Embracing Our Mission: The Urgency of the Gospel
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone, and Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. It's a blessing to be here with you today. I bring greetings from Calvary Baptist Church in St. John's, Newfoundland, and Labrador, where our small but mighty congregation of 180 people, with an average age of 28, gathers. Our church is diverse, with 19 different nationalities, and we are committed to planting 17 churches over the next decade. Your church has been a great partner and friend to us, and we owe you a debt of love that we can never repay.
Today, I want to share the urgency of our mission. In my city, less than one percent of the population is Christian. If Jesus were to return today, over 248,000 people would meet God as their Holy Judge, not as their Father. This drives my passion for the gospel and my desperate prayers for the salvation of my fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. I ask you to join me in praying for our province, our city, and our ministry.
In Acts 16, we see a new calling with the same message. God uses His people to speak for Him, to suffer for Him, and to see His kingdom expand. Paul and Silas, after being falsely accused and imprisoned, prayed and sang hymns to God at midnight. Their faith and worship led to a miraculous earthquake that freed them and ultimately led to the salvation of the jailer and his household. This chapter teaches us that God is sovereign and in control of every circumstance, using our lives to make us more aware of Him and our need for Him.
On this Father's Day, I encourage all men to see their children as gifts from God, entrusted to us to guide and point to Him. Paul saw Timothy not just as a disciple but as a son in the faith. We should strive to mentor and support the younger generation, giving them leadership roles today, not just in the future. Our mission is to preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten, knowing that our ultimate goal is to be remembered by God.
In conclusion, the gospel is global, local, and personal, but it is never private. It is meant to be shared. Let us pray for each other, support each other, and live out the gospel in our daily lives, knowing that God is with us in every circumstance.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Urgency of the Gospel: In a city where less than one percent of the population is Christian, the urgency to share the gospel is paramount. The reality that many will meet God as their Holy Judge rather than their Father drives a passionate commitment to evangelism and prayer. This urgency should inspire us to fervently pray for the salvation of our communities and to actively share the gospel. [42:14]
2. God's Sovereignty in Suffering: Acts 16 shows that God uses His people to speak for Him and to suffer for Him, leading to the expansion of His kingdom. Paul and Silas's imprisonment and subsequent miraculous release demonstrate that God is in control of every circumstance. Our suffering can be a powerful testimony to others and a means through which God works His purposes. [48:20]
3. Mentorship and Discipleship: Paul saw Timothy not just as a disciple but as a son in the faith. This relationship highlights the importance of mentorship and discipleship in the church. Older generations should actively mentor and support younger believers, giving them opportunities for leadership and mission today, not just in the future. [56:48]
4. The Power of Worship and Prayer: Paul and Silas's response to their imprisonment was to pray and sing hymns to God at midnight. Their worship led to a miraculous earthquake that freed them and brought salvation to the jailer and his household. This teaches us the power of worship and prayer in difficult circumstances and how it can lead to God's intervention and the salvation of others. [52:56]
5. The Global, Local, and Personal Nature of the Gospel: The gospel is meant to be shared globally, locally, and personally. It is not a private matter but a message that transforms lives and communities. We are called to live out the gospel in our daily lives, sharing it with those around us and supporting each other in our faith journeys. [01:10:31]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[38:45] - Greetings from Newfoundland
[39:34] - Personal Introduction and Family
[40:59] - Ministry in Newfoundland and Labrador
[41:22] - Partnership with Graceland
[42:14] - The Urgency of the Gospel
[47:09] - Connection to Acts 16
[48:05] - New Calling, Same Message
[49:32] - Putting Yourself in the Text
[52:56] - The Power of Worship and Prayer
[56:48] - Mentorship and Discipleship
[58:13] - New Mission and Converts
[01:00:51] - Facing New Opposition
[01:02:16] - Real-Life Opposition and Perseverance
[01:03:32] - New Power and Opportunities
[01:04:58] - Disagreement but Unity
[01:06:20] - God's Sovereignty in Every Circumstance
[01:10:31] - The Global, Local, and Personal Gospel
[01:11:58] - Practical Application for Families
[01:13:17] - Personal Testimony and Reconciliation
[01:17:36] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 16:25-34 (ESV)
