THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL (ECWA)
5007 SOUTHSIDE DRIVE
LOUISVILLE, KY 40214
(502) 375-1904
www.ecwa.wordpress.com, www.ecwausa.org,
ecwaky@gmail.com
THEME: A GLOBAL PURPOSE IN THE PREPARATION FOR THE MESSIAH
TOPIC: THE MINISTRY OF THE GENTILES
TEXT: JOHN 2: 13 -25
Rev. (Dr.) Stephen K. Awoniyi
INTRODUCTION
In reference to the man by the name Wayne Blank, the Gentiles could be explained thus;
The English word “Gentile” originated from a Latin word, gentilis, which meant nation
–a person’s race of birth, not necessarily their place of birth (the reason that “nation”
and “country” actually mean two very different things; “nation” is a union by family,
while “country” is a union by politics). The word genesis originated from the same root
word as gentile, as did genealogy. That reality is made obvious by the first Biblical reference
to “gentiles,” in listing the families that descended from the sons and daughters-in-law of Noah,
who then grew into nations, who later made countries for themselves –which included the
family from which the Israelites, of which the tribe of Judah, known by the abbreviation “Jew,”
originated many centuries later.
Technically, by its actual definition, Jews are “gentiles” as much as are any other nation of
people; the differentiation came when the LORD told them (when He told all of Israel, actually;
see Where Jacob Became Israel) to separate themselves from the other nations – after which
the custom developed in which Jews called all of the other nations “the nations” i.e. the
“gentiles.”
The Scripture then narrates it thus:
5 From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations (Genesis 10:5 (NKJV).
- THE MINISTRY OF THE GENTILES
During the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, He visited the city known as Jerusalem and asserted His messianic authority by cleansing the temple. The Apostle Mark also records at the second time of the end of Jesus’ ministry, how He cleansed the temple. This could be seen in the Book of Isaiah that is stated thus:
Salvation for the Gentiles
1. Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. 2. Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And keeps his hand from doing any evil.” 3. Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to the Lord Speak, saying, “The Lord has utterly separated me from His people”; Nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.” 4. For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, 5. Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them[a] an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.
6. “Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant—7. Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 8. The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him” (Isaiah 56:1-8 (NKJV).
Although most of our Lord Jesus Christ’s three-year ministry was devoted to His own people, Israel. Nevertheless, there are a number of significant incidents in His early ministry in which He focused upon the Gentiles. For instance, the first example is His extraordinary trip through Samaria, the conversation of the woman at the well, and the conversation of many other Samaritans also. This is narrated in the Scripture thus:
The Savior of the World
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ,[a] the Savior of the world.”
Welcome at Galilee
43 Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast (John 4:39-45 (NKJV).
- THE MINISTRY OF MATTHEW’S GOSPEL ACCOUNT
The gospel of Matthew gives the most familiar form of the “Great Commission,” which is also a direct imperative command. The Scripture says;
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:16-20 (NKJV).
Brethren, be assured that in order for us to make disciples of all nations, we must first of all go to them. That is, in connection with making disciples, we must teach them and baptize them in obedience to God’s word. This means, making disciples involves more than “evangelism,” although that is very important and it should be the first step. These could be viewed from the following Bible passages:
The Apostles Commissioned
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled,[a] for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:19-23 (NKJV).
The Gospel of Luke also narrates it thus:
The Scriptures Opened
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise[a] from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things (Luke 24:44-48 (NKJV).
The Scripture again continues by saying;
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me [a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:8-11(NKJV).
- THE ACCOUNT OF LUKE AND ACTS GOSPELS
In the Epistle of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, the story could be emphasized thus:
The Scriptures Opened
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise[a] from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things (Luke 24:44-48 (NKJV).
The Apostle Luke had been speaking about the prediction of the Old Testament prophecy which must necessarily be fulfilled. This means, the proclamation of repentance for the forgiveness of sins are just as necessary as His death and resurrection, if we are to be saved. That is, the Apostle Luke referrer to the proclamation of the gospel to all the nations in order for them to be saved. Therefore, if this is not done adequately and honestly, it means our missions are impossible to win the lost and bring them to faith in Jesus Christ. This is why the Book of Acts of the Apostle says,
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me [a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8 (NKJV).
CONCLUSION
Dearly beloved, waiting, looking, depending, and trusting in our Almighty God will definitely give us the power and wisdom to focus on Him the more. But when we refuse to wait on Him, when we refuse to depend on Him, and when we refuse to trust in Him, we are then not been faithful to His commitment.
Beloved, how often do you depend on Him, wait on Him, and put your trust in Him? Be assured that unless you do the following things adequately, honestly, and faithfully, you will not be able to achieve your goal. Therefore, brethren, trust more in Him, wait more in Him, depend more in Him, and you will see the mighty grace and power of the Almighty Father in your life every-day. Thanks and may God bless and uphold you the more in Jesus’ name. Amen!