Finishing the Task (2016)

0:00 It's good to be with you guys again. You know, last year, this conference last year impacted me in a big way. I don't know if you guys realize this, but I went home after finishing the task last year. I went to my staff and I said, I am not taking another speaking engagement this year unless it has to do with reaching the unreached people groups. I mean, that's how convicted I was.

0:27 Because I go, this is silly. You know, we're booking stuff, and if I don't show up, someone else will show up, and it's not that big of a difference. Like, somehow, unless we're mobilizing people to get to the people who've never heard, then I really don't want to speak at it. You know, because I feel like there's like these three to five million Christians in the U.S. that jump from conference to conference, podcast to podcast, right? And so they've already heard, you know, Chandler and Piper and Keller, and what am I going to ask? You know, it's like, okay, yeah, maybe I'm a little funny, but it's not. What does it do for the kingdom, right? And so I said, man, the only things I'll take, I go, just put it up on the website. I'm only going to take things if it's about mobilizing people to get to the unreached. When they introduced me last year, there was a quote on there by someone that said something about like you shoot what was it um like it's not fair basically like that someone hears the gospel twice so everyone's heard it once that you guys know what i mean something along that line and i thought about it i thought that's not really biblical but i get it like that's not fair so i'm going to go to this conference to people who've heard the gospel a thousand times but they want to hear it from my mouth. And like, that makes sense to do with my life? And so understand, man, just the short time I was here last year, it got me so excited and has really changed the focus for me.

2:11 And so this was meaningful. It's good to be back. And in fact, two months ago, I, for the first time in my life I actually went to a tribe with someone who was at this conference last year, okay, to a tribe in Africa. It was in Ethiopia, and there were the last two tribes that hadn't been reached yet, and so we flew, took another flight, and then took a helicopter two hours, and we're in the middle of nowhere, right? And a missionary, you know, had been dropped off there, had been there for a while, young guy, firefighter guy, just a stud of a guy, you know, and he's speaking their language perfectly, right? I mean, as far as I could tell, because he's telling jokes, they're laughing, so I was like, okay, he must really be saying something, and he's explained to me what they're doing, and how, you know, how far he's gotten in the story of God, and where they're at. And you guys, that was the first time in my life I'm in this tribe out in the middle of nowhere, absolutely nowhere, listening to this young man explaining to this group of people who have never in the history of that people group heard of Jesus. See, I've been in ministry for 30 years, and I've never been to something like that. And while I was there, I just kept thinking to myself, this is so beautiful. This is so beautiful. I was jealous. I really was. I thought, man, why did I have the courage at his age to do something like this? Because when you're there, you know how a lot of the stuff we do here, you kind of go, I wonder if it did any good.

4:09 right? I mean, aren't there days you come back from the office and go, what did I do today? You know? And then sometimes you put in all of this effort, all of this money rally, all these people to do something, and afterwards you go, I wonder, was it worth it?

4:30 But when you're standing in the middle of a tribe and you're listening to a guy explain to a people group for the first time who Adam and Eve are. There's no guessing. You just go, this is the coolest thing I've ever seen. There's no doubt in my mind that he's not wasting his life. And it opened my eyes to, you know, what we do as leaders in mobilizing people. Of course, we've got to get the gospel to these people. But the other thing that we're accomplishing is we're helping people not to waste their lives. We're getting them to actually go and do something that you know God wants, that you know is eternally significant. And how many people wander through life just going, did I waste it? Did I waste it? Did I waste it? But I've never heard someone go to an unreached people group. No matter how many years, whether they were a bunch of believers or not, go, well, that was a waste. Because you just go, that's straight out of scripture. I left that people group, went back to the group that I was working with in Ethiopia, and was talking to this one doctor, telling him, explaining to him where I went. And he goes, oh, you went to them? He goes, they're bad, bad people. Starts explaining everything, you know, what they do to the women and everything else. I'm like, really? They seem cool, you know? And I didn't know what they were saying about me, but you know, it's just he was explaining it.

