“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (I Cor. 1:18-19 NIV).

      Are some guilty of watering down the gospel — reducing it to simply an escape from eternal punishment without repenting or turning from sin? We hear a lot about calling upon the name of the Lord and being saved, but surely, true salvation will be witnessed by a true change of heart. A belief that does not possess any of the traits that accompany relationships reflects a profession lacking possession.

      We know the message of God has not changed, but that doesn’t mean the way it is communicated by some today may lack the power that it possesses. In doing so, are we being completely truthful when we fail to share the reasons they need to be saved and the tremendous price that had to be paid for sin?

      John 3:16 states that God loves mankind. We are told in His Word that He desires that none should perish and yet some do. Why? Because they fail to come on His terms. Could it be a failure on our part, trying to avoid being offensive in an earnest attempt to be included? In earnest, we have sinned against a holy God and when we face our sin, conviction brings the reality of our broken relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit draws us to the foot of the cross, not that we might go to Heaven, but that we might find forgiveness and restored relationship with our Creator. Heaven is presence with God. A pastor was once told that his gospel message offends some. His response was, “Then I failed, because the true gospel should offend all. For all stand condemned guilty before a holy and just God.” May we preach the whole counsel of God in love. Part of that message includes the impending wrath God has against sin.

      Jesus said, “If you want to be one of my disciples, take up your cross and follow me.” Merely accepting Christ as Savior in word only — without dying to ourselves, surrendering our will to His and repenting — will not get a person saved. Repentance is the evidence and fruit of one’s salvation, and a changed life is the proof of repentance. Even the dying thief on the cross believed Jesus was the true son of God when he said, “Remember me, Lord.” Romans 10:9,10.

      The writer of Hebrews stated, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Our message is powerful. May we join the Apostle Paul in stating, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

From Our Missionaries

           Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “Last week, our attendance was low due to the weather, but this week our attendance was within normal in Ebenezer. It was a week of much assistance to brethren who had difficulties due to the weather, especially the newcomers to Arkansas. With the tornado warnings, plus the snow, it is difficult for them to know how to function in this type of weather.

 At Ebenezer, we try during our Celebration Service to open a space where the brethren spontaneously give thanks to God for His goodness. Last Sunday was a significant time of thanksgiving: some were able to move to a house where their children can live better; a family left a trailer, where the cold was intense to live in an apartment; the healing of Neymar; Avelina with better health; and a brother was finally allowed to buy a house. Each family was able to give thanks to God. These thanksgivings made me meditate and be thankful. In spite of the winter storm, God worked for good in Ebenezer. Sometimes we don’t see God’s movements, but I could see God’s protection in this time. May His name be glorified! Glory to God alone!

     

        Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “It was great to be able to gather together in the name of Jesus this week! I don’t know about you, but when I go a week without meeting with our brothers and sisters and worshipping the Lord and studying His Word, life is hard! It seems as if the devil tries to put his hands on everything. The brutal cold and snow made it necessary to cancel services on the Jan. 14, but we met on Jan. 21 and had a good number. It was wonderful and refreshing, and we all rejoiced in the Lord! Thank You, Lord!

       “As I write this early Monday morning, we are getting freezing rain and the schools have all closed again. It is slick out there! But the forecast for after today is above freezing the rest of the week, so we thank God for that.

      “I am looking forward to some training in Conway at Central Baptist College on Saturday, put on by Larry Barker and Healthy Church Solutions. It will be good to see the rest of the missionaries and everyone else there.

      “We are still waiting on drywall for the new building. One of the finishers came by and said they are beginning to catch up. We are praying this weather doesn’t set them back more. I want to thank you all again for your prayers and support! We could not do this without your faithfulness and letting God work through you!”

        Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, (1/13) “My wife and I got the pleasure of speaking in Rondo at First Baptist Church. I was asked to bring the devotional to the Mt. Vernon District meeting. This meeting is made up of women from surrounding churches in their area that meet every quarter.

      “We enjoyed getting to know these dedicated ladies and learning about how a women’s district meeting is organized. It is a long-standing tradition and one they are proud to share with others.

      “Afterwards, we were invited to join them for a great home cooked meal of fried chicken, beans, potato salad, rolls and some amazing desserts! Thank you, First Baptist Rondo, for letting me come speak and get to know this special group of faithful ladies.

      “If anyone has a speaking engagement for your church or organization that you need filled, please let me know. I would love to come share what God is doing at Faith Journey mission and the lives of others in our community.”

      (1/21) “How about that winter weather this week! I hope everyone was safe and warm around the state. Our study this week was on waiting on the Lord, and this type of weather is a great reminder that sometimes God wants us to slow down and wait on Him.

      “We talked about some things we should be focused on while we wait on the Lord, such as being faithful in what He has already given us, continuing to seek Him through prayer and reading the Scriptures and growing our faith and trust in Him as we are learning to be patient while we wait.

      “We are continuing to pray for those in our mission who are recovering from surgery and those who have been ill. We look forward to having all our folks well and back in our presence to worship the Lord.”

               Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “This week, we continue to sow biblical principles through our Grace Groups in the cities of Pea Ridge, Rogers and Springdale. This is an ongoing and intentional work. Hispanics predominately come from a Roman Catholic background and those principles are deeply rooted, so when the Lord in His grace brings salvation, we begin a radical change of theology.

      “On Thursday, we traveled with a group of brothers to Denton, Texas, to a conference on ‘The Sufficiency of the Scriptures.’ During the trip and during the time in Denton, we were able to get to know each other better and intentionally getting to know each other better strengthens the bonds of our brotherhood in Christ.

      “On Sunday, we were able to gather despite the weather alerts. Although some were unable to come, we worshipped God and listened to His Word.”

              Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “This week was our best week so far! We had a total attendance between Connection Groups and our monthly Collective Worship Gathering of nearly 60! This includes 38 different people. There were 11 first-time guests — 10 at our worship night and 1 at the Garfield Connection Group.

Beyond the numbers, we are seeing everyone begin to ‘get it.’ The first-time guest in the Connection Group was brought by someone who had recently been reached in that group. Through our Woodbridge Connection Group, a member invited me to lunch to meet a coworker of his. This is the second co-worker he has reached.

      “Interestingly, this successful week came with us ‘letting go’ and trusting God more than we have throughout this past year. After joining South City Church for training last week, we were reminded that we’re ‘playing the long game’ and can’t force conversions and transformations, so we backed off. We quit worrying about making ministry plans and just lived out our own walks with the Lord and His transformation in us. Our Worship Night was the first gathering we hadn’t run Facebook ads for over the past six months, and it was our largest. It sounds obvious, but it is about trusting the Lord, not our ‘wisdom!’

      “Our Prayer Collective Group is also on fire and meeting regularly, which is the ultimate thing we can do! Pray for us as we have multiple leaders starting their training this week with the KC Underground. We will also have our first official leader training the first Sunday in February.”