Last Sunday, Pastor Jason Finley closed our series through the I Am statements of Jesus with the sermon: “I Am the True Vine,” from John 15:1-11. We considered the truth that true disciples abide in Jesus.

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-2

This Sunday, Pastor Ken Lewis will preach from 2 Timothy 2:1-2. We’ll be considering the truth that God strengthens us by the grace that is in Christ Jesus to entrust the gospel to faithful men and women who will then entrust the gospel others also. As you prepare your heart for our Sunday gathering, let this devotional from Oswald Chambers point you to the strengthening grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Reflect: “The Method of Missions”

Jesus Christ did not say, “Go and save souls” (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, “Go…make disciples of all the nations….” Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. When the disciples returned from their first mission, they were filled with joy because even the demons were subject to them. But Jesus said, in effect, “Don’t rejoice in successful service— the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me” (see Luke 10:17-20). The missionary’s great essential is remaining true to the call of God, and realizing that his one and only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. Remember that there is a passion for souls that does not come from God, but from our desire to make converts to our point of view.

The challenge to the missionary does not come from the fact that people are difficult to bring to salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the perspective of the missionary’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28). Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every individual situation we encounter. The one great challenge to us is— do I know my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God’s sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to trust in what Jesus Christ has said? Or am I abandoning the great supernatural position of limitless confidence in Christ Jesus, which is really God’s only call for a missionary? If I follow any other method, I depart altogether from the methods prescribed by our Lord— “All authority has been given to Me….Go therefore…” (Matthew 28:18-19).

“The Method of Missions,” October 27^th Devotional, in My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers.

Sing: Song List for Sunday

1. “Praise to the Lord the Almighty (Joyful, Joyful),” Arr. Shane & Shane
2. “O Church of Christ Invincible,” by Matt Boswell
3. “Lamb of God,” by Vertical Worship