By Paul Borthwick
Paul is a leading mission speaker and senior consultant for Development Associates International. He is also a leader in the GMMI network.
#3: THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL God’s Sending Heart:
“Whom Shall I Send and Who Will Go for Us?” (Isaiah 6:7)
These words, spoken to Isaiah before his famous response – “Here I am; send me” (Isaiah 6:8) – reflect God’s method of getting the message of his love to the world. He sends us.
Jesus commissioned his disciples to make more disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), preach the Good News everywhere (Mark 16:15; Luke 24:45-49), and be his witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
All these commands launch us out because Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21).
We are God’s method. He fully intends to involve us as his local and worldwide “ambassadors” because God makes his appeal of love and reconciliation to the world through us (II Corinthians 5:20).
For some miraculous and mysterious reason, God limits himself to do his work in the world through us.
Chuck, a recent graduate school graduate working behind the counter at a fast-food chain, understands God’s sending heart when he said,
“This is not where I’d choose to be right now, but God has me here – to touch people who might otherwise never know about the love of Jesus. I work with people from eleven nationalities, and he’s send me into international missions from behind this counter.”
Katie and Jack, Bible translators pioneering in Central Africa, understand God’s sending heart when they state,
“God could reach these people in any way he wants, but for some wonderful reason, he’s chosen to reach them through us.”
When we understand God’s sending heart, we start accepting our God-given privilege of partnering with him in the work of local and global evangelism, mercy ministries, and cross-cultural outreach.
We are the primary expressions of the love of God that people will see.
GOD’S WORD & GOD’S HEART TO THE NATIONS
Deep Bible study reveals that God seeks the lost – and so do his people who comprehend his heart.
Deep Bible study reveals that God sacrifices to get the message of his love out – and so do his people who comprehend his heart.
Deep Bible study reveals that God sends us to be his ambassadors – an awesome truth for those who comprehend his heart.
Our dedication to local outreach and our motivation for global ministry flow out of the heart of God, and we know His heart by understanding His word.
John Stott reminds us that the Bible is the foundation for pursuing our commitment to the global cause of Christ:
Without the Bible, world evangelization is impossible. For without the Bible, we have no Gospel to take to the nations, no warrant to take it to them, no idea of how to set about the task, and no hope of any success.
It is the Bible that gives us the mandate, the message, the model, and the power we need for world evangelization.
So let us seek to repossess it by diligent study and meditation. Let’s heed its summons, grasp its message, follow its directions, and trust its power. Let’s lift up our voices and make it known.
