Welcome to the Kerwin Baptist Church broadcast today. Our desire is for the Word of God to be spread throughout the world so that all may know Christ. Join us now for a portion of one of our services here at Kerwin Baptist Church, located in Kernersville, North Carolina. Ayy. His life for me.
I was there the day my mama went to heaven. I held her hand as she closed her eyes to sleep. I felt the power of ten thousand angels take her away to be crowned at Jesus' feet and I Believe there's a place of heaven I believe in a hill called hell Marie And I believe in a man his name is Jesus and I believe that he gave his life for me Oh, I believe that he gave his life for me Amen. Thank you so much, John, and good song. And thank you, group that sang before that.
And choir, you did a good job on. Thou, O Lord, tonight, that's a hard song to do. And you did Yeah. really good job on it.
So thank you for that, all of our instruments that played. Let me also say it's been a busy day. Um media-wise, sound-wise. Um Grabbing links last minute and getting them synced up where we could show on there and playing music so that we don't Um become any danger. Um to this family and just things back and forth today and our crew back there have done a phenomenal job.
At that, they're very Willing when stuff comes. I appreciate it. Brother David jumped in tonight to help too, and Brother John worked so hard back there with all of our guys, Gary and Chris, and others that helped back there. We don't mention it enough. They have a lot on them, and nobody ever notices it until something goes wrong.
Nobody ever notices the sound man. This is what they see. Until something goes wrong and then like And uh So they don't get thanked. Theirs is the only job that everybody demands perfection. A pastor might mess up.
Well, bless, you know, he's just a man. But bless God, there's a problem in the sound. And it's just for some reason, and I'm going to tell you something. You've heard it for years, but it's true. Satan gets in sound systems.
He just does. There is this thing about the hearing of God's word. Satan fights it. But they've done a good job, not just today, but they always do a good job. But I appreciate the extra effort.
Grab your sheet tonight, praying for missions. I'm just, I want to, it is self-explanatory. Um It might be that, man, I could just do the PowerPoint and read the verses gradually and then give you the. hand out as we leave to keep from jumping ahead and all that. Really, the information is here.
And for sake of time tonight, I'm going to mention just a few of them. And um At the end, I want us to have prayer with Brother Shane and to ask God for safety tomorrow as He travels. And I know you don't know Shane real well. I don't know Shane extremely well, but we've known each other a little bit off and on for these years. but I do want our church to be a blessing to them.
At the end, our ushers are going to be at the doorways. And we want to receive a love offering for Brother Shane to be a blessing to him. They're going to incur a lot of cost. He will, even tomorrow, heading back. And so pray for mama and baby and all those good things.
And um I know that. He is a A laborer. that is worthy of everything that we can do for him. Praying for missions. May I say this: that in every other area of our life, as we have talked about this prayer thing.
That prayer needs to be specific and it needs to be biblical. You've heard me say it a hundred times now, and I'm going to keep saying it. Don't know how long we'll do this series. As long as God says, listen, you need to put some things together on this subject. I found that I think we all want to pray, and no list that I give you is all-inclusive.
These are not the only things that you should be praying for, a missionary. But I have just found that if I have a guide in front of me I want to pray. and I want to help bear their burden. I want to pray for my kids. I want to pray for my wife.
I I want to pray for A wayward person that I know is backslidden. I want to pray for these areas, and that's why we've given you the resources for these things. Because I do want to pray, but if I just lay, if I just get down and I'm going to, well, Lord, you know, I just wait for Him to bring things to my mind. You need to understand Satan's fighting that, and He is trying to keep things from coming to your mind. He's trying to get you tired, and you cannot be sleepy at all, and you get down to pray, all of a sudden now it's hard to concentrate.
And we all know how it goes. But lists help us sometimes. And so this is not all inclusive. But as we continue to grow our missions program here at Kerwin, and we're thankful for that. We support a lot of missionaries.
We have gained a lot of missionaries in the past ten years and um we're doing our best to continue to keep supporting them. We have new people that have come into this church. that probably aren't 100% familiar with faith promise, missions giving. And what that means is faith promise is what you commit to give to missions above your tithe. to the church.
And we believe that God teaches that principle, that we ought to honor God with the first fruits of our increase. and not the net, the gross.
Okay, not what's left after the government. We tithe off of the gross amount before the government even touches it. You're like, ouch! But it's just biblical, okay? If the government gets theirs and everybody else gets theirs, and then we have an amount left, and then we tithe off that, we didn't tithe off the first fruits.
