VISION FOR MISSIONS AND GOD’S HEART

The Bible is a __________ Story

The Bible as One Book

An Introduction: Genesis 1-11 A Plot: Genesis 12 – Jude And a Conclusion: Revelation

An Introduction

Genesis 1:28 – “Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth…”

Genesis 9:1 – “Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth”

Genesis 11:1-4 “At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. 3 They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”

Genesis 11:7-8 “Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.” 8 In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. “

The Plot

Genesis 12:1-4 “1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 

Genesis 12:4 – “So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed …”

He leaves. Man obeys God. A pretty weird concept in today’s world.

Not for Abraham AloneAlso his son Isaac

Genesis 26:4 “4 I will cause your descendants to become as numerous as the stars of the sky, and I will give them all these lands. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed.”

And Issac’s son Jacob

Genesis 28:14 “Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.”

The Rest of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy 4:5-6“See, I have taught you

decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

God’s Reputation Spreads

Joshua 2:9-10 “9 and (Rahab) said to them, "I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.

Solomon and his wisdom

1 Kings 4:34 “Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

Daniel 3:29 “Therefore I (Nebuchadnezzar) decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Daniel 6:26 “"I (Darius) issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.        "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.”

Various other OT Truth

Psalm 67:1-7 “1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah  

2 that your ways may be known on earth,        your salvation among all nations.

 3 May the peoples praise you, O God;        may all the peoples praise you.

 4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,        for you rule the peoples justly        and guide the nations of the earth.        Selah

 5 May the peoples praise you, O God;        may all the peoples praise you.

 6 Then the land will yield its harvest,        and God, our God, will bless us.

 7 God will bless us,        and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Many other references:

Missional Theme in the NT

The word “nation” – Greek word ethne meaning ethnic group.

24,000 Ethnic groups on earth7,000 are still considered “unreached”

Jesus’ Heart for the Nations

Mark 11:15-17 15On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written:    " 'My house will be called       a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

Matthew 24:14 “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.”

Matthew 28:18-20 …”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,…”

The Church Age

Acts 1:8 “8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.“

Acts 9:15 ‘But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man (Paul) is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”

The Conclusion

Revelation 7:9 “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”

The Question Remains for us…

Romans 10:14-15 “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? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”