1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,600 Welcome to Logan City Christian Church podcast where we bring God's Word to you weekly. 2 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:17,600 We pray that what you hear will bring clarity to your situation and open doors in your life. 3 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:18,600 Enjoy the message. 4 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:23,600 How many here were not born in this country? 5 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:24,600 Raise your hand. 6 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:25,600 My goodness. 7 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:36,800 Let me just ask another question, is there anyone here that was born in Australia? 8 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:38,680 What a wonderful thing. 9 00:00:38,680 --> 00:00:45,040 This is not about multiculturalism, this is about Christ with the nations. 10 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:46,720 About the nations. 11 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,600 And what a wonderful thing this is. 12 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:56,720 This morning I just feel to brief a little bit on where the missions are United World 13 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:57,720 Ministries. 14 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:02,240 The United World Ministries is the mission arm of Logan City Christian Church. 15 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:07,600 And it just seems to keep growing and growing, which is good, praise the Lord. 16 00:01:07,600 --> 00:01:13,880 And there are reasons for it and I believe that as I speak later it's going to explain 17 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:16,440 the heart of God in this very thing. 18 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:26,840 And so we had started in 2007, registered in 2012 as its own standalone ministry because 19 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:34,240 the missions was growing so quickly we had to separate it from the church legally and 20 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:35,760 it just keeps growing, which is good. 21 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:38,720 I think anything that's alive should be growing. 22 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:39,960 Amen. 23 00:01:39,960 --> 00:01:45,480 And it's just amazing the support that United World Ministries receives from so many people, 24 00:01:45,480 --> 00:01:49,160 including yourself and this amazing congregation. 25 00:01:49,160 --> 00:01:57,000 And so various countries at one stage it was 26 nations that we're in and doing work in. 26 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:04,800 16 of those we lost contact with through COVID and are in the process of trying to regather 27 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:06,800 that information. 28 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:11,000 But still there's a massive work that is happening. 29 00:02:11,000 --> 00:02:16,600 And I'd just like to start an opening scripture that really blessed my heart when I got saved. 30 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:23,160 And I guess, you know, when we come to the Lord and we realize really what's happened, 31 00:02:23,160 --> 00:02:29,920 the saving grace of God in our life and we feel this urgency, this sense that God wants 32 00:02:29,920 --> 00:02:39,280 to use us to do something to make an impact on our home, our community, our nation and 33 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:46,200 the nations, because each and every one of us, we are world changers and we need to know 34 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:49,480 that you are a world changer. 35 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:53,440 And you might think, well, I've got no ambition or desire to travel to other nations. 36 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:57,680 You don't have to travel to another nation to be a world changer. 37 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:04,880 It's how we support the missions and how we, you know, deal with these things as to our 38 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:05,880 input. 39 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:09,520 So I just want to bring a scripture out here this morning, Matthew chapter five, verse 40 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,280 13 to 16. 41 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:20,520 And Jesus speaking, he said, you are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, 42 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:22,920 how shall it be seasoned? 43 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:29,200 It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 44 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:32,680 Verse 14, you are the light of the world. 45 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:38,320 A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do they light a lamp and put it under 46 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:43,240 a basket or a lamp, but on a lampstand. 47 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:47,400 And it gives light to all who are in the house. 48 00:03:47,400 --> 00:03:53,840 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father 49 00:03:53,840 --> 00:03:55,400 in heaven. 50 00:03:55,400 --> 00:04:00,720 You know, we sing this song when I did Sunday school years ago, we'd sing this song, this 51 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:01,720 little light of mine. 52 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:02,720 I'm going to let it shine. 53 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:03,720 Remember that one? 54 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:07,720 And one day at dawn, it's not a little light. 55 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:09,320 Jesus is not a little light. 56 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:12,320 He's the light of the world. 57 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:14,120 He is, he is amazing. 58 00:04:14,120 --> 00:04:16,400 He's not a little light. 59 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:18,840 And this revelation impacted me one day. 60 00:04:18,840 --> 00:04:26,840 And I just thought, well, this big light lives in us as people. 61 00:04:26,840 --> 00:04:31,120 And that big light wants to shine through us wherever we go. 62 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:38,520 And as it says here about, do they, nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket. 63 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:46,840 In other words, the light of Christ that we have needs to be out there shining. 64 00:04:46,840 --> 00:04:48,560 Really just shining. 65 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:54,080 And one night I was standing out watching a full moon, just intrigued. 66 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:56,520 This is probably about five years ago. 67 00:04:56,520 --> 00:05:02,800 We had what they call a super moon and you didn't, you could read a book under the light 68 00:05:02,800 --> 00:05:05,440 of the moon. 69 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:11,120 And the spirit of God witnessed to me, he says, you know, the moon doesn't have any 70 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:13,760 light of its own. 71 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:17,240 And I thought, yeah, I'm aware of that Lord. 72 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:23,720 And then it made me think the Lord was trying to tell me that the light only reflects the 73 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,680 sun. 74 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:31,800 The light does, the moon does not have light of its own. 75 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,840 You with me? 76 00:05:34,840 --> 00:05:45,120 And so this moon is positioned over where I was and somewhere the sun is hitting the 77 00:05:45,120 --> 00:05:51,300 light of the sun, hitting the moon and the moon is reflecting where I am. 78 00:05:51,300 --> 00:05:55,560 And Christianity is exactly the same. 79 00:05:55,560 --> 00:06:01,080 That we are the light of the world and that the light of Christ, the light, the glory 80 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:08,940 of God that shines upon us and in us and through us brings light to everywhere we go. 81 00:06:08,940 --> 00:06:14,480 And I believe that missions is the life of the church. 82 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:17,740 There's a, I mean, Jesus is the head of the church. 83 00:06:17,740 --> 00:06:18,740 You know what I'm saying? 84 00:06:18,740 --> 00:06:22,640 I'm talking about when in the things that we do. 85 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:27,680 I heard a saying said, I think it was from Rory Jensen. 86 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:29,040 She's a very strong admissions. 87 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:35,600 She said, the light that shines the furtherest shines the brightest at home. 88 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:39,280 And that's a very powerful truth. 89 00:06:39,280 --> 00:06:45,480 That if the light here is so bright that it shines so far that where the light is positioned, 90 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:49,060 the light is the brightest at that place, right? 