Campmeeting 2023 | Ptr. BJ Thompson

This sermon covers various aspects of Christian life and faith, drawing on the speaker's experiences as a missionary. The speaker shares his unexpected journey to Mindanao, initially having planned to serve elsewhere, and emphasizes the importance of men being true men of God, especially in a world where traditional gender roles are blurring. He contrasts modern times with the "good old days," asserting that "these are the good days because if you're doing the will of God, 'taste and see that the Lord is good'". God is faithful to His promises, and men should be judged by their actions, not just their words. He highlights the contrast between earthly and spiritual riches, stating, "I'm rich in God; God has answered prayers for me". The speaker critiques religious systems that manufacture converts, emphasizing that "God's program will promote itself" through the Word and the Holy Spirit. He speaks about freedom, noting that understanding spiritual freedom is essential to comprehending other forms of freedom. The sermon delves into the concept of grace over "face" in tribal cultures, asserting that "in front of God, our face doesn't matter". The speaker shares personal prayer requests, including obtaining passports for his family, and stresses that "God's plan sometimes is His timing, not our timing". Spiritual warfare is a core theme, with prayer and singing identified as spiritual weapons. The speaker explains that "the best fight is no fight", illustrating how God's wisdom allows victory without physical conflict. He shares personal struggles with anger and how prayer and meditation on Scripture transformed his life. The power of God is emphasized, making "a table for us in the presence of our enemies". A significant portion of the sermon focuses on prayer meetings, lamenting their decline and urging believers to prioritize prayer over material pursuits, as "money's not the problem. The problem is you're not right with God". He recites "Sweet Hour of Prayer" as an example of earnest prayer. The speaker addresses the diverse perceptions of Jesus, emphasizing that "God the Father is not a man" and that people of all races and cultures are beautiful in God's sight. He emphasizes that true glory is not found in the flesh but in the spirit. God often chooses "foolish things" to humble the wise, as exemplified by his own missionary call to Mindanao. Reflecting on Jacob's solitary struggle in Genesis 32, the speaker draws parallels to individual spiritual battles, highlighting that "Jacob was left alone; he wrestled a man until the breaking of the day". He explains that angels are mighty warriors, not effeminate figures. Jacob's name change from "scammer" to "prince" signifies reigning in life through Christ, as stated in Romans 5:17. This reigning is spiritual, not carnal or materialistic. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that Christian warfare is not against flesh and blood. God allows delusion when people reject truth. The speaker touches on narcissism as a sign of the times and encourages believers to be spiritual warriors through prayer, seeking God's will, and trusting His promises. He stresses unity in Christ, transcending racial and cultural divides, and challenges believers to reign spiritually rather than compensating for weakness with material possessions.

Published: 7/8/2025

The speaker introduces himself as a missionary with a family, a mission church, and an online Bible school. He shares his unexpected calling to Mindanao, noting that it was never his initial thought to serve there, having previously considered going south to Mindanao due to his American background. He reflects on the importance of being a "man of God," contrasting this with a societal trend where women are sometimes allowed to be more masculine than men. He humorously notes his Amish ancestry, stating that if not for the need to communicate internationally, he would live without electricity among the natives.

Challenging the romanticized idea of "good old days," he asserts, "These are the good days because if you're doing the will of God, 'taste and see that the Lord is good'". He emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, stating that if a man makes promises and doesn't keep them, he should not be feared or respected, but a man who keeps his word should be revered. This principle extends to judging God, for "if God doesn't keep His promise, why would I serve God? Why would I be afraid of God?".

He then discusses the importance of teaching women to be godly, not just in outward appearance but in their thinking, acknowledging the poverty mentality among some members who might feel inadequate without material possessions. The speaker critiques the American "addiction to success," arguing that "God's program will promote itself; the Word of God will do its work; the Holy Spirit will convict men of sin" without the need to "manufacture converts". He believes that true freedom comes from spiritual freedom, contrasting being a slave to religious systems with the deeper implications of salvation. He concludes this introductory section by affirming that his preaching is a "gospel of grace," not a "gospel of face," explaining that while "face" matters in tribal culture, "in front of God, our face doesn't matter".

Campmeeting 2023 | Ptr. BJ Thompson

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