WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:07.280 We have a great privilege this morning to have bringing us the word this morning uh Steve Oswald and his wife Kathy. 00:00:07.519 --> 00:00:16.320 Uh Steve and Kathy are uh Mission mobilizers in the Northern Plains district and also the district that reaches into Minnesota. 00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:20.879 And so uh without further ado, I'm gonna have Steve come up and Kathy come up also. 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:23.519 Would you give them a warm welcome? 00:00:30.879 --> 00:00:31.760 Thank you. 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:34.079 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:39.520 Nice to see your cheering, smiley faces today. 00:00:39.759 --> 00:00:41.600 We're Stephen Kathy Osfeld. 00:00:41.679 --> 00:00:44.960 We live in Fergus Falls, we're some of your missionaries. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:48.640 And as Scott mentioned, we work as mission mobilizers. 00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:50.880 So we know the word missions, right? 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:52.719 Uh so that's what we do. 00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:57.200 But the word mobilizers may be a different word that might be somewhat new to you. 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:00.960 So think of mobilize, it's like an action activity. 00:01:01.119 --> 00:01:05.760 We like to have churches get involved in missions and individuals get involved. 00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:07.040 So to mobilize. 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:08.000 Got it? 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:13.680 Now, my wife has some opportunities that she'd like to share with you, my dear. 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:15.920 Hello. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:18.719 Well, this is my second time up here this morning. 00:01:19.040 --> 00:01:42.159 And I can expand a little bit on what we're doing with Asia Justice Initiatives, and it's been for several years partnering with believers in India and now also in Thailand that are working in ways to prevent women from either getting into the trafficking or else coming out of that with aftercare, or else just living in very difficult situations within their homes. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:51.359 So through that, we have started a training center called Shabola, which means lifting women up, and that's right outside outside of Calcutta, in the villages there. 00:01:51.519 --> 00:02:05.359 And then as they finish that training program, then a business has started, which we call Sharisti, and that means uh creation, as we think of them becoming new life in Christ as they learn to know about Jesus Christ and true freedom in him. 00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:12.159 So in that, we um they're working to make different products, which Steve will help show a few of these items. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:16.879 This one's unique, uh carrying bag, but also has the woman signs her name on that. 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:19.919 So we have that one, and then there's another style here. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:24.159 Um sorry, these aren't men's bags, but um, there are some men's wallets. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:26.960 That's a different ministry, but you can check those out. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:30.240 Those are just a few of the items uh that we have. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:44.080 Our business has been registered here in the States as well, so it it's an easy way for me to get the products and to to bring out, but it's also ways that that you individually, if you would want to host an event to sell these products, that you could order those. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:46.159 So I have information about that. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:50.560 Uh, we also have things from Thailand as well, so you can can look at those. 00:02:50.800 --> 00:03:01.919 We also are, of course, want people to pray because it's not just about buying products and giving our money, but also praying for God to work and make a difference in the lives of these women and their families. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:07.840 Besides working with Asia Justice Initiatives, I'm also involved with the children's ministry. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:13.360 Global Fingerprints is a child sponsorship of the Evangelical Free Church in nine different countries now. 00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:26.879 Uh we are in India working with some uh programs that have been reaching out to children, but just giving them those extra funds so children can be going to school, and then there's after-school tutoring programs. 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:35.439 Uh they receive a meal or a snack, and then uh regular visits in their home and other health and nutritional needs uh that that arise in their family. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:38.479 So we are looking for more sponsors in our program. 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:41.680 I have a card some cards printed out, child cards. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:46.960 Uh, you can also go online to globalfingerprints.org and select uh the country and child there. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:56.560 But 16-year-old uh Ambika is her name, and so she is in our program, and we have eight-year-old Jeet that is there. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:58.719 So those are just a few of the children. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:06.319 If you are not part of a sponsorship program, or even if you are, um it's it's really in many ways is anti-trafficking. 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:10.560 We say, What can we do to stop this whole issue of human trafficking? 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:21.759 And by sponsoring a child, they have a little more of a safety net, uh someone watching out for them and praying for them, so and giving them an opportunity for an education and to hear about Jesus a power. 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:29.680 So thank you, Kathy. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:42.959 The first service I had an elephant up here and it we I pulled its ears back so its eyes could see, and uh, they were all sold, the whole herd was sold after the first service. 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:48.639 And the reason why people were attracted to that is because on these elephants you don't have to feed them. 00:04:48.959 --> 00:04:50.959 So that's what's attractive. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:05:00.480 And so there's one little more, there's one little$5 elephant left, a little one like this, and like three little bears, and you don't have to feed the bears either. 