91 00:06:49,060 --> 00:06:53,600 And that's why I believe being missions minded is so important. 92 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:58,240 Missions we've been involved with the missions with indigenous people in this nation and 93 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:00,720 that's going to come back again. 94 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:06,600 There was a season that it went quiet for a while, but it's starting to stir up. 95 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:11,340 Local missions with community care that's always been part of the church and then the 96 00:07:11,340 --> 00:07:17,000 international side of missions and it's just an incredible thing. 97 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:19,520 I look back and think, how did this all happen? 98 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:25,200 I can't tell you, but I know when God gives a vision, he gives you a vision. 99 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:30,600 He's kind of like saying to us as this is what you can do so easily if you trust me. 100 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:33,640 Now I know in this congregation, there are many missionaries. 101 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:39,800 There are many of you that have have ministered in different nations and do a work. 102 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:46,120 Some of you still now to this very day and it's an amazing thing that the just the presence 103 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:51,200 of missionaries in a church encourages me greatly. 104 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:57,700 Also I'd like to say this congregation is just an incredible congregation as Richard 105 00:07:57,700 --> 00:08:03,880 mentioned before about the Unga, which is Ungali, is the flour that they boil to make 106 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:08,680 like food and I like it. 107 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:09,920 It's quite nice. 108 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,840 Ungali and the skoomawiki is it? 109 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:14,920 Yeah, it's good gear. 110 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:21,840 Hakuna Matata. 111 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:25,740 In Australia, I think that means she'd be right, mate. 112 00:08:25,740 --> 00:08:26,740 That's what I learned. 113 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:27,740 Is that right? 114 00:08:27,740 --> 00:08:30,440 Yeah, Hakuna Matata. 115 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:31,920 Praise the Lord. 116 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:37,520 So we are the light of the world and the lights not to be hidden under a basket. 117 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:41,940 The light needs to be put out to shine. 118 00:08:41,940 --> 00:08:44,880 And what is the objective of light? 119 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:46,440 Light is to expel. 120 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,320 Let me hear that. 121 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,180 The light is meant to expel. 122 00:08:51,180 --> 00:08:53,280 What is our mission in life? 123 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:59,360 Oh, come on, you can talk to me to expel darkness. 124 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:04,880 And it's the light of Christ in you that when we go, when God says speak, visit someone 125 00:09:04,880 --> 00:09:09,800 or talk to somebody, the light of Christ in you. 126 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:10,800 Ministers to people. 127 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:12,840 It is powerful. 128 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:18,440 I am amazed that, you know, when when see the gospel message is not a message that someone 129 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:22,700 in this world put together, it wasn't a good idea by some human being. 130 00:09:22,700 --> 00:09:28,400 The gospel message came from heaven in the form of Jesus Christ, the son of God, and 131 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:35,720 about this very incredible gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. 132 00:09:35,720 --> 00:09:40,160 And this message is being proclaimed around the world through many people has been proclaimed 133 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:45,760 in this nation of Australia, in this city of Logan, where we as Christians, we're talking 134 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:50,160 to people, sharing the love of Christ with them and letting them know there is a God 135 00:09:50,160 --> 00:09:51,980 in heaven that loves them. 136 00:09:51,980 --> 00:09:55,120 This message did not come from this world. 137 00:09:55,120 --> 00:10:00,320 But when you and I and many of us have spoken to many of you that you've said that, you 138 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:04,160 know, I've been hesitant to go and witness and tell someone about Jesus. 139 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:09,120 But when I do, it's like it's like God just joins me and and empowers me. 140 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:10,360 And I just have the best time. 141 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:12,640 How many of you guys have experienced that? 142 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:15,020 As soon as we open our mouth and begin to speak. 143 00:10:15,020 --> 00:10:19,560 And that's the anointing of God that rises up from within and empowers you. 144 00:10:19,560 --> 00:10:26,160 And see, there's this this intimidation, like this anti Christ spirit intimidates. 145 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:31,200 But when you are we know we are children of the living God, that we are anointed that 146 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:36,600 Christ truly does live in us and that we are the light of the world, that when we just 147 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:43,160 begin to speak, that the power of God overrides that intimidation and every demonic stronghold 148 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:48,920 that's trying to hold a person back from seeing the light, it will eventually break to the 149 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:51,560 and submit to the power of God. 150 00:10:51,560 --> 00:10:53,240 It is an incredible thing. 151 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:58,480 You know, for me, I've seen it witnessed it so many times in Australia and numerous times 152 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:02,760 overseas, like the crusade night that we had. 153 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:04,800 It went for eight hours. 154 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:05,800 The crusade. 155 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:06,800 It was incredible. 156 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:10,960 There were I lost count of how many people got saved. 157 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:16,560 And months later, testimony is still coming back of the miracles that happened from just 158 00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:17,560 that trip alone. 159 00:11:17,560 --> 00:11:22,040 And you see the signs and wonders follow the preaching of the word. 160 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:24,120 And the word was very simple that was preached. 161 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:27,520 It was about salvation and about healing. 162 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:28,760 And it happened. 163 00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:30,240 And so we carry a message. 164 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:36,440 We carry a very powerful, powerful message that the message of the gospel is all powerful. 165 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:38,080 The message of the cross. 166 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:40,920 It speaks about his foolishness to those who are perishing. 167 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:45,160 And so people that don't want anything to do with God, you speak about Christ and him 168 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:48,440 crucified, they don't want to know about that, don't get it. 169 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:53,560 But I tell you, when people start to listen, it's the power of God unto salvation to them 170 00:11:53,560 --> 00:11:55,080 who believe. 171 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:59,660 And let me encourage you never give up sharing the gospel with your friends and family. 172 00:11:59,660 --> 00:12:00,840 It's powerful. 173 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:01,840 It's powerful. 174 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:03,760 It's like seed when you sow it. 175 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:07,320 One day it will germinate and it will come to pass. 176 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:13,480 I just want to share some of the lightbearers that some are sitting in this room here this 177 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:20,560 morning that are part of United World Ministries and doing incredible work, saving souls, seeing 178 00:12:20,560 --> 00:12:25,700 families restored, the light of their ministry placed in darkness. 