207 Sermon Illustrations on Missions

BAPTIST PRESS EDITOR’S NOTE: The year 2012 marked the 200th anniversary of the sending of pioneer American missionaries Adoniram and Ann Judson. Prior to their arrival in Burma in 1813, they became convinced the New Testament taught believer’s baptism. The Judsons’ departure from their Congregationalist supporters led to the founding of a national Baptist denomination, the Triennial Convention. Formed 200 years ago, in May 1814, for the purpose of sending and supporting global missions, this denomination would serve as the forerunner of the Southern Baptist Convention [Holwick - and the Northern/American Baptists as well.]

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Near the end of his life, pioneer American missionary Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) returned to America for the first time since he departed nearly 35 years prior. The twice–widowed Judson along with his children came in need of recuperation and rest and were welcomed with virtual celebrity status all along the eastern seaboard.

Instead of rest, Judson was shuttled from meeting to meeting, speaking to churches both north and south. During his stay, Judson met and married his third wife, secured care for his children and prepared to return to his Burmese home to finish the Gospel work he started.

Before leaving America, he gave a parting address on June 30, 1846. Surrounded by a new generation of church leaders and senders of missionaries who were not present when he left in 1812, Judson indicated he felt out of place. Yet, this did not deter him from challenging his audience to take up the mantle and press forward.

At the start of the address he likened himself to “a steersman in a storm” who “must keep a steady eye to the compass and a strong arm at the wheel.” Judson’s self-portrait actually describes quite well his lifelong courageous perseverance in the missionary task and calls to mind the apostle Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 16:13 for believers to “act like men.”

This three–word phrase “act like men” in English actually comes from a single Greek word and thus can also be translated as “be courageous.” Standing the midst of four other commands that convey a military theme, Paul is directing the believers how to live as spiritual warriors (see also Ephesians 6). To “act like men” is a call to an offensive maneuver prompting believers to engage not as fearful children but rather as courageous men. Judson’s life very much is a testimony to this type of courageous engagement, and it is there we see a fitting model of biblical manhood though not exactly in all the ways one might expect.

The pairing of courage and manhood is a natural one for which even those not viewing the world through biblical spectacles can resonate. Yet, biblical courage is distinct and more defined than a typical rendering of a simple self-sacrificial action or standing to speak when everyone else is silent.

To be sure, biblical courage contains these noble feats but is also marked by acts that are less visible. Noah’s ark-constructing obedience to God in the midst of an age of great defiance (Luke 17:27) was courageous, but so was Job’s private covenant he made with his eyes (Job 31:1). Stephen preaching and falling before Saul of Tarsus was brave (Acts 7), but so was the steadfast intercession of Epaphras on behalf of the Colossians (Colossians 4:12).

Biblical courage manifests itself in forms both visible and invisible, arrives on the biggest stages of cataclysmic events and resides in the quiet decisions of the mind. But the call to “act like men” is ever present and requires the gift of supernatural vigilance from the Spirit of God, a gift that Judson received in droves.

While much is known of Judson’s remarkable courage in the face of deep tragedy, personal loss and physical trial, here are two examples from Judson’s life of his display of significant, biblical courage in less visible areas:

Adoniram Judson helped form the first missions sending agency in American history. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions arose out of a network of New England Congregationalist churches of which Judson’s father was a pastor. However, while en route to Asia, Judson became convinced that the practice of infant baptism by those churches did not fit with what he came to see as clear teaching from the Bible on the matter. Thus, when Judson and his wife arrived in India, he sent word that he could no longer serve in good conscience with the very mission board he helped found and on whose financial support he depended.

When the Judsons joined the Baptists, they did so without any clear path of financial security or even a plan to carry out their missionary task. He cut off the only lifeline he had and trusted the Lord to provide. Judson could have asked for a short-term provision from the mission board until they landed on their feet or arrived at their destination. He also could have downplayed the issue as a mere ecclesiological variance, not a major departure of doctrine. But, here Judson’s biblical courage appeared as he moved forward by faith in his newfound convictions even though, like Abraham, “he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8).

In 1832, Judson responded to an inquiry from the States to provide his advice to those considering missionary service. In his seventh of ten provisos, he stated, “Beware of pride; not the pride of proud men, but the pride of humble men -- the secret pride which is apt to grow out of the consciousness that we are esteemed by the great and good.”

