The Challenge to Come

As the "History of Religion" video in my previous blog entry demonstrates, Christianity has had phenomenal growth, especially in the last 200 years. But the task is far from done. Here are a few key facts to consider.

Jesus' command in Matthew 28 is to make disciples of every "people group." The focus was not on national boundaries but on individuals having a dynamic witness in their own language and culture. The best information right now suggests that there are 15,817 total people groups in the world. Of these, 6,505 are considered "unreached" (or "least-reached"). That means we still have 41.1% of the existing people groups to "make disciples." If you consider the same groups in terms of population, out of the 6.5 billion on this planet, 2.6 billion (40.1%) have yet to be reached. (“Unreached / Least-Reached” is defined as less than 2% evangelical individuals and less than 5% Christian adherents in the people group.) It is estimated that 3,700 of these Unreached / Least-Reached groups are small, under 10,000 in population, so the task isn’t as large as it first appears.

Clearly there is work to be done. So what are we doing to reach those who have had the least exposure to the Gospel? When you look at the current distribution of missionaries, there is a dramatic imbalance. Over 85% of all cross-cultural foreign missionaries minister among nominal Christian peoples. For every million unreached Muslims there are less than 3 missionaries. For every dollar of Christian giving to all causes, only half a penny goes to financing pioneer church planting among unreached people groups.

This imbalance exists for a number of reasons. Some of the least-reached live in countries that prohibit missionary work. Some of the people groups are so small, they are still being discovered. There has also been an understandable desire to reach everyone who has not yet put their trust in Christ, so many are slow to remove their support from work in nominal Christian peoples. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: We only will reach the unreached if we deliberately choose to make them a priority.

Our challenge as individuals, and as a church, is to be obedient to Jesus' command. My prayer is that in 2007, we may see the number of unreached people groups be greatly reduced.

[For more info on unreached / least-reached people groups, go to www.joshuaproject.org. Most of the data listed above is from various resources on this great website.]

History of Religion

Here is a really cool website that gives the history of the major religions: History of Religion (click on the name). It is a flash movie that is about 90 seconds long. You really need to see it!

(Thanks to my friend, Erin, for posting this on his blog: Thoughts from the Birdnest.)

A Missionary God

Our God is a Missionary God. He is a God who has always been about reaching all of the nations. He is a God who truly loves the entire world.

As we celebrate Christmas and look at the year ahead, I challenge you to be like Christ who was willing to leave the glory of Heaven, take on the form of a man, and live among us. Jesus said, “Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21b NET). His final words to his disciples (including us!) were, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NET).

What does this look like? It starts with the Prayer / Care / Share focus that we have been hearing about for the last year. It involves us being involved in the lives of our neighbors and coworkers. It is as simple as giving someone a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus.

It continues with reaching out beyond the border of Cedar Rapids or even America. Jesus truly is the King of Kings for all peoples. He is as needed in Macau as the Czech Republic. In fact, there are still people groups who have never heard. That is tragic. Our desire at New Covenant is to strategically increase our activity in reaching those who are unreached. Your regular giving to the general budget (which funds our support for our 20 missionaries), your financial support for our various short term teams, your prayer and care for our missionary families, and your participation on a missions trip are all ways you are partners in God’s plan to reach the nations.

May we boldly proclaim as Simon did in the Temple: “For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light, for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32 NET).

Pray for Freedom of Religion

While Muslims in the West try to convert people to their faith, laws prevent anyone from trying to convert Muslims out of their faith. Morocco has a similar law, which has a German tourist in trouble.

According to reports, 62-year-old Sadek Noshi Yassa, of Egyptian descent, was sentenced to six months in jail and fined the equivalent of US $60, for sharing his faith. Reports claim Yassa handed out Christian books and CD's to young Muslims on the streets in Morocco's main tourist destination, Agadir. (From Mission Network News -- Click here to get the rest of the story.)

