Haiti Update

Here’s an update from Mission for Haiti:

GOD WAS GLORIFIED

“. . . we preach Christ Jesus our Lord . . . to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:5,6

“Come to Jesus,” Pastor D. passionately and persistently pled  to crowds of more than 2000 people standing in Jacmel, Haiti, February 15 through 18 penetrating all of the downtown area. (This is the very spot where Mardi Gras Carnival is held yearly.) The crowd grew to almost 4000 strong Tuesday night. Many (160+) came to Christ for salvation during the four nights of meetings, and hundreds more came for individual prayer because of what they suffered during the earthquake. Three witchdoctors accepted Christ during the week, one of whom is well-known in town and was not timid to announce his decision publicly. “I want to have a future with God . . . the demons have no future, and I know that,” was one of the statements he made prior to coming to Jesus.

The people of Jacmel could not stop talking about the meetings. “We have never had anything like this done publicly in Jacmel.” “Jacmel has never heard the Gospel like this before.” “Glory to God,” was resonant throughout Jacmel.

Mission for Haiti wants to take this opportunity to thank the thousands who interceded before the Throne of Grace for these meetings. Also, our hearts are deeply grateful to God for the musicians (Frank Garlock, Shelly Hamilton, Susan Jones and Lindsey Haught) He gave us who traveled to Jacmel from the U.S. The grace of God that was manifested in them transcended all human understanding and expectations. Their presence and the impact of their spiritual ministry became the dominant and governing spirit of the crusade – even beyond their musical contribution. Our hearts kneel in awe before God at the way in which He works! Only in the annals of Heaven will we have an accurate record of what actually was accomplished spiritually in Jacmel.  Please continue praying for Haiti!

Recap of Day 1

The first day of our Church Planting Conference offered many highlights:

• We’re learning Chris Anderson’s song, “For the Sake of His Name” (sheet music | mp3). It is full of memorable thoughts and motivations to pray for the gospel to advance.
• Brad Baugham and Matt LaCava sang, “By Faith,” in the morning worship service.
• Brad preached on the power and authority of the risen Christ from Psalm 2.
• Tim Lovegrove and Eric True took us on a fifteen minute tour of the Inland Empire and the Greater Los Angeles area. On our “drive,” we drove past millions and millions of people who need to hear of Christ.
• In the evening service Tim exhorted us that the only way for Christ to be magnified in our lives is for our lives not to be about us (John 3:30).

Today has many more opportunities for you:

• Brad will give a devotional this morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
• Sarah Elkin and Becky Baugham follow with perspectives on church planting from the perspective of a pastor’s wife.
• We will gather to pray for church planting.
• Lunch is available in the Fellowship Hall for just $3.
• Eric Sipe will lead a discussion on church planting at 1:00 p.m.
• A churchwide dinner begins at 5:45 p.m.
• At 7:00 p.m. Todd Davis will update us on what God is doing at Redeemer Bible Church in Brighton, CO. Jonathan Matias, pastor of Grace Church of Alexandria, will preach this evening’s message.

Hope to see you there!

How to Pray for Missionaries

Our missionary to Albania, David H., posts ways that we should pray for missionaries. Here’s a summary:

• Love for God.
• Genuine love for others.
• A deeper relationship with God.
• Vital, supportive home churches and individuals.
• The supply of financial need.
• Cultural adjustment.
• Protection from Satan’s attacks.
• Family life.
• Single life.
• Fruitfulness.
• A sense of urgency.
• Homecoming for “furlough.”
• Health and strength.
• Specific ministry needs.

To each of these David adds helpful explanation. Read the whole article here.

Pray for Helen B, missionary to Zambia

Helen B., our missionary to Zambia, suffered a broken arm at the hands of thieves who broke into the orphanage she oversees. Please pray for her and her team.

