Yeah, this platform is kind of nice. It's a I also wanted to be 6 feet, but.
Well, just a little side note about that. There used to be a gentleman. They used to speak here and of course.
Dave would know him very well. Alex Stewart. And he was a short little man, probably.
Barely 5 feet and we had a platform for him to stand on. And, and, So he always would always refer that as Stuart's foundation.
Okay. So. Not that. I'd like to this to look at a passage of scripture here in Philippians chapter one.
Let me in chapter one starting at verse 12 and just want to read a few verses from there. That'll be the context of.
And I have to say this morning. Philippians chapter one
Starting at verse 12, reading from the ESV, which reads, I want you to know brothers that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
So that has become known throughout the whole Imperial Guard and to all the rest at my imprisonment.
Is for Christ. Most of the brothers having become confident in the Lord in my imprisonment. Are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preached Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
For the former proclaimed Christ on a selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
What then? Only that in every way, whether in presence. Pretense or in truth Christ is proclaimed and in that I rejoice Yes, I will rejoice for I know that though the prayers and help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out from my deliverance.
As is my eager expectation and hope. And that it will will not be at all. Ashamed but with with that full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body whether by life or by death.
For me to live as Christ. And to die is gain. Let's just look the Lord and word of prayer.
A gracious, many fathers, we come before you again this morning. We do thank you for your love and mercy toward us.
We do thank you for your the word here that we've read. We pray that you bless it to our heart.
We just pray as we Open your word this morning that'll be a source of encouragement to each and every one of us.
That we might be able to apply it in our own lives. Lord, I just ask your guidance this morning.
We just pray that it will be you that will be relaying the message and that'll bring honor and glory to you.
Just thank you for your love and care for us and your faithfulness. And as we look to you know in the Lord's Jesus name, we prayed.
Amen. So each year around this time is We mentioned we traditionally. Stop to reflect on what took place in over 68 years ago.
It's 68 years ago. It's hard to believe it's already been. 6 to 8 years, but it was in 1,956, January, the eighth that 5 men were martyred in the jungles of Ecuador.
Of course the names are very familiar to you. Ed McCulley, Nate Saint. Roger Udarian, Jim Elliot.
Pete, Fleming. And their sole purpose was to reach and and send a preached, and, tribe in Ecuador called the Alcos or Warri with the idea of presenting the Gospel to a very dark tribe and which was stemmed in a lot of cult activity, demonism, and it was very dark when it's a place where and no one had gone before.
Of course, the story is very close to us because of Ed McCulley. Who was, here part of our assembly grew up here.
And, and much over the years has been written. About his life and about the other men as well.
And we've had several speakers in the past that have come. To tell us the story and it's it's It's outstanding what the Lord had done to these men.
Because these men were sold out for Christ. And as Ed put it in his words, But I want to live my life in reckless abandonment for Christ.
And that was his. That was Ed and that was really true of the other men as well. And of course, we realize this is a result of a life that was Christ centered, a life that was controlled by the Lord Jesus Christ.
And a dedication to the scriptures. And a dedication in terms of. Reaching the loss for Christ.
And of course, these fellows do it wasn't that it wasn't about themselves. But it's about the Lord Jesus Christ.
And of course these guys were humble guys and they knew that it wasn't through any merit or strength of their own that they were able to accomplish these things but that Christ was with him.
As we read about these men, we often,
See how Christ was working in their life. Yet you have to understand there were those individuals. In their lives, those formative years that were a great influence.
I think of people like Timothy. You think about his mother, a grandmother who were. Strong influences in his life that had set the you know, foundation, so to speak, and we're instrumental in his knowing the scriptures.
And then as with these 5 men, you have to think about them too. And I was looking from the aspect.
I'm taking a little different slant. I'm looking at. Those people that were behind the scenes that help form.
These men, especially Ed McCulley, and that's where I want to. Focus on. And Ed's case, He had a strong upbringing, a spherical upbringing.
As Father Thee and his mother Lois where those foundational pillars in his life And, Most of it will be, of course, was his father.
And I had the privilege to observe. Them I was Of course, when Ed went into the mission field, I was, it was.
I was only 4 years old at that time when he was at on the field, but their family was part of our assembly and we spent
Had many years of his teaching. It was a strong, Bible teacher and, I was a strong mentor as well.
But we had the privilege to know the family. They had spent some of our We have some of our Christmas gatherings together as well.
