Worship Service

As we traveled through the towns with many speed bumps there was something else which slowed us down on our way to church this beautiful Sunday morning.  We came across a herd of cattle which would not get out of the way.  They at one time were all the way across the main highway before we arrived closer to them.  Praise God the herdsman hurriedly got them over to the right hand side of the highway so we and others could pass by them safely.  We finally arrived to Cedeno Baptist Church ready to worship and praise our Lord for the last time.

We gathered inside the sanctuary and waited for the service to begin.  I caught a glimpse of Lee go over his testimony which once he got up to the pulpit completely changed.  Jacob sat quietly awaiting for his first time sharing the gospel with a translator and in another country.  My God moment was when Tina asked Meida to see a hymn with her in Spanish.  This was Meida's first time singing with a team member in her eight  years of service with us.  Kristi was asked to read the responsive reading in English as Meida read it in Spanish, Psalm 100.  The pastor did a special for the congregation as well.  Pastor Mateo was grateful to have us worship with his church family.  Mike and I caught a glimpse of Tina over with Christian's grandmother singing from the church hymnal of course in Spanish with her arm wrapped around Christin's grandmother, another beautiful moment where you simply needed to be here to feel this awesomeness our God provided this week.

The children got up and sand specials as well.  The congregation sang some familiar hymns, "How Great Thou Art", "Victory in Jesus" and "At the Cross" to name just a few.  Lee got up to share his testimony and as he entered the pulpit he looked out into the congregation to notice a normal here which it was more children than adults.  Sunday morning is normally Sunday School for the children and sometimes the adults.  Their worship services are on Saturday nights.  The churches here always accommodate us as we do not travel out at night.  So Lee changed everything he was going to share and he first started quoting scripture from Matthew 18, "Let the little children come unto me."  As he started reading this scripture every little cherub who until this time was talking and acting out got completely quieted and listened to every word Lee shared about his life. Lee shared when he was a child he did not attend church.  I did not know Jesus' love.  Because of this I made many mistakes in my life, some I am not proud of at all.  I hurt many people as well as myself.  Jesus began stirring in my heart.  Lee shared how he started reading God's Word daily and found a godly man who helped him understand and receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  At that time Lee shared his heart overflowed with the love of Jesus.  Lee worshiped the Lord and shared His love with others as well.  There is not any North American or Hondurans in Heaven.  We are all one and one day if you are a believer in Jesus Christ we will be together.  So Lee encouraged everyone to make this important decision to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

After Lee sat down Jacob proceeded him with a message of the pure gospel of Jesus Christ. There was not anything but God's Word shared from the pulpit.  Jacob started out sharing how the team came to build a home this week.  But God pressed on Jacob's heart to share the gospel as well as build a home.  Jacob asked the congregation a question, "If you were to die today would you go to Heaven?"  The entire congregations said "Yes".  Jacob then proceeded to read out of 1 John 5:13 and ask another question.  "If you or I die today would Jesus say why should I let you into Heaven?" But there is the best news ever for all of us, Jesus is a free gift from God.  Romans 6:23 says " For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."  In Christ Jesus  we cannot earn our way into Heaven. Also we definitely do not deserve this free gift from God.  In Ephesians 2 we are saved by grace. There is not anything we can do to pay God for our free gift.  If it is free you do not give anything in return, you simply receive it. We all need to know what the Bible says about humans, We are all sinners.  Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Because of sinful man, man cannot save himself.  "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect."  Matthew 5:48 and 1 John 4:8 "God is love".  God is a fair God but he is also a just God.  His Holiness demands punishment.  In Exodus 34:7 "The Lord God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  Our God solved sin for us all with His Son, Jesus, who died on the Cross for us all. Out of John 1 it says "And the Word became flesh, dwelled amongst us."  Jesus died on the Cross for our sins.  Jesus purchased a place in Heaven for each of us who chose to receive this free gift of salvation.  In Isaiah 53 it states we like sheep have gone astray.  So Jesus can save us from our sins if we ask for forgiveness.  We all deserve the punishment but Jesus paid for our sins.  How do we get to Heaven?  First of all by faith in Jesus Christ and full trust in Him.  He asked for a chair to be brought up to the stage.  Jacob asked the question "Is this chair holding me up?"  Manuel Dos said, "No, because you are not sitting in it."  Jacob agreed with Manuel Dos and said, "I have to be sitting in the chair and then sit still and listen to Jesus' Words for my life, I need to totally trust and have faith in Jesus Christ.  Anyone who has not made this decision Jacob encouraged them to not delay another day but make the most important decision of their lives.  Confess your sins, receive the greatest gift of all and then get involved in a bible study and pray to God to lead you daily in His Word, get baptized and share this love publicly with others.  Allow your hearts to be stirred, be fruit bearing, gospel sharing trees of life.  Thank you so much for allowing me to work and worship with you all this week.   

Pastor Mateo came forward and hugged Jacob thanking him for sharing God's Word today. He then asked Mike did he have any words to share.  Mike came forward and confirmed what Jacob had shared.  He thanked the church for allowing us to worship with them today.  Afterwards outside the church Pastor Mateo asked Jacob was he a pastor.  Jacob shared with the help of Meida, "No sir".  Pastor Mateo told him how amazing his sermon was and how much he enjoyed hearing him share the gospel.  Thank you God for an amazing week with an amazing team.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.  Thank you Grace Baptist Church.