Mission Mentality
Romans 10:14-21


Hard questions about unsaved Israelites

Has God’s promise failed? (9:6-13)
No, the promise was for the chosen.

Is God unfair? (9:14-18)
No, he is free to show mercy or judge.

Can God blame the faithless? (9:19-29)
Yes, and his purposes will prevail.

What is the main issue? (9:30-33)
Right with God by trusting, not trying.


God’s eternal decree

The fact that some receive from God the gift of faith within time, and that others do not, stems from his eternal decree… God graciously softens the hearts, however hard, of the elect and inclines them to believe, but by a just judgment God leaves in their wickedness and hardness of heart those who have not been chosen. (Canons of Dort I, 6)


Election

God chose in Christ to salvation a definite number of particular people out of the entire human race, which had fallen by its own fault from its original innocence into sin and ruin. Those chosen were neither better nor more deserving than the others, but lay with them in the common misery. (Canons of Dort I, 7)


Fruits of election

This same election took place, not on the basis of foreseen faith… as though it were based on a prerequisite cause or condition in the person to be chosen... election is the source of every saving good. Faith, holiness, and the other saving gifts, and at last eternal life itself, flow forth from election as its fruits and effects. (Canons of Dort I, 9)


Assurance of election

Assurance of their eternal and unchangeable election to salvation… comes not by inquisitive searching into the hidden and deep things of God, but by noticing within themselves, with spiritual joy and holy delight, the unmistakable fruits of election pointed out in God’s Word—such as a true faith in Christ, a childlike fear of God, a godly sorrow for their sins, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and so on. (Canons of Dort I, 12)


Mission mandate

It is the promise of the gospel that whoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish but have eternal life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be announced and declared without differentiation or discrimination to all nations and people. (Canons of Dort II, 5)


All who call

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved… For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (10:9-13)


How can they?

14 How, 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? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”


Some reject gospel

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news [gospel]. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.


Did they not hear?

18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” 19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”


First shall be last

20 And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” 21 But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”


Responsible for rejecting

However, that many who have been called through the gospel do not repent or believe in Christ but perish in unbelief is not because the sacrifice of Christ offered on the cross is deficient or insufficient, but because they themselves are at fault.(Canons of Dort II, 6)

The fact that many who are called through the ministry of the gospel do not come and are not brought to conversion must not be blamed on the gospel, nor on Christ, who is offered through the gospel, nor on God, who calls them through the gospel and even bestows various gifts on them, but on the people themselves who are called. (Canons of Dort II-IV, 9)


Man rejects, God appoints

“We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles...” When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. (Acts 13:46-48)


Keep on speaking

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you… I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. (Acts 18:9-11)


Mission mentality

  • Need: people perish without the gospel
  • Scope: all nationalities need Jesus
  • Motive: love, wanting others saved
  • Nature: sharing Christ crucified and risen
  • Logic: send, preach, hear, believe, call
  • Result: blessings that are enviable
  • Confidence: God’s chosen will believe
  • Goal: grafting into church, glorifying God


Teaching in love

  • Nurturing and teaching children
  • Leading co-op for home educators
  • Running library for home educators
  • Coaching or tutoring without pay
  • Volunteering with creation ministry
  • Schools for people with disabilities
  • Lessons and letters for prisoners


Serving in love

  • Cooking, cleaning, diapers, laundry
  • Helping relatives with infirmities
  • Earning income and paying bills
  • Blessing fellow workers & clients
  • Hospitality and sharing meals
  • Meals for families with newborns
  • Helping at weddings and funerals


Helping church

  • Leading as elder, deacon, study leader
  • Preparing communion, stocking kitchen
  • Providing music for worship
  • Showing up for other’s sake
  • Tending church building and grounds
  • Giving for missions, benevolence, poverty relief, counseling


Giving without repayment

  • Helping unborn children and mothers
  • Caring for children of single moms
  • Providing legal representation
  • Sponsoring needy children overseas
  • Donating things or time to thrift stores
  • Meals for homeless Bible study
  • Singing at rescue mission


Spreading the gospel

  • Praying and paying for missions
  • Befriending others and sharing Jesus
  • Going on mission trips
  • Volunteering for Vacation Bible School
  • Volunteering for Love Monee
  • Displaying Jesus’ impact by how we love each other.

Остання зміна: вівторок 22 грудня 2020 14:05 PM