We tithed off the fourth fruits, okay? And so God gives clear instruction in His Word. And if you're going to give, and I hope that you will. Yeah. I want God to bless your life.
And so, we need to do it biblically. And missions, the way our church operates, and many churches do, is that our people give above their tithe to missions. And the more they give, the more missions it goes right to missions, the more missionaries we can take on. And Kerwin, you've done great about that. Before we even went to that system, preached on it numerous times for about a year, and our admissions has greatly increased.
And I thank you for that. But we have more people now, and it should be increasing even more. I preached at a church in Pasco, Washington. The church is larger than our church. Um I preached there a number of times.
Um it's in the north. West part of our country, and it's way up there, Pasco. Just cold, all the time, cold. And in that church, they run probably 800 or 900 people. and with more than that on bigger days and things.
but you go into the hallway of their m administration building. And they have a picture of every missionary that they support. It's on wood plaques. They don't support any missionary less than $100 a month. And they upped that some years back.
So every missionary they give a hundred dollars a month. And as you walk through that corridor, There are over four Hundreds of And forty Missionaries.
Now do the math. Four hundred and forty times at least 100. And that's every month. Besides paying for a building and paying for a mortgage and paying for everything else, and putting air conditioning and up there, heat a lot, and different things. And that was 10 years ago when I was there, and I'm sure they've added even more.
Now we're not as big as them. But we could be doing more than we are. And that's my goal as your pastor. I believe there's a lot of areas we can do better in, and that's what we're striving to do. But I want us to continue to grow in missions.
If we grow in missions, God will grow us. If we grow in missions, God will grow us. And we need to learn how to pray for our missionaries. I want you to notice on your sheet First thing and these first couple I want you to get Tonight. And again, like I said, our time is about gone.
Just a couple minutes here. The first thing I put down is pray that God will call people to missions and that they will answer the call. This is a scriptural mandate given in Matthew chapter 9.
Now notice the verse. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. We know that. Pray ye therefore. The Lord of the harvest.
So pray to the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth laborers. into his harvest. You know, part of missions prayer is us praying that God will continue to call people. and praying that they will answer the call. Pray that he will send forth laborers.
I believe God's still calling. The issue is that people aren't answering.
So we've got to pray about this. Notice number two: as you pray for missions, Remember that you have been called. to missions also. Acts 1.8. Ye shall receive power.
You know, at my age, I don't know if that was my back, if it was my. hip if it was my neck. I'm hoping it was one of those things. Am I doing something wrong here? After I bragged on the sound crew, it was...
Um it might it might be the Cord. That sounds like it, I'm touching Let me hold it up here. That'll work. And uh it was my fault. Um But you and I got to understand that.
We have not just praying for missions.
Now, look at this verse. After the Holy Ghost has come upon you, That's salvation. Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. Remember, Jerusalem was where they were, Judea was further out, Samaria was further out, and then to the other most part of the earth, God has called you to missions.
So you are not only to give to missions but be involved in missions. You give to missions that you can't be at, but you get involved in missions where you are. That's part of praying for missions. Notice thirdly, As we pray for missionaries, and I would suggest We're going to give you on this resource list as we update it. We just added Brother Johnson and of course Brother Shane.
We're going to update our missionary list and we're going to add this to our resources on our resource table. After tonight.
So that you can have a list of every one of our missionaries. We pass these out. periodically throughout the year. for you to have a list of all of them so you can pray for them. And this is what you should be praying.
Notice here, pray that God will open doors for the gospel to be shared. Colossians 4.2. Continue in prayer. And watch in the same with Thanksgiving with all Praying also for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the mystery of Christ for which I'm in bonds.
Now, all through Paul's epistles, Paul was a church planner, but I consider Paul a missionary. And Paul, as he would write back to these churches that he planted, he would tell them how to pray for him. It was great. He would say, Listen, this is the prayer that I need. And he said, Listen, when you're praying for me, Pray that God will open doors.
And the doors opened are for the gospel to be shared. Notice next: pray for the missionary to stay gospel-centered. You see, in Colossians 4, he talks about the mystery of Christ. Pray that God opens the door.
Now, look at verse 4: that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak. Paul said, pray that I get a door opened. And then pray when that door is open that I stay gospel-centered. that I make the most of that. that I speak as I ought to speak.
You know, sometimes God can open the door for the gospel, but when we walk through, we use it for other means. And we need to always stay gospel focused, gospel centered. Notice here, pray that God will give them wisdom to make the most of the time and opportunities they are given. This is all in Colossians 4. Walk in wisdom toward them.
that are without. That's the people Paul was trying to reach. redeeming the time. You see, you and I ought to be praying for our missionaries that God would give them wisdom. to know how to make the most of their opportunities that they get.
