Hearing the Music

Antioch and Christ Church

For anyone privileged to attend Christ Church last week, you heard a stirring sermon from Elder Dan Denk entitled “Unstoppable: Speaking Boldly for God”. If you happened to miss that sermon, I would encourage you to listen to it. Dan took us through the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabus recorded in Acts 13 and 14.  

We learned of incredible responses to the gospel as Paul and Barnabas saw governors, rulers, common people, Jews and Gentiles come to believe in Christ. They performed miracles, established new churches, and instructed new believers in the truth. 

They also experienced intense opposition.  Fellow Jews made false accusations, angry mobs attempted to silence them, and they endured physical abuse and a stoning that should have resulted in death. 

We might ask, what gave them such boldness? How did they have the courage to even go back and strengthen the believers in each of those places? Their very lives were on the line.  Of course, we know that only the Holy Spirit could enable such courage and such response.  He empowers those whom He sends.

Today though, I would like to call your attention to the church from which He sent Paul and Barnabas. Who were these people in Syrian Antioch (now in modern day Turkey)? We know they were a combined fellowship of both Jews and Gentiles. We know that Paul and Barnabas spent a year teaching and strengthening them (Acts ll:22-26). We know that this was the first place believers were called “little Christs” or Christians, (What an amazing testimony and compliment!). We know that they sent a gift to the Church in Jerusalem to sustain them through the coming famine. 

Most of all, we know that they sought the Lord with all their hearts. These were people who prayed: Acts 13:2-3 tells us “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”  

So what were the people who stayed in Antioch doing while Paul and Silas were on that historic journey? I am sure that they continued to imitate Christ and spread the good news in Antioch. They were also praying! They were earnestly interceding for Paul and Barnabas, knowing that God had sent these men out to the world. Although they were not themselves journeying, they were an integral part of this gospel mission.  

And so it is today. Christ Church is part of this same mission. Right now we support 16 missionaries around the world as well as local ministries. Each of these people depend on us to intercede on their behalf, to have them on our hearts, to care about their lives. I find it heartening when our missionaries tell us that they appreciate our interest in their work. What a privilege it is to encourage them!

At the end of the journey, the people of Antioch welcomed Paul and Barnabas back and heard of the work that had been done. (Acts 14:26-28). They had been part of the mission all along. So are we.

These past days have given us much to consider. We have been motivated by great messages, Sunday School presentations, visual art, music, international food, video updates from our missionaries, and more.  We have been challenged to think about who else might be sent from among us. This coming Sunday we will hear from Rev. Mark Bates, Senior Director of Operations for Mission to the World. There will be music and worship that reminds us of the Great Commission. It will be a fitting conclusion to the week.

Meanwhile, we have our own mandate that extends from now until Jesus returns: Earnestly seek the Kingdom of God, and pray for those who bring the good news.

Photo by Elianna Gill on Unsplash

Light that Cannot Be Overcome

“For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9

How do you feel about cloudy days? West Michigan is well known for gray winter days framed by banks of low lying stratus clouds. I used to tell my students that the sun was still shining and strong above those clouds; that its light was still filtering through even if we couldn’t see its brilliance from our perspective. I have to admit, though, cloudy days can bring dullness to my spirit.

This past year has certainly produced figurative clouds as a world-wide pandemic gripped us and so much turmoil descended all around. The contrast between this February’s Missions Festival and the last one is striking: Last year we packed our auditorium as we feasted on a banquet featuring food from all over the world; our halls were filled with artwork from the congregation, and our Christ Church kids thrilled us with a living wax museum highlighting missionaries from the past and honoring current missionaries. We sang together. This year we are urged to keep distance from each other and our halls are silent. Yet right now, we celebrate the fact that God’s light shines more brightly than ever. The clouds cannot dim His truth or the hope that we so desperately need. 

Our theme verse this year comes from the book of John, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4. Our missionaries have reflected on that verse and have made videos informing us of how they are living that reality in the ministries where God has placed them. In some ways the view is more intimate now, as they speak from their own living rooms and backyards. Each 2-5 minute video is unique and inspiring but has one overriding message: God is with us. His light shines.

We have exciting ways of celebrating God’s light this February. Each week is designated for a particular part of the world and an email will go out with links to missionaries in that part of the world. This past Tuesday's email began with the Americas, and will continue in the following weeks with Europe, then the Middle East and Africa, and finally, the continent of Asia. A new Missions page on our website highlights local ministries and missionaries we support with links to videos. New ones will be made available each week throughout the month. The points of light on the map show you exactly where each of our missionaries are located. As you explore all of the possibilities, you will also find their prayer requests, fascinating facts about their countries, personal challenges and even recipes to try, (if you are feeling adventurous or just want to have some fun!) We have tried to provide material that will draw young and old, families and individuals. In addition, our children's resources page offers a short video for kids along with coloring sheets. Each Sunday we will feature one of the missionary videos in both the on-site and on-line worship service, and the kids’ check-in table will have things for the children to explore. Every aspect of our worship this month shouts out the truth that God’s light shines in the darkness.  

One more exciting aspect is our opportunity to partner with the Seed Company in translating the book of Romans for a people group in south Asia. We are challenging members of our congregation provide the funds that would enable translation of the entire book. It is such a privilege to shine God’s light into hearts that are eagerly waiting! Details about how to do this are presented in our webpage as well as in our first worship service. 

What a joy it is to proclaim that our God is the fountain of light—that His Light shines in the darkness and cannot be overcome! Our prayer is that this overwhelming truth will enlighten your hearts this month and inspire you to pray for and connect with our missionaries and ministries. May you be challenged to share the light within you in new ways. God bless you.

Sided by Side

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”

Philippians 1:27

What are you striving for these days? Personally, I have been thinking a lot about this verse and what it means. I have been trying to keep my walk shoveled, (yet again), trying to keep the salt off of my car, and just trying to stay warm. I’ve been trying to keep up with all of my commitments. Winter can put me in survival mode. But what am I truly striving for?

Paul reminds us that our real purpose is to strive side by side for the faith of the gospel. What a noble purpose God has given us in this life! Our great Savior has gone before us and now has given our church community a commission to be His ambassadors to a waiting world. We get to do this right here in Grand Rapids. But God’s heart is for this whole world. We also get to be part of His work by striving side by side with the missionaries that Christ Church supports.

During Lent, (Yes, Ash Wednesday is coming on March 6th!), we have the opportunity to strive with our missionaries in prayer as a church community.

A booklet entitled, Praying With Our Missionaries through the Season of Lent is available for your use. It is comprised of 40 entries highlighting missionaries and their prayer requests. Each entry features a scripture, song, hymn, or thought that is dear to one of our missionaries. It also gives specific prayer requests for the day. Please consider making this part of your daily routine for the next five weeks.

The last week, (April 7th through 14th) will culminate in our Missions Festival, Beyond our Doors: Missions 2019. We are excited to see what will happen. 

It is our hope that our own faith will be strengthened as we pray together with our missionaries. May they know that we are” standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side” with them.

Alice den Hollander for the Missions Committee

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash