WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:05.440 Uh, this morning, as part of that missions conference, we have a guest speaker, actually two guest speakers. 00:00:05.440 --> 00:00:06.559 Um, the 9 a.m. 00:00:06.559 --> 00:00:07.519 service is gonna be Dr. 00:00:07.519 --> 00:00:08.240 David Love. 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:10.400 And then if you want to come back for the 11 a.m. 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:11.039 service, Dr. 00:00:11.039 --> 00:00:13.759 Jeff Denlinger uh will be speaking at that service. 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:14.960 Two different messages. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:20.719 Uh, David, for this service, is the vice president for global initiatives at World Venture. 00:00:20.719 --> 00:00:23.280 Uh, he's uh been a missionary for many, many years. 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:30.800 Um, he's from Oregon, uh, as he'll tell you, which is the only other state in the country that uh makes you pump or make pumps the gas for you. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:34.479 Uh so we have a we were kindred spiritists this weekend, but David loves Jesus. 00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:37.679 His wife Catherine is with us as well, and they they do good work at World Venture. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:40.399 So I'm gonna invite him up to share God's word with us this morning. 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:42.240 Can you please welcome David Love? 00:00:48.479 --> 00:00:49.920 Thank you, Pastor Bob. 00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:51.840 Good morning, folks. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:53.840 It's great to be with you. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:56.320 It feels like fall, finally, doesn't it? 00:00:56.320 --> 00:01:05.760 Catherine and I live in Colorado now, and it just feels like that in Colorado we miss out on all these seasons that you get to experience and we used to experience in Oregon. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:12.480 And in Colorado, it's like 90 degrees, and then all of a sudden it's fall for a week, and then it turns into winter. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:17.519 And so uh so it's been really nice being here this week with for some beautiful weather. 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:21.920 It's also been great to be here because uh we love your church. 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:35.280 And just in the last few days of being able to interact with folks from your missions team, being here Friday night and Saturday morning and Saturday night for the different missions events, you have a really welcoming church. 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:45.200 Catherine and I and our ministry have visited a lot of churches over the years, and I just want to encourage you that uh this is a great place to be. 00:01:45.200 --> 00:01:52.959 And we are really delighted in the fact that you guys have been serving here in this area for 175 years. 00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:56.400 Now, not you personally, but but this church. 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:58.480 And that that's really significant. 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:09.120 It really is a significant thing for there to be long-term ministry in a location, and it's something that World Venture really values as a mission organization as well. 00:02:09.120 --> 00:02:12.479 And I think that makes us really great partners in ministry. 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:16.800 Now, my wife Catherine and I, we've been with World Venture for about 25 years now. 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:29.439 It was broken up a little bit because when we were 25 years old, just little kids practically, we went to Jordan in the Middle East for a year and we studied Arabic and we were involved in local church ministry there. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:35.199 And we really just felt God that laying on our hearts to be involved in in full-time ministry. 00:02:35.199 --> 00:02:43.360 We didn't know if that was going to be youth ministry like we were doing at our church in Oregon or if he was going to lead us overseas, but he did eventually lead us overseas. 00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:54.960 And so uh we ended up serving over in Germany for 10 years, and uh where I was the short-term coordinator, and we did evangelistic English camps throughout Western, Central, and Eastern Europe. 00:02:54.960 --> 00:03:14.080 And it was a really great way to be able to have an intense week together with European youth, being able to help them improve their English language skills, but also on a daily basis, sharing the gospel in word and deed through having short-term team members come over from the States. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:17.199 And so that's a lot of what we did during our time in Germany. 00:03:17.199 --> 00:03:27.120 And then as our youngest daughter was graduating from Black Forest Academy, which is a missionary kids' school, we were thinking, you know, the Lord's leading us into a different ministry. 00:03:27.120 --> 00:03:31.280 And so we were trying to explore what God had for us around the world. 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:37.199 And at that time, we were asked to come back 12 years ago to serve in our headquarters. 00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:45.520 And honestly, asking a missionary to leave the field and come back to the headquarters is like one of the hardest things that you can ask somebody to do, right? 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:47.199 And but we just really felt like that. 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:48.400 That's where God was leading us. 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:55.919 And so we've had the privilege of mentoring and training and mobilizing and leading workers over the last 12 years. 00:03:55.919 --> 00:03:59.599 And we really know that we're in the right place right now, and we're grateful for that. 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:12.080 I now serve in a leadership role at the home office, and so I oversee our global initiatives around the world, strategy and things like that, but also overseeing our global workers around the world as well. 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:16.639 And so, on behalf of World Venture, I just want to say thank you. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:19.680 Thank you for your partnership in ministry. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:41.600 Your church is a significant ministry partner with World Venture, not just financially, but the fact that you pray for your people, that you really care about people, that you're sending out missionaries and supporting them well, that you're sending short-term teams, that you have a long-term connection with Senegal and other places in the world. 