Author: David Prairie

By David Prairie

The world lost an evangelical giant with the recent passing of Dr. R. C. Sproul, whose faith became sight on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Dr. Sproul pastored the Saint Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Florida, and was the founder of Ligonier Ministries, which publishes theological literature that is used around the globe. Dr. Sproul was an intellectual phenomenon, the likes of which Christianity needs many more of these days. I didn’t agree with him on everything—in fact, I think it quite likely that his understanding of eschatology has been corrected greatly over the past few weeks—but no one could be more firmly committed to the truth of the gospel than he was.

One aspect of the gospel that I learned from him was one that I had not heard much on from anyone else. It’s not that others don’t believe it, but that he more clearly brought it out than others. It’s the oft-forgotten aspect of expiation.

The Bible speaks a great deal about the concept of atonement. The OT book of Leviticus serves as a guide for the way Israel’s priests were to help God’s people ensure that sinful people could stand in the presence of a holy God, and for how that pure and perfect God could dwell among unclean people. The NT book of Hebrews reveals that Jesus is both the perfect High Priest and the sacrificial Lamb who offered himself to God for the justification of all who would believe in him. That, in a nutshell, is the idea of atonement. It answers that all-important question: How can God (who is completely set apart in his holiness) and people (who are contaminated with sinfulness) dwell together peaceably?
Sproul correctly recognized that there are two things at work in the atonement: propitiation and expiation. In most circles, propitiation seems to get much of attention.

The word is used twice in the NT, both in the apostle John’s first epistle:

“He [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2 ESV).

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10 ESV).

Propitiation carries with it the idea of an atoning sacrifice to appease God’s wrath. It was used even in pagan cultures to describe how cults would go to great lengths to satisfy their gods and thus avoid judgment. Though the term “propitiation” is only used scarcely in the biblical texts, its concept is prevalent throughout the scope of the Bible. In fact, J. I. Packer has said:

“Were I asked to focus the New Testament message in three words, my proposal would be adoption through propitiation, and I do not expect ever to meet a richer or more pregnant summary of the gospel than that” (Knowing God, 214).

Others who have summarized the message of the whole Bible have done so similarly. Jim Hamilton uses the phrase “Salvation through Judgment,” while Peter Gentry and Steve Wellum describe it as “Kingdom through Covenant,” but the idea is the same. God relates to sinners by justifying them through the willing sacrifice of his own Son, which atones for our sins before him.

But to speak only of propitiation is to only explain half of what atonement accomplishes. I will quote Sproul at length to make this point.

“We may distinguish between the negative and the positive aspects of Christ’s work of satisfaction. In the atonement Christ satisfies the negative side of God’s justice. Here, again, by imputation, Christ pays the penalty due our sins. He receives, for us, the punitive wrath of God that our sin deserves. He takes the consequences of our demerits, our unjustness. He receives the judgment due our guilt. In this regard God’s justice is satisfied” (Faith Alone, 104).

The doctrine of imputation, as Sproul explains, is more than simply being declared righteous, which is the traditional understanding of justification. Imputation means that the righteousness of Christ is imparted by faith to those whom he redeems. The redeemed are not just counted righteous, they are righteous before God. Without the transfer of this righteousness to us, we stand condemned to be punished for our sins. The perfect obedience of Christ in his life and the sacrificial substitute of Christ in his death are both necessary to justify the ungodly. Sproul continues,

“Christ is the sin-bearer for his people, the Lamb of God who takes away (expiates) our sin and satisfies (propitiates) the demands of God’s justice. The cross displays both God’s justice (in that he truly punishes sin) and his grace (because he punishes sin by providing a substitute for us).”

Expiation and propitiation then, are not competing terms, but rather are the two sides of the “atonement” coin. Atonement was the goal of the Levitical sacrificial system, most notably the Day of Atonement (Lev 16) where “both propitiation and expiation” are emphasized (Schreiner, The King in His Beauty, 51n16). Despite the presence of two goats for the Day of Atonement ceremonies, Geerhardus Vos sees “one sacrificial object; the distribution of suffering death and of dismissal into a remote place simply serving the purpose of clearer expression, in visible form, of removal of sin after expiation had been made, something which the ordinary sacrificial animal could not well express, since it died in the process of expiation” (Biblical Theology, 163).

Of course, these OT procedures served as the shadows of which the substance was the final work of Christ. Sproul concludes,

“The atonement totally expiates the sin of the believer, fully satisfying the demands of God’s punitive justice. The value of Christ’s sacrifice satisfies all the negative judgment of God with respect to our demerits before him. On the positive side, the perfect active obedience of Christ fulfills all righteousness, earning all the merit needed to save the believer. Nothing can be added to Christ’s atonement or to his righteousness to enhance their value or merit” (Faith Alone, 144).