We are truly blessed to have freedom of religion here in America. I know it is not perfect, and I must not take it for granted, but I am glad that I have the freedom to choose when, where, and how I will worship. That decision is important (all roads do not lead to God!). But I am glad I am free to make it.

Pray that this freedom will grow in other parts of the world, and that we in America cling to it. This is more than an issue of whether someone chooses to call a Christmas Tree a "Holiday Tree" if that that is their choice. My prayer is that there never comes a day where I am told that I cannot freely proclaim to anyone who will listen that Jesus Christ was born to be my savior. That would be the end of true freedom of religion here in America.

First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NET)

Remember Your Kingdom Partners

With Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is usually a fun time of year. We enjoy the fun times with our friends and families. But for some who are serving as Kingdom Partners (missionaries) around the world, this can be a difficult time as they can't return home to spend time with those they love.

Take a minute and send a card or email, or make a quick phone call to a Kingdom Partner you care about. I promise, you will be glad you did!

God's Perspective

Two thousand years before Christ, God told Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the world would be blessed. Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to earth to die for the world. Now, it’s been another two thousand years. Is there a connection between Abraham’s promise, the Messiah’s coming, and what is happening in our world today?

When William Carey stood before a room full of pastors and pressed the need to take the gospel to India he was told, “Sit down, young man. If God wants to reach the heathen He will do it without your help or ours.” But in 1793 William Carey sailed to India where he would start churches, oversee six complete translations of the Bible, and found colleges. How are we to respond to the Great Commission of Christ?

The Sawi people of Irian Jaya were headhunting cannibals, and treachery was their highest virtue. When missionary Don Richardson told them the crucifixion story, who should emerge as the hero but Judas for his act of treachery! That wasn’t the end of the story, however and today the Sawi have a growing church in their culture. How could this happen?

In the year 100 AD there were 360 non-Christians for every believer on earth. Now, in 2006, the number has shrunk to only 9 non-Christians for every believer on earth. Can the completion of the Great Commission be near?

Come join us for the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class to find out the answers to these questions and learn more about the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic aspects of fulfilling the Great Commission. We live in a unique time in history. God has given us a call with both global and local dimensions. This 16-week class will help you understand that call and your specific place within it. Hear from a different guest lecturer each week. Discover for yourself how to find your particular assignment within God’s ageless plan!

Perspectives will meet at New Covenant Bible Church (Cedar Rapids, IA) on Monday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 PM from January 15 through May 7. For more information or to register for this dynamic class, contact me at the church office at 319-395-0021.

Boasting in the LORD by How We Live

The LORD says, "Wise people should not boast that they are wise. Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful. Rich people should not boast that they are rich. If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the LORD, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire people to do these things," says the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NET)

There is a danger for us here in America (as well as for any affluent country in the world). We may have the illusion that we are in control. We may be tempted to think that we are good enough and smart enough to handle things. We give lip service to trusting in God, but the reality is we boast and trust in ourselves.

Jeremiah’s words were written as a warning to a nation not unlike our own. This passage is one of judgment because the people practiced the right rituals and said the right things during their times of worship, but they failed to be obedient and live godly lives throughout the week.

That is the danger we face. This passage is a warning that going through the motions and repeating the right words is not what God is after. A deep, passionate, love relationship with Almighty God who is faithful and fair and just is what matters. As we go about doing God’s work and seeing His kingdom advanced, it is empty and actually idolatry if it is done apart from him.

God is not quick to judge. In fact, the book of Jeremiah is evidence that God is extremely patient and gives plenty of warning to anyone who wishes to listen. God is a gracious God who is quick to forgive and restore. So let me challenge you as I have been challenged this week. Take time to examine your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any way that your life on Monday does not match your words on Sunday. Being a true Kingdom Partner is not simply a matter of what we do; it is a matter of who we are.

May God grant us the ability to live lives of integrity that make a difference for eternity.