In The Beginning (Genesis 1:1) *All verses in NKJV*
– Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
(Chan’s story)
– Cambodia w/ QMissions and team of veterans, 2km from Vietnam boarder, building a house for local missionaries… glaring sun, the hot day was coming to an end, and the sun was beginning to set…
– Chan told me his story: Missionary Tim’s father, out in the fields, under a lone palm tree…
– His story: Drafted into Khmer Rouge army, he fought in the war in these very fields, his job at night was to clear the dead bodies off of the battlefield and into mass graves…
– One day him and a fellow soldier were captured, beaten in the head with a stick, and left for dead… he woke up in puddle, crawled to a road, and was picked up by a caravan of traveling nurses and taken to a field hospital…
– Suffering mental anguish and in physical pain he thought, “Why did I live?!”
– The nurse quietly shared a tract with him, it began, “Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
– Chan read that tract and gave his life to Christ, and was saved!
– He told me his heart was completely healed, but still in physical pain he prayed, “Heal my pain, but even if you never do, Jesus, I will serve you no matter what.” Jesus healed his physical pain too!
– Chan’s hope and salvation came because of one verse in the Bible, the word of God.
*Maybe, at some point in your life, you have felt like Chan? Suffering in the pain of this world, wondering, “Why am I alive?” Looking for hope in a hopeless world…
*I believe the Word of God will lead us to salvation through Christ, and reconciliation with God, which will change your life… But first, you must engage with the Bible, the Word of God!
– From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is the story of God reconciling us to Himself through Jesus.
*To see your life changed, and give hope to others, you must READ the Word, KNOW the Word, and SHARE the Word.
- You must read the Word.
– According to Voice of the Martyrs, it is illegal or highly dangerous to possess or obtain a bible in over 50 countries. You could face imprisonment, persecution, or even execution in extreme cases.
– Meanwhile, 2024 in the US, over 14 million bibles were sold, and sales have gone up 22% since 2021. More than 100 million bibles are sold or given away worldwide every year…
– YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE for not owning and reading a bible!
– The Word leads us to Jesus:
– John 1:1-4, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
– Everything is not written in the Bible, but “everything you need,” is:
– John 20:30-31, And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
– Reading your Bible leads you to a “successful” life, a life well-lived!
– Psalm 1:1-3, Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
- You must know the Word.
– 2 Tim 3:16-17, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
– Example: It’s like playing a game without knowing the rules, like building something without reading the instructions… You can’t say you don’t know when you have the book in front of you!
– Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
– Let scripture be your guide. Look up verses that deal with what you are struggling with so you know what God has to say about your situation: Forgiveness, healing, peace, anxiety, hope, sin…
– Psalm 119:11, Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
– Example: I found that I will struggle with the same thoughts, doubts, and anxieties over and over. I finally wrote down verses that speak to them and read them every morning, so when I need them, they are fresh in my heart and mind…
(Show them how you have it on your phone…?)
- You must share the Word.
– There are 2 key people in Chan’s story: Chan, of course, but also the nurse who share the Gospel!
– How would Chan have found the Lord without her courage to share the tract? People are searching for hope, and searching for truth, you have it, why not share it?
– Romans 10:14-15, How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
– Romans 10:17, 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
– You don’t have to go all around the world… you can start with YOUR sphere of influence.
– 2 Tim 4:2, Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
– Read your bible! Cover to cover… You can’t share the word if you don’t know the word.
*This is your “call to action,” and the application:
– James 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
– I think of the courage that nurse showed, in the face of persecution and likely death for doing so, she shared the gospel with Chan in a tract and changed his life forever!
– Maybe she wondered if she could even make a difference, in the midst of genocide and war, death and destruction, is what she is doing even making a difference? YES!!
– Example: CPR, I have been on hundreds of cardiac arrests, from a 4 day old, to people in their 90s. You can’t predict who will be successful, you must try your best every single time.
– You train constantly, practice often, and wait for your moment, knowing the outcome is in God’s hands. I do my part, that’s all I can do.
– When you see a survivor walk through the door, it is exhilarating!
– Same thing when someone gives their life to Christ! You never know who it will be, so reach out to everyone!
*Close: Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
– It all has to start somewhere. This was the beginning of Chan’s spiritual journey, but not the nurse’s journey, or the Gospel’s journey… Since the beginning of creation, the story was set in motion.
– When Chan got out of the hospital, he brought the tract home, and led his family to Christ.
– He became a pillar in his community, helping to raise up and support pastors. His son, Tim, is now a missionary that leads and disciples other missionaries (YWAM)…
– We see how Chan’s life and community was change by the Word of God that was shared with him.
– Whose life is going to change because you read your Bible and did what it says?
– alter call and prayer –
For more sermons please visit our SERMON PAGE
Please subscribe to our YOUTUBE PAGE
