8/2/2019 Missions as Worship by David Sitton

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What Does Worship have to do with Mission?

Missionis not primarily a campaign to save lost souls. The call of Christ in the gospel is first andforemost a call to worship God. This is mysteriously profound; God desires worshipfrom hiscreatures; he will have itfrom among all his peoplefrom all the nations; and he gives redeemed

sinners the incredible privilegeto be the transport vehicles of grace and gospel to bring the fullnumber of worldwide worshippers into that eternal praise of God. This is the mission.

Early on (Gen. 11), there was only one people, one culture and one language that existed upon theearth. Although they had been instructed by God to go and multiply and fill the earth, theycongregated and settled down in the comfortable plain of Shinar instead. The people becamewholly devoted to making a name for themselves (11:4). There was no praise for God among thispeople of Babel. And God judged them. Part of the judgment is that he confused their onelanguage into what are more than 6,704 languages spoken in the world today; and splintered theirsingle culture into the 24,000 people groups that are now scattered across the earth.

Then he revealed a redemptive strategy beginning with Abraham (Gen. 12) whereby he wouldgather again a single people for his name; and he is systematically doing it people group by peoplegroup and nation by nation through his ambassador missionaries. This is amazing to me; that Godredeemed us so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles (Galatians 3:13-14).What an unspeakable privilege that God actually makes his appeal (for reconciliation with thenations) through us (2 Cor. 5:20).

Our passion for lost souls is only surpassed by our passion for the Lamb of God.Count Nicholas Zinzendorf (1700-1769); Founder of the Moravians

Worship of King Jesus is the end and ultimate aim; mission is Gods method to get his chosen

people gathered for worship. Mission, therefore is a deliberate act of obedient worship to God.

This is the purpose ofTo Every Tribe. We are eager to break open new opportunities forirresistible grace in the still unreached territories of the earth. We want to be busy going andsending missionaries to deliver the ransom of God for his people throughout the nations. Thepeople get a blessing Salvation; but were going primarily for Jesus. The privilege of carrying thesweet savor of Christ to the nations is a motivation that will keep missionaries in the frontlinefurnace when persecution heats up.

In the end, God will again have One Peoplegathered out from every one of the worlds peoples(Revelation 5:9 and 7:9). Gods cause; the worship of all peoples, will gloriously triumph.

If elect knees from every ethne(nation) were already bowedin worship, the Great Commission would be unnecessary.

David Sitton