The Gospel presented to the Simbari
Most of the regulars gathered for our meeting on a beautiful Monday morning. The politician who had been here the week before left on a walk-a-bout taking some of the crowds with him. But at least the political campaigning did not hinder us and no mentally disturbed people were causing distractions either. Most of those who have been listening to the daily Bible teaching were there.
It was such a privilege and joy to carefully walk the people through all that was accomplished for them when the Son of God took their sin upon Himself and died in their place. We went back to many of the Old Testament stories illustrating faith and substitutionary sacrifice and showed how they were fulfilled in Jesus.
The general group response was that they were very happy to hear God’s Word and that they believed the message. And also that they wanted to hear more of God’s Word. Now, one by one we have been trying to find out what exactly they are believing in. So far we have heard several testimonies of people who indeed are trusting in the fact that when Jesus died he paid the punishment for their sins. Some people seem to be struggling with the fact that their efforts to please God do not contribute to salvation. What they are used to hearing in regards to God’s Word is that good works, observing taboos on food and tobacco, following the Law, etc., etc., etc., must be done to earn God’s forgiveness.
Our teaching made it clear that none of sinful man’s efforts can get rid of sin. And that the only payment or punishment for sin is death. We deserve death because of our sin but, taking our place, Jesus paid the death penalty for sin and rose again. He was the only acceptable offering for sin. One fellow came to our house the other night, asking if that is really what we were indeed wanting to communicate. (Because it goes against their belief system he wondered if maybe we just miscommunicated in the language) So even though many are still struggling with the fact that they cannot do anything at all to earn salvation we are encouraged that we have communicated the truth which is directly confronting the lies of Satan that have blinded the hearts of the Simbari.
Rejoice!
Some Simbari have come out of darkness and into the Light! We look forward to hearing more testimonies of faith. We will now be meeting once a week for whoever wants to keep coming. For the first few weeks we will be going over the Gospel message a few points at a time with more time for questions and discussion. Pray that any who are struggling would come to a clear understanding and faith as we go over the lessons again. Pray for those who already are trusting in Christ to be strengthened as we go over it again. Before we continue on with more teaching that will be geared more towards a believer, we want to be sure that we take plenty of time to help those who are still unclear or undecided.
In Him,
David and Shari Ogg
(Esther, Simon, Rachel and Jason)
Thanks for praying – Please don’t stop!
- PRAISE for the good weather and no distractions during the teaching.
- PRAISE for God’s Truth being proclaimed in the Simbari language.
- PRAISE for those who are trusting Christ who died in their place.
- Pray for those who are still unclear or undecided about the Gospel.
- Pray for wisdom as we go over the Gospel again in the weeks ahead.
- Pray for discernment as we continue to talk with people one on one to find out who (or what) they are trusting in.
- Pray for God to continue to build His church among the Simbari.
This Week’s Teaching Highlights:
- Jesus was crucified. He made a way to escape God’s punishment for sin and to become acceptable to God.
- Jesus had told Nicodemus that He would be lifted up as a symbol of sin just like the bronze snake that Moses put up on a pole in the wilderness. Just as all those who looked at it in faith did not die, in the same way all those who look to Jesus, the Deliverer, in faith will not die but have everlasting life.
- When Jesus died he paid the punishment for sin. The payment or punishment for sin is death.
- Death is not just talking about our bodies but about separation from God for eternity in Hell. But, Jesus took our place in death.
- Jesus, being sinless, was the only acceptable sacrifice. Just like when the Israelites offered a blood sacrifice, they had to choose a perfect lamb for God to accept their offering, so also Jesus being perfect was not punished for His own sins but as a perfect sacrifice, was capable of taking our punishment. Like the ram caught by the horns (so it would still be acceptable as an offering) took Isaacs place on the altar, Jesus took our place as the perfect sacrificial Lamb.
- Cain thought he could please God by his own effort (good works) and his own way but Abel came to God according to God’s Word, with a blood sacrifice and was accepted. Jesus’ blood offered as payment for our sins was accepted and paid for them completely.
- On the Passover the Israelites killed a lamb, put it’s blood on the door and then went in through the door and were safe from death inside. When God saw the blood, thinking of Jesus’ blood that would be shed, He passed over them, not executing the judgment they deserved because of their sin.
- Right before Jesus died He said. “It is finished.” Knowing He would soon rise again He was not referring to His own death being permanent but rather to the fact that the work God gave Him to do was finished. He had completed once and for all what was necessary to save mankind.
- The veil in the temple was torn by God indicating that Jesus had opened the way to God. Now people could enter directly into the presence of God through the blood of Jesus. And also the yearly blood offerings of the priests that had continued for around 1500 years was no longer necessary.
- Jesus was buried but after 3 days rose again proving that He was who He claimed to be. When He claimed to be the Son of God, if it were not true, God would not have raised Him from the dead.
- His resurrection also proves that God accepted His offering for the sins of man.
- He showed Himself to His followers and told them to go and tell everyone, everywhere of this Good News.
- Jesus went up into the clouds and will one day come again.
- We need to simply agree with God’s Word, acknowledging that we deserve death because of our sin and trust in Jesus who paid our penalty so that we might receive forgiveness and eternal life.