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:02.560 So, in case you want to stop by. 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:04.240 So, thank you, Kathy. 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:08.959 Um, it's a real privilege for Kathy and I to be here this weekend. 00:05:09.120 --> 00:05:13.439 We had a great time yesterday at the Global Outreach Summit. 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:25.439 We had probably around 50 people or so from 12 different churches and a lot of different uh kind of uh training events, and it was really just a great day together. 00:05:25.680 --> 00:05:37.519 Um today I'm gonna be speaking about what is God doing in our world today, but I also want to look at scripture to see what has he done in the past. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:41.279 So let's pray and then we'll look at God's word. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:45.600 Heavenly Father, I thank you for faith, evangelical free church. 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:51.279 Thank you for the witness of this church in this city and in many places around the world. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:53.759 I thank you for the missionaries they support. 00:05:54.000 --> 00:06:04.000 And Lord, I pray for us today, as we're here, Lord, that you would speak to us, that you'd give us ears to hear what we should hear. 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:11.199 And Lord, may we learn what we're supposed to do as well with your heart for the peoples of the world. 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:13.040 Thank you for what you're doing. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:14.399 Thank you for your word. 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:20.240 And Lord, this is your time, and may we uh hear what you have to tell us. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:23.040 For I pray in Jesus' name, amen. 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:26.800 I'd like you to take your Bibles as we get started here. 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:36.639 I want to do a little quick foundation before we kind of jump into what we're talking about, but I want to look at one key verse right in the beginning of Acts. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:50.079 So if you take your Bibles, you probably many of you maybe know this verse, but in Acts chapter 1, verse 8, these are some of the last words of Jesus before his ascension to heaven. 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:58.560 And it's an important verse because, in a sense, this verse is kind of the theme verse for the book of Acts. 00:06:58.720 --> 00:07:03.040 And it's also, in a sense, a theme verse for what we're talking about today. 00:07:03.360 --> 00:07:04.560 Acts 1.8. 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:07.360 And this is, I'm just jumping right in the middle here. 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:09.600 I'm not reading it all, but just this verse. 00:07:09.839 --> 00:07:12.079 But you shall receive power. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:27.040 Jesus is talking to the disciples, but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, in Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:37.199 So what Jesus is telling his disciples here, they're supposed to wait until the power of the Holy Spirit comes, which happens in the next chapter when Pentecost comes. 00:07:37.600 --> 00:07:41.279 And then he says, You shall be my witnesses. 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:44.079 Now, my translation says, my witnesses. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:47.439 It's not just you shall be witnesses, but he says, my witnesses. 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:52.800 So we're supposed to go out and represent Jesus Christ as his witness. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:57.680 So he says, you shall be my witnesses, and then he tells us where to go. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:02.319 In Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth. 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:11.199 So it's through power, it's through the Holy Spirit, it's being a witness for Jesus, and then he tells the geographical areas here. 00:08:11.360 --> 00:08:15.439 So that's kind of the foundation of what we're going to look at. 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:26.879 Now, what I want to do just quickly today is what I believe is happening, actually happened in the first century. 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:28.560 Think about this thought. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:34.639 I think God in all generations has a special work that He's doing. 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:38.879 I think there's a special work that's happening in our world today. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:44.559 And I also think back in the first century, there was a special work that was happening back then. 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:49.279 So we're going to look at one of these back then, and then we're going to talk about what's happening. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:54.159 Now we're kind of going to go from first century to now and first century to now. 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:54.639 Okay? 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:56.080 You're with me? 00:08:56.480 --> 00:09:09.360 So turn with me to Acts chapter 7, and we're going to read just the end of that here about the death of Stephen as he was being persecuted. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:11.600 So Acts chapter 7. 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:14.159 We're just jumping in the story here again. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:20.080 Acts chapter 7, verse 59, and we'll read into the early part of chapter 8. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:22.000 Acts 7, 59. 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:29.840 And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:36.879 And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold the sin against them. 00:09:37.120 --> 00:09:39.919 And having said this, he fell asleep. 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:44.879 And Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:57.120 And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:10:01.919 And some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:10.799 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:15.519 And those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:36.960 So my contention is today that one of the great works of God in the first century, you wouldn't think of this happening as it were, but it was the persecution of Christians that brought about the expansion of the church. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:48.399 So when Stephen was being persecuted here, Saul was in hearty agreement, who later became the Apostle Paul. 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:52.639 And we see that there was a great persecution arose against the church. 