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Watch 2022-2023 online sermons » Dr. Charles Stanley » Charles Stanley - A Heart for God - A Vision for the World

Charles Stanley - A Heart for God - A Vision for the World



Do you realize how blessed and fortunate you are? Sometime in your life somebody came to you and told you about Jesus. You may have heard it in a sermon; may have been a friend who sat you down and said, I want to talk to you about something that could change your life. You trusted Jesus as your Savior. The Holy Spirit came into your life; sealed you forever as a child of God. And, from that moment on you had a new residence, an eternal residence in Heaven where you and I will go to spend eternity with God serving Him and glorifying Him through our life.

Now the question is this. Suppose that had never happened. Suppose you had never heard. Or let me put it this way. Suppose right now at this point you've never heard. But suppose you look back on your life and you think, Well, I don't know whether this is the right way to go or not; whatever you may be going through. Let me tell you what the situation is if you've never trusted Jesus as your Savior. And I want you to think about it in this light. Suppose you'd never heard. Well, first of all, your sins would have separated you from God. Your name would not be in the Lamb's Book of Life, it'd be absent. You would be living your life totally on your own with no help from God. You would be living under the wrath of God because of your sin. You would be facing death with uncertainty and fear because you have no earthly idea what's going to happen on the other side. And you would also be facing the righteous judgment of God.

That is exactly where most, probably most of the people in the world are living; because now we've reached the seven billion mark in population. And if even three and a half or four billion people knew about Jesus Christ, there are still many who do not. And so when I think about that, and I think about what Jesus said, and He made it so clear about our relationship, and the necessity of it. And Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. Well, as I think about that and think back over the years how that's affected me personally; and asking myself the question, In the light of this truth, what am I to do? In the light of this truth, what are we to do as a church? How are we to respond to that?

And so, when we think in terms of that, we think in terms, for example of our particular theme for this missions conference, which is "A Heart For God, A Vision For the World", I want you to turn to Luke chapter twenty-four. Luke chapter twenty-four and beginning in this forty-fifth verse, this is the last thing Jesus said before He ascended. Now while you're turning to that, you remember when you were a kid growing up and I still remember this. My mother went to work early in the morning so she left me and I'd have to get dressed and cook my breakfast and so forth. So she was always very clear about, the last thing she told me I finally figured out, was the one thing she didn't want me to forget. And she'd say, Now Charles, do you remember what I said? Yes ma'am. Did I always remember? Not, not always; but I remember her making such an impression on me that she'd told me the most important thing right before she left.

That is exactly what Jesus did, the most important thing He said to them. He said to them the thing that He did not want them to forget, besides His messages of course, was what He said to them. So beginning in this forty-fifth verse, listen, "Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.'" And what He's referring to here is of course the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit preparing them to do the work.

Now when we think about having a heart for somebody, a heart for God, what does that mean? What does that include? If I have a heart for you, then I'm going to have a relationship with you. And so, I want to know how you think. I want to know why you think the way you do. I want to know why you act the way you act. I want to know what you know that I need to know. I want to know enough about you that you and I can have a personal relationship. Because you see, when the Bible talks about knowing someone, it is an intimate knowledge. That is, if I have a heart for God, I have a desire to know Him. And it'll always be an insatiable desire, that no matter how much I know, I want to know more. Why? Because there's something inside of me; there's something inside of me that desires to have an intimate personal relationship with Him. I may know lots of people, but the one person I want to know above everyone else is I want to know this Jesus, why He thinks the way He thinks; the things that He said; why He said them; what He wants me to do, because I can trust Him. And the more I know Him, the more I'll trust Him.

Secondly, I'm going to have a desire to obey Him. The three times in the fourteenth chapter of John, remember the fourteenth chapter of John, the night before He was going to be crucified. Three times in one chapter He said the same thing. He said, If you love Me, you will obey me. If you love Me, you will obey me. If you love Me, you will obey me. Why did He say the same thing three times in the same chapter? Because He wanted them to understand that true, genuine love results in obedience to Almighty God. No matter how much they say and what they may do, the important thing was that they obeyed Him.

And I would ask you this question. Would you say that you are an obedient Christian? That, listen. That it's the character of your life; it's the way you think; it's foremost in your thinking; it's always there when you're in the process of making a decision, that you want to be sure that you're obedient to God. If I have a heart for somebody, I really have a heart for them, I want to know them. But likewise, I want them to be obedient to God; because I also know how God will bless them and challenge their life; and how He'll enable them to live a life that's fulfilling and fruitful; and a life that's joyous no matter what kind of trouble you may face in life. If I really have a heart for Him, I'm going to want to know who He is and I'm going to be obedient to Him.

