Last night was a wonderful evening of worship and evangelism - as we saw many respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. At our service end, team members walked forward with persons coming to make professions of faith in Christ, which was marvelous for this pastor to see. My message, The Importance of God’s Kingdom, was based upon Christ’s 3 parables - ‘The Great Treasure in a Field, the Pearl of Great Price, and the fishermen with their “Nets full of Good Fish and Bad” – stories from Jesus which teach of both the value of God’s Kingdom and the Import of a true confession in Christ, before it is too late.
This morning, on our second full day in Itacarambi, our team appeared rested, even energized, as I addressed them. I spoke from Phil. 2, where Paul reminded this church they are to “do nothing out of selfishness or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Phil 2:3) Once again, I shared this is an important matter for our call to ministry, as well as for church unity and effectiveness both to those inside and outside the church. To do this, I challenged us to practice a ‘back-row’ ministry - a ministry perfectly suited to our call in Christ. It is often a ministry to those least noticed, those not considered cool, those perhaps not so pretty or out-going – and to those living life unnoticed because either they (themselves) or we have placed them on life’s back row. For, if I have learned anything in my years in Christ, it is that there is no real back row, no hierarchy, from Christ’s perspective – and that the ground is level at the foot of His cross – and we are called to model Him.
When we practice “back row” ministry, we do two things – (1.) we help those whom really need Christ’s love to see His love – offered for all – as it shines through us. And (2.) doing so guards and protects us from Satan’s temptation of selfishness and vanity.
So pray for us as we do this while we are here in Brasil. Pray also that we might do this as we return to Plano. And, do this knowing that your pastor is praying for you the very same thing – wherever you are - as you serve Him in your places of work and play, today.
Deus Abencoe,
Pastor Sam
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