Why Not Missions — Llewellyn Van Der Merwe

Let us close our eyes. I pray Father we come before you in only one name for all men have fallen short of the glory of God. But one man has prevailed. There was one man found who could open the book the lion of the tribe of Judah.

Father and we come in his name name of Jesus Christ. It's only because of that name and that life and that example and that sacrifice. That we can stand here this morning or sit there. So God have mercy on us.

Come and help us to perceive what thou would say to us this morning. Come and lead us Lord by thy spirit for man shall profit us nothing. Neither the strength of man. Father therefore, please hide me away.

I shall easily will hinder thee. I know Our life is frail and weak. But I yet boast in my weakness for so Christ is made manifest in this earthen vessel. And so I pray father. Come and lift Jesus Christ up high this morning in our midst.

Help us to perceive and understand The words that we are about to look at. Father not to have our own Perspective and understanding but to have yours is our desire. Help us Lord. We are weak, although we even might not know it.

We are done of hearing. Proud we are boastful. God have mercy on us. This morning. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen, you can open your Bibles the book of Matthew. Matthias book of Matthew chapter 23.

Hypocrisy as a Reason Not to Undertake Missions

Sorry. Book of Matthew chapter 23. You have your Bibles open there. Please listen first To what I think is good for us to know. There is a reason not to go and do missions. There's a reasons why we can rather stay at home and Not go preach to other people.

There's a reason for us to shut ourselves in our closet and stay there. There is a reason. Why God? Would not want people to carry his covenant on their mouth. There's a reason. We read a few words here what Jesus said.

Chapter 23 verse 14. It says woe unto you scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for you devour widows houses and for pretense. Make long prayers. Therefore you shall receive a great damnation. Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites.

For you can pass sea and land to make one Proselyte and when he is made you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourself. Woe unto you he blind guides would say and then it goes on and on. There's a reason for men to tremble When they get in contact with this book and the one who wrote it and Then want to go and tell others about it.

There is a reason to tremble if you are a hypocrite. What is it to be a hypocrite. Hypocrite is someone that doesn't really always Stick to what he says To others so he would tell others to do things by himself when he's alone would do differently.

You tell other you teach the men not to look at the ladies, but when he's alone, he's looking. He would teach his congregation to live sacrificial lives. But then he is living lasciously lavishly rather Rich lives.

He will teach people Things which he himself is not prepared to live his pink his little finger to to do. This is hypocritical and Jesus had no Liking to it. You know he would let harlots come and weep at his feet and wipe it with their hair.

Listen he will let a lady who has allowed her body to be abused. Come and lie at his feet and we and wipe it with her hair. But he wouldn't let the hypocrite come close to him with a stick. He called them vipers.

Men who shot heaven in the face of men. He had little respect for the religious Hypocrites of his day and the sad reality is most of us in this room stand in danger of being one. You know I've often thought we preach sermons against the adulterer and against This one and against that one the drunkards and the these but they usually don't come to church.

You know the ones that should be preached to as the hypocrites, and they have reason to shut themselves in their closet. And not go anywhere. Not tell anyone about Jesus. God says you wicked. Why do you keep my covenant on your lips.

You got nothing to do with it. It says here. They come past sea and land. To make one proselyte now, that's they do they go do missions to make one man a Jew make him a what they call a proselyte. Convert him to Judaism of that day not the Judaism of the day.

Today's Judaism is close to witchcraft. Whereas the Judaism of that day still had the law the temple the sacrifices. The priests and all these things. But we consider that Jesus was not pleased with this and I know that there are many churches today that they are doing a great deal of mission work.

But they are blinding people. They're making them as the scripture says here. You come past make one proselyte and when he is made you make him twofold. More the child of hell than yourself. So God is saying You hypocrite you're a child of hell.

It's not me that's saying it. God is saying it. If you're a hypocrite you're living a double life in church you nice and smile and fresh. But there in your closet you're deceiving and stealing and slandering and gossiping and envying and striving and You're a hypocrite.

So am I I do the same question is Jesus says if you then go out. And Convince somebody to follow you. You make them twice the child of the devil twice. I think well Lord Let us stay in our closets. Let us fall on our knees.

Let us weep. Let us cry for grace. Let us change our ways. I Have over the short little time of my life met so many people That have been completely blinded by hypocrites in the church. People who have a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.

They have no reality with God. They're Christians, but they don't know him. They're faithful in doing the little things like tithing and all these things they pass twice a week and They will never miss any activities but they are Carrying within them dead man's bones white washed Sepulchres, that's what it is to be hypocrite you go read chapter 23 if you don't believe me says all these things.

The Missionary Call to Preach Repentance

That's one reason why? We shouldn't go do missions, but then Let's look at why should we? Why should we go? Do missions? Why missions as one brother started? Exclaiming that there is so many percentage of millions dying per hour and this and that and he went down.