I want to obey Him. But there's a third thing. It's not enough to say, you know, if I know Him, if I have a heart for Him, I know Him, I obey Him. But if I have a heart for Him, I'm going to share Him. I can't keep it to myself. For example, if I were not a pastor and somebody says, Well, what would you do? I can tell you this. Whatever I'd be doing, I'd be talking about Jesus; because He is what life is all about. And the truth is, whatever your vocation may be, the central thoughts in your mind and heart every day ought to be your relationship to Him. In other words, how can you keep it to yourself?

When I think about this, now think about it for a moment and be honest. How is it that you have trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior; He's living on the inside of you; your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life; He's with you every single day, morning noon and night. He says, I'll never leave you nor forsake you. He provides your needs. He expresses His love towards you in many ways. He gives you this awesome promise that you have the gift of eternal life; that your name is written, never to be erased, in the Lamb's Book of Life. Forever you're a child of God. You have a future residence which is in Heaven, where you'll spend all of eternity glorifying Him and serving Him.

Now let me ask you a question. How can you possibly keep that to yourself? So what's God's plan? What's God's plan? And has His plan changed? Somebody says, Well, maybe, maybe it changed. Since we have, since we have all of these things, maybe God's plans changed. No, God's plan hasn't changed. God's plan has three parts. First of all, the first part is the Person, the Person of Jesus Christ, who is the Authority, who is the one who designates and who commands that His people share the truth. And it is His life that was at the cross. It is His sacrificial, all sufficient Substitutionary atoning death that makes it possible for people to be saved. So first thing in His plan was a Person, so He sent Jesus.

Second thing in His plan, listen, the second thing in His plan is very evident here from this chapter, is Power. Notice what He said to them in Jerusalem. He says, Sit down in the city of Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high. Now He said I want you to go to the remotest parts of the earth. Now why did He say that? Now watch this carefully. God doesn't expect you to do anything when it comes to sharing your faith apart from Him. He doesn't. We all have our weaknesses, our frailties. We've all made mistakes in talking to people and maybe not discerning everything's going on in their life. Listen to what He said. He said, I want you to sit down and wait. Well, you would think, Wait a minute. Three years with You; we watched You raise the dead; we watched You heal; we watched You divide five loaves and two fishes. We watched You, pull a coin out of the sea. In other words, we watched You load up our fish nets. We watched You do all, we've heard all of this. What do You mean, wait?

Here's what He said. I want you to wait until you're fully equipped. When are you fully equipped? When My Spirit comes upon you to indwell you, which is exactly what happened at Pentecost. What He was saying was this. Wait until the Spirit comes and fills you and prepares you. At Pentecost He came, descended upon the church, and every single person who has ever been saved since has been indwelt by the Spirit of God. It's very clear in the Bible. The Holy Spirit indwells us. Listen, he's the One who interprets the Word for us. He's the One who helps us to be able to understand teaching. He's the One who gives us direction and wisdom and guidance through. In other words, it's through the Holy Spirit we receive these things. It is the Spirit of God working within us so that every single one of us has the Holy Spirit living within us; equipping us, empowering us; giving you the courage and the abilities and the skills to do whatever God calls you to do.

So His plan is His Son Jesus; His sacrificial death on the cross; His authority is the Lord and Master and Ruler and King. Secondly, the power by which we're to do it. The authority of Jesus; the power, the energy; that's divine energy He's talking about, which is so essential to do what God wants us to do. But then there's a third thing and that's simply this; and that is His Program. It's one thing to have a person and to have a power, but what's the program? For example, you say, Well, does that mean we know Jesus as our Savior and we have the Holy Spirit, so what's the plan? Listen. God doesn't leave anything for questions. Here's the plan. Are you ready for the plan? It doesn't sound very good.

Well, you say, Well, does the plan include you? Well, let's just see what the deal is here. What's God's plan? Now remember what His goal is, the remotest parts of the earth. That is, no place left unevangelized. The remotest parts, the furthest parts, the closest parts, that is, God loves you and your family and your friends and those who are not your friends. He loves your enemies. That is, God has a love that is absolutely inconceivably, listen, there's no way to comprehend the awesome love that everybody on this globe is under the canopy of the love of God. Most of them are ignorant of it. Many of them have rejected it. But everybody's under the canopy of His love. We experience it only when we experience Him.

