The Unfinished Task: Reaching the World for Christ in 2025

It seems like the emphasis on completing the task of reaching the world for Christ has lost its appeal. How often have you heard messages about this subject? When have you had missionaries address this topic? Does anyone have mission conferences anymore?

According to the Word of God, which hasn’t changed, this is still His Commission.

1. Matthew 28:18-19 defines the depth of the Great Commission, “… go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
2. Mark 16:15 emphasizes the breadth and quantity of the sowing. “… Go into the entire world and preach the good news to all creation.”
3. Luke 24:46-47 says that as surely as Christ rose from the dead, so will repentance be preached to all the Nations.
4. In John 20:21, we see Jesus as the model of the Great Commission: “… As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. So should we.
5. Acts 1:8 speaks of the extent of the Great Commission that begins in Jerusalem and stretches to the ends of the earth. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Significant progress has been made! According to Wycliffe Global Alliance, approximately 80% of the world's population has access to the full Bible in their primary language, and 91% have access to at least the New Testament. However, this means roughly 1.5 billion people still lack a complete Bible translation in their language. 

Only a small portion of overall Christian giving goes towards foreign missions. For instance, The Gospel Coalition analysis found that only 6% of all money given to Christian causes funds overseas missions, with an even smaller percentage (1.7% of that 6%) directed towards missions among unreached people groups (UPGs). For every $100,000 church members give to American churches, only $102 funds missions among UPGs.

What should the Church be doing? What should the priorities be in terms of evangelization in our generation? God is doing some wonderful things among people groups, especially the Muslims. Hundreds are coming to Christ regularly through visions and dreams. Have you heard about this? So, what should we do?

1. Pray for our hearts, our churches, and for God to send out laborers into the harvest.
2. Reach out to a person from another country and invite them into your home.
3. Ask the Lord to lead you in giving something, or more, to worldwide missions.
4. Plan to go on a short-term mission trip to another country or send someone.
5. Repent of our disobedience to the Great Commission and pray for revival.
6. Get involved in missions at your church and be a catalyst for change.