DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY: THE POWER OF THE WORD

DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY: THE POWER OF THE WORD

Monday, March 3, 2014

The following is from notes taken and thoughts provoked from Pastor Paul Marine’s Sunday sermon. EBB4

                Matthew 11:27-30 All things are delivered to Me by My Father. And no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son will reveal Him. 28 Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke on you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

2Timothy [MKJV] 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

  God’s Word, living and written (Jn.1:1; 5:39), is sharper and more powerful than the finest tool (Heb.4:12; Rev.1:16). When not resisted, but taken to heart as followers of Lord Jesus Christ, The Word changes things, individuals, families, and sometimes nations. When accepted, the Word changes how people thing (Rom.12:2) and see (Jn.3:3); our worldview.

  And so is in the history of Burma, the present day Republic of the Union of Myanmar, a country with a long tumultuous chronicle including a varied religious record.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma

  Olaf Hansen was a man that experienced being changed by the Word, but not before resisting for many years. Born and raised in a Christian home he wearied of the Word being central to all his parents did. As soon as he could he immigrated to the USA to live with an uncle. Residence there didn’t last long as the uncle also lived life influenced by the Word. Olaf took up habitation and company with those of like mind, unbelievers and scoffers. 

  His parents and others never stopped praying for him.

  Then there was a hay wagon accident in which Olaf was nearly killed . . . and soon thereafter his mother died.

  Olaf relented and trusted the Word, soon going to seminary to increase his knowledge and understanding so as to be a workman equipped. (Ps.119:105; 2Tim.3:16-17)

  Ready and willing, Olaf Hansen, as a Baptist missionary, went to Burma. There he met tremendous resistance. In this he was neither surprised or shocked for the Word explains “A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the teachings of God's Spirit. He thinks they're nonsense. He can't understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them.” (GW 1Cor.2:14)

  As a disciple of Christ Olaf persisted.

  His focused shifted to carefully listening so as to give the people a written language. Then he translated the Word into their language . . . and wonderful things began to happen, but not without latter day repercussions. https://www.google.com/search?q=myanmar+war&rlz=1C1BLWB_enUS530US532&espv=210&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=rZgUU-vRNon02gWu04HoDw&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=979

  One result of the conflicts and civil rights violation was many refugees, some of which made their way to the USA, with a number of them worshipping here at Benson Baptist Church.

  As initially stated this morning, God’s Word is powerful. This is fact. His disciples carry forth the Word to the lost. This is a fact. Whether you or I wear the yoke of the Word is dependent on our choosing.