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The World Redeemed

10/28/2017

FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Terry R. Baughman

“The creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:21–22).

Catastrophic events of nature illustrate this text. It is the groaning pains of labor the earth endures because of the consequence of Adam’s transgression and the effects of sin that extend beyond humanity into the whole of creation. Volcanic eruptions, tidal waves and tsunamis, earthquakes, violent winds of hurricanes and tornadoes, and other extreme conflagrations of nature demonstrate the violent reaction of the physical world to “the bondage of corruption.” The globe cries out for deliverance.

Paul defined the sharp contrast of freedom in the life of the Spirit and the suffering of sin for those bound in its grip. Sin condemns us and binds our spirits, “Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). To fully appreciate the redemption of Christ’s sacrifice we must understand the severity of sin and its horrible effects upon all of creation. Paul associated the convulsions of nature in the fallen state to that of a mother groaning with the pains of giving birth. All look to the deliverance of a glorious new day when there shall be no more sin. John gives insight into that day when, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Through the power of the New Birth we experience deliverance from sin and a foretaste of the glory we shall enjoy in that eternal day. Paul said the baptism of the Holy Spirit is merely the “guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Ephesians 1:14). We live in anticipation of the ultimate redemption. Paul expanded on the topic when he said, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:18–19).

The message of the Gospel is greater than a good feeling and much more than psychological therapy. The Good News is a revelation of God’s eternal purpose. It is a life-changing spiritual encounter now, and an eternal hope for the future redemption. Entertainment, prescriptions or various therapies may provide a temporary relief from suffering by masking the pain, but nothing else can provide a remedy for the root cause other than the transforming power of the born again experience. Jesus said, “You must be born again!” (John 5:7). Jesus provided the possibility of a new life here and the promise of everlasting life hereafter. However, He awaits our response to His provision, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 5:5).

We respond and share this great Gospel and we live with anticipation for the future redemption of the world!

Scripture:
“Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35).

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The World Upside Down

10/22/2017

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FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Terry R. Baughman

“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17:6).

With the constant flood of bad news and negativity coming at us on all sides it is easy to assume there is nothing good happening in the world. From raging wildfires destroying homes and communities to devastating hurricanes and flooding that have destroyed many more, there is no lack of events to cause us to despair. Riots and protests, gun violence and murder, sex trafficking and assault, are all indications of a world gone mad. What has happened to respect for law and order? Where have the days of decency and respectability gone? Are decorum and propriety antiquated words of a distant past?

Paul warned Timothy about the last days. He said, “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” (2 Timothy 3:1–5 NIV). This is an accurate description of many in our generation. In moments of optimism we trust things will improve and our world will be a better place, but in reality the Scripture is being fulfilled, “Evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).

While society spirals out of control many rename sin and reframe the wickedness of this world. It is really not a new thing. The prophet Isaiah saw it in his generation and declared, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20). He condemned those who gave evil a new name of opposite definition and glossed over wickedness with a new coat of acceptance. Someone said, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig.” In our politically correct world we seldom call things out as they are. We have learned to use acceptable terms and the realities are masked with new labels. The blind are visually impaired and the crippled are disabled. The mentally handicapped are people with learning disabilities. There nothing wrong with those terms, but it goes further.

Sin becomes a sickness, addicts become persons who misuse a substance, and therapy is prescribed for the rapists and molesters. John McArthur said, “Today sin is called sickness so people think it requires therapy, not repentance.” It is good to recognize sin, call it out, and repent to God for the wrong in our lives. Paul said, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

We live in a world gone mad, crazy in their own wicked rebellion against God and His Word. It is an upside down world where everything right has become wrong and the wrong is called right. What is needed is an Apostolic revival, a renewal of right thinking, a righting up of everything that was topsy-turvy. In the early church believers were identified as those who turned the world upside down. Their preaching and their teaching challenged the way things were. While the adversary may protest that the church has turned the world upside down, in reality the message of Jesus Christ has turned the world right side up!

