 We have mentioned how God moved in the Early Church through the salvation of whole households who became the means of starting new churches. I mentioned yesterday the type of woman Lydia was which God used to start a church in Philippi. I have no doubt that she and the jailor’s household formed a strong beginning that multiplied over time. We have a modern-day example of this in Jacob and his family in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. He is leading a GPHD training for 45 pastors and leaders on the border of Ghana and Ivory Coast. His wife and children are very supportive and were able to join him. It is families like this that we need to support in prayer. John speaks of servants like this in his third letter and says, “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore, we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 5–8). The first means of support should be our prayers. Please join us in this. 
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In Acts 16, we have another example of God using someone and their household to plant a church. “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us” (Acts 16:14–15).
God was not finished with Paul and Silas after introducing the gospel to Lydia and her household. Through their boldness, they confronted “a slave girl who had a spirit of divination” end up in jail. This was a perfect place for a captive audience to hear the gospel in song and prayer. Their attention was also held through an earth quake. The jailor was so traumatized that he was going to kill himself (16:25-27). This was Paul and Silas’ perfect opportunity to turn disaster into a opportunity for the gospel. “Then he (the jailor) brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house” (16:30–32). When we remain faithful to the Lord in any situation He places us in, do not be surprised that He will give you an open door for the gospel to impact whole households! They become the perfect God-created units to form a local church. ARE YOU READY? Several of us were talking today about families in the church and our spiritual care for them. This made me think of how God used families in the Early Church to build and foster growth. In Luke’s record of the Church’s beginning, he uses the word “household” or “oikos” in the Greek language, which also refers to the family unit. Here are a few examples:
“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God” (Acts 10:1–2). We can see how this man and his “household” were fertile ground for the gospel. Though the gospel had not been presented to them yet, Cornelius was the kind of leader, both in the home and in work, who exercised influence that was respected. No wonder they all believed the gospel when it was presented and then immediately were baptized Peter includes this fact in his report to the church in Jerusalem (11:14). We will see this again tomorrow in Chapter 16. Until then, ask yourself what sort of influence do you have in your home that makes way for the gospel to be shared, believed, and a local church formed? Our hearts were filled with joy today as we watched three young people publicly identify with Jesus in baptism. Among them was a six-year-old boy who gave a clear testimony of his faith in the Lord Jesus as Savior. His words of faith in Jesus were clear and convincing.
This reminded me of how Jesus handled the disciples who rebuked those who brought children to Jesus “that He might touch them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it”” (10:13–15). It greatly concerns me that in some places, children are considered in a separate category that is inferior to adults. Jesus was “indignant” at this behavior. This word shows a “righteous anger and much grief” over their conduct. Where attention is being given to children, we are seeing a great movement in some parts of the world where they are being taught the simple principles of the gospel and in turn they are telling other children. They are ‘little witnesses” for Jesus with a powerful voice that will impact the next generation. “I want people to be passionately in love with Jesus, so that nothing else counts. I am a fanatic, if you like, but only because I believe so strongly that nothing counts except knowing your sins have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus. We have only got this short life to get others to know the same truth.” (Helen Roseveare)
"Christian missions is a supernatural venture. Only supernatural resources can sustain it and make it dynamic. Contact with the Divine is imperative. Prayer is not optional; it is operational and decisive."
By: George W. Peters, A Biblical Theology of Missions nclair Ferguson has often asked others in ministry, “When you have nothing to think about, where does your mind go?” For some (or many), the answer might be very embarrassing.
In a similar way, Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). There are two aspects of this statement. The first is that you are allowing outside influences to dictate your thinking which eventually conforms your life to the world’s pattern of life. The second statement, “Be transformed” is intentionally putting in your mind spiritual food that shapes the way you think, behave, and gives godly direction to your life. To be able to “discern what is the will of God,” means that we are continually planting truth into our hearts, so we have a moral compass that governs every decision. Is your mind in neutral, or is it driven by God’s Word?  I share with you the final portion of Randy’s report on his trip to S. E. Asia. The feelings he expresses regarding Cornerstone Immanuel Church are sentiments we often experience in places where those we train have developed the same appreciation for God’s Word and the principles that expand the gospel. This is reflected in some of Paul’s letters.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:1–2). MALAYSIA REPORT: “Once again, I had the honor and privilege of being with Cornerstone Immanuel Church, “my home away from home” church family. The joy of being on this journey with “marketplace missionaries” like CE and Michael, the leaders of this ministry. It is unlike anything I have seen anywhere around the world. Their devotion to share Jesus’ life in their families, neighborhoods and workplaces is bearing much fruit, and their commitment to making disciples continues to grow. I plan to be with them again in September as we press on toward becoming a training and sending center for God’s work throughout Asia. Thank you for praying!  This is a continuation of Randy’s report from the S. E. Asia.
“About one hour northwest of Bangkok in Bang Len, is a run-down business center is a small church with a big heart where 14 people graduated GPHD. These men and women, young and old, searched the Scriptures, looking for His plan to establish believers and make them effective disciple-makers. Your prayers during our time there were answered by their diligent study of God’s Word and desire to know more. I met with a pastor who planted this church which included a woman who cooked all our food. She was from a people group that are known for being staunch Buddhist, but God broke into her life with grace that impacted her entire family. She cannot read nor write, but she is learning God’s Word through the faithful, loving care of the church.”  “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
“So, teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) “What do you do when God changes your plans? What is God doing beyond your own little world and beyond your control? These are questions we may ask when things do not turn out the way we thought they would. Moses, from Myanmar, and I planned a full three-week trip in Asia, but God reduced it to ten days. On Wednesday night, March 25, God called one of his beloved servants in Myanmar home to heaven, and the plans we had for ministry quickly came to a halt. Moses flew back home to minister to the family, and I flew to Malaysia one week early while much needed ministry in northern Thailand was put on hold. As we processed the quick change in our plans, we thank God that His plans shall fully be accomplished even when ours seem to be cut short. God is in control and He has numbered our days for His Glory. Here is a brief report on our time in Indonesia and Thailand. KARAWACI, INDONESIA Almost a dozen university students jumped into God’s Word on a public holiday that closed the town of Karawaci. We could not even find a coffee shop in which to meet, but one lady opened her apartment to us, and God showed up in powerful ways. These students finished God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and now starting their study in God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC). This home meeting reminded us of the way the early church met, worshiping God in small settings, searching the Word of God and praying for His power to make them fruitful and effective in Christ’s mission. What a joy to work with young leaders who desire to impact their world for Jesus! Lord-willing, we will be back with these students in early October so please continue to lift them up to our Lord!” (Randy) |
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