And, but I think what was important for us is to see the influence that these parents had on Ed and others.
You know, my purpose here is to, as I'm focusing a little bit, I'm going to be talking about Theo.
And you saw that little insert in the. The Bolton, it's a gospel track that was written up for by by someone else for him and But my purpose is not to exalt the man.
But to show how Christ is exalted in a man.
And how it was used to further. The kingdom of God and Theo McCulley was a person.
But you know, I would be sharing. Some comments from those who had witnessed him in his ministry.
They were as part of. His life and I'm going to read Quite a few different quotes from people who.
Knew him well and it's like it's not my words it's the words of others as well but I think it's their their powerful statements as to how God used him.
And the scripture that I read, I was want to use that to draw some comparisons and some applications too.
I find that in many ways as I was reading some of these things I was reading this passage that the Paul and Theo, their lives kind of are the same.
They had the same kind of passions with the idea of getting the the word out and getting the gospel nets was the life of of Theo as well.
Of course, if Theo was here, knowing the man. Well, as others have described him to me, he was a very humble man.
Yeah, I mean, when he taught, I mean, when he got in the platform, maybe he was powerful.
It's kind of like that. Remember that commercial with They have EF Hutton speaks everybody listens.
Well, that's way it was with he. It was he had a commanding. Way of presenting the gospel.
And when he went into the pulpit. You know, everybody, he had his, you had.
Is attention. And He was a powerful man, but he was also very humble. Kind of a quiet man at times.
And he was a man that had a sense of humor as well. Theo is short for a Theophilus.
And when he would speak, he often would get up and say, my name is Theo McCulley.
Theo means theophilus and he says The reason I was given this name because when I was born and my parents saw me, they said this is the ugliest baby I've ever seen.
And he wouldn't make that comment. Quite often, but, oh, but he went by Theo.
Theo and his family moved from Iowa, Davenport, Iowa into the Milwaukee area in the 19 fortys.
And he was general manager of wholesome bakery. And, and arriving here in Milwaukee, he was.
Became part of the fellowship here, was active and for many years was speaking around in the Milwaukee area.
He was a solid, like I said, a solid Bible teacher. We enjoyed. His presence here, I had the privilege to hear many of his messages.
Especially later on And, and he was, it was seeing that, It seemed like he had found his niche and we were, I think we're here at the assembly.
We're glad to have him. And it seemed like his involvement would be here at, But a 1956.
Things change for Theo McCulley. When change for many people. And, it was a life-changing experience for Theo.
And going back to. I just want to refer again back into the scripture in Philippians chapter 1 12.
Just saw some comparisons here. We have in the verse 12 we talked about we're, Paul had said to the Philippian believers, he says, I want you to know brothers that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
Drawing some parallels here, I was thinking of the life of Paul. He was in prison.
This wasn't what he was really planning on. Now, Paul was figuring that he would be able to have the freedom to continue on.
Further in the gospel and what he thought the Lord had in mind but Paul's ministry was was halted and of course when you think of imprisonment and your to talk about you think about somebody being detained or or somebody being restrained or confined.
And, the believers in Philippines were concerned about it as well. Paul had a close relationship with the believers in Philippide.
They were precious to him. You know, we read in verse 5. Of that chapter that they also.
Shared together in the furtherance of the gospel. And so the Philippian believers were concerned, Paul being in prison, what is this gonna mean?
You know, is this is the work gonna be halted is And Paul was, I'm sure, kind of concerned what would be.
Taking place. Now that he was in in prison. And, you know, I think a lot of times there's circumstances even in our lives where We can have a situation that might arise, you know, things are going along very smoothly.
We think that we're. You know, we're in the place where the Lord has us and Maybe something comes along for example.
Loss of a job, maybe a financial loss or loss of a loved one. We just never know what the day would bring.
And sometimes we we think what What is God doing? What is this purpose here? It doesn't at the time.
Make sense according, but of course we know what the Lord does. And often. These periods of thing or these things that come in our lives or it's a time of redirection.
Lord has something else in mind. And despite Paul's ministry being interrupted, so to speak. God was using his bondage.
As we read to further his work. And. As I was reading this, I was thinking again, how basically how Satan is so active.
So Satan thinks that he's has a won a battle here probably thought that by Paul being in prison he stopped the advancement of the gospel We reminded again about Satan.
He's a roaring lion seeking who he may devour. Now when these 5 men were slain Going back to these martyrs, Satan thought he had won a battle as well.