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:48.160 And that is really valuable to us at World Venture, and it's valuable for the kingdom as well. 00:04:48.160 --> 00:04:51.600 So as we get started, let me just open in a word of prayer. 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:55.600 Gracious God, thank you so much for the opportunity to be together. 00:04:55.600 --> 00:04:57.759 Thank you, Lord, for this church. 00:04:57.759 --> 00:05:05.839 Lord, you have been working in and through the people of this church community for a long, long time. 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:14.319 And Lord, they have not grown cold, but in fact, Lord, the church is hot for your gospel. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:20.879 Lord, I just thank you so much for their passion, not only for the nations, but for their community. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:23.439 And we pray for your blessing upon them. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:27.360 Lord, may your word speak to each of us today. 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:32.240 May be we may we be encouraged at what you are doing in the world. 00:05:32.240 --> 00:05:33.439 In Jesus' name. 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:34.319 Amen. 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:51.680 So one of the joys of our ministry is that we actually get to travel significantly around the world, interact with a lot of our missionaries, be involved in strategic conversations about ministry in different diverse parts of the world with our World Venture missionaries and our national partners. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:06:04.879 Yet if we're honest, though, I don't know about you, but if you listen to the news, if you talk to other people, a lot of what we hear about in the world doesn't sound so great, does it? 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:13.279 War in Ukraine, war in Iran, war in Lebanon, you know, just economic pressures. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:16.959 It just seems like the world has so many problems. 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:23.680 And yet, although those concerns are real, the reality is that's not the whole story. 00:06:23.680 --> 00:06:32.879 The good news is that despite everything that is happening in the world, Jesus, my friends, is still building his church. 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:43.839 Now, many of you may be familiar with the fable of a traveler in Europe who came upon a town in Europe and he found people building a building. 00:06:43.839 --> 00:06:49.680 And so he went up to these bricklayers and he said to the first bricklayer, uh, hey sir, what are you doing? 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:52.160 And he said, I'm laying bricks. 00:06:52.160 --> 00:06:53.120 Okay. 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:55.519 So he went to the second bricklayer. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:57.360 And the he said, Sir, what are you doing? 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:00.079 And the bricklayer said, I'm building a wall. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:03.759 And he went to the third bricklayer and he said, What are you doing? 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:07.439 And he said, I am building a cathedral. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:12.639 My friends, that can be us sometimes. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:29.199 We can be so focused on what is happening in the world, what the world is telling us, the agenda of the world, that we forget to see the bigger picture, the bigger picture of what's actually happening in the world. 00:07:29.199 --> 00:07:37.040 And I think that in Matthew chapter 16, verses 13 through 18, Jesus emphasizes this to us. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:43.360 So if you want to turn with me, it'll also be up here on the screen to Matthew 16, 13 through 18. 00:07:43.360 --> 00:07:54.399 Jesus, it says, Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 00:07:54.399 --> 00:08:03.120 And they said, Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:07.680 He, Jesus, said to them, But who do you say that I am? 00:08:07.680 --> 00:08:12.639 Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:24.079 And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:34.960 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:44.559 Friends, this passage contains a fundamental reality that Christ is the foundation of the church. 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:48.879 And we can take great comfort in knowing that. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:54.240 Jesus asked his disciples, Who do you say that I am? 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:58.159 This is a central question for every single one of us. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:03.200 If we're believers in Jesus Christ, we have sought to answer that question. 00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:05.840 Who do I say that Jesus is? 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:11.440 Peter responded, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:16.000 I believe that everything begins with that confession here. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:22.320 Now, this passage has generated a considerable amount of debate over the years. 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:34.320 The Catholic Church, for example, believes that Jesus was referring to Peter as the rock, and that Peter then became the first pope of the Catholic Church. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:42.399 Now, while Peter certainly played a foundational role in the early church, most evangelicals understand Jesus' words differently. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:50.000 One commentary, Dan Doriani points out, just Jesus uses a play on words, and he quotes here. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:10:00.320 You are petros, and on this petra I will build. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:04.639 This creates space between Peter and the church's rock. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:10.639 Jesus does not say, On you I will build my church, but on this rock. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:15.840 This rock is distinct from Peter, although it's connected to him. 00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:22.320 This reality that Jesus is the foundation of the church is seen throughout the New Testament. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:26.720 And so let's look at a few supporting scriptures here that demonstrate this. 