ONE OF THE MOST MISUNDERSTOOD AND MISQUOTED VERSES IN THE BIBLE: 2 PETER 3:9

Here is how I often hear this verse quoted, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, for it is not God's will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." and when I hear somebody say that, they will also say that it is God's will that every person in the world will be saved. 

But here is how the verse is actually given to us in the King James Version. 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) — 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [Underlining added] Maybe you read the English Standard Version like we do. If so, your Bible says this, 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) — 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. And if you prefer the KJV over the ESV, you might even use this verse as one of the reasons by saying "The KJV talks about God's will but the ESV only talks about wishing." Or does it?

When you look at the original word for "will" in this verse, you will discover that Peter used the word "βούλομαι [boulomai /boo·lom·ahee/]" which means to have a purpose or to desire. So instead of the ESV saying "not wishing that any should perish", it could have said "not desiring that any should perish". And that is the same intent in the King James Version when it says "not willing that any should perish". 

If this word meant "God's will", it would have been "θέλημα [thelema /thel·ay·mah/]" which deals with the purpose of God which is to bless mankind through Christ; what God commands or chooses as shown in John 7:17 (ESV) — 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. [Underlining added]

So here is the next question. Does God wish or desire that all people will be saved? If you look at this passage by itself, you might think so but you must look at the context that surrounds this passage. 

2 Peter 3:1–7 (ESV) — 1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Let me point you to a few phrases from the those seven verses...
Verse 3 "...that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires."
Verse 4 "4 They will say..."
Verse 5 "5 For they deliberately overlook this fact..."
And all of verse 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
In the first section of chapter 3, we read about scoffers and the ungodly. We see the pronouns "they" and we see "the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly" at the end of that section of scripture. Before anyone was born, God knew who was going to heaven and who was going to hell. 

But look at the change of direction in the next few verses...

2 Peter 3:8–10 (ESV) — 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

God is not limited by time as we are. We live minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day and so on. We should always praise God with much gratitude because He is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-present. God does not make mistakes. Everything He does is perfect. He is the creator and sustainer of life.

And then you see the section that answers our question about the meaning of "not willing that any should perish". 
1. Look at the word "promise". Who are God's promises for? God's people, right? God keeps His promises no matter how long it takes for them to come to pass.
2. Look at the phrase "patient toward you" and you will recognize a difference in the use of pronouns. Peter used "they" in the first section to refer to the scoffers and the ungodly but here he used "you" which refers to those who are the elect, those chosen by God.
3. So when you see the phrase "not wishing that any should perish", Peter was saying "not wishing that any [of you] should perish".
4. Which means that "all [of you or all of the elect] should reach repentance".
5. And then Peter finished that section with another statement concerning the end times when he wrote "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." 

So hopefully this will help you see the intention of verses 8-10. Keep sharing your faith. Tell everyone about Jesus because we don't know who is and who is not part of the elect. And keep thanking God for your salvation. 

WHAT'S NEW IN 2015? "BRANCH SHAPERS"

Here is one of the passages from John 15 that we reference quite frequently at Rolling Fork Baptist Church: John 15:1 (ESV)  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 

There is so much in that text but for now, focus on the phrase "every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit". Even the branches that are being fruitful are being pruned so that they will be more fruitful. As the branches being connected to Jesus (the Vine), how are we pruned or shaped? By God's Word.

One book that has really impacted me is "The Trellis And The Vine" by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. Here is Colin and Tony describe this book: 

"All Christian ministry is a mixture of trellis and vine. 
There is vine work: the prayerful preaching and teaching of the word of God to see people converted and grow to maturity as disciples of Christ. Vine work is the Great Commission. 
And there is trellis work: creating and maintaining the physical and organizational structures and programs that support vine work and its growth.

What’s the state of the trellis and the vine in your part of the world? Has trellis work taken over, as it has a habit of doing? Is the vine work being done by very few (perhaps only the pastor and only on Sundays)? And is the vine starting to wilt as a result?