179 00:12:25,700 --> 00:12:27,560 Just an incredible thing. 180 00:12:27,560 --> 00:12:32,360 Last year in September was it when Chantal and I went to El Salvador. 181 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:38,240 Just so blessed again to see what pastors Francisco and Celia are doing in a country 182 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:42,160 that is not an easy place to preach the gospel. 183 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:47,200 And to see the people being blessed, the work that they do, the commitment they've given 184 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:49,440 their lives to the cause of the gospel. 185 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:51,160 And we honor you guys this morning. 186 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:54,960 I just wish Celia was here to be able to hear this. 187 00:12:54,960 --> 00:13:02,500 But the light that they bring, the light they brought to El Salvador is incredible. 188 00:13:02,500 --> 00:13:08,040 And to see when church service starts, the people that come, they can't wait to get there. 189 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:09,840 It's their moment of being topped up. 190 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:15,720 It's their moment of hope, their moment of change and something new and something different 191 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:17,880 and deeper in God. 192 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:22,720 And I have to say that pastors Francisco and Celia, you guys are anointed. 193 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:24,000 You call nobody could doubt. 194 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:26,880 You're calling the fruit of the work is there. 195 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:31,320 The salvations that have been there, gang member getting saved, a senior gang member. 196 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:34,280 Things like that just don't happen unless God is with you. 197 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:35,400 Amen. 198 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:36,400 And so it's wonderful. 199 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:41,400 It's just so we acknowledge the work, the light bearers that are in El Salvador, even 200 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:45,760 though you're here in Australia, your leadership over there are still bearing that light and 201 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:51,240 the light in El Salvador is transforming a community as we speak. 202 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:58,440 And this to me is just so powerful, empowering others to preach the gospel. 203 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:04,320 And we have Mama Carrie Burns, who's been in ministry probably long enough, been alive, 204 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:05,800 maybe I don't know. 205 00:14:05,800 --> 00:14:15,880 Maybe not quite, but a pensioner received the call of God, a visitation of Christ and 206 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:20,240 sent her out to witness and to start ministry work in the world. 207 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:26,760 And now there's schools and orphanages in Kenya and India and all on a pension or on 208 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:28,380 a call. 209 00:14:28,380 --> 00:14:34,760 It's like when Peter saw Jesus walk past and Jesus, he said to me, you know, Jesus and 210 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:36,680 Jesus said, come. 211 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:38,480 So Peter got out the boat. 212 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:40,520 Nothing happens in the boat. 213 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,400 Ideas are in the boat. 214 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:47,160 Vision, you know, static vision is in the boat. 215 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:52,000 But many of us that are called, it only happens when we step out of the boat. 216 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:56,560 You see, Peter, I don't, he did, but hear me what I'm saying. 217 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:59,300 He didn't so much as walk on the water. 218 00:14:59,300 --> 00:15:06,160 He was walking on the calling on the word C-O-M-E, come, come. 219 00:15:06,160 --> 00:15:13,460 And upon that word, that calling, I believe he at a moment forgot about that it was water, 220 00:15:13,460 --> 00:15:18,680 but he was so taken by the call, come, come. 221 00:15:18,680 --> 00:15:21,120 And he was so moved, he went out and stepped on the boat. 222 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,320 But as soon as his eyes shifted, it's when he's saying. 223 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:29,320 And so we acknowledge you, Mama Carrie, for the you've given your life, your whole life 224 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:30,320 into the cause of the ministry. 225 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:35,240 And we honor you to lightbearers, lightbearer in India and in Africa. 226 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:36,400 You do an amazing work. 227 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:40,880 I just want to, I think it's there, there are times to acknowledge those who go out 228 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:44,720 and do the work of the ministry that when you see on Sunday, you probably don't know 229 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:46,240 that they do these things. 230 00:15:46,240 --> 00:15:49,440 It's a time to honor those who, who do these things. 231 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:51,000 It's just, and it's not easy. 232 00:15:51,000 --> 00:16:00,280 How many of us know it's not easy when you leave your creature comforts at home? 233 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:01,760 But it is so worth it. 234 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:04,240 It is so worth it. 235 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:09,600 Pastor Cliff, Fiji, the things he's done over there that God called you. 236 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:14,480 One day he's a radical outlaw biker. 237 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:21,600 And the next day he's preaching the gospel in prisons and maximum security, a light in 238 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:23,200 dark place. 239 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:24,480 Absolutely. 240 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,360 And leading criminals to Christ. 241 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:32,680 I tell you, a good sermon would be the one on leading captivity captive. 242 00:16:32,680 --> 00:16:36,480 No, that probably won't work. 243 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:39,000 But what a wonderful work feeding people as well. 244 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:40,000 The list just goes on. 245 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,880 I want to let you know there are lightbearers that go overseas. 246 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:46,600 You probably are not aware about, but I'm going to get to the some of the greater lightbearers 247 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:47,600 that are sitting here today. 248 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:49,280 And that's the congregation of this church. 249 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:53,120 There's a lot of it would never have happened if it wasn't for you. 250 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:56,200 Wouldn't happen. 251 00:16:56,200 --> 00:17:00,960 This pastors, a Turo and Sharon, a Joshua care international, the Philippines, incredible 252 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:04,720 work, incredible work, what they are doing over there. 253 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:06,360 It's just amazing. 254 00:17:06,360 --> 00:17:13,360 Just another husband and wife that heard the call of God and stepped out on C O M E or 255 00:17:13,360 --> 00:17:15,520 probably more G O. 256 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:19,000 Go go. 257 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:21,520 Powerful word. 258 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:25,080 And Jesus says to go and we stay. 259 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:26,080 Nothing happens. 260 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:27,080 We got to get out of the boat. 261 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:28,080 Praise the Lord. 262 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:32,320 Pastor Mike Headley, mission moments, Mike, the Philippines and other countries. 263 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:36,200 Many of you don't know that Mike is a missionary and has been for many years and we honor 264 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:37,200 you. 265 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:42,280 Mike is a lightbearer that goes out into nations and going out again and taking a cut a cakey 266 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:44,680 Tommy Tommy. 