00:10:52.799 --> 00:11:00.799 They were in Jerusalem, and they were, it says here in this first verse, they were scattered throughout all the region of Judea and Samaria. 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:08.879 Remember in Acts chapter 1, Jesus said, You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:17.200 So here, the first part where they were in Jerusalem, that's where they were, the persecution brought them to Judea and Samaria. 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:21.679 And it says, Saul began ravaging the church. 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:27.440 So it wasn't just a quiet kind of persecution, but it was a radical persecution. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:31.360 He was ravaging the church, entering house after house. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:37.840 So he wasn't just going to where they were worshiping, but house after house, dragging off men and women, and he'd put them in prison. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.279 So I mean it was a difficult time for these believers. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:43.200 And then look what they did again. 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:46.159 Those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:52.559 So they weren't just in Jerusalem anymore, but they were scattered now because of the persecution, and they were preaching the word. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.399 Keep that thought in mind. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:12:00.159 Now turn over to Acts chapter 11, and we're going to see what happens next. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:03.919 It's just such an interesting story. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:08.240 Acts chapter 11, verse 19. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:10.720 Acts 11, 19. 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:23.440 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:34.240 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and been speaking to Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:40.799 So what you have here, you've got people who are going out because of the persecution. 00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:52.320 Some are going just talking to the Jewish people, and then you've got others here who are actually coming to the city of Antioch, and now they're speaking to Greeks who are not, again, non-Jewish people. 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.679 And what are they doing? 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:57.279 They're preaching the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:06.559 Well, this whole thing is orchestrated by God. 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:17.039 We don't think about that with persecution, but it's orchestrated by God for people to go out, they were preaching the word, they were preaching the Lord Jesus, and they're going. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:21.600 Well, that's what I think happened in the first century. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:31.519 I want to talk just a little bit here about what's happening today with persecution. 00:13:31.600 --> 00:13:35.519 This is kind of a side note, but we need to talk about it. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:46.240 With the area of persecution of Christians, last year they're estimated that there were 90,000 Christians around the world that were killed for their faith. 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:54.639 People are saying that's one every five or six minutes a believer is killed around the world for their faith. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:14:01.440 More Christians are being killed than any other major religion in the world today. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:03.600 So why is that important? 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:13.360 Well, I think we should be praying for believers who are facing persecution for them to be strong and in their witness. 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:20.320 We should be praying for the persecutors, like Saul, who later became Apostle Paul. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:24.799 Pray that persecutors as well would come to know Christ. 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:28.240 That's something that's important, I think, that all of us can do. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:32.000 That's just a side note that I think is important for us. 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:40.960 Well, the second part what I want to tell you about today is what about the work of God today? 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:52.399 The first century that was that persecution that drove the Christians out, and they went to from Jerusalem to Gea, Judea, Samaria, and then to the Greeks there in Antioch. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.240 But what about today? 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:56.000 What's going on today? 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:59.919 I think there's one thing, but it's kind of two things. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:05.360 It can be together but separate, and you'll I hope you follow with what I'm saying here. 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:11.519 One of the works of God today is the whole diaspora of refugees. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:16.559 One out of eight people in the world today is a refugee. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:24.000 Many Muslims and Christians are coming out of Middle East conflicts in Iraq and Syria, for instance. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:29.919 They're going to moderate Muslim countries like Jordan and Lebanon. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:33.919 Many hundreds of thousands of them are going to Europe. 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:52.159 Kathy and I had a team the other year to Berlin, and we were there in Berlin, and we saw literally hundreds of people that every day they go out seven in the morning to seven o'clock at night, and they're waiting for their number to be called, to be approved, to come in. 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:54.480 But they just stand there and they wait. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:58.320 One guy we had visited with, he'd been waiting a whole month. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:04.240 He just comes and every day and he's waiting for his number to come before he can be interviewed and approved. 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:09.120 I mean, they're just coming, thousands and hundreds of thousands of them. 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:12.799 And some are even coming to the United States. 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:16.639 But let me tell you something you don't hear in the news. 