Why Lausanne: Dr. Billy Graham at the First Lausanne Congress in 1974

Take a trip back in 1974 to Lausanne, Switzerland, to experience the opening plenary address Billy Graham gave at the First International Congress on World Evangelization. Available in print and audio, ‘Why Lausanne?’ is as relevant today as it was over 40 years ago. We pray that as you experience Graham’s address for yourself, you can draw closer to the heartbeat of global missions and find renewed zeal to take part in the evangelization of the world. That the Earth May Hear His Voice!

 

Episode Transcript

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.001The Planning Committee has invited participants From every possible nation and nearly every evangelical denomination and para church organization in the world. 2 00:00:12,540.000999999 --> 00:00:28,160.001 Never before have so many representatives of so many evangelical Christian churches in so many nations and from so many tribal and language groups gathered to worship, pray, and plan together for world evangelization. 3 00:00:29,30.000999999 --> 00:00:41,90.000999999 Assembled here tonight, are more responsible leaders from more growing national churches of Asia, Africa, and Latin America than have ever met before. 4 00:00:41,860.000999999 --> 00:00:51,390.001999999 Here in Lausanne tonight are participants from areas where the gospel had not even been preached a few decades ago. 5 00:00:52,290.000999998 --> 00:01:02,460.000999998 This Lausanne Congress is also significant because representatives are here from older churches which have been witnessing and evangelizing for centuries. 6 00:01:03,220.000999998 --> 00:01:15,630.000999998 And the younger churches of Africa, Asia, and Latin America who have taken up the torch and are now sending out missionaries to other nations as well, as we heard this afternoon. 7 00:01:16,839.999999998 --> 00:01:26,190.000999997 In recent years, teams of Christians from Indonesia have gone to Pakistan, Koreans are sending evangelists to Thailand. 8 00:01:26,720.000999997 --> 00:01:37,830.000999997 Japanese are going to Indonesia, Taiwanese are going to Africa, and Africans are coming to the United States! And I can tell you that we in America need some African missionaries. 9 00:01:38,810.000999997 --> 00:01:40,40.001 And we welcome them. 10 00:01:40,880.001 --> 00:01:44,170.001 It's a new day for world evangelization. 11 00:01:44,730.001 --> 00:01:50,100 When the whole church can go to the whole world with the gospel. 12 00:01:51,340.001 --> 00:01:58,510.001 Almost 20 percent of you here tonight are engaged in cross cultural overseas evangelism. 13 00:01:59,380.001 --> 00:02:07,315.001 Others of you represent every conceivable type of evangelistic effort within your own denomination and your own nation. 14 00:02:08,215.001 --> 00:02:25,25.00099999 The evangelistic cutting edge of the Church of Jesus Christ worldwide is here to seek how we can work together to fulfill Christ's last commission as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. 15 00:02:26,15.00099999 --> 00:02:32,195.00099999 Therefore, I have come to Lausanne with great hope and expectation. 16 00:02:32,775.00099999 --> 00:02:34,635.00099999 And great spiritual need. 17 00:02:35,114.99999999 --> 00:02:37,635.00099999 Asking God to enlarge my own vision. 18 00:02:38,135.00099999 --> 00:02:40,35.00099999 As I'm sure you have. 19 00:02:41,215.00099999 --> 00:02:47,728.48397221 Since we met in Berlin eight years ago, tremendous developments have taken place in the religious world. 20 00:02:48,498.48497221 --> 00:02:52,198.48497221 We're all aware of the startling changes in the Roman Catholic world. 21 00:02:52,958.48497221 --> 00:03:03,838.48397221 I also detect a wistful longing on the part of a small but growing number of ecumenical leaders for a greater emphasis on orthodox biblical theology. 22 00:03:05,248.48497221 --> 00:03:11,908.48497221 Then there's been the phenomenal charismatic movement that has swept much of the world in recent days. 23 00:03:12,528.48497221 --> 00:03:16,968.48497221 Then there's been the Jesus movement among young people in many countries. 24 00:03:17,733.94075325 --> 00:03:23,463.94075325 We've met at a time marked by signposts of both promise and danger. 25 00:03:24,153.94075325 --> 00:03:28,463.94075325 Promise, in that God is at work in a remarkable way. 26 00:03:29,20.60741992 --> 00:03:39,110.60741992 Never have so many people been so open to the gospel and so receptive to the gospel as they are today throughout the entire world. 27 00:03:39,917.27408659 --> 00:03:49,667.27308659 We heard this afternoon how in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the church is growing much faster than the population. 28 00:03:51,27.27308659 --> 00:04:02,17.27408659 In these days, God is giving His people an opportunity for worldwide witness, perhaps a last chance. 29 00:04:02,713.94075325 --> 00:04:05,753.94075325 But with the promise, there are many dangers. 30 00:04:06,933.94075328 --> 00:04:09,723.94075328 As we meet here, world problems press upon us. 31 00:04:09,834.29676746 --> 00:04:16,184.29676746 Inflation is sweeping the world, but even worse, the world stands on the very brink of famine. 32 00:04:16,944.29576746 --> 00:04:31,484.29676746 Droughts, floods, and other calamities have destroyed or drastically diminished grain stocks not only in Africa, but in the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, and other parts of the world. 33 00:04:32,134.29576746 --> 00:04:42,434.29676746 The world food shortage is seen in the dry and dusty countries of sandal shod farmers and nomads, in exposed ribs and swollen bellies. 34 00:04:42,924.29676746 --> 00:04:47,514.29676746 And this should be of tremendous concern to this Congress in Lausanne. 35 00:04:48,448.10589124 --> 00:04:55,128.10589124 At the present time, we are seeing a dramatic shift in the world monetary situation. 36 00:04:55,688.10489124 --> 00:05:08,538.10589124 In ten years, ten years, the Middle Eastern oil producing countries will totally dominate the entire international monetary market. 37 00:05:09,703.10589124 --> 00:05:25,773.10589124 By 1980, just six years from now, a Lebanese banker estimates these Middle Eastern countries will have nearly two thirds of all the monetary reserves of the world. 38 00:05:26,741.13916196 --> 00:05:33,191.13916196 The wealth that the West has accumulated since World War II is draining away. 39 00:05:34,121.13916196 --> 00:05:39,361.13916196 The European Common Market will have a deficit of payments this year. 40 00:05:39,656.13916195 --> 00:05:42,276.13916195 of 35 billion. 41 00:05:43,121.13916196 --> 00:05:51,631.13916196 All of this will most certainly affect those missionary agencies that are dependent on the West for financial support. 42 00:05:52,597.3941062 --> 00:05:59,37.3931062 Even smaller and underdeveloped countries are now announcing that they're working on the atomic bomb. 43 00:06:00,175.65417454 --> 00:06:04,15.65517454 Millions of people have a mood of deep pessimism tonight. 44 00:06:04,645.65517454 --> 00:06:08,675.65517454 Men's hearts are indeed failing them for fear, as our Lord taught. 45 00:06:09,648.93740103 --> 00:06:11,218.93740103 Absence of the fear of God. 46 00:06:11,988.93740103 --> 00:06:13,648.93740103 Loss of moral absolutes. 47 00:06:14,443.93740103 --> 00:06:16,793.93740103 Sin accepted and glorified. 48 00:06:17,633.93740103 --> 00:06:19,163.93740103 A breakdown in the home. 49 00:06:19,733.93740103 --> 00:06:21,603.93740103 Disregard for authority. 50 00:06:22,63.93740103 --> 00:06:23,163.93740103 Lawlessness. 51 00:06:23,873.93740103 --> 00:06:25,13.93740103 Anxiety. 52 00:06:25,903.93740103 --> 00:06:27,363.93740103 Hatred and despair. 53 00:06:28,171.73988898 --> 00:06:29,451.73988898 Filthy language. 54 00:06:29,831.51572743 --> 00:06:31,401.51572743 These are signs. 55 00:06:31,946.51572743 --> 00:06:34,726.51572743 Of a culture in decay. 56 00:06:35,856.51572743 --> 00:06:39,796.51572743 In the West, we're witnessing societies in trauma. 57 00:06:40,126.51572743 --> 00:06:43,456.51572743 Shaken by war, scandals, inflations. 58 00:06:44,226.51572743 --> 00:06:47,96.51572743 Surfeited and bored with materialism. 59 00:06:47,356.51472743 --> 00:06:49,916.51572743 Turned off by a lifeless religion. 60 00:06:51,46.51572743 --> 00:06:53,146.51472743 Thousands are turning to perversions. 61 00:06:53,986.51472743 --> 00:06:56,696.51572743 The occult, with its Satan worship. 62 00:06:57,16.51572743 --> 00:07:03,366.51572743 Mind control, astrology, and various ploys of the devil to lure men to turn them from the truth. 63 00:07:04,381.51572743 --> 00:07:08,861.51572743 We read about whole villages in the Soviet Union, dominated by witches. 