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By Randy Arnett, West Africa
regional leader, International Mission
Board
Text: Luke 14:25-33
Introduction:
At first glance, it's an unremarkable
piece of Burkina Faso. A 20-acre field
graced with a single, simple mud hut -
the remains of an old chapel. But this
field is special; it bears the body of
a teenage "MK" taken to heaven
while her parents worked to share the
Gospel. She's one of many MKs buried in
the soil of West Africa. For more than
150 years, a stream of God-called, Bible-believing
Southern Baptists have sacrificed their
lives and those of their chidlren so West
Africans can know Jesus Christ. They've
made a difference, but great darkness
remains. How does the Lord ask you to
respond?
1. It's going to be tough
- Missionaries must make hard choices
- Fewer and fewer are going to West
Africa
2. You must be tactical
- Great risk leads to great reward
(Muslim outreach)
- Plan to succeed, whatever it takes
3. You must be tenacious
- Jesus asks for nothing less than your
everything
- Overcome setbacks, adversity and loneliness
Conclusion:
As you consider what you will give
this year to the Lottie Moon Christmas
Offering®, challenge yourself to make
a personal sacrifice. Pray about how much
God is asking you to give so others may
know Him, and ask the Lord about His calling
for your life. Maybe He is asking you
to join the corps of disciples who are
tough, tactical and tenacious - and take
the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
About
the writer: Randy Arnett and his
wife, Kathy, have followed God's call
in West Africa for the last 19 years.
Sermon Resources:
Expanded
sermon outline
Video: "Following
the Call" (1:48) Journeyman Nate
Gunter is committed to the remote reaches
of West Africa so its people can hear
and believe.
CD-ROM: "Tough, Tactical and Tenacious"
PowerPoint
template
"The Commission" magazine:
"Worth it" Spiritual warfare,
struggles and sacrifice; Elliot and Pat
Nichols are reaching out to West Africa's
Wolof people. (Fall 2006 issue)
Children's
sermon: "Did
You Say You Live in a Bush?"
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