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Gordon Wilkerson
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1 SUBJECT---+f- 0 - ~- ~~ 1-1--f'?/ TEXT---~A~l~I.._~-+-/6~:_q._-~1-=-0 TITLE-.B... r...,. a,,.,z... i...,.l~--...,. O,_,,, u,..,., r'--"-'m...,,, a..,,, c=e=d=o=n=i =a SCRIPTURE READINGc..-_A_c_t _s_ l _6_:_9_-_l_O DELIVERIES: Date Hour Place }1 I55':J.<f!V,_5 -.. s g E.F~~-~~-~- CLASSIFICATION: --EXPOSITORY --BIOGRAPHICAL )S_TEXTUAL --TOPICAL ---DEVOTIONAL Results and Comments: FB2 3/15/81 am San Angelo., Tx (XXX++++) BIBLIOGRAPHY _

SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:9-10 BRAZIL -- OUR MACEDONIA INTRO: A MAN WHOM I HAD NEVER MET BEFORE AND SHALL NEVER MEET AGAIN SAT NEXT TO ME ON OUR FLIGHT FROM RIO DE JANERIO TO FORTALEZA, BRAZIL--A DIS TANCE

ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT KNOW ENGLISH AND I DID NOT KNOW SPANISH, WE BEGAN TO COMMUNICATE. BEFORE LEAVING I HAD PURCHASED AN ELECTRONIC TRANSLATOR.

" AS I LOOKED AT THAT QUESTION I THOUGHT, "HOW CAN I IN ONE SIMPLE CONCISE SENTENCE COMMUNICATE TO HIM WHY I AM HERE?" THEN I SPELLED OUT MY ANSWER IN ENGLISH.

2 SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:9-10 BRAZIL -- OUR MACEDONIA INTRO: A MAN WHOM I HAD NEVER MET BEFORE AND SHALL NEVER MEET AGAIN SAT NEXT TO ME ON OUR FLIGHT FROM RIO DE JANERIO TO FORTALEZA, BRAZIL--A DIS TANCE OF SOME 1,800 MILES. YOU GET TO KNOW SOME ONE PRETTY WELL IN 1,800 MILES EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN'T SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE. THIS PHARMACEUTICAL SALESMAN WAS FROM ARGEN TINA. ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT KNOW ENGLISH AND I DID NOT KNOW SPANISH, WE BEGAN TO COMMUNICATE. BEFORE LEAVING I HAD PURCHASED AN ELECTRONIC TRANSLATOR. THE SALESMAN TOOK THE TRANSLATOR AND SPELLED OUT A QUESTION IN SPANISH. THEN HE PRESSED THE TRANS LATION KEY AND THIS WAS HIS QUESTION IN ENGLISH. "WHY ARE YOU IN BRAZIL?" AS I LOOKED AT THAT QUESTION I THOUGHT, "HOW CAN I IN ONE SIMPLE CONCISE SENTENCE COMMUNICATE TO HIM WHY I AM HERE?" THEN I SPELLED OUT MY ANSWER IN ENGLISH. WHEN I PRESSED THE TRANSLATION KEY HE READ IN SPANISH THE ANSWER AND HIS EYES LIGHTED UP WITH APPROVAL! THIS WAS MY ANSWER, "I AM HERE TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS." AND I NEVER FORGOT THAT ANSWER THOSE TWO WEEKS I SPENT IN BRAZIL. BUT THAT MAN'S QUESTION CONTINUES TO HAUNT ME, "WHY ARE YOU IN BRAZIL?" "WHY ARE TEXAS BAPTISTS GOING TO BRAZIL BY THE DOZENS THESE NEXT TWO YEARS?" "WHAT IS THIS 'M SSI N TO.,, BRAZIL? ~lty~~- 44,r~ wk.. h+,.,-e. b~co~-vt...,,,.,,1-'4 Jc-y,r J AFTER SPENDING TWO WEEKS IN OUR SI ER CITY 0 ORTALEZA AT THE TOP EASTERN MOST TIP OF BRAZIL ET ME SHARE WITH YOU MY IMPRESSIONS OF OUR MIS ION TO BRAZIL BY ANSWERING SIX IMPORTANT QUES- T ONS. I. WHAT? --Acts 16:9 "... and help us." --NOTE: What is "Miss::i.on to Brazil?" It is Texas Baptists joining with Braz~"li n Baptists in a n eff ort to eva ngelize Brazil. The imme Jt diate goal set by Brazilian Baptis sis to r each one million people for Christ by the end of 1982 and thus double the number of Baptists

in Brazil. The theme is "0 Jesus Christo Salva"-- "only Jesus Christ Saves. " Key cities in Texas have joined with key cities i n Brazil as "si ster cities" to reach Brazil f o r Christ.

This is a ratio of one Baptist Church for ever 100,000 people. Contrast this with San Angelo.

