Open your eyes See the Need - Pastor Gladys

The video sermon is a passionate call to action for the church community to actively engage in the mission of spreading the gospel and supporting missions both locally and globally. Beginning with a celebration of recent baptisms that placed the church in the top 5% of Assembly of God churches, Pastor Gladys emphasizes that this success is not about pride but about the spiritual hunger in their tri-state region. The core message urges believers to open their spiritual eyes, recognize the needs around them, and step into the mission with faith, persistence, and courage.

The sermon draws heavily on biblical examples, particularly Abraham’s faith journey in Hebrews 11, and Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, illustrating the necessity of obedience, sacrifice, and resilience in fulfilling God’s mission. It contrasts these faithful examples with the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, warning against rebellion, self-idolization, and complacency that hinder God’s kingdom.

Mission is defined as a God-given assignment to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and demonstrate love, rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Pastor Gladys stresses that the mission requires stepping beyond comfort zones, seeing the needs of others, and building God’s kingdom even when it feels risky or difficult. The church’s role is both individual and corporate, involving prayer, financial support, and active participation.

Spiritual warfare, opposition, and setbacks are acknowledged as part of the mission, but believers are encouraged to persevere, knowing the eternal reward outweighs temporary struggles. The sermon closes with a heartfelt reflection on the personal relationship with Jesus Christ, urging the congregation to live out their faith tangibly and prepare their hearts before taking communion, recognizing Jesus as Savior and Lord.

 Highlights  

-River City Church ranks in the top 5% of Assembly of God churches for baptisms, reflecting spiritual hunger in the tri-state area.  

-Hebrews 11:9-13 highlights Abraham’s faith as a model for living by faith and stepping into God’s mission.  

-The Tower of Babel story illustrates the consequences of pride, rebellion, and self-idolization, contrasting God’s kingdom mission.  

-Mission is not about self-glory but about serving God and others, as commanded in Genesis and the Great Commission.  

-Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls exemplifies faith, courage, and perseverance amidst opposition and spiritual warfare.  

-Mission requires persistence and resilience even when efforts seem to fail or face setbacks.  

-The sermon challenges believers to define who Jesus is to them personally and to live their faith actively by sharing the gospel and supporting others.  

 Key Insights  

-Spiritual Hunger in the Tri-State Region: The large number of baptisms signifies a deep spiritual hunger, not just within the church but the surrounding community. This suggests a ripe harvest field for evangelism, highlighting the importance of every believer’s role in sharing the gospel daily beyond Sunday services. It calls for active participation rather than passive observation.  

-Faith as a Foundation for Mission: Abraham’s example in Hebrews 11 teaches that faith is essential to step into God’s promises and mission. Living “as foreigners in tents” symbolizes the temporary nature of earthly life and the need to trust God’s eternal promises over present comfort or security. This insight encourages believers to trust God’s provision and step out into mission despite uncertainty.  

-The Tower of Babel as a Warning Against Pride and Complacency: The story shows how human ambition and self-glorification, when disconnected from God’s will, lead to confusion and division. It contrasts sharply with the mission to build God’s kingdom, emphasizing that mission must be done with a heart of service and humility, not for personal fame or comfort.  

-Stewardship and Kingdom Responsibility: God’s command to “subdue the earth” calls believers to steward creation responsibly and promote the flourishing of others. This expands the mission beyond evangelism to include social justice, care for the needy, and community building, highlighting a holistic approach to mission work.  

-Nehemiah’s Leadership as a Model for Mission Engagement: Nehemiah’s story teaches that mission work involves facing opposition, managing conflict, and persevering through discouragement. His prayer for strength exemplifies reliance on God’s power rather than human strength, reminding believers that spiritual battles require spiritual resources.  

-Persistence Despite Failure: The sermon stresses that mission involves cycles of building, falling, and rebuilding. This reflects real-life challenges in ministry and personal faith journeys. The key insight is that perseverance rooted in faith leads to eventual harvest and eternal reward, making failures temporary and instructive.  

-Personal Relationship with Jesus as the Foundation for Mission: The closing reflection challenges believers to examine their relationship with Jesus—whether He is merely an acquaintance or truly Lord and Savior. This personal connection fuels mission passion and obedience, motivating believers to live out their faith authentically and sacrificially.  

The sermon’s overarching theme is a spiritual awakening to the mission God has called His people to—moving from passive spectators to active participants who build His kingdom with faith, courage, and love. It challenges the church to break out of comfort zones, confront rebellion and complacency, and engage in persistent mission work that impacts generations to come.