Notes to Our Missionaries
Every month our Pastor, Tim Daniel, writes an article that appears in the World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions, Headquarter Happenings. We will make them available here for your enjoyment.
These notes have been a source of great encouragement and blessing to missionaries serving on the field. This page is dedicated to them.
They will appear in reverse order with the current article appearing at the top.
Moved By the Holy Ghost: July 2009
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2 Peter 1:19-21 Many books have been written attempting to explain the inspiration of the Word of God. Peter makes a good argument for the authority of the Word of God in this portion of scripture. In order to earnestly contend for the faith, you must first be totally convinced that the Word of God was breathed to us by the Holy Spirit of God. Holy men of God were moved by the Holy Spirit of God to give the Holy Bible that we might live a holy life in the presence of the Holy God. Only holy people will earnestly contend for the Holy Bible! Peter explained to us the method God used in giving us His Word. He tells us what inspiration is and what it is not! You can only earnestly contend for the faith when you are completely convinced you have God’s inspired Word!
God’s Word was not inspired by man’s experience. It was inspired by the Holy Ghost moving on holy men. In verses 15-18, Peter declares that the Word of God is more sure than his own personal experiences. He was eyewitness to many great events in the life of the Lord, but the one he mentions is the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. As marvelous an event as this was, the Word of God is more sure than his own personal experiences. Just as Peter declared his own experiences less important than the Word of God, we should do the same. Be careful of your own personal experiences. They must be discerned by the God-breathed Word of God. Personal experiences must never supersede the authority of God’s written Word. God’s Word is the authority on all issues of life.
God’s Word was not inspired by man’s interpretation. It was inspired by the Holy Ghost moving on holy men. Neither Moses, Isaiah, or any of the prophets wrote anything of their own private interpretation. Everything recorded by them is God moving through them. Our society is unable to endure sound doctrine, so private interpretation abounds! David Sorenson says, “We live in an age of bite-sized Christianity: Christianettes listening to sermonettes, having devotionettes.” Be careful that your preaching does not become private interpretation of the Word.
God’s Word was not inspired by man’s will. It was inspired by the Holy Ghost moving on holy men. Man’s will is potentially moved by the flesh and the pride of life. You cannot be moved by the flesh and do anything spiritual. Paul said in Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me: but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Just as the inspiration of Scripture was not moved by the will of man, neither should your preaching be moved by your flesh. God’s Word was moved by the Holy Ghost so that man can be moved by the Holy Spirit of God through the Word of God to be more like Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
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Saturate Yourself With God’s Word and Be Successful: June 2009
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Joshua 1:1-9 It is amazing how God's plans for His people are often begun by one and finished by others. Some lead out of captivity and others lead into the blessed promise land! Some start works and plant churches and others continue on those works. God is all wise in His ways to victory. The children of Israel were led out of the slavery of Egypt by Moses, and then Joshua was commissioned to lead them into the Promised Land. Joshua had already proven himself strong and courageous, and he is now God=s choice to earnestly contend for the faith as he leads the children of Israel. God can enable you to earnestly contend for the faith as you learn from His instruction to Joshua. Be faithful in the place of service God defines for you, and let Him defend you. He will prosper you as you stay in His Word and His will. Joshua stepped up to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Moses had trained him well, and now he is God’s choice as leader. The task that you faithfully do today gets you ready for what God is preparing for you tomorrow! John Wesley said, AWhen God has work to do, he will either find or make instruments fit to carry it on. Moses the servant is dead; but God the master is not: he lives forever.@ All of us are a product of someone else’s leadership. As they pass off the scene, you literally will take their place in leadership as you earnestly contend for the faith. A great promise is given to Joshua as God declares his will for Israel in verses 3-4. He is promised that wherever the soles of his feet walk will be given to him within God’s set parameters. Joshua’s first battle at Jericho was won this way. They simply walked around Jericho as God instructed, and the walls fell down flat. What a successful walk-a-thon! Stay strong and stay straight by obeying all of God’s Word. God=s Word is an endless source of strength for those who follow Christ and His plan for victory in the Christian life. Obey His Word and you will know His will for your life. Do not turn away to the left or to the right from God’s Word. Stay straight in its guidance! Meditate in it day and night! Walk in it day and night. Your success in ministry will come only from your daily devotion to God’s Word! David Sorenson stated, “God promised Joshua that if he would meditate in His Word day and night, not only would he do all he was supposed to do, but then his way would prosper and then he would find good success. Whatever task, calling, ministry, or endeavor we undertake will prosper as we saturate our minds with God’s Word to the degree it soaks down into our heart, modifying our behavior and directing our decisions.” God’s Word will strengthen and encourage you for every task and His Word is your only hope of spiritual success! |
Jesus Christ and a Lesson About Forgiveness: May 2009
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Matthew 18:21-35
Immediately after instruction concerning church discipline, Peter asked the Lord how often should he and the other disciples forgive those who sin against them. Church discipline is essential to keep the church pure and forgiveness is essential to keep individuals pure and useful in God’s work. All of us have sinned against others and have been sinned against at some time. Therefore, the Lord’s lesson is applicable to each of us. When you have an unforgiving spirit, you put yourself in a spiritual and emotional prison! When you carry a grudge and have an unforgiving spirit, you become a slave to those whom you are unwilling to forgive and you torture yourself unnecessarily! Unforgiveness is a self-inflicted wound that you keep picking at until it infects all your being with bitterness and ultimate destruction! We must learn from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ as he teaches his disciples and us concerning compassion and forgiveness.
