280 We do not want people 00:25:19.280 --> 00:25:19.940 whose churches 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.040 will not confirm 00:25:21.040 --> 00:25:22.680 their call to missions. 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:24.400 Okay. 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.740 Jesus sends into all the world, 00:25:26.820 --> 00:25:27.820 again, Acts 1.8, 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:29.220 Be my witnesses, 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.920 Jerusalem, 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:30.799 Judea, 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.319 Samaria, 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.180 the end of the earth. 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.799 What does that mean for us? 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:34.779 Okay. 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:35.779 I don't think it's too hard. 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.880 Jerusalem is here. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:39.140 This is your Jerusalem. 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.380 Judea, 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.680 same culture, 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.799 different location. 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:43.620 So, 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.460 a village 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.819 that's not far away, 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:47.019 a village in Ireland, 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.220 same culture, 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.519 needs the gospel, 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.920 you send people to there. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:52.240 That's your Judea. 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.400 Okay. 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.279 Same culture, 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.200 a little bit further away. 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:57.120 Samaria, 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:58.039 now we're talking 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:59.139 cross-cultural, 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:01.079 but similar location. 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.359 So, 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.159 now we're talking about 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:02.919 reaching out to 00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:04.659 Muslim people of Ireland, 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:07.059 Pakistanis, 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.059 Indians, 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:09.099 Somali people. 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.719 Okay. 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.739 Nearby location, 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.799 cross-cultural, 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.439 Samaria. 00:26:14.659 --> 00:26:15.459 Ends of the earth, 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.979 still the ends of the earth. 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:17.919 Okay. 00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:19.819 Anywhere beyond there. 00:26:20.439 --> 00:26:20.779 Okay. 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.619 I think this is relevant 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.519 to us today, 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:25.379 not just to the disciples, 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.059 Jerusalem, 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:26.599 Judea, 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:27.059 Samaria, 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:27.819 and the ends of the earth. 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.639 And everybody needs to ask, 00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:31.299 where's the Lord sending me? 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:34.019 I believe we're all sent. 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:34.839 Okay. 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:37.539 Where is the Lord sending you? 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.740 Most of us, 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:41.279 He's sending us to our friends 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.980 and neighbors 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.759 and family. 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:45.359 But for some of us, 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.619 there's another call 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:48.420 to go further on than that. 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:49.759 But all of us are sent 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.519 and all of us 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.519 should be asking the Lord, 00:26:51.880 --> 00:26:53.060 where are you sending me 00:26:53.060 --> 00:26:54.300 for the sake of the gospel? 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.440 Who do you want me 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:57.019 to be sharing the gospel with? 00:26:59.580 --> 00:27:02.279 Jesus sends as salt and light. 00:27:02.860 --> 00:27:03.240 Okay. 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:04.100 Jesus talks about 00:27:04.100 --> 00:27:05.460 you're the salt of the earth. 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.940 You're the light of the world. 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:09.140 It's not always easy to understand 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:10.360 what He's talking about there. 00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:11.779 I believe He's talking about 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.200 our physical presence 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:15.100 and the Christian lifestyle 00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:15.960 that we live 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:17.580 in terms of salt and light. 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.399 We do good works 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:20.319 in the name of Jesus. 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.799 We are the salt of the earth. 00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:23.319 We're the light of the world. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.099 Okay. 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:26.379 He sends us His salt and light, 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.659 but He also sends us 00:27:27.659 --> 00:27:28.759 as witnesses. 00:27:29.919 --> 00:27:30.279 Okay. 