How Then Do We Respond?
This morning I am pondering Romans 10, Luke 10, Matthew 28, and III John. It is weighing heavily how many in the world do not know Jesus. Here are some statistics for us all to think about:
There are 7.3 billion people in the world.
2.3 billion are Christian
If we were to put that into an equation it would look like this:
7.3 - 2.3 = 5
5 billion are not Christians. Meaning 5 billion people that do not know Jesus would spend eternity away from Him. To put it bluntly, they would go to Hell. The only way to change this is for us to fulfill our Great Commission Call. Some are called to go and some are called to send. Either way we must do our part.
This is part of the way that 5 billion breaks down:
1.7 billion are Muslim.
1.1 billion are Hindu.
979 million are Non-Religious
671 million are of Ethnic Religions
488 million are Buddhist
Over 300 million are altogether unknown
How then do we respond? We respond by doing a few simple things; Pray, go, send, partner. If as the Body we do these things we we surely see the harvert brought in.
Pray for missionaries.
Pray - Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest. Luke 10:2
Go and spend the Gospel
Go - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20
Send someone that is called to go.
Send - How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15
Partner with someone that is involved in the mission.
Partner - Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. III John 1:5-8
- Chris Conley