Frontier Missions

Baby Dedication

Brayan Eduardo Ramirez Vargas

Andrea Lucia Torres Guzman

Caleb Mateo Ramirez Torres

Mark 10:13–16 (ESV)

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them,

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“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

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And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Evangelism Calendar

Now - Depression and Anxiety Program

July 1 - Health Assessment Booth

July 9 - Diabetes Undone Info Meeting

July 16 - School Supplies Ministry

July 17 - 21 - Vacation Bible School

July 23 - Sep 10 - Diabetes Undone

Sep 7-16 - Unchained Addiction Recovery

Sep 17 - Commitment Banquet

Oct 6-21 - Reaping Series

Sep-Oct - Small Group Ministry Launch

Requests:

pray

serve

share

invite

ministry of attendance

Charlie Peace, a criminal in England, on the day he was being taken to his execution, listened to a minister reading from the Word. And when he found out he was reading about heaven and hell, he looked at the preacher and said, "Sir, if I believed what you and the church of God say, and even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would walk over it on hands and knees and think it worthwhile living just to save one soul from an eternal hell like that."

Mission Work in Antioch

Acts 11:19–26 (ESV)

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some

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of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came

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and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went

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to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Paul hiding in Tarsus

Barnabas first missionary

first time gospel goes to Gentiles

Barnabas needs help

gets Paul.

Work together for entire year

church is strong

God blessing

going well

liking it there...

Next Mission Field

Acts 13:1–3 (ESV)

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were

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worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

God said,

don’t get too comfortable

I need you elsewhere.

Church was functioning well

leaders established

growing healthfully.

God called them elsewhere.

so they new believer

could run the church.

Lesson 1 - Don’t Get Too Comfortable

George Stott, a one-legged school teacher from Scotland, volunteered for missionary service in China. When asked why he with only one leg thought of going to China, he said, “I do not see those with two legs going, so I must.” Thus began his more than twenty years of missionary work in China.

Mission Work in Cyprus

Acts 13:4–5 ESV

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.

Went to Cyprus.

Why there?

Barnabas from Cyprus...

Antioch to Seleucia = 16 Miles

~ 150 Miles from Antioch to Cyprus

5 Miles per hour

30 days

Often wait for good weather

John to Assist

one of the 12 disciples

not first mission work

committed to the Lord.

Acts 13:6 ESV

When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

Over 100 miles walk around Cyprus

Magician Satan using

to stop work of God.

Acts 13:7–8 (ESV)

He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

Satan trying to hinder

gospel in Cyprus

people enslaved to

Magic

other error

Satan wants to keep them.

Sergius Paulus

Political Leader

Judge of Area

Interested in Gospel

Elymas Magician

trying to prevent him.

Don’t Listen to Paul

teaching falsehood.

Lesson 2 - There Will Be Spiritual Attacks From the Devil (OUTSIDE ATTACKS)

Don’t get discouraged

Satan Wants you to quit

True story. A Christian leader -- we'll call him Steve --as traveling recently by plane. He noticed that the man sitting two seats over was thumbing through some little cards and moving his lips. The man looked professorial with his goatee and graying brown hair, and Steve placed him at fifty-something. Guessing the man was a fellow-believer, Steve leaned over to engage him in conversation. "Looks to me like you're memorizing something," he said. "No, actually I was praying," the man said. Steve introduced himself. "I believe in prayer too," he said. "Well, I have a specific assignment," said the man with the goatee. "What's that?" Steve asked. "I'm praying for the downfall of Christian pastors." "I would certainly fit into that category," Steve said. "Is my name on the list?" "Not on my list," the man replied.

Acts 13:9–11 (ESV)

But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked

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the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.

Magicians often

cast spells

curse people

heal curses

from other spells

Lord wanted to prove

Magician

has no power

compared to God.

Spell is cast

cannot undo it.

Needless to say:

Acts 13:12 ESV

Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Did not simply believe

the strong magic.

“Astonished at the teaching of the Lord”

Which means

converted by the truth.

Next Stop - Pisidia

Acts 13:13 ESV

Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem,

Long Travels

Left Cyprus

Sailed 130 Miles

5 Miles per hour

26 days

Many years ago a young man went to China as a missionary with an income of $2,500 annually. A company decided that they wanted this young man to work for them and offered him a position with a $5,000 salary. He declined the offer, and it was raised to $7,000 and then to $10,000, but he still declined.

The company asked him if the salary was his sticking point and he answered, “Oh, the salary is big enough, but the job isn’t.”

Acts 13:14 (ESV)

but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia...

This is another

~ 200 miles of walking!

If covering 20 miles a day

10 days at best.

David Livingstone, pioneer missionary to Africa, received a letter saying, “Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you.”

Livingstone replied, “If you have men who will come only if there is a good road, I do not want them. I want those who will come if there is no road at all.”

MARK QUIT!

Paul takes offense

upset at Mark

abandoned them!

Recently National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk. There is a lesson here for us. Spiritual battles await. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now--before the wars begin. The bull-moose principle: Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they're needed.

- Craig Brian Larson.

This was a long

and difficult journey

times were not easy

Mission Work

discouragement

loneliness

home-sick

physical exhaustion

Mark quit

Paul and Barnabas go on...

But they had purpose

they were called

Spirit selected them

for this work!