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:33.039 In Germany, in Berlin last year, there were 1,200 Muslims who believed in Jesus Christ and were baptized in a church. 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:34.399 1,200. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:40.639 And they were from Afghanistan and Iran. 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:50.799 In Hamburg, there were 900 Pakistanis and Afghanistans coming to faith in Christ. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:56.080 Not just only believing, but also being baptized. 00:16:56.320 --> 00:17:02.240 In refugee camps, churches are starting up and people are coming to Christ. 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:13.920 In Lebanon, there's an evangelical free church in Beirut that's ministering to refugees and also has a global fingerprints program, and they're seeing people come to Christ. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:19.119 There's thousands of Muslims who are coming to Christ in Africa. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:25.839 I was in Sierra Leone a couple years ago, and we were going around and visiting these simple churches. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:31.839 They told me the number of Muslims who had come to Christ already in an eight-year period. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:39.759 And then afterward they said, maybe we shouldn't have told you that number, because if that number ever gets out, it's going to create rioting on the streets. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:44.000 So they told us, you can't even tell anybody. 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:46.160 So I haven't even told Kathy the number. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:48.799 Because they said you can't tell anybody. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:55.920 But it's literally tens of thousands of Muslims in Africa that they've seen come to Christ. 00:17:56.079 --> 00:18:04.000 For example, when Ramadan comes in Sierra Leone, they will call up the local mosque and they'll say, you know, Ramadan is here. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:08.640 Can we come over and clean the mosque for you during this special time? 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:12.160 Well, who would say no to that? 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:15.359 There's a book that came out the other year. 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:18.240 It's called A Wind in the House of Islam. 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:33.119 And what's happened here with this book, they're saying now for the first time in the history of Islam, there are now 69 movements of Muslims coming to faith in Christ around the world. 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:55.279 Now, a movement is a hundred churches or more, or 1,000 baptized believers or more, and they're saying this, they're doing this within a 20-year window frame, but there's 69 movements of when David Garrison was writing this book that has never happened in the history of Islam before. 00:18:55.440 --> 00:19:01.839 There's maybe been one here and one there just scattered, but not 69 going on. 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:13.200 For the first time in history, what I'm trying to say, for the first time in history, there are literally tens of thousands of Muslims who are coming to faith in Jesus Christ. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.680 You can say amen to that. 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:17.839 I mean, it's really amazing. 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:31.599 And some of these, a lot of these, are these refugees who are leaving the Middle East where it's really difficult, and they're leaving and they're open and they're searching and they're coming to faith in Christ. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:36.559 Not all the Muslims are refugees where they're going, like a lot of places in Africa. 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:39.440 So that's why it's like two but separate things. 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:49.440 So there's two movements: Muslim coming to faith in Christ, but refugees who are mostly Muslim who are also open to seeking about Jesus Christ. 00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:54.720 Well, you say, what's the attraction of Christianity? 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:59.200 It's the love of God, it's the forgiveness of sin. 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:02.480 It's the assurance of eternal life. 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:08.079 It's a witness of other Christians, it's the power of the Word of God. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:12.880 It's the rejection of extremism in their own religion. 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:19.759 It's dreams and visions where Jesus is appearing to them, and they're asking, who is this? 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:29.519 They're estimating a conservative number is 10 million Muslims have come to faith in Jesus Christ. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.720 10 million. 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:38.559 They don't know the number for sure, but a conservative number is 10 million out of the 1.6 billion Muslims. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:45.200 But think of this, this has never happened before in history, but it's happening now. 00:20:45.680 --> 00:20:52.400 This, you know, first century, it was the persecution of Christians, and they were going out to all these areas. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:56.880 Now, Muslims are going to many new areas, often as refugees. 00:20:57.039 --> 00:21:01.119 They're coming to us and they're open to the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:05.119 Do you think God has any part in the movement of this? 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.319 I think so. 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:10.799 There's a work of God that's happening that's never happened before. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:14.960 So I'm saying it's happening now in our lifetime. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:23.519 Well, let's go back to the first century just for a little bit. 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:27.440 All of this persecution was taking place. 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:29.359 People were going to Antioch. 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:35.599 What made this work of God in Antioch so successful? 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:38.400 Well, let's take a look at God's word again here. 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:41.440 It's really exciting stuff, I think. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:44.720 Can I say stuff about I'll use anyway? 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:47.519 I'm not your pastor, so I can say that. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.160 Okay. 