Preaching

    For many years i worked full time in a little business that God gave me, came home, made dinner, and read and studied the Bible. I asked the Holy Spirit to teach and reveal it to me. But there was hardly any outlet for what He was planting in my heart. During part of this time He had me organize small scale men's retreats, eventually over forty, and then would have a chance to share. When I entered the house church movement thirteen years ago the opportunities came more frequently. In Brazil they are continuous.
     Last night the leaders of the church in Porto Alegre invited me to preach to about a thousand people. With the skilled and anointed help of my translator Calebe was able to give full treatment to a theme that God had planted in my heart during the Jesus People days, and refined since called the Purpose and the Vision of God. In summary the supreme purpose of God is that He be glorified forever through Jesus Christ. The three part vision, or ways to do this are reflected in our three primary areas of relationship as Christians- the personal one with God, those with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and with those who do not know Christ. In other words becoming conformed to the image of Christ (like Him through sanctification), the unity of the Body of Christ through our surrender to His Lordship, and preaching His gospel in the whole world. With the help of the Holy Spirit and using many verses this truth impacted many people.
     At the end was led to make an appeal for people to pray about either going as missionaries, or to fund those who do go by living a simpler lifestyle. At least twenty people came up to me afterwords saying that God was confirming that call in their lives. I also suggested a different model based on 2 Corinthians 2: 2:12-13, and Acts 20:4 of sending teams of people rather than an individual or one family.
     This morning was asked to preach at a Lord's Supper service at one of the many satellite churches in other neighboring towns with whom the church in PA has practical relationship. We looked at two often neglected aspects of this celebration. First that the celebration of the Lord's Supper is part of a pattern of celebrating before the Lord by eating together that is seen in both old and new Testaments. Second that the weekly celebration as practiced by the early church is a rehearsal for the ultimate celebration, the wedding supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19. Again i am told that this had great impact.
   I also suggested for those who understood English but did not feel confident in speaking it that they organize a weekly English club to practice. It could also be used as an outreach.
     Trivia: the largest supermarket chain in Brazil is called "Big." It is owned by Walmart.