64 00:07:10,19.36120028 --> 00:07:16,679.36120028 It is right that we look for answers and solutions, but we must look in the right place. 65 00:07:17,9.36120028 --> 00:07:24,439.36020028 And that place is the Lord Jesus Christ, who can bring spiritual revolution and liberation to the whole world. 66 00:07:25,432.05536016 --> 00:07:33,565.43043928 We meet at a time when the world longed for assurance, peace, hope purpose. 67 00:07:34,250.43043928 --> 00:07:51,143.46174231 Isaiah the prophet centuries ago said, "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, And unto wizards that peep and that mutter, Should not a people seek after their God?" If ever there was such an hour, that hour is now. 68 00:07:51,653.46174231 --> 00:07:55,333.46174231 If ever there was such a moment for Lausanne, it is now. 69 00:07:56,483.46174231 --> 00:07:58,663.46174231 Most of us hold the view of Scripture. 70 00:07:59,148.46174231 --> 00:08:04,158.46174231 That teaches that as we approach the end of the age, things will get worse. 71 00:08:05,197.5526514 --> 00:08:19,927.5516514 That our Lord predicted in Matthew 24, false prophets, earthquakes, famines, wars, betrayals, moral permissiveness, persecution, apostasy, would all precede His return. 72 00:08:21,227.5526514 --> 00:08:24,367.5526514 We know that the whole world is not going to be converted to Christ. 73 00:08:25,67.5526514 --> 00:08:28,357.5526514 The whole world is not going to become permanently peaceful. 74 00:08:28,617.5526514 --> 00:08:32,187.5526514 The whole world is not going to turn into a man made utopia. 75 00:08:33,12.5526514 --> 00:08:43,732.5526514 But our Lord did promise, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. 76 00:08:44,92.5516514 --> 00:08:47,62.5516514 Then shall the end come." 77 00:08:48,822.5526514 --> 00:09:04,912.55165139 God is calling out a people, a community, For his name a Christian community in the midst of the ruins of man's sin, a bride from all races, tongues, and nations, for the coming bridegroom. 78 00:09:05,512.55265139 --> 00:09:29,568.34180597 It is an exciting and thrilling time to proclaim the gospel! However, 64 years ago, the delegates to the historic conference left Edinburgh with overwhelming optimism about the future of evangelism and missions and its impact on what was already being called the Christian century. 79 00:09:30,628.34180597 --> 00:09:36,328.34080597 They never dreamed that they were just four years from World War I. 80 00:09:38,228.34080597 --> 00:09:44,738.34180597 They never dreamed that they were less than 30 years from World War II. 81 00:09:46,818.34180597 --> 00:10:07,442.24279579 But we here at this Congress have an unparalleled opportunity as the world may be standing on the very brink of Armageddon, let us unite in proclaiming Jesus Christ is God and only Savior and persuading men to become his disciples at this fateful hour. 82 00:10:07,927.24279579 --> 00:10:15,877.24279579 It is my prayer that we will return from Lausanne to carry the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the whole world. 83 00:10:17,417.24279579 --> 00:10:25,67.24179579 As this Congress convenes, four basic presuppositions should undergird our labors. 84 00:10:25,369.73740152 --> 00:10:32,639.73740152 These four foundation stones have guided our planning and should underlie everything we do in this Congress. 85 00:10:33,644.73740152 --> 00:10:42,129.73740153 First: This Congress stands in the tradition of many movements of evangelism throughout the history of the church. 86 00:10:42,782.57863258 --> 00:10:48,672.57863258 From the time of the early apostles to the present, evangelism has been the lifeblood of the church. 87 00:10:49,232.57863258 --> 00:10:55,602.57863258 When the Spirit of God fell on the church at Pentecost, 120 believers soon became 3,000. 88 00:10:56,332.57863258 --> 00:11:11,192.57863258 The 3,000 soon became 5,000, and so the fire of Christ spread throughout the Roman Empire to Britain, France, Germany, Spain, into the Caucasus, into India, and to the islands of the sea. 89 00:11:11,272.57863258 --> 00:11:28,422.57863258 In one century, this Congress is the most recent link in a long chain of evangelistic conferences stretching back into the last century, which Latourette has called 'the great century of missionary advance". 90 00:11:29,377.57863258 --> 00:11:45,227.57863258 At that time, in the last century, the latter part of the last century, sparked by thousands of young people, the student Volunteer Movement set as its goal the evangelization of the world in this generation. 91 00:11:46,117.57863258 --> 00:11:57,517.57863258 It is one of the tragedies of the missionary movement that today, over 60 years after Edinburgh, many Christians not only doubt that the goal is possible. 92 00:11:58,727.57863258 --> 00:12:02,457.57863258 But even question whether it is desirable. 93 00:12:03,647.57863258 --> 00:12:12,247.57863258 Dr Arthur Johnston has done considerable research in this area, in getting his doctorate from Strasbourg on this subject. 94 00:12:13,137.57863258 --> 00:12:16,7.57863258 And I along with him have asked myself two questions. 95 00:12:16,517.57863258 --> 00:12:36,417.57863258 First: What characterized the great missionary and evangelistic movements of the last century? Second: How have these movements lost their zeal for evangelism? The missionary and evangelistic movements of the last century were based on the authority of the scriptures as the Word of God. 96 00:12:37,537.57863258 --> 00:12:43,837.57863258 Because these people were biblically oriented, they had a definite view of salvation. 97 00:12:44,537.57863258 --> 00:12:50,467.57863258 They took seriously what the Bible says about man's lostness and his need of redemption. 98 00:12:51,547.57863258 --> 00:12:54,487.57863258 They also believed strongly in 'conversion'. 99 00:12:55,587.57863258 --> 00:13:03,57.57863258 They were convinced that by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, men could be changed and society could be changed. 100 00:13:04,327.57863258 --> 00:13:09,717.57863258 They believed that evangelism was not an option, but an imperative. 101 00:13:10,587.57863258 --> 00:13:18,357.57763258 They were convinced that the primary mission of the church was to declare the good news of Jesus Christ. 102 00:13:18,947.57763258 --> 00:13:26,737.57863258 They were preoccupied with obedience to Christ's command, not with the dangers and the obstacles and the closed doors. 103 00:13:28,97.57863258 --> 00:13:34,397.57863258 But somehow, as time went on, some of these movements lost their zeal. 104 00:13:35,267.57863258 --> 00:13:40,457.57863258 Why? Evangelism always faces two dangers. 105 00:13:40,947.57863258 --> 00:13:44,757.57863258 First, there are external barriers to effective evangelism. 106 00:13:45,157.57863258 --> 00:13:47,987.57863258 Many of these we are going to be examining at this Congress. 107 00:13:48,897.57763258 --> 00:13:55,957.57863258 The dangers experienced, however, did not dampen the zeal of those people 64 years ago. 108 00:13:56,967.57863258 --> 00:13:59,507.57863258 True evangelism thrives on danger. 109 00:14:00,947.57863258 --> 00:14:03,27.57863258 But I believe that there's a greater danger. 110 00:14:04,737.57863258 --> 00:14:06,167.57863258 It comes from within. 111 00:14:06,887.57863258 --> 00:14:15,747.57863258 It is internal in missionary and evangelistic agencies and denominations and parachurch organizations as well. 112 00:14:16,677.57763258 --> 00:14:26,897.57863258 The reason that the great missionary movements of the 19th century were able to make a lasting impact on the world was because internally they were strong. 113 00:14:27,377.57863258 --> 00:14:29,167.57863258 They knew what they believed. 114 00:14:29,847.57863258 --> 00:14:32,877.57863258 And they determined to declare it to the world. 115 00:14:33,558.63759494 --> 00:14:35,274.17412184 but the gradually lost their strength. 116 00:14:35,534.17412184 --> 00:14:41,344.17312184 How? In the 19th century, there was little disagreement about the message of evangelism. 117 00:14:42,274.17412184 --> 00:14:49,154.17412184 Holding to a high view of scripture, Christians preached the unique gospel of Christ to a lost humanity. 118 00:14:49,724.17412184 --> 00:14:57,814.17412184 In a series of conferences not unlike this one, Christians sought to examine and reaffirm the evangelistic task of the church. 119 00:14:58,604.17412184 --> 00:15:02,854.17412184 One of those important conferences was convened in New York in 1900. 120 00:15:04,74.17412184 --> 00:15:05,644.17312184 At that conference, John R. 121 00:15:05,654.17412184 --> 00:15:09,554.07412184 Mott, who has been called the architect of the ecumenical movement, was convened. 