![]() I was reading this tract this morning, and I was overwhelmed again by Jesus’ substitutionary atonement. Jesus was “crushed for my sins” (Isaiah 53:5). It’s easy to allow familiarity with the crucifixion to lessen its impact. We think so much of the physical pain and only occasionally of the spiritual pain. Even Jesus’ phrase “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?!” doesn’t strike us as being the horrific expression of real experience that it was. Don’t miss it though – we’ll never fully understand the weight of the punishment that Christ took…that’s the point of the GOSPEL! We’ll never know it…NEVER! Even when we read and meditate on the crucifixion, and try to put ourselves in Christ’s place, and seek to logically understand what happened in that moment of substitution – we’ll never fully get it. Because Christ paid it ALL! He took ALL that wrath…wrath reserved for me! Jesus was CRUSHED for me, so that I would never know what that was like, even when I read about it in the Bible. Praise be unto our Jesus Christ – our propitiation and substitution! (For more artwork that powerfully illustrates the Gospel, click here. I’m thankful for Full of Eyes ministry for using their free artwork to the glory of Jesus Christ.) ![]() August 14, 2012 Volume 2.6 www.singlefocusindy.org Hey guys! A whole lot is going on right now, not just in Single Focus, but in all of your lives, too. Since the spring, we've watched the Lord move many of our friends away from Indy, and in the next few weeks, many of you will head back to your colleges and universities. It's tough to say good-bye, and Dawn and I have already resigned ourselves to this unavoidable aspect of singles ministry. We're thankful that as you go, we can "commend you to God and to the Word of His grace" (Acts 20:32). In the meantime, there is still a lot going on in Single Focus! So, let me keep you updated on the highlights. What's Happening with Single Focus? (BTW, if you miss some information somewhere, Facebook, Twitter, or our website should have it. You can also stay up-to-date with what's going on by subscribing to the Single Focus calendar. Girls, you can even follow us on Pinterest! Please, guys, no comments about Pastor Keith being on Pinterest.) :)
What's So Funny? And, just in case you haven't heard it yet, I give you the famous Chick-Fil-A song. Warmly in Christ, Keith ![]() I understand the thinking of the libertine. Giving him the benefit of the doubt here, I think he probably understands God’s grace better than most of us do. From Paul’s perspective, it is because the libertine understands the lavish nature and dominating power of God’s grace that he decides to continue in sin (Romans 6:1). So, while it is a wrong conclusion that the amazingness of grace gives us the allowance to continue in sin, it is an understandable conclusion when God’s grace is properly grasped. So, accepting Paul’s warning in Romans 6:2ff that we must still put off our sin, let us see how he got there by basking in the overwhelming greatness of grace in Romans 5:18-21. In this passage, we find ourselves in Paul’s transition from discussing the righteousness of God in justification (Romans 3:21-5:17) to teaching us of the righteousness of God in sanctification (Romans 6:1-8:17)—both of which are taught in the gospel (Romans 1:16-17). We see that Paul ends his first point on a very high note, contrasting the sin of Adam with the work of Christ. His key point is if Adam’s sin made all men sinners and therefore condemned to hell, how much more will Christ’s obedience result in righteousness and justification to the one who believes (vv. 18-19)! This truth gives a positive light to what we so often look upon as negative—rules. Our negative perspective (and experience) with rules (the law) reminds us that according to verse 20(a), law was instituted by God so that sin would be known and (in a sense) multiply (by magnification). However, the positive goal of that knowledge and multiplication of sin is so that God’s grace can be known and multiply in like (and greater) proportion (v. 20b). The result, then, of the abounding of sin and the consequent super-abounding of grace is found in verse 21. The contrast between sin and grace is highlighted even more poignantly in Paul’s use of grammar. In the first phrase, “reign” is actually the first word in the sentence in the original language and is thus intended to be emphasized. In the second phrase, “grace” is placed first and therefore highlighted. In other words, using italics to emphasize what Paul is saying, “Before you were saved, the king of sin reigned over your life in the dominion of death. It didn’t just influence you to make poor decisions or pressure you to rebel against God or annoy you incessantly; it reigned over you—completely, entirely. However, now that you have attained Christ’s righteousness by faith, that which is reigning in your life is grace.” And Paul has already highlighted in verse 20 how much more powerful than sin is this potentate of grace. The climax of grace’s greatness is discovered in the second half of this verse. Grace reigns and dispenses its power “through righteousness,” the righteousness of Jesus Christ which you already received by faith. So, since you