Don’t go there!

Have you ever been warned by someone to not go to a specific place or warned to not do something? Sometimes the warnings are based on wisdom and experience of the person issuing the warning and other times the warnings are based on fear and lack of understanding of the situation you will face. Some have stated that “the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.” I am not sure I fully agree with that statement when you understand what the word “safe” means. When I taught motorcycle classes we would always ask the students if they thought you could ride a motorcycle in a “safe” manner. Almost all of them agreed that it was possible but when I explained what the word safe means, it changed their view. “Safe” means to have the absence of risk. Riding a motorcycle will always have risks involved, it is unavoidable so one needs to understand what those risks are and how to minimize them to keep from having accidents. Likewise when thinking about fulfilling the Great commission to go into all the world, there will be risks that one will have to take to be able to reach the people with the gospel message. I would rather say that the best place to be is in the center of the will of God. Safety is not guaranteed as many missionaries have lost their lives going to where God called them to go.

Jesus was faced with the challenge of going to places where the potential for problems was great. On several occasions his disciples warned him or were very concerned about him going to certain areas. One area the Jews avoided was Samaria. When the kingdom was divided into the northern and southern kingdoms, Samaria became the capital of the northern 10 tribes. The northern kingdom rebelled against following God and had no king who truly led the people to follow Jehovah. The prophet Micah along with many other prophets were sent to warn them of the coming destruction and captivity. In addition to being disobedient to God they were also oppressive of their own people and used them to gain wealth.

The prophetic corpus generally exhibits a disdain for Samaria, targeting it as the recipient of imminent judgment. In Micah 1, Samaria is the embodiment of sin. Hosea and Amos specifically target the corruption, violence, and apostasy of Samaria and its monarchy. Burglary and violence were rampant (Hos 7:1). Samaria’s officials were corrupt and immoral (Hos 7:2–7). In Samaria, the poor and oppressed were victimized (Amos 4:1). Samaria was also the hub of idolatrous practices (Hos 8:5–6; Amos 8:14).

Schreiner, D. B. (2012, 2013, 2014). Samaria. In J. D. Barry, L. Wentz, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair-Wolcott, R. Klippenstein, D. Bomar, … D. R. Brown (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The prophet Amos condemned the people of Samaria who lived in houses and beds decorated with ivory (Amos 3:15; 6:4) because their wealth was gained through oppression of the common people of the nation of Israel

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., & Harrison, R. K., Thomas Nelson Publishers (Eds.). (1995). In Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

The Samaritans were a mixed breed of Jewish heritage and pagan nations. After the northern Kingdom was taken captive by Assyria most of the Jews were transported to another city and only a few were left in Samaria. They began to intermarry with the other foreigners which was an uforgivable crime. Even in the strictest Jewish households today intermarriage is forbidden. If one marries a Gentile, his or her funeral is carried out. They are considered dead. The Samaritans set up their own temple in Mount Gerazim rather than in Jerusalem.

In the New Testament times the Jews did not associate with the Samaritans. If at all possible they avoided passing through Samaria on their journey to the north or south of Samaria. The Samaritans often made it difficult for them to pass through so there was resentment and bitterness against them.

In spite of these contentions and the concerns of his followers, Jesus did not let that hinder him from passing through the country. On his way he met the woman at the well and ministered to her as well as the village where she lived. I am sure the disciples questioned in their minds whether it would be safe for them to go through Samaria and they had justifiable reasons to avoid going there. Yet the “Don’t go there” message did not register with Jesus and the lives of many people were affected because of his being there.

Another incident in the life of Jesus that drew opposition from his disciples was his journey to Bethany. The scribes and Pharisees had been plotting against him for some time and his disciples were afraid that something bad was going to happen to him. They had tried to stone him but Jesus was able to get away from them. When Jesus announced to his disciples that they were going to return to Judea to go to Lazarus’s home, the disciples questioned him.

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?

