God has a mission, and uses the church to join him in it. Spurgeon said "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter".
That mission is everywhere, but there is an importance in giving priority to overseas mission. There are many reasons to say that but here are two:
1st - the ratio of numbers of those who know Jesus to those who don't is much lower in New Zealand than in most countries around the world.
2nd - is our Christian heritage. From that heritage the world has received so much well-being, especially in the areas of health, education and justice. These were spread around the world by the church more than any other agency.
New Zealand's first public schools came with the missionaries settled here by Marsden in 1814. We don't have a monopoly on any of the great benefits spread by the church. Nor are we squeaky clean in regard to any of them. However the God we proclaim is good, and hasn't given up on us.
For the 2,000 years of the history of the church, as people come to faith in Jesus, something happens in them. John Wesley noticed it in the revivals he saw. He called it "Redemption and lift".
It's well said, if you had the cure for the worse disease on earth, you would want to get it out there for all to share. The worst condition there is affects every one of us. It's called sin. There is one cure - and only one. It's the forgiveness and redemption that Jesus brings.
Now what is required is for those of us who claim to follow him to be more aware of the treasure we have, to support those who go from here, and we ourselves to share in word and deed wherever we are - here or away.
1st - the ratio of numbers of those who know Jesus to those who don't is much lower in New Zealand than in most countries around the world.
2nd - is our Christian heritage. From that heritage the world has received so much well-being, especially in the areas of health, education and justice. These were spread around the world by the church more than any other agency.
New Zealand's first public schools came with the missionaries settled here by Marsden in 1814. We don't have a monopoly on any of the great benefits spread by the church. Nor are we squeaky clean in regard to any of them. However the God we proclaim is good, and hasn't given up on us.
For the 2,000 years of the history of the church, as people come to faith in Jesus, something happens in them. John Wesley noticed it in the revivals he saw. He called it "Redemption and lift".
It's well said, if you had the cure for the worse disease on earth, you would want to get it out there for all to share. The worst condition there is affects every one of us. It's called sin. There is one cure - and only one. It's the forgiveness and redemption that Jesus brings.
Now what is required is for those of us who claim to follow him to be more aware of the treasure we have, to support those who go from here, and we ourselves to share in word and deed wherever we are - here or away.
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