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Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

I. Commanded by Jesus.I. Commanded by Jesus. Matt. 28:19, “Matt. 28:19, “Go therefore and make

disciples of all the nations…” Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world,

and preach the gospel to the whole creation.”

Luke 24:47, “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations…”

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Acts of Apostles describes it. Acts of Apostles describes it. Acts 1:8, “Acts 1:8, “you shall be My witnesses

both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.“

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

In the first century the gospel “Was In the first century the gospel “Was preached in all creation under preached in all creation under heaven.” Rom. 10:18.heaven.” Rom. 10:18.

““the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven,” Col. 1:23.Col. 1:23.

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Chosen apostles, yes. Spiritual gifts, Chosen apostles, yes. Spiritual gifts, yes. Synagogues in every city, yes. yes. Synagogues in every city, yes.

But also “But also “those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” Acts 8:4

They “traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word” Acts 11:19.

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

No political backing, no emphasis on No political backing, no emphasis on money, no telephone, no telegram, money, no telephone, no telegram, no radio/TV, no printing press, no no radio/TV, no printing press, no computer, no internet. computer, no internet.

Nor did they have a “missionary Nor did they have a “missionary society,” or “sponsoring church,” or society,” or “sponsoring church,” or “church institutions.”“church institutions.”

How could they possibly do it How could they possibly do it without such “indispensable” tools?without such “indispensable” tools?

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

II. Jesus supplied the motivation.II. Jesus supplied the motivation. Matt. 9:36, “Matt. 9:36, “when He saw the

multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them…” (We see them on evening news).

"The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

“Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into His harvest."

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

John 4:35, “John 4:35, “lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already for harvest!”

Luke 15, lost sheep, lost coin, lost boy – Jesus’ fervent love for the lost.

Rom. 10:1, “my heart’s desire, prayer to God… that they may be saved.”

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Matt. 16:26, “What shall it profit... Matt. 16:26, “What shall it profit... gain world, lose soul?”gain world, lose soul?”

Do we believe that Do we believe that one soulone soul is worth is worth more than all treasures of earth?more than all treasures of earth?

Save one soul – potentially a Save one soul – potentially a multitudemultitude. .

Little girl invited to Bible class, later Little girl invited to Bible class, later obeyed, mother, brother, father – 14 obeyed, mother, brother, father – 14 people.people.

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

You’ve probably seen the chart You’ve probably seen the chart where where one gains one each yearone gains one each year: 1st : 1st year – 2; 2nd year – 4; 3rd year – 8; year – 2; 2nd year – 4; 3rd year – 8; 4th – 16… in 20 years???4th – 16… in 20 years???

Would you believe Would you believe 524,288524,288? ?

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

III. We must “go” and “send”.III. We must “go” and “send”. 3 Jn. 6, “3 Jn. 6, “You will do well to send

them on their way in a manner worthy of God…

V. 7, for they went forth for His name's sake…

V. 8 therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

2 Cor. 11:8, Churches supplied Paul with a salary so that he could preach.

Fil. 4:16, “Fil. 4:16, “even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.”

Paul had several colaborers: Timothy, Titus, Luke, Epaphras, Epaphroditus …

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

IV. Why so few willing to go into foreign IV. Why so few willing to go into foreign fields?fields?

Hard to leave family, familiar surround-Hard to leave family, familiar surround-ings, higher standard of living, higher ings, higher standard of living, higher level of education, conveniences. level of education, conveniences.

Wife not willing, “grandparents” protest.Wife not willing, “grandparents” protest. Red tape, hassle over visas , customs. Red tape, hassle over visas , customs. Learn a foreign language (even English).Learn a foreign language (even English). Culture shock.Culture shock.

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

But But major obstaclemajor obstacle: Must raise and : Must raise and keep support.keep support.

Crisscross country to raise it, go 5000 Crisscross country to raise it, go 5000 miles away, end of year get “pink slip,” miles away, end of year get “pink slip,” must pave parking lot. A/C went out.must pave parking lot. A/C went out.

Do you know what the solution is?Do you know what the solution is? Simple. Let Simple. Let churcheschurches take the take the

initiative: choose, support ($, prayers, initiative: choose, support ($, prayers, communica-tion), form strong bond. communica-tion), form strong bond. “Partners.”“Partners.”

