Sermon Recap
Today's sermon from Pastor Wes was on "The Image of God: 'An All-Nations' Vision." This sermon centered around three texts:
Psalm 86:9–10 (NET 2nd ed.)
9 All the nations, whom you created, will come and worship you, O Lord. They will honor your name. 10 For you are great and do amazing things. You alone are God.
Matthew 28:19–20 (NET 2nd ed.)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Revelation 7:9–10 (NET 2nd ed.)
9 After these things I looked, and here was an enormous crowd that no one could count, made up of persons from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb dressed in long white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 10 They were shouting out in a loud voice,
“Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Based on these texts (and some cross references) he made the following points:
The 'All-Nations' vision begins by looking ahead.
All nations will come and worship the Lord.
All nations will glorify Him.
All nation discipleship is explained and accompanied by Jesus.
All nation discipleship is culminated in eternity.
Reflections
On Distinctions
Distinctions have been a hot topic on X as of late. Be it between men and women, master and slave, or Jew and Gentile. One thing I would like to point out here is that with Revelations 7:9-10, we see that the great multitude was made up of persons from every nation, tribe, people, and language. For this to be true, I think it's a safe assumption that (to an degree) the nations, tribes, peoples, and languages we see will be preserved in eternity. God seems to be pleased in the diversity and distinctions, not bent on erasing them. After all, He established these distinctions in Genesis 10-11.
Now, on the flip-side we are not called to police these distinctions, as the Kinists want to do. I think there's a happy medium between the extremes of rigid adherence to them and chaotic destruction of them. What I see is that Jesus does provide unity across this dividing lines while not erasing them entirely.
On Missions
This is something I myself struggle with. The common attitude I see (as a Southern Baptist) is that foreign missions are the end-all be-all of ministry. The purpose of the tithe is not to primarily meant to build up the local congregation but to send missionaries abroad. The purpose of the pastor is not to equip the congregation for ministry in their community but to change their hearts for the people abroad. The purpose of any extra-curricular activities (e.g. classes at the Church) is typically to equip missionaries, not the average congregant.
To be fair, the average congregant does not show as much initiative as the average missionary. Nevertheless, not giving and promoting these same opportunities to the average congregant is a mistake in my opinion.
Matthew 6:21 (NET 2nd ed.)
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
To be clear, I don't think pouring money into foreign missions is a bad thing. I recognize that we are called to make disciples of all nations. I also recognize that America would not be what it is without the Puritans leaving home and going abroad for one reason or another.
However, being an average congregant and seeing things like "Missions Night" at the church (which has an exclusive emphasis on foreign missions) and the "Million for the Billions" (a charity drive to pour even more money into foreign missions) with nothing of the like for those of us that are doing our best to faithfully serve in our local church and local communities is irksome to say the least. Where are the resources for equipping and encouraging the local congregation? This doesn't even have to be monetary. Where are the men giving their time to teach and train the local men for local missions?
I can go to my churches website right now and see all sorts of opportunities for learning about missions and signing up to go on missions. For men's ministry, locally, here in our congregation, there's one event that runs for six weeks twice a year. There's no list of recommended resources for equipping yourself. There's no videos or library for learning and growing. There's not even a contact form on this page for reaching out and inquiring about these things. There is on the missions page though.
Could this be envy? Possibly. Missions is a very good thing, but it is also a very glamorous thing. You don't see anywhere near as much praise and resources (if any) poured into local volunteers. Once I first saw this, it's been very difficult to unsee it.
On the Law
The last thing I would like to point out is the last portion of the Great Commission:
Matthew 28:19–20 (NET 2nd ed.)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We live in a day and age where people recoil when you tell them to do or to not do something because the Bible says so. Everyone has turned to his own way and does what is right in his own eyes. And if you dare to tell them that the Bible has something to say (either positively or negatively) on what they should or shouldn't do they will call you a 'legalist' and say you are adding to scripture. Or they will just adopt the Antinomian approach and tell you they aren't under any obligation at all to do what God commands because grace covers a multitude of sins.
Both of these views are wrong, and I can refute them with one verse:
John 14:15 (NET 2nd ed.)
15 “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.
Closing
So, with all that being said, here is my charge for the week:
Seek unity with the brethren and peace with all where it is possible.
Never tire of doing good, either at home or abroad, and do it unto the Lord and not unto man.
Seek to learn and understand the Lord's commands, and obey them.