And for many. I know the thought was. Was a this would damage the missionary work. And the work would be hindered.
I know there was much. That came out right after that.
Much concern, about this. But is course we see through time and history that ears to follow.
It was quite different. And Refound out that many of the people were motivated. We find that many of the missionaries in today in the past were motivated by what took place there in 1,956.
Which actually caused more people to enter into the mission field than ever before.
I was thinking about this too. I was thinking about The, what it must have been for the families after this tragedy.
Had opportunity of course the my my sisters and no more and my brother-in-law and course my parents too had she shared a lot of information, you know, it was a difficult time.
You can imagine, you know, losing your son, after hearing the report that they were missing, didn't know for a few days.
That had been slain. Can imagine the anxiety and the the unknown what was going to take place and the pain that was felt.
So there's a concern about how is this going to impact. The families, it was a concern about how it would impact.
Team McCully with this, would he be discouraged with this affect him in a way that would diminish?
There's a effectiveness. And being able to preach the word, the gospel, but.
But the impact was quite different. In fact, his son. His youngest son, JT, was quoted as saying that they.
That they urgency of serving became more obvious since January eighth, 1956 when my brother Ed was killed.
By the Orca Indians. Shortly after its death. That same year, 1,956, Theo left his position with a wholesome bakery.
And he took on the full-time position as an executive secretary of CBMC International. Now, Dave kind of related again what is CBMC.
Some of you might not know what that is, but CBMC was committed to encouraging. Businessmen to take Christ into the marketplace and, you were their sole purpose of that they have a great opportunity.
To influence those that they come in contact with with the gospel. And. And so this was something that.
That work did they were very effective and when he took it over he just He really kind of turned that organization around.
They are committed to discipleship and to prayer. And it was really a powerful tool in the business community.
We see in versus 12 to 13 here, talks about So going back to it so that it has become known throughout the whole Imperial Guard and all to the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
And here, despite Paul's situation, God was going to use his this opportunity. To redirect the ministry of, Paul.
And that was the 2 where he was able to witness to those in the prison guard as well.
First 14 pall circumstances were used by others to both of them. To proclaim the gospel.
We read that and Verse 14, it says most of the brothers having been confident of Lord by my imprisonment are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
So you can see the effect on Paul's life and motivated others to take up the cause, you know, you think they would being discouragement and Satan thinks that he had won something here but it actually increased .
The desire for others to take up the cause as well It was said, regarding the death of these 5 men.
That it was that 5 kernels of wheat were were sewn on that day. And that's true.
The death of these men produce a great fruit. And the impact of this 5 men was used by God.
And through to move the gospel into another direction.
CBMC needed a strong leader and he was that one and he came in just at the right time.
He was stated as the vice chairman. As it was written, the great theme of Theo was that the world is a desperate need of Jesus Christ.
What we can do, we must do now. CBMC is a God-given vehicle with unparalleled opportunities to reach the segment of our society.
That completely ignores or is unaware of its need of the Savior. He says, we must see that.
That they have the opportunity of hearing from men who have the practical and personal experience of meeting God in the person.
Of his son, Jesus Christ, the Lord. As the writer expressed, feels every moment was designed to accomplish the task at double speed.
An effort. And as you can see that in Theo, you saw that also when Ed McCulley.
You know, everything had to be done with urgency. And at great speed. And that was the thing with Ed McCulley and the other men as well.
There was an urgency to get the gospel to get that into Alco territory. Again, many people criticize them for that.
But we see that is all part of God's plan. His time is perfect. So they were trusting God and leading that way.
And that was the same thing with Apostle Paul. You know, when we proclaim the gospel, you know, we're really stepping on Satan's toes, aren't we?
And he looks at everywhere, every angle that he can get into. To an hinder or obstruct the gospel.
And its tactics are sometimes very subtle. And he does everything he could do to actually take the gospel.
We're looking versus 15. Through 18 here where it talks about Some indeed preach Christ from envy.
Rivalry but others from goodwill. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
Where I'm for the former proclaimed Christ on a selfish ambition but not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed.
And isn't that I rejoice? You know, there was 2 types of. People preaching in that day.
And there was one group that was doing it out of rivalry.
In opposition to Paul, there was a a way some felt like they were Paul. Was doing. They were.
You know, pose to it and So they maybe were. Jealous of his standing and so out of jealously.
