Serving God in Christ’s Hope, Glory, and Power
Have you ever bitten off more than you can chew? As a child, you may have done it when you were trying to eat something in a hurry. What a problem it is to swallow in that kind of situation!
Maybe you choked and had trouble breathing. Do you remember that panicked feeling? Maybe that happens to you when you think about the call to take up missionary service. Have you ever thought, I don’t have what it takes to be a missionary or to send someone to the mission field? A visiting preacher in Amarillo, Texas, addressed this question on May 22 at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA). He proposed that the apostle Paul would have you think about Jesus, not yourself—not on whether or not you have the gifts to be a missionary or a sender. Paul would have the eyes of your heart enlightened in three ways: in hope, glory, and power (Ephesians 1:15-23).
The preacher in Amarillo, Pastor Manuel Padilla, would have you take stock of what God has done to exalt Christ, referencing Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1. First of all, consider “the hope of his calling.” The hope of his calling is multifaceted and embraces his calling of his people into his kingdom; the fullness of our salvation; our resurrection in an incorruptible body (glorification); our presence with God in glory in the renewed heavens and earth; and our calling to enjoy rest in his presence without sin, tears, or mourning. This hope of his calling is guaranteed by Christ Jesus; thus, it will certainly come to pass. The hope Paul mentioned is dependent on Christ alone, and he asks God in his prayer to enable Christians to understand this hope.
Paul also communicates in his prayer that he wants us as Christ-followers to take stock of the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. He wants us to understand that Jesus loves us, that he has taken us as his inheritance. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Pastor Padilla emphasized that the mistakes missionaries make on the field are included in this. We must not refuse to become goers or senders simply because we are afraid of making mistakes on the field. Those mistakes will not hinder the Gospel or make God stop loving you.
Finally, consider and comprehend the exceeding greatness of God’s power toward you and in you. This power was demonstrated in Jesus’ resurrection, ascension, and glorification. Christ is seated with authority on God’s throne and all things are under his feet. That is the kind of vision needed today for global missions. Senders and field workers need this vision. When Satan accuses Christians of not having what it takes for this work, we can reply in this way: “That’s not the real issue. It’s not dependent on me.”
The real question is tied up in understanding Paul’s vision of Jesus Christ. God has exalted Jesus. In him, all of God’s will and promises will be accomplished. We will see all kingdoms, nations, languages, and peoples bow before Jesus on the day of his coming to judge the world in truth and equity.
Did you notice how Pastor Padilla talked about going to the mission field and sending others to the mission field? He spoke about them in the same breath, as though both are equally needed. In fact, more senders are needed than goers. What do I mean by senders? These are people who stay behind and support missionaries and their spouses in a variety of ways, not just financial support. It takes a lot to help a missionary get to the field and stay there. They need salaries, health insurance, retirement benefits, technical support, people to care for their property while they are out of the country, people to arrange their furloughs, people to provide spiritual and emotional support, as well as many other means of care and support. Their children need equally significant care and support, as well.
There is no need to feel panicked or overwhelmed when you think about going or sending others to the mission field. Take stock of how God has exalted Jesus Christ and trust him to provide what it takes to accomplish this work. Let’s work and pray for that last great day, when Jesus will be worshiped at his throne by people from all the nations.