6:01 But then he tells me, he goes, ah, and this guy, he is a saint. You know how when you go overseas, you just meet some of the most amazing people where, man, the whole time I was watching him and his wife, I just kept praying for me and my wife going, God, make us like them. Make us like them, please, God. Make us like them. I want to become like this couple. They're so sold out for you. Their hearts are so pure. They work tirelessly for you. So much joy, so much life. But he was telling me, he goes, oh yeah, there was a group. He goes, the reason why I knew them was there was another tribe. There was another tribe really close to them. And he said, he goes, and I researched them. He says, there were only 25 families left who spoke that language. And he goes, and I researched their language. This guy's a doctor. He's brilliant. But one of the greatest servants I know. He just goes, he goes, and it wasn't a dialect. It was an actual language. And only 25 families spoke it anymore. He says, because every time they went to get water, the crocodiles would kill them, or malaria was killing them off. And there were only 25 families that spoke this language that never heard of Jesus, he says, my heart just got overwhelmed. I just had to drop everything and say, no, we have to get mosquito nets out there. We have to get a well out there. He says, because he goes, I started to think, wait, no, based upon Revelation 7, 9, God wants every language group to worship Jesus.

7:38 And if these 25 families die out, there'll be a language group on the earth that Jesus was not worshiped in. And so he goes, I just had to, I had to make it, and I'm just looking at this man's face, like what he went through, how he was agonizing, because he wakes up in the morning and thinks, what does God want? God wants everyone, every language group to worship him. And he goes, man, I have to do something, because here's this group that's going to die soon. and I just think, God, I don't wake up thinking about what you want and your desires. And that's why I love what... what this was all about. there's just so many distractions out here you know what I mean like tomorrow what are you going to wake up thinking about what are you going to think about tonight are you really going to be like God, God, you wanted to worship from every single language group. Like, it's hard to keep that on the forefront of our minds. And that's why I go, man, what we're doing by mobilizing people is we're saving people from wasting their lives and saving them from thinking of lesser things.

9:20 And that excites me. but as I was praying for you specifically at this conference today here's what came to mind. it wasn't like get you fired up for missions. Because hopefully that's why you were here. You know, it's kind of a little bit of preaching to the choir at that point. And motivating you to reach the unreached. I mean, that's who you are. But I'll just tell you what came out of my prayer time. I'm not saying this was of God. I'm just saying this is what was impressed in my mind. Was just to... really ask you to be honest with yourself in how you are doing in your own personal intimacy with Jesus. Like, are you still thrilled about prayer? Are you still just like looking at the gospel and And I mean, honestly, I know we throw big words out there, but words like overwhelmed to where,

10:36 because it's a good season in my life right now. My times with the Lord have been just so enjoyable and so rich. And I find myself alone in my room, like crying, like a few weeks ago, reading through the book of Romans. And I'm just, I'm going, have I ever even read the book of Romans? You know, because this is insane. Do you see what's on this, you know, in this book? Reading through Ephesians. Are you kidding me? Last week, reading through Hebrews, I'm like, I don't think I've ever noticed this, Pat. You know, and it's just everything coming alive. You know those moments? it's just been a great season. On Tuesday morning, just had this beautiful prayer time with the pastors in San Francisco, you know, where it was just, you just felt the power in that room. And then Tuesday night, another prayer gathering with my church, and I'm just like, oh God, I love this, and I want to leave this room. I love these people. This is so beautiful. Then last night, man I saw the answer to so many of those prayers you know was something that I was dealing with where you go are you kidding me Lord I didn't even think of that as a solution look at the way you solve this exactly what I prayed for and and you just go God this is so good so good so good sad okay let me back up a little bit earlier this year um in February I still I have it on my calendar because I remember all the, I prayed and I asked God for something that was just ridiculous, okay?

12:13 There was a guy in our church, and he heads up one of our ministries, young man, and I'd been hanging out with him. I'm listening to what he gets out of the Word of God. He tells me about his time with the Lord in the morning. I mean, we were getting together pretty regularly, and I'd come home and go, honey, this guy, you gotta, the way he talks about the word, the way he talks about his prayer life, I've never met anything, anyone like him, and she's like, wow, you got like a little crush going here, I go, I do, like, I love this guy, and so in February, I just thought to myself, you know what, Lord, you answer everything, you're so good to me, and this may be too direct. I don't know, but I'm just going to ask, can you make him my son-in-law? Like, can I just ask? He doesn't even know my daughter, but can you make him fall in love with my daughter? And can you make my daughter fall in love with him? Okay, nothing happens. Okay, this was February. Nothing happens. July, July, I wake up one morning, and I just go, God, I'm so used to you answering like things, you know, and I feel distant from you.