So what's the plan? Well, the plan is a Missionary Church. Now watch this. You had twelve disciples. Then you got a hundred and twenty, five hundred; next thing you know you've got three thousand. What happened after Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Came the book of Acts. What's the book of Acts about? The book of Acts, here's what it's about. It's about that handful of disciples. Can you imagine what they must have said, must have thought? Wait a minute, Jesus. I'm sure Peter probably looked around and said, This crowd's not going to cut it. Are you sure what You're saying, that You expect us to go into the whole world and tell them what You've told us? That's what He said. But He knew that twelve would be a hundred and twenty and five hundred and three thousand and millions and millions and millions. And here was His plan. You see, you can't improve on Jesus. This is why you ought to obey Him. Listen to this. He says, Here's My plan. My plan is missionary churches.

So what did He do? Not only was the church there in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, but He sent the Apostle Paul into the Mediterranean world. What did he do? Went into town; start talking to somebody about Jesus and, and sometimes like in, when he went to Athens, he was preaching and all these folks who were giving him a hard time. He just kept on preaching. What he did, God used that one man, Barnabas and Silas and others. He used them to sow that part of the world down in what? New Testament missionary churches. Now you say, Well, how would you describe a missionary church? I'm glad you asked me. Because I want to show you what a missionary church is like.

And so I'm going to put a description of it on a mag screen so you can see and we'll start with number one. Here's what a missionary church looks like. One that has a vision for the world, we have a vision for the world. Not just for Atlanta, Georgia, but for the world. Secondly, listen, one that obediently responds to what? Jesus' commission. That is, if God says, Here's what I want you to do. I want you to send missionaries. I want you to give this much. A missionary church is going to be obedient, listen, obedient to the commission of Jesus Christ, which is what we are attempting to do.

Number three, one that clearly proclaims Jesus' message of redemption. And that is our goal, Sunday after Sunday after Sunday, to clearly speak the truth, proclaim the truth, declare the truth of the Word of God, exactly what He says as truthfully as God will give us the wisdom and the ability and the skill to do it. Speaking the truth, not something that people just want to hear, but, listen, what's life changing truth. If the message has no life changing element in it, there's something wrong. And then, for example, the other one is one that calls out the called of God to carry the message. That is, that's the reason we challenge people. The reason we challenge you to consider does God want you on the mission field somewhere else?

Somebody says, Oh, no, no, no, no, no. He could never, He could never call me. I've met a lot of missionaries who said that. Said, well when God first began to speak to me, I said, Well that couldn't, I got three children. I've got this wonderful job. I'm, beside, I'm a deacon in the church. I'm this, I'm that. And God says, Mm-mm-mm; I'm calling you. Listen. The last thing you want to do is disobey God. Does that mean He's going to call everybody to the mission field? No. But listen to this. He's call, He has already called every single one of us to be a witness of Him where we are. Now He may change your location in doing it. For example, you may live in Florida and He brought you to Atlanta. You may live in Atlanta for a while; He'll send you somewhere else. Wherever He sends you, wherever you are, that's your mission field. That's what we're doing, is challenging you to consider what part does God want you to play in getting His truth to the remotest parts of the earth?

Now watch this. Do you realize that you are among the most blessed people who have ever lived? You say, Well, look at the economy. Look at the war and look at the, mmmmm. No, watch this. This is the first generation that has ever lived that has the capacity, the ability, the skill, the knowledge, the wisdom and the mechanics and the technology to get the truth of the gospel to every single person on the face of this earth, with no exception. This is the first generation. First generation. Then if, since He has given us that privilege and given us the capacity to do it, He expects and anticipates His missionary church to get the truth of the gospel out there far and wide, no matter what.

Now think about this. When in your thinking you recognize that every single, watch, look at this, every single one of us is a missionary from God's perspective. You say, Ohhh, but I don't know much Bible. That's not got anything to do with it. You can quote John three sixteen or you can point somebody to it. In other words, every single one of us in, from God's eyes, we are missionaries. A missionary church, listen, what makes a missionary church? Brick and mortar? No, what makes a missionary church is missionary people in the fellowship, who have the vision to get the truth of the gospel to the remotest parts of the earth. You don't start there, you start close. And then whatever and however God sends you. Then of course, one that supports those called to carry the message. In other words, a missionary church doesn't just want to call out people that God has called to missions. But we agree to support them.

