And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matt 24:14)
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. (Mark 13:10)
So they (the 12) set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. (Luke 9:6)
It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. Rather, as it is written:
"Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand." (Romans 15:20,21)
...so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man's territory. (2 Cor 10:16)
All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. (Col 1:6)
It is clearly the "mission" of the church - the body of Christ - to preach the gospel to the whole world. Certainly, during the "age" of the missionary movement, there has been a huge effort to accomplish this. There have been, and currently are, all manner of outreaches by denominational and non-denominational organizations. So, the question remains, why are most of the world's peoples still un-reached (or should I ask, why have so many - who have heard the gospel - failed to continue on as Christians)? Also, in regards to Islam, why have so many - even those who have heard the gospel - chosen to deny the gospel of Jesus and follow false religions? To phrase this question in the modern expression.... What is Wrong with this Picture?
The answer, in my experience and opinion, is not complicated. By and large the vast majority of mission efforts have been funded and staffed by those whose endeavors are aimed at building their denomination. Even those who claim to be non-denominational have an "agenda" which drives their missionary efforts. The "war" for souls has instead become a war for converts to a particular theology or dogma. This has resulted, in some cases, in "sheep stealing" between church groups. Missionary "work" is hard and requires great sacrifice on the part of the person doing the work. Success is measured in numbers and to continue to receive support from a church body the missionary has to "deliver" the numbers.
There are, of course, many sacrificial missionaries whose primary goal is to win people to Jesus and not to a particular denominational system. However, these are a small minority of those on the mission field. Over the last twenty-five years a shift in the focus of missionary "sending" has taken place. I truly believe it was God who - seeing the in-fighting between the denominations - put it on the hearts of dedicated, servant-hood driven Christian groups to focus their efforts on raising up indigenous ministers to do the work of evangelizing their own people.
This is a good thing! But, again, the danger is that - because these local ministers are receiving support from a denominational group - the basic message remains clouded. The result is this is nothing more than "third-party" church building to expand the reach of the groups supporting the local minister. That these local ministers continue to promote a denominational "theme" is not surprising; it is a simple thing, no one wants to "bite-the-hand" of those from whom their support comes.
I admit that I am being very "judgemental" about this situation in that I am asking why! But, please accept the fact that I am not passing judgement on these groups in any way shape or form. Their efforts are honorable and their sacrifices are tangible. I thank God for their achievements in "winning the world to Christ"! The reality is that things are the way they are and will not change until a joint, mutual, agenda free, non-competitive, approach is made to channel all efforts into (not just evangelism) making disciples of Christ and for Christ without regard for which fellowship they ultimately chose within which they will grow in His likeness.
I submit, for your prayerful consideration, that the reason so many have failed to "follow on" in their Christian walk - and the ultimate "problem" in winning the world to Him - is the failure in making disciples "unto Christ". The "sin" is that the converts have been made disciples of a "doctrine" propagated by a missionary supported by a group who desire to see their particular "belief system" be the "winner" on the mission field. This can never succeed!
The Apostle Paul wrote, in 1 Corinthians 1:13, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?". Jesus said, in Matthew 12:25, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.". Pray and ask the Holy Spirit what you can do to help change the course of world evangelism within your fellowship or denomination. It is time to stop ruining the Kingdom by allowing Satan to divide the church and take the victory away from us!
This ministry is located in the Ozarks of SE Missouri. Use the E-mail button below to contact me.