13:31 You know, I go, I've never prayed this before. I go, God, I feel, I'm sorry, but I feel insecure this morning. I feel a bit, almost like a neglected housewife, you know, like you don't love me anymore. Like it just, and I know it's me. I said, God, and I know it's not about feelings, but I'm just going to ask, can you show me some love this morning? However you do. You know how he just answers like in the weirdest ways, and you just know it was him. An hour later, that guy comes up to me and says, can I ask your daughter out? And I'm like, are you kidding me? I mean, I totally forgot, you know, like, what? And I'm like, yes, yes, can I pay? You got enough money?

14:22 What do you want? Like, please, please, please. That was in July. They got married Saturday. Okay? You know, I'm walking my daughter up there. I am bald. I have not cried that much in years. You know, we get to the altar. I'm ready to hand her off. My daughter's just embracing. We hugged up there. I mean, just clenching on to each other for probably a minute. It was so uncomfortable to everyone. Like, what? Is he going to let go? Is she going to let go? Because you just go, God, your grace. You know, I remember when she rebelled against you and you brought her back. And I remember her as a little kid jumping into my lap. I remember all of this. And then now I get to pick who she marries and you answer like that.

15:20 Like, I was already overwhelmed by your grace because of the word of God. But Lord, I don't get it. Sometimes I feel like an only child. Like, there's no way you listen to everyone like this. God, I love you, I love you, I love you, I adore you, I adore you, every day getting into his word, and it's just, it's just one of those great seasons, and I'm not gonna, you know, pretend that, oh, I'm always like this, no, I'm not always like this, it's just this season where the word of God is coming alive to me, and I'm loving it, and, and, and, and the prayers, the way that God answers, and this isn't stories from way back, I'm talking about last night, again, going, God, are you kidding me? Driving home from this meeting that should have gone miserably, and I'm in tears again going, God, how did, I wouldn't have even thought of that. And it's so beautiful, so beautiful, so beautiful. then I look at the pastors in my church and it's the same thing in their lives it's just this it's a great season for us but I just need to ask you, is it that way for you right now?

16:41 Because I also know how to get through ministry when I'm not even feeling it. And I'm not certain that that's all wrong on certain days. But for seasons and for periods of time, I mean honestly okay none of your congregations here no one knows it's just are you just thrilled with him right now are you just like man I just feel like a baby lately just crying overwhelmed oh god why are you so good just flying over today and and again just like my eyes welling up with tears, like, why, God? It's the gospel. I mean, I was in my room reading through Romans by myself, and I'm just out loud, like, God, are you kidding me? You know, I'm like reading another verse, like, are you kidding me? God, you're amazing. You're amazing. I'm in there. I'm singing by myself, no one around, just belting it out.

17:55 Like, you ever just have those times where it's like, God, I can't praise you well enough because everything in my heart just thinks you're worthy of so much more, and I love you so much. And I just want to keep praying and praying and praying and praying. The gospel in Romans 2, when I was reading it, Thank you. verse 4 do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance but because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. I mean, you guys know the gospel. You guys know Romans. You know, Romans starts off talking about the wrath of God in chapter 1, verse 18. The wrath of God is being revealed against, you know, all the ungodliness and unrighteousness. You know, talk about how they exchange the truth of God for a lie. But then here in chapter 2, you know, we talk about, you know, verse 4 where it's like, you know, the kindness of the Lord should lead you to repentance. But we, you know, sometimes skip chapter, or verse 5 when he says, but because of your heart and impenitent heart, you're storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. Think of that phrase. You are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

19:38 In verse eight, those who are self-seeking, who do not obey the truth but unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. Verse nine, there will be tribulation and distress for every human who does evil. And I know we live in a time where people just don't wanna believe this about God, but I don't know how you can take it out of the scriptures. I mean, you're reading the same thing I'm reading. How do you get rid of this stuff? But in chapter 3, verse 4, I love that phrase, that verse.