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:38.240 For example, in 1 Corinthians 3.11, we read, For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:51.200 And in Ephesians 2.20, we are members of God's household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone. 00:10:51.200 --> 00:11:31.039 And lastly, in 1 Peter 2, verses 4 through 6, as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men, but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, for it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:36.879 Even Peter himself refers to Jesus as the cornerstone. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:48.799 So, church, every building must have a foundation, and the foundation of the church, the global church, the universal church, is Jesus. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:55.039 Furthermore, this passage teaches us that Jesus is the head and builder of the church. 00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:59.440 Now, notice a key part of Jesus' promise in this passage. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:04.159 He says, I will build my church. 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:08.480 This may be one of the most important phrases in this entire passage. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:11.360 And notice what Jesus doesn't say, though. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:14.480 He doesn't say Peter will build my church. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:20.480 He doesn't say the apostles will build my church, or that pastors and missionaries will build his church. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:24.639 Friends, Jesus says, I will build my church. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:37.120 And in my role, where I get to see what God is doing all around the world, I can attest to you, friends, that Jesus is indeed building his church around the world. 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:43.519 This reminds me of a story of one of my friends who is also a colleague in ministry. 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:53.840 He and his wife moved to one of the poorest and most spiritually dark countries in Africa a number of years ago, a couple decades ago actually. 00:12:53.840 --> 00:13:01.440 They started ministry off in the capital city and they learned the language and ended up starting a business as mission farm. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:18.240 And the concept that they had was that they would invite young men to serve with them, work with them in the farm, provide a living for them, but also to disciple them on a day-to-day basis in the midst of the work that they were doing together. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:33.519 And although there were ups and downs in that ministry, those young men, some of them came to know Christ, some of them became leaders in the church, and they were really satisfied to see what God was doing in their missionary endeavor there. 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:40.159 However, during this time, they also heard about an unreached people group that was further north in the country. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:51.440 And so they started taking exploratory trips up there and they started developing relationships with some of the Muslim leaders that were in this part of the country up north. 00:13:51.440 --> 00:14:03.919 And as they were continuing to administer down in the capital, God just started to burn in their hearts that they needed to move up and start working with this unreached people group. 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:06.799 Now, Catherine and I have actually visited this place. 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:08.799 It is a very difficult place. 00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:14.080 They have to travel like two hours just to go to a grocery store. 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:21.120 And that is just some of the most basic challenges that they faced. 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:28.240 When they got there, they battled theft, betrayal, illness, spiritual attacks, and more. 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:33.279 But in the midst of this, they had settled on an island. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:42.559 And this island used to be a jumping-off point where the Portuguese would collect slaves and then take them off to the Western world. 00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:52.960 And so the people there felt like that they were cursed because of what they had done to participate in the slave trade hundreds of years ago. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:55.519 And so these people really didn't have hope. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:15:03.840 They lived very pagan lives, they were nominally Muslim, and they were desperate for some kind of hope. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:07.279 And so our friends started another businesses mission project. 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:15.840 They started a boutique hotel with the hopes of European tourists and others from across Africa coming to this boutique hotel. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:18.639 And it was very successful for a period of time. 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:22.320 And these young men, many of them came to know Christ. 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:27.679 And through this process, there were several small churches that were started. 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:37.360 And these young men who were completely pagan unbelievers years before became leaders in these churches. 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:47.039 And they started to have hope that they could provide for their families and that they could marry and that they could actually live godly lives in this context. 00:15:47.039 --> 00:16:01.840 Now, years later, due to a near-death experience and then two typhoons in a year that destroyed their businesses mission project, our friends finally had to leave this place and return to the states. 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:05.759 However, Jesus was building his church, my friends. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:17.360 During this the last few years, God laid it on the hearts of some Brazilian people who, a couple and family, who were tied to World Venture. 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:22.639 And so they actually moved to this country and started working with our friends. 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:30.240 And so even though our friends had to leave and return to the U.S., Jesus was still building his church. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:42.879 They joined them in ministry, and they to this day are continuing, and the church is growing, and other businesses, mission, projects are growing so that people can have food and a way to make a living. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:52.559 And so, although our friends left, there is still a vibrant church, growing church, where none existed a few years ago. 00:16:52.559 --> 00:17:03.360 So, as you can see, Jesus is building his church in spiritually dark parts of the world, and the gates of hell cannot stop the advancement of the gospel. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:12.640 The missionaries left, but Jesus remained because Jesus is the builder of the church. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:16.000 Now, this brings us to our third point this morning. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:20.240 Christ is the source of the church's growth and victory. 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:28.640 You know, I think a lot of times we who are missionaries or pastors, we try to take a lot of credit ourselves for the growth of the church. 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:33.440 But we really need to be reminded that Jesus is the builder. 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:40.240 He is the one who is growing the church, he is the one who ensures victory for the church. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:47.119 So in this passage, Jesus continued, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:51.119 Now many people interpret this that the church can't be defeated. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:54.400 That's certainly true, but there's even more here. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:59.839 Commentator Dan Doriani pointed out that the gates are defensive structures. 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:03.200 Cities defended themselves with gates. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:07.440 Prisons confined people behind their walls with gates. 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:10.480 Fortresses were protected with gates. 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:14.319 That is not the picture, though, of the church. 00:18:14.319 --> 00:18:18.480 It is not a picture of hell attacking the church here. 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:23.920 The picture is the church advancing against the kingdom of darkness. 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:27.440 The gates of hell are trying to hold. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:32.559 Satan, the evil one, is trying to hold people in spiritual darkness. 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:37.119 But the gospel of Jesus Christ is advancing. 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:44.240 Jesus is saying, the gates are trying to hold, but they will not succeed. 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:50.960 Now, we've actually seen the long-term impact of this in a country in Southeast Asia. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:19:00.559 There's a place in Southeast Asia where World Venture has a growing ministry even today, even though we entered nearly 70 years ago. 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:13.519 And 70 years ago, our first few people who went to this country, they some of them started a medical clinic and eventually a hospital in a remote part of the country on one of the islands. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:24.240 But there were other workers who went out into the villages, into the jungle to reach people who, some of which had been headhunters back in the day. 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:31.039 And over many, many years of faithful ministry, people came to know Christ. 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:37.200 Leaders of those villages came to know Jesus, and entire villages came to know him. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:49.519 In fact, this people group that we started working with nearly 70 years ago, today it's just assumed if you meet somebody from that people group that they are believers in Jesus Christ. 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:54.640 Seventy years later, they are considered Christian people. 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:59.359 That's an amazing transformation, my friends, when we think about it. 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:03.119 But there's even more of what God has been doing in this country. 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:15.039 From those humble beginnings, there is now a church association of CB churches where over 40,000 people in this country attend churches. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.720 Can you imagine that? 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:19.759 70 years of gospel impact. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:27.119 There are over 15 seminaries that are all run by the people of this country. 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:32.240 No foreign missionaries running or teaching at the seminaries anymore. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:44.079 And there's a national mission agency that is now started that is partnering with our World Venture missionaries to go out and work in frontier areas of this country. 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:56.079 And so, in 70 years, my friend, Jesus built his church from nothing on this one island to this huge movement. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:21:04.720 And this is just one movement in this country that World Venture had the privilege of being part of. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:11.119 The evil one held people in darkness, my friends, but the gospel prevailed. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:16.960 This example is what it looks like when the gates of hell do not prevail. 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:29.519 So we can choose to either listen to the news, to think about how bad things are in the world, or we can focus on what Jesus is doing in the world. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:33.920 So I want to illustrate this a little further by showing a video to you. 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:36.000 Now, this video, it's called The Blessing. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:40.240 Many of you will recognize this song, but this is kind of a unique video. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:45.440 One of our world venture missionaries in Japan actually worked on the production of this. 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:49.599 And this video, it it really touches me every time I watch it. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:59.519 And I've shared it with many different audiences because I just feel like that it really demonstrates what Jesus is doing in the world, especially in Asia. 