Take time to look at the front page of this bulletin and then bow your head in thanksgiving to God for all He has done through us. The information there shows the impact of the Mission Sunday contributions for the past four years. Your generosity has enabled the gospel of Jesus to touch West Palm Beach, South Florida and literally reach around the world.
Keep it in focus. The glory which comes out of this is not ours but His! It is He who has blessed us with jobs and allowed us to be part of a congregation of people, both young and old, whose souls are devoted to sacrificial living. When compared to so many, we are not a rich church, but we are liberal in the way we use what God has given to us.
Think about the words of Jesus. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:19-20). The security many seek in hoarding treasures on this earth is false security. It can disappear in a moment. However, those sacrifices you have made over the last four years are treasures “deposited” in heaven. They will last eternally. Eternal souls will join you in heaven because of your liberality.
Jesus then said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). Your liberal sacrificial giving is a reflection of the kind of heart you have. It is like the heart of God. He loved and He gave—remember John 3:16—and you loved and have given.
This next Sunday we will present the challenges the elders place before us for the new year. I hope that every member will make a special effort to be present, for the elders have exciting opportunities which will be revealed to us.
Then the following Sunday each of us will be able to respond to these opportunities. We cannot let this year be different from former years. Those years have been characterized by sacrificial hearts looking at what God blessed them with and responding with loving gifts. So take time to search your heart and purpose to do your part to make this Mission Sunday another victory!