3 in Brazil. The theme is "0 Jesus Christo Salva"-- "only Jesus Christ Saves. " Key cities in Texas have joined with key cities i n Brazil as "si ster cities" to reach Brazil f o r Christ. Our sister city is Fortalez~ a city of more than 1,560,000 people. There are 1 Baptist Churches in that city wi t h a total o f 2,000 me mbers. This is a ratio of one Baptist Church for ever 100,000 people. Contrast this with San Angelo. We have 38 Baptist Churches for 75,000 people= 1 to 1,950 or 17 Southern Baptist Churches f or 75,000 p eople = 1 to 4,400. Does God really love San Angelo that much more t han For t a l e z a? I think not, and our "Mission to Brazil" intends to do something about t his. Brazil is a nation of young people. Brazilian young people are open to the gospel. Sixty percent of the population in Brazil is 18 year s old a nd younger. No group is capitalizing on the openness of youth. While walking in downtown Fortaleza a man standing in a busy market place handed me a t ract. It did not tell about Jesus Christ- Voodoois m,.j~ ~J,. #ft~ M']:-::;t,~ :H+--t-~-o:l!'-c;l.;,~:r-j.,,Q;~ ft-''-al''ft'ti-*""-,~t II. WHY? --"Why Brazil? Why not Korea, or France or Indonesia? " ~-Acts 16:9 "... and prayed him... " (Wm. "pleading wi t h him") (Phillips "appealing to him") 1. We Have Been Asked NOTE : In short, we are in Brazil on this s peci a l mission because we h a ve been asked. We are not there because of our own i nitiative. We are there because we have been invited. Like the man of Macedonia, Brazilian Baptist have said to us, "Come 2.

4 J 2. over. a nd he lp u s. " NOTE: But why have they made this rerequest at this time? In 1982 they will celebrate the 100th year of Baptists in Brazil. They have turned to Texas Baptists because it was Texas Baptist who s e nt the first Baptist missionaries to Brazil. A young married couple from Belton, Texas (the Bagbeys) landed in Brazil in Texas Baptist, who started Brazil Baptist work in Brazil 100 years ago, have been asked to join forces with Brazilian Baptists during the five years leading up to their centennial. Our Brazilian brothers feel that there could be no better way to celebr ate their centennial than to double the number of Baptists in Brazil from 500,000 in 1977 to 1 million by And they are well on their way with 820,000 and two more years to go! -rn "'1 :r,4eb,,,.s /fl's'1'6nlt )'.. The Door Is Wide Open p;,,~f!t,t, - W%J..(.O)CU... t:ffl'1 ILLUS: On Monday, Februar y 23rd DorothyH~~r Mazuk and I went 90 miles 1 into the interior of Brazil to Cant d~, a city of 80,000 and not one Baptist Church. Religion provides the main income of the city. (1) The Worship of San Francisco (Healing Museum etc, idols, etc) (2) Spiritism. In 1980 Christians from Fortaleza had an evangelistic service in the city park. 1,500 attended; 23 public professions of faith. The chief of police security from Fortaleza (a Christian) was present. Lunch in Hotel owned by parents of Edson's (our interpreter's) brother-inlaws parents. He just accepted Christ. Mayor ate with u s, Glaube r Concaives ( youngest mayor in Brazil 22). Edson prayed before meal--we visited. At end of meal the mayor said, " I have ne ver b e en with a group like this bef ore... 3.

prayer before meal... you her.e at Brazilian's invitat i o n?... not to get but to give...? "I am at your disposal--ready to he lp in anyway. will give l a nd f o r clinic or church." 3.

5 prayer before meal... you her.e at Brazilian's invitat i o n?... not to get but to give...? "I am at your disposal--ready to he lp in anyway. will give l a nd f o r clinic or church." 3. The Importance of Brazil NOTE: The largest and most influential nation in South America. As goes Brazil, s o goe s South America. In 1964 almost taken over by communist. Bloodless revolution. Missionaries names on communists lists. All churches have equal freedom. We must move now while there is yet time. Brazil can become the Christian nation of South America. Brazilian Baptists already have missionaries in 10 countries. I II. WHEN? Acts 16:10 "Immediately we enveavored to go.. tr.jl// NOTE: The Time is NOW--not later v-r-", ILLUS: Mission of First Baptist Church Fortaleza "Green Sea. " Old lady dedicated herself to build a church (no larger than Senior Adult Ladies ciass Room). City allows the church to use class rooms of the public school near by--how long? We must move now. {W!;_JTE: Long after "Mission to Brazil" has become history our cooperative program and Lottie Moon offering will still be financing our Foreign Mission work--i understand and appreciate this. BUT if we wait until funds are available through these means to build the some 12 buildings needed in Fortaleza it will take!) years. We can put the Kingdom of Qod?1 ~ years ahead if we move to meet these needs NOW! ILLUS: Monte Castelo mission site overlooking new housing area of some 1,000 new homes not t ~~ie six months ago. Paying '1% a month,~ a year. The need is now. No other church there!,, :J (' I /I JI,,,,,..,..' -~ '"r., 4

" If we fail that city there is no one e l s e to a ssume the res pons ibility that is ours... - I,, 0 Lt ~ razilian presidents campaign D...-~ o provide hous ing. $20 month. i.e. Marshal Rondon Housing Development with 6,000 new houses, with 36,000 people and no church of any kind.