267 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:45,920 There's a story behind that. 268 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,920 It was Tommy's birthday over in Kenya and they did a cake for him and there's massive 269 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:54,520 big dance with this cake and it was just awesome. 270 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:58,720 So Tommy has a nickname now, Blue Tongue Tommy. 271 00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:03,760 As you saw on the video, cut a cakey Tommy that's cut the cake. 272 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:04,760 Tommy. 273 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:09,280 That photo that was taken with the blue tongues, one of them was Pastor Samuel. 274 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:16,280 The other one was Tommy was only moments before we met the governor. 275 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:17,520 We're all eating lollipops. 276 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,000 I had read one. 277 00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:21,120 They had blue ones. 278 00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:23,400 Some really funny things happen out on the mission field. 279 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:25,560 I can tell you. 280 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:32,620 And one of them laughed and I went, Oh my God, you look like a blue tongue lizard. 281 00:18:32,620 --> 00:18:36,600 So we took a photo and showed it to them and they like trying to clean their tongue before 282 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:38,920 we get to see the governor. 283 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:39,920 It was just so funny. 284 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:45,000 It's just so, so funny. 285 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:50,920 This past the lie and UWM ambassador in Fiji, him and his wife do an amazing work and that's 286 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:53,440 about that's a contact from Pastor Cliff. 287 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:54,440 It's about to launch. 288 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:56,720 I tell you, it's it's just happening. 289 00:18:56,720 --> 00:19:02,160 The light bearers over in Fiji is just takes it to another level. 290 00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:04,040 There's Pastor Samuel Komoto. 291 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:08,920 He's the national ambassador in Kenya doing an incredible work where we saw the training 292 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:11,320 school it's taking shape there. 293 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:12,620 I'm not sure. 294 00:19:12,620 --> 00:19:14,400 Is Megan here? 295 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:21,280 No, we've had I think another 200 affiliate pastors join United World Ministries on the 296 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:22,280 last trip. 297 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:24,760 It's just growing and growing and growing. 298 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:32,480 And now one of Mama Carrie's pastors, Pastor Alphas, who is in a region not far from the 299 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:34,240 border of Tanzania. 300 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,560 He came to the UWM conference and he just loved it. 301 00:19:37,560 --> 00:19:39,060 He fell in love with the concept. 302 00:19:39,060 --> 00:19:44,400 And right as I speak now, he is gathering numerous pastors and from over the border 303 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:47,120 to come for Pastor Samuel to sow the vision. 304 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:48,760 They're ready waiting wanting you. 305 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:50,080 It's going to explode. 306 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:51,080 He's a good man. 307 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:52,760 He is a good man. 308 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:54,360 Praise the Lord. 309 00:19:54,360 --> 00:19:59,880 And so with Kenya, things there that are just happening, it's just you see when God's in 310 00:19:59,880 --> 00:20:01,560 something you just see it happen. 311 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:07,240 You just got to keep up and let God do what he does and follow the call. 312 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:13,680 And so, you know, the director of education gave us the thumbs up. 313 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:18,080 He said, we need this in this nation. 314 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:25,360 What it is, it's a training school to help students that have dropped out of school that 315 00:20:25,360 --> 00:20:29,280 probably thought they'd never get a chance of learning a trade. 316 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:35,480 That this training school gives them the opportunity to get their education up and also to go through 317 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:44,800 some character development and teachers from that are plumbers, a nurse, whatever, builder. 318 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:50,160 They're volunteering their time to take students for a three to six week course, whatever it 319 00:20:50,160 --> 00:20:56,640 takes to give them like the pre vocational training before they can apply for polytech. 320 00:20:56,640 --> 00:21:01,800 And even so, the governor found out about that meeting and contacted us and wanted to 321 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:02,920 meet us. 322 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:04,600 And that's when we met him. 323 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:08,800 Some advice I can give you if you're going to meet the governor, don't eat lollipops. 324 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:09,800 It doesn't work. 325 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:18,760 I want to thank Anthony because incredibly instrumental in seeing this school to get to 326 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:19,760 where it is. 327 00:21:19,760 --> 00:21:22,280 We want to honor you too, Anthony. 328 00:21:22,280 --> 00:21:29,200 We really do. 329 00:21:29,200 --> 00:21:31,560 Student sponsorship in Kenya is a great need. 330 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:37,280 However, God is making it happen for the students to be able to apply with polytech or it's 331 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:40,400 $150 Aussie a year. 332 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:44,400 Some of you guys didn't even hear it from my mouth what we were doing and already giving 333 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:47,240 to the student sponsorship. 334 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:48,320 It's just amazing. 335 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:52,760 The process with NGO status is in play and other things that are happening. 336 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:58,120 The story with Rohan, we had the crossover prayer meeting this year and Rohan came to 337 00:21:58,120 --> 00:22:02,920 a prayer meeting thinking that probably go home and never come back here again. 338 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:03,920 Maybe I don't know. 339 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:11,760 But a connection was made and Rohan's family in Kenya, Rohan born in Kenya, speaks Swahili. 340 00:22:11,760 --> 00:22:16,880 I haven't heard you speak Swahili yet, but I'll have a go later. 341 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:22,560 But his father is in business, his mother in ministry, both of them in ministry and 342 00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:26,520 yet his father's got the context to get all these legalities sorted out. 343 00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:29,320 It's just only God does that. 344 00:22:29,320 --> 00:22:31,280 It's just amazing. 345 00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:37,200 And so I'm speaking about the lightbearers, lightbearers, people that have gone and brought 346 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:42,120 light in darkness and made a change and making a change in this world. 347 00:22:42,120 --> 00:22:48,400 As Pastor David Kamara and his wife, Mariamma in Sierra Leone, National Ambassadors for United 348 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,840 World Ministries doing an incredible work. 349 00:22:50,840 --> 00:22:53,660 And you might be thinking, what's a National Ambassador? 350 00:22:53,660 --> 00:22:59,560 What it is is United World Ministries in every nation that we're in, God connects us supernaturally 351 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:05,400 with one person and that person we spend time with and we're convinced that this is a good 352 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:06,940 person to work with. 353 00:23:06,940 --> 00:23:12,120 We establish them as a National Ambassador for their country and we help establish a 354 00:23:12,120 --> 00:23:14,620 committee around about them. 355 00:23:14,620 --> 00:23:19,360 So they're all of the resources we have in United World Ministries, we give to them and 356 00:23:19,360 --> 00:23:22,080 then they administered out to their nation. 