Missionary Commissioning Service for Arif Khan

The point: Pray earnestly and intelligently for God's blessing to be used for His global purposes, not consumed upon ourselves.

Martin uses ancient Israel's failure to be an instrument for God's knowledge among nations, turning inward and to idols, as a warning for the church today against seeking blessing only for self-consumption.

Surely in the initial petition, in the exhortations given, and then in the glorious affirmation of faith at the end of the psalm, you see this intimate connection between the blessing of God upon his people and the spreading of the knowledge of God among all the nations. And when Israel forgot that her mission was to be an instrument in God's hands to display to the nations. And when Israel forgot that her mission was to be an instrument in God's hands to display the knowledge of the true God, she turned inward upon herself, and she eventually turned away from her God to serve idols. And so it...

2:37 - 3:57 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin provides a detailed historical account of Arif Khan's journey, from his conversion and early missionary endeavors to his membership at Trinity Baptist Church. He explains…

Martin shares a humorous anecdote about Arif Khan, Frank Barker, and Alan Dunn forming 'AFA' (Arif, Frank, Alan) as their 'missionary society' when asked 'Who are you with?' in Pakistan, illustrating their collaborative ministry.

Kalamehawk is now broadcast twice every week, going out by shortwave, and a potential listening audience of tens of millions. Thirdly, he has continued the annual pastors' conference, which began in 1990, and, God willing, will continue even into this fall. And I may apprise you of a little incident that we have a good laugh about. When one attends any kind of a gathering of pastors or missionaries in Pakistan, one of the first questions people ask you is, Who are you with?

38:31 - 39:07 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin provides a detailed historical account of Arif Khan's journey, from his conversion and early missionary endeavors to his membership at Trinity Baptist Church. He explains…

Martin describes the severe legal restrictions in an Islamic state against listening to the gospel, possessing a Bible, or professing interest in Christ, to highlight the vital importance and risk of Arif's radio and correspondence ministry.

Put yourself in the place of someone in an Islamic state where if you are in Islam, by law, it is illegal for you to listen to the gospel, let alone profess an interest in it, let alone to have a Bible, let alone to profess to be attached to the Bible. In a land where there are few servants of Christ and few vibrant churches, and when God blesses the preaching of the word by radio, an avenue is open for those who are concerned to write. An address is given. And growing out of that radio broadcast, our brother has something began while he was in Pakistan, and now it has continued and has expand...

40:05 - 41:31 Read in full sermon

The point: Uphold your missionaries as a congregation, encouraging them and supporting their hands in their labor for the furtherance of God's kingdom.

The congregation is exhorted to uphold Arif Khan's hands in his difficult labor, just as Aaron and Hur upheld Moses' hands during battle, symbolizing the church's commitment to support him.

And our Father, we also ask that you would help us to be faithful to encourage him. What a difficult labor this will be. We ask that you would help us to uphold our brother as Moses had those who upheld his hands as he sought to labor for you. Help us as a congregation to uphold our brother, to uphold his hands as he seeks to labor for you in the furtherance of your kingdom there in Pakistan.

84:40 - 85:05 Read in full sermon

The point: Have a biblical perspective on the significance of spiritual work, valuing time spent in God's presence and witnessing His work above worldly entertainment.

Martin contrasts the willingness of 50,000 people to sit in the rain for three hours at Giant Stadium for entertainment with the church's privilege of spending a couple of hours in God's presence, emphasizing the eternal significance of spiritual work over worldly pursuits.

Be merciful to us, we pray. Amen. Amen. I was tempted to give a word of apology for the many things and the length that the combined elements have resulted in, but when I think that probably 50,000 people will sit outside in the rain in inclement weather and holler their heads off like fools for over three hours at Giant Stadium, God have mercy on us.

85:40 - 86:11 Read in full sermon