And the gospel must first be published among all nations. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u2014Mark 13:10<\/i><\/p>\n
3445<\/b> \u201cGo Ye\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
It was a Jew who brought the Gospel to Rome; a Roman who took it to France; a Frenchman who took it to Scandinavia; a Scotsman who evangelized Ireland; and an Irishman in turn made the missionary conquest of Scotland. No people have ever received the Gospel except at the hands of an alien. <\/p>\n
\u2014Dunkin<\/p>\n
3446<\/b> \u201cWe Are Everywhere\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
The growth of Christianity in the early centuries was phenomenal. By mid 2nd-century, an apologist said, \u201cWe are everywhere. We are in your towns and in your cities; we are in your army and navy; we are in your palaces; we are in the senate; we are more numerous than anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
By AD 300, the church was spreading so fast that it appeared the entire civilized world could be evangelized by AD 500. <\/p>\n
But Constantine decreed that every one in the empire was already Christian. And slowly the idea prevailed of a division between laity and clergy, for pagans could not evangelize nor did they know how. And Christianity\u2019s movement was checked. <\/p>\n
3447<\/b> Travel Scenes And Paul<\/b><\/p>\n
The Apostle Paul was perhaps one of the greatest travelers of his day. He visited many lands, and saw many new scenes in different countries. When he returned he wrote a good deal; his Epistle were widely read by the early churches. And yet, in all the writings of the apostle, there is not one line that is descriptive of the scenery of the countries through which he passed; not a line telling of the wonders of the architecture of his day; not a line describing the customs of the people. <\/p>\n
Is not this singular? There is a reason for it. The apostle was \u201cblind.\u201d As he traveled about he was blind to all else but one thing. On the way to Damascus, when he met the Lord Jesus, He was blinded by the vision of His great glory, and from that time he could see nothing but Him and tell of nothing but His Gospel. <\/p>\n
\u2014R. A. Jaffray<\/p>\n
3448<\/b> Tribute To Missionaries<\/b><\/p>\n
President Roosevelt said:<\/p>\n
\u201cSince becoming President, I have come to know that the finest of Americans we have abroad today are the missionaries of the Cross. I am humiliated that I am not finding out until this late day the worth of foreign missions and the nobility of the missionaries. Their testimony in China, for instance, during the war there, is beyond praise. Their courage is thrilling and their fortitude heroic.\u201d<\/p>\n
3449<\/b> Missions A Lunatic Project? <\/b><\/p>\n
The British East India Company said at the beginning of the nineteenth century: \u201cThe sending of Christian missionaries into our Eastern possessions is the maddest, most expensive, most unwarranted project that was ever proposed by a lunatic enthusiast.\u201d<\/p>\n
The English Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal said at the close of the nineteenth century: \u201cIn my judgment Christian missionaries have done more lasting good to the people of India than all other agencies combined. <\/p>\n
\u2014Church of Christ Advocate<\/i><\/p>\n
3450<\/b> Evangelization\u2019s Financial Returns<\/b><\/p>\n
The American Missions Board in fifty years spent $1,250,000 to evangelize Hawaii. But during that time, the States received about $4,000,000 a year in trade. England\u2019s missions are said to have brought back $50 in trade for every $5 given to convert the natives. <\/p>\n
\u2014Armstrong<\/p>\n
3451<\/b> Stevenson On Missions<\/b><\/p>\n
When Robert Louis Stevenson first saw the terrible devastations of leprosy he was almost turned into an infidel. But when he saw the miracle of Christian pity and compassion in the leper hospital at Malokai, his faith emerged triumphant, and he wrote in the guest book there:<\/p>\n
\u201cTo see the infinite pity of this place, <\/p>\n
The mangled limb, the devastated face, <\/p>\n
The innocent sufferer smiling at the rod\u2014<\/p>\n
A fool was tempted to deny his God. <\/p>\n
He sees, he shrinks. But if he gazes again, <\/p>\n
Lo, beauty springing from the breast of pain! <\/p>\n
He marks the cisterns on the mournful shores;<\/p>\n
And even a fool is silent and adores.\u201d<\/p>\n
THE MISSION FIELDS<\/p>\n
3452<\/b> Go Ye, But How Far? <\/b><\/p>\n
According to the latest available statistics the ratio of Protestant missionaries to population in strategic world areas shows:<\/p>\n
1,448 Ministers per million people in the United States. <\/p>\n
