God's Barometer

From The Pastor's Pen in the February 2006 Voice of the Valley, the monthly newsletter of Valley Bible Church, by the Reverend Frank C. Emrich. Reposted here with permission.

~ ~ ~

In a recent article one of my favorite writers, Dr. Al Mohler wrote the following:

The most important dimension of any vision for world missions is a passion to glorify God. From beginning to end, the Bible declares that God is glorifying Himself in the salvation of sinners, and that He desires to be worshipped among all the peoples of Earth. The impulse of the mnissionary conviction is drawn from the assurance that God saves sinners, and the He is glorifying Himself by creating a new people through the blood of the LORD Jesus Christ. Therefore, we have the glad opportunity to glorify God by declaring the Gospel to all the peoples of Earth. As John Piper has stated, "The deepest reason why our passion for Goed should fuel missions is that God's passion for God fuels missions. Missions is the overflow of our delight in God because missions is the overflow of God's delight in being God." In missions we share God's delight.

I love to read things like that because it puts the purpose of missions into a framework that not only thrills me, but challenges and convicts as well. I love missions! But that being said, I am also very concerned. Dr. Mohler has stated my concern better than I can when he recently wrote the following:

America's evangelical Christians are facing a critical testing time in the twenty-first century. Among the most important of the tests we now face is the future of missions, and our faithfulness to the Great Commission. At a time of unprecedented opportunity, will our zeal for world missions slacken? Just as doors of opportunity are opening around the world, the Church seems to be losing its voice.

Statements like that frighten me, not because I don't think it should be stated, but precisely because it's true. And that should be a concern for every Christian.

As I mulled this over and over, I was moved to pray, and pray hard for Valley Bible Church. My prayer was and is that we will never lose our zeal for world missions. In fact, my prayer is not only that we not lose our zeal, but that indeed, it would increase! I believe we have a wonderful missions emphasis here, but I am also aware of how easily that can slip into routine. It's easy to lose our focus.

So I will offer this challenge from Dr. Mohler:

This generation must be committed to see all of God's people together reaching all the peoples of Earth without regard to race, culture, economic reality, or geographical or political obstacles. Over the past half-century, America has seen several generational transitions. As the new millennium dawns, the Baby Boom generation is now in mid-adulthood, and some are heading toward retirement. The GI generation that built so many of the great institutions and provided leadership in our denomination and churches is now reaching advanced years, though many in the generation continue to be active participants and well-known leaders.

Behind the Boby Boomers are coming Generation X, the Busters, and the Millennials. How will these generations mold the missionary movement of the future? Our vision for world evangelization is an imortant barometer of spiritual and theological health. A vibrant commitment to Christ leads to a passion for the Gospel. A grand embrace of God's truth produces an enthusiasm to see God glorified as His name is proclaimed to the nations. It is time for a new generation to lead - and to point the way.

We can all respond to this challenge in a number of ways, but let me make a quartet of suggestions:

1) Be here at every session of our annual Missions Conference. And come with anticipation for what God is going to do in you and your family.

2) Be more involved in prayer for world missions.

3) Give more to support missions.

4) Be prepared to go wherever God may send you.