So that when they're on the mission field, they're not having to work some other job and do their missionary work as a sideline. That's not what God wants. God wants His people to supply whatever the needs are. And listen. There are thousands and thousands and thousands of missionaries all around the world who are supported by people back home. The truth is the United States of America has been this great deposit, not only of missionary personnel, but of the finances that's reached the world. Now, wonderfully, there are so many other nations who, missionary churches have been established. Those churches are growing. They're, now those, listen, those missionaries are missionaries to some other country.

And I remember when I was in seminary many years ago, this lady came from Brazil and spoke and here's what she said. She said, One of these days we're going to be sending missionaries to you all if you don't straighten up. And I thought to myself, not recently, but I thought, Lord, here's the wonderful thing that's happening. Other countries that we have sent missionaries to are sending missionaries to other countries and back and forth. God, listen, God's plan's working. The plan is that you and I obey God; that you and I give ourselves in some fashion to doing what? To getting the truth of the gospel to the world. And, if we're honest, we'll have to admit we are totally inexcusable for not sharing it personally. Any church is totally inexcusable if they do not have a missionary plan, a missionary ministry, a work, specific, dedicated to getting the gospel to the remotest parts of the earth.

And we are blessed, as we've said we have a train and we have a track. The train is the church; the track is In Touch. We're not limiting the four walls of this building. But you and I are a part of a missionary church that has not only, listen, the message, but He has given us incredibly, the means of getting to the entire world. We have these in a number of languages. I can't even tell you all the languages. But listen. Our goal is to keep putting them in as many languages as possible. And what we're choosing primarily, listen, and even today the ministry is in the most spoken languages in the world. That is, China, for example, India, Russia, places like that that have millions and millions of people, in their languages. And imagine sending these things all over the world.

And here's what happens. People drop them, lose them. Somebody comes along and says, Hmmm, looks like I've got something here. Turn that thing on and hear this voice and says something about how to get to Heaven. I better listen to that. God knows how. He knows how to take the simplest, unexpected means to change a person's whole eternity. And that is what you and I are up to and what we're about, because we're a missionary church. Now you may be someone who listens every week and you think, Why do you keep talking about Jesus and all this? I'll tell you why. We can't keep quiet. And the reason we can't is we know that if you knew what we know about Him, you would want Him just like we do. Because you see, without Him you're not going to get to Heaven. I don't care what you believe, who's taught you what, who's told you what.

Remember what we said. There are many people out there who believe in many gods. All of them are manmade. There is only one that transforms, listen, a person's eternal destiny. And the Son of God, Jesus the Lord, said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. Therefore, go into all the world, teaching and preaching the gospel to every single person, at the remotest parts of the earth. And what will He do? He will bless our every effort, because that's what He's up to. Now, you have three choices this morning and you didn't even ask for them. There aren't but three. You can either go to a mission field somewhere or across the street, or in your own home. You can give, that those who go to distant places will be able to do their work. And you can pray. Now there may be some other little things you can do to help, but three things.

So I'll ask you a question. Would you not agree that all that you've heard this morning is the truth? Amen? Secondly, what you have to decide now is what you're going to do about the truth. You say, Well, now, I don't have to decide that. Oh yes, you do! Hm-hm-hm-hm. You say, Well, I don't have to. Yes you do, because you're responsible for the truth. He said a missionary church; responsibility to the remotest parts of the earth. So today, I simply want you to ask the Lord, Lord, in light of the truth of the gospel and Your commission to every believer; of these three things he just mentioned, going and giving and praying, which of these do You want me to become involved in? Now your first response may be, Oh, well, I'll just do a little giving. You may be surprised what else He'd say to you. And He may say to you, I'm not asking you to go to China or Russia or Germany or Brazil, or some place in Africa. I want you to go to your friend whom you know is not a Christian and you need to tell him how to be saved. I would never tell anybody how to answer those three questions. I would just simply say, Would you be courageous enough, would all of us be willing enough, sincere enough about our Christian life to say, Lord, how do You want me to be involved in Your mission to the world?

Thank You, Father that You have spoken to each of us. And now my prayer, Lord, would You give them the assurance and the confidence that whatever You've required, that they would be wise enough to obey You, whatever that is. We do love You and we pray that You'll impress upon our hearts that that true obedience is evidence of our love for You. And as we think about being a missionary church, show us how to reach more and more and more. That the wonderful awesome life-changing truth of the gospel would reach the young child and the older grandfather and grandmother, everybody in between. We thank You again for reaching us. And we pray that the Holy Spirit would impress upon our hearts how powerful it is to come to you in someone else's behalf, that they too would know Christ as their Savior. And we ask this in Jesus' name, amen.
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