56 Missionaries per million people in Africa. <\/p>\n
30 Missionaries per million people in South America. <\/p>\n
20 Missionaries per million people in Korea. <\/p>\n
15 Missionaries per million people in India. <\/p>\n
3 Missionaries per million people in Indo-China. <\/p>\n
Moreover, much of Europe with its 480 million people is largely unevangelized. And virtually all Communist-controlled countries are closed to missions work. <\/p>\n
3453<\/b> The Fields Still Unreached<\/b><\/p>\n
More than two billion of the earth\u2019s inhabitants are either pagan, atheistic or non-Christian. There are 800,000,000 Communists, all militant atheists. There are 700,000,000 Moslems, all anti-Christians, and there are almost a billion Indians and Chinese and other kindred Asians. <\/p>\n
\u2014Lippincott<\/p>\n
3454<\/b> Where Are Our Priorities? <\/b><\/p>\n
Nine percent of the world\u2019s population speak English. <\/p>\n
Ninety percent of the world\u2019s Christians come from the nine percent who speak English. <\/p>\n
Ninety-four percent of the ordained ministers in the world serve the nine percent who speak English. <\/p>\n
Ninety-six percent of the church\u2019s income is spent among the nine percent who speak English. <\/p>\n
3455<\/b> A Losing Battle<\/b><\/p>\n
The missionaries are reaching about 2 million heathen every year. Compare the 2 million with the 65 million increase in world population. It looks frustrating. If it were possible to add 178,200 people to the church every 24 hours, there still would be as many unchurched people in the world as ever. The latest estimate from the United Nations tells us there is a net gain of 178,200 in the world population during every 24-hour period. What hope of converting the world in this dispensation is there? <\/p>\n
\u2014Christian Victory<\/i><\/p>\n
3456<\/b> Two Biggest Obstacles<\/b><\/p>\n
The cradle and the grave are two great obstacles to fulfillment of the Great Commission. Every day, a new multitude is born, and a vast prospect list vanished. In the United States alone, there are 11,227 births and 4,970 deaths daily. <\/p>\n
\u2014Carl F. H. Henry<\/p>\n
3457<\/b> Nominal Protestants Disappearing<\/b><\/p>\n
In 1960, eight percent of the people in the world were nominal Protestants; in 1970 this number dropped to less than seven percent, and by the year 2,000 A.D. only two percent of the people in the world will be nominal Protestants, if present trends continue. <\/p>\n
\u2014Homer Duncan<\/p>\n
3458<\/b> A Survey In Reformation Country<\/b><\/p>\n
At the great Erlangen University in Germany a religious survey was conducted among the thousands of students. Some very revealing facts came to light. Among the questions asked were the following:<\/p>\n
1. Who is Christ? Only 16 percent could answer the question. <\/p>\n
2. How does one become a Christian? 92 percent were ignorant. In the land of Martin Luther only 8 percent knew the way. <\/p>\n
3. Would you like to know more about how to be a Christian? 70 percent revealed a hunger to know more about becoming Christians. <\/p>\n
\u2014Prairie Overcomer<\/i><\/p>\n
THE MISSIONARIES<\/p>\n
3459<\/b> What It Takes <\/b><\/p>\n
A missionary needs<\/p>\n
the wisdom of an owl, <\/p>\n
the tenacity of a bulldog, <\/p>\n
the daring of a lion, <\/p>\n
the patience of a donkey, <\/p>\n
the versatility of a chameleon, <\/p>\n
the vision of an eagle, <\/p>\n
the melody of the nightingale, <\/p>\n
the meekness of a lamb, <\/p>\n
the tack of a politician, <\/p>\n
the hide of a rhinoceros, <\/p>\n
the disposition of an angel, <\/p>\n
the resignation of an incurable, <\/p>\n
the faithfulness of a prophet, <\/p>\n
the tenderness of a shepherd, <\/p>\n
the fervency of an evangelist, <\/p>\n
the devotion of a mother, <\/p>\n
the sacrifice of a martyr, <\/p>\n
and the loyalty of an apostle. <\/p>\n
But, missionaries are not born. <\/p>\n
They are made. <\/p>\n
They are made out of the ordinary run of individuals. <\/p>\n
The basic qualification<\/p>\n
is not intellectualism, but<\/p>\n
a yielded spirit, <\/p>\n
a devotion to the will of God, <\/p>\n
and a deep sense of call. <\/p>\n
\u2014Author Unknown<\/p>\n
3460<\/b> \u201cOne Misfit Could Ruin Us\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n
Ann Judson, a pioneer missionary to Burma, wrote of the kind of missionaries needed: \u201cIn encouraging young men to come out as missionaries, do use the greatest caution. One wrong-minded, obstinate man would ruin us. Humble, quiet, persevering men of sound, sterling character, with good accomplishment and some natural aptitude to acquire a language; men of an amiable, yielding temper, willing to take the lowest place; men who live close to God, and who are willing to suffer all things for Christ\u2019s sake without being proud of it\u2014these are the kind of men we need.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Walter B. Knight<\/p>\n