6 i;~, "'1 IV. tf~ ~/"'V_5...PI' WHERE? Acts 26:9 "Come over into Macedonia a nd he lp u s 11 NOTE: With each key city in Texas joining with key cities in Brazil, Fortaleza as our sister city, has become our "macedonia." If we fail that city there is no one e l s e to a ssume the res pons ibility that is ours... - I,, 0 Lt ~ razilian presidents campaign D...-~ o provide hous ing. $20 month. i.e. Marshal Rondon Housing Development with 6,000 new houses, with 36,000 people and no church of any kind. In Fortaleza there are five such new housing areas with 30,000 new houses and not one church! -- I/ ILLUS: Near by is a little Baptist Church, Bon Jardin, "Beautiful Garden. " 1 Building and 60 members. Last crusade had 50 professions of faith--meet under tree in front of church. " 7,., V. HOW? t,'f. fj"14,1;j,j','4j-4la<.t a!,1 H-w- ''. Acts 16: 10 "... to preach the gospel... " NOTE: How can we reach so many people with the gospel. 1. Teams of Laymen and Pastors NOTE: Paul had two laymen (Luke and Silas) with him whe n he went to Ma cedonia. ILLUS: Feb. and September 3-16 and other times Buildings NOTE: One of the greatest hinderances ' to growth is the lack of any place to put people when they. are saved. i.e. Jose Walter church... These people work hard. They witness, they build their buildings with their hands, they will fill the buildings but t hey have no money. You can build a church (150) in Brazil for an average of $7,000 and in 3 5.

it wil be filled. But they don't have $7,000. 110% inflation 1980; Construction worker earns 300 crusareos a day=$4.19 - must pay bus fare round trip 11 crusareos=30 = 3.89 day-u.s. @ $3.40 hr.

7 it wil be filled. But they don't have $7, % inflation 1980; Construction worker earns 300 crusareos a day=$ must pay bus fare round trip 11 crusareos=30 = 3.89 $3.40 hr. x 8 hrs=$27.20; Gas 60 crusareos per liter=$3.30 gal. one full days work= 1 gal. gas! VI. WHO? Acts 16:10 "assuredly gathering that the Lord had called US... " (Silas and Luke Laymen) as well as Paul!) NOTE: The answer is YOU! God seldom gives us such an opportunity--but this opportunity is yours! 1. Some Can Go ILLUS: In February Dorothy Mazuk... on Beach... testimony in services---taught children---visited in homes. Phillip Kite, Mack Scott have gone. In September Teams later on. -- n f i 'YI LLUS:House services. i.e.saturday night, February 21 at Edson' s home in ~ Fortaleza. 70 people present; 35, adults; 13 unsaved. Laymen can do this! Can Givf NOTE: Responded beautifully to washing machine need, BUT greater challenge is construction of mis ion~ a pd church b 'ld.,,,.,. ltll1,,,,..j..,,_ I) -~ - - '"'---~ 3. A~~ C~~g~;;~ //Mn«i "~~! NOTE: We have two churches that are our "Prayer Partners." First Baptist Church Fortaleza and the Alvedia Baptist Church. First Baptist Church Fortaleza youth have asked that 30 of our young Reople become a prayer partner with a young person in their church.. will write... share needs and requests... CON: Little boys 5-8 years of age on streets and sidewalk resturant begging and selling gum. 6.

I I had all the money in the world to meet

8 Lay down on concrete sidewalk or ground for r est and then sell again. I I had all the money in the world to meet every physical need they have, their greatest need would still go unmet--the need of Jesus Christ as Saviour. "Only Jesus Christ Saves". May God grant that we joyfully respond to the fact that Fortaleza is our Macedonia! 7.

9 37 BRAZIL -- OUR MACEDONIA USED: 3/15/81 am FBC, San Angelo, Tx. {X~#Hj

TEXT v_s_._ 1_7 (P_h_1_ 1 l_1_ p_s_) " TITLE--"-F,,,, u-=l -=1--"' o-=f--"' J"" o_,.y

TEXT v_s_._ 1_7 (P_h_1_ 1 l_1_ p_s_) " TITLE--"-F,,,, u-=l -=1--"' o-=f--"' J"" o_,.y SCRIPTURE READING Luke 10:1-2, 17, 1 8 CLASSIFICATION: --EXPOSITORY --BIOGRAPHICAL _c TEXTUAL --TOPICAL ---DEVOTIONAL