The image of the trellis and the vine raises all the fundamental questions of Christian ministry:
What is the vine for?
How does the vine grow?
How does the vine relate to my church?
What is vine work and what is trellis work, and how can we tell the difference?
What part do different people play in growing the vine?
How can we get more people involved in vine work?"

The essence of the book teaches the importance of true discipleship, something that hasn't been happening in most churches if we are honest about it. Here is a short video describing this book. 
Pastor Mark Dever of Capital Hill Baptist Church in Washington and 9Marks which focuses on building healthy churches

I am also working through two other books: Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples and Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual: Equipping Disciples Who Make Disciples by Jim Putman and others.

So what does those books have to do with 'Branch Shapers'? One of the many things that I am truly convinced of right now is that we need to do a better job of discipling one another. Too many Christians are not familiar with the Bible and so they are not certain what it means to be a Christian. We need to become better equipped as disciple-makers.

Branch Shapers is a new tool for us to use in discipling others. Remember what you just read in John 15:2 "...every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit"? This new format of notes can be used in many different ways and will be easy to keep up with. Each issue will be a half sheet of paper, printed on both sides, that will be based on one of our sermons at Rolling Fork Baptist Church. Instead of just having an outline in the bulletin, Branch Shapers will put much more information in your hands dealing with that message and you can save your notes without having to save the whole bulletin. 

Why would you want to save your 'Branch Shapers'?

• for discussion with members of your church family 
• for future reference when studying your Bible
• for sharing with others in order to help them mature as believers in Christ
• for starting a Bible study with a group of your friends once a week 

What is another purpose for 'Branch Shapers'? Give to any churches, especially rural churches with limited resources, who wish to use it for some free Sunday School literature or for their small groups. This year Rolling Fork Baptist Church will be reaching out to churches in areas like Eastern Kentucky with the desire to encourage them and help them grow as Biblically-healthy churches. This will give us more resources to help them.

Please pray for us as we seek God's guidance in all that we do. Let us bear much fruit!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM RFBC (WITH THROWBACK PHOTOS)

Tony Sidebottom and me during a fellowship gathering

It's hard to believe how fast each year goes by. 2015 is just weeks from now. As we prepare for our Christmas celebrations at church this weekend, I want to praise God for the opportunity to be part of the RFBC family. I am so thankful for our church family and I look forward to what God has in store for us this next year.

Merry Christmas to you. Here are some "throwback Thursday" photos for you to enjoy...

Blake watching Claudia and Sis play Chinese Checkers

Jin and Santa

Skippy and Geneva

Cody looks like he's up to something

JR teaching Blake to behave?

Mary Sue giving him her Christmas list

Marie and Jesse

Sierra, Rhonda, Katlyn and Matthew

Naomi and Sarah

TODAY'S MESSAGE: HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU'RE SLEEPING

1. GOD IS WATCHING US AND HE KNOWS IF WE ARE RIGHTEOUS OR NOT.
LOOK CLOSELY AT VERSE 6  And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 
• they were both righteous before God
• [they were both] walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE THIS MINUTE AND CONSIDER WHAT VERSE 6 WOULD SAY IF IT WAS WRITTEN ABOUT YOU? WOULD IT SAY THAT YOU WERE RIGHTEOUS OR IN RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD? WOULD IT SAY THAT YOU ARE WALKING BLAMELESSLY IN ALL OF GOD’S COMMANDS AND STATUES?

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 (ESV)  For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24  and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25  In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27  Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28  Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29  For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 (ESV)  Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6  I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.

2. GOD IS LISTENING TO THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 13  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard
• CONTRAST THAT WITH THESE VERSES
Psalm 66:18 (ESV)  If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 
Proverbs 15:29 (ESV)  The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 

3. GOD HAS A CALLING FOR YOUR LIFE ALSO.
GOD HAD A POWERFUL CALLING ON JOHN’S LIFE.
15  for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16  And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17  and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

4. GOD DOESN’T LIKE IT WHEN YOU DOUBT HIM.18  And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
DOUBT IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH.

