If the Son Sets You Free...

"Truly, truly I say to you, eveyone who commits sin is the slave of sin..." (John 8:34)

"...for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved." (2 Peter 2:19b)

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)


The seven days I spent in Mexico last week were some of the most joyous (and yet humbling) I have ever experienced. Although much of my time was spent in the technical ministry, a few times I was privileged to serve our great King by personally sharing the gospel with several people. The most memorable of whom was a young man (I forgot his name, so I will refer to Him as Mateo) living in a small, quiet village outside of Caborca.

That evening Lynn Paasch, Victor (a member of the Mexican team), and myself were assigned as a diagnostic team and we were instructed to go out into the village to 1) invite people come see the Jesus film that night and 2) to share the gospel with them directly both through the tapes and tracts as well as conversation. When we arrived at the last house on our route, we saw a small child sticking his face over a wall who was probably wondering why funny-looking gringos were walking up to his house. Victor, Lynn, and I walked over to the other side of the wall and there we found Mateo. After some brief introductions, Lynn asked me to share the gospel with him in English and she would translate.

My mind raced rather quickly as I wondered what would be an appropriate starting point to begin our immensely important discussion. And so I asked him the first logical question:

"Have you ever heard of Jesus?"

He had. After further inquiry, we discovered that he had been to church before but wasn't really into it. Hoping to keep our conversation direct and simple, I asked:

"Do you understand what Jesus did on the cross?"

He slowly shook his head.

I immediately began a brief explanation of sin and forgiveness, emphasizing that sin wouldn't just give him a bad life, but if it was never atoned for, then he will spend eternity in hell. From there, I spoke of God's holiness and why He MUST judge sin. And, of course, this led the way to the Good News that God offered forgiveness and reconciliation to him if he repented and believed that when Jesus died on the cross, his debt was paid in full.

Mateo seemed very open to hearing the gospel message even though there were times that I felt I wasn't communicating very clearly, but Lynn did such an brilliant job of translating and continuing the conversation after I had finished. Shortly afterward, we exchanged goodbyes and handed him a few tracts.

Please, continue to pray for Mateo and countless others who heard gospel during our stay in Mexico. Ask that God would open their eyes to the seriousness of their sin, and their need for the Savior.


By the way, I was able to snap a quick photo of Mateo at an opportune moment because I saw an immensely strong parallel between his bodily position and his spiritual condition. In the picture, it seems as if Mateo is imprisoned behind bars, anxious and longing for freedom from his helpless estate. In reality, he's just leaning a against a wall. But spiritually speaking, Mateo is enslaved to his sin and in bondage to the devil; he is lost and without hope. He desperately needs Christ to tear off his shackles of sin and give him a new life and new heart. Mateo needs a Savior.

There is a powerful application for those of us who have already repented and believed in Christ:

"But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." (Romans 6:17-18)

Praise be to our great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that we are no longer slaves to sin, but obedient and humble servants working in the service of His Kingdom till death takes us to be with Him forever and ever.


privileged to serve,

Jonathan David Roberts

Gloria a Dios, Hallelujah!

As most of you know, I've spent the last week on a mission's trip in Caborca, Mexico. Twenty-some people from EVBC and about ten girls and guys from a church in Hermosillo came together to witness God do great things and to make His gospel known to the nations. There are loads of stories to share and many memories to recount, but right now I'll just share what I learned and how the trip fared from my perspective.

The first two days were the most humbling for me because that's when I believe that God did the most work in my own heart. I was just SO overwhelmed by His goodness, grace, and mercy. This really hit me one night when we where driving back to Diamante from an evening spent sharing the gospel with a community outside of Caborca. The words of a familiar song kept ringing in my mind:

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure;
That He should give His only Son,
To make a wretch His treasure.

I just couldn't believe that God, knowing how desperately wicked my heart is, would still choose to step into His own creation and suffer the most searing loss to rescue you me from where my sin would certainly have led me. These words also pressed heavily on my heart:

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

God really used a series of events and experiences to chip away at parts of my heart that had grown hard and callous because of my sin. After spending so much time in God's word, seeing God's people serve Him so joyously, and witnessing many come to repentance and faith in Christ, my heart was just overflowing with both sadness and joy. I couldn’t help but ask God, “Why choose me Lord? I’m such a poor reflection.”

One of my favorite moments on the entire trip happened the night that we spent in Campo Rocio (I think. It may have been a different one). I was on the technical team that night, doing most of the behind-the-scenes work and I volunteered to sit on top of the van and take care of the projector. Now, for those of you who haven’t heard stories from the past trips must understand that this is by no means an easy position. Since we used the projector to shoot a movie (either the Passion or a Jesus film for kids) onto the side of the RV, someone has to sit on top of the van during the entire length of the film to make sure it doesn’t fall off or anything. And since any movement will shake the picture, you don’t have much freedom in terms of mobility. This can become quite uncomfortable, especially when the cold start to bite. I thought it was hilarious cause when I jumped off of the van after we were done; my feet were so numb that I didn’t feel ANYTHING when they hit the ground.

Anyway, it was totally worth it, because after the film was over, Pastor Alfonso gave a clear presentation of the gospel and asked for those would wished to receive Christ and learn more of what it means to follow Him, to come forward. I think I counted about 30 or 40 people. It was incredible! But I think the best part was when one of the Christians from the camp came forward and said he wanted to sing a song. That night we heard the doxology (Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures hear below, etc…) sung in Chol (a local dialect). It was beautiful.

Like I said before, this is just a small sample of God’s unbelievable goodness to us. It would take a considerable amount of time to recount all that God did this past week. But for even the smallest of amount of grace, I am eternally thankful.

Mi Corazon, entona la cancion,
Cuan grande es El, Cuan grande es El.

Acapella

This weekend I celebrated New Year's Eve at Eli and Heather's joint. It was fantastic; we played games, ate loads of good food, and I got the chance to play with Micah!!! Good stuff...

Anyway the most memorable part of the night (for me anyway) was when we (Casey, Kayce, Jerry, and Tim) were all gathered around in the kitchen and somehow we randomly started singing hymns. To this moment I'm not sure how it all began, but it was so amazing. As soon as we were finished singing one, someone would immediately pick another hymn, and we'd all jump in (although some of us knew more of the words than others ;) ). Even though we were slightly off key half the time and managed to butcher a couple beautiful melodies, I was deeply moved.

I was reminded how much I love the hymns; they have so much to say about our faith. Two hymns in particular that we sang remain poignant in my mind: Be Thou My Vision and How Deep the Father's Love For Us.

I encourage you to read over them and let the words sink in...


How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom


Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:T
hou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

-John