20:14 By no means, let God be true though everyone were a liar. Such an important verse for our day and age. Let God be true though everyone were a liar. It means it doesn't matter if everyone on the planet all agreed on something. if God says they're wrong then everyone's a liar you get it it's just about what he thinks what he thinks is right so I may not think that that wrath and that fury and that storing up wrath for the day of judgment I may go man I don't know about that but but he goes on and he says in verse five but if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? What shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? I speak in a human way. By no means. For then how could God judge the world? He's just going, this is what God says, so I don't care what everyone feels, everyone thinks of the world. Let every single person on the earth be called a liar if they're contradicting God.

21:26 it's just about him and what he thinks and here's what he says but I think what really hit me was as I'm reading these passages and thinking about you know facing God it was the words in chapter five that just brought me to my knees in verse 10 when he says while we were enemies Thank you. we are reconciled to God by the death of his son. that word enemies I just I just pictured okay just try to picture this with me here's almighty God and you stand before him at the end of your life just try to imagine this scene You're speechless, right?

22:26 Now, what if you saw him and he was your enemy? and he says to you, you've been storing up wrath for yourself for this day. Thank you. meditate on that sometime what would it feel like to come before the throne as an enemy of God and have him show you how you've stored up wrath for this day The Bible makes it clear that chapter 3, verse 20, for by the works of the law, well, let's go back to verse 19, 319.

24:24 He says, now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God, for by the works of law no human being will be justified in his sight since through the law comes knowledge of sin. he says you understand what the law the purpose is is the purpose of the law was not to bring righteousness the purpose of the law was so that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may be accountable to god that was the purpose of the law so that on judgment day no one can say hey but It just, here's the law. Here's what you did.

25:18 You've got nothing to say for yourself. Just shut your mouth. I remember one time when I was single, I lived down here in Southern California, and I was going to speak at a winter camp up in Utah. And I just bought a new Mustang, and, you know, it's back in my materialistic days. And I had a couple buddies with me, and we're driving, and I get pulled over. I mean, I'm like just out of college. I got 90 miles an hour. That's a big ticket. And so in my mind, I just think, I'm dead. I don't even know if I can cover this. The good thing is, on the way, it was in Barstow, and so that means I was still gonna pass through Vegas.

26:11 And I thought, I'll make it back. I'll win it all back, right? That's brilliant, you know? $200 in the bank, I lost it all, you know. Okay, now I have a ticket and zero in the bank. Get back in my car to go to the camp. I get pulled over again. and I'm like you can't do this you can't do this I go look look look look look look I messed up I did I went I was okay look I already have a ticket you know I don't know why I thought that would help I'm like I already have a ticket from earlier and and and he goes well you were going 75 I go look, I'm learning. I was at 90.

27:09 He's like, speed limit's 55. And it was just like, nothing I can say. It was a miserable day, obviously, but I think of this verse. He says, don't you understand that's what the law is for? So you just look at your life, you look at the law and go, I don't have an argument here. I mean that's a scary thought like I just imagine like what what would that feel like I'm standing before God and he just puts the law out there and he just shows me boom look what you did here look what you did here look what you did here what am I going to say how am I going to talk myself out of this and now he says man I've been storing up wrath for this day the day of my judgment and I know everyone on the earth down there says oh he can't do this he can't do this you know what I'm going to shut all of their mouths and let God be true though everyone a liar here it is but God being rich in mercy, right?

28:23 Because of the great love with which he loved us. You see, it's like the, oh God, there was no chance for me. There was zero righteousness in me. By the law, I had no chance. That's what I was going to face. And then comes Jesus. who offers me righteousness, this righteousness in which I stand now. And these words just were leaping off the page. chapter 5, verse 8,

30:30 with God now picture that God sitting on his throne and facing him the fear that we'll all feel if we could see him right now, right? And then the thought of him saying, you have peace with me. Come over here and stand behind me. You're one of mine. And can you imagine the fearlessness of, I'm on his side. I have peace. I'm standing in this grace now. All because of Jesus? Why did you do that? Why did you pick me? Why did you pour your grace out and open my eyes and lighten me so that I could see this? All of this is mine. when's the last time you screamed because of this?