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.139 You'll be my witnesses, 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.399 Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.240 the ends of the earth. 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.960 A witness has to talk, right? 00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:39.179 If you're called into court 00:27:39.179 --> 00:27:40.439 as a witness for something 00:27:40.439 --> 00:27:41.500 and you just sit there, 00:27:41.699 --> 00:27:42.399 smile at people, 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.539 be really nice to people, 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:45.639 I don't think that's going to work, right? 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.880 You have to say something 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.900 if you're a witness. 00:27:49.380 --> 00:27:50.620 My American friends, 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:52.759 they love this quote 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.500 that's attributed 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:56.060 to St. Francis of Assisi 00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:59.280 who supposedly said, 00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:00.940 preach the gospel at all times. 00:28:01.060 --> 00:28:02.600 When necessary, use words. 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:05.080 Very clever quote, right? 00:28:05.520 --> 00:28:06.300 And Americans, 00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.120 my American friends 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.720 really like that 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.460 because that kind of 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.340 gets them off the hook 00:28:09.340 --> 00:28:11.160 of actually saying something. 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.240 They feel like just 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.360 their good works 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:14.099 and their love 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.719 and this and that, 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:16.099 that's a sufficient witness. 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.419 The problem with that 00:28:18.419 --> 00:28:20.039 is there's absolutely no proof 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.179 that the good saint 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:21.979 ever said that 00:28:21.979 --> 00:28:23.959 and it's entirely inconsistent 00:28:23.959 --> 00:28:25.379 with his life as well. 00:28:26.199 --> 00:28:27.199 Whatever you think 00:28:27.199 --> 00:28:28.339 about Francis of Assisi, 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:30.039 he ended his life in Egypt 00:28:30.039 --> 00:28:31.119 trying to share the gospel 00:28:31.119 --> 00:28:32.539 with Muslims down there. 00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:33.240 Okay. 00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:34.979 So it's not consistent 00:28:34.979 --> 00:28:35.799 with his life 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:37.139 or anything he did 00:28:37.139 --> 00:28:39.519 and it's not biblical either. 00:28:39.699 --> 00:28:41.039 We do need to live 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:42.899 good and honorable lives 00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:44.399 among non-believers 00:28:44.399 --> 00:28:45.859 and show them the truth 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.799 through our good works. 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.319 We also need to be witnesses. 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:52.559 He sends in the power 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.859 of the Holy Spirit. 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:55.299 He doesn't send us alone. 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.740 Behold, I'm with you always 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.960 even to the end of the age. 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:59.039 You'll receive power 00:28:59.039 --> 00:28:59.879 when the Holy Spirit 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.740 comes upon you. 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.500 He sends, 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:03.180 but he goes with his people. 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.639 Finally, he sends us 00:29:05.639 --> 00:29:07.659 his sheep among wolves. 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:09.519 And I don't think 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:11.320 that needs much definition. 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.840 Sheep among wolves 00:29:14.840 --> 00:29:16.060 is not in a particularly 00:29:16.060 --> 00:29:18.240 secure or safe position, 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.779 but still he sends. 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:20.740 And it's striking to me 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.340 to think that 00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:22.320 he sends us 00:29:22.320 --> 00:29:23.360 his sheep among wolves 00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:24.840 knowing that we're sheep 00:29:24.840 --> 00:29:25.820 and knowing that we're 00:29:25.820 --> 00:29:26.880 going to wolves. 00:29:27.940 --> 00:29:28.920 But still he sends. 00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.420 How do the Father 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:34.120 and Jesus not send? 00:29:34.820 --> 00:29:35.540 We could come up 00:29:35.540 --> 00:29:36.820 with a big list of these. 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:40.000 But they don't send us 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:41.420 with promises of comfort, 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:43.320 security, peace, 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.600 and easy results. 00:29:45.560 --> 00:29:46.560 It's quite the opposite. 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:47.779 He says, 00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.960 you'll be sheep among wolves. 00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:49.180 He said, 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.360 you'll be hated by all men 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.279 for my sake. 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.940 And that's true 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:55.259 in Ireland 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:57.220 or in the ends of the earth. 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.779 Just a few comments 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.759 about the role 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.779 of the church as well. 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:07.500 What is the role 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.680 of a local church 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:10.299 in this mission sending? 