122 00:15:10,384.17412184 --> 00:15:19,884.17412184 saw in the command of Christ the responsibility of each generation to preach Christ to its own known and accessible world. 123 00:15:20,864.17412184 --> 00:15:26,674.17412183 The spoken message was to be supported by education, literacy programs and medicine. 124 00:15:27,274.17312183 --> 00:15:35,274.17412183 'The goal of the church', he said, 'was the conversion of souls and the edification of infant churches'. 125 00:15:36,394.17412183 --> 00:15:50,169.17412183 Ten years later, the most historic conference on evangelism and missions of this century was held in Edinburgh, Scotland, but something happened after Edinburgh, 1910. 126 00:15:50,899.17412183 --> 00:15:57,299.17412183 It was only a small cloud on the horizon, but it soon became a cyclone that swept the world. 127 00:15:58,509.17412183 --> 00:16:12,889.17412183 Even before Edinburgh, theological changes were subtly infiltrating Christian youth movements, causing some to weaken their ties to the orthodox faith as expressed in the Nicene Creed or the Apostles Creed. 128 00:16:14,484.17412183 --> 00:16:20,714.17412183 The authority of evangelism began to shift from the scriptures to the organized church. 129 00:16:21,454.17412183 --> 00:16:25,734.17412183 They focused attention on the materialistic salvation of the community. 130 00:16:26,399.17412183 --> 00:16:27,839.17412183 Rather than the individual. 131 00:16:28,419.17412183 --> 00:16:31,479.17412183 This became known as the 'social gospel'. 132 00:16:32,129.17412183 --> 00:16:39,949.17412183 Emphasis turned to man in this world, rather than in this world and the next world. 133 00:16:41,229.1741218 --> 00:16:50,249.1741218 It is my hope and prayer that Lausanne 1974 will take us back theologically, though not politically and sociologically. 134 00:16:51,69.1741218 --> 00:17:00,639.1736218 to the visions and concepts of those great conferences in the early part of this century that grew largely out of the ministry of Dwight L. 135 00:17:00,639.1736218 --> 00:17:01,59.1731218 Moody. 136 00:17:02,459.1741218 --> 00:17:07,259.1741218 Since then, parts of the world church have floundered. 137 00:17:08,489.1741218 --> 00:17:13,749.1731218 It has lost much of its vision and zeal of those days for three primary reasons. 138 00:17:13,769.1731218 --> 00:17:18,714.1741218 First, the loss of the authority of the message of the gospel. 139 00:17:19,209.1741218 --> 00:17:23,739.1741218 Second, the preoccupation with social and political problems. 140 00:17:24,624.1741218 --> 00:17:28,854.1741218 Third, the equal preoccupation with organizational unity. 141 00:17:30,134.1741218 --> 00:17:34,444.1741218 From Edinburgh came two major streams of the modern missionary movement. 142 00:17:35,94.1741218 --> 00:17:36,634.1741218 The first was the evangelical. 143 00:17:37,444.1731218 --> 00:17:40,804.1741218 A second stream might be termed the ecumenical. 144 00:17:41,784.1741218 --> 00:17:51,314.1741218 In one important respect, however, New York and Edinburgh were prototypes of this 1974 Congress on world evangelization. 145 00:17:51,954.1741218 --> 00:17:58,369.1741218 The delegates to New York and Edinburgh were chosen very largely from leaders in evangelism and missions. 146 00:17:59,269.1741218 --> 00:18:02,829.1741218 Leaders of churches as churches were not predominantly there. 147 00:18:03,759.1741218 --> 00:18:11,769.1741218 Hence participants could single mindedly consider world evangelization rather than everything the church ought to be doing. 148 00:18:13,439.1741218 --> 00:18:27,499.1731218 The succeeding world missionary gatherings at Jerusalem, Tamborim, Mexico City, and Bangkok were made up not only of evangelists and missionaries, but more and more of eminent leaders of the churches. 149 00:18:27,819.1741218 --> 00:18:32,739.1741218 who were there in their capacity as churchmen, not as evangelists and missionaries. 150 00:18:33,321.2196475 --> 00:18:53,191.2206475 Delegates of the young churches in Asia, Africa, and Latin America were asking primarily at some of these conferences, "How can the missionary movement help us in our social and political problems?" The delegates did not necessarily always faithfully represent their more evangelical constituents at home. 151 00:18:54,351.2206475 --> 00:18:58,661.2196475 The majority at home were far more evangelically, theologically oriented. 152 00:18:59,751.2196475 --> 00:19:05,881.2206475 Thus, the spotlight gradually shifted from evangelism to social and political action. 153 00:19:06,991.2206475 --> 00:19:09,11.2206475 Finally, guidelines were drawn up. 154 00:19:09,511.2206475 --> 00:19:18,681.2206475 Which called almost entirely for humanization, the reconciliation of man with man rather than man with God. 155 00:19:18,801.2206475 --> 00:19:22,601.2206475 Which would lead to reconciliation of man with man. 156 00:19:23,951.2206475 --> 00:19:29,141.2206475 Now this is a Congress of World Evangelization. 157 00:19:31,81.2206475 --> 00:19:35,641.2206475 We're enthusiastic about all the many things churches properly do. 158 00:19:36,471.2206475 --> 00:19:39,171.2206475 From worship to social concern. 159 00:19:39,951.2206475 --> 00:19:45,501.2206475 But our calling is to a specific sector of the church's responsibility. 160 00:19:46,311.2206475 --> 00:19:47,41.2206475 Evangelism. 161 00:19:48,311.2206475 --> 00:19:55,51.2196475 We believe our point of view has not been adequately represented at some of the other world church gatherings. 162 00:19:55,941.2216475 --> 00:20:04,571.2206475 Therefore, we are met to pray, talk, plan and please God to advance the work of evangelism. 163 00:20:05,981.2206475 --> 00:20:09,41.2206475 This is a conference of evangelicals. 164 00:20:10,36.2206475 --> 00:20:19,426.2206475 The participants were asked to come because you are evangelical and because you are concerned with evangelism and missions. 165 00:20:19,876.2206475 --> 00:20:26,36.2206475 And we here tonight stand firmly in the evangelical tradition of biblical faith. 166 00:20:27,472.8863142 --> 00:20:32,267.8873142 Secondly, I have a lot of firstlies and secondlies and thirdlies. 167 00:20:32,682.8873142 --> 00:20:42,172.8873142 Secondly, this Congress convenes as one body obeying one Lord facing one world with one task. 168 00:20:43,432.8873142 --> 00:20:49,922.8873142 The following words to the Ephesians could have been written specifically for the Lausanne Congress on evangelization. 169 00:20:50,562.8873142 --> 00:20:51,592.8873142 Let us listen to them. 170 00:20:51,602.8873142 --> 00:21:00,582.8873142 This is my text tonight: "In Christ, ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 171 00:21:01,52.8863142 --> 00:21:08,602.8873142 For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. 172 00:21:09,142.8873142 --> 00:21:14,162.8863142 For through Him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 173 00:21:14,162.8863142 --> 00:21:14,192.8863142 Amen. 174 00:21:14,872.8873142 --> 00:21:26,462.8863142 Now therefore, ye are no more foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. 175 00:21:27,62.8873142 --> 00:21:30,482.8873142 Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. 176 00:21:31,632.8873142 --> 00:21:38,932.8873142 This Congress should not, should not stress older and younger churches. 177 00:21:40,92.8863142 --> 00:21:43,472.8873142 We see the church tonight as one church. 178 00:21:44,672.8863142 --> 00:21:46,332.8873142 Some churches are older, yes. 179 00:21:46,942.8873142 --> 00:21:47,672.8873142 Some are younger. 180 00:21:48,142.8873142 --> 00:21:52,382.8873142 Cultures and circumstances differ, but our mission is the same. 181 00:21:53,2.8873142 --> 00:21:55,692.8873142 Our spiritual resources are the same. 182 00:21:55,882.8873142 --> 00:21:58,602.8863142 One body, one Lord, one task. 183 00:21:59,882.8863142 --> 00:22:03,772.8873142 Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. 184 00:22:04,482.8863142 --> 00:22:15,122.8873142 Therefore we come to the task of evangelism as one church, one body, one company of the redeemed, proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ. 185 00:22:16,272.8873142 --> 00:22:28,462.8873142 We assemble not as strangers, but as members of the household of God to find out more perfectly His will for evangelism at this critical moment of history. 186 00:22:30,192.8873142 --> 00:22:38,222.8873142 We hold that we're already 'one body', already unified by the head, which is Christ. 187 00:22:39,112.8873142 --> 00:22:46,307.7873142 Whatever our cultural, racial, or linguistic background, we are brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. 188 00:22:47,877.8873142 --> 00:22:50,137.8873142 Certainly we have some doctrinal differences. 