3461<\/b> To Test A Missionary Candidate<\/b><\/p>\n
At 3:00 A.M. one cold morning a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of a mission board. He waited until 8:00 A.M. when the examiner arrived. <\/p>\n
The examiner said, \u201cLet us begin. First, please spell baker.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cB-a-k-e-r,\u201d the young man spelled. <\/p>\n
\u201cVery good. Now, let\u2019s see what you know about figures. How much is twice two?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFour,\u201d replied the applicant. <\/p>\n
\u201cVery good,\u201d the examiner said. \u201cI\u2019ll recommend to the board tomorrow that you be appointed. You have passed the test.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the board meeting the examiner spoke highly of the applicant and said, \u201cHe has all the qualifications of a missionary. Let me explain. <\/p>\n
\u201cFirst, I tested him on self-denial. I told him to be at my house at three in the morning. He left a warm bed and came out in the cold without a word of complaint. <\/p>\n
\u201cSecond, I tried him out on punctuality. He appeared on time. <\/p>\n
\u201cThird, I examined him on patience. I made him wait five hours to see me, after telling him to come at three. <\/p>\n
\u201cFourth, I tested him on temper. He failed to show any sign of it; he didn\u2019t even question my delay. <\/p>\n
\u201cFifth, I tried his humility. I asked him questions that a small child could answer, and he showed no offense. He meets the requirements and will make the missionary we need.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Selected<\/p>\n
3462<\/b> 40 Areas Of Ministry<\/b><\/p>\n
The Southern Baptist Convention once presented a call for some forty different areas of missionary vocation:<\/p>\n
Agriculture, architecture, bookkeeping, bookstore management, business administration, camp direction, chaplaincy, conference direction, dormitory house parents, English-speaking pastors, field evangelism, good will centers, graphic arts (industrial), mass communications, medical ministries (anesthetist, dentist, doctor, hospital administrator, lab technician, nurse, public health specialist), music education and promotion, music and church drama, press service, printing, publications, radio and TV promotion, religious education and promotion, school administration, secretarial work, social work, student work, teaching (seminary, college, institute, secondary school, primary school, kindergarten), Training Union work, and women\u2019s work. <\/p>\n
3463<\/b> Famous Unwritten Letter To Paul<\/b><\/p>\n
This is a letter that could have been written to the Apostle Paul had he applied for missionary service under some of today\u2019s modern missionary boards:<\/p>\n
Rev. Saul (Apostle) Paul<\/p>\n
Independent Missionary<\/p>\n
Corinth, Greece<\/p>\n
Dear Mr. Paul:<\/p>\n
We recently received an application from you for service under our Board. It is our policy to be as frank and open-minded as possible with all of our applicants. We have made an exhaustive survey of your case. To be plain, we are surprised that you have been able to \u201cpass\u201d as a bona fide missionary. We are told that you are afflicted with a severe eye trouble. This is certain to be an insuperable handicap to an effective ministry. We require 20\u201320 vision. <\/p>\n
Do you think it seemly for a missionary to do part-time secular work? We heard that you are making tents on the side. In a letter to the Church at Philippi you admitted that they were the only church supporting you. We wonder why? <\/p>\n
Is it true that you have a jail record? Certain brethren report that you did two years\u2019 time at Caesarea, and were imprisoned at Rome. <\/p>\n
You made so much trouble for the businessmen at Ephesus that they refer to you as \u201cthe man who turned the world upside down.\u201d Sensationalism has no place in missions! We also deplore the lurid over-the-wall episode at Damascus. We are appalled at your obvious lack of conciliatory behavior. Diplomatic men are not stoned and dragged out of the city gate, or assaulted by furious mobs. Have you ever suspected that gentler words might gain you more friends? I enclose a copy of Dalius Carnagus\u2019 book, \u201cHow to Win Jews and Influence Greeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
