Global Recognition
Today’s Verse:
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ~Romans 1:8
Major corporations are driven with the quest to become a household name. There are established consumer brands such as Coca Cola and MacDonald’s which can be found in most countries of the world. Then, there are the technology giants such as Apple, Google, and Facebook whose products and services have affected most areas of life. All of these companies have as their goal a “global recognition,” that is, to make their brand known by everyone. Long before this term was developed, the Apostle Paul spoke of a church in the first century “whose faith was spoken of throughout the whole world.”
There must be the priority.
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” Paul is speaking of the priority of churches being strongly missions-driven. Missions occur when churches seek to advance the gospel throughout the world, especially where the gospel has minimal to no influence. Missions is advanced through the sending of laborers, starting churches, and financial support of missionaries on the field. Churches and its members are obeying the Lord’s command in Matthew 28:19-20 by making missions a visible priority.
There must be prayer.
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.” Paul prayed for this church that it would be fruitful in its endeavors. He was so encouraged by the gospel influence this church was making, he prayed that their ability to further impact the world with the gospel would flourish. Jesus commanded us to pray for the Lord to send laborers for the harvest. We must pray that national men who get saved will sense the need to be called as preachers and reach their nation with the gospel.
There must be the practice.
Churches can broaden their influence with the gospel around the world in several ways. One is by stepping out in faith and claiming locations where they can send laborers to bring the gospel. They must have Bibles and printed literature in the language of the people in that area. Another way is by partnering with missionaries of like precious faith and assisting these missionaries with the propagation of the gospel in that area. In some situations, churches can have gospels of John and Romans printed and do a mass distribution of an area. Then, there must be a means where people who are being impacted by this gospel influence can communicate back with the church about their questions and decisions they make for salvation.
There is the product.
The end goal is seeing many unsaved people come to Christ. With these salvation decisions is the opportunity for these people to be added to an existing church, or for a new church that is pastor-led to be started. Once a church is started in that area, the opportunity to expand the gospel influence is wide open. It is at that point where Paul’s words, “your faith is spoken of throughout the world” comes to life.
I am thinking of a good friend of mine who has been used of God to start 170 works around the world. Many of these works are in the country where his church is located. However, the faith of his church is spoken of throughout the world! The gospel is being preached, thriving churches are in existence, and laborers to start more churches are being trained.
This morning, pray that the gospel influence of your church will attain global recognition to the glory of God. Pray for laborers and open doors.
Have a gospel-empowered God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 30-31