What does all this theology have to do with churches and preaching and missions and discipleship? It should affect the perspective of every believer with respect to how he/she views himself before God. Those who are truly born again stand wholly righteous before God. They are not guilty of sin. Christ has taken away sin by placing on himself and absorbing the justice due it.

Sing passionately the hymns that celebrate these truths. Preach boldly the Scriptures which articulate them. Read the Bible with others and pray to be informed by its words. Make this gospel known to people and in places where it is not yet believed.

Praise God for men like R. C. Sproul, who lived and died standing for the truths of justification by faith alone, imputed righteousness, atonement, propitiation, and expiation. Praise God that, because of Sproul and many others like him, these truths continue to be passed on to others.

By David Prairie

Opportunities to travel across oceans and visit various nations are remarkably rare and precious. There are good reasons why many Americans are globally sheltered and relatively few ever step away from stateside soil. The United States is large. North America is large. From where we live in Chattanooga, a flight to Anchorage, AK is as long as a flight to London. International travel is difficult and expensive. There are language barriers to consider. Currency is different. The list goes on.

As one who has visited Europe a few times now, I am humbled that God has allowed me to see different parts of the world and to interact with people in cultures foreign to my own. As one who intends to eventually live in eastern Europe, I am becoming increasingly aware of the sacrifices on behalf of many people that are required to pull of such a humanly outlandish possibility. For Brandi and me, our recent survey trip to Moldova was an answer to so many prayers and huge step for our family that will make future steps seem much smaller.

We should first acknowledge the sacrifices of many who cared for our four children while we were away. Their contributions helped to put our minds at ease as we travelled for ten days. My sister Stephanie was especially generous, spending each night with them and making sure the boys got to school on time.

We were met in Chisinau on Friday evening, November 10 by Steve and Cheryl Winget, as well as Mihai Chisari and Sergiu Fomiciov, two former students of Steve’s. That night we enjoyed meeting Mihai’s wife, Irina and their daughter, Delia, and Sergiu’s wife Svetlana over dinner. We were then taken to the campus of the Universitatea Divitia Gratiea (UDG) where we would lodge for the week. Joel and Debbie Dicks, as well as a host of other ABWE workers, greeted us upon arrival.

Many of our days were spent becoming as familiar with the city of Chisinau as possible. Mihai served us by driving us through the city each day and translating for us where our English would not suffice. We observed outdoor markets, enjoyed restaurants and coffee shops, travelled on public transportation, toured a hospital, visited local schools, shopped at malls, evaluated housing options, and learned a great deal of history as we saw landmarks and monuments.

Of course, we also wanted to meet as many people as we could to learn from them. We were fortunate to spend one morning meeting with one of the Deans of UDG to hear about the history of the school, its many programs, and his goals for the future of the school. We also were able to share meals with other American missionaries in Chisinau and hear about their transitions from the states to eastern Europe.

There were ministry opportunities as well. We visited three different churches, two of which I was able to preach in (with Mihai translating for me) and the third I gave a short greeting. Steve and I were also able to lead a discussion on manhood with about 20 young men whom Mihai is mentoring. Our final night in Chisinau was spent with an aspiring church plant called Imago Dei, which is led by both Mihai and Sergiu. They asked me to lead the small group discussion for that evening, which I was glad to do.

At the end of our week we were able to spend a day in Vienna, Austria with the Wingets. That evening, we had dinner in Bratislava, Slovakia with ABWE regional directors Kelly and Sherri Fath. We were encouraged once again with the camaraderie that we already sense among those families.

Among the more solidifying answers to prayer we received during the course of our trip was confirmation about how to involve ourselves in a local church. We expect to work alongside Mihai and Sergiu in the development of Imago Dei, hoping to lay a firm foundation for healthy church. Please pray for those two young men as they seek the Lord throughout this process.

There is much more that could be said. Yet I will sign off by saying thank you to all who contributed your prayer and other resources so that this trip could become a reality. We are greatly anticipating the day when we can move to Moldova and serve alongside the believers there in order to make disciples in that part of the world. To that end, would you consider becoming a monthly financial partner with us? If so, please visit http://www.abwe.org/work/support. We are hoping that 2018 will be the year in which we see all of our financial support raised. Your prayers with us in that regard may help us to do just that.

