? Temple Baptist Church - 3-20-2024John 14:23-27? Introduction:? A. In the context of our verses for this evening,? we find the Lord Jesus Christ, just before His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, helping His disciples to adapt to what was going to transpire. Heretofore, Our Lord had been with His disciples day and night for 3 ½ years.? B. They knew His Person,? His presence, His provision, and His protection. Now, they would see Him no more. In verse 1, our Lord began this discourse with the words "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me."? 1. In these words, we find a Possible Condition: "your heart be troubled."? Troubled hearts are not the will of God for the lives of His children.? 2. In these words, we find a Personal Choice: "Let not your." Troubled hearts are something that we personally allow.? 3. In these words, we find a Path Clear: "Ye believe in God … believe also in me."? The Lord wants us to find our peace in Him, not our circumstances!? C. When we get down to the end of the chapter,? we find promised peace that comes from the Lord in His physical absence.? Verse 27 is an important one!? "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."? 1. A peace that is available:? "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." The Lord is leaving them, but His peace is remaining with them. “I leave … I give” Since our Lord left us that peace, there was no space of time when it was not available!? 2. A peace that is accessible:? "I give unto you." That peace can only come from the Lord Jesus Christ.? 3. A peace that is assuring:? "not troubled … neither afraid."4. A peace that is personal:? :unto you … Let not” Again, let not should not be an option. We get troubled and fearful because of the frailty of the flesh. These are things that we must allow to take over our hearts and minds as we know that He holds tomorrow, and He holds us in His hand.? D. There is a difference between peace with God and the peace of God.? You can have one and not the other! Things That Will Bring Peace To Your Soul!? 1. Peace with God comes through assurance of Salvation. Colossians 1:20? And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.? 2. The Peace of God comes through? total? Surrender.? Isaiah 32:17? And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.? 3. Peace Comes Through Loving The Scripture - Psalms 119:165? Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.? 4. Peace Comes Through A Right Attitude About Oneself - Psalms 37:11? But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.? 5. Peace Comes Through Following The Righteous - Psalms 37:37? Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.? 6. Peace Comes Through Embracing The Knowledge of God - 2 Peter 1:2? Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,? 7. Peace Comes Through Meditating Upon The Lord - Isaiah 26:3? Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.? 8. Peace Comes Through Making Peace - James 3:18? And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.? 2 Corinthians 13:11? Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.? 1 Thessalonians 5:13? And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.? 9. Peace Comes Through Taking Your Burdens To The Lord And Leaving Them There - Philippians 4:6-7? Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Four Challenges Missionaries Face and How Your Church Can HelpAdam FridenstineMon, 11/06/2023 - 01:11 We read in Philippians 4:10–19 that the Philippian church greatly encouraged Paul. What was it that was so meaningful to him? It wasn't just their financial support, but it was also their continued care for him and their desire to be part of his work.As missionaries, Esther and I have often been incredibly blessed by churches who encourage us in our work here in El Salvador. The prayers, support, and communication from state-side churches has often come at just the right moment to lift our spirits and strengthen our hands in the work of the Lord. Churches who support missionaries want to be a blessing. But sometimes well-meaning people in those churches don't know how specifically to do that. Life on a foreign field is full of challenges many Christians back home never face. Understanding these challenges can help supporting churches know how to help their missionaries.Cultural Adjustments Learning a new language and culture is more challenging than anyone who has not experienced it can comprehend. At the same time a missionary family is struggling to learn a foreign language, they are usually working through complicated legalities and often spending 20–40 hours per week navigating paperwork, foreign bank transactions, immigration, paying bills, and more. It's frustrating for them to have so much time eaten up by these necessities that would be non-existent or far simpler in their home country. Especially at the beginning, the missionary will often feel as if they are not fulfilling the Great Commission due to all the time these needs require. Pray diligently for your missionaries during this time, and communicate that to them. Be patient with them, as they would rather be doing other things as well. Recognize that it may take months or even years to see an established work, depending on the language and culture.Balancing many rolesAs missionaries strive to make a difference in the place that God has called them, they are often involved in many outreach ministries as well as building the church. Depending on the situation, they may have no trained help for several years, and there are no Bible colleges from which to hire help. There is a constant pressure to always be ready for the next church service, the next event, the next witnessing opportunity. Did they know this was part of what they signed up for? Absolutely! But it is still a lot on one's plate!You can help by initiating communication with the missionary, even when you are not asking something from them. Reach out with love and encouragement. Ask direct and love-loaded questions about the missionary and his family, marriage, health, etc. Give time and reminders when you are asking for a special update or personal communication.Discouragement and emotional needsThough not exclusive to foreign ministry, your missionaries will undoubtedly experience a multitude of discouragements and emotional needs on the field. The difference for missionaries is that there is likely a greater lack of a support team on the foreign field. Sometimes there are no other mature Christians nearby to help through their valleys. A missionary should never come off the field feeling lonely or unloved.Purpose to be a support team for your missionaries. Ask your church members to adopt a missionary family. (We have had many churches do this, rotating missionaries each year. Through the years, the missionary family has been loved by several families, and eventually the whole church feels as though they know the missionaries personally.)Financial BurdensMissionaries will spend many months on deputation raising funds to go to the field. They try to anticipate all financial needs for the foreseeable future in a place they have never previously lived. Although it is true that the income of a foreign missionary will often be higher than the nationals living in that same area, there are also many ministry expenses that a national would not have. Even with the best laid plans, good stewardship and constant support, things like inflation can make a huge difference in the monthly budget of a missionary. And even when churches always support on time and faithfully send the same amount for many years, those support dollars do not go as far as they used to depending on the economy in that particular country. The cost of living continually rises, while the missionary's support generally remains unchanged. How can your church help with the financial burdens of missionaries? Be sensitive to the economic challenges of living internationally on a fixed income. We have been blessed on a couple of occasions when a church reached out and purchased a new appliance to replace a broken one we were not able to replace at the time. Washing machines and refrigerators are luxuries, but they sure are blessings! You can also plan for occasional unannounced offerings for special projects. Communicate with your missionaries about their needs, and evaluate adjusting your support levels according to those needs.Without the financial support of churches, missionaries couldn't go. Without the prayer support, emotional support, and encouragement, missionaries will seldom go as far as they could. Category Missions Tags Missions