The New International Version. (2011). (Jn 11:8). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

When Jesus told him the purpose of his return was to wake up Lazarus they again protested by stating that if he was just asleep he would wake up and be okay. They really did not want Jesus to go back to Bethany. Yet Jesus went in obedience to his Father and a tremendous miracle happened when Lazarus was raised from the dead. Again the “Don’t go there!” message was ignored by Jesus.

The final account of Jesus going to Jerusalem during the Passover noted that he led the disciples and many followed behind him in fear.

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid.

The New International Version. (2011). (Mk 10:32). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Jesus knew what was going to happen to him and the people had a pretty good idea that trouble was coming. Jesus had warned his disciples of his impending abuse and death that would happen in Jerusalem. He continued in spite of the fear of the people and did not let anything keep him from going where he needed to go. He knew his mission, the risks involved but he also knew the outcome which enabled him to face what was going to happen.

Hebrews 12.2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.* Because of the joy* awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. NLT

When the church was born persecution caused many to scatter to unreached areas. Phillip was one who ventured on to Samaria to share the gospel message with a people who formerly were avoided. Whatever obstacles that kept the church from moving into Samaria were removed as Phillip went into this previously forbidden territory. This was a major event in setting a new course for the early church.

Philip’s evangelism enjoyed success, albeit unexpected success (Acts 8:14–25). From this, the Church expanded and grew, securing a solid infrastructure—enough to support the global missions of Paul and other missionaries. Thus, the sequence of the events recounted in Acts portrays the evangelization of Samaria as a critical hurdle for the spread of the Gospel. Only after seeing the evangelization of Samaria was the Church bold enough to target the world and the Gentiles for evangelism.

Schreiner, D. B. (2012, 2013, 2014). Samaria. In J. D. Barry, L. Wentz, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair-Wolcott, R. Klippenstein, D. Bomar, … D. R. Brown (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles and he ventured into many new areas to preach the gospel. He was often rejected, driven out of town and once was stoned by his own Jewish people. He did not quit in spite of the opposition he faced. He was led of the Holy Spirit to change direction at times to reach people prepared to hear the message. He was determined to go to Jerusalem and was given warnings by several prophets of what would happen to him if he went there. Many tried to convince him to “don’t go there” because of the potential of trouble but Paul was determined to go in spite of the conditions he would face. Were this warning a prohibition or a preparation for what he would face? The prophecies he received came true, Paul was imprisoned but God used this to further the gospel and provide us with many of the books of the New Testament.

Reaching the Muslims has always been a challenge for the church. The first missionary to the Muslims was Raymund Lull who was born in 1235 A.D. He was from a wealthy family and lived a life of wine, women and song. His conversion came as a result of seeing a vision of Christ.

“One evening the seneschal was sitting on a couch, with his cithern on his knees, composing a song in praise of a noble married lady who had fascinated him but who was insensible to his passion. Suddenly, in the midst of the erotic song, he saw on his right hand the Savior hanging on His cross, the blood trickling from his hands and feet and brow, look reproachfully at him. Raymund, conscience struck, stared up; he could sing no more; he laid aside his cithern and, deeply moved, retired to bed. Eight days after, he again attempted to finish the song and again took up the pleas of an unrequited lover. But now again, as before, the image of Divine Love incarnate appeared-the agonized form of the Man of Sorrows…Then Lull could not resist the thought that this was a special message for himself to conquer his lower passion and to devote himself entirely to Christ’s service.” P.34-36 Biography of Raymund Lull by Samuel Zwemer

During this era the Crusades against the Muslims were taking place. Lull was moved by the love of God to reach out to the Muslims through his writings and his personal ministry. He believed that the “pen was mightier than the sword.” He was a great proponent of sending missionaries to reach the unreached nations. He was instrumental in getting instruction in foreign languages into the universities for the purpose of equipping Christians to reach the Muslims. He made 3 trips to Northern Africa to preach the Gospel to them. His first trip that was scheduled he did not board the boat as the fear of death overwhelmed him. A second ship was going to Africa and he boarded it in spite of being very ill. Once the ship left the harbor his sickness went away. He actively shared the gospel and was involved in debates with the Muslim leaders. Twice he was expelled from the country and told if he ever came back he would be killed. The threats did not stop him. He returned the third time when he was 79 years old. He was prepared to be a martyr for his faith.

