Beyond This Point There Be Dragons – 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Introduction

Our title comes from a very old map of the world I had the chance to see some time ago.  It was from the 1500s when much of the world was still unknown, and, the existence of sea monsters was widely accepted.

In our world today we have satellite imagery covering every inch of the globe but there are still territories where beyond their borders there is great danger.

Recently, where I attend church, we had a guest speaker from Frontline Missions International.  I must say this was the most eye opening and convicting view of global missions I have ever been a part of.  This organization targets those areas deemed “closed” to ministry.

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Am I in the Book of Life? – John 3:1-8

Introduction

I am going to start with a bit of my personal history.  My grandfather, on my dad’s side, was a church planter: he traveled to different areas, set up his tent and started preaching.  When a group of followers were formed he sought out a preacher to pastor them, packed up the tent and moved to the next place.  It sounds really quick when you say it like that but he would usually stay 2-3 years at each church.  One of those churches he established was where I grew up and learned about Jesus.

To the best of my Grandmother’s ability she cataloged (11) churches organized/pastored and later in life, (7) churches pastored.  No sending church, no mission board, only a steadfast faith that what God had called him to do He would see him through it.  My grandfather was a carpenter on the side to fund his ministry; no one paid preachers back then.  As a result of his skills he helped or completely built many of the church buildings that he organized.