Brother Stephen shares something about himself
In December 1996 I was in my car driving when suddenly I had this thought - Jesus it would have been nice to have known you and serve you when you were alive. Then the next thought was not my own - Jesus said to me - I am alive Stephen and you can know me and serve me. At that moment I believed - This was the first time I believed because Jesus revealed Himself to me.
Scripture and Sermon/Brother Stephen, Evangelist Title: Come Follow Me
Matthew 16: 24-27
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done
Matthew 4: 17-22
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
27 years ago at this time of the year Jesus called me to follow Him. I wasn't looking for Jesus, but in His grace and mercy He started searching for me. There are no accidents - This evening He has lead you here to call you to follow Him. For some - you have never met Jesus and had a salvation experience, for others you have strayed from Him, others He is calling to go deeper with Him, some of you He is calling to serve in various ways, and some of you He is calling to the ministry - Pastors, Evangelist, and Missionaries. In a moment we are going to sing - if you hear His voice saying come follow me for any of the reasons that have been mentioned - then I want you to be obedient to Jesus and come down to the front - we want to pray with you about your decisions - come church, come now as we sing.
Call to Commitment/Benediction Song/I have decided to follow Jesus
Brother Stephen shares something about himself
In December 1996 shortly after Jesus called me to follow Him. One day I was with a friend of mine and unrelated to what I was struggling with my friend said Jesus is a jealous God. What my friend did not know is that I was struggling with letting go of the Gods in my life. Jesus wants to be number one in our lives - and so many times we put other things (Gods) ahead of Him - what are some things (other Gods) that you may be putting ahead of Jesus in your Life?
Scripture and Sermon/Brother Stephen, Evangelist Title: My Personal Testimony
Mark 10: 17-21
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother."20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Matthew 13: 44-46
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
I grew up in the church both my parents were christians. When I was 10 years old - I remember at the end of the sermon one sunday I felt a strong pull to go forward - a show of obeidience to God. So although scared I chose to be courageous and go forward in front of the church. To tell you the truth - church, just like in school I did not consciously pay attention - so I really had no idea about God - so when I went forward I had no idea really what was happening. I grew up in a baptist church - so when I went up front and at the age of 10 - the pastor sort of put words in my mouth and I said yes to everything He said, and being a baptist church I was baptized. After that experience I still did not pay attention in church and did not have any idea about God. So when I became a teenager I had no thoughts of God at all and I lived for myself. As an adult living for myself and making all of the decisions for my life - I made many mistakes and my life was filled with wild living and chaos. But I loved my life - it was a life of pleasure (just as the bible says - sin is pleasure for a short time). When I was 32 years old I came home to my parents house for christmas. During this time God sent a man named Bill to help lead me to Jesus. I saw something in this man that I did not have. He had a peace and a power I had never noticed in anyone before. One day we were talking about going to heaven - he ask me if I died would I go to heaven and I did not know. So I ask him if he was - and the way he answered yes, I knew he knew he was going to heaven - I wanted what he had. After weeks of wrestling with God I finally surrendered my life to Jesus. When I did surrender to Jesus I received the Holy Spirit and was filled with the same peace, joy, and power that I saw in my brother Bill. Bill went to be with the Lord several years ago - his obituary read - His faith became sight.
Call to Commitment/Benediction song/I have decided to follow Jesus
Brother Stephen shares something about himself
In 2003 God taught me a valuable lesson on Trust and Faith - I didn't realize how much of soul winning I was trying to do own my own. What keeps us from sharing our faith with others: fear, rejection, not qualified, there may be many reasons that keep us from sharing Christ with others. I think maybe sometimes we forget that it is the Holy Spirit that saves - and we can do nothing own our own - we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us when we are witnessing to others.