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.079 First of all, 00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:11.940 the church needs 00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:12.839 to mobilize. 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.160 Okay? 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.019 The church needs 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.720 to mobilize 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.740 her people. 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:18.940 Yeah. 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.539 Need to mobilize 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.839 the whole church 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:25.019 for outreach, 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.740 especially local outreach 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:28.059 in a place like Ireland 00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.720 where you have 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:30.079 only a very small 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.440 percentage of the population 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:33.200 being Bible-believing Christians. 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.680 I think that's still 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.480 got to be a very 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.319 high priority 00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:37.120 for a church 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:37.880 here in Ireland. 00:30:38.660 --> 00:30:38.840 Yeah. 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:40.360 Mobilize for local 00:30:40.360 --> 00:30:41.980 ministry and outreach. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:42.940 In a sense, 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.940 you're still living 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:44.740 in the midst 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:46.460 of a mission field here. 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.059 It's an obvious 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:49.420 priority for the church. 00:30:51.600 --> 00:30:52.600 All are sent, 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.799 but not all are sent 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.480 to the ends 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:55.080 of the earth. 00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:55.880 If the whole church 00:30:55.880 --> 00:30:57.180 shows up in Africa 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.100 someday and says, 00:30:58.200 --> 00:30:58.620 here we are, 00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.559 I expect that will 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.480 create some problems 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:00.960 for us, 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:02.160 so please don't do that. 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:04.380 But at the same time, 00:31:04.540 --> 00:31:05.759 everybody can be involved 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.880 in local outreach 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:08.920 and a few people 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:11.100 to go to Judea, 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:14.360 Samaria, 00:31:14.580 --> 00:31:15.720 the ends of the earth. 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:17.259 The ends of the earth 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:18.800 is not for everybody. 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:21.360 And in AIM, 00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:22.259 we want some 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.160 of your best people. 00:31:24.320 --> 00:31:25.140 Think about Saul 00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:25.820 and Barnabas 00:31:25.820 --> 00:31:26.320 sent out from 00:31:26.320 --> 00:31:27.880 the church of Antioch. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.200 There were five leaders 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:29.940 listed there 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.740 among whom were 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.560 Saul and Barnabas. 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.460 and the Holy Spirit 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:32.700 said, 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.779 take these two. 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.480 Maybe your best 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.339 two guys 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:38.079 set them apart 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.639 for the work 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:39.539 I've called you to. 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.599 Very difficult 00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:43.379 for small local churches 00:31:43.379 --> 00:31:44.299 to do that. 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:46.139 But I believe 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:47.119 that's what the Lord 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:47.679 would have. 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.539 The ends of the earth 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.980 is not for everybody. 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:56.240 Church needs to define 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.720 what mission is. 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:59.039 the Lord 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:01.160 has a particular call 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:02.279 for different churches. 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:03.700 Okay? 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.019 And the church 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.880 needs to think 00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.799 in advance 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.100 what is the Lord 00:32:08.100 --> 00:32:09.120 calling us to do 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:09.900 and what are the 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:11.100 kinds of people 00:32:11.100 --> 00:32:12.759 we want to send 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.620 and where do we 00:32:13.620 --> 00:32:14.880 want to send them to? 00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.200 Okay? 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.680 It's good for the church 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.400 to identify 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:19.559 those priorities 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:20.519 in advance. 