189 00:22:50,137.8873142 --> 00:22:51,677.8873142 We're going to have some differences here. 190 00:22:51,677.8873142 --> 00:22:53,837.8873142 Some of you are not going to certainly agree with my talk. 191 00:22:55,997.8873142 --> 00:22:58,517.8873142 There are going to be some papers read that you won't agree with. 192 00:22:58,757.8863142 --> 00:23:04,467.8873142 You could bring the Apostle Paul and have him stand here and speak and some people wouldn't like what he said. 193 00:23:06,327.8863142 --> 00:23:10,157.8863142 We're not going to find total agreement on everything. 194 00:23:11,577.8873141 --> 00:23:12,947.8873142 We have cultural difference. 195 00:23:13,607.8873141 --> 00:23:15,957.8873141 We have a lot of political differences. 196 00:23:16,357.8873141 --> 00:23:17,747.8873141 There are Americans here tonight. 197 00:23:17,747.8873141 --> 00:23:19,917.8873141 Some are Republicans and some are Democrats. 198 00:23:21,27.8873141 --> 00:23:22,857.8873141 Getting more Democrats all the time. 199 00:23:24,146.1931339 --> 00:23:25,736.1931339 But we're one in the spirit. 200 00:23:26,681.1931339 --> 00:23:31,251.1931339 And we shout with one voice, 'Jesus alone saves.' 201 00:23:33,41.1931339 --> 00:23:47,461.1921339 We have one task, to proclaim the message of salvation in Jesus Christ, in rich countries and in poor, among educated and uneducated, in freedom or oppression. 202 00:23:47,841.1931339 --> 00:24:03,431.1931339 We are determined to proclaim Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, that men may put their trust in Him as Savior, follow him obediently and serve him in the fellowship of the church of which he is alone king and head. 203 00:24:04,981.1931339 --> 00:24:14,621.1921339 Here at Lausanne, let's make sure that evangelization is the one task which we are unitedly determined to do. 204 00:24:16,851.1921339 --> 00:24:27,591.1931339 Thirdly, this Congress convenes to re emphasize those biblical concepts which are essential to evangelism. 205 00:24:28,481.1921339 --> 00:24:30,131.1931339 There are at least five concepts. 206 00:24:30,764.5179202 --> 00:24:38,374.5179202 These five concepts both the evangelical and the non evangelical world have been studying and debating during the past few years. 207 00:24:39,34.5179202 --> 00:24:47,394.5179202 Concepts which we believe to be essential to true evangelism and which I expect we will reaffirm at this congress. 208 00:24:48,124.5179202 --> 00:24:57,74.5179202 Each of these is crucial, and yet each has been drastically reinterpreted are diluted in some parts of the organized church. 209 00:24:58,624.5179202 --> 00:25:06,204.5179202 Each, though reexamined in the light of our times, must be reaffirmed by those committed to biblical evangelism. 210 00:25:06,864.5169202 --> 00:25:11,884.5179202 First, we are committed to the authority of Scripture. 211 00:25:13,4.5179202 --> 00:25:17,344.5179202 We hold that the entire Bible is the infallible Word of God. 212 00:25:18,184.5179202 --> 00:25:23,94.5179202 Many years ago, I had to accept this position by faith and it changed my ministry. 213 00:25:24,149.5179202 --> 00:25:33,499.5179202 Even though I myself cannot understand all that is in the Bible, it is taken by the Holy Spirit and made inerrant to my spirit. 214 00:25:34,709.5179202 --> 00:25:45,339.5179202 It is an everlasting body of revealed truth that is authoritative, and it demands faith and obedience today as well as yesterday. 215 00:25:46,729.5169202 --> 00:25:58,484.5179202 If there is one thing that the history of the church should teach us in this century, It is the importance of a theology of evangelism derived from the Holy Scriptures. 216 00:25:59,897.6845258 --> 00:26:06,427.6845258 A second concept we expect to reaffirm is the 'lostness of man' apart from Jesus Christ. 217 00:26:07,987.6845258 --> 00:26:12,417.6845258 The Bible portrays man as originally created by God for fellowship with Him. 218 00:26:13,77.6835258 --> 00:26:15,872.6845258 However, sin intervened in the Garden of Eden. 219 00:26:16,537.6845258 --> 00:26:20,197.6845258 Man is now born alienated from God. 220 00:26:21,827.6845258 --> 00:26:23,757.6845258 He has the seed of sin within him. 221 00:26:23,757.6845258 --> 00:26:26,807.6845258 When he reaches the age of accountability, he deliberately sins. 222 00:26:27,832.6845258 --> 00:26:34,202.6845258 Without Jesus Christ, he is lost and without hope in this world or the world to come. 223 00:26:35,102.6845258 --> 00:26:40,372.6835258 It was Jesus who spoke most pointedly about the reality of heaven and hell. 224 00:26:41,392.6845258 --> 00:26:59,142.6835258 Notice the terms Jesus used to describe the state of the lost: a place of wailing, a place of weeping, a furnace of fire, a place of torment, a place of outer darkness, a place of everlasting punishment, a place prepared for the devil and his angels. 225 00:27:00,107.6845258 --> 00:27:06,617.6845258 These descriptions of our Lord are terrible enough without even trying to interpret them. 226 00:27:07,747.6845258 --> 00:27:20,327.6845258 Our Lord further said, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see the life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." 227 00:27:21,524.0774199 --> 00:27:31,714.8865674 Many years ago, a man in England on his way to the gallows was being warned by an Anglican chaplain of the wrath to come, unless he repented. 228 00:27:33,44.8865674 --> 00:27:44,354.8855674 He turned to the chaplain and said, "Chaplain, if I believed what you're telling me, I would crawl across England on broken glass to warn people to avoid that place." 229 00:27:46,325.6947148 --> 00:28:03,760.6957148 My fellow evangelists and missionaries, if men are lost, as Jesus clearly taught they were, then we have no greater priority than to lift up a saving Christ to them as Moses did the brazen serpent in the wilderness. 230 00:28:05,210.6957148 --> 00:28:12,700.6957148 Thirdly, we expect to reaffirm at this congress that salvation is by Jesus Christ alone. 231 00:28:13,790.6957148 --> 00:28:17,480.6947148 There's a narrowness to the gospel that is unpopular with the world today. 232 00:28:18,250.6957148 --> 00:28:28,380.6957148 The early apostles declared, "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there's no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." 233 00:28:29,560.6957148 --> 00:28:35,495.6957148 Again, however, There has been a steady erosion of belief in this clear scriptural teaching. 234 00:28:36,165.6957148 --> 00:28:41,935.6957148 Some have openly taught that there are many ways to God, and that ultimately no one is lost. 235 00:28:42,595.6957148 --> 00:28:47,5.6957148 The vast permissiveness of our day has left its stain on the church. 236 00:28:48,5.6957148 --> 00:28:57,375.6957148 Not Christ 'the one way' according to God's revelation, but 'many ways' according to one's culture and inclination, we're told. 237 00:28:58,820.6957148 --> 00:29:04,510.6957148 To this, evangelicals must return a resounding NO. 238 00:29:05,440.6957148 --> 00:29:11,700.6957148 there may be, many roads to Jesus Christ, but only one to God. 239 00:29:12,480.6947148 --> 00:29:17,320.6957148 And that is through the Lord Jesus Christ who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the light. 240 00:29:17,500.6957148 --> 00:29:20,60.6957148 No man cometh to the Father but by me." 241 00:29:21,134.0290482 --> 00:29:34,494.0290482 When Sundar Singh was asked what the Christian faith had to offer India that the other religions of India did not already possess, he thought a moment and replied, "Jesus Christ." 242 00:29:35,777.3623815 --> 00:29:43,957.3623815 Fourthly, at this Congress we expect to reaffirm that our witness must be by both word and deed. 243 00:29:44,387.3623815 --> 00:29:46,197.3623815 You cannot separate the two. 244 00:29:47,187.3623815 --> 00:29:52,767.3623815 Our lives, both individually and collectively, must reflect clearly the truths we proclaim. 245 00:29:53,187.3623815 --> 00:29:55,477.3623815 Faith without works is dead. 246 00:29:56,547.3623815 --> 00:29:58,627.3623815 The source of salvation is grace. 247 00:29:59,457.3623815 --> 00:30:02,267.3613815 The ground of our salvation is the atonement at the cross. 248 00:30:03,322.3623815 --> 00:30:05,362.3623815 The means of our salvation is faith. 249 00:30:06,32.3623815 --> 00:30:08,392.3623815 The evidence of our salvation is works. 250 00:30:09,122.3623815 --> 00:30:16,512.3613815 Many today are debating the question of the proper place of social action in the overall program of the church. 251 00:30:17,92.3623815 --> 00:30:20,742.3623815 Much will be said at this Congress concerning this matter. 252 00:30:21,522.3613815 --> 00:30:31,802.3623815 Perhaps we will not find all the answers, but we here tonight reaffirm the fact that our words and our deeds must both reflect the gospel. 