In one of your letters you refer to yourself as Paul the Aged. Our new mission policies do not anticipate a surplus of elderly recipients. We understand, too, that you are given to fantasies and dreams. At Troas, you saw, \u201cA man of Macedonia\u201d and at another time you were \u201ccaught up into the third heaven\u201d and even claimed that \u201cthe Lord stood by\u201d you. We reckon that more realistic and practical minds are needed in the task of world evangelism. <\/p>\n
You have written many letters to churches where you have formerly been pastor. In one of these letters, you accused a church member of living with his father\u2019s wife, and you caused the whole church to feel badly and the poor fellow was expelled. <\/p>\n
Your ministry has been far too flightly to be sucessful. First Asia Minor, then Macedonia, then Greece, then Italy, and now you are talking about a wild-goose chase to Spain. Concentration is more important than dissipation of one\u2019s powers. You cannot win the whole world by yourself! You are just one little Paul. In a recent sermon you said, \u201cGod forbid that I should glory in anything save the Cross of Christ.\u201d It seems to us that you also ought to glory in our heritage, our denominational program, the unified budget. <\/p>\n
Your sermons are much too long for the time. At one place you talked until after midnight and a young man was so sleepy that he fell out of the window and broke his neck. Nobody is saved after the first 20 minutes. \u201cStand up, speak up, and shut up,\u201d is our advice. <\/p>\n
Dr. Luke reports that you are a thin little man, bald, frequently sick, and always so agitated over your churches that you sleep very poorly. He reports that you pad around the house, praying half the night. A healthy mind in a robust body is our ideal for all applicants. A good night\u2019s sleep will give you zest and zip so that you wake up full of zing! <\/p>\n
You wrote recently to Timothy that you had \u201cfought a good fight.\u201d Fighting is hardly a recommendation for a missionary. No fight is a good fight. Jesus came not to bring a sword, but peace. You boast that \u201cI fought with wild beasts of Ephesus.\u201d What on earth do you mean? <\/p>\n
It hurts me to tell you this, brother Paul, but in all of the 25 years of my experience, I have never met a man so opposite to the requirements of our Foreign Missions board. If we accepted you, we would break every rule of modern missionary practice. <\/p>\n
Most Sincerely yours, <\/p>\n
J. Flavius Fluffyhead, Sec. <\/p>\n
Foreign Missions Board<\/p>\n
JFF: hmh<\/p>\n
\u2014Dr. Hendon M. Harris<\/p>\n
3464<\/b> Missionaries From North America<\/b><\/p>\n
There are an estimated 37,000 Protestant missionaries from the United States and Canada, and all over the world. They come from 620 Protestant agencies working in 182 countries. <\/p>\n
3465<\/b> U. S. Catholic Missionaries<\/b><\/p>\n
U. S. Catholic missionaries serving abroad in 1976 numbered 7,010. Counted were U. S. citizens serving at least one year outside the 48 contiguous states. The figure for 1972 was a larger 7,656 missionaries. <\/p>\n
3466<\/b> Mission\u2019s Great 20th Century<\/b><\/p>\n
The 20th century has been called the \u201cGreat Century\u201d of Protestant missions. In 1815 there were only a few hundred Protestant missionaries throughout the world, and many of these belonged to \u201cmissionary societies\u201d not directly related to the Church; but by 1914 the number had grown to an amazing 22,000. <\/p>\n
The 42,250 Protestant foreign missionaries throughout the world reported by the Missionary Research Library in its 1960 survey constituted the largest total recorded in any year up to that time, and the number continues to increase. <\/p>\n
\u2014C. Darby Fulton<\/p>\n
THE SUPPORT<\/p>\n
3467<\/b> Missions Giving Up<\/b><\/p>\n
Missions giving in the U. S. and Canada went up from $393 mission in 1972 to $656 million in 1975. This figure outstrips U. S. inflation by 29%, enabling missions work to advance around the world. <\/p>\n
3468<\/b> Designating The Gifts<\/b><\/p>\n
Of the almost $7 billion Americans gave to churches and religious institutions in the early 1970s, $1 billion went into buildings, and another billion went into maintenance of the buildings. <\/p>\n
A third billion went into missions, $400 million to foreign missions. And the balance of $4 billion went into \u201cpersonnel cost: salaries, pensions, living allowances and reimbursed expenses of clergymen and other employees of the church.\u201d<\/p>\n
3469<\/b> If Everyone Tithe<\/b><\/p>\n
If the Protestant people of America alone were tithing their income we could easily evangelize the entire world and put a copy of the Bible into the hands of every heathen on earth inside of ten years. According to government statistics, we are spending annually in this country six hundred dollars for luxuries for every dollar we spend for missions. We spend in America more for tobacco in a single year than both the United States and Canada have spent for missions since white man discovered America. <\/p>\n
