SICKNESS BRINGS A SMILE
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| Aaron has been teaching about Jesus, the doctor for the spiritually sick. |
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November 20, 2008
by Brian Johnson
Evangelistic Bible teaching to the Patpatar people in Papua New Guinea is coming to a climax. Many of the people appear to understand the message and are responding positively.
"After the teaching one morning this week," wrote missionary Aaron Luse, "one of the men got up and … said with a smile, 'You are all sick and you need a doctor.' The men … laughed, but they knew even though he was teasing them he was serious. One of them responded, 'What you say is true, but you need a doctor too.'"
Aaron had just taught the Patpatar people how Jesus had called Matthew, a despised tax-collector, how he had dined with him and other sinners, and was then criticized by the self-righteous Pharisees.
The missionary team acted out a skit of two sick people, one who knew he was sick and wanted a doctor and the other who was unaware of his sickness and refused the help of the doctor. The impact of the lesson came when the people realized how Jesus was the doctor who came for those who are spiritually sick, for those who realize their sinfulness and need of a Savior.
"We are excited to see many of the people begin to understand that Jesus was more than just a great man to follow," wrote Aaron, "but that He is in fact the only hope of sinful dying men."
Continue to pray for the Patpatars understanding and for their deliverance from their spiritual sickness.
At the end of this week, the missionary team will present Christ as Savior. Pray for clear understanding for the Patpatar people as they are taught this all-important truth. Pray also for the missionaries, that they will stay healthy as they teach, and that they can explain the message well.
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