31:27 When's the last time you cried because of this? When's the last time you danced because of this? When's the last time you sang? No one else was even around. You just were like, God, I just have to pray somehow because I'm still blown away by this. As I've been preaching for 30 years, I don't think I've been this excited about the gospel. It just keeps growing.

31:51 It's not a thing where we're supposed to go backwards of, oh, I was excited when I first got saved, and now, you know, and then now get excited about other things. No, we've got to be men and women that are excited about this, terrified by this, and thrilled by it at the same time, and that's what motivates us to do what we do, is the thought of people standing before him as their enemies. you know i was um praying for my church before i preached last and uh just saying god give me a word you know like i've got my message together but i'm open you know if there's something you just feel like you want me to hit and the word insecurity just came to mind again i'm not saying it's definitely of God. I'd test it biblically and go, I could see that.

32:50 I could see people just working and doing stuff, but meanwhile, they're not sure of the hope in which they stand. We are terrible hopers in our day and age, right? Most of us in this room are terrible at hoping. Most of you are like me, where you go into a situation and you expect the worst. This way, you won't get hurt. You won't be disappointed. Then if something just halfway decent happens, you're like, oh, good day, right? Because you've been let down too much, and what happens is that that's fine, because people are going to let you down, and I don't know that it's wrong to go in a situation and expect the worst, but what's wrong is when we start doing that to the promises of God, and we don't hope, this hope doesn't anchor our souls. We don't, we don't rejoice in our suffering. We don't rejoice in this hope of the glory of God. We don't rejoice in this hope of, man, this is awesome, this is awesome. I'm going to be, I'm going to share in his glory. I'm going to share in his glory. Like me, Francis, nobody, you know, loser, screwed everything up. Two tickets in one day. Me, I'm going to share in his glory. You kidding me?

34:13 Like, so he's going to be standing in all of his glory, and I'm right there with him. Gosh, rejoicing in that. Like, hoping. Rejoice in the hope of his glory. Like, is that still you? I mean, this is awesome. This is a wonderful thing that we're doing. We're pursuing his mission. but I've just got to ask in your own heart, is it ignited to where you rejoice in the hope of your glory, or has this become a job to you? Is it a task? Is that all it is? Let's finish this task. Is it finish this task? Man, I am all for that. Amen, amen, but does it come out of a heart that says, because I love the gospel so much, I'm so blown away by the hope that I have. I have this relationship with God where, man, I pray to him. He answers me. He brings me to tears when he reminds me of what he's done for me. No one has sacrificed like that for me. I was headed for misery like I can't even imagine facing the wrath of God as an enemy, and he poured his grace out on me and opened my eyes to his beauty. How can I not talk about this, and how can there be people on the earth that don't know about this, I've got to get, is that what motivates you?

35:30 That's my prayer for you. That's what I felt led to share. And I also felt very led to pray for you in that regard. and before I pray let me read this passage because I don't know man I've this isn't I hope you take this right I just feel like my prayers are awesome you know like they're just powerful I don't have a lot to boast about you guys know like if we took a theology quiz or whatever most of you would beat me, okay? I can't boast in that. You know, athletically, I'm not much. I'm not, I, but what I can boast in is that I know him, and I understand, like, that's what the Bible says to do, right? If you're going to boast, boast in this, that you know me, and I just feel like, God, I know you.

36:31 This is insane. Like, I talk to you, and you answer me, and so I get excited, because then I think, okay, God, then I'm just not going to talk. I just want to get up there and pray for these people because something happens when I pray. This is so cool. I want you to pray with faith going, man, if you don't even have faith in your own prayers, man, have faith in mine. Go, I know you listen to him. So this is cool. He's going to pray for me. Like, he's going to interact with you on my behalf. And see, this is the stuff that can become so normal to us. Like, okay, time to pray, I am more excited about prayer than I ever have been.

