Imagine that the Holy Spirit is at work in a young man in your community who does not know Christ. A faithful believer listens to the Spirit’s direction and shares the gospel with this young man. As a miraculous work of God, this young man is brought from spiritual death to spiritual life, repents of his sin, and confesses Jesus Christ as God’s Son and the risen Savior. Praise God!
At this point, God Almighty asks, “Where is there a church in this community that proclaims my Word faithfully, who will welcome this young man into their fellowship as he is, baptize, and disciple him to maturity and teach him to disciple others?” Brothers and sisters, would the answer be your church? Or would God have to look elsewhere because of apathy or conflict in your church? Would he have to look elsewhere because your church is so inwardly focused?
This is what is at stake as we take the Great Commission seriously. This will take all of us humbly working together as believers, church leaders, associations, and as Hawaii Pacific Baptists. Will you ask God to strengthen you as a disciple and disciple-maker? Will you ask God for the Holy Spirit’s courage and power to lay down your agenda and pride for the sake of the gospel? Will you forgive as Christ forgave you? I am personally asking God to help me to do this very thing.
For the Sake of the Gospel!
Craig Webb
HPBC executive director-treasurer