Surely Jesus of Nazareth is unique. All the things we have seen Him do are things that no one else has done. And so the question naturally arises: who could possibly carry on His mission? Who could do what He does? The answer is that Jesus sends messengers who are like Him — not perfectly like Him, but recognizably like Him. The apostles are those messengers. Jesus prayed all night back in ch. 6 and selected the twelve as those who would be the new leaders of Israel. Now comes the next stage in their training. They have been watching and learning long enough that they are ready for their first mission. In the passage before us, Jesus describes the kind of messengers they need to be. That, in turn, tells us about the kind of messenger He Himself is.

The sermon explores Jesus' promise to build His church despite opposition, using Paul's second missionary journey to Philippi as the primary example. It highlights how unexpected changes, difficult relationships, and severe hardships were sovereignly used by God to advance the gospel rather than hinder it. The narrative demonstrates that closed doors and suffering are not signs of failure but means through which Christ accomplishes His purposes. Key events include the division between Paul and Barnabas, the Macedonian vision, and the conversion of Lydia and the Philippian jailer through divine power. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to trust in Jesus' faithfulness to build His church regardless of circumstances.

The sermon expounds on Matthew chapter 10, detailing Jesus' commissioning of the twelve disciples to preach the gospel and exercise divine authority over demons and sickness. It emphasizes that this power is a gift from God, not earned through human effort, and instructs the disciples to rely on hospitality rather than material provisions while spreading the message. The speaker contrasts visible, verifiable miracles with modern skepticism, arguing that scientific reproducibility parallels the tangible proof Jesus provided. A significant portion addresses the serious consequences of rejecting the gospel, warning that such rejection carries greater judgment than the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to support missionaries and actively participate in the harvest by sharing the truth with those who are lost.

Missionary Peter Halliman gave updates about mission work in Malawi and Papua New Guinea, including the rigorous training of Jacob Wallace. He emphasizes strict adherence to biblical principles regarding work ethic, financial accountability, and submission to authority as essential components of discipleship. The narrative highlights the harsh realities of missionary life, including physical labor, cultural challenges, and spiritual warfare involving witchcraft. A significant portion of the account describes the historic ordination of seventeen pastors in Papua New Guinea, marking a pivotal moment for the local church.

But God: From Grave to Glory Ephesians 2:1-10 Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church Sunday, September 6, 2026 Morning Service

Sunday Morning Study - Predestination