37:15 I believe I'm saying that with all integrity, like, are you kidding me? I get to pray? this passage i read it just a couple of days ago again you know you know what i'm talking about where those of you who've read through the bible several times and you come to a passage and go is this new you know like what version was i reading because it's so powerful and you go how can i but there's those mornings right you just kind of read and then you look back later and go whoa, I missed this whole section. I must have been daydreaming. Well, I must have been doing that for 30 years because this is so powerful. Hebrews 12, verse 18.

40:09 that is a mouthful he says do you know who you're about to talk to do you get this you're we're not i'm not about to pray right now to someone i can touch that's what he says you're you're coming for someone that you can't touch so we're talking about a blazing fire you can't touch a blazing fire He says, and yet darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg, stop talking, I can't handle this. That's who we're coming before. We're coming before innumerable angels. we're coming before a God who says, look, I'll shake the heavens, I'll shake the earth, but my kingdom will not be shaken.

41:12 I'll destroy everything else, but you are a part of an unshakable kingdom, and you get to come before the judge of everyone, he says, and before Jesus Christ, and that's an honor to me, and I believe it's about to happen right now as I enter into prayer. like are you kidding me and I'm going to ask him to ignite this fire in you. I prayed this for myself. With all of my insecurities, like I talked about earlier, with all the insecurities, I prayed Ephesians over myself first. I go, God, would you enlighten the eyes of my heart? Enlighten the eyes of my heart, God, because I'm not sure of this hope. There's insecurity in me. Help me with that. God, help me. I'm supposed to be a pastor, and I've got my own insecurities.

42:08 I'm not sure I believe in the riches of his inheritance in the saints. Like, God really sees me as his inheritance? Like, no one's ever thought of me like that. No one liked me as a kid. No one longed for me. I was just begging for attention. You're telling me God himself is going, man, I can't wait for Francis. There's the riches of my inheritance right there, because what Christ did in him, he's that beautiful to me that I can't wait to have, and I'm like, God, I have a hard time believing that. Help me. I'm supposed to be a preacher. I'm supposed to be your prophet. I'm supposed to be a pastor, and I've got this insight. Help me fall in love with your grace again. Help me to get it again, and he answered that. I don't remember being this secure, feeling this loved. He answered my prayer, and I'm going to go before him, and I'm going to pray that for you now.

43:08 So would you join me in faith to believe that something's about to happen in the next couple minutes? Thank you. Father, we are in a battle that is not against flesh and blood. And I know the enemy is causing many in this room to doubt. to doubt your love for them,

44:09 to doubt the righteousness they have in Christ. makes them afraid to hope in death, to hope for the return. And God, I pray that you would destroy the works of the enemy. I know that there are people here who've made commitments and Satan is going to go after them, Father. Get them to doubt the immeasurable greatness of your power toward those who believe. God, many will leave this conference and things will happen in their lives that will discourage them and then they'll get in their own heads wondering if they're really going to pull it off.

44:53 God, I pray. I pray for them, Father, that during those times your Holy Spirit will remind them of whatever scripture they need to be reminded of. God most of all I pray that everyone in this room really gets your love really gets your grace really gets your mercy God the way you've opened my eyes lately to just how good you are to where everything else just seems dumb. compared to knowing you and being saved by you and having a righteousness in Christ.

45:39 God, I pray that you would just sanctify them from worldly thinking. Get the lesser thoughts out of their mind. for those who've been believers for years Lord I pray that they'd be more overwhelmed by the gospel today than the day when they first believed please can you make that happen Lord please keep overwhelming us the truth of your gospel please protect us from the evil one,

46:25 from evil thoughts that go through our minds, lustful, proud, greedy, covetous thoughts. Get them out of our heads, Lord, that we'd be people who rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. I also pray that you expose the sin in this room,

46:55 the hypocrisy. for your own glory's sake. And if some people even need to be removed from their position in order for spirit-filled people to enter, then do that as well, Lord. We just want to see your kingdom go forth in power and righteousness. but God, right now we just worship you. We thank you for giving us a righteousness that we could never have earned on our own. Praise the name of Jesus. We praise the name of Jesus. We worship Jesus in this room. Jesus is good. Jesus alone is holy. There is no other name, Lord. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow. every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to your glory.

47:51 And we confess that today. In his name we pray.