Here’s a report from her co-worker, Steve H.:

10:15PM Tuesday 16 February:  I answered the phone and was quickly told about a gang of men who just robbed our friends at the orphanage and that at least one person sustained injuries.  “Can I borrow your gun?”  That part is tricky because a gun in Zambia is legally tied to its owner.  Big trouble can follow if a firearm is used by someone other than its owner.  There was only one easy solution.  I go with my gun.  So at 10:30PM we were hastily bumping along the potholed roads of Kitwe to Central police to see if we could get an armed escort.  I bowed my head and prayed out loud while Phil kept pressing the accelerator and banking into the roundabouts.  The roads were empty, the city quiet, but our souls were disturbed and we knew it would be a long night and we asked God for wisdom and protection.  Phil and I walked in to the police station where other people were obviously having problems with drunkenness and spousal abuse. There was a man inside arrogantly arguing with police while a lady was hunkered down on the ground outside crying.  We entered the dimly lit office to the sounds of weeping and anger.  The policeman on duty, who was quite intoxicated, tried to call a patrol unit by radio to help us.  No answer.  The woman outside was now crying louder as if in great pain.  Phil and I looked at each other and knew we were wasting our time.  With little said we both ran for the van and took off for the orphanage.  On our way out we made one last stop at the Wusakili police station where we met with a few helpful men with machine guns (police of course).  They climbed into the van and without much delay we continued our trip to Kakolo hoping to find the thieves on the way in (now don’t jump to conclusions : ).  When your friends are in trouble and you know there are injuries the forty minute ride on difficult muddy roads can seem like a climb up Kilimanjaro.  Though the officers in our van were sober they certainly had not abstained that evening as the evidence of their drinking was betrayed by the dank sweet odor filling the cabin.  The road seemed to stretch endlessly into the wet Central African night.  Little was said between our crew.  At times the mud holes were so big that the water completely enveloped the windshield and all we could see was the muddy water illuminated by the halogen lamps on the Toyota Hiace.  The small four cylinder groaned as we moved forward, silently and prayerfully, to the scene of the crime.

Africa is a different world.  Urbanization continues to happen at a rapid pace.  Almost everyone, even in the rural areas, owns a cell phone.  Organized crime is a reality.  Not until police shoot to kill is this nasty cycle hindered.  The streets are congested with more car owners than ever before.  For five years we lived in a city consistently ranked as one of the top ten most corrupt countries in the world.  It was affectionately nicknamed “Nairobbery.”  Most of our friends living in Africa have had security problems.  We have had gangs surround our house when we lived in Kenya.  A man jumped up on the back of our van and ripped off a part he apparently needed.  He did this while I was driving at a fairly good clip!  He waved to me as I looked through my rear view mirror as if to say thank you and jumped off only to disappear into the sea of brown faces of that highly congested market area.  In Kenya many houses were equipped with a “safe-haven.”  This was a place the family could run and lock down so that thieves and armed thugs could take what they wanted without bringing harm to the occupants of the house.  Shortly after we arrived to Kenya for our first term we were told by our veterinarian that ten Rottweilers were not enough discourage an attack from these gangs.  That was comforting.  Add to this I was not allowed to own a gun in Kenya.  The thugs has no problems getting access to firearms.  A good friend was threatened to have his face smeared with human feces unless he gave money.  Thankfully he managed to get out of that one unscathed.  Friends of ours living on the fringe of a notorious community in Nairobi were surprised one night by a gang who was let in by their night guard.  They were harassed, stepped on while laying prostrate on the floor, and insulted.  The house was ransacked.  The man was abducted and the thieves used his truck to do it!  The family thought for sure that was the last time they would see him.  Off they rode into the night.  Thankfully, unlike other stories that could be told, he was unharmed and was able to return to his family – shaken, traumatized, and now more distrustful of the local than ever.  Another friend of ours was run off the road by another vehicle.  She was then car-jacked at gunpoint.  A few weeks ago the single lady working as the secretary at the college was attacked by a similar gang (maybe the same one who just hit Kakolo).  Before she knew it they had broken into a small window and turned the light on in her room.  In the middle of the night she had three unwelcome men in her room.  Though they were not gentle they certainly were not as evil as they could have been.  God’s grace was again evident.  We work with great people.  They evidence a resolve like steel to remain and continue serving God not in the absence of difficulty, but in the midst of it!  Even the missionaries who were not called that night would have dropped everything to help.  I don’t even have to think about that one for a moment.  No hesitation!  That is the team we have in Kitwe.  People who operate by the unwritten code of immediate assistance when needed.