were by faith on the day of your salvation clothed and completed in His righteousness “unto eternal life,” there is never a time when you are without God’s grace! It is always reigning in your life! And although some may rebel against their leader, a powerful ruler will always prevail. So it is with grace! Even though you might not be reading God’s Word to receive grace (Acts 20:32), even though you might be neglecting prayer which is said to channel grace (Hebrews 4:16), even though you may be avoiding those who can minister grace to you through fellowship (Ephesians 4:29), grace still reigns and rules in your life, because you stand clothed in Christ’s righteousness which is the never-ceasing means of God’s grace to you. Just as sure as you have the righteousness of Christ, so you stand complete in the grace of God. As a child of God, you might flee from His work in your life, but you never leave the boundaries of this kingdom of grace through righteousness. Behold the super-abounding nature of grace! Behold the ability of Jesus’ righteousness! Behold the power of the gospel! This is your position! Yes, don’t abuse it, but do let it thrill your heart, as you wrap yourself up in thanksgiving for what Jesus has accomplished on your behalf! ![]() More nuggets from A. W. Tozer's The Knowledge of the Holy in his chapter on "The Wisdom of God." What peace these meditations give to our decision-making in life! I couldn't help but think how applicable this was to our recent decision-making series, especially to last topic of "Decisions about Direction." To believe actively that our Heavenly Father constantly spreads around us providential circumstances that work for our present good and our everlasting well-being brings to the soul a veritable benediction. Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart. There is a better way. It is to repudiate our own wisdom and take instead the infinite wisdom of God. Our insistence upon seeing ahead is natural enough, but it is a real hindrance to our spiritual progress. God has charged Himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the movement we turn in faith to Him. Here is the promise: "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them [Isaiah 42:16]." … With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? ![]() At the Exchange Seminar, Jeff Musgrave defined faith as “not believing that God can, but believing that God will, through me, to the point of stepping out on it” (Hebrews 11:1-6). That is a terrific definition! I loved this quote: “The lost are already within the gates of hell. We need to use the keys of the gospel to rescue them from that realm.” What authority is ours in Christ! When applying some principles from I Samuel 17 to the specifics of boldness in evangelism, Jeff made the following conclusions, which I’ll paraphrase in bullet points to make each one sink in.
![]() I’ve heard many times the truth that God’s judgment is related to His character. In other words, because God is holy/just He cannot tolerate or overlook our sins; and for Him to overlook and not judge sin, would be for Him to cease to be holy/just and therefore cease to be God. So, the judgment of sin is a character/nature issue for God. While it makes sense (and is also true) that God’s love in salvation is also essentially connected to His character, I don’t think I had ever made that sweet connection until tonight. In other words, while we sometimes marvel (with thanksgiving) that God didn’t do what we probably would have done when Adam and Eve blew it — that is, wipe them out and start over — God would not have even considered that, because since His nature is loving, He had to reach out to us and provide a way for us to be close to Him that satisfies His holy/just nature. For God to have done other than that would have been for Him to deny His love and to cease to be the God of the Bible. So, the salvation from sin is also a character/nature issue for God. I’m sure though that God doesn’t think of these things the way we just expressed. I’m sure He didn’t reason after the Fall, “Well, I wish I could start over, but I have to be consistent with My nature of love, so I’ll initiate this plan of redemption.” And I’m sure He doesn’t think about “having” to judge sin because His nature demands it. Since, in the words of Tozer, “all of God does all that God does,” God simply responds to sin with judgment and responded to the Fall with love because in His indivisible nature He is a God of consistent justice and love — that’s just who He is. So, God was not merely “being” loving when He initiated salvation; He, as “love,” was simply being Himself. What a unique Being our God is! What a different Person He is! Hallelujah! He doesn’t change! And His unimproveable nature naturally results in predictable responses from Him toward us — thus, we know that He will both judge sin and extend love, because His nature demands that! His uncompromised holiness, inescapable justice, and incomprehensible love are all simply who He is — thus, both the penalty of sin and the need for salvation are dealt with by the God who is simply being Himself. With this in mind then, if all we knew of the Bible was Genesis 1:1-3:7 (i.e., the Creation and Fall), then we could