The Heart Matters

This article was first published in September 2007. It is republished as it first appeared.

It was November 1987, an icy Saturday morning. I remembered promising Amy that I would go to the prayer meeting. Sure — I’d heard of the Great Commission – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nation”, but who am. I lived in Columbus, had no money and a vague concept of the power of corporate prayer, not to mention I was rather self absorbed. As we drove there I wondered: Why am I going to this meeting? The warehouse will be cold. Will there be coffee? How can my prayer possibly further God’s great plan to bring all peoples to Himself? Hey, maybe that cute guy will be there. Maybe this isn’t a total waste.

Twenty years later I realize that meeting was one of the best days of my life and it certainly wasn’t a waste. God works with you through His Spirit right where you are. He totally awakened me from my slumber. I had been asleep and had not cared. My eyes finally were opening to who God really is. He is a God of love – a God of missions – a God to all peoples! The greatest commandment and the Great Commission seem to sum it up in this dynamic.

“A Healthy World Christian is someone who obediently integrates the Great Commission with the Greatest Commandment – loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and loving others as yourself.”

Chip Weiant, CEO of a Columbus Corp.

SO WHAT DOES ALL THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ME?

The key to that lays in Acts 1:8. Often we read it this way:

… and you will be my witnesses first in Jerusalem, and in then all Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth.”

This misunderstanding leads us to believe that first I have to reach my neighbors and build the “Jerusalem Church” so to speak. But the passage actually says to be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. We are commanded to do both at the same time reach our local communities and the extra local and yes the “ends of the earth” too!

Recall what happened to the church in Jerusalem when they were only focused upon themselves. They did not intend tofulfill that commandment. They were not only scattered through persecution and internal strife, but they also did not grow as the Gentile churches did who raised up and sent missionaries early on in their churches.

So what this means for NeoXenos is growth! Growth both in personal maturity and in love, but dare I say even in numbers. A church that is focused outside of itself often experiences amazing growth and inspires its members to “GO.”

Remember that prayer group I attended . Well it grew in numbers and in vision. A majority of the attendees were either senders to the missions field or were sent into the mission field. The body as a whole developed a burden for the lost – not only those from their “Jerusalem,” but also “to the ends of the earth,” as stated in Acts 1:8. A home church in Columbus sent 14 people to work on the mission field and the rest worked as senders through both prayer and financial support. God uses prayer meetings to accomplish His work!

WHY SHOULD I CARE FOR THOSE PEOPLE?

As Jesus has commanded, NeoXenos has a vision to actively partake in this global ministry. Now is the time to kindle the fire that missionaries like Seann and Amy Gibson sparked. There are 23 million Taiwanese and 16 million are considered the working class. It is estimated that 70% of the Taiwanese populous are of Chinese religions, 26% are Traditional Christian, and only 2% are Evangelical Christians with most of the Christians coming from the upper class.

Many Christians have misconceptions about reaching the lost. Some believe that God will somehow mysteriously bring “the elect” to Him while others, perhaps influenced by the universalism of our modern culture, have bought into the belief that God will somehow save the lost through general revelation as he is loving. But scripture stands against this:

Romans 10:14-15

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

OKAY BUT NOW WHAT?

We are having a monthly missions prayer meeting. People who do not come into a relationship with Christ are condemned to eternal separation. There is no gentle way to state this. It is our responsibility to take this message to all who have never heard about Him!

The meeting will start with a light breakfast for those who wish to fellowship. Then, comes the joyous work of sharing the burden of reaching the lost both through strategic prayer and through sharing personal burdens for lost. Also, we will pray for and encourage those who desire to go into the mission field. What a privilege to build this vision with them!

Also, we hope to have a few missionary couples visit with the group to share their experiences of missions work. Books about missionaries will be available to borrow as well. Other helpful resources such as prayer lists and handouts on effective missions prayer will be on hand.

The meeting will be held the 3^rd Saturday of each month:

Steve and Lisa Beeches’ House

1107 Chestnut Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

The breakfast (doughnuts, muffin, fruit, and coffee) will be served at 8:30am.

Prayer commences around 9:00am.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 18^th!

Someday we shall all rejoice together with all the peoples from every nation and tongue. What an honor to partake in God’s plan!

Revelation 7:9-10

…a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

SO WHERE DO I START?

First plan on coming to the prayer meeting just as you are. God honors a heart willing to step out in faith, even those hearts looking for a hot cup of java. (Remember my first experience?) Then work on building a burden whether it is for a friend who desires to go to the field or for missionaries who you have heard. Also, learn about people groups and the needs of the missionaries working in that field. Missionaries work on the front lines but they need people behind the scenes supplying them with the physical and spiritual tools necessary to make headway into enemy territories. This is a job we can do now in our prayer group!

Below is a list of links to resources that can help build your personal vision.

www.omf.org

www.antiochnetwork.org

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