Greetings friends,
This past Easter Celebration was beautiful. The church was buzzing with worshippers gathering for both breakfast and worship. There was a lot of joy being shared around the tables as people fellowshipped. We had many visitors and some new friends join in. The decorations drew people’s thoughts to the resurrection, and the music drew our hearts to the throne of Grace. I so enjoyed the day, especially with all the capable help that was provided. People cleaned, power washed, mowed, sanitized, setup tables, decorated tables, purchased food, cooked food, served food, and cleaned up after the food. Many brought flowers that decorated our cross, and we had special music. I praise the Lord for all that He has done. Thank you for your ministry last Sunday.
Now, as a church, we are moving into our Missions Conference. Why? Because mission is the natural outgrowth of our worship. When we have such a powerful encounter with the living God, we want to spread the news about Him. On Sunday, I preached on the two on the road to Emmaus. Their faces were downcast, and they were heading away from the city, even after they heard the news that Jesus was alive. Then, as they were walking to the town of Emmaus, a stranger greeted them. They didn’t even recognize Jesus as they walked together on the road. But when they had a meal together, and Jesus broke the bread—their eyes were opened and they recognized the living Lord that had been with them on the road. Then they hurried back to Jerusalem to tell others of the news that they had seen Jesus. He had risen indeed. The mission began that day.
The resurrection inaugurates the Kingdom of God. It begins there. From that point on people have been sharing about the really good news that Jesus is alive. He lives. And that we might have right-relationship with Him on a personal and corporate basis. On a personal basis—it’s like the two on the road to Emmaus where their hearts were burning within them. His presence changes everything. On a corporate basis, it’s the realization of the Church in Acts 2:42-47, where “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” The Kingdom of God is evidenced on earth.
The resurrection began of our Savior’s Worldwide Mission Movement. It is often pointed out that the first one “Appointed to go,” was a woman. Here is the account from Matthew’s Gospel 28:1-10, “1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
These women were the first to be charged to go and tell others about the risen Christ. They were sent on a mission. Then when we come to verses 16-20, we read of Jesus commissioning all of His followers to “Go”: “16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV2011) These are the final words of Jesus to His church.
Hence, we have a world-wide mission to make disciples of all nations. We are called to make disciples where there were no disciples—that’s called evangelism. Then, we are to identify them with Jesus’ bride—the Church, through baptism. And finally, we are to be training people to obey everything that Jesus commanded—helping others grow up in Christ. Why? Because Jesus said that when a student is “fully taught” he will be “like” his teacher. And, we want to be like Him. I know that I do. This means that we are to obey all that Jesus commanded; essentially become like Him. He was obedient to His Father. Likewise, we’re to be obedient to Him. His love compels us to obey Him and become like Him. His is a transformational love, and once we really know Him, we are never the same anymore. Or as Paul puts it, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
At Grace Baptist Church we are involved in mission work both locally and globally. Our local mission consists of all the ministry we are involved with in our city. We teach in our Sunday School, and preach the Word in our Worship Service. We share in this corporately as we gather for worship on Sunday. We also have other times of training and encouragement such as our Life Groups, our Men’s Breakfast, and our Women’s gatherings, and Bible studies. We pray for one another and we assist one another in following Jesus. Our Garden Ministry provides fresh produce to people in need in the name of Jesus. And our facility provides a welcoming home to other groups such as Child Evangelism Fellowship, Alcoholics Anonymous, and more recently a weight loss group known as TOPS. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) We also network with other churches in additional ministries here in the City of Dallas.
Our global mission reaches out to many parts of the world. This mission work is funded by our Faith Promise Pledge and resulting funds go to the various works. We give to the work of Church Venture Northwest, which is involved in shepherding and planting churches in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. Roughly, 260 churches participate in this regional ministry. Then, we help support various missionaries through prayer and monthly giving. These would be people such as Rene Chanco who was recently here, and is now back in the Philippines. Ron and Maria Perdue who serve in Turkey. We support the Wenigers and the Petersons who serve stateside in their work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Arnie and Lynn Swan are folks that we know from Dallas who have been serving in India. They are here in Dallas currently, as Lynn is recuperating from a serious illness. We will hear from the Swans on May 1st as one of our Mission speakers. Then there are some that we support in prayer alone: Dr. Eisenhut as a medical missionary to Africa, and the Pylates in Taiwan, and Dr. Jason Willoughby with his evangelism training regionally. These are great Kingdom workers, and in a way—an extension of our work here in Dallas.
So how does this Faith Promise Pledge work? Simple. Each year we ask people to pray about what God would have them give toward our Global Mission Work. As they pray, God gives them a number. Then, by faith, they write that number down as a pledge. Then, as God supplies the funds throughout the year—they are simply faithful to watch and provide the funds that God has provided. This Faith Promise pledge becomes our basis for giving to our missionaries. As the funds come in, we supply them. The pledge is received annually at our Faith Promise Banquet. The Banquet this year will be on May 1st at 5:00pm. And I want to urge you to put this on your calendar. We will have a great Hawaiian themed meal along with a powerful message by Pastor Clifford Jones. Don’t miss it. It will be a rewarding time. God is good… all the time!
Be watching for a Banquet sign-up sheet this coming Sunday. We will need to get a count of how many people will be attending so we can plan for the dinner. Thank you.
My prayer for you is based on 2 Corinthians 13:14: “I pray that the grace of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and the faithful love our Heavenly Father, and the close and intimate fellowship of the Holy Spirit, fill you to complete fullness and satisfaction. And that your hearts would burn within you as you contemplate Him who is returning for us. Amen.”