Listen, we wouldn't know how to do that. I can't speak those languages and I haven't studied those languages, but you know what? God can open some doors for our brother. That if he opened it for me, I wouldn't know what to do. But if you opened it for him, I'm praying that God will give him wisdom where he's at, that when God opens doors, that he'll make the most of it, that he can redeem the time and notice not just to make the most of the opportunities that they're given.
God's going to open doors for me here.
So I'm praying that God opens doors for him there.
Okay. Notice here at the end, pray that God will help them to make disciples. You know, that's really one of the ultimate purposes of missions. is the salvation of individuals but then to make disciples. Because one person here can't reach the Middle East.
But when a person goes and he wins a person to the Lord, And if you make a disciple out of them, then they reach people. And as they make disciples, then they reach people. That's how it goes.
So that's what we need to be praying for. Most of you and most of us have never prayed some of these things for our missionaries. We'll just say, Lord bless them up there in Iceland. God bless them in Peru. God bless them wherever.
But can I tell you something that God is doing? God is allowing our church to really be involved in missions. You know, when I came here, we were not ascending church for any. particular missionaries. And we are now ascending church for some missionaries.
The Weimers were ascending church for them. Miss Kelly Childers, we're ascending church for her. And she's trying to get back on the field and get back to the Philippines. We are now a sitting church for her. The Pattisons, who are getting ready to go back to the Philippines, we're not going to be their sending church.
Brother Chris's brother's church is going to be their sending church, but we're kind of their home church. And God's brought them here. And God's allowed us to be a conduit that they can work and train and then get to where God wants them to be. And as a church, we ought to be thrilled about that. that God sees us as a place that's missions-minded and has a heart for missions.
But as we are, we've got to learn how to pray for these people. If we are the sending church for a missionary, who's going to pray for them like this if we don't? Who's gonna pray for them like this if we don't?
So Kerwin, we have got to take on some ownership. To pray for our missionaries. in a greater way. Notice on the back, if you would, Pray that God will enable them to be content. and their ministry.
This is a big one. Philippians 4.11. Paul said, Listen, I've learned. Wherever I'm at. to be content.
Listen, we have missionaries that are going to places, I'll be honest with you, some of them, it would be hard for me to be content.
Now when we start supporting somebody in Hawaii, that'll change.
Now we supported the Caribbean Radio Lighthouse. That was hard enough, okay? But I'm just saying that a lot of places where missionaries are going, and it's not all just... Resort living, okay? But I'm just saying, a lot of our missionaries are going to places, it would be hard for me to be content.
And you know, that's one of the greatest things that works against missionaries: they train, they learn the language, they go to the field, and they just can't take it. They're just unhappy. And you and I need to pray. that they'll be content. Notice Pray that God will give strength sufficient to every task they face.
That has to come from God. There's your verse. Pray that God will enable and enlighten you. Notice this. Pray that God will enable and enlighten you to be an encouragement to missionaries.
Do you know that's one way to pray for missions? Is that God, would you allow me, not just enable me, but enlighten me. Let me know when they have needs, let me know when they're struggling. Look at the verse. Paul said in Philippians 4, 14, He says, ye have well done that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Paul says, you've been a blessing to me because while I was gone and you were praying for me, you didn't just pray for me, you communicated during my affliction. You helped me through a rough patch. And a lot of times we don't even know those exist. But pray that God will enlighten you about it. And then he will enable you.
Have you ever, and this is just thinking outside the box, but you know, praying for missions, you ought to pray, God. Help me to be a blessing to one missionary each month. Pray, go through our list. Find out about some situations. Get on their website, look up their their most recent prayer letter And if God lays on your heart, do something.
For a missionary each month, say, I just want to encourage God. I want you to use me, I want to communicate with their affliction. I want you to notice here Galatians 6.9, let us not be weary in well-doing. Pray that they will not let discouragement make them quit. That happens to missionaries too.
Listen, we got guys in the States. That are living in houses, have a regular salary, they haven't left family, they haven't left anything. And they're in the ministry in the States and they get discouraged and quit. If that can happen, don't you think it can happen in Egypt? I mean, don't you think that could happen in the Philippines or somewhere like that?
Of course.
So we've got to help pray for them. That they won't let discouragement make them quit. I quit praying. God help them not to be discouraged. Because that was a wasted prayer.
