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Grace Bible Church is a reformed, baptistic, and evangelical church located in Escondido, CA. Find out more.

Missions to the Glory of God

Memorial Day is set aside in our nation’s calendar to remember those who gave their lives to fight our nation’s military battles. While I acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe to those who fought for our political freedom, the occasion of Memorial Day also brought to my mind those who have given their lives in spiritual warfare – missions in particular. The New Testament tells of the earliest Christian martyrs. There have also been many throughout church history who have died in their quest to bring the liberating gospel of God’s kingdom to the world.

Today we will look at the Word of God to answer the questions:

1. Why should we send missionaries?
2. Who should be involved in missions?
3. What is the work of missions?

Finding Peace With God Through Christ

Today we will be considering Paul’s words in Romans 5:12-21 where he tells us how we can find peace with God. Many people desire to live peaceful lives without trouble and strife. Some are willing to do anything just to have peace in their home, relationships and workplaces. However, peace with God is not a common concern, but it should be a universal one. Many who have a sincere trust in Christ struggle with doubts as to whether they are truly forgiven and whether they have peace with God.

Please pray that those with true faith will know, with greater clarity and certainty, that they are right with God because of the grace of God to them and the work of Christ for them. This text is also very evangelistic so please do pray for those who don’t know Christ that they might see their sin in all its wickedness, but also see Christ is all his preciousness and so desire reconciliation with God.

David’s Incomparable Prayer to the Incomparable God

Why is prayer so hard? We have difficulty setting aside to pray. Once we start to pray we get distracted far too easily. Sometimes we aren’t sure how we should pray. Why should we pray if the LORD has already determined what will happen?

As we come to the end of 2 Samuel 7, the LORD, through the prophet Nathan has just revealed the promises of the Davidic covenant, that David’s house will endure forever. David, overwhelmed by God’s grace, gives thanks and praise to the LORD and asks that all of God’s promises would be fulfilled just as He said.

Our prayers also should be in response to God’s glorious revelation to us. We are participants in a better covenant, in Jesus Christ the Son of David. Our praise is fueled by our gratitude for God’s grace in choosing us in spite of our unworthiness. His promises inform us as we pray for This Kingdom to come and His will to be done.

David’s prayer gives us a pattern for prayer:

1. Confessing our unworthiness and God’s grace. v. 18-21
2. Praising the LORD for His Person and work. v. 22-24
3. Praying His promises. V. 25-29