Sunday, June 6, 2010

     It was wonderful to have Missionary Everett Ward with us on this Missions Sunday.  Everett and his wife Carolyn have served the Assemblies of God as missionaries to Latin America for 42 years.  We are proud to say that our church has supported him and his family for that entire time.  They have served in 4 different countries during that time working with Bible Schools, training national missionaries and working in many other areas.  They are the founders and directors of Latin America Library Services.  Their goal is to provide resources and training materials for the nationals that are being trained to further the gospel in their countries.  The support of our missionaries is very important to Lawson Assembly of God.  We were recently recognized as the first place church in missions giving out of churches of similar size in our district.  There is nothing greater we as a church and individuals can do than to help further the gospel.

     Pastor Roger shared a message with us titled “Final Words.”  A person’s final words are usually something important.  We see in Matthew 28:16 -19 and Acts 1:6-8 some of Jesus’ final words.  He is instructing the disciples to spread the gospel.  As Christians we have a very important message.  The message the Lord has given to us to share with the world is critically important and urgent.  People can’t be saved without the gospel.  In John 3:16, we see that the message is a message of love.  James 5:30 shows us that it is a life saving message.  Every person who is not saved will stand before God for judgment.  We see this described in Revelation 20:11-12.  As Christians we will not be judged for our sins because Jesus took that punishment for us.  A loving God has done everything possible for us to find forgiveness, but He is also holy and righteous.  He cannot let the guilty go unpunished.  The most important job in the world is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We need a passion and burden for the lost.