Guest speaker Rev. Justin Nash
Our denomination has a long history of mission work. The American Advent Mission Society was founded more than 150 years ago in an effort to bring the gospel to the unsaved at home and abroad. Psalm 67 gives us a biblical framework for missions that may be a little different from what you’d expect.
A Definition
The purpose of missions is the proclamation and pursuit of God’s glory and supremacy over all things, to all people in all places for His praise and for the blessing of the nations. Missions is not primarily for the benefit of people, but for the glory of God as we proclaim to the world about who He is and all that He has done.
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, Selah” (v. 1 ESV).
The psalm begins with part of the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. This was commonly used in Jewish worship services. We all desire for God to be gracious to us and bless us. But the psalmist goes on to say why we should seek God’s blessing:
“That Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations” (v. 2).
In the world today there are roughly six billion people who are unsaved, and half of them have never even heard the name of Jesus. We desire for God’s power and love to be made known to all. This is not just knowledge about God, but intimate knowledge and relationship with Him. We enjoy God’s blessing and bask in His glory because it is a gracious act of His love to grant us salvation, and we desire others to experience that same loving God. “And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).
We were designed to reflect God’s glory to the rest of the world. We were made in His image, and as believers we are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Through our lives, unbelievers should get a glimpse of who God is. John Stott wrote,
“It may be said without fear of contradiction that the greatest hindrance to evangelism in the church today is the failure of the church to supply evidence in her own life and work of the saving power of God.”
If the people of the church look just like the world, no one will see who God is. We need to be visible signs of God’s glory and presence.
Four Proofs of God’s Glory
1) Salvation
“That Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations” (v. 2).
Throughout Scripture, salvation comes by the grace of God through faith in Him. In the Old Testament they looked forward with faith in the coming Messiah. In the New Testament and beyond, we look back to the saving work of Jesus Christ as our Savior. We have been adopted into His family and enjoy the privilege of coming to Him as our loving Father (Eph. 1:4-6).
2) Justice
“Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity” (v. 4a).
God is always good and right, even when we don’t understand what He is doing or why, His good purposes will ultimately prevail. We can trust in God’s unchanging character. One day in eternity we will have a King who rules with perfect justice and goodness.
3) Sovereignty over nations
“You… guide the nations upon earth. Selah” (v.4b).
God is in control of the rise and fall of kings and nations. Every molecule of creation is under His control. Again, we may not understand God’s plan, but we can trust that He knows all things and will accomplish what He desires.
4) Provision
“The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him!” (v. 6-7).
Everything that we have comes from Him. Our food, clothing, homes, abilities, wages—all are blessings from God for the glory of God.
Praise God
“Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!” (vv. 3 and 5)
This repeated refrain in the psalm is a reminder that salvation was not for the nation of Israel alone, but for people from all nations to bring glory to God. He is the highest good, the greatest beauty, the supremely glorious One. God is the center of all things, not us. This prayer will one day be answered. In Revelation 7:9-10 we read,
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
We receive God’s blessing when we glorify Him, and nations are blessed when the people are glorifying God. Our lives are not about us but about God. His blessings to us are for His ultimate glory (Eph. 1:7).
John Piper said, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.”
Approximately 20 people die every 10 seconds, and 70% of them die without knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. As members of His church we can pray for missions, give to missions, send missionaries, and go as missionaries. Remember that some of those unsaved people may be your family members, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Go out into the mission field of your life.
“You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Discussion Questions
1) When you hear the word “missionary,” what kind of person do you picture? Have you ever thought of your daily life as a mission field?
2) Does it change your perception to think of missions and evangelism not as saving people but as glorifying God? Read 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 and note who actually does the work.
3) Read Matthew 28:18-20. What commands are given and what promises do we have? How can you, with your specific circumstances and abilities, be involved in making disciples?
