Zambia Hunt

Summary of sermon by Dr. Darrell Champlin, Missionary Statesman. 1932-2015

In the annals of biblical history, we find a poignant story that resonates deeply with the challenges facing modern Christianity. The tale of King Saul’s incomplete obedience, as recounted in I Samuel 15:1-33, serves as a powerful metaphor for the current state of global missions. Just as Samuel’s heart broke over the tragedy in Israel, many today are grappling with a similar calamity in the realm of missions. Let’s explore this parallel and its implications for our faith and actions.

The Clear Command

God’s command to Saul was unequivocal: destroy every Amalekite. While this may seem harsh to our modern sensibilities, it was both a just judgment and an act of mercy in preventing further evil. Today, we face a world under a similar threat – not from earthly armies, but from the consequences of separation from God. As John 3:36 reminds us, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

In response to this spiritual crisis, we have received a command just as clear and undeniable as the one given to Saul. Jesus himself instructed us in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This Great Commission is our marching orders, as unequivocal as those given to Saul.

Our Competency

Saul had at his disposal an overwhelming force, backed by the might of the Lord of Hosts. Similarly, we too are more than competent for the task at hand. Consider our resources:

1. Personnel: We have an army of tens of millions of believers worldwide, described in the Song of Solomon as an “army terrible with banners.” Jesus himself promised that even the gates of hell would not prevail against His church.
2. Perspective: We have the ultimate example in Christ, the “Man of Sorrows,” whose commitment and sacrifice for us should inspire our own dedication.
3. Power: We possess the greatest power in the world – the Gospel. As Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.”

The Unfolding Calamity

Despite our clear mandate and abundant resources, we find ourselves in the midst of a calamity. Just as God could hear the breath of one Amalekite who should have died, signaling Saul’s incomplete obedience, today we hear the cries of billions unreached by the Gospel.

Consider these sobering statistics:

• 3,200 languages still lack even a word of Scripture.
• 3 billion people remain unreached, crying out, “No man cares for my soul!”
• 175 cities of over 5 million people are virtually without the Gospel.
• The global population is exploding, with projections of adding a billion people every decade or less.
• We have only 70,000 missionaries worldwide, of whom merely 40,000 preach the Gospel, and 55% are over 50 years old.
• While there’s one ordained preacher for every 451 Americans, there’s only one missionary for about 50,000 unreached people globally.
• The world is losing 143 people every minute, most without Christ.

The disparity is stark, and the need is great. Yet, like Saul, we may be tempted to say, “We have done all the Lord commanded us.” The Holy Spirit, however, cries out, “What then is this bleating of sheep that I hear?”

The Path to Conquest

To address this calamity, we must, like Samuel with Agag, be willing to slay the obstacles that prevent our full obedience. These modern-day “Agags” include:

1. The grand American dream
2. Health as a life goal
3. Romance at any cost
4. Selfish ambition
5. Loveless service
6. Carnal compromise
7. Worldly wisdom
8. Prayerless living
9. Personal pride
10. Ignorant isolation
11. Fearful faith
12. Cold compassion

We must confront these idols and lay them at the foot of the cross. Only then can we truly join the army of the Lord, as Paul exhorts in 2 Timothy 2:3-4: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”

A Call to Action

As we stand at this critical juncture, we must remember that we have the command, we possess the competency, but we find ourselves in the midst of calamity. The solution lies in our willingness to slay these “Agags” in our lives.

We must live in the light of the coming Judgment Seat of Christ, where our obedience will be tested. Only when we have fully surrendered these areas of our lives can we truthfully say, “We have done all the Lord commanded.”

Until then, the question will continue to ring in our ears: “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep?” Let this serve as both a challenge and an inspiration to fully commit ourselves to the Great Commission, reaching the unreached and bringing the light of the Gospel to every corner of our world.

The calamity is real, but so is our calling. Will we, unlike Saul, choose complete obedience? The fate of billions hangs in the balance. The time for action is now.