357 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:28,440 So what it is, say in Kenya, it's the Kenyans empowering Kenyans, it's not the white people. 358 00:23:28,440 --> 00:23:34,840 So we're empowering the locals to do the work and it's very well received, very, very 359 00:23:34,840 --> 00:23:35,840 well received. 360 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:42,120 So in Moys Bridge district, Eldorette and that, there's been over 1200 senior pastors 361 00:23:42,120 --> 00:23:46,920 go through two years of Bible college and let me tell you, it has transformed their 362 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:47,920 churches. 363 00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:54,080 The kingdom of God is growing, no matter what you may read or hear that Islam or whatever 364 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:59,120 is taking over Christianity, let me assure you, it is not. 365 00:23:59,120 --> 00:24:03,240 Christianity is still the strongest growing, for lack of a better word, religion on the 366 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:05,440 face of the earth and always will be. 367 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:10,800 And I'll tell you why, is because the founder of all those other religions is not alive, 368 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:15,000 they're in a grave, but the founder of Christianity is alive forevermore. 369 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:19,760 He is not dead, he is alive and he's moving through his people and building the kingdom 370 00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:21,800 of God here on earth. 371 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:23,920 So our founder is still alive. 372 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:25,460 How good is that? 373 00:24:25,460 --> 00:24:27,440 How good is that? 374 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:33,760 Pastor Seth Tether and his wife Sandy, National Ambassadors in Ghana, incredible work that 375 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:38,720 these guys are doing, the light that is being shone, the resources we give to them, they, 376 00:24:38,720 --> 00:24:40,520 boy, do they use it. 377 00:24:40,520 --> 00:24:42,780 It's just amazing. 378 00:24:42,780 --> 00:24:50,080 Pastor David Matavu and Pastor Betty, you remember Pastor David and his wife Somali 379 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:57,160 in Uganda, my goodness, their ministry has exploded over there. 380 00:24:57,160 --> 00:25:03,440 Then there's Pastor Timothy and Swapna Manoa in India, Tribal Missions India, they do incredible 381 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:04,440 work. 382 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:05,560 They go and walk on foot. 383 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:09,600 One day he called me and he said, brother, he said, can you pray for us, we're going 384 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:10,600 on a mission. 385 00:25:10,600 --> 00:25:11,600 I said, okay. 386 00:25:11,600 --> 00:25:12,600 He said, we need protection. 387 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:15,200 I said, are you worried about rebels and things? 388 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:17,080 Oh no, the rebels don't bother us. 389 00:25:17,080 --> 00:25:20,720 There's two nights we're walking through a forest that we got to sleep there and the 390 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:22,800 Bengal tigers, whatever they are, are there. 391 00:25:22,800 --> 00:25:24,360 We just want you to agree with us. 392 00:25:24,360 --> 00:25:28,080 I'm thinking, dude, you're a real Christian. 393 00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:34,080 See, these are the kind of people that we are connected with, that you are connected 394 00:25:34,080 --> 00:25:35,660 with. 395 00:25:35,660 --> 00:25:42,760 We are planning an international conference where all of these ambassadors will be here. 396 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:49,120 We almost did it before COVID hit and I want you to meet these people personally and you'll 397 00:25:49,120 --> 00:25:51,480 see what I'm telling you is true. 398 00:25:51,480 --> 00:25:57,920 They are world changes, wonderful men and women of God that have given their life to 399 00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:01,720 the cause of the gospel, doing incredible things. 400 00:26:01,720 --> 00:26:10,680 We also now have on the go, Togo is calling every week, Rob, come. 401 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:13,440 I'm coming. 402 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:22,440 Liberia, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Burundi, there are others but we just can't do it right 403 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:23,440 now. 404 00:26:23,440 --> 00:26:27,680 We've got to do it in time. 405 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:30,480 There's such a thing called doughnutting. 406 00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:32,320 You ever heard of doughnutting? 407 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:35,480 That you grow out too fast and you leave nothing in the middle? 408 00:26:35,480 --> 00:26:37,880 You've got to be careful of that. 409 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:42,440 I've had to learn that. 410 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:48,640 As I mentioned before, trying to recover 16 other nations, their details, we will find 411 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:49,640 them. 412 00:26:49,640 --> 00:26:52,180 It's just there's one of them is Haiti. 413 00:26:52,180 --> 00:26:57,560 They have contacted us recently and said, are there any pastors in Australia that will 414 00:26:57,560 --> 00:26:58,980 come to Haiti? 415 00:26:58,980 --> 00:27:00,420 Can I put an invitation? 416 00:27:00,420 --> 00:27:04,200 Anyone here want to go to Haiti? 417 00:27:04,200 --> 00:27:06,820 They're quiet. 418 00:27:06,820 --> 00:27:09,400 It's not advisable to go there now. 419 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:17,720 We have pastors, Rowley and Claire Thorndyke that have been a successful ministry in Warwick 420 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:23,420 and been to China, I don't know how many times, bringing Bibles across the border and ministering 421 00:27:23,420 --> 00:27:24,600 to people. 422 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:29,440 The work of bringing light into a dark place is just an amazing thing. 423 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:35,920 But I don't want to forget the light bearers at HQ headquarters, the administration team 424 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:42,720 of United World Ministries and also the congregation of Logan City Christian Church that for a 425 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:51,080 bit over two years, you fed thousands and thousands of people, kept them alive. 426 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:56,880 I showed the videos when we got back from the August trip and one meeting there, there 427 00:27:56,880 --> 00:28:01,440 were over 3000 people gathered taking food home to a family of five. 428 00:28:01,440 --> 00:28:04,080 That's a lot of people. 429 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:12,000 And it was you, it was your generosity that from home through your giving, great light 430 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:16,400 was shining over in a foreign land. 431 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:18,280 And it made a big difference. 432 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:20,540 Let me tell you what happened. 433 00:28:20,540 --> 00:28:25,320 When we were beginning to sow the vision of different things of United World Ministries, 434 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:32,720 including the school, people they hear but not necessarily are listening. 435 00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:36,840 And when they found out this was the ministry that was feeding their people for over two 436 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:42,120 years, they dropped what they were doing and they came to listen. 437 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:47,400 We didn't know that that feeding program later on was going to open up great and effective 438 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:48,400 doors for the ministry. 439 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:49,560 We had no idea. 440 00:28:49,560 --> 00:28:51,720 And you don't do it for that. 441 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:56,280 You do it because people are hungry and people were dying and they needed to eat. 442 00:28:56,280 --> 00:29:03,320 And I know all of us, we gave sacrificially through that and great work had happened. 443 00:29:03,320 --> 00:29:04,440 Absolutely. 444 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:11,720 That revival meeting that you saw on the church, what was not filmed was the multitude of people 445 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:18,880 outside the building that were dancing and they were just so grateful, just so, so grateful. 446 00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:24,600 So I'd like to say that the light bearers, we're all light bearers. 