It is a wonderful blessing to have been forgiven by the Lord Jesus Christ of our own personal sin debt. It is probably a struggle for many, like the disciples, concerning how often someone should be forgiven who has sinned against us. The Lord made it clear that the number of times a person should be forgiven is indefinite. A forgiving spirit is a major trait of the believer. It is evidenced by compassion and mercy being extended to others. Ephesians 4:32 states the qualities of a forgiving believer, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
Determining whether you have an unforgiving spirit is not really difficult. If you demand payment of those who have sinned against you, you are unforgiving. If you are a spiritual detective in the lives of others, you are unforgiving. If you are a vindictive person, you are unforgiving. If you wish harm to others, you are unforgiving. If you mistreat others because they mistreated you, you are unforgiving. If you are constantly running from place to place to get away from people, you are unforgiving. In this lesson, the Lord makes it plain that people know you are unforgiving by your actions. You are not fooling anyone! Can you imagine being called a wicked servant? It is exactly what the Lord stated about the unforgiving person in the scripture. Jesus warns at the end of this lesson and in Matthew 6:14-15 of the spiritual consequences of being unwilling to forgive, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Being a pastor or a missionary does not exempt us from the infecting sin of not forgiving others. It could be a major sin that grieves the Holy Spirit and His power in our ministries. Revival of our nation and world will never occur if only God is forgiving. Believers must forgive as well. Be kind, be tenderhearted, and forgive! A lost world is counting on God’s people being right with Him and one another.
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Preaching the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: April 2009
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1st Corinthians 15:12-19
Preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most valuable truth you can preach. Every other doctrine of faith in Christ is subjected to the biblical fact of His resurrection. Without this great truth, preaching would be senseless, faith in Christ would be useless, witnessing would be lying, no one would be redeemed from their sin, all deceased believers would have perished forever, and Christians would be the most miserable people on earth. However, the resurrection is a fact and believers have the greatest hope ever promised. Since Christ rose from the dead, believers have the assurance that when they die, they will be resurrected just as Christ did. Hallelujah! Such a great truth should be preached all year long.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only a historical truth, but it provides great assurance, comfort, and a sure hope for all believers. The believer can be sure of the future coming of Christ (15:51-52). Jesus promised this return for His people in John 14:1-3 before He was crucified and rose again. The believer can be sure of a resurrected body like Christ’s own body (15:53-54). What future joy to be just like Christ! The believer can be assured of complete and final victory over sin and the penalty of death (15:55-57). “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Belief in the death of Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead is essential to the ultimate victory of the resurrected saint. The believer should be encouraged to live for Christ in this life being assured of His own resurrection and glorified body (15:58). The hope of the resurrection makes all the efforts and sacrifices in the Lord’s work worth it. No work done in His name is wasted in the light of eternal glory and reward.
The preaching of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is also essential to unbelievers. The risen Christ is the future Judge of all unbelievers. As believers are resurrected before the Tribulation to eternal bliss in heaven, unbelievers will be resurrected after the millennial reign to be judged by Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:5). All unbelievers will experience the second death after they have been raised momentarily from the first death.
As preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, make the preaching of the cross and His resurrection preeminent. Without it, faith is vain, but with it many can come to Christ and be assured of eternity with Him!
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Be a Good Steward of the Gospel: March 2009
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“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” - Matthew 28:19-20 As is customary with God, He has a plan for everything He has purposed. This is true with the gospel also. He has revealed His plan for you to be a good steward of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ gave His life for the gospel. Can you as a missionary be a good steward of what He died for? Being a good steward of the gospel means you are investing your life in the service of the Lord. You are actively proclaiming the gospel to the lost and actively training those who have believed your testimony of the gospel. How effective are you for the Lord in these areas? The first step of good stewardship of the gospel is action. The word “go” in this sense implies the going is a continuous journey - not just a once-in-a while trip. There must be constant action in the gospel! Your feet are “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Be actively walking and working in the gospel. The second step of good stewardship of the gospel is proclamation. Preaching and teaching involves becoming a scholar of the gospel as you herald the good news to your mission field. The third step of good stewardship is the baptism of new believers. I remind you as Bible believing Baptists, immersion is the only biblical practice in baptism. Baptism is the first real act of obedience in the new convert’s life. Help the new believer become obedient to the Lord. The fourth step of good stewardship of the gospel is discipleship. Duplicate what God has done in your life in others. Teach them to “observe all things” the Lord has taught you. Either someone will carry on the ministry God has established through you or your ministry will die with you. Prepare the next generation to be a good steward of the gospel. Your ministry should not be limited to your own life span. Good stewards of the gospel prepare for the future. Stay active in the ministry, preaching, baptizing, and making disciples of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. |
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“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 Praise the Lord that God was willing to send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. As a result of His coming, many have been saved and will enjoy a wonderful eternity in heaven instead of an agonizing eternity in hell. What genuine love God must have for mankind to have sent His own Son into a world which hated Him, tortured Him, and crucified Him. Jesus Christ exemplified His Father’s love for the world as He ministered. His love was evidenced in patient teaching of slow learners. He encouraged and admonished those of little faith. He quietly rebuked those who fought over who was going to be number one. Without respect of persons, He preached by the seaside to many, instructed his followers on the mountain, met one-on-one with sinners in the public arena and at home, healed many sick, and even raised the dead. What genuine love Jesus Christ displayed as He ministered to sinful man!
You and I are ambassadors for Christ, and that same genuine love must be evident in us as we minister to lost and saved people alike. How patient are you with your slow learners? Are you genuinely concerned about those who exhibit little faith, or do you immediately chastise them and talk about them? Do you get angry with people who are trying to be “number one” in your church? Are you willing to preach or teach anywhere?” Will you minister to everyone without prejudice? God loves your part of the world so much that He sent you there through your home church to represent His love for those people. You do not have the power to heal or raise the dead, but you do have the power to love your people as Jesus Christ has loved you. Is your love genuine?
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“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:11-13 It is easy to be content when economies are booming and exchange rates are favorable. The test of contentment in the ministry comes when offerings and support levels are down. Paul knew how to serve God in the prosperous times and when he was suffering need. He was content in whatever state he found himself. He learned contentment in the pleasant and difficult circumstances of life. God grant each of us to be content in the days ahead. In America, the year 2009 has arrived with a struggling economy and not much hope of a quick recovery. You can live through this year worrying about the financial future and support levels or be content and diligent as you serve the King of kings.
Remember the following biblical principles of contentment in life and ministry and apply them. God’s calling does not fluctuate with changing economic conditions. 1 Corinthians 7:20 is a reminder of God’s calling, “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.” Be content with your calling as a missionary! Always remember God is in control of everything. He is aware of your circumstances and is always sufficient to provide strength for each situation. Be content with God! 2 Corinthians 3:5 is a stabilizing promise for the believer when faith begins to waver. It sounds forth clear as a trumpet fanfare, “Our sufficiency is of God.” Be content with God’s provision to you! 2 Corinthians 9:8 declares and encourages, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” He is able to provide for your personal and ministry needs!
Contentment is the state when you are leaning on your all sufficient God. He not only calls, He equips and enables as well. You can survive and minister on the mission field as our All Sufficient God strengthens you. Determine to be content in Him!
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