I am so often moved by Jesus’ heart for the lostness of the world. There is a scene in the Gospels that I find so compelling… Jesus is being celebrated as he rides to Jerusalem on a young donkey, and the people are crying out; “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38 NIV It is Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week before his death, and the scene of the cheering throngs is a precursor to Jesus’ second coming some day in the future.
Yet, just when you think Jesus would be pleased with people acknowledging his Kingship — Luke records this simple phrase… “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it. Luke 19:41 NIV The heart of the Savior superseded the heart of the King — and the Savior’s heart broke over the lostness of Humanity. Yes… he knew that he was soon to be a sacrifice for the sins of people… but he also knew that many would reject him… and he wept.
Followers of Jesus — May we have the same heart as the Savior. May the lostness of the world break our heart.
I am so grateful to be part of a church that believes in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Last week we reported that our church collectively gave $107,290 to the world wide work of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Thank you! Thank you for having the heart of the Savior. The following is part of a letter that I received from our National Office this week and I wanted to share it with you.
Dear Steve,
I’m writing you today with a heart full of gratitude — echoing the Apostle
Paul’s outpouring of appreciation to the early Church: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you.” Romans 1:8 Just as the early Church embraced the mission of taking the good news of salvation in Christ beyond borders and across cultures, your church has leaned into the mission this year. And through you, God has done more than any of us could have imagined! Just as Paul’s heart was overflowing with gratitude for the Church’s faithfulness, so are ours for your church’s steadfastness.
On behalf of the Alliance workers — and those they serve — THANK YOU! In 2021:
50 new Alliance workers were sent to some of the world’s most spiritually desolate places.
More of the world’s overlooked and unreached have received the precious gift of gospel access.
The Church’s mission — and our Alliance vision of ALL OF JESUS FOR ALL THE WORLD — is even closer to being fulfilled.
I could share hundreds of stories from the past year. You’ll find several of them in the 2021 Alliance Impact Report.
Again, THANK YOU. It’s amazing what you have made possible in 2021, and I can’t wait to see what God will do in and through all of us together in 2022!
Please extend our gratitude to your congregation!
Paul J. Crosby
Assistant Vice President for Engagement
Christian Alliance Church Folks… well done!
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