Giving statistics of the statistics of millions of people dying every day who has never heard the gospel once. Once they've not even heard it once. We live in the 2008. That's 2 ,000 years approximately From Christ and yet there is thousands upon millions of people who has not heard about him once.

Do you know that? In Africa they haven't heard of him once. Now we know the devil has jumped in to furnish the job. Because he knows his time shall not come until everyone has heard of Jesus and through the media and many similar fashions a False Christianity is being proclaimed with speakers so loud that the truth I doubt Will be able to keep up the pace.

If God does not intervene false Christianity is growing like wild grass. Every promising people a false peace. Giving them a security which is not from God. God has not said stay in your sin, and I shall smile on you.

He started his ministry and his very greatest prophet too with these words repent. For the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent is what he started with. Do we think has changed? He does not change. Why missions?

John 20 verse 21 says as My father has sent me. So send I with you we can quickly read it one of my favorite chapters or other verses. And I consider the greatness of those words. In fact, it's so great that I believe when it was spoken the whole spiritual world trembled.

When they heard that God is now going to send many like he sent his son. They saw what the son has done. You know, the son has totally overcome the kingdom of darkness through his death. He's totally taken out of the way all accusation and cleansed your name.

Made you white as snow. So the father send him. And here in chapter 20 Verse 21 then said Jesus to them again. Peace be unto you as my father has sent me even so Send I you. Even so and with that goes I believe a whole great Responsibility a very great responsibility, you know, we meet in reread there in Matthew 24 a story a parable Matthew 24, sorry 25.

The Judgment of the Nations and the Bread of Life

Matthew 25. Verse 31. Matthew 25. When the Son of Man shall come in his glory and all these angels with him then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all nations and he shall separate them one from the other as sheep divide as a shepherd divide his sheep from the goats and He shall say so he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goat on his on the left.

Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand. Come here blessed of my father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungered and you gave me meat. I was thirsty and You gave me drink.

I was a stranger you took me in Naked you clothed me. I was sick. You visited me. I was in prison you came unto me then shall the righteous answer him saying Lord When saw we thee hungered and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee oh Oh. When saw we thee sick or in prison and gave thee. Came unto thee and the king shall answer and say unto them. But only I say to you in so much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren.

You have done it unto me we consider here a Passage which I believe Is very much misunderstood it is very much misunderstood. Because I know many different religious groups Which do a great deal to make sure that people?

Are fed and clothed and looked after visited when they seek and all these things. They do it they are they put us to shame in their commitment and Dedication. Now, what does it then mean if that if people who have a wrong perception of Christ?

Still do the same. Let me tell you what It says here when I was a hundred you gave me meat. Jesus said my meat is to do the will of the Father. Jesus said I come to give my life as Bread, you know the world out there is hungry.

They don't have Spiritual truth they are starving. They have no eyes to see they are blind. They have nothing to cover their nakedness of sin. They are totally bound in a prison of sin. They are sick because of the sickness of sin.

They are strangers to the covenant of God. They are without hope and if we Don't commit our lives to repent from hypocritic lives. And then go out and give them the bread of life. Clothed them with the righteousness of Christ.

Hold out to them the healing balm of Gilead. Shall we not have their hands on our their dead bloods on our hand? According to Ezekiel 4 3 Chapter 4 it's a One of those passages that I'm sure many Bible faithful Bible readers know Ezekiel chapter 3 verse 4 and he said unto me son of man Go get thee out out.

No, it's not that one verse 17 Chapter 3 verse 17 son of man. I have made thee a watchman Unto the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word of my mouth and give them warning for me. When I say unto the wicked thou shall surely die and I'll give us not warning nor speak to warn the wicked from the wicked way.

To save his life the wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thy hand? Doesn't that sound the same? With the King saying to these go away from me and To those you gave me meat you clothed me and this and that it's the same the one gave warning to the coming judgment and Many took heed and were clothed upon with the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

They were washed they were delivered out of the prisons. You don't believe me. Well, let's go to Isaiah 61 and you hear the Lord Jesus his own words Repeated in the New Testament, but we will read it in Isaiah 61.

It says the spirit of the Lord is upon me. Because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. Yes, send me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim liberty to their captives. Isn't that those in prison and the opening of the prison to them that are bound to proclaim the Acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all that mourn and To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give.

To give unto them beauty for ashes and oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. That they might be called trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord that he might that he might be glorified.

Why missions? That he might be glorified. The one reason we looked because many are dying. Yet it stands close to being humanistic to come to a place where we think that the existence of God is for the happiness of man.