447 00:29:24,600 --> 00:29:30,600 We may never leave this nation of Australia, but we're light bearers. 448 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:38,720 Another exciting update is that in Kenya and they're spreading the news to other African 449 00:29:38,720 --> 00:29:45,120 countries, I've put the word out there that how many of you guys feel that you're called 450 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:50,120 to be trained as a missionary to actually leave your country and go somewhere? 451 00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:52,400 So many hands went up. 452 00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:57,520 When I asked the question, how many of you have got Israel on your heart and nearly all 453 00:29:57,520 --> 00:29:59,840 the hands stayed up? 454 00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:02,400 Nearly all of them. 455 00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:11,480 So we spent considerable time focusing on the very need that Israel has right now, right 456 00:30:11,480 --> 00:30:12,480 now. 457 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:19,360 So these guys there, well, Pastor Samuel is just saying, you've started something, we 458 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:20,720 have to finish. 459 00:30:20,720 --> 00:30:24,240 These guys have almost got their bags packed. 460 00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:26,560 That's how keen they are. 461 00:30:26,560 --> 00:30:27,560 Israel needs help. 462 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:28,560 Israel needs our prayer. 463 00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:36,080 You know, we must never forget Jerusalem was the birthplace of the first church where 464 00:30:36,080 --> 00:30:40,880 Jesus was born, our savior. 465 00:30:40,880 --> 00:30:46,480 All these things originated in Jerusalem, in Israel. 466 00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:52,560 And it's any wonder why it's the most hotly contested piece of real estate on planet Earth 467 00:30:52,560 --> 00:30:55,880 and always has been. 468 00:30:55,880 --> 00:31:03,080 I believe part of the reason is, as the prophecy is, is that Jesus is coming back to that same 469 00:31:03,080 --> 00:31:05,280 place. 470 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:08,720 I believe the devil's in great fear. 471 00:31:08,720 --> 00:31:13,040 There's nothing the devil can do to stop the work of God. 472 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:17,280 Nothing he can do to stop it. 473 00:31:17,280 --> 00:31:19,240 Church pray for Israel. 474 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:24,240 Keep Israel in your prayers every day and pray for these pastors that are about to be 475 00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:28,080 trained to go to Israel. 476 00:31:28,080 --> 00:31:33,560 Some of them are going to countries where there are persecuted churches. 477 00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:39,000 In time coming, a little bit after Easter time, we have Steve Swenson that is part of 478 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:44,320 Open Doors Ministry Now that brings awareness about the persecuted church. 479 00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:46,360 He's going to be coming and showing a video. 480 00:31:46,360 --> 00:31:53,240 I think you guys are going to be blessed, but also deeply grieved to hear the stories 481 00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:57,640 what's happening in some church, some countries to the Christians. 482 00:31:57,640 --> 00:31:59,760 It is so, so sad. 483 00:31:59,760 --> 00:32:01,040 So, so sad. 484 00:32:01,040 --> 00:32:04,520 So it's an awareness that we know. 485 00:32:04,520 --> 00:32:12,920 I also like to make special mention and unfortunately they're not here today, is to Jeff and Betty 486 00:32:12,920 --> 00:32:16,480 Armstrong. 487 00:32:16,480 --> 00:32:20,680 Been sitting in the middle over there for the last few weeks and if you've seen them, 488 00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:24,640 you probably don't know who they are and they don't tell anybody who they are and what they've 489 00:32:24,640 --> 00:32:25,640 done. 490 00:32:25,640 --> 00:32:30,240 Let me tell you, these guys have probably been some of Australia's most influential 491 00:32:30,240 --> 00:32:35,120 people regarding missions and getting the gospel out there than I've ever known and 492 00:32:35,120 --> 00:32:39,760 others have ever, ever known, yet you won't hear it from them. 493 00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:44,240 Global Development Group, it's a world changing ministry. 494 00:32:44,240 --> 00:32:50,240 I wouldn't know where to start to inform you the difference that they have made transforming 495 00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:57,840 nations but I believe up to date they are in 42 different nations doing incredible work. 496 00:32:57,840 --> 00:33:03,080 They have over nearly 2 million contacts around the world. 497 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:10,340 This is the last I remembered, 1.8 million I think it is contacts and the overflow effect 498 00:33:10,340 --> 00:33:16,680 of that is multiple millions of people that their ministry is affecting on a daily basis. 499 00:33:16,680 --> 00:33:19,080 There's a strong light shining there. 500 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:24,760 So missions is a very important part of our Christian walk and as I close, I'd like to 501 00:33:24,760 --> 00:33:31,680 finish with Psalm 2, a very powerful passage of scripture that really Keith Hanna was 502 00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:39,120 the man of God who trained me for missions and he brought this scripture to me and he 503 00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:44,320 said if you can keep this understanding in your heart and know it and go over it and 504 00:33:44,320 --> 00:33:50,800 over it and over it, he said the fire for missions is highly likely to be extinguished 505 00:33:50,800 --> 00:33:53,280 and he's right. 506 00:33:53,280 --> 00:34:00,040 Keith Hanna has done incredible work of missions as far as on the ground in Sumatra and other 507 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:03,800 countries India, I mean he's been everywhere. 508 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:08,000 Thousands and thousands of Bible schools, churches, you name it, it's been planted and 509 00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:12,920 majority of which are still running to this very day. 510 00:34:12,920 --> 00:34:14,920 Changing lives, changing lives. 511 00:34:14,920 --> 00:34:22,000 But I want to read Psalm 2, all of it, it's only 12 verses and the verse 1 it starts, 512 00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:27,560 why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing? 513 00:34:27,560 --> 00:34:33,240 The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the 514 00:34:33,240 --> 00:34:39,000 Lord, against his anointed saying, let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away 515 00:34:39,000 --> 00:34:41,520 their cords from us. 516 00:34:41,520 --> 00:34:48,560 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall hold them in diversion and he shall 517 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:51,640 speak to them in his wrath. 518 00:34:51,640 --> 00:34:56,680 To distress and distress them in his deep displeasure. 519 00:34:56,680 --> 00:35:01,760 Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion. 520 00:35:01,760 --> 00:35:08,840 I will declare the decree the Lord has said to me, you are my son, today I have begotten 521 00:35:08,840 --> 00:35:09,840 you. 522 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:16,160 Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance and the ends of the earth 523 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:18,040 for your possession. 524 00:35:18,040 --> 00:35:22,520 You shall break them with the rod of iron and shall dash them into pieces like a potter's 525 00:35:22,520 --> 00:35:23,520 vessel. 526 00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:31,720 Now therefore, be wise, O kings, be instructed you judges of the earth, serve the Lord with 527 00:35:31,720 --> 00:35:35,040 fear and rejoice with trembling. 528 00:35:35,040 --> 00:35:42,640 Kiss the son lest he be angry and you perish in the way when his wrath is kindled but a 529 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:49,360 little less to those who put their trust in him. 530 00:35:49,360 --> 00:35:58,320 We are seeing today like never before this passage of scripture playing out in real life 531 00:35:58,320 --> 00:36:03,400 and it starts off by why do the nations rage and plot vain things? 532 00:36:03,400 --> 00:36:09,880 You know in Acts chapter 4, I think it's verse 25 somewhere there, there's a story, an account 533 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:11,760 of what happened. 534 00:36:11,760 --> 00:36:16,120 Before that, Peter and John were on their way to the temple and they went, you know, 535 00:36:16,120 --> 00:36:20,400 that time of prayer and there was that man that was crippled from birth sitting at the 536 00:36:20,400 --> 00:36:26,760 gate beautiful and so they walked up to him and the man thought that they were going to 537 00:36:26,760 --> 00:36:33,520 give him money and Peter says to him, silver and gold have we none but what I have I give 538 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:36,000 to you. 539 00:36:36,000 --> 00:36:39,840 That is like the mission statement. 