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:50.480 Look back, Acts chapter 11. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.559 Let's read again from verse 19. 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:59.759 So those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:03.440 Speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:11.599 And there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and been speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:17.440 And the hand of the Lord was with him, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:29.519 So the first point here of a successful work of God that takes place, that's long-lasting, that's multiplying, that creates a movement of churches, is evangelism. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:32.880 It says a large number here turned to the Lord. 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:38.319 You see at the end of verse 24, it said, also in considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:43.759 So it's not just one event, but it's evangelism that continues to take place. 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:46.319 Well, you say, what is evangelism? 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:50.160 Evangelism is telling the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:53.359 It's really a few words in my Bible what it says. 00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.880 It says, believe. 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:58.240 They believed and turned to the Lord. 00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:00.640 So one of it, it's an intellectual belief. 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:07.359 Okay, I believe that Jesus Christ lived, he died, he was buried, he rose again, he ascended into heaven. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.720 That's belief. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:12.640 Okay, we can believe that intellectually, but it might not change our life. 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:15.440 I mean, we can say, okay, we believe that happened. 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:20.079 But here it says they believed, and not only did they believe, but it said they turned. 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:23.440 It said they believed and turned to the Lord. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.839 There was a change of life for them. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.920 They were idol worshippers before. 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:36.079 They weren't religious people in the sense like we might consider them, but they were idol worshipers, not worshiping the living God. 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:38.960 They believed and they turned to the Lord. 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:43.599 So it's a change of life, it's a change of direction of what they're doing. 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:46.640 I mean, it was really exciting what's taking place. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:50.480 It's the word of God that was going forth. 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:52.319 They were preaching the Lord Jesus. 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.920 Well, what happens then? 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.119 Go on here. 00:23:55.359 --> 00:24:01.279 In the next verse, news about this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem. 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:02.720 And what did they do? 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.799 The second thing takes place. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:07.440 They sent Barnabas to Antioch. 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:09.920 Now, are you acquainted with Barnabas? 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:13.039 Barnabas is known as a son of encouragement. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:16.240 He should be a friend of all of ours. 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:18.799 He was a son of encouragement. 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:23.359 What's the best kind of person to send to young believers? 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.799 An encourager. 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:27.119 What did these young believers need? 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.799 They needed discipleship. 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:30.400 So what happened? 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.279 Take a look. 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:34.559 Barnabas came in verse 23. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:38.480 He came, he saw, he witnessed the grace of God. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:46.400 So as evidence of fruit of changed lives, he began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord. 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:49.279 So here's this man who's walking with God. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.640 He's an encourager. 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:56.799 He meets with all of these young believers, and he's encouraging them to continue in their walk with God. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:25:03.119 Look at the next verse, verse 24, for he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:14.720 So not only was he an encourager, but he was, you could say he's an example, he was a mentor, a model of what it was like to live a Christian life. 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:21.039 And it says right after that, and considerable numbers, many more were brought to the Lord. 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:26.799 So many came to Christ before he was there, and after he was there, even more people were coming to Christ. 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:32.160 And then Barnabas realized this is kind of getting too big for me. 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:38.480 So he goes down in the next verse, verse 25, and he left for Tarsus to look for Saul. 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:41.440 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:49.599 And it came about for that entire year they met with a church and taught considerable numbers, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:26:02.799 So here you've got all these young believers, evangelism has taken place, now discipleship is taking place, and that what they needed to do, they spent a whole year with this young group of believers training them. 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:09.759 I don't know what all they talked about, but you know, they taught for a whole year all of these young believers. 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:19.759 So discipleship is encouraging, it's modeling, it's teaching, it's mentoring, all of those kind of things. 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:26.319 Now, back in 1988, I one time smuggled Bibles into China. 