Mission Emphasis Sunday

THE WORKS OF GOD

~John 20:1-9~

In-person service at Temple Baptist Church

(850 Venice Blvd., at Oak)

Barbara Melancon, Associate Minister

Sunday, July 30, 2023

¹⁹On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ²¹Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²²And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Jesus appeared in the midst of His disciples, for the disciples feared the Jews and they were assembled in a place and the doors were shut. Fear can prevent one from going forth in doing the works of God.

Consider what it means to let fear prevent you

from doing the works of God.  

Monday, July 31, 2023

The Bible says in II Timothy 1:7, God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.

We need the peace of God in order to do the works of God. The peace that passes all understanding does not come from having everything work out as we want.

Consider what it means that the Lord has not given us the spirit of fear

but rather power and love and a sound mind.  

Peace comes from knowing that no matter what we are going through, we can still have joy when we know that our victory is in Jesus. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus' appearance gave the disciples assurance that God would be with them as they went forth to do God's works on the earth.

Consider what it means that the Lord provides the assurance

we need to do the works of God.  

In Matthew 28: 19-20, Jesus told His disciples to go, "teach, baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Teach observance of all things I have commanded. I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." God is sending us to do His works on earth. Jesus stated, "just as my Father sent me, so I am sending you."

Consider what it means to observe all things the Lord commands.  

God is sending us to help restore brokenness in our lives and in the lives of others. John 20: 22 (b) Jesus breathed on His disciples and said unto them receive the Holy Ghost.

We work under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. We are faced with a big problem in our city, homelessness. Many of the people who are living out on the streets have all sorts of problems as a result of hurts. They are sleeping in front of the churches in the city. The church has work to do. Matthew 25: 35-36: Jesus said we (the church) are to feed the hungry, give the thirsty drink and provide shelter for the homeless. Also, clothe the naked and visit the sick and those who are in prison.

Consider what it means that the Lord has need of workers

to do the Lord’s work in the world.  

The works of God is the church's mission in the world. In Matthew 25:40, the words of Jesus remind us to serve the least of these hungry brothers and sisters. Those who are strangers, sick and in prison, we go to them and serve them and care for them. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send more laborers. There are a lot of persons who need to be cared for and brought to God. We can start where we are by helping those around us. 

Consider what it means to do the Lord’s work

through missions that you support.  

God is doing His works through us. Let us yield our will over to God; He will be your guide.

I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day, the time will come when, no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Let us follow the light.



Consider what it means that the life of the light of Christ

shines through us as we do the works of the Lord.  

Second Baptist Church Los Angeles

2412 Griffith Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90011 

Phone: (213) 748-0318