Thanks so much everyone, we know many of you read our update and were praying for Seth’s friend. Shortly after the update was posted, Seth was able to get ahold of his friend, Seth prayed many times for a clear opportunity to go deep with this guy. God opened the door, through the topic of prayer. God used this topic as the catalyst for Seth to navigate through the multi-layer worldview that many Papua New Guineans have… animism, syncretism, eastern mysticism, eastern shame culture, as well as a litany of other layers like cargo cult, other occults, and a veneer of Christianity plague this country, really much of the South Pacific. Because of these complexities of the culture, it makes you think through many things before you share, in order to communicate effectively.
We always try to be very clear, putting on that multi-layered worldview lens so we can understand better where we need to navigate in order to present a clear Gospel. The Spirit and prayer must be the focus of each opportunity God gives us. Seth was able to talk about how once you are saved, you have a relationship with God. Through that relationship alone does prayer make sense, Seth was able to use that topic and tie it into various aspects of the finished work of Christ, and how salvation is completely of God. There is not a drop of works you can be added to the mix, you must make sure the focus is on Him alone, removing any focus off of yourself.
Seth left the conversation with his friend knowing that salvation is of God alone, believers have a personal relationship with God the Father, Jesus paid the debt for all his sin, and the Spirit alone will grow him in God’s timing, no work or service can add to Christ’s finished work on the cross. Seth also left knowing that his friend better understood prayer, and believes his friend has a relationship with Jesus! All of this is possible because of God’s grace, and YOUR prayers. Thank you for being involved in each step!
Your feet to the unreached, Seth & Nicole Stokes
Stoking The Fires 