February 9, 2024
Back in 1831, Dr. John Holt Rice, the first professor of theology at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (one of the main Presbyterian seminaries in the South in the 19th century), submitted a resolution to the Presbyterian General Assembly that contained his words: "that it be earnestly recommended to all Church Sessions, in hereafter admitting new members to the Churches, distinctly to state to candidates for admission, that if they join the church, they join a community, the object of which is the conversion of the heathen world, and to impress on their minds a deep sense of their obligation as redeemed sinners, to cooperate in the accomplishment of the great object of Christ's mission to the world." Rice's words did not end up being approved by that particular General Assembly, but his recommendation was full of glorious truth.
The church of Jesus Christ has as one of its chief purposes to bring the gospel to the lost, both near and far, so that God's elect might be brought into the fold. And every disciple of Jesus Christ, every member of His body the church, every sinner who has been saved by grace through faith in Jesus, has an obligation to participate in this objective. I love the fact that Dr. Rice calls this goal "Christ's mission to the world." For indeed, we are merely His agents, His representatives, His ambassadors, going forth in His name and in the power of His Spirit to call the nations to repent of their idolatry and believe in the only one who can save them from the coming wrath of God.
So I hope that during our upcoming Missions Festival week, you hear that participating in the work of missions is not something merely for those who want to go overseas, or for those with lots of disposable income, or for those with lots of time. It's for each and every member of Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church. As the Father has sent His Son, so the Son has sent us into the world that we might shine the light of the gospel of Jesus in all we say and do. Jesus spoke those words in John 20:21 to His apostles, and they apply in a very specific way to those official ambassadors and agents of revelation. Yet they apply more broadly to every believer. For those same words in Jesus' high priestly prayer in John 17:18 are followed closely by Jesus' affirmation that He's not just praying for the apostles, but for those who believe in Him through their words - which includes all who come after them. If Jesus promises His presence to the end of the age in Matthew 28:20, then the call to make the disciples, the call to go into the world, is a call that does not disappear with the apostles.
We have a wonderful lineup of preachers and missionaries reporting the next two Sundays and the Wednesday between them, and I trust you will be encouraged by their stories of God's greatness and faithfulness to His promises to give a people to His Son from all the nations. Don't miss out!
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I also encourage you not to miss our Sunday Night Fellowship on February 25. One of Christ's workers whom we support is our own John Perritt, who serves with Reformed Youth Ministries. He spends much time thinking about youth culture, and helping youth directors think through how to minister to students in our current cultural moment. He will be sharing some of the fruit of his study in a talk entitled, "New Trauma for a New Generation: Giving Hope to Students Dealing with the Evils of Their Age." If you have (or hope to have) children or grandchildren, or if you want to learn how to pray for those with children or grandchildren, I encourage you to join us.