Return to filtered list

Global needs and our responsibility

A few years ago my world was rattled.

I had been aware of the world’s needs; I even taught others about them. But my emotions hadn’t caught up with the facts.

This sermon by David Platt hit the accelerator for my emotions. It’s long, but if you have time, definitely worth watching.

Campus Ministry Leader, let’s get real with each other. If your vision is only for the campus, it’s too small.

What is your vision? Where is your heart? Is it with the nations? Let’s consider a few truths.

The Sad Truth About the World

The World is FULL of lost and dying people. (Rom. 1:18-32) Check out these sobering statistics from the Joshua Project.

There are people in this world who have absolutely no access to the soul-saving gospel. They are not merely unsaved. They do not even have access to the gospel.

There are people who will die and never hear the name of Jesus.

Look at these two emotional responses to this knowledge: Indifference or Compassion.

Indifference

Compassion

1) Acknowledgement of the facts 1) Acknowledgement of the facts
2) Apathy 2) Sorrow/Pity
3) Inaction 3) Action
Focus: Self Focus: Others

Which one are you feeling? We’ll know by the way you respond.

Let this quote by Spurgeon stir your emotions:

“Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ, if sinners will be damned, at least, let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stop, and not madly to destroy themselves. If hell must be filled, at least, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”

Why Care for the World?

We should care for the world so that God’s glory and name may be made known. He deserves to be glorified by His creation.

We must be a part of taking and/or sending His gospel to the ends of the earth, so that He will be glorified like He deserves.

We should care about the world so that Christ may receive the reward of His suffering.

The following quote is from The Traveling Team’s blog:

“On October 8, 1732, a Dutch ship left Copenhagen bound for the West Indies. On board were the two first Moravian missionaries; John Leonard Dober and David Nitschman. Both were ready to sell themselves into slavery to reach the slaves of the West Indies. As the ship slipped away, they lifted up a cry that would become the rallying call for Moravian missionaries, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.” The Moravians’ passion for souls was surpassed only by their passion for the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.”

Jesus bought people with His blood. Revelation 5:9 specifically says that He has purchased people from every tribe, language, people, and nation. Someone has got to go and tell them!

We should care about the world so that they may avoid the wrath of God and enjoy the forgiveness of their sins.

We must not skirt around the serious needs of the world.

We cannot let ourselves be numb to the number of souls who will perish without knowing Christ.

Ask yourself this question, “Which is more important? My momentary comfort or their eternal torment?” We must get the gospel to the nations.

How Do We Impact the World?

The only hope for the nations is the sovereignty of God’s plan and the sufficiency of Christ’s death. (Rom. 1:16-17; Rev. 5) We must communicate this soul-saving gospel to the world.

The gospel is the answer. We are the communicators of that gospel. You, your students, your staff partners; someone must take the gospel to the nations. (Rom. 10:14-15)

As it says at the bottom of CMT’s page, we are “Reaching the campus today to change the world tomorrow.”

Where Do We Start?

1) Pray confidently (1 John 5:14-15). Global impact starts with private prayer. Get on your knees and beg that God would mobilize students to the nations.

2) Go and send intentionally. (Rom. 15:20). Cast passionate vision to and get detailed plans for your graduates. Don’t let the nations slip out of focus. Set up tracks for your graduates to impact the nations.

Just a short time ago I had the privilege of seeing off another team of graduates at the airport. They left to spend 2 years in the 10/40 window.

When they were about to leave, the story of the Moravians came to mind.

If I had the emotional control and courage I would have whispered to each of them, “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.”