still loosely predict what would come after — for, knowing that God would simply respond as who He is, we would recognize that both judgment upon sin (which is the response of His holy justice) and a plan of redemption (which is the response of His gracious love) would follow. To God, His holiness is not unique, His standard is not high, and His love is not amazing…at least not in the comparative perspective from which we consider them. The Great One who is outside of time and space is alone “the Great Norm/Constant,” and it is we who are not normal, constant, or predictable. Thus, the appropriate response for us is to stand amazed in His presence and to humbly say, “Thank you, Almighty God, that you are simply Yourself, and therein we have inexpressible joy and steadfast hope!” ![]() The Exchange Seminar this week has been tremendous! God has really blessed Jeff and Anna Musgrave with the ability to clearly and compellingly share the gospel. We have drunk deeply from those rich waters this week, and we have been convinced over and over again, both biblically and testimonially, that the gospel still works. I want to pass along the challenge from Romans 1 with which Jeff started the seminar. These thoughts are very convicting, and combined with some other sermonettes that Jeff is bringing this week, they provide a very appropriate context for each session. In Romans 1:1, Paul affirms that he has been “set apart” to the gospel. While this word choice certainly communicates that there were some things that Paul had been set apart from (i.e., other worldviews, pursuits, etc.), he primarily has in mind here a positive separation. In marriage, a husband is “set apart” to his wife, and while that surely connotes a degree of separation from all other women, it is undoubtedly a positive dissociation because the new union with this one woman is more desirable. We know that Paul does not view this “setting apart” to the gospel as something unique to himself, for in verses 6-7 he refers to all believers as “called” and “set apart ones” (or “saints”). We all have been “set apart” to a more desirable reality – the gospel! But what does this look like? How do I know if I’m cooperating with God’s calling and engaging my life in this new association? I’ve received this new identity positionally, but how do I employ my practice to demonstrate this calling? With four “I am” statements in verses 14-16, Paul pictures for us what being “set apart” to the gospel looks like. From these statements, we discover that the gospel is not something we do, as much as it is something we are. 1. “I am under obligation” (v. 14). Paul is not subscribing to the legalistic “debtor’s ethic” which suggests that we owe God a debt that we should pay back with our lives, for he understands that the debt was already paid by Christ. Nonetheless, the truths of the gospel and our response of faith-filled worship to them will compel us to give ourselves to Jesus and His mission. In this passage, Paul is illustrating that we give ourselves to Jesus by giving ourselves to others. Paul acknowledges that His “not being His own” (cf. I Corinthians 6:19-20) obligated him to struggle on the behalf of others (cf. Colossians 1:24-2:5) – for both the beautiful and not so beautiful, for both the wise and the foolish. Do you recognize that the gospel has given you an obligation to others? 2. “I am eager” (v. 15). Paul was both (1) excited and (2) prepared to preach the gospel to the lost and the saved. I’ve experienced this week that part of what builds excitement in gospel-ministry is preparation for it. Are you prepared and therefore excited to share the gospel? 3. “I am not ashamed” (v. 16). What Paul is really saying here is that he is shameless in sharing the gospel. This is crucial to understand! Being shamelessly faithful in sowing the gospel seed is more important than being compelling, eloquent, reasonable, etc. While shamelessness is perhaps not natural and certainly counter-cultural, we have great reason to be shameless – our message, the gospel, is the “power of God unto salvation”! The gospel works, and Jesus saves, and His testimony through us is the effective means! We must be empowered by claiming by faith Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20 – He is with us! This “with you” life is what God is after, and it is the message of the gospel that constantly brings us back to this reality. So, meditate on the gospel to claim its power, and then speak the gospel to spread its power! Are you shameless in your spreading of the gospel? If you are “in Christ,” you have been “set apart” to His message of good news – the gospel. Are you practicing this calling? Do you recognize the obligation placed upon you by your Lord to labor to “present everyone perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28-29)? Have you prepared yourself to the point of excited faith that God will use you? Is your confidence in the gospel, so that its power is filling you to the point of shameless witness? Remember, the gospel is not something we do, as much as it is something we are. Learn to love the gospel, and allow your many meditations upon it to empower you with boldness to be who you are and to speak what you have become. ![]() I