Loving God! Loving People! Loving Life! Message Notes The Struggle Is Real Part Ten Life Church Smyrna Sunday, February 4, 2018 10:30am Pastor Shell Osbon Mark 4:35-41 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, Let us cross over to the other side. 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still! And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him! (NKJV) 1. The Struggle Of Missions Missiologists have determined that 3½ people come to know Christ as a result of every dollar that is given to missions. b) Your Journey May Be _Uncomfortable Mark 4:37 And a great windstorm arose... (NKJV) 1 Samuel 15:22 Obedience is far better than sacrifice. (LB) c) You Can t Control What _Happens Mark 4:37 And a great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. (NKJV) Jim Elliot: He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. a) You Have Your Own Needs Mark 4:35 Let us cross over to the other side. (NKJV) Philippians 2:4 Let each one of you look out not only after his own interests but also after the interests of others. (NKJV) Americans spend more money each year on dog food than they give to missions. The big idea: Your struggles are great but your God is greater!
part ten Mark 4:35-41 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, Let us cross over to the other side. 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? (cont d) 1
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still! And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him! (NKJV) Struggles can be the result of choices that we make but sometimes they are an attack of the enemy. 2
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1. The Struggle Of Missions Charles Malik, UN Lebanese Ambassador: What has been the greatest American contribution to the rest of the world? Has it been money, food, medical skill, military might or industrial know-how? 4
Then he answered, The greatest thing to come out of America has been the American missionary effort - the quiet, selfless men and women who have left the comfort and security of their homeland to bring the Gospel of Christianity to less favored nations. Emil Brunner: The church exists by missions just as fire exists by burning. Where there is no mission there is no church and where there is neither church nor missions, there is no faith. 5
Henry Martyn: The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions and the nearer we get to Him the more intensely missionary we become. Missiologists have determined that 3½ people come to know Christ as a result of every dollar that is given to missions. 6
a) You Have Your Own Needs Mark 4:35 Let us cross over to the other side. (NKJV) Philippians 2:4 Let each one of you look out not only after his own interests but also after the interests of others. (NKJV) Americans spend more money each year on dog food than they give to missions. 7
If the world were reduced to only 100 people... 67 would have never heard of Jesus 50 would be hungry as malnutrition is common 80 would live in substandard housing 1 would have a college education 6 would control over half of the world s wealth and all 6 would be US citizens 3 would be near death without knowing Jesus b) Your Journey May Be Uncomfortable Mark 4:37 And a great windstorm arose... (NKJV) 1 Samuel 15:22 Obedience is far better than sacrifice. (LB) 8
c) Your Journey May Be Uncomfortable Mark 4:37 And a great windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. (NKJV) Jim Elliot: He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. 9
$65,000.00 january-june 2018 faith promise goal 10
$51,858.00 80% of our goal 87 individuals/families 42% of our church 11
$13,142.00 faith promises remaining As 100% of our church becomes involved, we will do more to reach people in our community and around the world so that everyone can hear of Jesus Christ. Thank YOU for being committed! 12
we can do this! Some ways to fulfill your Faith Promise: Skip your favorite cup of premium coffee Buy store brands instead of national brands Clip and actually use coupons Eat at home instead of eating out Have a garage sale...or two...or three Sell a vehicle, car pool or ride the bus Ask everyone in your family to save coins Use all or part of your tax refund Make gifts instead of buying them 13
Shop at thrift or consignment stores Borrow books from the library versus buying them Reduce your cable subscription to a lower level Avoid convenience stores for snack purchases Shop for auto, home and life insurance Buy items in bulk (e.g. - paper goods, etc) Cancel unused gym/health club memberships Refinance your home and use the monthly savings 14
the big idea Your struggles are great but your God is greater! we re all about Loving God! Loving People! Loving Life! 15
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