Judson knew that survival on the mission field did not solely come from physical health, wise diplomacy and dogged commitment to the task. Here he spoke of another internal battle just as draining and every bit as dangerous. For even though the missionary may walk at the ends of the earth, he can neither escape the Spirit of God (Psalm 139:9) or the prowling adversary (1 Peter 5:8). To serve with faithfulness in that place requires the biblical courage of self-control and the hunting down and harvesting of sins, like pride, that can easily entangle (1 Peter 2:24).

In that 1846 parting address to the next generation, Judson reminded, “The obligation, therefore, on the present generation, to redeem the pledge given by their fathers, is greatly enhanced. ... Look forward with the eye of faith.” The missionary father was pointing a way to the future, and his life and legacy left a model of steadfast biblical courage.

Like a steady steersman in a storm, Judson was calling the next generation to “act like men” both in visible displays of timely heroism and perseverance as well as in the less visible but still vital battles of the mind and heart.

MISSIONARY PERSPECTIVE

"Twenty years on deputation, or at least it seemed that way;

Telling o'er and o'er the calling, he same slide set every day.

Sunday morning in Chicago, Sunday evening in West Bend;

Wednesday evening up in Moline, traveling miles without end.

Hearing pastor after pastor say, "Our budget's chock-a-block;

There's no way we can support you, but we sure enjoyed your talk!"

As the weeks stretch into months and the months expand to years,

The candidate grows weary 'till he's had it to his ears.

Then the day at last comes dawning when he flies out to the field --

With deputation over, his career at last is sealed.

He's brand new missionary, he's a member of the team;

But he finds that his new country isn't everything it seemed.

There's the funny sounding language that he doesn't understand;

And the housing that's assigned him isn't everything he planned.

Lo, his fellow missionaries are only human men;

And in his lonely moments, he thinks of home again.

No one told him 'bout these roaches that intimidate his wife,

And he isn't quite prepared for the national way of life.

The time concept of the country is a thing he can't relate --

When a national says 'six-thirty,", he means quarter after eight!

The crowds that press upon him are intolerable at best,

And the heat he isn't used to robs him of the rest.

The people that he used to think he loved with all his heart,

Are suddenly the folks who seem to tear his life apart.

When he goes to church on Sunday, he doesn't even know the songs;

And he thinks the national lack in knowing right from wrong --

The local pastor drinking wine, the deacon smokes a pipe --

Back home in middle USA, we don't accept that type.

He must send a cheery letter to his supporters every month;

But he gets a few answers from them, in most cases no, not once.

Nationals calling at odd hours make demands for many chores.

They do not return the favors but keep reaching out for more.

He can't stand the local menus, but can't buy the food he wants.

His kids don't like the schooling, and they are harassed by taunts.

There doesn't seem to be a thing within this new life-style

Like what he often dreamed of on the deputation miles.

The slide set showed the glamorous, the palm trees and the beach;

But it didn't show the prices so often out of reach.

So he's quickly disillusioned, and he feels it's very plain --

All those years on deputation have been very much in vain.

Now the funny thing about it is that just across the street

Lives another missionary who thinks the country is very neat.

He loves the people, he loves the work, accepts it as it is --

The gloomy side of all these things is no concern of his.

The difference that there seems to be between these fellow men

Is the goal at which they're looking and not where they have been.

The one who is not satisfied and finds that he is bored

Is focusing upon the field -- the other on the Lord.

So when you're on the mission field and things look very dreary,

don't dwell upon the differences or the culture seeming wrong --

Get on your knees and pay to God and ask Him for a song.

And think of how God's only Son left heaven up above,

Coming to a foreign culture to bring to man God's love.

And all the frustration and the hardship you go through

Really cannot be compared with what He did for you!!"

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The Fundamentalist, Vol. 71, No. 1, March/April 1998

Marcus & Narcissa Whitman, missionaries to Walla Walla:

Did not spend a long time courting. When Dr. Whitman had volunteered to the mission work, he was single. He heard that Narcissa had volunteered as well, but was not approved as there was no use for single women on that field. Whitman knew the family, was acquainted with Narcissa, heard of her willingness to go to the field, so he proposed.

Timetable:

· Marcus appointed January 7, 1835

· Writes Narcissa for permission to stop by on his way to survey trip in the west.

· Visits the weekend of Feb 22 and they are engaged.

· Leaves the morning of Feb 23 for the west.

· Returns about Dec 10, they have a few days together, he goes out searching for associates to volunteer for the field.

· Finally gets Henry Spalding and wife to agree to come along, writes Narcissa on Feb 15 to plan for a wedding.

