Sunday November 30, 2025

Sermon Title: The Word that never returns void: Gideon stories of enduring hope

Series Big Idea: Emphasizing the culmination of God’s promises in Jesus and the Church’s mission  

Sermon Big Idea: Never underestimate the eternal power of God's Word

Scott Thomas is a longtime friend of Main Street Baptist and representative of the Gideons, whose mission is to distribute God's Word to every person. Today Scott shared moving testimonies of how a single New Testament can transform lives: a student in South America filled his Bible with names of those he led to Christ, a young man involved in Satanism was redeemed by reading a Gideon Testament, and families found hope after discovering their lost loved ones had made decisions for Christ just before tragedy struck. 

Scott emphasizes Isaiah 55:11, affirming that God's Word does not return void but accomplishes God's purpose, and highlights the global impact of the Gideon ministry—distributing two testaments every second, reaching souls in schools, hotels, and even through historic events like Pearl Harbor and 9/11. 

He shared practical ways for the church to partner with the Gideons, including prayer, donating through Gideon cards, and joining as members, illustrating how each Bible can make an eternal difference and bring hope where none seemed possible. Testimonials and historical moments reinforce the transformative and far-reaching effects of God's Word, and Scott stressed the importance of continued prayer for open doors to distribute Bibles, especially in the face of opposition.

Romans 8:31-39 Bibliography

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