253 00:30:32,712.3613815 --> 00:30:42,395.6957148 Historically, evangelicals havee changed society, influencing men everywhere in the battle against slavery and in the quest for social justice. 254 00:30:42,875.6957148 --> 00:30:44,605.6947148 We should be proud of that tradition. 255 00:30:45,795.6957149 --> 00:30:52,665.6957149 My own father in law went to China and spent 25 years to proclaim the gospel, but he was also a medical doctor. 256 00:30:54,705.6957149 --> 00:30:59,275.6957149 The gospel in one hand, and good works in the other, using medicine to win men to Christ. 257 00:31:00,375.6957149 --> 00:31:04,935.6957149 At the same time, we must squarely face the challenges of our age. 258 00:31:05,965.6957149 --> 00:31:09,45.6957149 We must be sensitive to human need wherever it's found. 259 00:31:10,625.6957149 --> 00:31:24,355.6957149 And I think tonight and in this Congress, we ought to, in all honesty, Confess, and in many cases repent, that we've not always been true to our tradition. 260 00:31:25,165.6957149 --> 00:31:32,815.6957149 At times we've not been consistent, or we've failed to appreciate the implications of the truths we have proclaimed. 261 00:31:33,485.6957149 --> 00:31:39,995.6957149 It seems to me that we're always in danger of falling into at least three or four errors in social action. 262 00:31:40,935.6957149 --> 00:31:44,995.6957149 The first is: to deny that we have any social responsibility as Christians. 263 00:31:45,855.6957149 --> 00:31:48,645.6957149 It's true that this is not our priority mission. 264 00:31:49,725.6957149 --> 00:32:01,815.6947149 However, it is equally true that Scripture calls us time and again to do all in our power to alleviate human suffering and to correct injustice wherever it's found. 265 00:32:03,245.6947149 --> 00:32:08,970.6957149 The second error: is to let social concern become our all consuming mission. 266 00:32:09,790.6957149 --> 00:32:27,330.6947149 Jesus said, what shall it profit a man if he gained the whole world and lose his own soul? What if we developed a materialistic utopia which sinful man cannot do? In which every inhabitant on the planet would be fed, clothed, housed, and cared for in every way. 267 00:32:27,810.6947149 --> 00:32:35,30.6947149 Men still would not find the purpose, the happiness, the meaning, the peace, and the joy that his heart craves far apart from God. 268 00:32:36,900.6957149 --> 00:32:42,410.6957149 This hopelessness has been articulated by many of our modern philosophers and playwrights. 269 00:32:43,87.3623815 --> 00:32:56,97.3623815 in a modern play, the playwright imagines everybody getting in a room and having everything that should satisfy a modern man, such as sex, food, drink, drugs, money, pleasure, entertainment. 270 00:32:56,737.3623815 --> 00:32:58,87.3623815 But nothing satisfies. 271 00:32:58,767.3623815 --> 00:33:00,227.3623815 The writer has no answer. 272 00:33:00,807.3623815 --> 00:33:04,127.3623815 He suggests that life has no significance, no coherence. 273 00:33:05,27.3623815 --> 00:33:09,497.3623815 No integrity, no meaning, and that there's no way out of the human dilemma. 274 00:33:10,987.3623815 --> 00:33:13,837.3623815 This comes from a man that himself was a millionaire. 275 00:33:14,547.3623815 --> 00:33:21,717.3623815 Some of the unhappiest men and women that I know today are millionaires, apart from God. 276 00:33:22,627.3623815 --> 00:33:31,507.3623815 Giving a man everything in this world does not satisfy because there's an element deep in his spirit that only God can satisfy. 277 00:33:33,417.3623815 --> 00:33:38,847.3623815 And without a personal relationship with Christ, man is lost in this world. 278 00:33:39,715.6957149 --> 00:33:47,219.0290482 Lost psychologically, lost spiritually, lost philosophically, lost in every way. 279 00:33:48,129.0290482 --> 00:33:50,959.0290482 But he's eternally lost in the next world. 280 00:33:52,419.0290482 --> 00:33:57,789.0290482 The rich man that Jesus told about was materially rich, but he was spiritually poor. 281 00:33:58,499.0280482 --> 00:33:59,979.0290482 God called him a fool. 282 00:34:00,849.0280482 --> 00:34:02,529.0280482 Man is a spiritual being. 283 00:34:02,579.0290482 --> 00:34:07,539.0290482 He's never satisfied or fulfilled until the soul is at peace with God. 284 00:34:08,929.0290482 --> 00:34:15,744.0290482 A third error: is to identify the gospel With any particular political program or culture. 285 00:34:16,794.0290482 --> 00:34:22,324.0290482 I confess tonight, this has been one of my own dangers in my own ministry. 286 00:34:24,574.0290482 --> 00:34:31,814.0290482 When I go out to preach the gospel now, I go as an ambassador for the kingdom of God and not America. 287 00:34:33,74.0290482 --> 00:34:44,914.0290482 To tie the gospel to any political system, any secular program, or any society is dangerous and will only serve to divert the gospel. 288 00:34:45,844.0290482 --> 00:34:49,674.0290482 The gospel transcends the goals and methods. 289 00:34:50,254.0290482 --> 00:34:57,874.0290482 The gospel transcends the goals and methods of any political system or any society, however good it may be. 290 00:34:58,764.0290482 --> 00:35:01,654.0290482 Jesus touched on this in his conversation with Pilate. 291 00:35:02,254.0290482 --> 00:35:06,844.0290482 In answering Pilate, he said, 'My kingdom is not of this world.' 292 00:35:08,484.0280482 --> 00:35:10,744.0290482 Perhaps there's a fourth danger that I should mention. 293 00:35:11,754.0290482 --> 00:35:19,994.0290482 And that's the danger of trying to make all Christians act alike in every country, regardless of where God might have placed them. 294 00:35:20,814.0290482 --> 00:35:26,264.0290482 Some, by the nature of your societies here tonight, have a little influence in your country. 295 00:35:27,394.0290482 --> 00:35:30,674.0290482 Others of you come from countries in which you have no influence. 296 00:35:30,674.0290482 --> 00:35:33,894.0290482 It's difficult because of the political system that you're in. 297 00:35:34,574.0290482 --> 00:35:40,254.0290482 We should each recognize the other's problems, dilemmas, or opportunities as the case may be. 298 00:35:40,794.0290482 --> 00:35:43,204.0280482 Our situations are radically different. 299 00:35:43,964.0290482 --> 00:35:58,644.0290482 For example, the social, cultural, and political problems are totally different for the Christian in Uganda than in Great Britain, or for the Christian in Australia, or the Christian in Czechoslovakia. 300 00:35:59,649.0290482 --> 00:36:04,499.0290482 But, thank God, our spiritual resources are the same. 301 00:36:05,682.3623815 --> 00:36:12,25.6957149 Thus, these four things all point to the last concept which we must reaffirm at this Congress. 302 00:36:12,425.6957149 --> 00:36:14,765.6947149 The necessity of evangelism. 303 00:36:16,225.6957149 --> 00:36:21,145.6957149 In certain circles today, evangelism is spoken of as only the Christian presence. 304 00:36:22,290.6957149 --> 00:36:28,120.6957149 Almost total emphasis is placed on living a consistently moral life in one's environment. 305 00:36:28,700.6957149 --> 00:36:30,460.6957149 This is as it should be. 306 00:36:30,760.6957149 --> 00:36:31,500.6957149 It is good. 307 00:36:32,230.6957149 --> 00:36:35,540.6957149 But evangelism is much more than non verbal. 308 00:36:36,30.6947149 --> 00:36:38,860.6947149 'Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' 309 00:36:39,640.6947149 --> 00:36:45,840.6957149 After all, humanists, without any reference to God, can heal and feed and help. 310 00:36:46,830.6957149 --> 00:36:51,250.6957149 But this social presence is not gospel proclamation. 311 00:36:52,220.6957149 --> 00:36:55,300.6957149 The gospel is an announcement of the good news. 312 00:36:56,310.6957149 --> 00:37:10,500.6957149 But what good news? It is the thrilling proclamation that Jesus Christ, very God and very man, died for my sins on the cross, was buried, and rose the third day. 313 00:37:11,360.6957149 --> 00:37:14,300.6947149 The Son has made full atonement for my sins. 314 00:37:14,940.6947149 --> 00:37:22,710.6947149 If I reach forth by faith to receive Christ as my personal Savior, I am declared forgiven and justified by God. 315 00:37:23,215.6957149 --> 00:37:27,895.6957149 Not through any merit of mine, but through the merits of Christ's shed blood. 316 00:37:28,725.6957149 --> 00:37:36,675.6957149 I rejoice in pardon for the past, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit for the present, and the living hope for the future. 317 00:37:37,605.6957149 --> 00:37:41,635.6947149 The great philosophical questions that I ask myself are answered. 