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:08.319 So let's go ahead and watch this, and I want you to pay attention to the diversity of people that are coming to follow Jesus. 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:10.880 So, church, what does this mean for us? 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:13.200 What can we do in response? 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:17.519 Number one, I want to encourage you, pray for your missionaries. 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:20.240 Pray for those serving on the front lines. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:26.559 Many are working in places marked by spiritual darkness and opposition. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:28.079 It is difficult. 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:36.160 Daily living can be difficult, but the oppression weighs heavy on our friends. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:44.079 Pray that God would strengthen them, protect them, and encourage them and make them faithful bearers of the gospel. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:49.119 Number two, I encourage you, pray for your leaders here at this church. 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:54.000 This sermon is not just about our missions, endeavors. 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:58.000 It's about your pastors and their families. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:06.960 Ministry, my friends, is spiritual warfare and ask God to strengthen them as they shepherd you, God's people. 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:14.160 And finally, the third thing I want to leave with you is take courage and take action. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:25.039 The traveler saw three workers, one only saw bricks, one at least saw a wall, one saw a cathedral. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:27.119 Church, what do you see? 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:29.920 Do you see only the problems around us? 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:32.400 Or do you see what Jesus sees? 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:34.799 Do you see what Jesus is doing? 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:39.119 God's reality tells us that Jesus is building his church. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:46.960 He's been doing this for over 2,000 years, and he's not thwarted by the evil one's schemes or defenses. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.720 Friends, take courage. 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:54.480 Jesus is the foundation, the rock, the cornerstone on which the church is built. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:58.000 Jesus is the builder and head of the church. 00:23:58.000 --> 00:24:01.759 Jesus is the source of the church's growth and victory. 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.920 Church, do not be dismayed. 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:05.039 Do not lose hope. 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:08.480 Do not take your eyes off of Jesus. 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:10.720 Instead, be courageous. 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.759 Take hope. 00:24:11.759 --> 00:24:13.039 Take action. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:15.119 Jesus is with you. 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:22.640 I can guarantee you, Jesus is building his church not only in Africa, not only in Asia. 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:26.640 He is building his church right here in New Jersey. 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:30.160 He is building his church right here in Basking Ridge. 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:32.799 My friends, do not retreat from the world. 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:34.559 Encourage your neighbors. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:36.160 Love your community. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.759 Share the gospel. 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:46.720 The same Christ who is working overseas as we've seen this morning is working right here in your midst, in your community. 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:54.160 Jesus is building his church and he is using each and every one of us to do that. 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.759 Let's pray. 00:24:55.759 --> 00:25:17.519 Thank you for your word that you have given to us so that we do not have to be dismayed at how the world seems to be coming apart, how the wheels seem to be coming off at times. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:34.079 Lord, we can look at economic uncertainty, we can look at political troubles, we can look at challenges in life and communities, the challenges of drug addiction that people face in our world. 00:25:34.079 --> 00:25:38.240 And yet, Lord, you understand all of these things. 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:40.240 God, thank you that you are a great God. 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:50.640 You are not sitting in heaven wringing your hands, wondering what you're going to do, but instead, your plan is unfolding according to your purposes. 00:25:50.640 --> 00:26:00.079 Lord, help us to lean into your word and the truth of Scripture so that we are reminded of the truth of what is happening in the world. 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:05.200 And Lord, help us to be faithful servants and stewards of what you've entrusted to us. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:13.359 Lord, you've placed each of us in unique places to be able to share the testimony of Jesus Christ with others. 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:25.759 Whether it's with our family members who don't know you, our family members who are struggling, our neighbors, our co-workers, Lord, there are so many opportunities for us to be faithful. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:27.039 Help us to do that. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:32.000 Help us to be the salt and light in the world that you have called us to be. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:39.680 And Lord Jesus, we pray for the workers that this church supports and all of our workers around the world with World Venture. 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:42.480 God, would you give them grace today? 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:48.559 Encourage them, lift them up, give them powerful conversations with people. 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:56.960 And Lord, help us each one to remember that you, Lord Jesus, are building your church in Jesus' name. 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.839 Amen.