The Terror of the Lord and the Urgency of Evangelism

No, my dear friends brothers and sisters it is For the glory of God, that's why missions God Must be glorified. Another reason why missions. 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 tells us a Startling statement which many wouldn't want to believe.

2nd Corinthians chapter 5 Verse 11 says knowing therefore the terror of the Lord. We persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God and I trust also are made manifest in your conscience. What does that mean to us that means they must they must be men Who have come face to face with the realities of life that man is appointed once to die and thereafter the judgment and Then knowing this reality and the terror being found outside of Christ.

They go out and they preach. They warn the wicked. Now were they wicked? Of course they were. All have fallen short. I Stand here today before you as a dying man preaching to dying people. I'm just one of you said Paul be as I am.

Weak frail, but trusting in the Living God. That's the difference. And yet we have come to see that there is a terrible wrath. I mean consider for yourself a moment if he is really as merciful and as kind and as gentle and as meek and as humble and as patient patient patient as We read off in Scripture if he's really all these wonderful things.

What must it take? To get him to be full of wrath. I tell you what it takes. It takes people Who live in sin. That's what it takes. Many people out there today who don't want to follow God, you know why?

Because other people live in sin. That's why Other people go out and do unrighteous things unjust things and they mar the conscience of many and God's wrath is kindled. Because this image is Misrepresented people are misinformed of who God is.

Because men live in sin. And that's why God's wrath is kindled. There's terror for them who wouldn't turn from their sin and receive Christ. Knowing therefore this terror Paul inspired of the Holy Ghost said we persuade men to be reconciled.

To turn back, you know in Hebrews 12 verse 2 it says. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy That was set before him endured the cross. Despised the shame and the sit down at the right hand of God right hand of the throne of God.

My question is what was that joy that was set before him? Isn't it you in the presence of God? Isn't it those that have turned and we believed on him? Isn't it missions? Didn't he see? Oh, yes, there will be a few that will believe that I am truly he who I say I am and.

And they will take this message. After it's crushed them and purged them and clenched them and they will carry it with all the zeal and eager and Power and fire from heaven as I've had in this time. I was here.

They shall bring in a harvest and they shall be called trees of righteousness a planting of the Lord that he might be glorified. He saw a joy set before him people repenting people coming back to God people meeting their creator.

Getting free from their bondages getting cleansed getting clothed. He saw it. And he therefore endured the cross. He said well if I must die. Do it he went through it. He didn't say nah. They spit in my face that blocked my beard.

Why should I if they can see how much I love them? They can see that their sin, but leads to destruction. Why won't they turn we also see another reason for missions if we look briefly here in first Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 19 20.

For what is our hope or joy or crown of Rejoicing. Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ that is coming. For ye are our glory and joy. There's another reason for missions brothers. You can take nothing to heaven with you but souls everything that men have bled for.

Died for strived for and lived for. Will become ashes useless nothing. There's only one thing that shall remain and that is what is done in Christ. Let us go out laboring to bring in as many souls to him as possible.

Lest we end up before that throne and he says to us when I was naked. You did not clothe me. When I was hungry you did not feed me. When I was in prison you did not visit me you did not come and set me free.

You left me to rot in the devil's hell. Don't you know that each man on this earth has made in the presence of the sorry that image we have Belittled the value of a soul my dear friends brothers and sisters.

We drive through the townships and we see thousands of people walking and somehow this is Numbed our perspective of the value of one of their souls. They are made in the image of God and When you have not gone out to clothe them with Jesus's righteousness if you have not gone out to feed them with the bread of heaven.

If you have not gone out to proclaim liberty to the captives. He shall say to you go away from me. He cursed go away from me. I know you not you workers of iniquity. Go away from me. Why? Because there is people sinking away in hell.

Because the church are hypocrites. We sit in our back heel. Comfortable. Saying we are full and satisfied yet. We are naked and wretched and poor. Jesus is come come by he go with at my place. So what is needful for missions to have its power.

Revival, Repentance, and the Need for Spiritual Honesty

What is needful. Revival there needs to be revival among God's people. There needs to be an awakening that people will wake up and see their need and come before God and stop playing the fool. I mean listen if we're not walking in Christ in victory.

Let's face it. Let's come out and say God. I'm falling short. I'm I'm preaching to people, but I'm not living it. Let's come out and face it instead of faking on. Cruising on. And being come twice a child of the devil as those that need us.

Dear beloved. Don't you know don't you know that God would have all men everywhere to repent. All men everywhere means all men. Everywhere to repent and call on Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Who has the power?

To give unto them a new heart. To put his spirit within them and cause them to walk in a new life. Which they themselves cannot reduce. They cannot. With all their strength and abilities and powers they are falling a so far short.