11:20PM Tuesday 16 February:  We turned one last bend and finally saw the lights of the orphanage.  As we approached the gate the security guard was hesitant.  No one blamed him.  We drove to the back side of the compound where the thieves made their hit.  Phil ran to the first house where three people were the first to be surprised by the five man gang.   As Phil checked on the first house I ran into Helen’s house to find here doing much better than expected.  I entered her house looking like someone out of a Louis L’amour novel with a handgun in a holster on my right hip.  In the first house the men stole money and clothes.  They made the two workers lay down on the ground while they advanced on Helen’s house.  They broke the lock and forced their entry.  When all was said and done Helen lay there in excruciating pain with a broken arm.  They kept asking for “dollars!”  Truly, this situation could have been much worse and we all thanked the Lord for His goodness.  As the police gathered details and interviewed those attacked in the other house Helen kept saying feistily, “I can’t believe they broke my arm.”  She held her arm in a makeshift splint.  She is a trooper and was a living testimony to the grace of God.  She was actually in very good spirits and offered me a muffin.  Hospitality at midnight in the midst of a traumatic situation!  Yup, that’s Helen.  Toni and the other wives in Kitwe were on the phone and unable to sleep.  Everyone was concerned and prayerful.  It was a long night for everyone.  After the situation in Kakolo had settled down and the police were content with the information gathered we began the long ride out.  Helen sat in the front seat with her arm propped up on a pillow rarely making a noise as the van crawled back through the rain battered mud roads.

1:30AM Wednesday 17 February:  We arrived at a volunteer nurses’ house where she looked at Helen’s arm and dressed it properly.  It was set and casted today.  Pray for Helen.  We have much to thank the Lord for.  Are we surprised at trials, at the depravity of man, at the spiritual resistance we often face?  Are we children somehow taken by surprise that life is difficult – especially as foreigners in a strange country working amidst satanic strongholds?  We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices and we know our struggle is with spiritual forces.  God’s word is not silent in regards to these situations.  “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’  To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 1:17-21).  “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).  “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).  “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

And from our supporters we ask, “…pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored… and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3).  Continue to pray for Helen and the others involved.

Your missionaries to Zambia,

Steve and Toni, Emilee, Stephanie, Joshua, Annabelle, Micah, and Isaiah

Sermon Notes (100214 PM Service)

“The Goodness of God”

Exodus 33:18-19, 34:5-7 & NT Passages

Dan Brooks, Pastor

Continued from Sermon Notes (100131 Service)

II. THE HOLY FRUIT OF GOODNESS IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER

A. Good works are part of the redemptive purpose.

1. Contrasts with the pre-conversion state

a. Ro 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

b. Good: (χρηστότητα)

c. We know that means we have done nothing deserving of eternal life.

2. Characterizes the post-conversion life

a. Gal 5:22 goodness: (ἀγαθωσύνη) an active goodness

i. “It is character energized, expressing itself in agathón (18), benevolence, active good.”^[5]

ii. “The act of generous giving, with the implication of its relationship to goodness—‘to be generous, generosity.’”^[6]

b. Ro 15:14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness [i.e., always engaged in doing good]

c. Eph 5:8-9 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good [i.e., what has a positive moral quality] and right and true)

i. “Moral excellence which springs from religious principle . . . and leads to kindness, generosity, and goodness.”^[7]

d. 2 Th 1:11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power

3. Essential to the post-conversion purpose

a. Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

i. Good works: (ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς)

ii. Walk in them: (περιπατήσωμεν) to live one’s life

b. Ga 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good [ἀγαθὸν] to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

c. Point: Doing good is a matter of exercising your gifts, abilities, resources and creativity with a view of benefiting others in life. Learning to ask the question, “What does this person need that lies in my power to give?”

d. “Most opportunities for doing good come across the ordinary path of our day. Don’t look for the spectacular; few people ever have the opportunity to pull a victim from the wreckage of a flaming automobile. All of us have the opportunity to administer the kind or encouraging word–to do the little, perhaps unseen, deed that makes life more pleasant for someone else.”^[8]

B. Good works are ordinary acts of life.

1. The example of godly women (1 Tim 5:9-10)

a. 1 Ti 5:9-10 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

b. Application: This ordinary stuff of life is what walking in good works looks like!

c. Ladies, some of you have been thinking that serving Jesus should include more significant work than what you are doing.

d. Discipling children . . .

i. Which includes the after-school carpool

ii. Which includes holding fussy babies in the nursery

iii. Which includes making time to talk to a teenager about the boy who annoys her or the attitude that surfaced in the basketball game.

e. Hospitality . . .

i. Which includes having friends for a simple dinner

ii. Which included having your children’s friends spend the night

f. Washing feet = serving in the low positions

i. Which may include long hours in the nursery when you’d rather be sitting in the service

ii. Which may include endless piles of laundry—in the 18 year old Maytag that doesn’t wash or dry as efficiently as you wish it did.

g. Mercy ministry . . .

i. Which includes giving rides to the doctor’s office for a friend

ii. Making a meal for someone recovering from surgery

iii. Sitting with someone who is depressed.

h. Point: Family, do you take time to express your gratitude to a wife or mother or sister who lives in this way? Thank them for their goodness to you!

