Believing in the Gospel while Scattered and Becoming a Channel for Missions
| God’s True Intention, Love Through Jesus Christ, God has provided a path to eternal blessings. The only way to receive and enjoy them is through faith, and faith alone is the foundation for approaching the Lord. It is also through faith that all nations can partake in the blessings promised to Abraham. The gospel contains everything necessary for salvation, yet, tragically, many people live in places where they cannot hear the message of life due to political, economic, social, or religious barriers. What they need most is not material aid or practical solutions, but the gospel of the cross. Throughout history, countless individuals have been scattered across different nations for various reasons—seeking financial opportunities, traveling, marriage, education, employment, or fleeing from war, persecution, earthquakes, and famine. Though they may believe they move by their own choices, all of this happens under God’s absolute sovereignty. In His divine providence, God has allowed the diaspora to be scattered across the world. However, many of them continue to walk the path of sin and death. The desires of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life control them wherever they go. These individuals desperately need Jesus—the unchanging way, the truth, and the life. In this era, God’s love and mercy burn even stronger for those who reject the gospel. His heart longs for the diaspora, offering them the life-giving message of the cross—the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This gospel, understandable to all, reveals God’s deep love for those who wander, calling them back to Him. |
》Scripture Prayer
(Hosea 11:1-2, 7-8,NIV)1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. 8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.
(Isaiah 1:18,NIV)“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Everyone has desires, constantly seeking to fulfill them. To achieve their goals, people often call upon idols they regard as gods. However, no matter how hard they try, they will never be truly satisfied. This is because their hearts are corrupt, always yearning for something more. On the path of destruction fueled by unfulfilled desires, they need to hear the merciful gospel—a message that declares, “How can I give you up?” Let us pray that, upon hearing this gospel, they will stop and turn away from their pursuit of perishing desires, and seek God.
2. When they stop and stand at the crossroads of choices, may the diaspora acknowledge their sinful reality and respond to Jesus Christ’s invitation, calling them, “Come!” Let us pray that they will come to the cross, embracing the redemption found in Jesus’ sacrifice. May they, through faith in His death, receive the cleansing grace of the cross that purifies them from all unrighteousness.
The Diaspora as a Channel for Missions
How did God’s redemptive plan unfold through the Jewish diaspora, which significantly expanded during the Babylonian exile? The approximately 400 years leading up to Jesus’ arrival on earth are known as the Intertestamental Period. Let’s examine how God prepared for Christ’s first coming during this time.
Biblical scholars and church historians highlight several key historical events. The rise of the Greco-Roman Empire, the spread of Hellenistic culture and language, and the dispersion of Jews all demonstrated God’s sovereign providence. The widespread use of the Greek language created an environment where the New Testament could be written and distributed effectively.
The Roman Empire’s well-established roads and security systems allowed for safe and efficient travel, facilitating the spread of the gospel across vast regions. Meanwhile, the Jewish diaspora built synagogues wherever they settled, teaching the Old Testament and preparing God-fearing people—creating a foundation for missions. Many Gentiles who later embraced the gospel, such as the Roman centurion whose faith Jesus commended, Cornelius who received the gospel through Peter, and the Gentiles who readily accepted Paul’s message in synagogues, were already familiar with God’s teachings due to these diasporic influences.
Ultimately, the diaspora became a crucial strategic instrument in fulfilling God’s missionary plan to spread the gospel worldwide. They formed a third cultural group, transcending the racial, linguistic, and cultural boundaries of the Jewish people. Had they remained in Israel, they would have been trapped by cultural exclusivity, legalistic rigidity, and adherence to traditional customs. However, being immersed in foreign societies, they recognized that Gentiles were not inferior beings but rather precious humans created in God’s image. Living far from Jerusalem, they built synagogues, realizing that worship was not confined to the temple but could take place anywhere. This shift enabled laypeople to lead worship and religious ceremonies. Unknowingly, they developed a missionary mindset, breaking free from rigid traditions. As a result, they became a vital launchpad for missions, making the dynamic events recorded in the Book of Acts possible.
Today, we are witnessing an unprecedented era of mobility and migration. People relocate not only through voluntary means such as studying abroad or immigration but also due to involuntary circumstances such as war, civil unrest, natural disasters, and political exile. The scale of global displacement is greater than ever before. Recognizing the strategic value of the diaspora, it is worth noting that the percentage of Asian participants in the Urbana Missions Conference, which has played a crucial role in producing North American missionaries for the past half-century, has surged since the 1980s. Many of these Asian diasporas, fluent in both their native languages and English, have dedicated themselves to cross-cultural missions.
Just as the diaspora in the early church served as the missionary outposts that propelled the dynamic expansion of the gospel in Acts, today’s diaspora presents a unique opportunity for global missions. In this age, where countless people are displaced for various reasons, the diaspora ministry stands as the final outpost for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
》Scripture Prayer
(Acts 11:19-26,NIV)19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
(Acts 13:1-3,NIV)1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. While we cannot fully comprehend God’s providence in governing the world, we trust that He is working throughout history to bring salvation to the nations. The gospel given by God was never meant for just one individual—it has always been a gospel for all nations. In the Book of Acts, through the martyrdom of Stephen, God scattered His disciples to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, leading them to preach the gospel not only to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. No matter what circumstances we face, let us confess that every situation is part of God’s good and sovereign plan for the advancement of the gospel. Let us pray that, through every challenge and opportunity given to us, the gospel will continue to move forward powerfully.
2. At the church in Antioch, Barnabas and Paul taught the gospel to immigrants for a significant period. Among them, those who were established in strong faith became teachers and prophets, leading to a remarkable phenomenon—immigrants sending immigrants as missionaries.
Let us pray that similar movements of life and faith will arise in churches around the world, so that every nation, people, and tribe will hear the gospel. May a great global unity be established to fulfill the mission of God, bringing His salvation to the ends of the earth.
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