saw this comment on an online forum recently. The commenter was referring to a registered sex offender, also a professing believer, who is facing more criminal charges: "You know, what struck me when I saw that page is that this guy…is only six years older than me. He’s screwed up his life and he’s wasted his life screwing up others’ lives too. I can’t think of a word to describe how that makes me feel. But ugh. Some people are just worthless." How much sin do we have to commit before we are “worthless”? Or, are there certain types of sin that, if engaged in, make us “worthless,” while others just make us…I don’t know…”bad”? The truth is, all of us were born “worthless.” We were born in sin (Psalm 51:5), and there was nothing in us or about us that attracted us to God or made us a more worthy candidate for salvation (Ephesians 2:1-3). The incredible message of the gospel is that although we were worthless, God still loved and redeemed us (Romans 5:6-10). What grace! It is only after we have been recreated by Christ that we have any worth (Colossians 3:9-10), for now we are “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved” (Colossians 3:12). So, in reality, to call someone “worthless” is to state the obvious, but that’s not usually the purpose behind such human indictments. Rather, we typically offer such a censorious label because we’ve taken the role of God, allowing ourselves to judge the eternal (or even temporal) value of that individual and “writing them off” if that’s what our judgment decides. Perhaps we justify such a bold statement by, “Well, Jesus said that you would know them by their fruits,” and we interpret that statement as the allowance to slander and demean an individual whose fruits are obviously missing. Someone who makes an indictment like we read above is failing to consider two very important realities: 1. First, the individual is failing to consider God’s standard. Scripture reveals that there is only One who alone is worthy (Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 12-13). His people have worth and significance only because they are “in Him” (Ephesians 1:3; Colossians 2:10). And for these individuals, God’s standard is incredibly idealistic (Matthew 5:48). For example, God doesn’t just tell His people not to murder; He tells them not to hate (Matthew 5:21-22). God doesn’t just require us to just be kind; He requires us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-47). He doesn’t command a tithe; He commands us to give proportionally to God’s blessing (I Corinthians 16:2). He doesn’t expect a redeemed husband to just be cordial to his wife, but to unconditionally love her (Ephesians 5:25-30). He doesn’t insist that believing children only obey their parents, but that they also honor them (Ephesians 6:1-2). Etc. Etc. And God doesn’t demand that His people just not look at pornography or be a pedophile; He demands that they not lust (Ephesians 5:3-4). So, let you “who is without sin among you” cast the first stone (John 8:7). In ourselves, we daily fall miserably short of God’s ideal standard for His people. The problem is not the idealistic standard; the problem is with me, for while “the spirit is willing…the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38) and “in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing” (Romans 7:18). Hence, the longer Paul walked with God, the more clearly he recognized his own inherent worthlessness (I Corinthians 15:9; Ephesians 3:8; I Timothy 1:15). Therefore, to condemn a fellow-sinner is like one piece of dirt demeaning another piece of dirt for being so dirty. Sin is certainly destructive and at times gruesome, and when we see it in all of its unrestrained and unrepentant ugliness, it is certainly repulsive and warrants condemnation. Nevertheless, in light of God’s standard, such condemnation is not ours to give, for to do so is arrogant and hypocritical on our part, for we also are unworthy. We must allow God to be the Judge, and we must never condemn, “write off,” or conclude the final answer on any man. To do so not only ignores God’s standard, but it also overlooks a second obvious reality. 2. Secondly, the individual is failing to consider God’s grace. God’s grace never ceases to amaze! Just when we think we’ve wrapped our minds around all it can do and the degree to which it extends and the way in which it operates, we see yet another dimension that challenges our view of God. Perhaps the most vivid illustration of the constantly astounding nature of grace is discovered in two words in II Peter 2:7 — “righteous Lot.” He who had selfishly chosen the best of the land while leaving the leftovers to his uncle, he who had willingly surrounded himself with debauchery and taken a leadership role in a culture of licentiousness, he who had piously rebuked the abominable while offering up his own daughters to their base appetites and insatiable lusts, he who allowed his family to be so contaminated by iniquity that he lost his wife and was raped by his daughters — this man is here called “righteous.” While this statement provokes many meditations, a most obvious one is that God’s grace is able to reach inconceivably farther than we would expect. This verse stops us in our tracts when we