"A Wider Horizon for Ministry"

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To all of those who hold national offices in our National Convention. To our state President, Dr. C. P. Preston Jr. and all officials of Florida General Baptist, To our Moderators President, Dr. Carl Johnson Sr. and all Moderators who share in the kingdoms work. To one of the greatest Associations in the state of Florida, Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Association, all Pastors, member churches, and delegates. To all of you are are viewing this virtual session on Facebook, Greetings in the name that is above all other names, Jesus the Christ. Let me take a few moments to thank Pastor Adrian Taylor and his staff for their assistance in helping us with our virtual sessions production. All of the Pastors and program participants for assisting us with the tasks that we ask of you to do. Member churches for your financial, spiritual, and moral support during these difficult times. To all cabinet members of our association, all auxiliary presidents and their staffs, thank you. Special thanks to Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for your support and commitment to the cause of Christ. What a joy it is to have the privilege to serve and lead. We are not a problem free church but our motivation is to strive to be more like Christ. Very special and personal thanks to two of the best administrative assistants Mrs. Bessie Jackson and Mrs. Melody Jackson who really make me and our church look and be the best it can be. Too my wonderful wife of 40 years, Gloria and my family who I am growing to love more with each passing day. Thank you’ll for allowing me to be a part of your lives.

“A Wider Horizon for Ministry”

Introduction: Our text records one of Jesus’s episodes He deals with in Capernaum. It closes the account of His Galilean ministry. I will not argue the text based on who it is that the text is addressed to, because Matthew and Luke states that the crowds or the people followed or sought Him. How ever the oldest of the Gospels (Mark) says that Simon Peter and those who were with him (the other disciples) searched for Him. So I want to focus on the Masters attitude for sharing His intent to readers and students of this text. Here we have a revelation of a wider horizon for ministry. Horizon is defined as the range of interest or activity that can be anticipated. We have a responsibility and mandate to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. The nature of Christ’s mission required Him to keep moving so that all might hear the glad tidings. Let’s look at three features or elements of ministry that mus be taken into account if we are to project a wider horizon for ministry.
There must be a breaking (Lk. 4:17-19)
Sin and brokenness has been affecting the lives of humanity since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. Every since that day man has struggled with brokenness. However I want to remind you tonight of what Jesus said in regards to brokenness. Most of the time we focus on the negative side of brokenness, but I want to look at the positive side of being broken tonight. If our attitudes for ministry aligns with Christ’s we cannot limit brokenness to sphere that we live in. The Gospel is not designed to be kept or held to meet our specific needs only. The text says the crowds tried to keep Jesus from leaving them. Listen saints I know He’s good, He’s blessings us,our ministries are flourishing and we want to keep Him right here, but He is not a God that you can tie down our keep for your own preferences. Jesus was healing, casting out demons, the church was experiencing a might move. Lets keep Him here.
The boundaries have no limits (Lk. 4:43)
On of the most amazing things about the Pandemic is, the Gospel is being shared across platforms and media venues that we knew about but were not taking advantage of. Now most of us accessing those venues so that we can communicate and share the message of Christ. However there are still those who are saying don’t go Jesus, stay here with us. We like what you was doing and it was sufficient, we don’t want you to expand our horizon, stay here with us while we continue steer the Gospel message in the direction we want to go instead of the direction you want it to go. When our selfish desires are contingent on the buildings, the many ministries that we’ve instituted, and the material substance that we have acquired, there is the tendency give them more attention than providing the most essential thing that humanity needs. Our focus should be on sharing the word for that is our purpose. We cannot have the favored few attitude, no miracles will happen, hearts will not be uplifted, and a vast amount of souls will still be lost. The Word of God is designed to spread abroad, Jerusalem, Judea, and the uttermost parts of the world.
Be Determined (Lk.4: 43)
I must preach the good news of the kingdom. Determination is a wider horizon for ministry is to be achieved. When Christ make reference to the gospel of the kingdom of God which is the main theme of verse 43. Since the kingdom is the inheritance of the righteous and in many instances salvation is portrayed as entering the kingdom we must be determined share Christ’s saving message to all corners of the earth. How we do it is not defined in the text, but the necessity or requirement to do it is. COVID-19 has changed our lives dramatically and caused us to re-think and reshaped everything we do. Ministry is no different, we are challenged to present the Gospel in ways that a lot of us was not comfortable at doing. However necessity,urgency, and determination says to do it. Use every viable means and don’t allow circumstances to dictate or cause you not to do it. Our determination should be embedded in the disposition of Christ in this text. We must preach it. Tell a dying world the Jesus is the Savior, and He is here to heal the brokenhearted, He can set every captive free, we were once blind, but now we can see, and don’t forget to remind them that not only did He come to preach but His ultimate purpose was to die for the sins of the whole world. He died, yes he did, but early on the third day morning, He got up and declared , all power is in my hand.
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