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:29.279 That's another story if you want to talk to me about it. 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:31.440 It's really a pretty cool story. 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:37.039 But I ended up going and visiting the home of Samuel Lam. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:44.319 Samuel Lam had been in prison for 25 years for his faith in Christ, but he knew English very well. 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:53.759 And when he got out of prison, he started to teach people English, because Chinese people, this was before Tenement Square, he started to teach people English. 00:26:54.000 --> 00:26:59.599 But he'd use the scriptures and Christian literature, whatever, people started coming to Christ. 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:05.599 He ended up having a thousand people coming to his house for church, for worship. 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:08.160 You say, man, he must have had a big house. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:11.839 Well, he had 200 a day, five days a week. 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:14.319 So that's how he got the thousand people. 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:19.920 And he told me, he said that when he preached, he'd preach an hour and a half. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:22.880 Now don't worry, that's not going to happen today. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.799 But he preached an hour and a half. 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:27.279 And then you say, well, why would he preach an hour and a half? 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:31.599 Because he also did singing and whatever else he did, but he preached an hour and a half. 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:35.279 Well, what was lacking in these young believers' lives? 00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:38.240 It was the same thing that the people in Antioch needed. 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:40.160 They didn't have a solid foundation. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.599 They needed to be built up. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:47.119 So he taught them for an hour and a half every, well, five days a week, each group. 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:52.559 He'd preach quite a long time because he wanted to build them up in the faith. 00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:57.839 They didn't have Vacation Bible School, they didn't have Cooperstown Bible Camp. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.440 They didn't have Sunday school. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:06.799 They didn't have Christian radio, they didn't have Christian book, they didn't have any of the things that we have to help us and nurture us in the faith. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:10.720 So it was important for them here to be built up. 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:15.039 And that's what happened in China as well with Samuel Lamb. 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:21.039 And by the way, when the communist officials would come to him, they would tell him, You can't do what you're doing. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:23.359 And they say, we're gonna, they'd threaten him. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:25.200 And he said, You can't threaten me. 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.880 You've taken everything I have. 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:28.799 I don't have anything left. 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:31.920 So they didn't have no leverage with him. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:35.279 So let's go on. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:36.400 Let's see what happens next. 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:40.400 Look at the next paragraph here in Acts chapter 11, verse 27. 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:55.119 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them named Agabas stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that they would certainly, that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world, and this took place in the reign of Claudius. 00:28:55.279 --> 00:29:03.759 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:08.400 And this they did, sending in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:17.279 A third evidence of growth for this movement, it's evangelism first, it's discipleship second, but third, it's compassion ministry. 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:19.920 They said, look beyond yourselves. 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:26.880 There's a famine coming, you can give, and people gave proportionately as they felt called and led to give. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:30.559 Now you guys have done that with my wife coming up here. 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:33.440 She heard about this gift the other day. 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:36.640 And wow, how do you answer that? 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:49.119 Because this work in India, there's going to be people now who are going to have, they're going to have a job, they're going to have a purpose, they won't be trafficked, or maybe they're coming out of being a traffic situation. 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:54.640 So that money that you gave is going to be freedom for people and freedom for their families. 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:57.279 It's a wonderful thing that you guys did. 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.720 So thank you. 00:29:59.039 --> 00:30:09.440 But compassion work, it's always an ongoing work, and it's it's a means where the door is open for the gospel, where we can go and provide a need that a person has. 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:11.519 And they say, well, why are you doing that? 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:14.960 There's opportunities in Denham Springs, Louisiana. 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:21.519 90% of that community last August was flooded with about two feet of rain in three days. 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:25.440 They have thousands of homes down there that need help. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:36.640 And your youth group is talking about maybe the last one or two weeks or so in June of taking the youth group, possibly going down to Louisiana to help with these homes. 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:38.799 That's what compassion work is. 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:43.359 And you guys have had that with the flood in the past, where people had to come and help you. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:52.799 But compassion should be an integral part of a church where we're not just concerned about ourselves, but people outside, whether believers or unbelievers. 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:57.519 And there's enough of those things going on around the world where we can really help. 00:30:58.400 --> 00:31:00.880 Well, turn over to chapter 15. 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:03.680 We'll kind of conclude with this part here. 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.880 Chapter 15. 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:18.799 Now there were at Antioch in the church, that was their prophets and teachers, Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manian, who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch and Saul. 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:26.240 And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:30.720 Then when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:41.359 The fourth area of growth for this church in Antioch, which is also important today, I think, for a movement of churches, is to have leaders come together. 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:43.440 You have five leaders here in Antioch. 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:47.440 You have Barnabas and Saul and three other ones that are introduced. 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.880 But what were they doing? 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:53.920 They were coming together here in verse 2, they were ministering to the Lord and fasting. 00:31:54.160 --> 00:32:00.240 I'm not sure what ministering to the Lord means, if it's just being quiet, if they were singing, if they were praying. 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:03.759 I'm not sure, but they were whatever it was, they were ministering to the Lord. 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:12.720 They were seeking God first, and they were fasting, so they were skipping some time of eating, but to seek the Lord and to worship him. 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:22.079 It doesn't say that they were asking for anything, and they might have been, but it says they were ministering to the Lord, and when they were doing this, the Holy Spirit came. 00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:36.400 Now, I don't know if he spoke audibly or just they heard it in their minds, but they knew that the Holy Spirit was calling them to something special, and that was to send two of their five leaders out to be missionaries, Barnabas and Saul. 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:41.759 And they ended up going out a few verses later, which now became the first missionary journey. 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:43.599 So you see why this was a movement? 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:53.200 It was persecution, it was witnessing, it was establishment of a church, but now you're sending your leaders out for the first missionary journey. 00:32:53.359 --> 00:32:55.680 And this is the Lord who's doing all of this. 00:32:55.839 --> 00:33:08.240 It goes back to Acts 1.8, where Jesus wants all of us to be his witnesses, to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit as came in Pentecost, but then to go out to the places where God calls us to be. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.799 I think that's an exciting thing would happen. 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:13.680 So that's what took place in that first century. 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:15.039 Well, what about today? 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:17.519 And after this I'm done, I promise. 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:20.160 So what about today? 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:25.440 With the movement of God, with refugees and of Muslims coming to Christ? 00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:28.400 What are some things that we can do or should do? 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:33.279 We should focus, I think, on loving the refugees and sharing the gospel with them. 00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:40.720 Think who are the refugees, who are the Muslims, who are the immigrants, who are the international students here in Grand Forks. 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:45.279 Do you know that most of them are never invited to a home of an American? 00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:48.559 Most of them never go into the home of a Christian. 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:53.039 Think about what might God want you to do in that area this year? 00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:55.440 Hospitality is so important. 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:58.000 Maybe focus on discipleship. 00:33:58.160 --> 00:34:07.440 Think of who are some young believing refugees or immigrants or international students who could really benefit, say, from a Discovery Bible study? 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:09.679 Who can you be a barnabas to? 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:11.360 Or a Barnabas? 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.800 A woman? 00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.760 This year. 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:15.039 Think about that. 00:34:15.280 --> 00:34:16.880 Focus on compassion work. 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:20.480 What might God want you to do here in Grand Forks this year? 00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:22.639 Or in the neighborhood around your church? 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:27.840 Or in North Dakota or United States or Haiti or some other place? 00:34:28.159 --> 00:34:31.840 Grand, you gave some wonderful gifts at Christmas, but what about now? 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:35.599 What does God want you to do as a maybe a family or as a church? 00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:38.960 Should you go out and do some ministry in Grand Forks? 00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:40.639 What are some of the needs? 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:45.199 Well, what about developing leaders in refugee communities? 00:34:45.360 --> 00:34:47.199 That might be a hard thing to do. 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:49.599 How can we mentor those kind of people? 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:53.360 A couple of weeks ago, Kathy and I were in Austin, Minnesota. 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:55.119 Remember that's where they make spam? 00:34:55.599 --> 00:34:56.960 They have the spam museum. 00:34:57.119 --> 00:35:02.000 By the way, do you know that they have a new spam museum that's just one year old? 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.280 They do. 00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:10.159 But they have a free church there, and right across from the road, there's an African church that meets in the afternoon. 00:35:10.239 --> 00:35:15.280