2. The example of godly men (1 Tim 5:8)

a. The daily responsibility of providing for our families is a sacred trust.

i. 1 Ti 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

ii. Provide for: (προνοεῖ) to provide, take thought, care for beforehand.

1.) The physical necessities are in view here. Men, are you looking over your household in order that you might serve them with the kindness and goodness of the Lord?

2.) Every Spirit-filled father wants to provide well for his household.

3.) It’s a challenge, isn’t it?

4.) But it’s also a deeply spiritual and good work!

iii. Point: Family, do you take time to express your gratitude to a dad or husband who works hard so that you have food, clothing and shelter? You will never know what it means to a man to have his family express their gratitude for his Christlike ministry of provision.

b. To the rich: 1 Tim 6:18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.

c. To young men: Tit 2:6-7 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity

d. To the Church:

i. Titus 2:14 zealous for good works

ii. Titus 3:1 ready for every good work

iii. Titus 3:8 those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works

iv. Tit 3:14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

C. Good works are tiring, but rewarding (Gal 6:9).

1. Ga 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

2. Question: Why does the Lord encourage us in this way?

3. Answer: Doing good is work and work is often tiresome, thankless, tedious, and endless.

4. Quoting John Calvin, Timothy George writes: “This precept is especially necessary because we are naturally lazy in the duties of love, and many little stumbling-blocks hinder and put off even the well-disposed. We meet with many unworthy, many ungrateful people. The vast number of the needy overwhelms us; we are drained by paying out on every side. Our warmth is damped by the coldness of others. Finally, the whole world is full of hindrances which turn us aside from the right path. Therefore Paul does well to confirm our efforts, so that we do not faint through weariness.”^[9]

5. In the Church at Galatia there were legalists who were forever criticizing and judging the spiritual motives of God’s people. There were also libertines who were forever abusing the Gospel of grace for their own carnal purposes. And pulled between the two extremes are the faithful servants of God who are called to do good to everyone, especially those of the household of faith (6:10).

6. Objections:

a. “But I’m so tired of putting up with the criticism and fault-finding and bickering of these legalistic Christians!”

i. Don’t lose heart in doing good . . . you will reap!

ii. What they need to see is that their self-worth isn’t located in adherence to a system of rules. Not even doing good as this verse teaches creates our identity.

iii. They need to see people who serve because they are already perfect in Christ.

b. “But these Christians who abuse their liberty are a perpetual grief to my heart!”

i. Don’t lose heart in doing good . . . you will reap!

ii. They also need to see that their identity is not located in the exercise of liberties, but that real freedom from Christ produces humble, sensitive service.

7. Point: What the Holy Spirit desires is a church full of people who devote themselves to truly holy goodness.

a. Moms, don’t lose heart! There’s a good harvest coming in doing all that laundry for your kids.

b. Men, don’t lose heart! There’s a good harvest coming for providing for your household or providing a service for a client or marketing a useful product that improves the community.

c. Students, don’t lose heart! There’s a good harvest coming for completing your assignments on time and to the best of your ability.

D. Application question: What good lies in your power to benefit others?

1. Good at home

a. Everyone has the power to speak good words in the home.

b. Everyone has the power to initiate good works of service.

2. Good at work

a. Good work ethic

b. Good creativity

c. Good service

3. Good in the community

a. Good consideration of others.

b. Ill.: The big blue pool. I’m sorry that my neighbor even had to say anything!

E. Closing Thought: “Remember, goodness is the activity by which one does good toward others because he cares for them. The word has been contrasted with the term justice. Justice says, ‘Give a man what he deserves’; goodness responds, ‘No, I shall give him what he needs.’”^[10]

 

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^[1]Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) (G19). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[2]Grudem, W. A. (1994). Systematic Theology: An introduction to biblical doctrine (200). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

^[3]Hodge, C. (1997). Systematic Theology. Originally published 1872. (1:427-428). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[4] “People Flee Into Streets as Strong Quake Strikes Devastated Haiti,” Associated Press, January 20, 2010. http://www.foxnews.com.