Scripture:
“Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35).

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The World is Here

10/13/2017

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FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Terry R. Baughman

“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts 17:6).

Have you ever looked on a directory or a map in a public place trying to determine where you were going? A predominate feature is the big dot or an arrow point to your present location, “You are here!” It is an obvious fact that before you can find directions to a desired destination you first must know where you are. Our orientation begins with our present position.

Two things are critical when we are seeking direction: where you are and where you are going. A former college instructor once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” So it is not just important where you are presently but also where you would like to go.

That was the reason for the commission Jesus gave to His followers. He said, “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47 NIV), but before launching out into all the world He told them to, “Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49 NIV). Before they could know where to go, it was vital to know where they were. They were in the place of promise, a place of power, and a place of preparation. Jesus told them plainly before His ascension, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Jesus gave His followers the GPS coordinates of their mission. They were instructed to be witnesses in Jerusalem. That was their present location, the community of their conversion. When the Holy Spirit was experienced the sound of it would reach the surrounding area where multitudes from many places had gathered for the feast day in Jerusalem. In God’s perfect timing they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with tongues magnifying God. The door was opened for their witness to the thousands gathered in the Temple square. From there the message and their opportunities spread to the surrounding region, throughout Judea and to Samaria (Acts 8).

God’s plan is to reach every receptive heart regardless of their location. He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The field is the world and that is our mission. However, the pattern given to the first followers will serve us as well. Let our first mission be at home, here in our neighborhoods, our communities, our villages and states. Our first responsibility is to share the good news of the living Christ with those who are near us. The network of family, friends, and acquaintances is our primary responsibility. While the passion of the work of the Kingdom is far reaching and our ultimate vision may be to minister in some far-flung corner of the globe, our first step is to be a missionary at home. Take the first step and other paths will unfold. Step out in faith locally and you will be enabled to reach out globally.

The field is the world, and the world is here!

Scripture:
“Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35).

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The World Mission

10/8/2017

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FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Terry R. Baughman

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

Some who are critical of the church neither understand the importance of preaching nor the power of the Gospel. They feel that all our efforts and resources should be in areas of social assistance and simply focus on the physical needs of the impoverished and oppressed of the world. In reality, some extraordinary efforts have been accomplished by humanitarian outreach around the globe by religious organizations. Hospitals, clinics, food distribution, and water resources are among the efforts of these organizations in many regions of the world. This mission is indeed a part of Christ’s instruction to feed, clothe, and care for the impoverished. However, the Great Commission was not focused on the physical and financial needs, but rather the more important vision of purpose, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15–16). Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them …” (Matthew 28:19). Again, He said, “You shall be witnesses to Me … to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Jesus said, “For the poor you have with you always” (John 12:8). He was not minimizing their need, but rather explaining that we will never have enough resources to satisfy every financial and physical need of our world. The mission of the church is to care for souls and rely on the life-changing power of the Gospel to bring about the most crucial transformations.

“God so loved the world …,” that He brought salvation. The Scripture did not say “God so loved the world that He fed the hungry and clothed the naked.” Jesus did those things in the course of His greater purpose. He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick,” then explained,“I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). The full scope of His mission was outlined as He read from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue of Nazareth, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18–19).

The greatest need of the hour is the preaching of the Gospel, our ultimate mission is to proclaim Christ in every culture. We cannot leave their eternal destinies to chance, or rely on humanitarian efforts to satisfy the greater need of the soul. God’s vision must become our goal. Our mission must always include the global vision. “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matthew 24:14).

It is faith in Christ that brings us to salvation, and faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Only through the preaching of the Word of God will people come to know the liberating power of the Gospel. We must declare the message to every nation. Paul quoted the psalmist declaring, “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world” (Romans 10:18).

Scripture:
“Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” (John 4:35).

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The World Redeemed

The World Upside Down

The World is Here

The World Mission

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