Sacrifices For God - On the Death of 27-year-old Missionary John Allen Chau

"They have not loved their lives to the death!" (Rev 12:11)

The week before last, on Friday, November 16, 2018, the 27-year-old American missionary John Allen Chau died on the beach of the Indian island of North Sentinel Island. He wanted to help the unreached Sentinelese tribe. The tribe, notorious for their violence, shot him with their arrows and then dragged his body across the beach. In the early morning, he wrote the following lines to his parents and friends:

"Bryan and Mary, Mum and Dad,

You may think I'm crazy, but I think it's worth bringing the name of Jesus to these people.

Please don't be angry with them or against God if I should be killed—but live your lives in obedience to what He has called you to do, and I will see you again when you enter through the curtain. You do not need to retrieve my body.

This is not pointless—the eternal lives of the people of this tribe are at stake, and I can't wait to see them around the throne of God in their own language, just as Revelation 7:9-10 says.

I love you all and pray that none of you love anything in this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More more than Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More.

SOLI DEO GLORIA (To God alone be the glory)

John Chau

On November 16, 2018, 6:20 AM

North Sentinel Island"

He had already been attacked by the tribal warriors the day before. An arrow hit his Bible, which he had been holding to his chest. Nevertheless, John Allen Chau decided to return the next day. The love of Christ urged him. He was sure that God had called him to reach these people with the gospel. This desire had been in his heart for several years. Now, he was ready to be obedient to the Great Commission, even if it cost him his life. It is reminiscent of Paul's words: "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More of God" (Acts 20:24).

What would we have advised him to do? The disciples of the Lord Jesus could not believe that He deliberately put Himself in mortal danger: "Rabbi"Rabbi" is derived from the Hebrew word "rab" ("great") and is used among the Jews as a respectful designation for a spiritual teacher (e.g., John 1:38). "Rabbuni" (or Rabban) has... More, the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?" (John 11:8). The Lord Jesus knew that His path was leading Him straight to the city that kills God’s prophets and "stones those who are sent to her" (Luke 13:34). But He set His face like a flint (Isaiah 50:7), for He looked to "the joy that was set before Him" (Heb 12:2).

John Allen Chau had his eyes firmly fixed on heaven and eternity. It was his burning desire that one day, people from the Sentinelese tribe would also worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More their Creator for all eternity. He paid the highest price for this.

Most Christians will not have to pay for their service to the Lord with their lives. And yet, "By this, we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16).

What sacrificeA sacrifice/offering to God (or deities in pagan religions) that differed in occasion, purpose, and form. The most important sacrifices required by the Old Testament law include burnt offerings, grain... More are you making so that people will hear about Jesus ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More?