^[5]Zodhiates, S. (2000, c1992, c1993). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.) (G19). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[6]Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996, c1989). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament : Based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition.) (1:569). New York: United Bible societies.

^[7]Eadie, John, Ephesians, Baker Book House, 381.

^[8]Bridges, 127.

^[9]George, T. (2001, c1994). Vol. 30: Galatians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (425). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[10]Adams, J (258).

Sermon Notes (100214 AM Service)

“God’s Delight in Doing Good”

Jeremiah 32:39-41

Dan Brooks, Pastor

 

Introduction: God’s goodness is His energized character, the activity which is the result of all His moral perfections. We looked last time at what happens when the goodness of God goes active in Creation. You get the universe. And when God’s goodness goes active in Redemption, you get Christ and the cross.

            Our response to the goodness of God ought to be something like David’s in Ps 86:8-13 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Did you catch that little request in v. 11? Do you ever feel the frustration that David expresses?

Few things are as frustrating or as dangerous as a divided heart. It’s a heart that loves or craves or seeks more than one thing. In this context it has to do with a heart that is divided between fearing and loving God and fearing and loving something else.

            God’s heart is not divided toward you. His love for you doesn’t run hot one day and cold the next. He’s not preparing a Valentine’s card for a new lover or making plans to abandon you and find a new bride. He doesn’t want a replacement or an upgrade or a trade-in. He loves you and He loves you with a steadfast love.

Sunday, February 7

On Sunday morning, David Hosaflook, missionary to Albania, preached during the morning service. This message will soon be available on the sermon page of our website. 

 

During the evening service, Dispatches from the Front: A Bold Advance was shown. For  more information or to purchase this DVD, visit www.dispatchesfromthefront.org. To learn more about Frontline Missions International, visit their website.

 

 

 

Heritage Church Planting Conference

Our quadrennial Church Planting Conference is coming February 21-24. We invite you to take part in some or all of the events of this week.

The Church Planting Conference Brochure gives you all the details.

Hope to see you there!

Meditation for AM Worship

I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. -John 10:14-16, ESV

Words to Winners of Souls by Horatius Bonar

Title: Words to Winners of Souls

Author: Horatius Bonar

Publisher: P&R Publishing

ISBN: 0-87552-164-9

Pages: 59

Reviewer: Dennis McKinsey

Summary of the Book

Horatius Bonar takes the reader on a brief but convicting tour of the reader’s soul. The language is elegant but direct. He begs the reader to plead with God to transport his soul from the spiritual desert to the verdant pasture where the Good Shepherd leads. The Christian’s soul is then filled to abundance so that he is able to reach out to the lost sinner and to the lukewarm disciple. The serious reader will learn what it means for the Lord to come in to the Christian’s heart to “eat with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).

Overview of the Chapter Contents

Chapter 1: Importance of a Living Ministry – “If souls are not won, if saints are not matured, our ministry itself is vain” (p. 4).

Chapter 2: The Minister’s True Life and Walk – “Our position is such that we cannot remain neutral. Our life cannot be one of harmless obscurity. We must either repel or attract—save or ruin souls!” (p. 14).

Chapter 3: Past Defects – Submission Involves Renunciation (p. 21)

Chapter 4: Ministerial Confession – Selections from the acknowledgment of the sins of the ministry drawn up by the Church of Scotland in 1651. For example, “letting people die in reigning sins without warning” (p.33).

Chapter 5: Revival in the Ministry – “It is a living ministry that our country needs; and without such a ministry it cannot long expect to escape the judgments of God” (p.51).

Recommendation

Why should one read this book? Do you want to minister for the Lord? Do you want to see fruit in your ministry? Are you concerned about the souls of others? Do you want God to use you to edify other believers? Is your life contributing toward the spiritual progress of others? Would encouragement to pray strengthen your soul? Are you pursuing lost souls? Does your heart pant for the things of God? Then read this book.

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Purchase the book here.

Dennis McKinsey is an elder of Heritage Bible Church and until recently has served as the teacher in the Ambassadors Sunday School class.