· Since her father was to be ordained as a Presbyterian elder in a service on February 18, Narcissa chose that day.

"After her marriage in February 1836, Narcissa explained . `We had to make love [get engaged] somewhat abruptly and must do our courtship now we are married.'" (Drury, p. 111)

Order of service:

· Narcissa's father is ordained.

· A letter of dismissal is issued "to our sister Narcissa Prentiss who is destined to the Mission beyond the Rocky Mountains."

· Communion is served. Possibly Judge Prentiss would have served Narcissa and Marcus.

· The marriage vows are said.

· A sermon is preached. (Narcissa commented in a letter several years after that it was much appreciated.)

· Congregation is led in this song, one often sung at the departure of missionaries:

Yes, my native land! I love thee;

All thy scenes I love them well;

Friends, connections, happy country,

Can I bid you all farewell?

Can I leave thee, can I leave thee,

Far in heathen lands to dwell?

Home! - thy joys are passing lovely -

Joys no stranger-heart can tell;

Happy home! - `tis sure I love thee!

Can I - can I say - Farewell?

Can I leave thee, can I leave thee,

Far in heathen lands to dwell?

"One by one members of the choir and congregation found their throats constricted with emotion and their cheeks dampened with tears. Only a few, including Narcissa sang the next stanza:

Yes! I hasten gladly,

From the scenes I love so well;

Far away, ye billows! bear me;

Lovely native land! - farewell!

Pleased I leave thee, pleased I leave thee,

Far in heathen lands to dwell.

"Muffled sobs could be heard by the time the last stanza was reached. The sentiment was too overpowering. Narcissa in her clear soprano voice . sang the last stanza as a solo - a dramatic event which all present that evening never forgot.

In the deserts let me labor,

On the mountains let me tell,

How he died - the blessed Saviour -

To redeem a world from hell!

Let me hasten, let me hasten,

Far in heathen lands to dwell. (Drury, pp. 161-162)

Narcissa Whitman left her home the next day and never saw her parents again.

What do you hold onto that keeps you from the mission to tell others what Christ has done for you?

I had the sad responsibility to inform a mom and dad nearly 20 years ago that their beautiful 5-year old daughter had leukemia. They were shocked and overwhelmed.

I sat on a hospital bed by their side a few weeks later as an oncologist explained that their insurance would not pay for most of the very expensive treatment their daughter needed.

The father looked at his little daughter, his wife and the oncologist, then said, “It doesn’t matter. We’ll sell whatever we have. Just do whatever it takes to save her life.”

Change to a different venue last year. I spoke to a group of pastors and deacons about the possibility of their churches adopting an unreached, unengaged people group in India or Indonesia. I shared with them how our church had adopted an unreached, unengaged people group in Manipur in northeast India. We had visited them several times to provide encouragement, Bible teaching and children’s activities, and we currently are sending two of their young men to Bible school.

A great deal of excitement and enthusiasm filled the room as those men asked questions and explored possibilities. You could see the light in their eyes.

Then one businessman stood up and asked, “How much does it cost to fly over there and how long does it take to get there?”

When I explained the cost and travel time, the room grew quiet as everyone digested that information. Then the businessman said matter-of-factly, “We can’t do that.” Others started to nod. It was like a cold, wet blanket had been thrown on their enthusiasm.

Then I responded, “This is why there are unreached, unengaged people groups. It’s hard to get there and it costs a lot.”

They pondered this a moment; then the businessman said again, “But we can’t do that.”

Finally, an 80-year old pastor in the back of the room stood up and said, “My brothers, if we don’t go there and take them the Gospel, they will die without Jesus and go to a Christless eternity like they have done for generations. We have to do whatever it takes to get the Gospel to them.” Then he sat down.

The pastors and deacons looked at each other, nodded their heads in approval and the excitement returned to the room. They began to discuss possibilities again.

This father would do whatever it took to save the life of his precious daughter who, by the way, is now in her 20s and teaching school. You and I must be willing to do whatever it takes to reach the precious people in faraway places with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Aren’t we glad that our heavenly Father didn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to purchase our redemption from a slave market of sin in a faraway, unreached place. What did it take? It took the life of His only Son. He gave His most precious possession.

What are we willing to give in time, money and abilities to reach untold millions of spiritually lost people in difficult to reach places? The Great Commission challenges us to do whatever it takes.

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Robert Jackson is a family practice physician in Spartanburg, South Carolina