Dear Friends and Family,

We have had some opportunities to share with most of you how the Lord has led us to the decision to join with ABWE (Association of Baptists for World Evangelism) to work in eastern Europe to do theological education. Our long-term plan is to partner with the University of Divine Grace in Chisinau, Moldova to teach and disciple students who are training for ministry in eastern Europe and central Asia. We believe that the Lord has given us this direction, although until now, we have not yet had a chance to visit this part of the world.

We now have a survey trip planned for November 9-18, 2017, during which time a variety of things will happen. We will spend the first several days of our trip with teammates Steve and Cheryl Winget getting familiar with the city of Chisinau and the surrounding area. We hope to analyze housing options, learn how to get around town, visit stores and medical clinics, and become acquainted with schools and churches. The last couple of days of our trip will be spent in Vienna, Austria with our regional director, Kelly Fath, and his family.

You can pray for this trip in many ways. Pray that the Lord will continue to confirm in our lives the calling that we believe he has given to us. Pray that we will learn what we ought to about this part of the world and the work that needs to be done there. Pray that our children—who will not be making the trip with us—will be well taken care of while we are away. And pray for us as we will certainly miss them during the trip.

Finally, pray that the Lord will supply the necessary funding so that the goals of this trip can be accomplished without hindrance. Factoring in airplane tickets, ground transportation, meals, and lodging, we need about $4,000.00 for this trip. We trust that God will grant what is needed through the generosity of his people.

If you are willing and able to be one of those generous partners, please know that you will have our genuine thanks. We do not take lightly the responsibilities that this trip entails, nor the efforts of those who help to make it a reality. You may send donations to the address below.

Thank you for your care for us, for your concern for the gospel, and for your continued encouragement toward us and our children. Thank you most of all for your faithful service to the Lord, whose word we proclaim, whose glory we seek, and whose return we eagerly await. May he exalt his name in all nations.

David and Brandi Prairie

Send donations to:

Grace Baptist Church
c/o David and Brandi Prairie
7815 Shallowford Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37421

(Make checks payable to Grace Baptist Church, while indicating “Prairie Survey Trip”)

By David Prairie

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” –Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 24:14)

It is appropriate to look at the depravity and injustice in the world today and wonder how soon our God will bring it all to an end. Asaph himself asked (in Psalm 74:10), “How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?” Another Psalmist (94:3) wondered to the Lord, “How long shall the wicked exult?” John’s apocalyptic vision included a chorus of martyred saints crying (in Rev 6:10), “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Interestingly, part of the answer they received was that more had to join them. That is, more saints will be martyred before the final judgment will come (see Rev 6:11).

According to Jesus, the end of the world will not come about until the gospel has been proclaimed among all nations (Matt 24:14). As many have accurately emphasized, the term here for “nations” likely refers to what we know as “people groups.” In other words, the gospel will be known not simply in all the geo-political countries but also in every ethno-linguistic culture. The good news for disciples of Jesus is that as we carry this news to every nation, Christ himself promises to be with us (see Matt 28:18-20).

He will be with us as we proclaim his message to those who have not heard it. He will be with us even as we are led to our death by those who oppose our message.

It’s easy to think, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus” when tragedy surrounds us. It’s much more difficult to do what the Bible says will bring about the end. Peter (2 Pet 3:11-12) writes that since the return of Christ is immanent, “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God?” Do you want to hurry the coming of Jesus? Then live holy and godly lives that proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to peoples who have not heard it. It may lead to your death, but it will lead to life for many who would not otherwise have it.

Pray for our family as we present our ministry to our home church (Grace Baptist) this Sunday to kick off a week-long missions conference. Pray that God will use this event to establish many prayer and financial partnerships for us as we seek to move to Eastern Europe. Pray also for our upcoming survey trip to Chisinau and Vienna (November 9-18).

By David Prairie

Missions is the primary occupation of every follower of Jesus. If there is a downside to calling some “missionaries” it is that it causes some Christians to think that missions is not for them. Yet Jesus’ final words make it clear that every believer is to be a disciple-maker among all nations (Matt 28:18-20).

Another downside is that the title “missionary” is often spoken with a sort-of reverence, as though missionaries are super-Christians. But when we think of missions as the sovereign work of God as he saves people through regular means of disciple-making, we are helped to see that all of us are missionaries. God is gracious in that he does not give more value to “prominent” ministry roles, as is typically our tendency.

Consider an Old Testament example of the significance of each role in the advancement of God’s name among all peoples. David had been anointed as king in Israel, but he had not yet ascended to the throne. In fact, the reigning King Saul had determined to oppose David, which put David on the run. Yet even his status as a fugitive did not stop David from leading his men against the enemies of God that he might display to them what kind of God Yahweh is.