That it will take the soul of man all eternity suffering in hell. To do what one drop of blood of Christ does in a moment if you believe to Christ three days to settle their account. It'll take man all eternity and still no settlement will be reached.

No settlement will be reached. It's three days. You want to know how far man falls short. There is somewhat of a glimpse of it. You either turn for he has said My son is the one in whom I'm well pleased and he does not bow the knee unto him shall not see life.

Shall not see life. Oh. You must believe him. There's a reason why revival Terry's God says there's a reason. Read of it in Isaiah 59. There's a reason why revival Terry's it says behold. The Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save.

Neither is his ear heavy that it cannot hear but your iniquity are separated between but your iniquity have Separated between you and your God and your son hath hid his face from you that he will not hear.

Are we living a life which has grieved the Spirit of God? Are we Christians living a compromising life? Are we hypocrites? Don't sit there and say yes. I'm not a hypocrite. Rather be honest. Say God, it's me.

You're talking to. I'm helping God. I can't change myself. I'm desperate needy. I'm weak and poor. I'm unable to do this. What you're saying. I'm undone. How do you think Peter felt when Jesus met him after he denied him three times.

How did he feel. I Mean here stands the Lord now resurrected before him saying hi Peter. How you and all of a sudden Peter remembered the look he got you remember? He denied him the third time. And the cock crew.

What is it crow and? And John it says and Jesus looked at him that look what is being beaten. Smacked around the king of heaven listen. It's the Lord of Lords. We talk you looked at Peter. Now after the resurrection here is standing before Peter.

What is Peter done? He's done the same as Judas. He denied the Lord. For fear of man the Lord said to him Peter. Do you love me and guess how many times he says it? Three times. He was really pressing the point don't you think Peter.

I remember that you deny me thrice, you know. It's almost like he's reminding him Peter. I know you've done it. I know you're weak. I know you then he said to him a profound thing. Go do missions. You ready go feed my lambs.

You ready go? When Peter came to see. But I am no better than Judas. I'm just another weak earthen vessel. Are you ready today? You don't need to be smart. You don't need to be strong. You'll be broken broken.

He shall not despise but as long as you sit there in your chair and think you got your Christianity together. Whoa? There's a promise for us in Psalm 79. We can close with that Psalm 79. Psalm 79 Verse 8.

Pleading for Mercy and Sending the Brokenhearted

Oh remember not again. Sorry, I remember not against us former iniquities. Let thy pray tender mercy speedily prevent us. For we are brought very low. Can you hear that? Hello. Very low. Help us Oh God of our salvation for the glory of thy name and deliver us.

Purge away our sins for thy name's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say where is their God? Let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants, which is said Let the shining of the singing of the prisoner Come before thee.

Sorry, let the sighing of the prisoner listen. The sighing of the prisoner come before thee according to the greatness of thy power. Preserve those that are appointed to death. Who are appointed to death and who are the prisoners in the day we live?

Those that are not in Christ Bound as slaves to sin they are the prisoners And they are appointed to death And they sigh Because the church is full Free from hypocrites. There's this wonderful hymn Which I want to read to you.

So send I you To labor unrewarded To serve unpaid Unloved, unsought, unknown To bear rebuke To suffer scorn and scoffing. So send I you To toil for me alone. So send I you To bind the bruised and broken A wandering soul To work, to weep, to wake To bear the burdens of the world a-weary.

So send I you To suffer for my sake. So send I you In loneliness and longing With hearts A-hungered For the love And the known The loved and the known Forsaking home And kindred friends and dear one.

So send I you To live your life Ambitions To die to dear desires To self-will resign To labor long In love when men revile you. So send I you To lose your life in mine. So send I you To hearts made hard by hatred To eyes made blind because they will not see To spend though it be blood To spend and spare not.

So send I you To taste Of calvary. I'll leave it here for those who'd like to read it some more dear ones. Jesus came as a missionary spreading revival everywhere He went. Will you follow him? And before you as a man who is unworthy To bring such a message for I know lord that my own life falls so far short but I desire mercy and love it lord And I plead with you Raise up a people for thyself Raise up a people for thyself.

Oh god follow you And walk as you have walked. I pray for those who could not be here today lord That I would likewise encourage them to lay their lives down to quit the fight The faking and come before the unbrokenness.

Thank you for the blood Thank you for the forgiveness of sin that are being preached in the name of jesus christ. Thank you lord for thy sacrifice. Thank you god For thy great mercy and showing unto man that thou art not out to destroy him But give him mercy.

Thou dost not take the light and the suffering and the pain Which sin has brought but would have men see that their ways lead to destruction So that they will turn back enter through the rugged gate Walk on the narrow way To the celestial city the new jerusalem Where we shall forever live with him Who has called us by our name?

We bless you lord for such a wonderful gospel in jesus christ's name, we thank you.