540 00:36:39,840 --> 00:36:42,280 That is a mission statement right there. 541 00:36:42,280 --> 00:36:50,640 He said in the name of Jesus, rise up and walk and this guy got up on his feet, crippled 542 00:36:50,640 --> 00:36:55,520 from birth and started leaping and dancing and praising God. 543 00:36:55,520 --> 00:37:00,320 I thank God I've had the blessing of seeing this happen in real life. 544 00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:01,640 It is an incredible thing. 545 00:37:01,640 --> 00:37:05,120 You tell me, ask me, does it change a community? 546 00:37:05,120 --> 00:37:07,560 Oh yes, it does. 547 00:37:07,560 --> 00:37:11,680 The first meeting there were probably 200 people. 548 00:37:11,680 --> 00:37:16,040 The following meeting the next day you couldn't see four people. 549 00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:18,760 There were just everywhere. 550 00:37:18,760 --> 00:37:24,120 The word of miracles and signs and wonders, they come but you need to be careful that 551 00:37:24,120 --> 00:37:27,360 they don't come for that and that alone. 552 00:37:27,360 --> 00:37:31,420 Need to be careful to sow the word that it is Jesus. 553 00:37:31,420 --> 00:37:34,320 That is what Jesus did. 554 00:37:34,320 --> 00:37:37,400 Don't come for a miracle without wanting to know Christ. 555 00:37:37,400 --> 00:37:41,760 I mean that happens but we need to be careful. 556 00:37:41,760 --> 00:37:47,440 So what happened was they get arrested for doing a good deed. 557 00:37:47,440 --> 00:37:51,840 They get locked up and then all these things happen that they got in trouble for doing 558 00:37:51,840 --> 00:37:55,400 a good deed and then they let them go. 559 00:37:55,400 --> 00:38:00,080 What they did, they got together with the apostles and they said exactly the same scripture 560 00:38:00,080 --> 00:38:01,080 here. 561 00:38:01,080 --> 00:38:03,640 Why do the nations rage and the people plot vain things? 562 00:38:03,640 --> 00:38:07,960 The kings of the earth set themselves and rulers take counsel together against the Lord 563 00:38:07,960 --> 00:38:10,720 and against his anointed. 564 00:38:10,720 --> 00:38:13,400 Nothing has changed and this is what is happening. 565 00:38:13,400 --> 00:38:14,840 Let me read on. 566 00:38:14,840 --> 00:38:19,660 They say, let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us. 567 00:38:19,660 --> 00:38:21,460 So what does that mean? 568 00:38:21,460 --> 00:38:23,280 What that means is they break their bonds. 569 00:38:23,280 --> 00:38:28,320 They're saying let's break the bonds of Christianity. 570 00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:32,920 We don't want Christianity to rule our lives anymore. 571 00:38:32,920 --> 00:38:36,680 Let's break the bonds of this godliness. 572 00:38:36,680 --> 00:38:40,200 That's exactly what that is meaning here today. 573 00:38:40,200 --> 00:38:46,120 It's saying let us reject this godly authority that restrains us from doing what we want 574 00:38:46,120 --> 00:38:47,120 to do. 575 00:38:47,120 --> 00:38:49,720 Does that sound familiar? 576 00:38:49,720 --> 00:38:50,720 Hello? 577 00:38:50,720 --> 00:38:57,240 It's very familiar and this is where we're at today and we're not seeing it get any better. 578 00:38:57,240 --> 00:39:00,160 And it says and cast away their cords from us. 579 00:39:00,160 --> 00:39:01,600 What does the cords mean? 580 00:39:01,600 --> 00:39:06,040 It means there's no obligation to serve God. 581 00:39:06,040 --> 00:39:09,600 So we're going to go out and tell everybody you don't have to serve God. 582 00:39:09,600 --> 00:39:12,920 We're going to break the restraints and we're going to be free. 583 00:39:12,920 --> 00:39:14,880 Finally we'll be free to do what we want. 584 00:39:14,880 --> 00:39:18,080 We want nothing to do with God. 585 00:39:18,080 --> 00:39:23,480 We're hearing that today like never before. 586 00:39:23,480 --> 00:39:28,240 But it says here, he who sits in the heavens shall laugh. 587 00:39:28,240 --> 00:39:33,440 We always need to understand that God is always in control. 588 00:39:33,440 --> 00:39:38,760 No matter what man does or what they engineer or how far they push Christ out of our schools, 589 00:39:38,760 --> 00:39:43,640 how they push Christ out of our universities, how they push Christ out of Christian schools 590 00:39:43,640 --> 00:39:52,720 that they're trying now and trying to bring in laws that churches will have to accept 591 00:39:52,720 --> 00:39:59,000 this, I'm trying to think of the word what it is, that we will have to comply to like 592 00:39:59,000 --> 00:40:00,000 an order. 593 00:40:00,000 --> 00:40:05,240 Let me say that that'll never happen in the true church of Jesus Christ. 594 00:40:05,240 --> 00:40:06,960 It's never going to happen. 595 00:40:06,960 --> 00:40:12,920 It may happen with some but those who truly uphold Christ as the anointed one, as the 596 00:40:12,920 --> 00:40:18,360 head of the church, the one in whom we serve, on whom we love, we will never sell out his 597 00:40:18,360 --> 00:40:24,520 church at all, ever sell it out. 598 00:40:24,520 --> 00:40:27,840 The Lord shall hold them, derision. 599 00:40:27,840 --> 00:40:32,840 That means here that regardless what they're saying and what they're doing, they're going 600 00:40:32,840 --> 00:40:36,600 to see the Lord's work continue no matter how hard they try. 601 00:40:36,600 --> 00:40:38,040 He's going to humble them. 602 00:40:38,040 --> 00:40:41,820 He's going to say, you know what, you're not as smart as you think you are. 603 00:40:41,820 --> 00:40:44,920 These things that you're going to do, you're doing them but you're wasting your time. 604 00:40:44,920 --> 00:40:49,600 But my mission, my missionaries, my people, my Christians, the churches and those that 605 00:40:49,600 --> 00:40:54,000 are upholding truth and preaching truth and going into the nations, they're out there 606 00:40:54,000 --> 00:40:59,160 bringing light into darkness, you're not going to stop them. 607 00:40:59,160 --> 00:41:01,600 You will never hold them back. 608 00:41:01,600 --> 00:41:10,520 And Jesus said about the church of Jesus Christ, even though the gates of Hades may come against 609 00:41:10,520 --> 00:41:13,200 it, it will not prevail. 610 00:41:13,200 --> 00:41:14,740 Amen. 611 00:41:14,740 --> 00:41:17,560 We must remember these things. 612 00:41:17,560 --> 00:41:24,560 And then he shall speak to them in his wrath and distress them in his deep displeasure. 613 00:41:24,560 --> 00:41:26,960 Yet I have set my king. 614 00:41:26,960 --> 00:41:27,960 Hang on. 615 00:41:27,960 --> 00:41:32,600 God has said, but I have set my king. 616 00:41:32,600 --> 00:41:35,880 God chose his king. 617 00:41:35,880 --> 00:41:37,040 We got that? 618 00:41:37,040 --> 00:41:39,640 That's important to understand here. 619 00:41:39,640 --> 00:41:44,840 Because of ungodly authority and kings of the earth, God's going, it's not going to 620 00:41:44,840 --> 00:41:45,840 work. 621 00:41:45,840 --> 00:41:49,040 I have my king, I've set up my king and he's in place. 622 00:41:49,040 --> 00:41:50,520 You're not going to move anything. 623 00:41:50,520 --> 00:41:54,560 And he said, I've established him on my holy hill of Zion. 624 00:41:54,560 --> 00:41:58,960 I will declare the decree the Lord has said to me, you are my son. 625 00:41:58,960 --> 00:42:00,040 Today I've begotten you. 626 00:42:00,040 --> 00:42:07,320 In other words, that the ministry of Jesus Christ has been established forever and ever 627 00:42:07,320 --> 00:42:12,160 and ever, never to change, ever. 628 00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:13,840 Praise the Lord. 629 00:42:13,840 --> 00:42:19,840 And then verse eight, ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance and 630 00:42:19,840 --> 00:42:23,320 the ends of the earth for your possession. 631 00:42:23,320 --> 00:42:32,280 So this is speaking about Jesus asking the Lord, but it was already given to him. 632 00:42:32,280 --> 00:42:38,000 What we are seeing today in Revelation chapter seven, verse nine, I think I wrote, I did. 633 00:42:38,000 --> 00:42:43,400 It says, after these things I looked and behold a great multitude, which no one could number 634 00:42:43,400 --> 00:42:48,160 of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues standing before the throne and before the 635 00:42:48,160 --> 00:42:51,740 lamb clothed with white robes, the palm branches in the hand. 636 00:42:51,740 --> 00:42:54,080 How did they get there? 637 00:42:54,080 --> 00:42:59,240 How did all these people of all these different nations, tribes and tongues get there? 638 00:42:59,240 --> 00:43:04,160 They got there because of the work of missionaries, the work of the Christians, the light that 639 00:43:04,160 --> 00:43:09,540 was continually shining on earth in spite of all of the negative oppression that comes 640 00:43:09,540 --> 00:43:11,360 against us. 641 00:43:11,360 --> 00:43:16,920 And these are the very people that the word of God says are the inheritance of Christ. 642 00:43:16,920 --> 00:43:20,320 He came for people, didn't come for his own glory. 643 00:43:20,320 --> 00:43:23,840 He came to seek and save those who were lost. 644 00:43:23,840 --> 00:43:27,760 So he said, ask of me and I'll give you the nations as your inheritance to the ends of 645 00:43:27,760 --> 00:43:29,760 the earth for your possession. 646 00:43:29,760 --> 00:43:32,280 And this goes on that you shall break them with the right of mind. 647 00:43:32,280 --> 00:43:34,400 In other words, it's saying the authority of Christ. 