> "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.' And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.' And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were Paul and Silas doing at midnight while they were in prison? ([52:56])
2. What was the reaction of the jailer when he saw the prison doors open? ([52:56])
3. How did Paul and Silas respond to the jailer's question, "What must I do to be saved?" ([52:56])
4. What actions did the jailer take after he believed in the Lord Jesus? ([52:56])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul and Silas chose to pray and sing hymns despite their imprisonment? ([52:56])
2. How does the story of the jailer's conversion illustrate the power of worship and prayer in difficult circumstances? ([52:56])
3. What does the relationship between Paul and Timothy teach us about the importance of mentorship and discipleship in the church? ([56:48])
4. How does the urgency of sharing the gospel in a city with less than one percent Christians apply to our own communities? ([42:14])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did you respond, and how might prayer and worship have changed your perspective? ([52:56])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of mentorship. Who is someone younger in faith that you can mentor or support? How can you start this week? ([56:48])
3. The urgency of the gospel was a key point in the sermon. What steps can you take to share the gospel more actively in your community? ([42:14])
4. Paul and Silas's faith led to the salvation of the jailer and his household. How can your faith and actions influence those around you? ([52:56])
5. The sermon mentioned the global, local, and personal nature of the gospel. How can you live out the gospel in your daily life, both locally and globally? ([01:10:31])
6. On this Father's Day, consider how you view your children or younger people in your life. How can you better guide and point them to God? ([56:48])
7. The sermon highlighted God's sovereignty in every circumstance. How can you trust God's control in your current life situation? ([01:06:20])
Devotional
Day 1: The Urgency of the Gospel
In a city where less than one percent of the population is Christian, the urgency to share the gospel is paramount. The reality that many will meet God as their Holy Judge rather than their Father drives a passionate commitment to evangelism and prayer. This urgency should inspire us to fervently pray for the salvation of our communities and to actively share the gospel. The speaker's passion for the gospel and desperate prayers for the salvation of his fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is a call to action for all believers. We are reminded that our mission is not just local but global, and the need for the gospel is urgent everywhere. [42:14]
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"
Reflection: Think of one person in your life who does not know Christ. How can you intentionally share the gospel with them this week?
Day 2: God's Sovereignty in Suffering
Acts 16 shows that God uses His people to speak for Him and to suffer for Him, leading to the expansion of His kingdom. Paul and Silas's imprisonment and subsequent miraculous release demonstrate that God is in control of every circumstance. Our suffering can be a powerful testimony to others and a means through which God works His purposes. This passage teaches us that God is sovereign and in control of every circumstance, using our lives to make us more aware of Him and our need for Him. [48:20]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial or hardship you have faced. How can you see God's hand at work in that situation, and how can you use your experience to encourage someone else?
Day 3: Mentorship and Discipleship
Paul saw Timothy not just as a disciple but as a son in the faith. This relationship highlights the importance of mentorship and discipleship in the church. Older generations should actively mentor and support younger believers, giving them opportunities for leadership and mission today, not just in the future. On this Father's Day, we are reminded to see our children as gifts from God, entrusted to us to guide and point to Him. We should strive to mentor and support the younger generation, giving them leadership roles today, not just in the future. [56:48]
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (ESV): "For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."
Reflection: Identify a younger believer in your church or community. How can you intentionally invest in their spiritual growth and development this week?
Day 4: The Power of Worship and Prayer
Paul and Silas's response to their imprisonment was to pray and sing hymns to God at midnight. Their worship led to a miraculous earthquake that freed them and brought salvation to the jailer and his household. This teaches us the power of worship and prayer in difficult circumstances and how it can lead to God's intervention and the salvation of others. Worship and prayer are powerful tools that can transform our circumstances and bring about God's miraculous intervention. [52:56]
Psalm 42:8 (ESV): "By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to see God's intervention? Commit to praying and worshiping God in that area, trusting Him to work in His perfect timing.
