January 31st, 2022
Written by Jason Allums
For the Revival Center, January is a time to pray, fast, and recommit ourselves to the Great Commission for that particular year. We have Kingdom Builders banquet, pledges, and missionaries that reminds us of our purpose as born again believers. This blog reflects this season we are in. Note this passage in the book of Mark:
Mar 16:15 And He said to them, Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation.
Mar 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mar 16:17 And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak new tongues;
Mar 16:18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will be well.
Mar 16:19 Then indeed, after speaking to them, the Lord was taken up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mar 16:20 And going out, they proclaimed everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word by miraculous signs following. Amen.
With Jesus’ last words, we get a clear and compelling sense of His priority for the Church. With passion He says: Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
However, when you break down this command, reaching everyone is a daunting task. Think for a moment on these numbers:
· The world’s population is 7.9 billion+
· One minute ago, 267 babies were born.
· One minute ago, 120 people died and went into eternity.
· There is a net increase of 147 people every minute.
· Four babies are being born every second of every day.
We must take advantage of every opportunity the Lord gives us to reach people, no matter where they are at. Just listen to this heartbreaking story of missed opportunities:
In 1269, Kublai Khan sent a request from Peking to Rome asking for 100 wise men of the Christian faith. He said, “You send me 100 men skilled in your religion and I shall be baptized and all my subjects will study Christianity too. There will then be more Christians in the East than in the West.” At that time, the Mongols were wavering in the choice of their religion. It might have been a historical moment. Instead of sending 100 passionate missionaries, however, Pope Gregory X sent two Dominican friars who quickly got discouraged and turned around. With the untold thousands of people in China, what could have happened at that moment in time if the people had had the unwavering resolve to reach everyone?
Let this not happen to us in 2022. May we take advantage of each opportunity we have in sharing the message of Jesus with everyone we come into contact with. God has opened this door for each of us to go, give, and pray for a reason. The Holy Spirit has something very special planned for so many people this year in missions. I pray that we continue to stay humble and unified as each door opens.
Remember, ministry—all ministry--begins with God. It is rooted in who He is. Its end is for His glory. God must commission ministry. God must sustain ministry. Ultimately, God must validate ministry or it is not ministry.
God has his hand on you and your family. God has his hand on this church. We are doing the Lord’s work. I love each of you and count it an honor to serve with you.
Pastor Jason
For the Revival Center, January is a time to pray, fast, and recommit ourselves to the Great Commission for that particular year. We have Kingdom Builders banquet, pledges, and missionaries that reminds us of our purpose as born again believers. This blog reflects this season we are in. Note this passage in the book of Mark:
Mar 16:15 And He said to them, Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation.
Mar 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mar 16:17 And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak new tongues;
Mar 16:18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will be well.
Mar 16:19 Then indeed, after speaking to them, the Lord was taken up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mar 16:20 And going out, they proclaimed everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word by miraculous signs following. Amen.
With Jesus’ last words, we get a clear and compelling sense of His priority for the Church. With passion He says: Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
However, when you break down this command, reaching everyone is a daunting task. Think for a moment on these numbers:
· The world’s population is 7.9 billion+
· One minute ago, 267 babies were born.
· One minute ago, 120 people died and went into eternity.
· There is a net increase of 147 people every minute.
· Four babies are being born every second of every day.
We must take advantage of every opportunity the Lord gives us to reach people, no matter where they are at. Just listen to this heartbreaking story of missed opportunities:
In 1269, Kublai Khan sent a request from Peking to Rome asking for 100 wise men of the Christian faith. He said, “You send me 100 men skilled in your religion and I shall be baptized and all my subjects will study Christianity too. There will then be more Christians in the East than in the West.” At that time, the Mongols were wavering in the choice of their religion. It might have been a historical moment. Instead of sending 100 passionate missionaries, however, Pope Gregory X sent two Dominican friars who quickly got discouraged and turned around. With the untold thousands of people in China, what could have happened at that moment in time if the people had had the unwavering resolve to reach everyone?
Let this not happen to us in 2022. May we take advantage of each opportunity we have in sharing the message of Jesus with everyone we come into contact with. God has opened this door for each of us to go, give, and pray for a reason. The Holy Spirit has something very special planned for so many people this year in missions. I pray that we continue to stay humble and unified as each door opens.
Remember, ministry—all ministry--begins with God. It is rooted in who He is. Its end is for His glory. God must commission ministry. God must sustain ministry. Ultimately, God must validate ministry or it is not ministry.
God has his hand on you and your family. God has his hand on this church. We are doing the Lord’s work. I love each of you and count it an honor to serve with you.
Pastor Jason
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