Upon returning home from one encounter, David and his men realized that their town had been raided and their families had been captured by the Amalekites (1 Sam 30:1-5). For a moment, David’s own life was threatened by his own men, but he “strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (v. 6). After inquiring of Yahweh (v. 8), David took his best 600 men with him to overtake the Amalekite captors (v. 9). Four hundred of the men went and fought with David while the other 200 stayed behind (v. 10). David and his men were victorious (vv. 16-17), all that had been lost was recovered (vv. 18-19), and the people proclaimed, “This is David’s spoil” (v. 20).

But when it came time to divide David’s spoil, some thought that the men who fought deserved all the rewards and the men who stayed behind deserved none (vv. 21-22). In other words, only those on the front lines deserve the benefits of the victories of battle. David, however, recognizes the significance of all the men, not just those who swung swords. He corrects their thinking by telling them, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us” (v. 23). David’s spoil is not really David’s. It’s Yahweh’s. And David wanted to make sure that everyone knew that. He continues, “For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike” (v. 24).

What does David’s point have to do with missionaries? Some Christians are on the front lines of advancing the gospel in nations where Christ is not yet known. Other Christians “stay by the baggage” to guard the rear, keeping those on the front lines strategically stocked and refreshed. Yet all take part in the “fruit” of the gospel that abounds to the accounts of both the giver and the goer (Phil 4:17).

Praise God for an even greater and wiser king than David, who, like the master of a house, generously rewards those who work in his vineyard (Matt 20:1-16). Some work long and hard (v. 12), and some contribute less (vv. 6-9), yet all who are hired to work receive what the master graciously provides. Our task is not to compare (vv. 10-11), but to labor gladly for the one who has called us (vv. 13-16).

This school year we are hoping to be able to share the ministry of ABWE with many individuals and churches. If you or your church is interested in hearing from us, please contact us at dprairie@abwe.cc. We are still in need of financial partners, so please pray about how the Lord might use you to “stay by the baggage” for us. If you are willing and able to begin a financial partnership with us, please visit abwe.org/work/support and enter “Prairie” in the search bar.

We will be involved in the missions conference here at Grace Baptist Church in October, so please pray for our ministry to the church during that time, as well as for the church’s ministry to us. We are also developing plans for a survey trip to Chisenau in November, so please pray for the Lord to direct those endeavors. Thank you.

By David Prairie

(Note: This is a loose transcript of a message I preached to our Spanish-speaking members at Grace Baptist Church on June 18, 2017).

I have been a youth pastor since 2011. My primary tasks in that role are to teach and disciple students, so they can do the same for others. God is leading our family to teach and disciple students in Eastern Europe. We have joined a mission organization (ABWE) and we are raising financial support. We hope to move to Eastern Europe sometime in the next 1-2 years. Our work will not change, but our location will. We are glad that our God is in control of all people and places on the planet.

As missionaries, we need regular financial support from churches and individuals. My goal for today is to show you that this need for partnership is from the Bible. I would not ask you to do something that is not from Scripture. God’s plan for the spread of the gospel to the entire world involves all of his people. Some will go and some will send, but all must obey.

Philippians is a letter written by Paul, a missionary, to a church in a Roman colony. Paul had visited Philippi as a missionary, made disciples there, and started a church. You can read about his first visit to Philippi in Acts 16. The church there then sent him and supported him so he could minister in other places. He is writing this letter to them to update his ministry and to thank them for their support. Paul was in a Roman prison at the time that he wrote this letter.

Today we want to ask, “What happens when churches send and support missionaries?” To answer that question, we’re going to look at the end of this letter, 4:10-23. This section gives six answers to that question. I hope that seeing these answers will help us to obey God’s plan to make him known. And I hope that if you do not yet know God, you will see all that he has done for you.

1. The missionary rejoices because of the care of the church.

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity” (Philippians 4:10).

Paul rejoiced that the Philippian church had cared for him. Does this mean that Paul only was glad because they gave to him? No! Paul was joyful about much more than just their generosity.

• He prayed for them with joy (1:4).
• He rejoiced that Christ is preached even if his reputation suffered (1:18).
• He worked alongside them for their joy in the faith (1:25).
• His joy would be fulfilled by their unity (2:2).
• He rejoiced because he could sacrificially serve them (2:17-18).
• He sent Epaphroditus, another church leader, to them for their joy (2:28).
• He commanded them to “Rejoice in the Lord” (3:1; 4:4).
• He rejoiced in Christ, not in the flesh (3:3).
• He said that the church is his joy (4:1).