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:21.779 Otherwise, 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.880 when someone comes 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:23.360 and says, 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.240 I feel like God's 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.980 calling me to do 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.779 this or this, 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.380 then if the church 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:28.079 hasn't defined 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:29.200 those things in advance, 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:30.099 then they're going to be 00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:31.460 in a difficult situation. 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.099 Okay? 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.480 If the church 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.200 has defined, 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:35.839 for instance, 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:36.920 that we believe 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.700 that the kind of 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.120 missionaries 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:38.759 we want to send 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:39.279 are to 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:41.000 unreached people groups, 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:42.240 Muslim people groups, 00:32:42.360 --> 00:32:43.200 people in places 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:44.319 where there is no gospel, 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:45.079 then when someone 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.720 comes along 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.579 and says that, 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:48.120 I feel like I need 00:32:48.120 --> 00:32:48.640 to be a missionary 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.339 to Australia 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.700 to save the coral reefs 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:51.460 of Australia, 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:52.860 then the church 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:53.420 can say, 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.860 that's a nice thing. 00:32:55.420 --> 00:32:56.539 And go ahead, 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:57.079 bless you, 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:57.660 but we're not 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.539 going to get involved 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:58.860 with that. 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:00.299 You know, 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:01.160 I said exactly 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:01.740 those words 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.279 in our church 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:02.779 in Bristol, 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:04.620 and one of the elders 00:33:04.620 --> 00:33:05.200 came up to me 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:05.579 afterwards, 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.200 and he said, 00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.559 there is someone 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.640 in our church 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:11.360 whose idea of mission 00:33:11.360 --> 00:33:12.759 is close enough 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.599 to what you said 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.360 that they will think 00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:15.319 that we put you up 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.120 to saying that. 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.259 It's like, 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:17.599 really? 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.019 But, 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:19.680 yeah, 00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:20.120 I mean, 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.240 people have different 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:22.079 notions about mission. 00:33:22.180 --> 00:33:23.279 So then I changed it, 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:24.039 and I started talking 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:25.379 about save the koalas 00:33:25.379 --> 00:33:26.079 of Australia 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:27.019 or something like that, 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:28.059 but I don't know, 00:33:28.159 --> 00:33:28.920 koalas are cute. 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.440 Maybe someone 00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.359 would want to do that. 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:32.720 It defined in advance 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.819 what mission is. 00:33:35.399 --> 00:33:36.559 Church needs to pray, 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.980 and I believed, 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:39.079 or Jesus told us, 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.740 pray to the Lord 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.159 of harvest 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:40.920 to send workers 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:42.039 into his harvest field. 00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:43.119 I think the church 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:44.359 needs to ask the Lord, 00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:44.759 Lord, 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.859 send workers 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.940 to your harvest field, 00:33:47.139 --> 00:33:48.200 send Irish people 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.039 into the harvest field, 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:50.159 and send people 00:33:50.159 --> 00:33:51.879 from this church. 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.879 I think that's a prayer 00:33:53.879 --> 00:33:54.839 that tremendously 00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:56.240 honors the Lord, 00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:58.299 and I believe the Lord 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.579 will answer that prayer. 00:33:59.700 --> 00:33:59.879 Lord, 00:34:00.019 --> 00:34:00.940 send people 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:02.180 from this church, 00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:03.559 from this community 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.220 of churches, 00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:05.559 and Lord, 00:34:05.639 --> 00:34:06.500 send some of our 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.460 best people. 