They were trying to elevate themselves and And You know, as we saw even after these men were killed, there were people who We're using this maybe for their advantage.
Maybe, like I said, there was some criticism about what these 5 men did. And others were using it and maybe in in a wrong way and kind of Maybe tainted or it kind of discolored what really took place there.
And that's Satan's tool. You know, he'll use every way and every angle to maybe discredit different ministries.
But still, you know, we see this where even I, even with, I know, with Them, a colleague, he received several criticism because of his efforts in actually going into Oakland as well.
And, but a lot of it was. I would, you'd have to be honest, there was maybe some jealousy there and, maybe people were looking to maybe.
Elevate themselves and taking the limelight on. This situation. But then there was those who were preaching on a good will.
And out of love and you know re when we see people who preach that way we can recognize them very easily.
But despite that, Paul says, no matter what, as long as the word is being presented, Maybe some are done in very wrong motives.
But the gospel is being preached and it's being furthered. And, you know, despite Paul.
Proclaiming Paul was really part of that second group. Paul was in his all right, a very gifted man.
But he had learned a dependency on Christ and I think Paul really learned this after the thorn in the flesh.
I can imagine Paul was very bold, strong, maybe. Kind of rested maybe on his own abilities.
But, Lord had to put a thorn in his flesh and it, and received Paul became a very humble man and I think that was the In fact, he quotes himself in Philippians chapter 3 12, not that I have already obtained all that.
This or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
And Paul saw that his inadequacies, yet he has not achieved everything, but he's dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ.
And And Theo was also a man like that as well, very gifted in his own right. Very talented.
Excellent businessman, very successful. But, you know, he didn't rest on his own laurels or things that his own abilities.
He was dependent. On Christ and a very humble man. In fact it was written by him by one of the CBMC directors.
They write this article and I just like to read this to you. He says in 10 years of association with a man like T.
McCulley, you could never leave the man the same. During that period, it was my privilege to hear him deliver messages.
Scores of them at conventions, conferences, retreats and CBMC meetings. Never once did I hear him, but what my heart was richly blessed and challenged.
A divine compulsion obviously rested upon this man and it kindled spirit. Spiritual sparks wherever he was heard.
Sometimes a man's, men's public ministry speaks more eloquently than his life. But it was not so in the case of T.
M. McCulley. Consistently marked every area of his life was much so. The fact that even though stranger listening to him must have known that this man walked with the Lord.
And that indeed was their spiritual secret of this man. Though he was the business busiest man I've ever known.
You always felt that absolute necessity of time alone with God. You would not dare go before an audience without spending much time alone with his Lord.
With that kind of power resting upon his ministry is understandably that many scores of men and women, young people and children today are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ because of his faithful proclamation.
Of good news in the gospel. Thoughtfulness characterized this man in a remarkable way. He never forgot others and their needs.
Except to his closest friends. He was a man a few words, only because he had no time to waste in trivia.
Priority all the sent. Always went to that which brought others into contact with the gospel. True humility marked this man.
For never once that I ever observed the slightest indication that he sought to further his own interest. Through CBMC or to keep himself in the limelight.
Today I thank God for this wonderful heritage. He left me and for 10 years a close association of fellowship.
With a spiritual giant whose flame Never. A flame of faith never flickered. Wow, what a what a a statement to be made.
Wouldn't you like that to be said of you? But this is this was the man and this is the man that you know, was, you know, Ed was exposed to and his family was exposed to and, So, you know, it's just how important it is that it's a life that is.
It's not about us. It's about the Lord Jesus Christ and that was the life of theme.
The verse 19. It talks about that they would Paul phone confidence. In the prayers.
He says, for I know that through your prayers and help of the spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn off.
For my deliverance. You know, the prayer, Paul was kind of resting in the idea that maybe the prayers here would bring his, release.
He was concerned that maybe, you know, about his reputation that his reputation wouldn't be tarnished.
Yep, Paul understood. If it wasn't his release, it wouldn't be his release. He knew that the the prayers of the saints would sustain him.
And he found encouragement by that. And Paul wasn't. Man and prayer as well. And it just is a reminder too to us that we need to be people a prayer.
We need to pray for one another. How important it is that we lift each other up. You know sometimes we Let me pray we often pray the same prayer.
I think it's. You know, we're praying for the same thing and it becomes weak, but you know, and sometimes it's like.
And I'm praying for the same thing. I don't know if I I don't just don't know how I should pray.
