Today we continue “Looking at Questions in God’s Word.

     These three questions. Job 38:4 (NLT2)  “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Luke 6:46-49 (NKJV) "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” Isaiah 6:8 (NKJV) “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." It was great hearing from Missionaries Sam and Shelly Bowdoin and hearing about what God is doing in the Philippines and Asia. Thank the Lord we were able to help rebuild churches there. Also, what an honor to be challenged by our General Superintendent Doug Clay. We believe he is God’s man to lead us into greater things for the Kingdom and for missions. Let’s see what God is truly saying to His people.

1. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Job is trying to defend himself and he steps over some lines. Our nation was birthed with a great understanding that without the help and intervention of Almighty God we were doomed to destruction. Thomas Jefferson - "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever..." I personally believe the mission of America and the mission of a Christian is that once you have found freedom and liberty, you should be willing to help others do the same. 

2. But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Here we see Jesus making a contrast between two different people. One person does what Jesus says to do and the other does his own thing. One person, through his obedience, assures himself of having a good and solid foundation. The other person, through their disobedience, assures himself of being on a foundation that is nothing more than shifting sand. So what are you saying, Pastor Rick? But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Don’t call Jesus Lord and try to convince me how spiritual you are if you are not willing to send missionaries around the world. 

3. Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Once Isaiah got a glimpse of Who God really was he went thru a process of repentance. So what is the result of this encounter and repentance. "Here am I! Send me." 

Today we welcome Sam and Shelly Bowdoin ...

 

...to Life Church and to our 2021 Annual Mission’s Convention. They will be challenging us about the truth found in God’s Word about the Great Commission and encouraging us to go beyond what we have ever done in the past with Faith Promises.  A.W.Tozer said, “The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!" King David said that he would not offer anything to the Lord that did not cost him something. I pray we are ready to be sacrificial.

We need to ask ourselves...are we doing our best?  Are we bringing our tithe into the storehouse (the church) and are we doing what we can to reach the world?  Am I giving a token to God or am I giving Him a sacrifice? Oswald J. Smith, "No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once." Jesus Christ was extra-ordinarily faithful to us when He went to the cross and died for our sins. Can we really say that there is anything extra-ordinary about our giving to the Lord or to His Great Commission? I challenge you to prayerfully allow Holy Spirit to speak to you about what to do for Missions and for our Lord Jesus Christ!  

Years ago our General Council Mission’s Director spoke to us about the Assemblies of God and Life Church having an appearance of doing great things for God but he went on and said that sounds good until you compare it to the unfinished task.  We are in the top ten churches in the Peninsular Florida District which represents about 330 churches and we are in the top 100 churches in the United States in World Missions giving which represents around 12,100 churches.  We are one of about forty of the top 100 churches who increased their giving during chaotic 2020. Very impressive until you compare to the unfinished task before us. Before we get too impressed with ourselves consider this, about two-thirds of the world still have not had an adequate witness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our challenge is great but we serve an awesome God! Prayerfully fill out a Faith Promise card and let’s do our part in reaching the world.

Today at the beginning of our Mission’s Convention...

 

... we continue our series “Looking at Questions in God’s Word.” Romans 10:13-15 (NLT2) “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” 
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” Powerful questions from God’s Word. Attempting to stay with our theme in this series our text asks us some pretty piercing questions that I believe are worth investigating. Four questions:

1. How can they call on him? Let me ask it another way; how can anyone be saved if they don’t know Who Jesus is? Correct me if I am wrong but doesn’t the Word say there is no other Name under heaven where man can be saved? We want them to call on Jesus and we want them to believe in Jesus so as we show them the transformation in us and we love them they will call on Him. 

2. How can they believe in Him? Again it comes down to personal responsibility. I have found in my restaurant ministry, if I am honest, loving, and transparent I have a much greater possibility of getting them to believe in Christ. Just a news alert from someone who loves you…sinners can see a fake or a hypocrite from a mile away. 

3. How can they hear about Him? I truly believe one of the many reasons God will have to wipe away our tears when we get to heaven is because we have had this treasure in earthen vessels and we kept it to ourselves. And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? You know what is funny? No one told me I had to go tell people about Jesus when He totally changed my life. I couldn’t wait. I personally believe the greatest motivation to be a great witness for Christ is love that is propelled by Holy Spirit power! 

4. How will anyone go? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? I want to challenge you in 2021 to join with God and with us in helping missionaries to be sent to the countries of their calling. Make out a new Faith Promise card or increase yours from last year. Isaiah’s vision…Lord, send me!