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:10.300 That's a scary prayer, 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:10.739 maybe. 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.960 I think it's a prayer 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.960 that honors the Lord, 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.719 and he's likely 00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:15.500 to answer. 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:17.539 And then the church 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.300 needs to listen 00:34:18.300 --> 00:34:18.880 to the Lord, 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.739 and under the guidance 00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:20.559 of the Holy Spirit, 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:22.539 identify those people 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:24.739 who have that call 00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:25.320 of the Lord 00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:26.139 in their lives, 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:28.280 just like the church 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:29.880 in Acts was able to do. 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:32.420 Church needs to prepare 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:34.139 and train missionaries. 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.239 Okay. 00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:37.119 We have all kinds, 00:34:37.159 --> 00:34:37.619 there's all kinds 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:38.260 of specialized 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:40.000 missionary training programs 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:41.099 we can refer you to, 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:42.119 and that's a good thing. 00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:45.480 But the most important skills 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.619 of mission 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:49.800 are disciple making, 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:51.019 following Christ 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.719 as a disciple 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:53.059 and making other disciples, 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:53.980 serving, 00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:55.139 bringing the gospel 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.840 to people outside the church, 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:58.820 learning the Word of God, 00:34:59.079 --> 00:34:59.780 learning to teach 00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.599 the Word of God, 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:01.760 learning to pray. 00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:03.579 Those are all things 00:35:03.579 --> 00:35:05.360 that can and should be taught 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.559 right here in this church. 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:07.420 You don't have to send someone 00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:08.079 to a specialized 00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:09.599 missionary training program 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:11.440 to learn those kind of things. 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.860 And those are the kind of people 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:14.139 who have learned those things 00:35:14.139 --> 00:35:15.079 in their local churches, 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:16.219 who've learned to serve 00:35:16.219 --> 00:35:17.039 in their local churches, 00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:18.059 who've learned to share 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.940 the gospel out 00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:20.000 in their own community. 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:22.000 Those are the kind of people 00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:22.920 that we want to send 00:35:22.920 --> 00:35:23.599 to Africa. 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:27.299 Last thing, 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:30.519 church needs to build up 00:35:30.519 --> 00:35:31.460 the base. 00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.500 Acts 20, 28, 00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:34.940 be on guard for yourselves 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:36.000 and all the flock. 00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:37.539 Okay. 00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.900 Good statement 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.719 that Paul makes 00:35:39.719 --> 00:35:40.619 to the Ephesian elders. 00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:42.179 Yeah, guard the flock. 00:35:42.380 --> 00:35:43.619 Savage wolves are coming. 00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:44.900 They'll ravage the flock. 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:45.460 But he says, 00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.380 first be on guard 00:35:46.380 --> 00:35:47.239 for yourselves. 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:50.619 Before we can shepherd others, 00:35:50.719 --> 00:35:52.339 we need to shepherd ourselves. 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:57.259 And before we can effectively 00:35:57.259 --> 00:35:58.679 send missionaries, 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:01.059 we need to build up, 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:02.380 or so I shouldn't say before, 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:03.880 but as we think about 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:04.960 sending missionaries, 00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:06.500 we need to watch 00:36:06.500 --> 00:36:07.900 our own churches. 00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:10.139 In particular, 00:36:10.319 --> 00:36:11.519 I think there's two things 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.900 that churches need to do. 00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:14.039 And especially 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:15.980 in this modern era 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:17.380 when the truth 00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:19.780 is facing challenges 00:36:19.780 --> 00:36:21.500 from every side. 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:23.300 The church needs, 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:23.860 first of all, 00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:25.619 to maintain true doctrine. 