Everybody gets discouraged. I'm praying that that discouragement won't make them quit. We're all going to have days where we get discouraged. But what we want is for that day not to turn into a week, then it turns to a month, and then it turns to they got to leave the field. Notice this.
Pray that they will make their personal walk with God top priority.
Sometimes, for a missionary, can I tell you something? I hope any missionary we ever support in our church, we pray for them. We don't require anything from them. No, I'm just telling you, some churches do.
Some churches, they support a missionary, they demand a monthly expense report from that missionary. from the church where they plan or whatever they do in Mexico or wherever. There are some churches that Brother Pat Weimer has to literally send a list. of how much toilet paper they purchased this month.
Now to me, that's absolutely ridiculous. Because who is that church sending a report to? Who's checking up on that pastor? I'm too busy. to worry about 80 missionaries.
what they're spending on toilet paper. I'm too busy for that. And you know what I found? God laid us on our heart to support him.
So we're just going to support him. We're going to pray for him. But missionaries many times can be discouraged because they are.
So much is demanded from them. from the people that are supporting them. that they have to produce numbers. to keep people supporting them. And what can be lost in the middle of all that is their personal walk with Christ.
Now last time I checked, look at Matthew 6.33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God. Psalm 19, 14, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be my mind. Be acceptable in thy sight. You and I need to pray for these missionaries that their personal walk with Christ.
will stay the most important thing. I believe that's more important than their ministry. is their relationship with Christ. Because if they lose that relationship, they'll lose their ministry. Notice this, pray that God will deliver them from any that rise up against them.
and people rise up against you in the States. Hey, we got nuts in the States. We got nuts in foreign countries too.
Okay. Look at the verse. He delivereth me. from mine enemies Thou liftest me up above those. That rise up against me.
That verse never said that God would never let anybody rise up against you. The verse said that God will enable you to rise above. Those that rise up against you. We have to take the higher road. Notice here.
Pray that they will stay thankful. Sure is easy to feel lonely, forgotten. Nobody cares when you're a missionary. Psalm 18:49, therefore I will give thanks. Unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen.
I will give thanks. among the heathen.
Somehow staying grateful even though surrounded. Yeah. Pray that God gives them fruit for their labor. You know this verse. Pray that God keeps them safe.
And notice last, pray that God will guide them in every area of ministry. Psalm 32, 8, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way thou shalt go. I will guide thee with mine eye. Listen, our dear brother that we're supporting tonight. God's going to have to guide him.
Hey, listen. Just witnessing where he's going. Wrong person sees it, wrong group sees it, he's in jail. That it's not that way in Carnersville. And guess what that means?
We don't do it in Kernsville.
So he's going all the way to a foreign country to do it where there's jail time. It's free for us to do, and we can't do it. We're too busy. We got other things going. You say, well, bless God, not us, preacher.
Oh, yeah, well, let's just have, let's just have, we're going to go out and witness to people tomorrow night and see how many show up.
So listen. We've got to pray that God will guide them. direct them And I want you to have a list because I want you to start praying. differently for Dear missionaries. Brother Shane.
I want you to come up, if you don't mind. Kneel at one of these. If you'll kneel here at one of these benches, either one's fine. As we close tonight. Not often do we have the opportunity to pray for somebody right before they kind of head back to the field.
Yeah. So this changes, he said, well The greatest news that anyone can receive is the news of the free gift of salvation found in Jesus Christ. It is our desire for you to know him personally. Would you take a moment to hear this to-day? Every man is born with a sin nature.
Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No matter how hard we try, We're not good enough to obtain God's glory. or to get to heaven. Because of that sin carries the penalty of death. Romans 6.23 says, For the wages of sin is death.
But the gift of God is eternal life for the through Jesus Christ our Lord. The wages of our sin, or the payment of our sin, only equals death and separation from God. But it's only through God's gift salvation through Jesus Christ that we can accept Him as our Savior. Jesus Christ paid for your sin debt. The Bible says in Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
All you have to do is receive Christ. by faith as your Saviour. Romans 10.9 says That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Verse 13 continues, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. It's as simple as admitting that you're a sinner believing that Jesus is the only way.
and calling upon his name. Bible says whosoever that's anyone can call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Have you accepted Christ as your personal Savior? There is no greater day than today to take care of this. Would you accept Christ as your Saviour?
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 336-993-5192 or visit our website at Crowin Baptist Church. Dot com. or visits that person at one of our three service times. We hope you have a great rest of your day. God bless you.
Mm-hmm.
