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John Mathews focuses on the “Rapture” in 1 Thessalonians 3-4. These chapters reassure believers that hardships are a part of God’s plan, and that faithfulness amid trials strengthens the church. The Rapture, a future event when believers will be caught up to meet the Lord, is a source of hope and encouragement. Christians are called to live holy lives, pleasing God and abiding by his moral standards, as we await Christ’s return.

Our city fell almost dark after a massive ice storm took down miles of power lines, leaving many of our friends without electricity to heat their homes in the dead of a frigid winter. Families longed to see repair trucks in their neighborhoods working to restore power. Later, I learned that a church parking lot served as a temporary command center for the vehicles being sent out to assist those in need.  

Hearing about the repair trucks brought to mind Jesus’ command to His disciples in the book of Acts. For forty days after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples to encourage and teach them about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Before Jesus’s return to heaven, He gave them one last promise: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (1:8).

Jesus promised God’s incomparably great power would be available to the disciples through His Spirit. But the purpose of having power was not to keep it to themselves. Instead, the disciples let God empower them in the mission of telling others how to experience once more the connection to God’s power and love that was broken by sin.

As we go out into our communities, we have the same power and calling. Empowered by God’s Spirit, we can care for those who are suffering, and share how they, too, can have access to God’s power.

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Over the past few days on Bold Steps, Pastor Mark Jobe has been presenting an overview of the Ten Commandments as they’re found in Exodus, chapter 20 … and we’ve come to see that some of them are short and staccato.  While others pack more of a punch. We’ll be looking at one commandment that almost 95% of the population believes is wrong … morally and spiritually. And that is the problem of infidelity.

Bold Steps Gift: LIES GIRLS BELIEVE: AND THE TRUTH THAT SETS THEM FREE

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I was recently trying to remember the first time I met S.D. (Sam) Smith, the creator of the wildly popular Green Ember books. I think it was at a homeschool conference a decade ago, back when I was working at The Colson Center. I noticed that one of the booths in the exhibit hall was crowded with kids and their parents. It was Sam’s booth, and the kids were going just crazy in their enthusiasm for Sam’s “rabbits with swords,” the heroic and delightful characters who are the stars of the Green Ember books.

Since then, Sam’s Green Ember books – plus other series that we’ll talk about today – have sold more than 1.5 million books. Sam’s brother Josiah is a key partner in the cottage industry that the Smiths have created, and his son – also named Josiah – is now a co-writer with of the Jack Zulu books.

I’m also pleased to say that Sam has become a good friend, so this conversation might get a little free-wheeling. We talk about writing the Green Ember and Jack Zulu books, a kickstarter campaign that has already raised more than $200,000 for a video game based on one of the characters in the Green Ember series, and why he has chosen to stay in West Virginia when conventional wisdom says he might have an easier time of it if he moved to Nashville, New York, or one of the other so-called “cultural centers” in the country. I think you’ll find Sam’s perspective both encouraging and challenging.

We had this conversation via zoom.

That brings to a close my conversation with S.D. (Sam) Smith. You can find out more about Sam and his work at www.sdsmith.com. By the way, since Sam and I spoke, his kickstarter campaign has significantly exceeded its $200,000 goal. Congratulations to Sam and his team on this milestone.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. I’m  your host Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

John Mathews brings us the theme “Hard-Won Victory” as he

discusses 1 Thessalonians 1-2. Paul, Timothy and Silas share their

gratitude for the Thessalonian church’s faith despite persecution.

The message highlights the importance of steadfastness in the

face of trials and how the Thessalonians’ example of faithfulness

became known far and wide

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 1:14-16

The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest missionaries the world has ever known. Romans 1:14-16 highlights the missionary challenge of Paul’s life: his heart, his zeal, his motivation, and his prayer.

This passage first shares that Paul was faithful to the missionary obligation.

“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise” (Romans 1:14). Paul calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ and recognizes that Christ died for him.

Adrian Rogers says, “Though salvation is the gift of God’s grace, the great paradox is that when we’re saved by grace, we become a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ. And in slavery to Jesus Christ is absolute freedom.”

Not only did Paul mean he was indebted to Christ, but he also felt indebted to the martyrs who had gone before him, suffering for the faith.

Each of us is indebted to those who brought the Gospel to us. We stand on the shoulders and reap the legacy of those who suffered, gave, and sacrificed so we could know Jesus.

Paul was also flexible to the missionary opportunity.

“So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Romans 1:15)

A missionary heart is dependable and available; no intellectual, physical, financial, or personal ability can replace dependability and availability.

God might have other plans for us than we expect; nothing takes precedence over the call of God in our lives.

Finally, Paul was fearless to the missionary opposition.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:6).

Paul knew that Jesus was all that mattered, and he was not ashamed of Him. He was not ashamed of the person, the purpose, or the power of the cross—which is salvation.

This world is desperate for salvation that only comes from Jesus. We have been empowered to share the Gospel with the world, if we would only be bold enough to share it.

Apply it to your life

The missionary challenge is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed. We are the recipients of the Gospel, handed down from saint to saint, from generation to generation; we dare not drop it.