A Heart for the Nations
Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv
Sermon Introduction
Our message today is called “A Heart for the Nations.” God’s heart is for the nations. He desires that every person would come to know Him.
Isaiah 42:6–7 (ESV): “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”
This prophecy shows us God’s heart for the nations. He desires for the nations to receive the light of Christ, to have eyes to see Him, to be released from the bondages of sin, and to find freedom in Jesus.
How will this transformation of the nations be accomplished? It is happening through Jesus Christ and the body of Christ, His church. This prophecy is being fulfilled as we embrace God’s heart for the nations.
Why is reaching the nations through missions so important?
Matthew 24:14 (ESV): “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
These are Jesus’ words to His church—to you and me. We have been charged with a mission, the most important mission ever. Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel to all nations in the whole world. When our mission is accomplished, the end will come, and Jesus will return. This will mark the end of the world as we know it and usher in the kingdom of God in the new heavens and new earth.
In light of this, what should our priorities be in this life? For many, their priorities in order are: myself, my family, my church, my nation, and lastly, the world. While all these things are important, what should our first priority be?
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
We are to seek God’s kingdom first—first in our lives, our families, our church, our nation, and the world. Today, we’re going to talk about developing a heart for the nations through missions.
God’s Heart for the World
Psalm 67:1–2 (ESV): “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”
God wants to bless us so that through us, His way and saving power will be known among all nations. What will it look like when God’s heart for the world is mission accomplished?
Revelation 7:9 (ESV): “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.”
This is God’s vision for eternity, and it is ours as well. Remember, to put God’s kingdom first in our lives is to pray and work to see God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We want to understand God’s heart for the world and to have the same heart for the world.
The Power of Prayer and Giving
What can we do to have a heart for the nations? We can pray, give, and go. Last Sunday, we talked about going. Each of us is called to be a missionary where we live, but some are called to serve as full-time missionaries.
James 5:16b (ESV): “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
In your bulletin, the names and areas of the missionaries we support are listed. We can pray for them by name. Practically, we must also give so that they have the funds to go to the nations.
2 Corinthians 9:7–8 (ESV): “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
We give cheerfully, knowing that our giving expands God’s kingdom here in St. Louis and around the world. Notice the promise in this verse: when we give, God provides for all our needs so that we have all sufficiency in all things at all times. That is a great promise. May we grow in the power of praying and giving.
Lives Transformed by the Gospel
God desires for His family to grow with new children of God. He desires that the lost would be saved and their lives transformed.
Luke 15:10 (ESV): “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Every minute or so, someone in the world repents and becomes a believer through our Assemblies of God worldwide fellowship. The angels in heaven rejoice over every sinner who repents. A life that was destined for hell is now destined for eternity in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
When someone is transformed by the Gospel, they become a new creation. They now have eternal life and will live forever. A heart for the nations is a heart yearning to see lives transformed by Jesus.
Application
God desires for us to see global missions as a personal responsibility rather than just a distant project. This message includes videos from AG World Missions that open our eyes to what God is doing in the world.
One such video focuses on India, a nation of 1.4 billion people. With 80% Hindu, 14% Islam, and only 2% Christian, India desperately needs Jesus. Next Sunday, we will have a missionary to India speaking. As they are in a sensitive area, their message will not be streamed or recorded. Don’t miss it!
Another video highlights Belgium, a country of 18 million people. With 41% claiming no religion, 44% nominal Catholic, and only 4% Protestant Christian, Belgium represents a significant mission field. Using tools like Google, we can learn about the countries where our missionaries serve and pray more informed prayers.
Finally, a video from Mexico showcases the work of missionaries David and Kelly Godzwa. Mexico has a population of 131 million, with 69% nominal Catholic and only 11% Christian. The Godzwas, now area directors over all of Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, ask for continued prayers to see lives transformed by the Gospel.
Conclusion
God’s heart is for every nation, tribe, and tongue. He invites us to share His passion for the world. Our lives may feel far removed from the needs of distant places, but each of us is called to play a vital role in His mission. Through prayer and giving, we can help bring hope to those who have never heard the name of Jesus.
When we support missions, we become partners in God’s work, helping to bring hope and transformation to the nations. Faith Promise pledge cards and brochures are available in the seat backs. As we prepare for Faith Promise Sunday next week, let us prayerfully consider how we can be part of this mission. Imagine the impact we could have together as a church, joining hands and hearts to support missionaries and share the Gospel with the nations.