\u2014Oscar Lowery<\/p>\n
3470<\/b> Rescuing Which Life? <\/b><\/p>\n
Some time ago a boy fell into an old well. In a short while $40,000 was raised in the small community to bring in the necessary earth-moving equipment for his rescue. In 1937, Amelia Earhart, attempting a round-the-world flight, was reported lost. For the following ten days, our government and others spent over $250,000 daily searching for her. We place highest value on this life. We spend comparatively little on seeking lost souls! <\/p>\n
\u2014The Brethren Evangelist<\/i><\/p>\n
3471<\/b> He Cooked Own Meals<\/b><\/p>\n
Robert Arthington of Leeds, a Cambridge graduate, lived in a single room, cooking his own meals; and he gave foreign missions 500,000 pounds on the condition that it was all to be spent on pioneer work within twenty-five years. He wrote these words: \u201cGladly would I make the floor my bed, a box my chair, and another box my table, rather than that men should perish for want of the knowledge of Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014The Wesleyan Methodist<\/i><\/p>\n
3472<\/b> Wearing Forty Organs<\/b><\/p>\n
A missionary at home on furlough was invited to a dinner at a great summer resort where he met many women of prominence and position. <\/p>\n
After dinner he went to his room and wrote a letter to his wife. He said:<\/p>\n
\u201cDear Wife: I\u2019ve had dinner at the hotel. The company was wonderful. I saw strange things today. Many women were present. There were some who, to my certain knowledge, wore one church, forty cottage organs, and twenty libraries.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his great longing for money to provide the gospel for hungering millions, he could not refrain from estimating the silks, satins, and the diamonds of the guests at the dinner in terms of his people\u2019s need. <\/p>\n
\u2014Moody Monthly<\/i><\/p>\n
3473<\/b> Pleasure Boat Diverted To Missions<\/b><\/p>\n
From an old report:<\/p>\n
A sleek pleasure boat which former President Eisenhower had planned to present to Soviet Premier Khrushchev will be used instead to take the Gospel to a remote part of Ethiopia. <\/p>\n
The boat was returned to the manufacturer after cancellation of Eisenhower\u2019s trip to Moscow in 1960, and it was subsequently purchased by the West Allis (Wisconsin) United Presbyterian Church to be given in turn to their denominational mission in Ethiopia. The craft\u2019s destination is a region accessible only by river during the rainy season. Even then the river is only a few inches deep. The 19-foot boat, which operates on a jet principle (ejecting water to propel it), is particularly useful in very shallow water. <\/p>\n
\u2014Christianity Today<\/i><\/p>\n
3474<\/b> What A Gift To Sunday School Union Did<\/b><\/p>\n
A man in Chicago years ago died leaving $50,000 to the American Sunday School Union, stipulating that only the interest was to be used in its missionary work. <\/p>\n
During eleven years, in which the Union had the income from this fund, it started 819 Sabbath-Schools, with 3,086 teachers and 29,784 scholars; 97,559 visits were paid to the homes of the people; 8,577 meetings were held; 6,149 Bibles and Testaments and $8,693 worth of religious literature distributed; 3,676 persons were converted, and 61 churches organized. <\/p>\n
\u2014J. H. Bomberger<\/p>\n
3475<\/b> Proportionate Giving? <\/b><\/p>\n
We spend 96\u00a2 on ourselves out of every dollar and give only 4\u00a2 to missions. <\/p>\n
\u2014Bob Pierce<\/p>\n
3476<\/b> Epigram On Missions (Support)<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 That land is henceforth my country which most needs the gospel. <\/p>\n
\u2014Count Zinzendorf<\/p>\n
\u2022 David Livingstone, great explorer and Christian pioneer, wrote in one magnificent sentence, \u201cI will go anywhere\u2014provided it be forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 Every church should support two pastors\u2014one for the thousands at home, the other for the millions abroad. <\/p>\n
\u2014Jacob Chamberlain<\/p>\n
\u2022 Your love has a broken wing if it cannot fly across the sea. <\/p>\n
\u2014Malthie D. Babcock<\/p>\n
\u2022 The church which is not a missionary church will be a missing church when Jesus comes. <\/p>\n
\u2014F. B. Meyer<\/p>\n
\u2022 The only one among the twelve apostles who did not become a missionary became a traitor. <\/p>\n
