Sunday, May 12, 2013:
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love… (1 Thess. 1:3)
Angelo’s last day and last Sunday has come with mixed emotions for everyone involved in the project. While this humble servant would never desire the limelight, it would do us all good to remember the work of faith and labour of love the Lord has allowed him to do over the past year. His departure marks the loss of a gospel preacher, faithful witness, fellow-labourer and dedicated friend.
As good servants of our Lord and Saviour, we should all desire that our lives would make a marked difference in someone else’s life during our time on earth. This morning’s service revealed just how much Angelo’s presence has meant to those with whom he has made contact. Although many have rejected the preaching, it was evident as he poured out his heart this morning and the tears flowed that his presence has made a profound impact on those here in the church. After Angelo’s stirring message about ‘counting the cost’, Br. Brent expounded on 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, reminding us of the characteristics the church in this city once possessed, which received two epistles by the hand of Paul. The following are highlights from the day:
1. One man in the church has been burdened with the need of Angelo’s father in Australia to be born again. As such, he wrote a heart-felt, 8-page letter for Angelo to deliver to his dad. Please be in prayer for his parents’ salvation as he returns to Sydney!
2. Elias, who was baptized Saturday, gave a wonderful testimony of being born again. Pray for him as Kayode teaches him the Bible / English.
3. A first-time visitor showed up from the distribution of gospel literature on the streets. He believes St. Demetrius saved him and is steeped in Orthodox tradition. He left the service after Br. Logan preached on ‘turning from idols’ (1 Thess. 1:9) but then returned a few minutes later and sat quietly until service was done. Although we parted ways ‘agreeing to disagree’, he heard the word of God clearly, and “faith cometh by hearing”!
4. Alexis and her 7-month old daughter, who we met on the street Monday, kept her word and attended today. She made a hearty go of it, but in the end, a fussy baby and the sound levels in the small room caused her to be in and out during the preaching. She promised to return and speak with us another time. We have not been able to speak with her at length concerning salvation, so pray she will keep her word again and return.
After church, we treated Angelo to dinner at his his favorite restaurant and he was able to pass out Greek New Testaments to all the waiters and owners that he has become acquainted with over the past year.
Please pray for Angelo as he flies out at 930a (Greece time) that the Lord will bless his trip back to Australia and will multiply blessings upon his life for ‘counting the cost’ and deeming the service to our Saviour this past year more valuable than his own life. He has truly hazarded his life for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:26)!
Finally, let us not cease to pray for the salvation of souls in this great city! The work must continue on so that a foundation in Jesus Christ can be laid. May we all be busy in our respective parts of the world sowing and watering, for “the night cometh, when no man can work”(Jn. 9:4).
To God be the glory, great things He hath done!
