Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18
What does it mean to proclaim the gospel?
It is more than just teaching and sharing the good news of salvation that Jesus Christ brings, but also to live out this very gospel, to let His light shine before others, so that others may give glory to God, for His is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever.
One of the many aspects of living out the gospel is to truly believe that God has power, dominion and sovereignty over all creation today as He did in the stories of the Bible. When we believe so, we will then have hope - hope that God listens to the pleas of His people, hope that He has a better plan for us, and hope that He will move according to His plan.
So when a team from Talent Beacon headed to Samarinda last weekend, we were all excited to see God move with and for His people over in Indonesia and for our youth pastor, Zoe’s, and our prayer ministry leader Susan’s, first sharing overseas.
Over the 3 days, we saw and experienced the many signs that Jesus promised. From healing to deliverance at the churches we visited. It was a reminder that the power of God is still working in our midst today and will be in all days to come. God is not just the God of Abraham, the God of the Israelites, but David reminds us in his psalms that He is a very present help in times of trouble.
Jesus reminds us that “if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). Ps Ronnie shared with us before the trip about having an expectant heart for God to show up and to also boldly make a demand on the Holy Spirit for help. Susan and Gladys shared that this was very useful as they had experienced two manifestations during the trip and felt prepared to handle it. Ivy also shared that the experience made her more confident in actively moving and praying for others. This reminded us that the more we yearn for the presence of God, the more the Holy Spirit will open our eyes and hearts to witness His presence, such that we can be better witnesses for His kingdom. God wants us to yearn for His presence, to shout out our pleas to Him for help, and to demand more of Him in our lives.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
How then can we be a people for His own possession?
Paul instructs us in Colossians 3:12 to put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. The later part of 1 Peter 2:9 explains this is so that we may proclaim His excellencies and glory. Just as He has called us out of darkness, we are to do the same for others and point them in the direction of God’s marvelous light, with compassionate hearts, kindness and patience. We pray that the congregations in Samarinda will be able to experience and know the love of our Heavenly Father, and that the leaders of the church will graciously, diligently and patiently guide them towards God, the only undying light, that they as a congregation will continuously hold fast without wavering.
Serendipitously, in 3 sermons throughout the trip, we faced blackouts in the churches, but even in darkness we continued to worship, for “the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” (Psalm 139:11). May we then boldly proclaim the gospel, to let the manner in all aspects of our life be worthy of this very gospel, standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel that we may stand without blemish, shining as lights in the world.
We would like to take this opportunity as well to thank the team in Samarinda, who showered us with such gracious hospitality, from journeying 2 hours to ferry us to and fro the airport, planning our itinerary, and ensuring we never went hungry. How blessed we are to have the family of God with us wherever we go.
On behalf of the Samarinda team,
Angeline
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