To The Ends Of The Earth

– Making a Global Impact –

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Ask the God of the Harvest to Send More Workers

"The harvest is great, but the workers are few" (Luke 10:2 NLT).

Introduction

The title "To The Ends Of The Earth" evokes a sense of vastness, of reaching the farthest corners of the world with the gospel. It highlights the vision of extending Christ' message of hope and salvation to every corner of the globe, leaving no one untouched or unaffected. We, as followers of Christ, are commissioned to make a global impact and proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom to the farthest reaches of the world This is not just a suggestion; it is a directive from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The message of the Gospel is not just for a select few, but for all nations, all people, and all corners of the world. It is a message of hope, restoration, and redemption. It is a message that has the power to transform lives and bring about the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for humanity. So, let us be motivated and inspired to take up this call, to reach out to the farthest corners of the earth, and to share the life-changing message of the Kingdom with everyone everywhere. "To The Ends Of The Earth"

The Great Commission

The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:19-20 is the mission of God. It's our mandate from Christ to preach the good news to everyone everywhere. It's the most significant and compelling directive Christ gave the church. There's no other mission. It's what we're here for. It's your mission, my mission, and the mission of the church. The Great Commission is Missio Dei. From Genesis to Revelation, Missio Dei is revealed. When you read in the Bible the words nations, earth, or world, think missions. Jesus was concerned about the global harvest of lost souls. We too should be. Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Luke 10:2 NIV). Are you praying that God will send workers into the harvest field? Are you praying that God will send you? The very heartbeat of God is the global harvest of souls. It's why he gave us our marching orders. The Great Commission is not a suggestion, it's a mandate from God. Jesus said, "GO!"

So what are you waiting for? An invitation? You already have one. Jesus invited you to engage in world missions the moment you were saved. He not only invites you to find your place in world missions, He compels you!

“To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.” –William Carey, Missionary to India

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn... (Isaiah 61:1-2 NIV).

Matthew 28:19–20 is known as "the Great Commission" because it clearly outlines what the church is all about. But did you know that all four of the gospel writers also share the powerful moment when the risen Jesus commissions his disciples to go out into all the world? Their mission is spreading the good news that Jesus is Lord and making disciples from every nation (Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:9–20; Luke 24:45–49; John 20:19–23). And then, Luke, once again emphasizes "the Great Commission" in his penning of the book of Acts (Acts 1:7–8).

Missio Dei – To the Ends of the Earth

Missio Dei is the very heartbeat of God. It is a Latin term that translates to "the mission of God." God is actively working in the world today to reconcile and redeem all of creation to Himself. Missio Dei emphasizes that God's mission is not just for the church, but for all people and all nations. The message of God's salvation is intended for everyone everywhere, as stated in Acts 28:28 (NIV): "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles (the nations), and they will listen!" It's our obedience to Missio Dei that we accept Christ's Great Commission as our primary objective. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus spent three and a half years training and educating his 11 disciples to serve as global missionaries. Then, after they were fully trained, He sent them into "all the world" (Mark 16:15) to proclaim the good news to everyone everywhere. They were to make global disciples who would in turn do the same thing.

"The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity." - Mike Stachura

"The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed" - Hudson Taylor, Missionary to China for 51 years

Our churches should be missional churches. If your church isn't supporting world missions, find another church. Missio Dei is God's mission for the church. Jesus said, "GO!" Consider the following quotes from great church leaders:

"The mission of the church is missions" –Oswald J. Smith
"A church that is not a missionary church is contradicting itself and quenching the Spirit." –Lausanne Covenant
"Any church that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist." –Oswald J. Smith
"Missions is not the 'ministry of choice' for a few hyperactive Christians in the church. Missions is the purpose of the church." –Oswald J. Smith
"The Church must send or the church will end." –Mendell Taylor

If you're a pastor, stop viewing your church as a local church with a missions program. Instead, view your church as a global church with a missions purpose.

The 10/40 Window

Are you familiar with the 10/40 Window? The 10/40 Window is a region of the world that is located between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator, encompassing North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This region is known for being the least evangelized and most resistant to Christianity. It is home to the majority of the world's unreached people groups and is also known for its high levels of poverty, disease, and spiritual darkness. As Christians, we are called to be a light to the Gentiles (nations) and to bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth. This includes the people living within the 10/40 Window. It is a region that is in great need of the hope and love of Jesus Christ. We are called to break barriers and bring the message of the Gospel to all people, regardless of their location or background. The 10/40 Window presents a unique opportunity for Christians to fulfill the Great Commission and share the love of Christ with those who have not yet heard the good news. It is a challenging and sometimes dangerous mission field, but it is also a place where the light of Christ is desperately needed. As Christians, we should be praying for and supporting efforts to bring the Gospel to the people living within the 10/40 Window.

Map Courtesy of the Joshua Project

The 10/40 Window is home to 5,951 unreached people groups.
Nearly 4 billion people live here.
2.9 billion are unreached.
Four of the world's largest dominant religious blocs reside here.
The majority of the worlds Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and non-religious live here.
80 percent of the world's poorest of the poor live here.
Typically, they survive on less than a few hundred dollars per person annually.
2 billion people living here have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ even once.
It is estimated that 40% of the world's population have never heard the gospel message.

Map Courtesy of the Joshua Project

"I believe that in each generation God has called enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth. It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!" - Isobel Kuhn, missionary to China and Thailand

The Great Commission applies to all Christians without exception. Some are called to go and physically spread the gospel to the nations, while others are called to send and support those who go (Romans 10:14-15 NIV). But all are called. If you are unable or unwilling to go, then you must send. That's Bible! Support can come in various ways, such as through prayer, financial support, facilitating the missionary's work, or any other means of encouragement and assistance. Each person has a role to play in fulfilling the Great Commission, whether it's through direct evangelism or supporting those who do. It's important for all Christians to be actively involved in spreading the Good News and making disciples, as this is a commandment given by Jesus himself (Matthew 28:19 NIV). Every missionary needs financial, prayerful and supporting partnerships. The Apostle Paul was a missionary and he thanked the Pilippian church for their continuing partnership (Philippians 1:3-5 NIV).

Pray for the Nations!

Map Courtesy of the Joshua Project

Let's Take a Moment to Pray

Heavenly Father, we come to you with heavy hearts for the 2.9 billion people living in the 10/40 window who have not yet heard the good news of your love and salvation. We pray that you would have mercy on them, bless them, and cause your face to shine upon them. We ask that you would open doors for the gospel to be shared with them and that they would have the opportunity to hear and respond to your message of hope and redemption. We also pray for those who are living in poverty and facing injustice in this region, that you would meet their needs and bring about your perfect justice. We pray for your grace to be poured out on the people in the 10/40 window, that they would come to know the love of Jesus Christ and experience the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We ask all of this in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said, "Go and tell this people ..." (Isaiah 6:8-9 NIV)

Reaching the Unreached – By Reality Santa Barbara