Scripture and Sermon/Brother Stephen, Evangelist Title: I Want to Know Him
John 1: 1-13
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God
In 2003 I had the privilege of going on a cultural exchange trip to the country of Turkey. During my 30 day trip, I stayed with host families. The first family I stayed with spoke english fluently so I was able to communicate. Turks don't get many Americans staying in their home for 2 days and especially when a war has just began with a country that shares their border. So they were anxious to share their feelings and get my opinion on the war. So the first night they invited the mayor of the town and his family to dinner. When I got saved God told me not to drink alcohol anymore - since becoming a christian I have discovered this can be a good opportunity to share your faith in social situations. So before dinner when asks what type of alcohol I wanted and I said no thanks - that sparked a reaction of why don't you drink alcohol? At that moment I got scared and replied - I had an experience - when asks what experience I just said - I don't want to talk about it. So after dinner they brought the subject of why you don't drink alcohol up again. I would compare the feeling I got was simular to when I got saved when I surrendered to Jesus - Jesus was asking me to do something that was hard for me submit to what he wanted from me - and at this moment he was asking me to give my testimony - or at least thats what I thought. Just like when I surrendered my life to Jesus and He saved me - when I surrendered to give my testimony to these people gathered that night - something supernatural happened - instead of giving my personal testimony I found myself in the Spirit - I was standing up and it was like I was not there - the Spirit of God was speaking through me (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirits power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.) as I said the Spirit of God took over my body - Instead of my personal testimony - I started quoting John 1: 10 and repeating over and over - they did not know Him - The whole time my eyes were fixed on one particular women - as I was repeating they did not know Him - the woman started repeating - I want to Him - I want to know Him.
Call to Commitment/Benediction song/I have decided to follow Jesus
Brother Stephen shares something about himself
Some of you may be wondering why the benediction song is I have decided to follow Jesus for all of the services. The song has special meaning to me - in May of 2018 when I was making the final preparations to come to Colombia - the final part was terminating our lease on the apartment - I knew once I terminated the lease there was no turning back - I remember driving in the car on my way to the rental agency - and I was struggling - at that moment a song entered my mind - I have decided to follow Jesus - I have decided to follow Jesus - no turning back - no turning back.
Scripture and Sermon/Brother Stephen, Evangelist Title: Leave it all Behind
Matthew 19:29
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
In January 2018 God started stirring in my heart and mind. My first trip to Colombia was in 2011. My wife and I had been married for 1 year. I fell in love with the country and people of Colombia immediately. However, Tocancipa presents several physical issues for me (the high altitude and cold nights) so please forgive me if sometimes I'm difficult - I'm working on it (lol). During the first few visits being a foreigner - not knowing the language, different foods my stomach not familiar with, the alitude and cold nights (I'm from low alitude and warm region) only from my physical limitations - the trip was hard for me - with this being said I want to stress that I love everything else here - and God knows I am telling the truth - if only Tocancipa could be 1 hour off the mountain where I can breathe and is warmer - lol). So I came here for the first few years of our marriage but then I stayed home and did not make the trip for the next several years. Now back to 2018 - as I said God started to speak to my heart and mind. God was telling me to begin a ministry in Colombia - but it was not clear to me exactly the details of what the ministry would be - isn't that the hard part - we feel God is leading us to serve Him - but he isn't laying the whole complete plan out yet - at this point I just know that He was saying GO. At this time our lease was up in June. So I came up with the crazy idea to sell everything we own and move to Colombia full-time in June - and I did - I sold or gave away everything we owned. However, 1 day before we left we received word that we would have to return in August. During our summer 2018 in Colombia God did amazing things in my life and the lives of several Colombians. When we returned to the United States I had in mind to stay connected with my brothers and sisters who God had touched during the summer of 2018. I did for awhile, but then it just sort of faded away - years passed until this past summer 2023. To be continued - you will have to come back tommorow night for the conclusion.