\u2022 On one of the New Hebrides, in the South Pacific, is the lonely grave of a Presbyterian missionary, the Rev. John Geddie. A marble slab bears the following inscription:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he came here, <\/p>\n
There were no Christians;<\/p>\n
When he went away, <\/p>\n
There were no heathen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014James E. Denton<\/p>\n
\u2022 While the world has been multiplying, we have been making additions to the church. Thus, there is no hope of ever catching up. <\/p>\n
See also:<\/b> Literature, Christian ; Soul-Winning ; Witnessing ; Rev. 14:6.<\/p>\n
THE GREAT COMMISSION<\/p>\n
3477<\/b> 10% For Jesus<\/b><\/p>\n
If studies had been taken in the Roman Empire in 65 A.D. on religious preferences, they would have shown 51% for Jupiter, 30% for Zeus, about 9% for Mithra and about 10% for Jesus. <\/p>\n
\u2014Harry Golden<\/p>\n
3478<\/b> Postman\u2019s Confidence<\/b><\/p>\n
A postman was telling me what a sense of security he felt in his work of delivering the mail. \u201cWhy,\u201d he said, \u201call the resources of the Government are pledged to support me in carrying on my work. If I have only one small postcard in my bag, no man dares to molest me in its delivery. All the Federal police powers of the United States would be thrown into action if necessary to secure the safe delivery of that post card.\u201d<\/p>\n
And that led me to think how confidently you and I may set forth with our life, our personality, our equipment, such as it is, to deliver the flaming truth of the Gospel. The Word of our Lord is just as much for us today as it was for the disciples, when he said: \u201cAll power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go \u2026 and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end\u201d (Matt. 28:18\u201320). <\/p>\n
\u2014Sunday School Times<\/i><\/p>\n
3479<\/b> Under Orders<\/b><\/p>\n
Dr. Wilder, a dynamic missionary leader in India, was dining with three naval officers. During the course of the conversation one of the officers remarked, \u201cWhy don\u2019t these missionaries stay at home and mind their own business?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Wilder replied, \u201cSuppose you were ordered to take your battleship to Constantinople tomorrow, would you choose whether to obey or not?\u201d<\/p>\n
The officer retorted, \u201cIf we are ordered to go, we must go, even if every ship is sunk and every sailor killed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cQuite right,\u201d said the missionary. \u201cI have orders from the divine government: \u201cGo and preach the gospel to every creature.\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Selected<\/p>\n
3480<\/b> Word Of A Gentleman<\/b><\/p>\n
When David Livingstone sailed for Africa the first time, a group of his friends accompanied him to the pier to wish him Bon Voyage<\/i>. Some of them, concerned for the safety of the missionary, reminded him of the dangers which would confront him in the dark land to which he was journeying. In fact, one man urged Livingstone to remain in England. <\/p>\n
In response, David Livingstone opened his Bible and read aloud the portion of our Lord\u2019s last recorded words in Matthew\u2019s Gospel, chapter 28: \u201cLo, I am with you always.\u201d Turning to the one who would have prevented his going, the missionary said: \u201cThat, my friend, is the word of a Gentleman. So let us be going.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014The Pilgrim<\/p>\n
3481<\/b> If In Doubt, Go<\/b><\/p>\n
While at the beach in Jacksonville, Florida, one summer, I saw a lifeguard suddenly jump to his feet in his tower. He took the Red Cross flag out of its standard and waved it frantically so they could see him at the main life guard station. He then threw it to the ground, jumped down, grabbed a life buoy and rushed out into the water. With strong strokes he swam toward a man waving for help. <\/p>\n
In a few seconds, sirens wailed as an ambulance came up and three other guards swam out to help. They rescued the man and gave him artificial respiration. Scores gathered around. All were deeply moved as the man was revived. The same scene was repeated several times that day, for the undertow was unusually strong. <\/p>\n
Late that afternoon I went to the main station to say thanks as a private citizen for the dedication of these men. When I walked into the station I was struck by a sign on the wall in large red letters which read, IF IN DOUBT, GO! It struck me that this ought to be on the wall of every church and on the table of every heart as we see the multitudes around us and read the command of God to \u201cGo!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014C. Summer Wemp<\/p>\n
3482<\/b> Livingstone\u2019s Supporting Verse<\/b><\/p>\n