take Matthew 7:16, 20 and try to apply it as if we were God, for we are being reminded here that only God can provide the final answer on someone. Jesus Christ was the personification of grace, and it’s inescapable to note that He was habitually ministering to those whom society had written off as “worthless” (called, in the KJV, “publicans and sinners”). Our God is well-pleased that His people be known by the same ridiculed and scandalous title as His Son — “the Friend of publicans and sinners.” Fellow-believer, if you continue to condemn the modern-day publicans and sinners who are obviously “worthless,” then you are (1) very un-Christlike and (2) very Pharisee-like, for you are perpetuating the deception that only the “well” are worthy, when in fact they need the Physician just as much as the “sick” (Luke 5:27-32). O church, it’s time to learn with those first 12 disciples again, and to watch our Master through the eyes of faith as He visibly loves and spiritually sacrifices for those whom we might despise. Since we are ourselves recipients of lavish grace, we cannot be stingy dispensers of grace. It is time for us to change our mind about how we look at this world, to change our calculation about who is “well” and who is “sick,” and to learn first biblically and then experientially that God is still able to save the maniacs of Gadara (Mark 5), and He is pleased to do so. Let us take care, then, lest in our arrogance and hypocrisy we presume upon God’s standard and grace, and show an inferior and prejudiced Savior to the “worthless” (cf. James 2:1) — people who because of their “worthlessness” are actually prime candidates for God’s unmerited grace (cf. Luke 7:1-10; Titus 3:1-7). ![]() In conjunction with our Midweek Connection series entitled, "Relationships in 3s," we solicited input from the entire Single Focus group regarding the areas of morality, interaction, and dating. In particular, we asked the guys to give input in these areas for their sisters, and we inquired of the ladies for input about these issues for their brothers. We did this to emphasize the family focus of the body of Christ, and to remind ourselves that none of us make decisions in a vacuum. Even in the delicate area of morality, we are helped by having some of these discussions in a mixed group so that we can look into each other's faces and remind ourselves that we should be living for one another, even as we live for Christ (cf. Romans 14). Specifically, regarding those three areas mentioned above, we asked each group to share with the opposite gender (1) what they wanted to thank them for, (2) what they wanted to share with them, and (3) how they wanted to counsel them. It's humorous that even in the length of conversation from one group to another, the God-ordained complementary differences of the genders are highlighted. Here's what the guys and girls had to say to one another: From the Girls to the Guys Regarding Morality
From the Guys to the Girls
![]() This past week, we enjoyed Missions Conference at Colonial, and I thought I'd share a few nuggets that I gleaned. (1) I'm thankful to be a part of a missional church. First, as we planned for the Missions Conference, it was decided that we would host fewer missionaries, in order to be able to involve them more fully, get to know them more personally, and treat them more generously. Prior to the conference, the missionary families had been emailed in order to gather information regarding their needs. Throughout the week, our church family had the privilege of meeting those needs and presenting a different missionary family in each service with the "surprise" of certain gifts that would really be a asset to them. It was a thrill to be an encouragement to them in this way and to demonstrate our loving commitment to co-laborers that we don't often get to see! Second, our Missions Conference ended on Sunday night with the recommitting of our faith-promise missions giving for the next year. Last year, the church family had promised a generous amount and had exceeded that by year's end. This year, the commitments were even greater than last year, and by God's grace in the faithfulness of His people's giving, Colonial will be able to contribute financially to missionaries and missions projects in greater ways than before. In the past, Colonial has been able to enjoy ministering financially to a work in Myanmar, and we were able to hear in detail this past week how the Lord has used our gifts in that mission field. With the faith-promise commitments of the upcoming year, we hope to continue to store up eternal treasure by partnering in the gospel with those brothers and sisters across the ocean whom we have never met but with whom we can have a substantial and Christ-exalting impact through our finances (cf. II Corinthians 8). What a true joy to see the grace of giving in the church family, as it takes what God has entrusted to it and willingly gives it right back to Him in gospel missions! Third, last summer our church sent a medical missions team to Panama, and the Lord richly blessed their ministry (i.e., they treated over 600 patients and witnessed over 300 professions of faith in Christ in three days). This summer, we will be sending another team to different