Tag: Missionary Devotion

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 33: Entrusted

If it be the duty of all men to believe the Gospel… then it be the duty of those who are entrusted with the Gospel to endeavor to make it known among all nations.

-William Carey

 

Responsibility. You and I have a great responsibility to make the good news the gospel of Jesus Christ known throughout the world. We see this responsibility written large in the scripture. We see the great commission prodding us to go into all the world to evangelize to teach or make disciples and to baptize believers. We see the invitation of Christ to be part of his ministry not in a certain time or a certain place but throughout all time in all places. 

None will enter into the kingdom of God without first believing in Jesus Christ. How then can they believe unless they first hear? How can they hear without someone telling them the good news? How can someone tell unless they are sent? 

May we understand the duty that all people have to believe the gospel. May we more powerfully understand the duty that we have to make it known to the nations.

Love, 1CD38D2B-A6B2-4EFB-AFD7-7812C81D5BCEThe Downings

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Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 32: Earnestly Involved

A congregation that is not deeply and earnestly involved in the worldwide proclamation of the gospel does not understand the nature of salvation.

-Ted Engstrom

 

Every congregation Is called to be a world changer. Every Christian is called through the beautiful words of the scripture to be involved in the great mission of Christ. We have all been commissioned into his mission. One of the greatest tragedies for a congregation or for individual Christians is the belief that they have no way to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Such a belief simply is not true. Every Christian has a voice every Christian has a testimony every Christian has a commission to use that voice in that testimony to bring others to Jesus Christ. Every local congregation has the ability to join in on the great commission in some way. 

When we understand the gift of salvation that God has bestowed upon us, how can we remain silent when we encounter those who desperately need it? After all, how can one beggar who has found free bread not tell a fellow beggar where to get that free bread? Jesus Christ is the bread of life and all must partake to receive eternal life. So, let us proclaim salvation at every opportunity!

May we spend the time necessary to truly reflect on the nature of our salvation. May we be eager to share the saving words of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet!

With love, 1CD38D2B-A6B2-4EFB-AFD7-7812C81D5BCEThe Downings

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 29: World Vision

Lack of world vision in any Christian produces a “pea-sized Christianity.”

-David Bryant

 

Followers of Christ are commissioned into His ongoing mission. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, we are called to seek the lost and introduce them to the One who will save them. This divine mission doesn’t end at the edge of our personal relationships. This mission extends past those places in which we are comfortable. The mission even takes us through territory that makes us very uncomfortable. Christ’s mission even includes far away people with different cultures. 

You and I know the Truth and have been set free because of it. It would be cruel not to passionately and personally ensure that the salvation message is heard in all spheres of witness. 

May we be the generation that embraces the importance of Christ’s ongoing mission. May our hearts ache with the weight of our commission.

With love, 1CD38D2B-A6B2-4EFB-AFD7-7812C81D5BCEThe Downings

Missionary Devotion, Thoughts along the way

Episode 28: The Divine Desire

All of history is moving toward one great goal, the white-hot worship of God and His Son among all the peoples of the earth.

-John Piper

 

The meta narrative of history is the Divine desire to establish a place where God and his creation can dwell together. We see this desire in the dew covered dawn of creation in a garden called Eden. It is evident it the the cleansing flood in Noah’ time and the ark of safety Divinely devised. The narrative unfolds in the establishment of Abraham’s family. The Divine desire is written large on the stone tablets of Moses. The cloud by day, the fire by night and the Tabernacle of ancient Israel all demonstrate the ongoing desire. The Temple on Zion’s hill proclaims God’s great desire to dwell with His people. The focal point of all history, the incarnation of Jesus certainly speaks the Divine truth of the historic meta narrative, God will dwell with us! Upon the death of Christ on the cross the veil of the temple that separated God and His creation tore from the top to the bottom indicating that God would dwell among us in a different way, He would establish His Church. Every page in the book of Acts reads with the realization that the Body of Christ, the Church is the new temple in which God dwells. As we read of things to come in the book of Revelation we see the passing of old paradigms, the heavens and earth being made new, the sea (signifying doubt and confusion) will be no more and the great city of New Jerusalem will be established where the walk of God and man will be resumed! It is there that we will experience the white-hot worship of God and His son! Until we are there we engage in the mission Christ has given us. 

May we embrace the mission to prepare the nations. May we eagerly embrace God’s Divine desire!

With much love,E485775C-AFF2-40F9-B51B-573DD3A6D020 The Downings