T4G 2012 has been a real spiritual blessing so far. If you have time for one message, please click here and listen to David Platt’s sermon, “Divine Sovereignty: The Fuel of Death-Defying Missions.”
Tag Archives: Great Commission
Do the Demons Know Your Name?
This (see title) is the question that I have wondered about myself after preparing and preaching last Sunday’s message from Acts 19. The Apostle Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in Ephesus, and God was granting unusual and wonderful miracles through his public ministry. Among those miracles was his ability to exorcise evil spirits.
Seven Jewish itenerant exorcists tried to capitalize upon this ministry by using the names of Jesus and Paul in an attempt to channel this power, but it did not work. The liberating power of the gospel was no magic incantation. And upon their attempt to exorcise a demon, the demon said this back to them, “Jesus I know and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
The demon knew the work of Jesus. The demon knew the work of Paul. But he did not know the seven sons of Sceva. And so he whipped them and sent them away wounded and naked.
Ask yourself this question. I am living in such a way that demons know my name?
Praying for the Nations
Each Sunday morning during our Intercessory time of prayer we lift up one nation and one local church to pray for. For some time, I gathered my information for the prayer from various resources. Recently I purchased Operation World, by Johnstone and Mandryk. This is such a wonderful resource for how we can pray specifically for the nations. I had heard this book mentioned a few times in the past, but never did any follow-up. I recommend this book for every Christian. Buy it and begin to pray for our world.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Update
As the time came this year when most Southern Baptist Churches promote Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, I decided to share with the congregation the shortfalls the IMB has endured over the past 12 months with funding to send out Southern Baptist international missionaries.
I did go into some detail about why there is a shortage, but I stressed that there has never been a more important time than now to support our missionaries by giving through the Lottie Moon offering, since the entirety of this offering goes to the International Mission Board.
Additionally, since the time has never been greater and the need financially it tremendous (we have Southern Baptist Missionaries approved and ready to go but not enough money to send them), we ought to set as our goal the highest contribution we have ever given in our church history.
So we did some research to find out what the highest Lottie Moon Offering was in our short history as a local church and found the previous high to be $8,663. So this year’s goal was set to exceed this amount.
I am so happy to report that as of this past Sunday, we have collected $8,894.49. Considering the financial downturn this past year has been for many, I truly am awed by God’s movement in our congregation to accomplish this goal, but also proud to be apart of this family even more here at Westwood.
Tears of the Saints Video
Note: I believe the correct statistic for the number of orphans according to the United Nations is 140 million not 13 million as shown in the video.
HT: Justin Taylor
