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Journal

Why Are We Passionate About Missions?

April 28, 2017 By Brooks Szewczyk Leave a Comment

I hope to see a day when I’ll be in another culture, preaching the gospel of Christ. I am currently a student at a missions-training university in Minnesota, where I am being equipped to take the church to where it is not. My goal is to be a long-term missionary.

In this school, there is a great enthusiasm for doing missions. The students are passionate about going. The faculty is passionate about equipping and fielding. There are many incredible reasons to pursue this passion.

The Glory of God

God is worthy of infinite praise, and He desires the worship of all peoples. He commands us to go to all nations to make known the knowledge of His glory. We are His friends if we do what He commands us (John 15:14). Out of love and reverence for our gracious Lord, we go.

There is one passage in the Bible that I see many students and faculty encouraged by frequently. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea,” (Habakkuk 2:14). We are so excited for the beginning of the age when we will be with the Lord forever. At this point, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

A passion for God’s glory is always the primary reason for good multi-ethnic ministry. When we cease to be passionate about Him, we cease to be doing Christ-honoring work. “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Joy of People

John Piper said that “We exist to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples.” When we evangelize, we carry the message of life and hope to a dead and hopeless world. God wants a people who are ever rejoicing in Him.

We are commanded to love our enemies and our neighbors (Matthew 5:44, 22:39). To keep the gospel from a person is to display a lack of love for that person. This is true regardless of the situation. Sharing the gospel is the most loving thing to do even when it feels awkward, when it causes persecution, when it causes you to live in poverty. We have the joy of Christ through the work of His Spirit (Galatians 6:22), and we get to spread the gospel to create joy in Christ among men.

One of the students, Elisabeth Greenough, remarked: “Our end goal is not simply to change anyone’s poverty level; our end goal is to bring them joy in Christ alone.”

We have the privilege of being used by God to reconcile sinners joyfully to Himself. Matt Chandler said that when we do missions, we participate in a “cosmic take your child to work day.” Salvation is the work of our sovereign Lord.

Trials Are Gain

We have the privilege of suffering for the Lord, and missions is one way that we may suffer. Our suffering produces at least 2 blessed things in believers: endurance and glorification. Both of which scripture says is a reason for joy. Consider the following passages.

“The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” – Romans 8:16-17

“It has been given to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.” – Philippians 1:29

“Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you face various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4

It’s Exciting

Many aspects of missions are thoroughly enjoyable. Missionaries get to experience unique cultures, places, and people. Here are some exciting facets of missions.

  • Learning a new language
  • Meeting new people
  • Seeing the world
  • Eating new food
  • Praying for people you’d have never known
  • Experiencing new cultures

Ultimately One Reason

Missions will now always be that pleasant. We cannot count on places, cultures, or people to bring us contentment in our work. Our contentment and joy must always be Christ, lest we fail. We may be martyred, lose all comfort, experience persecution, or stay in spiritual trenches. But, it is unquestionably worth it to say to the nations “come, magnify the Lord with me.”

We have one goal: that God is glorified. “Ascribe to the LORD you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the  LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” – Psalm 29:1-2

“Someone asked if the heathen who have never heard the Gospel be saved? It is more a question with me whether we — who have the Gospel and fail to give it to those who have not — can be saved.” — Charles Spurgeon

Finding a Deserted Place

October 21, 2016 By Brooks Szewczyk Leave a Comment

“Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.”—Luke 5:16

This was very early in Jesus’ ministry, and He was finding a place to pray. He continued to do this even until the end of His life (Luke 22:39-46).

Setting time apart to spend with the Lord in the mornings is awesome (and essential), but it is also awesome to find a place of retreat where you can meditate on Him, the scripture, and prayer. Note: when I say “meditate,” I am not speaking of clearing your mind of all thoughts. Rather, I am speaking of setting your mind on things above, and not earthly things.

This place is preferably deserted. Especially for me, people and electronics are big distractions. I have found such a place at BGU. There are more than a few trails near Bethany, but there is one that I go to as much as I can. It is a little over 1 mile away from campus, which is a good distance for walking. I have taken a few pictures on my substandard cell phone camera.

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Part of the Walkway

 

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There is also a bridge.

 

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And a river under the bridge.

 

I am extremely grateful for the friends who showed me this place and I am definitely going to make use of it when praying and reading the Bible. Making use of it lately, I have been thinking about a few things.

First, I seem to not be willing to move until I am absolutely certain that God is telling me to. However, is it really faith if I move in certainty? Am I ignoring the Holy Spirit because I have a little doubt that it is Him?

Second, Jeremiah says “I know LORD that a man’s way of life is not his own. No one who walks determines his own steps,” (Jeremiah 10:23). The Lord is going to have His way, and that should excite me! His glory should be my delight, no matter what it means. He deserves it, and I love Him.

Lastly, if I seek the Lord, I am not lacking any good thing. If I am seriously in want and, after seeking the Lord, not receiving, it is good that I haven’t been given what I want. Psalm 34 says “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.”

What do you think about this? How have you seen God lately? Feel free to comment on this post.

If you would like to pray with me for the things that I pray for, you can sign up for my weekly prayer list.

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