Christ for the World We Sing

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."Mark 16:15

I had the privelege of worshipping with other believers who have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as the result of missionairies living among them, witnessing to them, starting a church and discipling them. It was awe inspiring. These people, who didn't grow up in Christian homes and who live in a very secular culture (in a foreign country), really love and trust Jesus, and it is obvious through their worship and their interaction with each other.

I was humbled and thankful as I thought about how God had given my husband and me the opportunity to support this church with the gifts He's given us. It was so meaningful to us to meet the people who we'd prayed for, and it was so encouraging to worship with them, but best of all, to know that we'd be worshipping together in heaven someday as a result of someone's willingness to GO and TELL them the GOOD NEWS!

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. II Thessalonians 2:13-14

I saw first hand the loving zeal that was brought to these people, and how they were now able to reach their community with that loving zeal. Through testimony given that one Sunday, we saw clearly that salvation had come to these people, and they were not ashamed!

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

God has not called me to be a missionary to a foreign country. He probably hasn't called you to that service either. But that doesn't mean we're off the hook! Many of us have the opportunity to support the spreading of the gospel through financial means, either through giving to our local church or by supporting missionaries directly. And one thing we can ALL do, and should do more of, I would venture to say, is PRAY. We should pray for the missionaries who are serving, for boldness in their speech and love in their approach.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20

We should pray that God would give them opportunity, and that they would take it.

We should pray for their safety and protection.

We should pray that they would have all they need.

We should pray that the Spirit would turn hearts to God that they would hear the gospel and believe in faith.

We should pray for God to raise up leaders among new believers so that these churches can become self-supporting and missionaries can go tell the good news to other people!

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" Romans 10:12-15

These newborn souls, reclaimed from error's ways are now inspired with hope and praise because they belong to Christ. It is a wonderful thing to see this in person.

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to see Your hand at work among Your people. May I be more diligent in my prayers for this church, and for all of Your work around the world, that Your name would be made great and that many people would come to salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Christ for the World We Sing
Words by Samuel Wolcott

Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring, with loving zeal,
The poor and them that mourn, the faint and overborne,
Sin sick and sorrow worn, whom Christ doth heal.

Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring, with fervent prayer;
The wayward and the lost, by restless passions tossed,
Redeemed at countless cost, from dark despair.

Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring, with one accord;
With us the work to share, with us reproach to dare,
With us the cross to bear, for Christ our Lord.

Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring, with joyful song;
The newborn souls, whose days, reclaimed from error’s ways,
Inspired with hope and praise, to Christ belong.