But we draw comfort from the words in Romans chapter. It which reads versus 2628.
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought.
But the spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches the heart knows what is in the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that for those who are love God, all things work together for the good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Theo was a man of prayer. He was observed by many people that he spent many hours in prayer before he was in he got involved in anything.
Another fellow rights and will never forget the last time I was with Brother McCulley who was at a CBM see international convention in New York.
We came to in a Friday night and he apologize for not spending some time with me. And he asked me if I would meet him.
At 6 o'clock in the morning for breakfast. On a Saturday. Now all this will cherish the moments we stood at seventh and 30 third street in New York with bowed heads.
In his arm around my shoulders as we both prayed for God's blessing on the convention in each other before partying.
To participate in the convention. And. Here again, we have a situation where it was observed as a being a person of prayer.
And this is the conference that we had toward him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
And that's, we have to remember that. You know, that if we ask anything in his will and if we know that he hears us and whatever we ask, we know that we have.
The request that we have asked. Of him. You find that in first John. So there's power and prayer and we need to really continue with it even if it's the same thing that we're praying about, we need to be fervent in our prayer.
It says that prayer brings fellowship with the Lord. And coming in with him. One fellow quotes it is saying, his name is Edward Keith.
He says prayer is exhaling. The spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.
Through pair, our weakness is exchanged for God's power. That's exactly it. We re breathe out.
Our our spirit and his spare takes over and And so, you know, we need to be as the scripture says, let us come bowly before the throne of grace.
And we can do that and we need to take advantage of that. Paul was not sure what lay ahead.
We read in verse 20. That he was not, it is my. Eager expectation hope that I will not be at all ashamed but with that full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Oh, I wasn't sure what his destination would be if he would be released or if it would result in him being martyred is only concerned that he would not be put the shame or his message would not be put to shame.
I'm sure that there with some anxiety on Paul's part not knowing could you put yourself in head position not knowing where, your circumstances we're going to lead to.
And I'm, it's during these times where we have to. When there's a spirit of doubt or question that we need to really.
Be close to the Lord because Satan wants to get us at our weakest time. He knows when we're weak when retired.
And we are vulnerable to his attack. And of course, There's no better example than when the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted.
When he goes here on the earth, you know, by Satan, in Satan approached him at his weakest time.
And of course, we see how the Lord responded to him. He responded to Satan with. Using his God's Word.
God is our, we can always wrestle in the fact that one of my favorite verses in Psalm 46 one God is our refuge and strength and ever-present help in time of trouble.
And that is one thing that we can put in the bank. That's for sure.
With the 5 men, that were martyred. Course many people thought that this was. Initially was a tragedy.
But, we see where God used it for. Is on in glory. And these 5 men knew the risk of their endeavors.
They knew what they were facing. There is a possibility. There wasn't anybody that was able to reach that.
That group without Many people were slain by the alkos. But they knew the risk, but they felt that this was the leading to the Lord to bring them into this area.
To bring the gospel. It was said by Bill McDonald. Christ can also be magnified in our bodies by death.
Bodies that are worn out in a service. That would be someone like Theie McCulley, bodies pierced by savage spears like Ed and the 4 others.
Bodies torn by stones like Stephen. Or burned at the stake, I think of John Wycliffe.
See, was quoted as saying, God makes no mistakes. God truly buries his workmen. But his work goes on.
He had a passion for leaning people to Christ. And just another example that was written by a man.
And, and it was recorded on March 20 seventh and 1965. He writes, Theo and I were at Martial, outside Anthems, Greece.
You and I said on the bench leading up to the Acropolis. I shall never freak at the intimate and delightful fellowship we had together.
As we conversed, a young man came along and sat down on the bench a little way below us.
Right away, Theo suggested, let's get acquainted. And the interest he displayed and this young man was inspiring.
He says, you are talking to a man who is going to heaven and I want you to tell you how I'm sure I'm gonna be there.
He opened his Bible, he read some verses, he explained to them most interested young man God's plan of redemption.
It was thrilling. Before we parted, Theo said to the stranger, I'd love to meet you in heaven.
Were you promised to read these leaflets in your great in your quiet times, young man greatly agreed to do so.
And after he left, Thew and I had a prayer together commanding the seeds sown in this young man's heart.
It was unforgettable, experienced, but just one in the busy life of a noble man of God.
The always intentional. And in what he in preaching the gospel. Serena the other night shared.
