This is Mission Sunday at Joy. Today we highlight two mission Stories. The video we watched earlier is a group called Love Without Reason that our Friend Kim Palmer is a part of and needs our support to return to assist in surgery’s on June 10th.
The other story I want to share was the report from Haiti many of you heard about that happened this past week. Three missionaries working for the Lord were killed by gang violence.
An Oklahoma-based missionary group working in Haiti’s capital was attacked by gangs on Thursday night, leaving two Americans and the group’s director dead, the organization, Missions in Haiti, announced on Facebook.
Missions in Haiti runs a school for 450 children, as well as two churches and a children’s home in the Bon Repos neighborhood in the northern outskirts of Port-au-Prince, which is widely known to be controlled by two local gangs. The independent nonprofit was founded by an Oklahoma couple, David and Alicia Lloyd, in 2000.
The victims were the founders’ son, David Lloyd III, 23, known as Davy; his wife, Natalie Lloyd, 21; and the organization’s Haitian director, Jude Montis, 45,
Missionarys Joel and Yavonne Trimble have been serving in Haiti since 1975 and Supported by Joy Fellowship since 1978 are preparing to return to Port au Prince from CapHaitian. Here is what Missionary Joel Trimble said: “In November 2021 when 16 missionaries were kidnapped in Haiti, I told Yvonne, "We cannot stay here in Port au Prince; it is too dangerous. We are going to Cap." When Haiti's airports closed in mid March 2024, we drove 90 minutes from CapHaitian to the Dominican border and walked across with a carry on.
Be assured, we are submitted and obedient to God whether He says, Stay or Go; and as a 49 year missionary I listen intently for His voice.
Please continue to pray and give to help us win Haiti for Christ; this nation is desperate for deliverance, now is the harvest.
Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew Chapter 10. We studied this passage of scripture a few weeks ago but the Lord has brought me back to it this morning:
Matthew 10:37-42
King James Version
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
The context of this passage of Scripture is when Jesus is sending out his disciples to do ministry without him physically present. In the 1st part of this Chapter, we see in verse 1 Jesus gives the Disciples power and then sends them out:
Matthew 10:1
1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
In verse # 7 and 8 Jesus tells the Disciples what the Message is:
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
***Later in time right before Jesus ascends up into heaven he gives them a broader area and mission that we as Christ Disciples continue to follow. Turn to Matthew 28:16-20 as we read The Great Commission:
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The 1st point of the Message today: Jesus has given us a commission to do 3 things with him: To Go, To Teach, To Baptize.
Romans 10:9-15
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The 1st point of the Message today: Jesus has given us a commission to do 3 things with him: To Go, To Teach, To Baptize.
Lets go back and Read Matthew 10:37-42 in the context of Christ Commission he has given to us:
Matthew 10:37-42
King James Version
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
**This morning as I was waking up the Lord put this passage of scripture in my heart and specifically in the context of separation for ministry and honor in position of spiritual service.
As Jesus is speaking to all his disciples and sending them out into ministry, he takes the time to talk about different callings, ministries or levels of service based on the name or identifying title of the persons by how they serve the Lord:
Jesus starts with the Prophet, as he knew the disciples would very quickly understand the context of a Prophet has a special place in the work of the Ministry. There is special anointing that comes to the Prophet. Hear the words of Christ again:
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward.
The word receive here is more that to Honor it is actually allowing relationship to form and to Cherish or hold close. Here are some examples of where the word is used:
Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received G1209 him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast.
And if ye will receive G1209 it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
TOOLS
And whoso shall receive G1209 one such little child in my name receiveth G1209 me.
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received G1209 it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
**** I want to tell you the story about something that happened to me recently as an example. I was called to be with a family as one of their love ones was transitioning from Death to life. In that setting there were people that I knew well and other people that I did not know well or even at all. The ability for me to allow the Holy Spirit and Word of God to come through me and minister was different in the same room in the same situation depending on how the person with whom I was speaking “received me” not just how well they knew me.
