Our service opened with praise before Pastor introduced a missionary whom we support. He and his wife have been serving in Spain. Our guest shared about his work for God. They were holding four services on Sunday with 1200 coming to services before pandemic. They hosted a Couples Community Group, New Beliver’s Class and Youth English Camp (teaching English through the story of Joseph). The Speed the Light vehicle they received help them minister to widows and also helped them set up a new campus outside of Barcelona. His wife has written a book that tells the story of Sant Jordi in Spanish, English and Catalan.
When they return to Spain they will be returning to another unchurched community, Malaga.
Our guest repeated several times: Where the Gospel is preached, God changes lives!
Matthew 28:19 – The Great Commission says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
Jesus uses bold action words: Go and Make. Our response should be “Yes” although we may ask “How?”
The speaker’s message was titled “Reaching Distant Shores”. He noted that ‘Mission starts with me’. God calls us to be part of a journey to see the Gospel sent to the farthest reaches of the earth. You can’t make that trip with an old car that is bound to break down along the way. God does something new in us to allow Him to do something through us.
The speaker gave his message using scripture in Mark 4:35-41. Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us go over to the other side.” Jesus was inviting the disciples to make the journey with Him to reach out to the Gentiles. He was introducing them to something new. As they traveled by boat, a furious squall rose up. They had to wake up Jesus who spoke to the waves, “Quiet. Be still!” And the waves obeyed. His disciples wondered: "Who is this?
God does the same in our struggles and we may wonder: "Who is this Jesus I serve?"
What do we need to reach distant shores?
When they return to Spain they will be returning to another unchurched community, Malaga.
Our guest repeated several times: Where the Gospel is preached, God changes lives!
Matthew 28:19 – The Great Commission says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
Jesus uses bold action words: Go and Make. Our response should be “Yes” although we may ask “How?”
The speaker’s message was titled “Reaching Distant Shores”. He noted that ‘Mission starts with me’. God calls us to be part of a journey to see the Gospel sent to the farthest reaches of the earth. You can’t make that trip with an old car that is bound to break down along the way. God does something new in us to allow Him to do something through us.
The speaker gave his message using scripture in Mark 4:35-41. Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us go over to the other side.” Jesus was inviting the disciples to make the journey with Him to reach out to the Gentiles. He was introducing them to something new. As they traveled by boat, a furious squall rose up. They had to wake up Jesus who spoke to the waves, “Quiet. Be still!” And the waves obeyed. His disciples wondered: "Who is this?
God does the same in our struggles and we may wonder: "Who is this Jesus I serve?"
What do we need to reach distant shores?
1. We need new eyes. Eyes that see the way God sees. Not color or culture but in need of salvation. Mark 8: Do you have eyes but fail to see? “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember?” Mark 8:16.
The missionary described how he sees echoes of emptiness in the people looking for something more.
There are over 2 billion Muslims who don’t know Jesus. 1 billion Hindus, 1 billion Buddhists, ½ billion Animists; ½ billion Secularists. All these people are looking for change and hope in their lives but don’t realize they need Jesus.
Our church needs to love missions! How do we evangelize in this day of distancing? Support the missionaries abroad and be a missionary where we are!
Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Lord, please give me new eyes, new heart and new faith to serve You.
There are over 2 billion Muslims who don’t know Jesus. 1 billion Hindus, 1 billion Buddhists, ½ billion Animists; ½ billion Secularists. All these people are looking for change and hope in their lives but don’t realize they need Jesus.
2. We need a new heart. Proverbs 24? A heart that beats like God; has His passion. We may not have knowledge as new parents, but we have a love for our child. We need that love for those who need salvation.
3. We need a new faith. We need to believe that God is faithful to us. Storms will happen, but He will see us through. God says “Just trust me!” We don’t have the answers but God will use us when we let Him. Gospel witness!Malaga is a university community with international people, 700,000 people, only a small portion are Spanish. Convoy of Hope is setting up headquarters there.
Our church needs to love missions! How do we evangelize in this day of distancing? Support the missionaries abroad and be a missionary where we are!
I found this timely and fitting song: Start Right Here.
Verses for Today:Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Lord, please give me new eyes, new heart and new faith to serve You.
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