318 00:37:41,825.6947149 --> 00:37:51,965.6947149 Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? And then I go on in grateful obedience by a life that should be rich in good works. 319 00:37:54,210.6957149 --> 00:38:07,910.6957149 Evangelism has been reinterpreted in some circles to mean primarily changing the structures of society in the direction of justice, righteousness, and peace. 320 00:38:08,930.6957149 --> 00:38:17,920.6957149 Industrial evangelism, for example, is held to be not bringing workers to redemptive faith in Christ, but improving the conditions under which they work. 321 00:38:18,675.6957149 --> 00:38:20,155.6957149 Now, don't get me wrong. 322 00:38:20,775.6957149 --> 00:38:28,495.6957149 We evangelicals should believe that improving working conditions is something each individual believer should be concerned about. 323 00:38:29,265.6947149 --> 00:38:31,905.6957149 But this is not primarily evangelism. 324 00:38:32,835.6957149 --> 00:38:39,335.6957149 Evangelicals should reject all such devaluation of the concept of the meaning of the 'evangel'. 325 00:38:40,135.6957149 --> 00:38:44,855.6957149 But the evangelist can never ignore social injustice. 326 00:38:46,60.6957149 --> 00:38:53,760.6957149 I believe in political freedom, changing unjust political and social structures where needed and where possible. 327 00:38:54,410.6957149 --> 00:38:56,500.6957149 I believe in equal justice for all. 328 00:38:56,970.6957149 --> 00:38:59,700.6957149 But this is not strictly evangelism. 329 00:39:00,430.6957149 --> 00:39:06,0.6957149 This has often historically come as the fruit of missions and evangelism. 330 00:39:07,200.6957149 --> 00:39:10,150.6957149 In the early part of this century, Robert E. 331 00:39:10,150.6957149 --> 00:39:18,680.6957149 Speer, one of the key figures in the beginnings of the ecumenical movement, gave an address entitled The Supreme and Determining Aim. 332 00:39:19,805.6957149 --> 00:39:32,909.8307706 One of the great missionary addresses of all time One of the paragraphs out of his great speech, he said, quote, "We must not confuse the aim of foreign missions with the results of foreign missions. 333 00:39:33,629.8307706 --> 00:39:39,109.8317706 Wherever the gospel goes, it plants in the hearts of men forces that produce new lives. 334 00:39:39,899.8317706 --> 00:39:45,789.8317706 It plants among communities of men forces that create new social combinations. 335 00:39:46,464.8317706 --> 00:39:52,54.8317706 It is impossible that human tyranny should live where Jesus Christ is King." 336 00:39:53,114.8317706 --> 00:40:05,824.8317706 He goes on to say, "It is a dangerous thing to charge ourselves openly before the world with the aim of reorganizing states and reconstructing society. 337 00:40:06,524.8317706 --> 00:40:10,544.8317706 Missions are powerful to transform the face of society", he said. 338 00:40:11,74.8317706 --> 00:40:16,64.8317706 "Because they ignore the face of society and deal with the heart." 339 00:40:16,838.1651039 --> 00:40:23,228.1651039 In perspective, we may not all agree with all of that statement; yet the basic truth is there. 340 00:40:23,878.1651039 --> 00:40:42,33.1651039 Biblically, evangelism can mean nothing else than proclaiming Jesus Christ by presence and by trusting the Holy Spirit to use the scriptures to persuade men to become his disciples and responsible members of his church. 341 00:40:43,26.4984372 --> 00:40:50,316.4974372 Furthermore, evangelism and the salvation of souls is the vital mission of the church. 342 00:40:50,756.4984372 --> 00:40:56,306.4984372 The whole church must be mobilized to bring the whole gospel to the whole world. 343 00:40:57,46.4984372 --> 00:40:58,256.4984372 This is our calling. 344 00:40:58,996.4984372 --> 00:41:00,446.4984372 These are our orders. 345 00:41:01,506.4984372 --> 00:41:11,61.4984372 Thus, while we may discuss social and political problems, Our priority for discussion here in Lausanne should be the evangelization of the world. 346 00:41:12,31.4984372 --> 00:41:25,431.4984372 Christians must regain the sense of direction, the feeling of urgency, and the depth of conviction which gave birth to that great slogan, 'The evangelization of the World in this Generation.' 347 00:41:27,21.4984372 --> 00:41:34,341.4984372 It is true that we live in different days from those of the 19th century, and new days demand new methods. 348 00:41:35,436.4984372 --> 00:41:39,246.4984372 My evangelistic methods differ in many ways from those of Dwight L. 349 00:41:39,246.4984372 --> 00:41:39,626.4984372 Moody. 350 00:41:40,336.4984372 --> 00:41:45,806.4984372 Even at this hour, there are scores of different methods of evangelism being effectively used. 351 00:41:46,76.4974372 --> 00:41:49,786.4984372 More effective than the evangelistic methods we may be using. 352 00:41:50,666.4984372 --> 00:41:54,56.4984372 In fact, the method we use may be among the most least effective. 353 00:41:55,186.4974372 --> 00:42:00,116.4984372 But no evangelism is effective unless it is personal evangelism. 354 00:42:01,246.4984372 --> 00:42:03,416.4984372 But there are some things that never change. 355 00:42:03,906.4984372 --> 00:42:05,456.4984372 The Word of God never changes. 356 00:42:06,26.4984372 --> 00:42:07,356.4984372 Christ never changes. 357 00:42:07,636.4984372 --> 00:42:10,991.4984372 The power of the Spirit to transform lives never changes. 358 00:42:11,81.4984372 --> 00:42:13,291.4984372 The demand for obedience never changes. 359 00:42:13,621.4984372 --> 00:42:16,801.4974372 Our commission to go to the ends of the world never changes. 360 00:42:17,101.4984372 --> 00:42:21,581.4984372 And Christ's promise to be with us till the end never changes. 361 00:42:22,231.4984372 --> 00:42:27,191.4984372 In other words, the message we proclaim never changes. 362 00:42:27,876.4984372 --> 00:42:29,476.4984372 Only methods change. 363 00:42:30,166.4984372 --> 00:42:31,566.4984372 Situations change. 364 00:42:31,626.4984372 --> 00:42:33,396.4984372 Circumstances change. 365 00:42:33,616.4984372 --> 00:42:35,256.4984372 Political situations change. 366 00:42:35,266.4984372 --> 00:42:36,416.4984372 Social situations. 367 00:42:36,636.4984372 --> 00:42:40,726.4974372 But the message is the same in every generation and in every country. 368 00:42:41,936.4974372 --> 00:42:48,616.4984372 This task of the Congress, therefore, is to relate the changeless gospel to a changing world. 369 00:42:50,116.4984372 --> 00:43:02,506.4984372 Fourthly, this Congress convenes to consider honestly and carefully both the unevangelized world and the church's resources to evangelize the world. 370 00:43:03,756.4984372 --> 00:43:21,676.4984372 Here we will study together such questions as where are the unevangelized? When can a person, a village, a city, a country said to be evangelized? In the last quarter of the 20th century, the unevangelized world consists of two main blocks of people. 371 00:43:22,196.4984373 --> 00:43:25,56.4984372 First, the superficially Christian population. 372 00:43:25,879.9465348 --> 00:43:33,119.9455348 You ask them are they, what religion do they have in Europe or America? They say we're Christian, but they don't personally know Christ. 373 00:43:34,124.9465348 --> 00:43:36,734.9465348 Secondly, there's the unevangelized world. 374 00:43:37,84.9465348 --> 00:43:42,544.9465348 And that consists of large, unreached populations that can be found almost everywhere. 375 00:43:42,724.9455348 --> 00:43:55,954.9465348 Many of you are not aware that right here in Europe, there are thousands and even millions of Turks, Algerians, Vietnamese that are largely unreached. 376 00:43:57,594.9465348 --> 00:44:00,684.9465348 They need someone to go to them with the gospel. 377 00:44:01,244.9465348 --> 00:44:06,844.9465348 There are tens of millions that live in parts of the world that never hear the gospel as we heard this afternoon. 378 00:44:07,984.9465348 --> 00:44:11,464.9465348 The only way to reach many of those areas is by radio. 379 00:44:11,804.9465348 --> 00:44:18,904.9465348 And certainly we should be praying in this Congress that God will show us how to reach these unreached areas. 380 00:44:20,284.9465348 --> 00:44:27,354.9465348 This Congress will be shocked to learn of the magnitude of the unreached populations on every continent. 381 00:44:28,114.9455348 --> 00:44:40,929.9465348 The Planning Committee of this Congress asks the School of Missions at Fuller Theological Seminary and Missions Advance Research Center at World Vision to assemble hard facts on unreached populations. 382 00:44:41,589.9465348 --> 00:44:48,209.9455348 The two agencies appointed a work team, which enlisted the aid of hundreds around the world to gather data. 383 00:44:48,929.9465348 --> 00:44:53,659.9455348 I'll not anticipate their report, but their report is sobering indeed. 