About these things or no I was talking about being intentional. Both, serena and no, we're speaking on Wednesday night and if you were to hear you, well, you really missed it.
But their experiences with Wannas. No, I had mentioned how With Wannis, you have to be intentional in what you're doing.
He was being involved with the different groups. He was, you know, doing basketball with Kids looking for opportunities to to meet people, but he was intentional in terms of like making sure that he gets the gospel out.
And. That's what he was. He was one of those type of people.
He had a main purpose of getting the gospel out, but he had a main purpose of gaining the gospel out, but he used other ways to.
To proclaim the gospel.
One man writes, this is the highlight. And of the in my life was on a Saturday night banquet in Miami when he told of his plans to go to Auckland.
And put his arms around the 5 killers of his son. And tell them that he loved them in the Lord.
Then in a wonderful write-up. And pictures in the CBMC contact magazine with something I'll never forget.
That left a sweet gracious testimony of the same love our Heavenly Father has for us despise our sin against Him.
Theio poured his life into these individuals. And he wanted them to grow spiritually. And one example was I was talking to my brother-in-law, Belthrock, and of course Bill.
Brother to Al and Bob Thro that we've had here. Bill was telling me that he says, I, when I was 17 years old, I came to know the Lord through his brother Al.
And he says, there was. And he says, it was just 2 weeks after I came to know the Lord.
L had told Fee that I accepted Christ, he came up to me. And says, Bill, I want you to go to camp with me.
I'm going to Michigan to speak. I want you to come with me. Bill says, I really didn't even know this guy.
And, but he said, well, sure, I'll go. He says, he took me to camp and where he was to speak, but he says the whole time I was with thee, he poured truth into me.
You can't sleep poor truth. You'd speak during the day. We go swimming in the afternoon or play golf, but all the time we were together, the part truth.
Let me, and he says, That was, that was key in my spiritual life. That he constantly poured the truth in me and later on he says, well, how would you like to go to And he says, well, you know, how can I go to Mas?
Because he was on the board at the time and he says, I'll get you in the, and so he got Bill and And he says, those were the things that.
He says that was huge, made such a huge impression on him. And he says, that's what got me really established me.
In the word as a man took interest in me and wanted me to grow. So he says that's, he says that, that man is a highlight in my life.
First 21 is for me to live as Christ. And that was not the case early in Paul's life, was it?
And before he came encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, he did everything he could to destroy Christianity. He killed the saints and then one day there was a transforming.
Thing that took place and I was on the Damascus Rose when road when he encountered the glorified or Jesus Christ in.
That's the same with us. You know, when we come in contact with the Lord Jesus Christ, and things change the things of this world, the luster of it.
Kind of fades, doesn't it? And Paul knew that even though he was put to death, that he would be with the Lord forever.
So meant no matter what. The situation was a win-win situation and Paul Nuke Price would still be glorified through his testimony whether in life.
Or whether and death. And I think as we think of these things and think about Paul and I think of the lives of these 5 men.
That we see the fruit that came. From their sacrifice. Lot of people thought well all this effort was put in and it was squelched in a short period of time but of course we see the seeds that were planted that continue to bear that fruit.
And we see that fruit even today and people will testify to that fact. And what we as the world sees is a.
Tragedy, Grace uses as as a victory. Verse 21 for me to live as Christ the dye is gain One fellow writes the author.
A flowery, flower, eulogy, and memory of Themicoli would be incompatible with his wishes to recognize his life as a testimony to the glory of Jesus Christ can be understood.
And gone honoring. We could best remember him by quoting from the book he loved so much. For me to live is Christ.
The quality of his spirit was the highest because Christ was his Savior and Lord. Expectancy of his faith was positive and aggressive.
Since he knew whom he believed he was persuaded that Christ is abundantly able. Their agency of his mission was making Christ known.
Priority of the gospel compelled him to go anywhere in witness and testimony. The holiness of his conduct was the result of a life surrender to Christ.
And Theo pressed onto the mark of the prize for the high calling of God and Jesus Christ.
So as I, as we continue on here, I was thinking about. The Great Commission, and that was the thing that Thea was passionate about.
We read that and Verse 28 or chapter 28 of Matthew. And often we think of it as a time where, well, the great commission, the first things that come in our mind, it's missionary work or going into a far-off land.
But as Serena shared the other night, it's not about that, it's about where you are, where you're planted.
And how you can be effective where you are. That's what, that's what the great commission was.
