Missions Conventions 2016

¹⁴How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)

Paul the apostle gives us four powerful questions that seek to argue and teach about a serious involvement in missions. Paul knew that without Christ people are on their way to an eternity of agony in hell.

1. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?

They can’t call on someone in whom they haven’t trusted, and, they can’t trust someone they haven’t heard. It was obvious to Paul that a Biblical knowledge of God was necessary before people could place saving faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The non-christians of the world cannot know and call on a Lord unless they know of Him. Approximately 93% of the world’s population will go to hell without the knowledge of and a saving faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

…everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; (Joel 2:32a NIV)

2. “How can they believe in the one whom they have not heard?”

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. We should not imagine that people will automatically turn to God when they are in trouble. Although it is true that all people are intuitively aware of a higher being, they are ignorant of a personal God in Christ Jesus, in whom they can find salvation unless they are told about the gospel. There can be no salvation without the Gospel.

3. “And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

A preacher not only proclaims the truth but teaches the meaning of God, Christ, the fallen state of man, grace and saving faith. It often takes many years of preaching before people come to a point where they are capable of making an intelligent decision to trust Christ as their Savior and Lord.

4. Paul also asks, “How can they preach unless they are sent?”

I don't think there need be any doubt as to who does the sending. Jesus himself said, "Pray the Lord of the harvest, that he may send forth laborers," (Mark 9:38, Luke 10:2). It is God who sends men.

James Hudson Taylor in challenging English students during his time to be involved in China mission work, used to tell of the story about Peter, his Chinese convert and disciple. On one of their sea journeys, Peter (who did not know how to swim) fell from the side of the boat. Fortunately, there were fishermen nearby, just a grab away from where Peter fell. Taylor shouted at the fishermen and asked them to help his friend. “Hey, help my friend, he is drowning.” However, the fishermen did not bother to heed his call for help because they were busy loading their catch from the net to their boat. Taylor continued to yell, “Stop what you are doing, and help my friend. He is just a grab away.” But the fishermen continued on their work until the last fish was loaded to the boat. Then they jumped and got Peter out of water. They tried to revive him, but to no avail. Peter died of drowning. He could have been saved because he was just a grab away from the fishermen. Then, he asked the students/church members what they thought about the Chinese? Some said, they are bad, evil, selfish, unconcerned about the salvation of a dying man. You know how Taylor responded? He said, “I saw differently. I think the Chinese are like most Christians today, they are unconcerned about the plight of the sinners who are now just a grab away from them. The reason is that they are so busy with their work.”

How beautiful are the feet... From heaven's viewpoint, there is nothing more beautiful than the message-bearer of God's merciful offer of salvation to people.