WHY DID ZECHARIAH DOUBT WHAT THE ANGEL SAID? BECAUSE HE WAS THINKING ABOUT HIS OWN ABILITY AND NOT THE LORD’S.

5. GOD PUNISHES THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE HIM. 20  And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 

BECAUSE OF HIS DOUBT, ZECHARIAH WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK FROM THAT MOMENT UNTIL AFTER THE BIRTH OF HIS SON.
Luke 1:59 (ESV)  And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60  but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61  And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62  And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63  And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64  And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.

6. GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH IN HIM.24  After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25  “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” 

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME RELIGION

Here are the words... come on and sing with me...

Give me that old time religion
give me that old time religion
Give me that old time religion
It's good enough for me

Makes me love everybody
Makes me love everybody
Makes me love everybody
It's good enough for me

It was good for Hebrew children
it was good for Hebrew children
It was good for Hebrew children
And it's good enough for me

It was tried in the fiery furnace
It was tried in the fiery furnace
It was tried in the fairy furnace
It's good enough for me

It will do when I'm dying
It will do when I'm dying
It will do when I'm dying
It's good enough for me

It can take us all to heaven
It can take us all to heaven
It can take us all to heaven
It's good enough for me

Give me that old time religion
give me that old time religion
Give me that old time religion
It's good enough for me

You saw an old photo of our church at the top of this post. Here are some more old photos of RFBC...

Irene Gaslin is in the middle and Mary Sue Holt is on the right.

How long has it been since you heard about 'that old time religion'? Pastor Ronnie Floyd is now the president of our Southern Baptist Convention and he is calling all of us to prayer. Here is what he wrote recently...

"There is no great movement of God that has ever occurred that does not begin with the extraordinary prayer of God’s people. The time is now for us to come together before God in clear agreement, visible union, and in extraordinary prayer for the next Great Awakening and for the world to be reached for Christ. 

For the sake of our nation and the spiritually lost around the world, it is time to humble ourselves before God. For this, I plead with all Southern Baptist pastors, missionaries, laypersons, denominational leaders, churches, denominational entities, conventions, colleges and universities; from student to adult, regardless of age, vocation, or status. 

As we come to God in humility and repentance, entering into this special season of extraordinary prayer, we plead with God for spiritual revival personally, revival in the church, and the next Great Awakening in the United States. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes: "And in movements of the Spirit the first thing that happens and which eventually leads to a great revival is that one man or a group of men suddenly begin to feel this burden and they feel the burden so much that they are led to do something about it." [Revival: Martyn Lloyd-Jones, p. 163]

I am pleading with each of you to join in this spiritual movement to pray for the next Great Awakening so the Great Commission will escalate to its rightful priority and accelerate to its completion in our generation."

Will you join us in prayer? Pray that our churches will be filled with people who are more concerned about God's approval than man's applause. Pray that we would be the light and the salt that Jesus told us to be Matthew 5. America needs to hear that old time religion.

KENTUCKY BAPTIST CONVENTION'S ARTICLE ABOUT OUR LAST MISSION TRIP

Here is an article from the Kentucky Baptist Convention's web site about our last trip to the Philippines. I am very thankful for everyone who has shown us support through our efforts to share the gospel in Kentucky and around the world.

Kentucky Baptists minister to Filipino brethren

September 24, 2014
By Debbie Davenport
KBC News

BOSTON, Ky.—A team of Kentucky Baptists brought healing and hope to hundreds of Filipinos still recovering from Typhoon Pablo, a devastating storm that struck the island nation two years ago.