I was reading an article where a fellow knew of these. Of a surgeon that he knows he. Who had great professional skill, he goes in the operating room, nurses have noted something different about him.
They become accustomed to a sudden hush that comes over the operating room. Just before the doctor begins.
The operation his head is bowed. He is at prayer. There is no grandstanding, but there is a clear confession of dependence on the Savior.
To the nurses, patients, fellow doctors. He's a man who loves Christ and his unashamed of the Lord.
He has heard Christ goy and has gone to the operating room. And the gospel is known when it might not have been heard otherwise because of his obedience.
Some examples. You can be done in the workplace. It can be done wherever we are in our neighborhood.
We can proclaim Christ and we take that that great commission. On a daily basis.
Just would like to just read because do it. Time I just wanted to read. Because I was thinking about Themacully, if you would just bear with me, I just would like to read what his youngest son wrote about him after he passed.
And I think it's a powerful and I think it's something that I think we would like to emulate in our own lives.
This is JT. McCulley. He writes many years ago, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Philemon and spoke concerning his runaway slave.
Is now beloved both in the flesh and in the Lord. On May sixth, the NINETEENTH 65, my father T.
McCulley passed in the presence of the Lord. He loved and served so well. Upon his first receiving the news through tears of grief, my selfish heart cried out, O Lord, I've lost 2 fathers.
The loss was indeed 11 for he was beloved both in flesh and in the Lord. 35 years ago, he became my natural father in just over 7 years later he became my spiritual father.
As he pointed out the truth found in Romans 10 and 9 John 3 16 and 5 24. That night to receive crisis, my own personal savior.
I'll also be thankful for his practical. Practicality of my dad's Christianity. He learned early in our, we learned early in our home that it was a daily way of living, not something reserved for church on Sunday.
Like Timothy from a child, he grew. He knew the Holy Scriptures in which able to make us wise unto salvation.
Every morning dad could be found kneeling at the bedside reading the Bible and then comm. Committing himself and the family to the Lord for that particular day.
Many was the time I came barging into his room to borrow a tie for some other reason and found him having his quiet time.
That which he quoted often. You must seek God in the morning if you want to find him throughout the day.
Was a living reality in his own life. During several summers while working at the bakery dead and I would strive to work together.
One of the projects was to memorize new scripture verse every day. And some of those verses are among those which are most precious to me.
Especially NAME 1 7. The Lord is good, a stronghold, a day of trouble. You know them that trust in him.
I'm sure the hours that dad spent alone in this study with the word Lord was the secret of his Christ field life.
He knew the secret of Elijah learning many years ago. When the Lord said to him, First, hide thyself, and then told him, Show thyself.
That is you. That is, you must talk first to God. About men before you can talk to men about God.
Dad was never too busy to help solve some problems of mine, answer my questions. Catch while we were go golfing.
He knew that bodily exercise profited little. Because of some value even though of great pain it is in godliness with contentment and he knew that value spending time with and being appalled to his children.
Just to go on, he says on. He talks about his dad. He says the urgency of had become more and more obvious since January, 1956 56 when my brother Ed was killed.
By the Alcoa Indians in Ecuador. Dad's schedule was so full that it made me tired just to read.
I told him on several occasions he should slow down. But he would only grin and tell me that he would rather burn out than rust out.
And that is exactly what he did. I spoke to the doctor a few days after Dad's death and he told me that his heart had been considerably enlarged.
It could I could not not help but think at the time that it was not just the physical phenomenon.
For if anyone had a large heart filled with love and compassion and concern for his family, Christian endeavors, the unsafe, that was my dad.
I'm going to express with all my heart. Contains the impact of my father's life and mine is not only to God and to me I kind of, accounted a high privilege.
Be. Twice called the Sun. Or the testimony and I just leave you with this that. You know, again, you thoughts.
I wasn't here to elevate a man, but to show how Christ was elevated in the life of Themacully and these.
These 5 missionaries. So in this new year as we May I pray it's our prayer that our Christ will be elevated in our lives and in our hearts will be enlarged.
With a love as well to carry on the gospel, claiming God's Word to further expanding the King of God.
In his humble service. And I like the words of the him writer, it says, May his beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost the wind.
And may they forget the channel seen only him. That's our prayer. And, We will close with the the singing of We rest on me as the song that was sung by those 5 missionaries before they went.
To Ecuador and Mindy, latest and that.
That's number, I think.