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

V. Spanish work. Been in it since 1945 V. Spanish work. Been in it since 1945 (68 years). (68 years).

Intended to live in Mexico, but could Intended to live in Mexico, but could not get visa (Art. 130 of Mex. not get visa (Art. 130 of Mex. Constitution).Constitution).

Border, south Texas, NM, AZ, CABorder, south Texas, NM, AZ, CA Tamps., Coah., Chih., Durango, Mich., Tamps., Coah., Chih., Durango, Mich.,

Jalisco, Chiapas, Campeche, D. F.Jalisco, Chiapas, Campeche, D. F. 1970’s S. A. - Chile, Argentina, 1970’s S. A. - Chile, Argentina,

Ecuador.Ecuador.

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

1977-78 Colombia, started with 1977-78 Colombia, started with Carlos Restrepo, now about 50 Carlos Restrepo, now about 50 congregations.congregations.

Key men: Néstor Bermúdez, Jaime Key men: Néstor Bermúdez, Jaime Restrepo (radio!!!)Restrepo (radio!!!)

Their zeal comparable to men we Their zeal comparable to men we read about in Acts.read about in Acts.

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Also in the 80’s Also in the 80’s , Yucatán Peninsula – , Yucatán Peninsula – Mérida, Campeche, Q. R.. Also Puerto Mérida, Campeche, Q. R.. Also Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic.Rico, Dominican Republic.

From Chiapas into Guatemala, and From Chiapas into Guatemala, and from there into Honduras and from there into Honduras and Nicaragua.Nicaragua.

Mid-80s, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Mid-80s, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama.Panama.

1985 Venezuela, started with Agribelto 1985 Venezuela, started with Agribelto Estévez, now several congregations.Estévez, now several congregations.

Ecuador – started with one man, now Ecuador – started with one man, now several congregations.several congregations.

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Spain, Dos Hermanas, Canary Spain, Dos Hermanas, Canary Islands, Barcelona (Zaragoza, Islands, Barcelona (Zaragoza, Alicante). Alicante).

Many trips overseas since 70’s -- Many trips overseas since 70’s -- main purpose was to conduct daily main purpose was to conduct daily studies with preachers and others.studies with preachers and others.

Saw tremendous need for printed Saw tremendous need for printed studies.studies.

Colombian: “Just put it in my hands.”Colombian: “Just put it in my hands.”

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

VI. Power of the printed page, website.VI. Power of the printed page, website. Now distributing about 26 books – 9 books Now distributing about 26 books – 9 books

of sermons; commentaries on most NT, of sermons; commentaries on most NT, some OT books (Bill Reeves and I).some OT books (Bill Reeves and I).

Studies on MDR (Smith-Hicks), Calvinism, Studies on MDR (Smith-Hicks), Calvinism, institutional issues, unity in diversity, institutional issues, unity in diversity, Deity of Christ, modernism, creation, etc.Deity of Christ, modernism, creation, etc.

Other authors: Cogdill… 4 Waldron books, Other authors: Cogdill… 4 Waldron books, Harkrider (First Principles, 1 & 2).Harkrider (First Principles, 1 & 2).

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Mail hundreds of packages (PMI, Flat Mail hundreds of packages (PMI, Flat rate envelopes). Gone up to $23.95rate envelopes). Gone up to $23.95

Work growing, new congregations, Work growing, new congregations, new men needing study helps. new men needing study helps.

Get Get listslists of names who want, need of names who want, need them.them.

New generation of preachers, sons New generation of preachers, sons of men with whom I have worked.of men with whom I have worked.

Opened doors in all these countries.Opened doors in all these countries.

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Conclusion: Need more preaching on Conclusion: Need more preaching on world evangelism. world evangelism.

Power of pulpit, Bible classes – Power of pulpit, Bible classes – church strong on basics, against church strong on basics, against error, etc.error, etc.

Need same strong preaching on this Need same strong preaching on this subject.subject.

Same thoroughness, conviction, Same thoroughness, conviction, determination, persistencedetermination, persistence..

It would get same results!It would get same results!

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism

Foreign EvangelismForeign Evangelism