Sue Fannin, a nurse from Elizabethtown, does a blood pressure check during a mission trip to the Philippines. She was part of a team of Kentucky Baptists who spent 10 days in the Philippines on a medical and pastoral training initiative. (submitted photo)

The six-member team, including members of Rolling Fork Baptist Church in Boston, provided medical exams and treatment to nearly 900 people in the Philippines between Aug. 24 and Sept. 2. They also held several worship services and led two pastors’ conferences.

Rolling Fork pastor Bruce Nichols said much work remains for the people trying to rebuild.

“Some of the areas still are wiped out,” he said. “It will take time. They’ll just have to work at it a little at a time.”

Typhoon Pablo was a Category 5 super typhoon with sustained winds reaching 175 mph. Some 1,900 people died as the December 2012 storm wiped out bridges, caused mudslides, flattened entire villages, and left thousands homeless.

Despite the slow recovery, Nichols said Filipinos seemed resilient. At the hard-hit Cateel Southern Baptist Church where only the tile floor remains where the pulpit once stood, local church members worship under a makeshift pavilion. They hope to raise enough money for a new building soon.

Nichols, having completed his fourth trip to the region, said he again was struck by the faithfulness of the Baptist islanders.

“In Cateel, the congregation has next to nothing in terms of resources,” he said, “but they have such energetic worship. Even in the areas where the persecution is, they’re still standing firm in the faith.”

Nichols said the ones serving on the mission trip, especially the first-timers, always return home forever changed by the experience.

“They realize all the things we take for granted (in the United States),” he said, and many come home with a different perspective after seeing how people live in other parts of the world.

Eric Allen, missions mobilization team leader for the Kentucky Baptist Convention, said short-term missions always proves to be eye-opening for Americans.

“I can’t encourage these kinds of short-term mission trips strongly enough,” Allen said. “In every instance, they benefit our churches as much as they benefit the people they’re reaching out to. I appreciate that Rolling Fork and Redeemer Fellowship are so willing to reach out with the gospel in their local communities as well as to the uttermost part of the world.”

Nichols said the mission trip has made him grateful as well. He expressed thanks for Kentucky Baptists’ prayers and financial support.

“Most of all, I am very thankful that God would use people like us to carry out a mission as big as this one was,” Nichols said.

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR AT RFBC

In spite of the green vegetables, we had a great time at last week's Thanksgiving dinner at church. It was great to hear the laughter and eat lots of good food. We truly have been blessed as a church family.

It is crucially important that we are praying for each other's needs and thanking God for our church family. We need to make the most of opportunities like last week's meal together. Sitting together and enjoying each other is how we develop stronger relationships within our church. 

I would definitely encourage you to read November 5's post, YOU CAN'T OBEY THE 'ONE ANOTHER'S IF YOU ARE NOT WITH ONE ANOTHER to see the importance of being together. We truly need each other. 

Another post that I would recommend to you to read is July 7 entitled DOES IT REALLY MATTER IF YOU "GO TO" CHURCH? which begins like this, "How important is your church attendance? Before you answer, let me clarify that question. I am not asking you how important your church attendance is TO YOU. Instead I am asking how important is your church attendance to God, to your family and to your church family?" 

So please remember that we have been so blessed with our church family and we need to gather together on a regular basis and obey God's Word together. It not only affects us but also everyone around us. So lets' get together this Sunday. I will meet you there. Ok?

9MARKS IN MINDANAO by Matthew Spandler-Davison

Here is an recent article about our mission trips written by my friend and fellow pastor, Matthew Spandler-Davison, as shown on the 9Marks website, http://9marks.org/ [also check out the other articles and resources on the 9Marks' website to help your church become more healthy]. I invite you to read his article and imagine being there with us and seeing what we saw.

 9Marks in Mindanao

"Looking down at the dusty streets, gazing into the bamboo shacks many call home, noting the bare hillside once covered by coconut trees, its baldness a chilling reminder of the relentless typhoon winds that hit these island shores – I found myself feeling insufficient to speak. Only 100 or so had gathered for this seminar; many walked, and some arrived in overcrowded jeepnies and motorbikes. The 100 consisted of pastors and pastor wives, church planters and church leaders—all from the far-flung tropical island of Mindanao. It’s an island that has been devastated by poverty, natural disaster, and militant Islam seeking to bomb the island out from the hands of the Filipino government.

