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Guatemala And Mexico Trip. Col. 4:3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains. 1 Cor. 16:9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
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Guatemala And Mexico Trip Col. 4:3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains. 1 Cor. 16:9For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. Acts 16:9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And for the last 3 years we have decided to give our hand to help, being confident that the work is for God!!!
How Can I Got There? • Wake Up EARLY, services start at 8:00 a.m. • So breakfast at 6:30 a.m. don’t you love that?
Then, What’s Next 3. Be Ready To Walk “several kilometers”
Last But Not Least 4. You have to Claim a “little hill” and you’re there!!!
Lessons That I learned • Due to so many reasons in our society, we forgot who we are. • Much of the problem in the church today centers around the fact that one very important principle has been forgotten. We have forgotten who we are. • Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. • This promise is not just for the apostles, you and I should be also witnesses of God’s changing power.
The Priority! • “There is a Person coming, and when the empowering Person descends [this is the priority], it happens to be a lifetime occupation. • So what this mean is… • You shall be My witnesses • You cannot go out on Thursday night or Saturday morning for an hour of visitation and say, “I did it.” • You cannot put a fish on your bumper and say, “Wow, am I a testimony or what?” • You cannot put a hundred bucks in the plate and say, “I did my part.”
Two ways To Serve As A Witness • Much of the church’s testimony is discredited by its lack of character. As somebody said so well, “The church that once told the world to repent is now being told by the world to repent.” • You can serve as a witness: • 1. through the way you live; Gal. 2:20 • 2. through the words you speak. Luke 6:44-45 • To ask me which way is more important would be like asking a pilot which wing on his airplane is more important. You need both.
Our similarities With The First Century Church • 1. First, they faced a population with little or no knowledge of the gospel. Acts 17:30 • 2. Secondly, their society was a pluralistic society with many gods and many religions. 1 John 2:15-17 • 3. Thirdly, the witnesses of the first century faced a hostile society with the potential of persecution.2 Tim.3:1 • How do you reach the first and the twentieth century???? Jesus Christ said, “You can’t!!!! So, I’m going to send my Spirit to empower you, so that He, through you, can.” Philip.4:13
The Plan! • Acts 1:8"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.“ • In other words, if you want to know whether you are accomplishing the plan, take a look at the product. • Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. • What is the product? Disciples; other witnesses. • The church today has, for the most part, forgotten the plan.
Where To Start? • We are to start in Jerusalem – that is home. Home is the toughest place to reach. The people know you; grew up with you; work with you. We are to start there. But, do not stop there! • Where is your Jerusalem? Where is it that God has placed you, a witness on the stand, to testify in defense of the Lord through your life and with your lips? Matt.5:16 • The church must return to the basic truth. According to this passage, you are not a computer technician, salesman, executive, painter, secretary, or teacher – that is what you do. Instead, you are a witness;
Something To Think About • The Apology of Aristides The Christians persuade others to become Christians by the love they have for them; and when they have become so, they call them without distinction, brothers. They do not worship strange gods; and they walk in all humility and kindness. And if there is among them a man that is poor and needy, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with necessary food; they live honestly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded them. They praise and laud God and over their food and their drink, they render Him thanks. And if any righteous person of their number passes away from this world, they rejoice and give thanks to God and they speak of his body as though he were moving from one place to another. Such is the law of the Christians and such is their conduct. 2 Cor. 5:18-
For Your Prayers And Thoughts Thanks And God Bless All Of You!!!
