Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Dying
Death is a real thing in missions.
So it is staying where you are.
What will you do with your life between now and then?
Missionaries in the past shipped their belongings in coffins so that their remains could be returned. That’s because a lot of them did die in foreign countries. With jet aircraft and modern medicine, dying in the jungle is pretty rare anymore, even in the most remote locations.
They went to die; for the sake of the unreached people, for the heavenly rewards, and for the glory of God. They knew obedience might cost them everything in this life. They knew that living for God and for other people was the best investment while they lived.
Missionaries often bring home stories of snakes, crocodiles, lions, malaria, epidemics, and wild people.
After sharing my stories, I have heard people say, “I could never do that.”
Me neither.
The thing is, God didn’t ask them to do that. Yet.
Or did He?
Obedience of Faith
The first step is obedience where you are, trusting God.
Every missionary has had to face the fact that serving God may cost his or her own life. Missionaries are often in places among lawless people, in boats without lifejackets, in epidemics without adequate resources, or traveling in wild places where dangers are very real.
It’s almost as dangerous as… a riot in Seattle, or Chicago, or Balitmore or… wait! It’s rarely THAT dangerous. But there have been times when a missionary found him or herself in a hostile crowd.
Sleeping on a cold wet rock in the middle of a river in the center of the wild jungles of Borneo, only fifteen minutes from an unknown group of former headhunters, I had to make a choice. The people whom we were en route to meet were known for their black magic, sorcery, poisoning guests, putting broken glass in food while exercising hospitality, and for their history of head removal. The river was the same river where we had seen crocodiles, snakes, and many other wild creatures.
Would I cower in fear or trust in the God who made the wild creatures and people?
My go-to verse has been Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Another verse that comes to mind is 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
It’s not that there is no fear; it’s just that I can trust God with my fears – that His purpose is good and the eternal outcome is sure as I act in obedience to what He has commanded.
Investing for Multiplication
In life on earth, the way to gain is not by focusing on protecting yourself, but by giving yourself to God for His work and trusting His use of our lives. John 12:24
We see this principle in commerce. Unless there is coercion to tip the scales, the person who gains the most is the one who serves the most people at a reasonable cost. Wealth is built by serving people. Luke 6:38
“And he [Jesus] said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” Luke 9:23-24
If God created us, if He breathed into us the breath of life, if He gives each heartbeat as a gift, if He has conquered death, if He has already promised eternal life and new bodies, then what is there to fear in putting this body in danger to serve Him? How can anyone or anything interfere with any one of our days that He planned for us to live here on earth? That’s where believing what God has written comes in. It’s about fearing God more than fearing people or creatures. (Hebrews 13:5-6, 2 Timothy 1:7)
In my experience, fear is overrated. Most of the things people fear in contemplating service as missionaries overseas are not nearly as deadly as the things they face in their every day lives. The greatest fear is the fear of the unknown, and that is exactly where we need to trust God and move boldly forward, believing Him.
Still, there are real dangers in doing what God told us to do… that going into all of the world to preach to every creature. Yes, I have friends who died flying aircraft to reach beyond the edge of the Church. Some became very ill because of the diseases and living conditions where they intentionally went to live. Some friends were martyred by guerillas because of their location and faith in Christ.
It’s about dying to self and living unto God. It’s about following His example of laying down our lives so that other people may live eternally. It’s about losing to gain much, much more. (2 Corinthians 4:6-14)
Is my physical life of greater value than the eternal life of another person?
Being Sent
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:15
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
Colossians 1:24 – “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:”
1 Peter 4:13 – “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
David Platt – Adoniram Judson: A Call to Go – Romans 10:13-15 – https://youtu.be/AirfQyOwauQ
The whole point of missions is dying to ourselves that other people may know Christ and live forever.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
For many people, a big concern is about financial support. Here are a few thoughts about funding, giving, and serving.
Here is a glimpse into the ministries where God has allowed us to have a part.
May you have many more.