384 00:44:54,759.9465348 --> 00:44:59,229.9465348 We must evangelize in the world this data reveals. 385 00:45:00,89.9455348 --> 00:45:05,599.9465348 Our evangelistic strategy should be formed in view of this actual situation. 386 00:45:06,779.9465348 --> 00:45:18,989.9465348 While some people can be evangelized by their neighbors, others and greater multitudes are cut off from their Christian neighbors by deep linguistic, political, and cultural chasms. 387 00:45:19,819.9465348 --> 00:45:24,939.9465348 They will never be reached by 'near neighbor' evangelism that we hear so much about today. 388 00:45:25,959.9465348 --> 00:45:35,849.9465348 To build our evangelistic policies on near neighbor evangelism alone is to shut out at least one billion people from ever hearing the gospel. 389 00:45:36,779.9465348 --> 00:45:43,389.9465348 Churches of every land therefore should deliberately send out evangelists and missionaries. 390 00:45:43,894.9465348 --> 00:45:52,344.9465348 To master other languages, learn other cultures, live in them perhaps for a life, and thus evangelize these multitudes. 391 00:45:52,984.9465348 --> 00:46:00,654.9465348 Thus we should reject the idea of a moratorium on the sending of missionaries. 392 00:46:04,495.6533239 --> 00:46:14,865.6533239 At the first meeting of the Executive Planning Committee for this Congress, when the name was debated, it was decided to call it The International Congress on World Evangelization. 393 00:46:15,410.6533239 --> 00:46:17,120.6533239 Not just evangelism. 394 00:46:17,940.6533239 --> 00:46:21,950.6533239 Many sincere Christians around the world are concerned with evangelism. 395 00:46:22,480.6533239 --> 00:46:26,930.6523239 They're diligent at evangelizing in their own communities and even in their own countries. 396 00:46:27,370.6523239 --> 00:46:31,400.6533239 But they do not see God's big picture of a world need. 397 00:46:31,790.6533239 --> 00:46:37,650.6533239 And the global responsibility that He has put before the church in His Word. 398 00:46:38,490.6533239 --> 00:46:50,600.6533239 The Christians in Nigeria are not just to evangelize Nigeria, nor the Christians in Peru, the people of Peru, God's heartbeat is for the world. 399 00:46:51,400.6533239 --> 00:47:03,720.6533239 Christ commissioned us not to make disciples in every nation, but to preach the gospel to not only to make disciples in every nation, but to preach the gospel to every creature. 400 00:47:05,40.6523239 --> 00:47:10,790.5533239 In this connection, I think we would do well to bear in mind that as we gather here in Lausanne. 401 00:47:11,700.6533239 --> 00:47:25,200.6523239 Something that Bishop Dane reminded us of this afternoon, that we're going to be judged by the city of Lausanne by our attitude and our conduct in our daily individual contacts in this city. 402 00:47:25,630.6533239 --> 00:47:36,390.6533239 What a tragedy! If in the midst of our deliberations on how to reach the world for Christ, we should fail to evangelize by word and life, the very city in which we meet. 403 00:47:36,760.6533239 --> 00:47:43,520.6533239 It's my prayer that this Congress will make a great spiritual impact on this great city in Switzerland. 404 00:47:44,830.6523239 --> 00:47:50,480.6523239 But let us pray that here at Lausanne, God will help us to see the big picture. 405 00:47:51,20.6533239 --> 00:47:57,670.6533239 Of the whole world for which Christ died and for which he made us responsible to preach the gospel. 406 00:47:58,30.6533239 --> 00:48:00,920.6533239 Let our hearts echo those words we heard today. 407 00:48:01,170.6533239 --> 00:48:11,915.6533239 'Oh Earth, Earth, Earth, Hear ye the word of the Lord!' When Wesley was shut off from preaching in the churches, he said the world will be my parish. 408 00:48:12,475.6523239 --> 00:48:16,605.6533239 William Carey used to keep a map of the world in his little cobbler's shop. 409 00:48:17,345.6523239 --> 00:48:27,35.6533239 When I see the world from the moon, by television, when those men were walking on the moon and they were showing us the earth, I wanted to reach out and grab it for God. 410 00:48:28,175.6533239 --> 00:48:30,15.6533239 Get a picture of the whole world. 411 00:48:30,515.6533239 --> 00:48:50,615.6533239 And one of the things I believe that will come out of Lausanne will be an enlarged vision as Bishop Dane reminded us, World Evangelization means continued and increasing sendings of missionaries and evangelists from every church in every land to the unreached billions. 412 00:48:51,65.6523239 --> 00:49:01,445.6533239 The church must learn to utilize every technological and spiritual resource at its command for the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 413 00:49:02,904.8684103 --> 00:49:10,534.8674103 Finally, what do we hope will be accomplished at this Congress? Let me share four of my hopes with you. 414 00:49:11,464.8684103 --> 00:49:16,254.8684103 First: I would like to see the Congress frame a biblical declaration on evangelism. 415 00:49:17,138.0159414 --> 00:49:25,873.0159414 The time has come again for the evangelical world to speak with a strong, clear voice as to the biblical definition of evangelism. 416 00:49:26,513.0159414 --> 00:49:42,313.0159414 And I would call and challenge the World Council of Churches Assembly next year plan for Jakarta to study such a statement carefully and prayerfully with the idea of adopting more evangelical concepts of evangelism and missions. 417 00:49:43,287.2731106 --> 00:49:50,137.2731106 Secondly: I would like to see the church challenged to complete the task of world evangelization. 418 00:49:50,782.2731106 --> 00:49:58,762.2731106 Never has the church been stronger, more deeply entrenched in more countries, more able to do the job than today. 419 00:49:59,952.2721106 --> 00:50:07,722.2721106 Thirdly: I trust we can state what the relationship is between evangelism and social responsibility. 420 00:50:08,282.2731106 --> 00:50:16,952.2731106 Let us rejoice in social action and yet insist that it alone is not evangelism and cannot be substituted for evangelism. 421 00:50:17,402.2731106 --> 00:50:20,662.2731106 This relationship disturbs many people throughout the world today. 422 00:50:21,77.2731106 --> 00:50:23,327.2731106 Perhaps Lausanne can help clarify it. 423 00:50:24,457.2731106 --> 00:50:33,987.2731106 Fourthly: I hope that a new 'koinonia' or fellowship among evangelicals of all persuasions, will be developed throughout the world. 424 00:50:34,897.2731106 --> 00:50:39,397.2721106 I hope there will develop here what I like to call the spirit of Lausanne. 425 00:50:40,27.2731106 --> 00:50:47,992.2731107 The time has come for evangelicals to move forward, to encourage, to challenge, and to bring hope to the world church. 426 00:50:48,767.2731106 --> 00:50:53,167.2731106 Evangelicals are rapidly gaining recognition and momentum. 427 00:50:53,857.2731106 --> 00:51:05,107.2731106 From this Congress can come a new love, a new fellowship, a new slogan, a new song, and most of all, a new commitment. 428 00:51:06,317.2731106 --> 00:51:14,262.2731106 I believe the Lord is saying to us, 'Let's go forward together in a worldwide fellowship in evangelism and missions. 429 00:51:15,302.2731106 --> 00:51:25,952.2721106 In Bible translation, in literature distribution, in meeting world social needs, in evangelical theological training, and many other areas." 430 00:51:27,42.2731106 --> 00:51:29,962.2731106 Let's go forward together in fellowship. 431 00:51:30,770.4539288 --> 00:51:36,900.4549288 There are two basic needs if we are to live with the spirit of Lausanne. 432 00:51:38,110.4549288 --> 00:51:39,630.4549288 The first has to do with prayer. 433 00:51:40,550.4549288 --> 00:51:46,720.4549288 For the ten days prior to Pentecost, the disciples continued with one accord in prayer and supplication. 434 00:51:47,270.4549288 --> 00:51:48,610.4549288 Their prayers were heard. 435 00:51:49,50.4549288 --> 00:51:50,320.4549288 The Spirit descended. 436 00:51:50,660.4539288 --> 00:51:51,330.4549288 The power abounded. 437 00:51:52,530.4549288 --> 00:51:54,180.4549288 Weak men became strong. 438 00:51:54,460.4549288 --> 00:51:56,260.4539288 Faithless men became faithful. 439 00:51:56,460.4549288 --> 00:51:58,920.4549288 Speechless men spoke the Word with strength. 440 00:51:59,330.4539288 --> 00:52:05,230.4549288 And most glorious of all, sinners who listened became saints through faith in the risen Christ. 441 00:52:06,10.4549288 --> 00:52:11,900.4549288 It is my hope that there will be a tremendous emphasis on prayer during this Congress. 442 00:52:12,710.4549288 --> 00:52:18,150.4549288 Evangelism is always in danger of succumbing to a humanistic activity. 