I found myself asking, “What am I doing here?” Sure, a medical clinic or a food distribution would seem to make sense. But it felt utterly inadequate to come all this way to present a workshop on expositional preaching, biblical leadership, and meaningful membership.

But if I closed my eyes and listened to these men talk I might well have imagined myself in a pastor’s fellowship meeting back home: deacons publicly attacking pastors, church attendance below membership, the church refusing to act when a worship leader moves in with his girlfriend, church splits over the pastor’s pay, an anemic diet of topical sermons. Poor church health is an epidemic that is not contained by borders. It is a contagion that even the unlikeliest of places has been infected with, leaving in its wake weak churches, false converts, distressed pastors, and a poor witness.

For three days, myself and Bruce Nichols, a fellow pastor from Kentucky, led a workshop introducing the 9 Marks of a Healthy Church. And what I found were some of the most appreciative and humble pastors I had ever met. I was reminded that the nine marks are universally applicable and timeless. Just as they were applicable in first-century Jerusalem, they are applicable in rural Kentucky and tropical Mindanao.

These pastors on this troubled island were hearing these truths for the first time. For many years, they have been acting within a church paradigm taught by missionaries fifty years ago. The gospel took root—but so did unhealthy church polity.

A strong gospel witness is the greatest and most urgent need no matter where we are. There is a place for crisis intervention during times of disaster, and there is an ongoing need to feed the poor and build homes for the displaced.

That said, the work of building healthy churches helps to create real change that will not be destroyed when the winds start blowing again and the storm surge returns. We must not underestimate the power of healthy churches to bring about real transformation. It is to the cross we cling, so building healthy, gospel-centered churches that display the glory of Christ to the perishing is itself a mission of mercy.

I left the island struck by many sights and sounds and smells, but none more striking than the beauty of the church. There were moments—I’m afraid to admit—that their voracious appetite for gospel truth, their humility, and their passionate worship felt as foreign to me as their food and language. As one battle weary pastor in his seventies asked at the close of the workshop, “Why have we not heard this before? We have been victims of bad church government, but it is all we have ever known to do.”

Pray for the health of the churches on Mindanao Island. Pray for their pastors living in extreme poverty and with little training. Pray for the witness of the church as they seek to proclaim the gospel against a backdrop of militant Islam, indigenous cults, syncretistic Catholicism, and the prosperity gospel, which gets beamed in through their TV stations. Pray for healthy churches."

Our conference in Cateel

Our conference at Aloha

[I am very thankful for Matthew's partnership and encouragement throughout these trips. Please pray for us as we prepare for the spring conferences. Thank you.]

TAKING THE GOSPEL TO ASIA AGAIN SOON

I am often asked why we keep going back to the Philippines each and there are several answers to that question such as an on-going partnership with Pastor Joe Fernandez and his family. Another reason would be because of the location of the Philippines since they are centrally located in South Asia. By teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ, they can spread out to the countries around them and teach them. One more reason that I want to make at this time is the fact that they are very supportive of us coming over to their country and teaching them church leadership and theology.

Paul said in Romans 1:15a (ESV)  "So I am eager to preach the gospel to you..." which is another reason why we keep going back to the Philippines. To make sure that they are hearing the real gospel of Jesus Christ instead of a prosperity gospel or something else. We focused on teaching what the gospel is on my first trip as shown in the photos below. 

Teaching pastors at Mt. Carmel

Pastor Joe Fernandez interpreting for me

Each time we go over, at some point we will be teaching what is the gospel and what is not. Paul continues in Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 

Edmund Ytac interpreting for me at Seaside Baptist Church during my third trip

In the passage from Romans above, Paul said that he was not ashamed of the gospel because it was and still is the power of God to bring forth salvation to everyone who believes and puts their trust in Jesus Christ. There are four thoughts I want you to see in those verses.

