GWENT BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
The Gwent Baptist Association Autumn Council Meeting will be held at Zion Baptist Church, Cwmcarn on Thursday, 6th October (7.00p.m.). The guest speaker will be the Rev. Simeon Baker, director of mission, Baptist Union of Wales. Geoff Champion will be confirmed as the Association’s new secretary.
SEEKING A HARVEST OF SOULS
1 Thessalonians 1:4-6a For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, [5] because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. [6a] You became imitators of us and of the Lord.
Acts 17:4 tells us that, as Paul preached in Thessalonica, “some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.”
You do not have to drive far in the countryside to realise that this is harvest time. A glimpse across at farmers’ fields reveals bale upon bale of hay all ready to be collected and safely stored in barns in preparation for winter. Timing is of the essence. If they leave hay standing in the fields for too long it will lose its quality and rot.
These Scripture passages tell us that not only did the Apostle Paul reap a timely harvest of lost souls at Thessalonica but how he did it.
First, the Gospel is the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ so that our sins may be forgiven and we may be saved. Those who do not know God and do not obey the Gospel will be punished so people need to hear and obey the Gospel urgently. (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Paul preached the Gospel. Secondly, Paul says the Gospel “came to you”. Unsaved people rarely come to us – it is our duty to go to them. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations….” (Matthew 28:19).
The Gospel came “not simply with words” but we do need words and specifically the Word of God! It also came with power. Paul preached the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:19) and this resulted in his deep conviction arising from the simplicity of the Gospel, the power of God’s Word and being under the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
The final clincher for Paul in bringing in this harvest of souls was that he was able to say “You know how we lived among you”. People are more willing to listen to someone whose lifestyle they know and respect – 2 Timothy 3:14: “ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.”
So what are the steps we need to take to bring in a harvest of souls? The Gospel must be prayerfully shared with people through God’s Word, but not in word only but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction, backing up the message with a godly lifestyle.
Are you up for the challenge!
Dates for your Diary:
Wednesday 21st: 7.00p.m. Deacons Meeting
Saturday, 24th: 3.00p.m. Suzanne’s Housewarming
Wednesday, 28th: Church business meeting
Friday 30th/Saturday 1st October:
Meetings at Moriah commemorating 150 years since the missionary Robert Jermain Thomas went from Wales to Korea.
October
Tuesday 4th:: 7.00p.m. Chosen People Ministry
Thursday 6th: 7.00p.m. GBA (Zion, Cwmcarn)
Sunday 9th: 11.00a.m. Harvest Service
Monday 10th: 7.00p.m.Harvest Supper