READ: Romans 10:11-17
“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” – Romans 10:15
Inward looking people are not interested in reaching the nations. People who, are very nationalistic cannot be used to reach nations. Patriotism is good. It is good to shout slogans about your country. However, this patriotism has a way of excluding other nations.
I visited a great nation whose power extends across the globe. This nation is very patriotic, with the people being very proud to come from there. If you watch their TV programs, they say things like, “I thank God I was not born in Africa. I give glory to God that He spared me the agony of having to live in Africa.” You will find that Christians in such “patriotic” countries do not fulfil the Great Commission. To be a great commissioner is to have an interest in all nations.
Indeed, there is a large group of ministers who feel that they are fulfilling the Great Commission by going on television. They say, “I reach so many millions on TV every day.” They say, “I am fulfilling the Great Commission to millions on television every day”, when in actual fact no one is watching them.
No matter how much you are on television, you will have to send human beings to preach the gospel. There is no other way to preach the gospel than to go on the ground.
“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)
After Iraq was air-bombed by the United States, they still had to send ground troops if they wanted to win the war. No matter how many air strikes are delivered, the victory will be won when ground troops move in to take possession of the city.