Lesson 3 - Journey May be Hard

Burnout - Hendrickson’s in Albania

Not attacks

Just weariness

Tired along way

Don’t give up.

Stress builds

Trust God.

Galatians 6:9 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

REMEMBER THE MISSION

In 1629, when the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered that a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The shah placed his wife's casket in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction of the temple literally began around it. But several years into the venture, the Shah's grief for his wife gave way to a passion for the project.

One day while he was surveying the sight, he reportedly stumbled over a wooden box, and he had some workers throw it out. It was months before he realized that his wife's casket had been destroyed. The original purpose for the memorial became lost in the details of construction. They built the Taj Mahal, but they forgot the reason for the building. They forgot what their mission truly was!

Lesson 4 - The Will Be Issues Among Brethren (ATTACKS FROM INSIDE)

Most discouraging hardship.

Issues among brethren.

Visit non-attending

reason stated -

issue with church member

Do not allow Satan

to win that battle!

Are You Feeling Worn Out?

Is Your Cup empty?

What fills cup?

Worship

Praise

Prayer

Trust

Nature

Exercise

Momentary Change of Scenery

Mission Burnout.

Mission Work in Pisidia

Acts 13:14–16 (ESV)

but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent

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a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:

“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.

Next 26 verses sermon...

typical Pauline sermon

History of Israel

Current History of John Baptist

History of Jesus

Call for Conversion

Powerful Response to Sermon

Acts 13:42–43 (ESV)

As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many

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Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Many were convicted

Wanted to know more

Many Jews converted.

Acts 13:44 ESV

The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

Almost everyone want to hear

Whole city

can’t fit in synagogue.

Fruit of ministry

Guess What

Mark didn’t get to see it.

Left after hardship

Didn’t see whole city

wanting truth.

Lesson 5 - Sometimes There are “Great Successes”

Faith honors God and God honors faith. For 10 years Robert and Mary Moffat labored faithfully in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana) without one ray of encouragement to brighten their way. They could not report a single convert.

Finally the directors of their mission board began to question the wisdom of continuing the work. The thought of leaving their post, however, brought great grief to this devoted couple, for they felt sure that God was in their labors, and that they would see people turn to Christ in due season. They stayed; and for a year or two longer, darkness reigned. Then one day a friend in England sent word to the Moffats that she wanted to mail them a gift and asked what they would like. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, “Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed.”

God honored that dear woman’s faith. The Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of six converts was united to form the first Christian church in that land. The communion set from England was delayed in the mail; but on the very day before the first commemoration of the Lord’s super in Bechuanaland, the set arrived.

Celebrate the good times

Praise God.

Enjoy harvest.

But don’t get complacent.

Acts 13:45 ESV

But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.

Satan is jealous,

losing his church members.

has to stop them.

Acts 13:46–47 ESV

And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

That success was

kinda short lived.

Common in mission field.

Satan creating controversy

Paul does not

back down.

Called to Gentiles.

Acts 13:48–50 (ESV)

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord

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was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.

“Success” and “Failures” Simultaneously!

In Mission Work

Our job is to:

Proclaim truth

Make Disciples

If we proclaim

but people get angry

that is not “failure”

Our job is not

to worry about

numbers

responses

persecution

Persecution

response of preaching truth

Persecution is not failure!!!

It is a success...

Lesson 6 - Be Careful How You Label Successes and Failure

At the one-hundredth anniversary of the arrival of missionaries in Zaire, Christians gathered to celebrate from that part of Zaire that was once called the Belgian Congo. Near the end of the celebration, a very old man stood to give a speech. He said that he would die soon and that he needed to tell something that no other man still living knew.

He explained that when the first white missionaries came, his people didn’t know whether to believe their message or not. So they devised a plan to slowly and secretly poison the missionaries and watch them die. One by one, children and adults became ill, died and were buried. It was when his people saw how these missionaries died that they decided to believe their message.

The missionaries never knew what was happening. They didn’t know they were being poisoned, and they didn’t know why they were dying. Their faithfulness to the Lord convinced the people they ministered too that their message was true.

Acts 13:51–52 ESV

But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Success?

Failure?

Stop measuring that.

Witness

Pray

Leave rest to God

Gardening

Plant seed

pray and wait

Water cultivate

pray and wait

Drought -

Pests - flea beetles, Japanese beetles,

Nutritional Issues - blossom end rot

Unknown Problem - Blossoms no fruit

Work

Pray

Wait

Adjust (work more)

Pray

Wait

Summary

We are Called to Work

There Will be Ups and Down

Witness and Disciple

Be Careful How You Measure Success

Work, Pray, Wait, and Work More

When James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the ship captain tried to turn him back, saying, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” To that, Calvert replied, “We died before we came here.”

APPEAL

Get Engaged In work

Hang In There

Evangelism Calendar

Now - Depression and Anxiety Program

July 1 - Health Assessment Booth

July 9 - Diabetes Undone Info Meeting

July 16 - School Supplies Ministry

July 17 - 21 - Vacation Bible School

July 23 - Sep 10 - Diabetes Undone

Sep 7-16 - Unchained Addiction Recovery

Sep 17 - Commitment Banquet

Oct 6-21 - Reaping Series

Sep-Oct - Small Group Ministry Launch