Throughout history, God has grown and moved his church as his people scattered to diverse locations geographically. This pattern has not changed and believers are still called to grow and expand as a church today, whether we move across national boundaries, ethnic and cultural boundaries, or do church planting in our immediate communities. Beginning with the first generation of believers in the book of Acts, we hear of Phillip, who was emboldened and changed by the power of God as he moved out in obedience to spread the Gospel. Despite severe persecution, great joy descended on those who received the truth that came with power. In this present age, we have the account of the phenomenal growth of the church in China. In 1949 all Christian missionaries were evicted leaving less than one million indigenous believers behind. They faced relentless bloodbaths and eradication. Yet the church grew in the midst of that persecution when determined believers scattered and went underground. The challenge to believers today remains the same—to be willing to be moved out of our personal comfort zones, to walk in faith, to make personal sacrifices, and most importantly, to trust God for our personal well-being and needs.
Text: Acts 8:4-8God uses catastrophe and disasters to scatter the church so that His word can be spread to all parts of the world. We can become comfortable and content in our lives, but God in His sovergn nature does things we are not used to.
Text: Acts 8:1-4“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the […]
Text: I Corinthians 6:9-11Every time a church enters a stewardship campaign, there is danger and there is also opportunity. The main danger is […]
Text: Hebrews 11:13-16Loving your enemies is the final step in forgiveness. When Jesus walks with us, we will find the strength to love our enemies and to bless those who curse us.
Text: Luke 6:27-36This is the first message in a five-part series called “The Healing Power of Forgiveness.” You are never more like Jesus than when you forgive. And you will never be set free until you forgive.
Text: Matthew 18:21-35The smallest act of obedience is better than the greatest intention.
Text: Ezra 3God’s favor can’t be purchased because it’s not for sale. Your money is useless when it comes to the things that matter most.
Text: II Kings 5Let’s suppose you are a reporter assigned by your editor to cover Noah’s flood. It’s the biggest story of the […]
Text: Genesis 9:1-17Three hundred seventy-nine days ago, Martin and Gracia Burnham were captured by Muslim terrorists in the Southern Philippines. They were […]
Text: Genesis 3:7-19