1. The word "power" is the driving force of the gospel. The gospel is powerful. More powerful than anything else. What else do you know has the power to take a sinful man and recreate him in a new creation that is in right standing with God?

2. The word "salvation" is the purpose of the gospel. "In the New Testament [salvation] is specially used with reference to the great deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin wrought out by Jesus Christ". Easton's Illustrated Dictionary

3. The phrase "everyone who believes" is the target of the gospel. The aim of the gospel is to penetrate the hearts of those who are lost and become the new creations as shown in #1.

4. The word "righteousness" is the result of the gospel. Those who believe and put their trust in Jesus Christ are made righteous, which means they are in right standing with God. Their sins are forgiven and they are His children. 

In just a few months, we will be taking the gospel to Asia once again. I don't know who all is going yet, but I do know there is so much work to do. I am very thankful for everyone who has helped us raise funds in the past and I hope to have a great response from people like you again this time. There are two easy ways that you can help us financially...

1. If you wish to send us a check of any amount, you can mail it out to Rolling Fork Baptist Church and send it to 615 Rolling Fork Church Rd, Boston, KY 40107.

2. If you would like to use your debit or credit card, please visit our fund-raising page, http://www.gofundme.com/hmd2p8 and make your donation. 

I want to thank you in advance for your prayers and your financial gifts. It means a great deal to see my friends and family take part in this evangelistic effort.

IF YOU LOVE KIDS, CHECK THESE OUT

Here are some of the kids that gathered the night that I preached the first outdoor meeting of our last trip. After the service, we had porridge for the kids and as you can see, they were quite happy with that.

I saw this little guy at another street revival we did. Watch the video and see if you can move like that! 

Umbrella Man sitting in my lap. He was pretending that his binoculars was a camera and he was 'taking pictures' like me.

 

Some more kids posing during the street revivals

These children live in a remote area outside of Cateel.

When was the last time you rode a water buffalo through town?

Or rode a motorcycle with 5 people on it?

Darlene loving on one of the babies from the medical camp.

Sue and Judy surrounded by kids and a Filipino soldier.

I may not speak their language yet, but high fives and hugs are universal languages, it seems.

In this last photo, I am using these children to illustrate an important lesson. What is that important lesson?

The lesson is very simple. None of these little children are married yet. None of these little children can drive yet. Why? Because they are little kids. Grown-ups get married and drive. The same is true with Christianity. We start out as babes in Christ and we are supposed to grow up to be like Christ.

1 Peter 2:2 (ESV)  Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 

Hebrews 5:12 (ESV)  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13  for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14  But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 

This is where you and I come in. Ever since my first trip to the Philippines under the leadership of Greg Cochran, I have felt a strong calling to work through our Nelson Baptist Association to train Filipino pastors and help develop strong biblical churches. Churches that will preach and teach the one true gospel to these kids and their families. 

There are many churches in the Philippines that are not preaching the one true gospel. In addition to those who are teaching the Muslim faith, you will find churches that are teaching a prosperity gospel or other false gospels. The next trip, which will be in the spring, will be my fifth trip since the beginning of 2011. We are partnering with Pastor Joe Fernandez and his family to cover as many different areas of the Philippines as we can. And we need your help.

Your part may or may not be to go with us but any of you can help us by making a donation of any size to our fund raising campaign for these mission trips. If you wish to use a debit card or credit card, you can visit http://www.gofundme.com/hmd2p8 which is a secure sight that has an "A" rating with the Better Business Bureau. If you are wanting to make a donation using a check, please make it out to Rolling Fork Baptist Church and send it to 615 Rolling Fork Church RD, Boston, KY 40107.

Please share this information with your friends. The more funds we raise, the more we can do for our Filipino friends.