00:36:26.900 --> 00:36:27.320 And again, 00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:28.960 I'm saying obvious things 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.539 to you. 00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:31.400 But I think there's three things, 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.239 especially, 00:36:32.599 --> 00:36:34.019 as far as missions is concerned, 00:36:34.099 --> 00:36:35.820 the church needs to hold on to 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:36.739 with all its might. 00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:37.900 One is the authority 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:39.099 of the Word of God. 00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:42.759 The second is the eternal destiny, 00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:45.599 whether saved or lost, 00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:47.639 of every man and woman. 00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:50.000 And the third is 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:52.099 the uniqueness of salvation 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:53.860 through Jesus Christ. 00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:56.039 Authority of the Word of God, 00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:57.139 eternal destiny 00:36:57.139 --> 00:36:58.299 of every man and woman, 00:36:58.659 --> 00:37:00.460 uniqueness of salvation 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.440 in Jesus Christ. 00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:02.940 If you lose any one 00:37:02.940 --> 00:37:04.099 of those things, 00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:06.819 then why would anyone bother 00:37:06.819 --> 00:37:07.639 being a missionary? 00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:09.900 If we lose the authority 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.859 of the Word of God, 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:12.219 if we stop believing 00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:13.539 that every man and woman 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:14.219 is either going to go 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:15.019 to heaven or hell, 00:37:15.159 --> 00:37:16.319 and that the only way 00:37:16.319 --> 00:37:17.219 to go to heaven 00:37:17.219 --> 00:37:18.199 is through Jesus Christ, 00:37:18.299 --> 00:37:19.279 if we stop believing 00:37:19.279 --> 00:37:20.879 any one of those three things, 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:24.039 then why are we going 00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:24.599 to do mission? 00:37:25.279 --> 00:37:26.259 And why are we even 00:37:26.259 --> 00:37:26.900 going to reach out 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.519 to our neighbors? 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:28.879 Why even bother? 00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:31.519 Church needs to hold on 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:32.179 to those things 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:33.059 with all her might. 00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:35.679 And then the last thing 00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:38.860 is just promoting evangelism 00:37:38.860 --> 00:37:40.500 here in your own community. 00:37:41.320 --> 00:37:42.900 Don't make any distinction 00:37:42.900 --> 00:37:44.299 between local outreach 00:37:44.299 --> 00:37:45.500 and international 00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:46.679 or global outreach. 00:37:46.779 --> 00:37:47.880 A church that has a heart 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:48.759 for reaching out 00:37:48.759 --> 00:37:49.380 to its neighbors 00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:50.659 will also have a heart 00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.679 to send its people 00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.619 to North Africa, 00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:53.820 bring the gospel 00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:54.559 to those people. 00:37:54.699 --> 00:37:55.860 A church that has a heart 00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.679 for North Africa, 00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:57.539 by God's grace, 00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:58.539 will have a heart 00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.219 for reaching out 00:37:59.219 --> 00:38:00.000 to local people. 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:02.000 So in promoting 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:03.320 local outreach, 00:38:03.880 --> 00:38:04.960 church is promoting 00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:05.840 mission as well. 00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:10.780 Local church plays 00:38:10.780 --> 00:38:12.039 a crucial role 00:38:12.039 --> 00:38:14.019 in the kingdom of God. 00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:14.760 You are God's 00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:15.980 chosen instrument. 00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:17.239 Even a little bitty 00:38:17.239 --> 00:38:18.059 church like you. 00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:20.619 Sorry, you might think, 00:38:20.659 --> 00:38:21.460 who's this American guy 00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:21.920 telling us we're 00:38:21.920 --> 00:38:23.519 a little bitty church? 00:38:23.519 --> 00:38:25.519 But God's grace, 00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:25.960 you're here. 00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:26.840 It's wonderful. 00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:30.600 You're God's chosen 00:38:30.600 --> 00:38:32.039 instrument to establish 00:38:32.039 --> 00:38:32.860 the kingdom 00:38:32.860 --> 00:38:34.920 here in this country 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:36.220 and abroad. 00:38:37.180 --> 00:38:38.780 What a responsibility. 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:42.100 What an honor 00:38:42.100 --> 00:38:44.760 it is for the church. 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:45.940 What a blessing 00:38:45.940 --> 00:38:46.740 for the church 00:38:46.740 --> 00:38:48.460 and what rewards 00:38:48.460 --> 00:38:49.860 God will give 00:38:49.860 --> 00:38:50.480 to the church 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:52.039 that's faithful in this. 00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:52.140 Amen. 00:38:52.139 --> 00:38:58.400 You might say, 00:38:58.480 --> 00:38:59.019 well, do we have 00:38:59.019 --> 00:38:59.699 to do this? 00:39:02.819 --> 00:39:03.259 No. 00:39:04.179 --> 00:39:04.799 You don't have 00:39:04.799 --> 00:39:05.279 to do it. 00:39:06.379 --> 00:39:07.099 You don't have 00:39:07.099 --> 00:39:07.639 to send anybody. 00:39:08.239 --> 00:39:08.799 Your salvation 00:39:08.799 --> 00:39:09.839 doesn't depend on it. 00:39:10.599 --> 00:39:11.119 You don't have 00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:11.639 to do it. 00:39:13.799 --> 00:39:14.500 But I read 00:39:14.500 --> 00:39:15.940 something written 00:39:15.940 --> 00:39:16.759 by a man named 00:39:16.759 --> 00:39:17.859 Robertson McQuilkin 00:39:17.859 --> 00:39:18.859 a few years ago. 00:39:19.639 --> 00:39:21.000 He was a seminary 00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.519 professor, 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.179 or he was the head 00:39:22.179 --> 00:39:22.820 of a seminary 00:39:22.820 --> 00:39:23.619 in the United States. 00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.380 And his wife 00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:26.759 was ill 00:39:26.759 --> 00:39:27.800 with advanced 00:39:27.800 --> 00:39:28.900 Alzheimer's disease 00:39:28.900 --> 00:39:29.920 and kept getting 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:30.639 worse and worse 00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:31.599 and finally he realized 00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:32.320 he was going to need 00:39:32.320 --> 00:39:33.159 just to step down 00:39:33.159 --> 00:39:34.000 from his position 00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:35.099 and take care 00:39:35.099 --> 00:39:35.559 of his wife. 00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:37.099 So he did. 00:39:38.119 --> 00:39:39.440 And he took care 00:39:39.440 --> 00:39:40.280 of her for five years. 00:39:41.179 --> 00:39:42.039 And when she died, 00:39:42.119 --> 00:39:42.820 then he came back 00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:44.179 to leading the seminary. 00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:45.400 But he wrote 00:39:45.400 --> 00:39:47.559 a little short pamphlet 00:39:47.559 --> 00:39:49.599 called Living by Vows 00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:51.659 and talked about 00:39:51.659 --> 00:39:52.259 the journey 00:39:52.259 --> 00:39:53.039 that he went 00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:55.500 through in caring 00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:56.420 for his wife, 00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:57.179 stepping down 00:39:57.179 --> 00:39:58.099 from his position 00:39:58.099 --> 00:39:58.819 in order to care 00:39:58.819 --> 00:39:59.480 for his wife. 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:01.319 And he said this, 00:40:01.380 --> 00:40:02.480 he said that a lot 00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:03.440 of people come to me 00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:03.920 and they say, 00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:04.980 oh, I'm so sorry 00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:05.779 that you have 00:40:05.779 --> 00:40:06.839 to do this. 00:40:08.420 --> 00:40:09.619 McQuilkin always said, 00:40:09.759 --> 00:40:10.139 he said, 00:40:10.440 --> 00:40:11.480 I don't have to. 00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:13.360 I get to. 00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:13.400 I get to. 00:40:13.400 --> 00:40:17.820 And it's the same 00:40:17.820 --> 00:40:18.700 for the church. 00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:20.300 We don't have 00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:21.460 to do this. 00:40:21.740 --> 00:40:22.800 You really don't. 00:40:23.860 --> 00:40:25.940 But we get to do it. 00:40:26.780 --> 00:40:28.340 Sending is a privilege 00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:29.500 the Lord gives 00:40:29.500 --> 00:40:31.119 to a local church. 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:33.220 Let's pray. 00:40:36.420 --> 00:40:37.440 Thank you, Father, 00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:38.180 for your goodness. 00:40:38.180 --> 00:40:39.280 Thank you for the privilege 00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:40.440 you give to your church. 00:40:40.559 --> 00:40:42.119 Thank you for this great plan 00:40:42.119 --> 00:40:44.539 that you have accomplished 00:40:44.539 --> 00:40:46.199 in building your church. 00:40:46.319 --> 00:40:47.019 Jesus Christ 00:40:47.019 --> 00:40:47.859 built this church, 00:40:47.960 --> 00:40:49.119 each local manifestation 00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:49.739 of it. 00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:50.739 Thank you for these 00:40:50.739 --> 00:40:51.579 brothers and sisters 00:40:51.579 --> 00:40:52.119 that are here. 00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:53.539 Thank you for your church 00:40:53.539 --> 00:40:54.960 in this area of Ireland. 00:40:55.980 --> 00:40:57.079 We praise you, Lord. 00:40:57.139 --> 00:40:57.880 You are building 00:40:57.880 --> 00:40:58.940 your church here. 00:41:02.039 --> 00:41:03.219 And I pray for the 00:41:03.219 --> 00:41:04.219 brothers and sisters here 00:41:04.219 --> 00:41:04.659 that you would 00:41:04.659 --> 00:41:05.539 encourage them. 00:41:05.539 --> 00:41:06.619 You would encourage them 00:41:06.619 --> 00:41:07.839 that you would send them 00:41:07.839 --> 00:41:09.400 out into the community 00:41:09.400 --> 00:41:11.619 and into other communities 00:41:11.619 --> 00:41:13.880 cross-culturally 00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:14.819 here in Ireland 00:41:14.819 --> 00:41:16.000 and you would send 00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:17.239 a few of these people 00:41:17.239 --> 00:41:18.559 to the ends of the earth. 00:41:18.679 --> 00:41:19.259 Lord, that you would 00:41:19.259 --> 00:41:21.279 identify who those people are. 00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:24.059 We know you have 00:41:24.059 --> 00:41:25.019 your people everywhere. 00:41:25.159 --> 00:41:26.179 Please make that clear 00:41:26.179 --> 00:41:27.619 to the church leaders here. 00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:29.940 And let us all, 00:41:30.079 --> 00:41:30.559 wherever we are, 00:41:30.639 --> 00:41:32.339 embrace this privilege 00:41:32.339 --> 00:41:33.659 of sending. 00:41:35.259 --> 00:41:36.099 We're thankful 00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:37.239 for Jesus Christ. 00:41:37.339 --> 00:41:37.859 We're thankful 00:41:37.859 --> 00:41:39.000 that he sends us. 00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:40.059 We're thankful 00:41:40.059 --> 00:41:40.780 for the peace 00:41:40.780 --> 00:41:41.880 that he speaks to us. 00:41:41.960 --> 00:41:42.420 We're thankful 00:41:42.420 --> 00:41:43.119 for the grace 00:41:43.119 --> 00:41:43.940 that you give us 00:41:43.940 --> 00:41:44.940 in Jesus Christ. 00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:46.079 And we pray in his name. 00:41:46.460 --> 00:41:46.739 Amen. 00:41:46.739 --> 00:41:46.880 Amen. 00:41:51.320 --> 00:41:51.719 Amen. 00:41:51.719 --> 00:41:52.219 Amen. 00:41:52.219 --> 00:41:52.239 Amen. 00:41:52.239 --> 00:41:52.300 Amen. 00:41:52.300 --> 00:41:52.420 Amen. 00:41:52.420 --> 00:41:52.599 Amen. 00:41:52.619 --> 00:41:52.639 Amen. 00:41:52.639 --> 00:41:52.760 Amen. 00:41:52.760 --> 00:41:52.840 Amen. 00:41:52.840 --> 00:41:53.219 Amen. 00:41:53.219 --> 00:41:53.659 Amen. 00:41:53.659 --> 00:41:53.699 Amen. 00:41:53.699 --> 00:41:53.760 Amen. 00:41:53.760 --> 00:41:53.840 Amen.