I remember at one point we were gathered around the love one and someone asked me: Pastor Jon, would you lead us in a prayer. We prayed and I felt the presence of the Lord fill the room….but not everyone received it and not everyone received me as pastor.
It was earlier in the day when another person in the group identified me as “The Preacher”. My friends at a time that you need a pastor, a shepherd, to give pastoral care, I hope that you do not receive me as The Preacher.
The 1st point of the Message today: Jesus has given us a commission to do 3 things with him: To Go, To Teach, To Baptize.
The 2nd point of the Message today: The level of impact of God’s presence and power in your life is directly associated to how you receive the individual used by God to minister to you.
I want you to ask yourself this question: Am I your Pastor, or am I a good preacher? Hear the words of Jesus speaking about John the Baptist to his Disciples:
Matthew 11:11-15
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
***Back to
Matthew 10:40-42
King James Version
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Jesus started with the Prophet as we discussed, but then he goes to a righteous man. Many times in my life I have asked counsel of men and women who I perceived to be righteous and doing their best to serve the Lord. I received from them wisdom to the level that I honored them. One such person is Brenda Skalsky and before his passing her Husband Jerry Skalsky. They never carried the formal title of ministry position but both were people that I recognize as righteous individuals and I honor them and receive the reward or benefit as such.
But Jesus did not stop with the Prophet, He did not even stop with the Righteous Man but Jesus even highlighted the name, position and calling of a disciple. I want to be clear it does not appear he was just talking about the 12 disciples: Look at verse 42 again:
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
The beautiful part of this passage is that Jesus shows how on every level of the kingdom of God there is value, there is honor and there is blessing when we serve the Lord.
Verse 42 describes the most basic elements of hospitality…..Giving a drink to a child. But do not miss the 2nd part. I can give a drink of water to a Child in the name of Jesus! Do you see how powerful that is? I can give a drink of water in the name of a great prophet or ministry and wow do you see the power behind that…….In reality Jesus says it is impactful and powerful to give the glass of water to the child in the name of just a disciple, a student level one, 1st rank. Someone who has decided to follow Jesus. Once you make that decision to follow Jesus you are a disciple of Jesus. At that point you can give a glass of water to a child and you are in ministry! And not only are you in ministry you are not going to lose your reward.
The 1st point of the Message today: Jesus has given us a commission to do 3 things with him: To Go, To Teach, To Baptize.
The 2nd point of the Message today: The level of impact of God’s presence and power in your life is directly associated to how you receive the individual used by God to minister to you.
The 3rd point of the Message today: As a disciple of Jesus you are in ministry and you are honored by Jesus for even the simplest acts of kindness and Hospitality.
I watch my aunt Mimi Ester who has been part of huge ministry for many years. I see her with a tray of deserts some Sunday nights and Wednesday nights walking around the heart serving. I see many of you serving the Lord in Hospitality ministry, setup and take down…..security…All the ministries here at Joy…You are honored by God, you are received by God and you will not lose your reward.
In closing, I want to talk to you about separation for ministry: Jesus has called all of us into ministry but there are some who God calls to be set apart not for special honor but for special mission and service:
The 4th and Closing point of the Message today: You are called of God out of darkness, separated, holy, and special to show the Love of Jesus to them who will receive you.
Acts 13:1-5
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
1 Peter 2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
The 1st point of the Message today: Jesus has given us a commission to do 3 things with him: To Go, To Teach, To Baptize.
The 2nd point of the Message today: The level of impact of God’s presence and power in your life is directly associated to how you receive the individual used by God to minister to you.
The 3rd point of the Message today: As a disciple of Jesus you are in ministry and you are honored by Jesus for even the simplest acts of kindness and Hospitality.
The 4th point of the Message today: You are called of God out of darkness, separated, holy, and special to show the Love of Jesus to them who will receive you.