In this series, those involved with CLC foreign missions profile one aspect of our overseas endeavors.
Most of our seminary students in the U.S. have grown up hearing sermons that correctly preach the Good News that our sins are forgiven and we have eternal life because of the perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus. This precious part of our Lutheran heritage helps them to be faithful preachers of this Gospel. Many of our pastors and seminarians overseas have not been blessed with this upbringing, however, especially in areas like West Africa, where the Lutheran church is almost unknown. They need more instruction and encouragement to focus on the true Good News.
It can be easy to focus on the many earthly blessings God gives us. I remember hearing one sermon that talked only about how Jesus helps us with our problems in this life. This is true, and it is certainly good news, but it isn’t THE Good News. From the explanations found in Luther’s Small Catechism, my students have learned the distinction between the Law, which tells us what we should do, and the Gospel, which tells us what God has done for us in His Son Jesus. I have to remind them not to end the definition there, but to remember that the Gospel tells us what God has done for us in Jesus to earn for us forgiveness of sins and eternal life. In order to encourage them to preach the forgiveness of sins and eternal life, rather than simply focusing on the many temporal blessing we have in this life, we point them to what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:19: “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (ESV) What God gives us in His Son is far greater than any earthly hope or treasure.
The “prosperity gospel” is preached all over Africa. Our church used to be located next to a “Deeper Life” church. One Sunday before our service started, I was listening to their Bible study (which they were blaring over loudspeakers). The pastor cited 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV): “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. . . .” and he explained, “God gives us everything we need for this life, including success!” What a misuse of this verse! I think we would all agree that Paul was a successful missionary, but I don’t think Paul’s life—filled as it was with illness, shipwrecks, beatings, persecutions and imprisonments—would fit this pastor’s definition of “success.” I doubt this pastor taught what Paul did in Acts 14:22 (ESV): “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” This is something I often emphasize in my sermons. Jesus promises us heaven, but He does not promise us heaven on earth.
Not far from my apartment in Lomé I stumbled across a church with big billboards advertising services of healing and miracles. There are also many billboards around the city advertising evangelism campaigns promising the same. I have heard many sermons that say that Jesus heals us. But we must remember that Isaiah 53:5 is talking about eternal, spiritual healing: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (ESV) Jesus performed many miracles, but these were just signs pointing to the eternal deliverance and healing Jesus gives us in paradise. Jesus healed many people, but where are they now? We have no evidence that Lazarus did not die again; that is why Jesus told Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25 ESV) This is the Gospel we must remember to proclaim.
Pastor Blewu in Togo used to have a radio program on a Christian radio station based in Assahoun, a town between Lomé and our seminary. Many people would call in during and after the program because the message (the Gospel) he brought was so different from the other programs they heard. Pray that we will be able to establish a church in this town, as many have been interested in attending our church after hearing the true Good News.
Having grown up hearing all these pale imitations of the Gospel can make it more difficult for our students and pastors to preach the true Good News. Pray that our instruction and encouragement will equip them to faithfully proclaim the Gospel, as Jesus sends us out to do.
is a full-time foreign missionary for the CLC.
