BDA BELONGS TO THE

LORD!

I Chronicles 5: 18 - 22

Bethany Deaf Assembly

What an accomplishment celebrated today! After

35+ years!

What does it mean to be a General Council

Church?

Self-governing = Deaf culture leaders

Self-supporting = Financially self supporting

Self-propagating = able to grow through sharing the

gospel –new Deaf Community people saved

Here we are!!! “The Promise Land”!

TRIBE/STATE OF REUBEN

I Chron 5: 18 -22

Reuben –the first son of Jacob

“The sons of Reuben, the first born of Israel

(Jacob)...the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the

tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for

military service; able-bodied men who could

handle the shield and sword, who could use a

bow, and who were trained for battle...they were

helped in fighting and God delivered their

enemies into their hands, because they cried out

to Him during the battle. He answered their

prayers, because they trusted in Him...and

because the battle was God’s (the battle

belonged to the Lord).”

In BDA’s 35+ years of existence, we have had our battles...

Yet, here we are –an indigenous Deaf Church!

Observations and possible parallels to the Reubenites:

1. Reubenites learned to use their shield –Eph 6 shield of faith

2. Learned to use their sword –the Word of God

3. Used their bows –God given talents and abilities - I Cor 12

4. They trained –Actively used their abilities and participated

5. They cried out to the Lord –they prayed and

6. They trusted in the Lord

V22 states, “...the battle was God’s” – battle belongs to God

BDA belongs to the Lord and the battles we will continue

to face belong to Him!

Battles? We have new enemies to conquer:

a) Lack of compassion for outsiders and lack of

commitment –like old married couples who now coexist –

enthusiasm becomes duty/obligation

b) Not catching the urgency, finality, and horror of

eternal separation from God

Focusing inwardly only brings death while Focusing

outwardly brings life

Do you know what Bethany means?

“House of figs” = God’s favor,

peace and prosperity

“House of affliction” = a place

where the hurting gathered

Bethany was the home of Mary,

Martha, and Lazarus –where Jesus

wept...

Mark 11: 12 –14

On His way to Jerusalem,

Jesus cursed a leafy fig

tree. It was harvest time for

figs, yet this tree did not

have any fruit. It was full

and beautiful on the

outside to look at BUT

without fruit and worthless

to the Kingdom.

•What kind of “House of Figs” will Bethany Deaf Assembly

be?

•Victorious? Conquerors?

•Will you be people of prayer?

•People of faith?

•People of His Word?

•People using the bow – actively engaged in BDA’s life?

80/20 become 20/80?

•People who trust the Lord?

Will we be a “House of Affliction” where people will come to

Jesus for healing?