Sunny Thoughts from Sunset by Rev. Vance Drum 7-27
Sunset had a great treat on Sunday. Our missionary brother and his wife were with us for Sunday School and the morning worship service.
Doug has been a missionary for the past 31 years, many of us have known him for most of that time, and he has done missions work all over the world.
The Sunday School text was from Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them … and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you….”
The missionary emphasized Jesus’ command, “teaching them….”
He told the story of a great revival that took place on one of the Pacific islands in 1916. So many came to the Lord and got right with God. But then 70 years later another missionary came to the island and found that the people had largely reverted to paganism. The preacher said the reason could be summed up in three words: “No good teaching.”
Good teaching is essential for knowing the truth of God’s word, and for guiding our lives in the path of life.
The worship hour text was from 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12, where Paul said, “The lawless one will be revealed.” At that time people will “refuse to love the truth [but] will believe the lie….”
The preacher said that in these days it is important to love the truth because there are many lies out there.
The preacher told another story about keeping the main thing the main thing. He said there was a youth group of about 30 teens in a church. Their leadership had them doing mostly fun and games, but not much prayer, Bible study, or any other spiritual activity. Another youth minister came along, replacing the first one, and said we’re going to adjust our priorities. We’re going to do some fellowship with God in his word, and in prayer, and develop our relationship with the Lord. The youth group dwindled to seven, and everybody wondered if the minister had made a mistake. But then God began to bless, and in time the youth group grew to a spiritual fellowship of 100, and many teens got saved from so much destruction.
Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” [John 8:32]
Jesus also gave us the key to being a child of God: “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God….” [John 1:12]
The other point the missionary preacher said was that pastors and Christian people should continually develop their love relationship with the Lord so that our walk with Him is always vital and fresh, not stale and empty. In the grocery store we look for fresh fruits and fresh produce. We avoid old vegetables, and food where the “use by” date has passed.
God also wants our walk with him to be not rote or routine but lively, joyful, new every morning — fresh. This takes spiritual discipline — feeding on His word, messaging him always in prayer, and waiting on His response. He is faithful!
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.” [Psalm 100:1-2]
May your day and week be blessed with the blessed presence of the Lord in your life — our prayer for you from your friends at Sunset Christian Church.