443 00:52:19,43.7882621 --> 00:52:32,883.7882621 With all the emphasis on crowds and organization, and our thrill and excitement about church growth, we should remember that Jesus often fled the crowds. 444 00:52:34,273.7882621 --> 00:52:40,713.7882621 In discussions of evangelism, too little is often made of the spiritual life and prayer. 445 00:52:41,378.7882621 --> 00:52:46,698.7882621 It is foolish and vain to try to do God's work without God's power. 446 00:52:47,748.7882621 --> 00:52:53,18.7882621 But there is no way for Christians to have God's power except by prayer. 447 00:52:53,698.7882621 --> 00:53:13,218.7882621 I've learned in these years of evangelism, and we're celebrating this year 25 years in this type of evangelism, and I've learned one thing over and over again, that no evangelism is successful unless it is bathed and saturated in prayer. 448 00:53:14,554.5239144 --> 00:53:21,239.5239144 The second need is to leave the Congress filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. 449 00:53:22,319.5239144 --> 00:53:27,299.5239144 Only a spirit filled people shall finish the job of world evangelization. 450 00:53:28,269.5239144 --> 00:53:34,849.5239144 We will be here for ten days, even as the disciples of our Lord tarried for ten days before Pentecost. 451 00:53:35,619.5239144 --> 00:53:38,649.5239144 They did this in obedience to the command of Jesus. 452 00:53:39,219.5239144 --> 00:53:46,89.5239144 "Tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye are endued with power from on high." 453 00:53:46,939.5239144 --> 00:53:50,739.5239144 The power they needed is the power we need tonight. 454 00:53:51,349.5239144 --> 00:53:55,819.5239144 There can be no adequate evangelism without the Holy Spirit. 455 00:53:56,269.5239144 --> 00:53:59,969.5239144 It is the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. 456 00:54:00,279.5239144 --> 00:54:03,949.5239144 It is the Holy Spirit who performs the work of regeneration. 457 00:54:04,309.5239144 --> 00:54:07,139.5239144 It is the Holy Spirit who indwells believers. 458 00:54:07,569.5239144 --> 00:54:12,379.5239144 It is the Holy Spirit who guides, teaches, instructs, and fills the new believer. 459 00:54:13,79.5239144 --> 00:54:16,309.5239144 The great communicator of the gospel is the Holy Spirit. 460 00:54:17,9.5239144 --> 00:54:22,419.5239144 When I stand up to preach the gospel, I really never worry about communicating. 461 00:54:23,759.5239144 --> 00:54:29,949.5229144 If I preach the gospel faithfully, the Holy Spirit is there speaking to the hearts of people that he's already prepared. 462 00:54:31,709.5229144 --> 00:54:36,279.5239144 He uses ordinary people as instruments, but it is his work. 463 00:54:37,396.190581 --> 00:54:42,126.190581 God has gathered us here tonight at a time of great opportunity. 464 00:54:42,686.190581 --> 00:54:45,936.190581 But also at a time of unprecedented danger. 465 00:54:46,586.190581 --> 00:54:47,696.190581 The harvest is ripe. 466 00:54:49,36.190581 --> 00:54:51,886.190581 The harvest time only consists of a short time. 467 00:54:53,26.190581 --> 00:54:54,756.190581 I was born and reared on a farm. 468 00:54:56,126.190581 --> 00:54:59,176.189581 Harvest time was just a short time. 469 00:55:00,136.190581 --> 00:55:03,106.190581 I believe it's harvest time throughout the world. 470 00:55:04,56.190581 --> 00:55:08,116.190581 And what we do in the harvest field, we must do with urgency. 471 00:55:08,286.190581 --> 00:55:09,806.190581 And we must do quickly. 472 00:55:10,146.190581 --> 00:55:12,756.190581 The night comes when no man can work. 473 00:55:13,346.190581 --> 00:55:14,956.190581 Storm clouds are gathering. 474 00:55:15,436.190581 --> 00:55:19,136.190581 Satan is marshalling his forces for his greatest attack in history. 475 00:55:19,626.190581 --> 00:55:23,786.190581 Ours is a cosmic struggle, both in the seen and the unseen world. 476 00:55:24,66.190581 --> 00:55:31,746.190581 Satan will do everything he can to discourage, divide, and defeat as we gather to carry out the Great Commission of our Lord. 477 00:55:32,46.190581 --> 00:55:35,196.189581 Let's don't give the devil an inch this week. 478 00:55:36,142.8562477 --> 00:55:41,752.8562477 But we follow, we follow the Son of God, who is already nullified. 479 00:55:42,62.8572477 --> 00:55:44,192.8572477 The power of death, hell, and Satan. 480 00:55:44,612.8572477 --> 00:55:46,392.8572477 The final victory is certain. 481 00:55:46,732.8572477 --> 00:55:48,752.8572477 'Maranatha', the Lord is coming. 482 00:55:49,72.8572477 --> 00:55:51,732.8572477 That is our hope as we gather here tonight. 483 00:55:52,439.5239143 --> 00:55:52,789.5239143 Dr. 484 00:55:52,789.5239143 --> 00:55:54,289.5239143 Martin Luther King Sr. 485 00:55:55,29.5239143 --> 00:55:55,589.5229143 and Mrs. 486 00:55:55,589.5239143 --> 00:55:59,139.5239143 King were invited to be participants in this Congress. 487 00:56:00,439.5229143 --> 00:56:04,29.5229143 In talking to him, he wasn't certain that he could come. 488 00:56:05,19.5229143 --> 00:56:06,399.5239143 He had a heavy schedule. 489 00:56:07,679.5239143 --> 00:56:09,209.5239143 He hadn't been feeling too well. 490 00:56:10,859.5239143 --> 00:56:18,849.5239143 And I stood a few months ago with him at the tomb of his son, Martin Luther Jr. 491 00:56:18,859.5239143 --> 00:56:20,309.5239143 whom his friends called Mike. 492 00:56:21,269.5239143 --> 00:56:22,409.5239143 Big Mike and Little Mike. 493 00:56:22,449.5239143 --> 00:56:25,129.5239143 I stood with Big Mike and looked at Little Mike's grave. 494 00:56:26,626.190581 --> 00:56:27,806.190581 We had a prayer together. 495 00:56:29,419.5229143 --> 00:56:31,529.5239143 And the night before he was assassinated, Dr. 496 00:56:31,529.5239143 --> 00:56:35,709.5239143 Martin Luther King spoke in Memphis about how he had climbed the mountain. 497 00:56:36,769.5239143 --> 00:56:43,109.5229143 And when he had scaled the heights of the mountain, he said that he was able to look over into the Promised Land. 498 00:56:43,969.5229143 --> 00:56:48,672.2162221 he said "mine eyes have seem the glory of the coming of the Lord." 499 00:56:50,564.5239144 --> 00:56:58,454.5239144 You and I, have climbed the mountain We've climbed the mountain that separated us from the Living God. 500 00:56:58,964.5239144 --> 00:57:00,244.5239144 We have scaled its heights. 501 00:57:00,974.5239144 --> 00:57:02,724.5239144 We've looked into the promised land. 502 00:57:03,144.5239144 --> 00:57:06,534.5239143 Our eyes have seen the glory of God. 503 00:57:07,841.190581 --> 00:57:12,341.189581 He has given us the vision to see, the faith to believe, and the courage to act. 504 00:57:13,381.189581 --> 00:57:15,841.190581 But we have not yet entered the promised land. 505 00:57:16,841.190581 --> 00:57:27,281.190581 Down below us, on the plains of the world, are the millions of men and women who do not know that there's even a mountain to climb. 506 00:57:28,401.190581 --> 00:57:31,971.190581 They do not know that there's a promised land to enter. 507 00:57:33,711.190581 --> 00:57:35,831.190581 They have not seen, believed, or acted. 508 00:57:36,941.190581 --> 00:57:44,961.190581 We who have seen the promised land must go down into the valley when Lausanne is over to tell the multitudes. 509 00:57:45,316.190581 --> 00:57:49,386.190581 There's a mountain to climb and a promised land to enter. 510 00:57:50,326.190581 --> 00:57:55,336.190581 God has cut the pathway to the top of the mountain with the blood of his Son. 511 00:57:55,846.190581 --> 00:58:08,866.190581 God has prepared a promised land where there is no night, no sin, no suffering, no hunger, no sorrow, no tears, and no death. 512 00:58:09,846.190581 --> 00:58:23,701.190581 And to us has been given the task and the privilege to tell all men everywhere, that if they follow the blood stained trail of the Son of God, they will climb the mountain. 513 00:58:24,571.190581 --> 00:58:26,291.190581 They will see the promised land. 514 00:58:26,821.190581 --> 00:58:30,101.190581 They will know the glory of the coming of the Lord. 515 00:58:31,591.190581 --> 00:58:41,27.0273282 Why, Lausanne? Why, Lausanne? That the earth may hear His voice. 516 00:58:49,59.2294682 --> 00:58:52,449.2294682 But I hope that you enjoyed this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast. 517 00:58:52,809.2294682 --> 00:58:59,229.2294682 If you liked this episode, why don't you take a moment to give us a rating and review? And give us a shout out on social media. 518 00:58:59,909.2294682 --> 00:59:07,899.2294682 next week, we'll be back with another episode that we hope will inspire you to accelerate global mission within your own space. 519 00:59:08,619.2294682 --> 00:59:09,579.2294682 Until next week.