Day 5: The Global, Local, and Personal Nature of the Gospel
The gospel is meant to be shared globally, locally, and personally. It is not a private matter but a message that transforms lives and communities. We are called to live out the gospel in our daily lives, sharing it with those around us and supporting each other in our faith journeys. The gospel's reach is extensive, and it is our responsibility to ensure that it touches every corner of the world, starting with our own communities. [01:10:31]
Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Reflection: How can you be a witness for Christ in your local community this week? Identify one specific action you can take to share the gospel with someone in your neighborhood or workplace.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The reason it's so urgent though for us. Is I live and seek to serve God. In a city that is less than one percent Christian. In fact statistically. It's less than one half of one percent. My city has 250,000 people in it. And if God were to return. Or send his son Jesus Christ. Back to the planet today. More than 248,000 people. Of my fellow citizens. Would meet God. Not as Father. But as Holy Judge. Hell is their destiny. And that is what absolutely drives me. To be passionate about the gospel. And Jesus Christ. And I want as many people in my city. To know. And I am desperate." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household. It's that simple. But notice it says, believe in the Lord Jesus, not believe on the Lord Jesus. There's a whole bunch of people in Canada, the United States believe on Jesus. Not as many believe in him. And I'll give you an example. I believe on bungee cords. I don't believe in them. In other words, I understand the science. I understand that they're supposed to be a giant elastic band. I can look and watch TikTok videos of all the people doing it, but there's no way I'm letting a dude that I don't even know his name, strap one of those things to my back and say, jump. I am not doing that because I don't believe in them. I believe on them, but I don't believe in them." (43 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The gospel, my friends, is global, amen? All right, now wake up. All right, the gospel, my friends, is local, amen? All right, and the gospel, my friends, is personal, amen? But the gospel is never private. It's meant to be shared. So what's going on inside your heart and mind? Moms and dads, when was the last time you prayed for each other with each other?" (28 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I want you to realize, Gracelyn, as we finish up, the message was exactly the same. Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. You see, each one of that day, each one on that day and in that season was simply doing life when wham, God breaks into our hearts and our thinking. But notice, all of them are changed. And friends, I'm telling you, I'm not just, a salesman, I'm a client, and I'm going to clue it up with this. You see, this chapter screams, Jesus did it. The Spirit empowers it, and God is glorified by it." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I have six grandchildren. My youngest one just turned one. He's just starting to walk. You think that when we got the video of our youngest boy, Finn, taking his first couple of steps, and you know how all those little babies are with their head is 10 times as big as their body, so they look like the jack-in-the-box thing? Do you think that when he took those first couple of steps and then face-planted, what do you think me as Ginky and my wife as Grammy did when we saw the video of our youngest grandson taking steps? What do you think we did? That's exactly right. You know what I did? I took that video, and I slammed that around the world. I told everybody, my grandson's better than your grandson, and look at the steps he took. I didn't stand there going, what a doofus. He took two steps and fell. So many of us think that when we struggle through life and we take two steps before God and we fall, that we somehow think God is up in heaven going, when he's not. Because of Jesus Christ, God is in heaven going, that's my child, and I adore him." (68 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I don't think. In my. Entire life. As a Christian. I've ever lived. In a world. That is more. more tribalistic, and more, if you don't dot every I and cross every T exactly the way I do, we are not even going to call each other Christians. And I love the book of Acts because here we have a group of men and women getting together and they are struggling through theology but finding gospel clarity. And even when two men disagree very vehemently about staffing, they don't split and destroy. They simply split and double up the efforts. And you can't find anywhere in scripture after this where Paul runs down Barnabas or Barnabas runs down Paul." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I want you to. Worship God. And read. And ponder. And listen. And learn. I want you to ask God. For just a couple of minutes. Oh God. What do you want me. To learn from this passage. What do you want me. To change. What do you need me. To confess. What do I need. To rejoice in. But just before I read. Verses. 25 to 40. There's a couple things. I want you to catch. At the last. Of chapter 15. First of all. You'll notice. That all of chapter 15. Is about theological. Disagreement. While submitting. To gospel clarity. That's what Pastor Nate. Preached on. Last to you." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I used to live in Prince Edward Island. I had the love affair of my life with the ministry there. My daughter was born there. And many people, when I said I was going back to Newfoundland said, why? Why would you go there? There's no Baptist there. There's all kinds of religion there. Why would you go there? Why would you go there? Why would you go there? And my answer was always because God called me there. And I'd rather suffer in God's will than be successful out of it. And every Christian, that's our calling. So Paul and his team are given this new mission, but now they get new converts because then we're introduced to this woman by the name of Lydia. Lydia, this seller of purple. She was most believed a widow, but this woman is a tremendous entrepreneur. She's a woman of means. And don't miss what Luke says, because it says, the Lord opened her heart to hear what Paul spoke to her, her and her household." (53 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I have found wives that when husbands are asked, does your wife, love you? Well over 90% of the time, the husband will say, oh yes, my wife loves you, loves me. But then they'll ask, but does your wife like you? And then they're like, uh-oh. Do you know a lot of Christians are like that with God? We believe that God loves us, but a lot of us don't believe that God likes us. He delights in us. He takes joy." (68 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I told you about my dad who stood up in the face of my grandfather's opposition was disowned. Irony of ironies, when my mom and dad got saved, they got saved two weeks apart when I was five years old. And when my dad got saved, he got all the way saved. He wanted to save the world. And so by the time I was seven, we had 12 foster kids living in our home. They turned our basement into a school for the mentally disabled and those that had mental, uh, challenges. But with all of that, my parents became so obsessed with saving the world and not quite getting margins right, they forgot about their boy. And so from the ages of seven to 13 in my home, through the horrific of all these damaged and broken people, I was sexually abused and physically abused for most of my child life. I've been stabbed on multiple occasions, beaten more times than I can count. And at 14 years old, I'd finally had enough. And I confronted my father and said, I'm done with Jesus. I'm done with church. I'm done." (57 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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