Call to Commitment/Benediction song/I have decided to follow Jesus
Brother Stephen shares something about himself
I don't know about you - but sometimes I struggle with what God's will is - and when God shows me His will - then I sometimes struggle with doing it. In summer of 2023 when the Holy Spirit lead me to make plans to go to Colombia for christmas to minister I immediately purchased non-refundable plane tickets. Want to know why I purchased non-refundable tickets - because I know myself - and I would probably get doubts and cancel my trip. About one month before the trip - one night I was overwhelmed with fears about the trip - then I started to read the bible and was lead to John 6:16-21 Jesus words It is I - spoke to me saying - Stephen don't be afraid this trip to Colombia is Me.
Scripture and Sermon/Brother Stephen, Evangelist Title: Keep Going
John 6:16-21
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.
Call to Commitment/Benediction song/I have decided to follow Jesus
Title: Our Gift to You
Why do we give this gift? Because it contains important words that would help you find God's free gift of salvation and eternal life. Men are teaching many different things about these subjects, but, whom can you believe? Is there any man who knows all religious truths? Is there any man who never makes a mistake in his teaching? No, all men are limited, but you can accept the words of Jesus as your authority in religious matters. Therefore, if what I say and what you say disagree with the words of Jesus, whose word would you accept as true? My opinions, your ideas, or the words of Jesus? Yes, Jesus is your authority in your search for God, salvation and eternal life. For example: Jesus says: "I am the way, I am the truth, I am the life, no one goes to the Father except by me." John 14:6 Who is the way to heaven? Can there be any other way? If Jesus is the only way to heaven, then can religion (church) be a way to the Father in heaven? Can baptism be a way to heaven? Can good works be a way to heaven? No, Jesus is the only way to heaven. How then can Jesus be your way to heaven? You will find the answer in Jesus words: "For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will never have life but God's wrath will remain on him forever." John 3:16,36 What kind of life is this verse talking about? Do you have eternal life already? or Do you wish you had eternal life? Jesus words will help you find it now. The beginning words, "God loved the world, " means God loves you. What did God do because He loves you? When God gave His Son, Jesus, what did Jesus do for you here on earth? What does this verse say you must do to have eternal life? If you refuse to believe only in Jesus, what is your condition? Romans 3:23 and 6:23 explains why. "All men have sinned and are far away from God's saving presence; For sin pays its wage - death; but God's free gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". Sin is called many things - missing the mark, rebelling, living independently of God. Sin is being or doing wrong against God, others or yourself. You can sin in your thoughts as well as your actions. The greatest sin is refusing to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Apart from Jesus Christ you deserve spiritual death, the payment (wage) of sin which is eternal separation from God. Look carefully - Is eternal life a payment (wage) which we must work for or a gift? If eternal life is a gift, then - Do you have to work for it? Is it free to you? Who paid for this gift? How did Jesus pay for it? Ephesians 2:8,9 makes this very clear: "For it is by God's grace that you , have been saved through faith, it is not your own doing, but God's gift. There is nothing here to boast of since it is not the result of your own efforts." Where is the gift of eternal life found? "This is the witness, God has given us eternal life and this life is in his Son (Jesus)." John 5:11 Life is always in a person. Can one that has no life give life? Can you let someone borrow, your life even for a moment? No, your life is You. Eternal life is Jesus own life and this life is yours if you receive Jesus. If Jesus is eternal life and eternal life is Jesus and no one can go to heaven without eternal life, what must you do to have eternal life? "Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life". John 5:12 If you have Jesus, God's Son, what do you have? If you do not have Jesus, God's Son, do you have eternal life? Would you like to receive Jesus, eternal life and salvation right now? Then how? Jesus said: "Listen, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and eat with him and he will eat with me". Revelation 3:20 According to these words of Jesus, at what door is Jesus knocking? Is He inside or outside the door of your heart? Why is Jesus knocking? Does He want to come into your heart? What must you do so He can enter your heart? If you want to believe in Jesus as your Saviour and open your heart to receive Him, then pray this prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe your words that I can have eternal life and salvation right now. I realize that I am a sinner. I repent of my sins and with all my heart I trust you. At this moment I open the door of my heart and accept you as my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank you for coming into my heart. Thank you for giving me eternal life and salvation. Amen.
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