area in Panama to engage in the same kind of ministry. Last week, the team introduced themselves and shared their vision for this summer, and it was an honor to recognize our church's commitment to do more than just pray for and give to missions, but to actually do missions. God has purposely blessed Colonial with many medical personnel, so these medical mission trips are a wise usage of these entrusted talents. However, I hope in the future that Colonial will be able to offer summer missions trips for non-medical people, so that we can continue to reinforce here our individual need to fulfill the Great Commission in a hands-on manner. (2) I was challenged to maintain a missional lifestyle and ministry. First, Nathan Deatrick, a church-planter in Columbus, NC, brought a missionary sermon one evening on the life of Isaac McCoy. I had never heard anything like it, but I was greatly convicted by this man's example of faith-living. This 18th Century pastor understood that we are "strangers and exiles on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13), and he lived and ministered by faith in the unseen as the utmost and eternal reality (cf. Hebrews 10:32-11:40). I was humbled to recognize again that in my struggles on earth, "[I] have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in [my] striving against sin" (Hebrews 12:4). Thank You, Jesus, that you did! And, thank You for the example of those who have gone on before who model for us what it means in the modern day to "desire a better country…a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:16). If you'd like to hear this powerful challenge for yourself, you can do so here. Second, Josh Hedges, a missionary to Chad, Africa, shared a unique challenge during our International Dinner. He shared the hypothetical story of a believing businessman whose business trips frequently took him to that country, where he got to know some of the missionaries there. Over time, the disadvantaged conditions of that country, its very needy people, and the missions work that he had witnessed began to greatly impact him as God's Spirit challenged him concerning what he could be doing stateside to further accomplish the Great Commission. Upon returning home, this man and his wife began to pray for wisdom about how they could participate more practically in Christ's rather radical call to discipleship (cf. Matthew 10:37-39; 16:24-25). They adopted a "wartime lifestyle" that allowed them to live modestly according to their needs, so that they were freer to contribute financially to God's mission around the world. Over time, they saw the fruits of their faith, as God blessed their partnership with Him. What a challenge to break out of our convenient, casual Christianity, and really dive in to God's mission in the world today! "The mission of the church is missions; the mission of missions is the church" (James MacDonald). In an American society that is so driven by sight, I know that I must live by faith. In an American culture that is so given to entertainment, I know that I must live with a mission. Christ, increase my faith in the unseen, and allow me to give all for You who gave all for me, because my home and reward is not on the earth! (3) I developed a deeper appreciation for Bible translators. On the last day of our Missions Conference, Josh Hedges shared more information about his Bible translation work in Chad, Africa. He sought to provide us with a theological framework for Bible translation, putting it into its proper context of preservation. Throughout the centuries, God has providentially preserved His Word through the careful transmission and translation of men devoted to carefully passing on God's message of truth. Translation, then, is vital, not just to preservation, but to the perpetuation of understanding truth in the language of the masses! Furthermore, Josh showed how translation relates to personal growth, and he did so by creating a scene in which an American church (like mine and yours) were to take a 6-month complete fast from God's Word. While some in our churches might unfortunately not be affected by such a loss, most of us would find our spiritual stability unraveling, and the preaching in our churches would greatly diminish in its content and effectiveness. We take for granted in America the immediate access to God's Word that we enjoy in our own language, but many nations have no such access. The believers in thousands of people groups around the world are illiterate and/or have no Bible translation in their language, and so are unable to experience the spiritual power that God has sourced in His Word. Praise God, then, for men and women who sacrifice their time to learn the original languages and who sacrifice their comfort to put God's Word in the hands of others. Since faith comes by hearing the gospel message in God's Word (Romans 10:17), and since God is calling out a people from every people group (Revelation 7:9-10), then we must send Bible translators to do what God has gifted them to do in fulfillment of the Great Commission. Just some nuggets for thought and application. I hope we'll partner with Christ in these things, starting in Indianapolis! |
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