“His love had not grown cold, but burned the brighter “with the failure of natural warmth and the weakness of old age.’ He longed not only for the martyr’s crown, but also once more to see his little band of believers. Animated by these sentiments, he crossed over to Bugia on August 14, and for nearly a whole year labored secretly among the little circle of coverts whom his previous visits he had won over to the Christian faith.”

He also spent time trying to influence those who had not become believers in Christ. He constantly emphasized the love of God revealed in Christ. The church at that time used warfare to try to convert the Muslims but Lull’s weapon was always the love of God.

Lull finally came out of hiding and presented himself in the open market.

“Lull stood before them and threatened them with divine wrath if they still persisted in their errors. He pleaded with love, but spoke plainly the whole truth. The consequences can be easily anticipated. Filled with fanatic fury at his boldness, and unable to reply to his arguments, the populace seized him, and dragged him out of the town; there by the command, or at least the connivance, of the king, he was stoned on the 30th of June 1315.” P. 143

Another believer during this era who tried to reach the Muslims was St. Francis of Assisi. He traveled to Jerusalem to talk with the main Sultan of the Muslims. Many appealed to him to not go there. They thought he was crazy to make this trip and feared that he would be killed. But Francis appealed to the Sultan and shared the gospel with him. The Sultan was not willing to believe so Francis challenged him to have a fire built and he and one of the Muslims followers would walk through the fire. The one who survived would prove whether Islam or Christianity was true. It was like the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Francis was prepared to walk through the fire when the Sultan stopped him and told him that he would not accept his faith and told him to return to his country.

William Carey is known as the “Father of Modern day Missions.” He was discouraged to not go to India by his own church members and leaders. His wife was reluctant to go and I am sure she tried to convince him to not go there. Yet he went in spite of all who said, “Don’t go there!” His work was difficult and discouraging for the first 7 years. But he began to have breakthroughs and found his real gifting in learning the language of the people and creating a written language for them so they could have a Bible in their own language to read. Carey’s accomplishments are still felt today in India. One of the practices he was able to change was the Hindu custom of burning wives with their husbands after they had died. India has never been the same because of Carey’s faithfulness to go.

Gladys Aylward was told she was not suitable to be a missionary and was rejected by a mission board. She knew God had called her and she began to take steps to be able to go to China on her own. She reached China and had a tremendous impact on the nation, reaching many for Christ. She did not heed the “Don’t go there!” message communicated to her but went to a nation with great challenges and fulfilled God’s call on her life. Aylward was able to convince the leaders of China to abandon the practice of tying young girls’ feet with rope to make them pointed and smaller but also deformed which impaired them from walking.


Short video of her life.

I could cite many more examples of people who have gone to the hard places, against the advice of well-meaning people and have had fruitful ministry as they pursued God’s calling. The calling to go to the hard places does not always involve going to another country or people group. There are thousands of unreached people in our communities. They will not come to our churches on their own, they must be reached by people like you and I who are willing to go to the places where they can be reached. Some of the places they frequent may be uncomfortable and unnatural for us to go to but we cannot let that be a deterrent to reach out to them. The gospel message must be preached, it is God’s vehicle to bring the message of salvation to the lost. However foolish it may seem, it is still God’s plan and his calling on each of us to convey his message.

I want to play a part of a video taken at the Ignite conference to conclude our time tonight. It is an example of people who were willing to go the hard places to share the gospel.

Show video ( message by Pastor Jeff Durbin; start at 34.39)

Preaching at an abortion clinic not a friendly environment but the people who go there for abortions need to have the opportunity to hear the gospel and be spared from living with the lifelong guilt of murdering a human being.

Maybe tonight God is speaking to you about going to a country, a people group, a place where the lost gather for the purpose of reaching them with the gospel. He is looking for people who are willing to go to the hard places to share his message of love, repentance and forgiveness. Will you go in obedience to him regardless of the suffering, rejection and threat of death? There will always be some risks but the rewards will far outweigh whatever the risks may be.