So their support and care of him added to his joy, but it wasn’t his only joy.

2. The missionary and the church learn contentment in Christ.

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (4:11-13).

If you read from Acts and Paul’s other letters, you know what he’s talking about. There were times when Paul had much, and there were times when he had little. But how much he had did not determine his joy. He remained content in Christ. He understood that sometimes the church could not send their support. When that happened, he learned to be content and to find strength in Christ. When the church did send support, it meant that they would also not have much. In that case, they also would learn how to be content with Christ alone. Paul knew that even if no one supported him, Christ was sufficient.

3. The church shares in the distress of the missionary.

“Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again for my necessities” (4:14-16).

Partnering with missionaries is sometimes joyful and sometimes distressing. When no other churches were supporting Paul, he would have been distressed. Missionaries can be content and distressed at the same time. But their distress can be relieved when it is shared with churches. The Philippian church shared with Paul in his distress when no one else would. Not just once, but they repeatedly gave so that his needs would be met.

4. The fruit of the missionary abounds to the account of the church.

“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account” (4:17).

Jesus had commanded his apostles to bear fruit (John 15:16). This is one way of telling them to make disciples, just as he had done for them. Missionaries are to be sent so that disciples can be made in all people groups. When missionaries make disciples, that fruit is credited to the sending churches. Paul wasn’t just seeking fruit for himself but for the churches who supported him. If you want to obey Jesus’ command to bear fruit, send and support missionaries.

5. God supplies the needs of the church and the missionary for his eternal glory.

“I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” (4:18-20).

Paul was confident that God would meet his needs with or without this church. He wanted them to be certain that God would meet their needs even if they gave. Even in prison, Paul could say, “I am full” because of the gifts from the church. When God meets the needs of his people, it is for his glory and not ours.

6. The saving grace of God extends to every saint in all the families of the earth.

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (4:21-23).

As Paul concludes his letter, he sends greetings from other believers with him. There are even saints in Caesar’s household. Imagine that! The gospel of Jesus had reached the highest ranking family in Rome. God had used the missionary and the church to accomplish this. He is fulfilling the promise that he made to Abraham back in Genesis 12. All the families of the earth will be blessed through the Savior who would come. The Savior did come, and now he is enlisting all of his people to bless the nations.

God exists, and he is the reason you and I have breath in our lungs. Yet we have sinned by rebelling against him, and we are worthy of his judgment. But God loves us and pursued us by sending his Son, Jesus to live and die for our sins. God raised him from the dead, and all who follow Jesus have eternal life in him. Our response now is to turn away from our sins and trust completely in Christ. Those who know Christ must make him known. We can either go to the nations, or we can send others to go, but we must not disobey. We can be confident that God will accomplish his purposes and provide for his people.

To help our family get to Eastern Europe, please prayerfully consider visiting abwe.org/work/support and search by our last name (“Prairie”) or our account number (0170413).

This is our first attempt to provide regular updates regarding the journey on which God is leading us as we enter into full-time missions. We have begun our pre-field ministry with ABWE, and are working (albeit slowly) through some assignments as well as the support-raising aspect. There are several things keeping us busy, so we ask for you to pray with us about each of these aspects.

Our work continues with the Youth Ministry at Grace Baptist Church. We will be participating in a variety of local service and outreach projects during the summer. Additionally, we will take two short-term mission trips, one to Washington, DC in June and one to Anchorage, AK in July. Pray that our students will be fruitful as we work alongside church planters and local pastors in both of these cities.

We are hoping to have a variety of meetings with individuals and churches over the next several months in order to share our ministry with people so that they can partner with us in prayer and financial support. Pray that we will make the best use of our time, and for God to connect us with the right people. We are very grateful to be sent from Grace Baptist, and for the missions emphasis that is here.

For those willing and able to begin a financial partnership with us, please visit http://www.abwe.org/work/support. We currently have 1% of our necessary monthly support as well as 1% of our outfit and passage funded. We are thankful for many who have verbally committed support, and are praying that those will turn into gifts very soon. At the same time, we know that the Lord will provide what is needed in his timing.

Pray also as we attempt to plan a survey trip for sometime this fall. Pray for all of the arrangements (dates, appointments, schedules, flights, etc.) to be brought together expediently. Pray that the Lord will use such a trip to confirm the direction that he has given us, and that we will seek him above all else.

May God bless you and your service to him. No matter your role, we count you as co-laborers for the gospel. Thank you for your prayers.