It is a blessing to be back home again. Our people exhibited the grace of God in their thoughtful cards and letters to us concerning our recent sorrows. It is wonderful to be on the receiving end of this ministry because it is evidence that our own ministry among these dear folks has not been in vain. God is working in their midst, and I feel privileged to be God’s agent in bringing about some of that work – especially in those who have been converted and discipled almost exclusively through our ministry. I tell you, there is no greater thrill than this! 3 Jn 4.
Now for the sermon summaries…
Serving God in my spirit (Rm 1.9) | Audio | Notes
Our first message dealt with Paul’s unconscious testimony to his own ministry, speaking of his service to God (i.e., his whole life) in the gospel of God’s Son. This ministry is accomplished ‘in the spirit’. In other words, it is a whole hearted ministry from the inner man, not by external efforts only and not for external rewards but sincerely from the heart for the glory of God. Our beloved apostle Paul is our own model for life. Our whole life should be a matter of religious devotion. Our whole life should be from the heart, in the spirit, in the gospel of the Son.
Some Problem Passages [1] | Audio | Notes
Our Bible study time continued our study of inspiration and inerrancy, but this time from the perspective of problem passages. The point is that problem passages are no problem for inerrancy because reasonable explanations of the problems exist. These explanations don’t solve the problems, but they demonstrate it is reasonable to hold to inerrancy in spite of apparent problems in some passages. The two passages we considered were the alleged discrepancies between Gen 1 and 2 and the question of where Cain got his wife. Some good discussion came of this, which unfortunately is not audible on our recording. We will continue with other examples next week, Lord willing.
If you being evil (Lk 11.11-13) | Audio | Notes
We continue our series on prayer with a summary message (a sign that the preacher has had little time to prepare) and some new material from the passage. The point of the message is that God is good and He wants you to pray. Our message is an exhortation to Christians to make prayer a big part of their lives. It is a message I need.
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We had a good day with 51 in attendance, in spite of some significant absences. I will have to wander about the highways and byways to find those sheep who were missing. Not sure why, in most cases. We do have a couple of men out with illness/injuries and one had to work. The gospel was preached, there were some lost folks in the meeting, no movement was made as far as I know.
Regards
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3
P.S. We also now have the audio up from the previous Sunday when one of our deacons and a deacon from a church in Coquitlam, BC, filled in for me. Check out our church web site for the links.
This is what made the biggest difference to me personally from Romans 1:9. Paul says that he “served” in the gospel. The word “serve” is latreuo, not the typical word for “serve.” It is the one that describes the work in the sacrifice or offerings to God. Paul’s evangelism was worship. We can worship God through evangelism when the evangelism is acceptable to God, not us.
This dovetails nicely with “in the spirit,” that you mentioned above.
Yes, that’s what the passage describes. It is written almost as an off-hand, ‘by the way’, type of comment. But it expresses Paul’s whole philosophy of life.
And I think it applies to the whole life, not just evangelism. Nevertheless, your point that evangelism must be that which is acceptable to God is a point well taken.
Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3