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What Kind of Person Are You?
Johnny Eastep
August 30, 2015
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Christ In The World
Toward the end of the gospels, we get a glimpse of Jesus having a meal with his ministry team, often called "The Last Supper." He told them many things, loving things, challenging things, preparatory things. This would, after all, be their last supper together before Jesus died.
Ironically, the book of Acts begins with yet another supper, with the same ministry team, but this time with the resurrected Jesus. This would end up being the "real" last supper, as it would turn out, because as soon as this meeting was finished, Jesus ascended before their very eyes and disappeared in the clouds. He didn't tell them as many things at this meal, but it was still significant. He said that they would be Christ's witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
In other words, Jesus said: "I am needed everywhere. Everyone needs me no matter where they live on this planet. My commission involves not just you, not just your immediate neighbors, but the planet."
Accordingly, the rest of the stories in Acts take place all over the known world. The story of the Gospel, and of people responding to it, begin to journey from Jerusalem, to all Judea and Samaria, and out towards the ends of the earth... the Middle East, Greece, Italy, Asia Minor, even Africa is touched in the book of Acts.
So it shouldn't surprise anyone that Southwest wants to join God in this "all over the earth" movement. Without neglecting our mission to Amarillo, we have our hands in other nations as well. One of those nations is the Philippines, and we are blessed that the movement of God's Kingdom there is so visible.
Today, our friend and ally who leads our charge there on the ground, Johnny Eastep, is here with us. Encourage him, and be encouraged, as he brings us our word today.