648 00:43:34,400 --> 00:43:37,720 So what am I saying out of all of this scripture here? 649 00:43:37,720 --> 00:43:44,720 No matter what this world is trying to dictate through multimedia, through the news, through 650 00:43:44,720 --> 00:43:50,520 world orders, through whatever organization that they established throughout this world 651 00:43:50,520 --> 00:43:59,880 that tried to contain or limit or cage Christianity, placing laws, restricting us, making things 652 00:43:59,880 --> 00:44:01,120 illegal. 653 00:44:01,120 --> 00:44:05,400 Nothing is going to work. 654 00:44:05,400 --> 00:44:07,040 Come on. 655 00:44:07,040 --> 00:44:09,800 Nothing's going to work. 656 00:44:09,800 --> 00:44:11,320 It won't work. 657 00:44:11,320 --> 00:44:13,600 The only way it'll work is we give up. 658 00:44:13,600 --> 00:44:18,240 If we stop sharing the word, we stop going out to nations and stop helping people, that's 659 00:44:18,240 --> 00:44:19,600 the only way it'll work. 660 00:44:19,600 --> 00:44:21,800 Don't be intimidated. 661 00:44:21,800 --> 00:44:23,680 Be strong. 662 00:44:23,680 --> 00:44:27,720 We've been called to change this world one day at a time. 663 00:44:27,720 --> 00:44:28,720 Guess what? 664 00:44:28,720 --> 00:44:31,600 It's happening. 665 00:44:31,600 --> 00:44:34,880 Christianity is a major influence in this world. 666 00:44:34,880 --> 00:44:41,040 And it has been since the birth of Christ, the change that took place, shook this world 667 00:44:41,040 --> 00:44:43,240 to its very core. 668 00:44:43,240 --> 00:44:51,200 The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus made such an impact in this world that the 669 00:44:51,200 --> 00:44:58,080 kingdom of darkness didn't know what to do and still doesn't know what to do. 670 00:44:58,080 --> 00:45:08,040 Christianity, I love this, is the strongest, most powerful, loving, caring force on the 671 00:45:08,040 --> 00:45:11,400 face of the earth. 672 00:45:11,400 --> 00:45:14,000 You're part of it. 673 00:45:14,000 --> 00:45:15,000 You are in. 674 00:45:15,000 --> 00:45:17,200 You're doing it. 675 00:45:17,200 --> 00:45:18,200 How good is that? 676 00:45:18,200 --> 00:45:25,560 Now as I close, I'm not 100% sure that everybody here this morning has received Christ as their 677 00:45:25,560 --> 00:45:27,840 personal Lord and Savior. 678 00:45:27,840 --> 00:45:34,600 If you haven't, would you allow me to give you that opportunity this morning to receive 679 00:45:34,600 --> 00:45:41,760 Christ and be part of a world-changing team, the Church of Jesus Christ? 680 00:45:41,760 --> 00:45:45,520 I know for many years, 30 years, I was on the outer. 681 00:45:45,520 --> 00:45:47,480 I used to mock Christians. 682 00:45:47,480 --> 00:45:55,240 I used to imitate TV evangelists in the lunchroom at work, up on the table, you know, imitating 683 00:45:55,240 --> 00:45:56,240 them. 684 00:45:56,240 --> 00:46:02,840 And I think God had the last laugh because you don't mock the one who calls you. 685 00:46:02,840 --> 00:46:08,800 But the thing is, is eventually God got my heart. 686 00:46:08,800 --> 00:46:14,240 If you haven't given your heart to Christ today, I encourage you. 687 00:46:14,240 --> 00:46:15,560 You have not yet done it. 688 00:46:15,560 --> 00:46:19,800 It'll be the greatest thing that you'll ever do. 689 00:46:19,800 --> 00:46:23,200 People are searching for peace through various different means. 690 00:46:23,200 --> 00:46:30,520 Drugs and alcohol and sex and other things, they're trying to find that plate of fulfillment, 691 00:46:30,520 --> 00:46:34,320 but you'll never find it until you accept Christ. 692 00:46:34,320 --> 00:46:38,280 He's the missing part of humanity if you don't already have Him. 693 00:46:38,280 --> 00:46:43,880 A person said to me one day, he said, the reason why I don't want to receive Christ 694 00:46:43,880 --> 00:46:46,520 is because I don't want to give up everything I've got to receive Him. 695 00:46:46,520 --> 00:46:49,280 I said, oh, so you understand the process. 696 00:46:49,280 --> 00:46:52,120 He said, yes. 697 00:46:52,120 --> 00:46:57,280 As I explained to him, the blessings that you get, it's not what you lose, it's what 698 00:46:57,280 --> 00:46:58,280 you gain. 699 00:46:58,280 --> 00:47:02,200 And I want to express that to you today. 700 00:47:02,200 --> 00:47:07,920 Whatever Christ expects us to leave, it would be good for us. 701 00:47:07,920 --> 00:47:11,440 But look at the benefits we gain when we accept Christ. 702 00:47:11,440 --> 00:47:18,840 Eternal life with God the Father, a blessed life here on earth, favor of God and our lives. 703 00:47:18,840 --> 00:47:19,840 Amen. 704 00:47:19,840 --> 00:47:21,760 A peace unspeakable. 705 00:47:21,760 --> 00:47:28,440 So today, the decision is only one prayer away. 706 00:47:28,440 --> 00:47:32,160 It's only a heart change. 707 00:47:32,160 --> 00:47:37,520 Today I just want you to consider receiving Christ into your life, those watching online 708 00:47:37,520 --> 00:47:38,520 this morning. 709 00:47:38,520 --> 00:47:45,120 If you own that place now that you know that this is what you need to do, sometimes it's 710 00:47:45,120 --> 00:47:50,000 not what we want, but we know it's what we need to receive Christ into your life. 711 00:47:50,000 --> 00:47:56,520 Would you all follow me in a very simple prayer, which will be the beginning of the first steps 712 00:47:56,520 --> 00:48:00,080 of many to come where Christian walk. 713 00:48:00,080 --> 00:48:02,400 Would you follow me in this prayer this morning? 714 00:48:02,400 --> 00:48:10,280 Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus. 715 00:48:10,280 --> 00:48:17,200 I believe in my heart and I confess with my mouth. 716 00:48:17,200 --> 00:48:21,800 You Jesus are the son of God. 717 00:48:21,800 --> 00:48:24,800 You died for me. 718 00:48:24,800 --> 00:48:27,560 God you raised him from the dead. 719 00:48:27,560 --> 00:48:32,400 I believe this and now I have just spoken. 720 00:48:32,400 --> 00:48:37,720 Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 721 00:48:37,720 --> 00:48:45,480 Jesus, I'm calling on your name today to save me. 722 00:48:45,480 --> 00:48:52,120 I turn away from everything I know is wrong and I turn to you. 723 00:48:52,120 --> 00:48:57,880 Please forgive me for all my wrongs and I turn my heart to you Jesus. 724 00:48:57,880 --> 00:48:58,880 Amen. 725 00:48:58,880 --> 00:49:05,280 Now if you're here today and you've prayed that prayer for the first time, you really 726 00:49:05,280 --> 00:49:06,800 meant what you said. 727 00:49:06,800 --> 00:49:08,640 Could you just raise your hand very quickly? 728 00:49:08,640 --> 00:49:11,040 Just let me just see your hand up quickly. 729 00:49:11,040 --> 00:49:12,040 Thank you. 730 00:49:12,040 --> 00:49:13,040 Let me see your hand. 731 00:49:13,040 --> 00:49:14,040 Thank you. 732 00:49:14,040 --> 00:49:16,960 You can put your hand down. 733 00:49:16,960 --> 00:49:18,840 Praise God. 734 00:49:18,840 --> 00:49:21,840 Christianity is not about just attending a church. 735 00:49:21,840 --> 00:49:27,880 We can go to church all our lives and never know Christ. 736 00:49:27,880 --> 00:49:33,240 Christianity is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 737 00:49:33,240 --> 00:49:36,920 Jesus said that I am the way, the truth and the life. 738 00:49:36,920 --> 00:49:40,240 No one comes to the Father but by him. 739 00:49:40,240 --> 00:49:46,880 He didn't say that no one comes to the Father through a church or being baptized in a church. 740 00:49:46,880 --> 00:49:49,360 It's through Jesus. 741 00:49:49,360 --> 00:49:55,760 Do you know that there is no salvation in any church denomination or structure? 742 00:49:55,760 --> 00:49:59,880 There's only salvation in Christ and Christ alone. 743 00:49:59,880 --> 00:50:08,560 Now if that church or denomination preaches that and ministers Christ as the only way, 744 00:50:08,560 --> 00:50:11,480 they've got something to say. 745 00:50:11,480 --> 00:50:17,680 But to think that if you were born and raised in a denomination and that your denomination 746 00:50:17,680 --> 00:50:21,600 is your salvation, you have been mistaken. 747 00:50:21,600 --> 00:50:25,200 It is not how salvation works. 748 00:50:25,200 --> 00:50:30,520 Some people have been raised in a particular denomination thinking, well I did the baptism 749 00:50:30,520 --> 00:50:37,160 and I did this and I said all these words and so according to the creed of our denomination 750 00:50:37,160 --> 00:50:41,120 that I'm a Christian, can I challenge that for a moment? 751 00:50:41,120 --> 00:50:44,160 That's not what Jesus said. 752 00:50:44,160 --> 00:50:48,360 That's not what Jesus said. 753 00:50:48,360 --> 00:50:52,160 This is a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 754 00:50:52,160 --> 00:50:57,040 So if you've said that prayer and you meant it, that is your connection with God through 755 00:50:57,040 --> 00:50:58,040 Christ. 756 00:50:58,040 --> 00:50:59,480 Salvation, amen. 757 00:50:59,480 --> 00:51:04,160 Anyone watching online today, if you've given your heart to Christ or renewed your life 758 00:51:04,160 --> 00:51:07,360 in Christ, the information will be on the screen. 759 00:51:07,360 --> 00:51:09,360 We'd love to hear from you. 760 00:51:09,360 --> 00:51:10,360 Amen. 761 00:51:10,360 --> 00:51:11,360 So God bless you all. 762 00:51:11,360 --> 00:51:18,880 God bless you all. 763 00:51:18,880 --> 00:51:20,040 Thank you for joining us. 764 00:51:20,040 --> 00:51:22,720 We pray God's richest blessing on your life. 765 00:51:22,720 --> 00:51:27,360 If you haven't already, make sure to join us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. 766 00:51:27,360 --> 00:51:31,400 You can also find us at logancitychristianchurch.com. 767 00:51:31,400 --> 00:51:32,400 See you next week. 768 00:51:32,400 --> 00:51:34,400 Amen.