Speaking at the University of Glasgow in 1896 David Livingstone said: \u201cWould you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: \u201cLo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.\u201d On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.\u201d<\/p>\n
3483<\/b> Why Livingstone Boldly Crossed Land<\/b><\/p>\n
In 1856, David Livingstone faced a grave peril in Africa. He was passing through the wild country of the native chief Mburuma. The chief was hostile and had been seeking to rouse the countryside against the man\u2019s expedition. Reports had been that he was seen creeping toward the camp! <\/p>\n
Alone in his tent, Livingstone opened his Bible and read the promise on which he had staked his life so often. Then he wrote in his diary. <\/p>\n
\u201cJanuary 14, 1856. Evening. Felt much turmoil of spirit in prospect of having all my plans for welfare of this great region knocked on the head by savages tomorrow. But Jesus said, \u201cAll power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations \u2026 and lo l am with you always, even unto the end of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the word of a Gentleman of the most strict and sacred honour, so that\u2019s the end of fear. I will not cross furtively tonight as I intended. Nay, verily, I shall take observations for latitude and longtitude tonight, though they may be the last. I feel quiet and calm now, thank God!\u201d<\/p>\n
3484<\/b> Christ\u2019s Blood And Order<\/b><\/p>\n
Thorwaldsen, the great Danish sculptor, portrays this scene in marble. In a church in Copenhagen stands his statue of the risen Christ with outstretched hands bearing the print of the nails and sending His disciples on their errand of peace. On each side of the church are six figures, representing the Twelve Apostles, in which group Paul takes the place of Judas. <\/p>\n
To see the group as here represented makes a deep impression on the mind. Here is Christ, not on a cross, but ready for the Throne and yet scarred. The twofold message from His lips, according to John\u2019s Gospel, is caught by the artist\u2019s skill: \u201cPeace be unto you\u201d and, \u201cAs my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.\u201d We have peace through His blood and apostleship through His example. <\/p>\n
\u2014David L. Currens<\/p>\n
3485<\/b> Mr. Lo\u2019s Joy<\/b><\/p>\n
A young Chinese convert whose given name was Lo became greatly excited when he first read Matthew 28:20. As a newborn babe in Christ, he took the word \u201clo\u201d to apply to him personally. Aglow with the joy of his newly-discovered partnership with God, he exclaimed, \u201cLook, missionary, it says, \u201cLo, I am with you always!\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n
3486<\/b> His Jerusalem Not Won<\/b><\/p>\n
D. L. Moody once met a young fellow on a train. This young man was bubbling over with the prospect of going to Africa and winning the heathen for Christ. Mr. Moody asked him a very pertinent question, \u201cHow many souls have you brought to the Lord here at home?\u201d After a brief pause, he answered truthfully, \u201cI do not know of one soul that I have won.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Gospel Herald<\/i><\/p>\n
3487<\/b> Illustration From Electricity<\/b><\/p>\n
A minister was discussing electricity with an electrician. \u201cIs it true,\u201d asked the minister, \u201cthat electricity cannot get into you unless it can get out of you?\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s absolutely right,\u201d answered the electrician. <\/p>\n
3488<\/b> Epigram On Great Commission<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2022 The monument I want after I am dead is a monument with two legs going around the world\u2014a saved sinner telling about the salvation of Jesus Christ. <\/p>\n
\u2014D. L. Moody<\/p>\n
\u2022 When a young minister asked the Duke of Wellington whether he did not consider it useless to attempt to evangelize India, the Iron Duke sternly replied: \u201cWhat are your marching orders, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014Prairie Overcomer<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
And the gospel must first be published among all nations. \u2014Mark 13:10 3445 \u201cGo Ye\u201d It was a Jew who brought the Gospel to Rome; a Roman who took it to France; a Frenchman who took it to Scandinavia; a Scotsman who evangelized Ireland; and an Irishman in turn made the missionary conquest of Scotland. … Continue reading “MISSIONS”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5156"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5156\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}