tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48240365099081476722024-03-05T00:18:20.789-08:00PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVESPastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-43522080150597996322011-01-19T18:55:00.000-08:002011-01-19T18:56:21.109-08:00BLOG POSTING #15: PREACHING TO SPIRITUAL PARENTS<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 4: FOCUS ON YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE (cont’d)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">PREACHING TRACK: WHAT TO PREACH TO SPIRITUAL PARENTS<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">In our Blog Posting #14 we talked about what to preach to SPIRITUAL YOUTH. In this posting we will talk about what to preach to SPIRITUAL PARENTS.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">FOCUS: QUALITY<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">KEY: LOVE<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">AREA OF CONFLICT: RELATIONSHIPS<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">MAJOR TEMPTATION: PRIDE OF LIFE<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">We need to view the SPIRITUAL PARENT at two levels.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">LEVEL ONE is in his/her role as caregiver and nurturer of spiritual children. Using the developmental progression of growth and maturity in human life, the SPIRITUAL PARENT STAGE may be distinguished from the first two as follows: at the BABY STAGE a Christian needs to be cared for by someone; at the YOUTH STAGE a Christian learns to care for himself/herself; at the PARENT STAGE the Christian learns to take care of others. To take care of others a Christian needs to develop a QUALITY OF LIFE that’s predominantly characterized by LOVE. Naturally, love deals mostly with RELATIONSHIPS. A major temptation at this stage is PRIDE OF LIFE in contrast to SERVANTHOOD. Love motivates and empowers a Christian to serve others; pride motivates a person to demand from others service and obedience.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">LEVEL TWO has to do with his/her deepening relationship with God. The QUALITY in a spiritual parent’s life has to do with an area of spiritual experience implied in the description given in 1 John 2:12-14:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. <b>13</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. </b> I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. <b>14</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. </b> I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Please note above the statement in bold letters: “I write to you, fathers (spiritual parents), because you have known Him who is from the beginning.” This implies the quality of an ever-deepening intimacy with God and an ever-increasing knowledge of His purposes. Gene Tabor, my mentor, had a favorite scripture to bring this out: <o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Psalm 103:7:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Gene loved to point out that God made known to Moses “His ways”, but to the children of Israel He only made known “His acts”. By “ways” was meant God’s character, which (because Moses knew it) helped Moses also to know what God would do. By “acts” was meant the outward works and actions of God, which the people became aware only as they happened. The spiritual parent is someone who is becoming more and more intimately schooled in the ways of God, in His nature and character. As a result of this knowledge, he/she is also able to discern God’s purposes for his/her own life and in the lives of the spiritual children who look up to him/her for leadership.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">What then do we preach to spiritual parents?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">At level one (as pointed out above) we preach to spiritual parents on topics that will enable them to become better caregivers and nurturers of their spiritual children. For starters, the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians is a gold mine for truths and topics that will help spiritual parents; in this letter, Paul (the model spiritual parent) opens up his heart and tells about things he did as a spiritual parent. Take one passage, for example, 1 Thessalonians 2:4-12:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">In this brief passage, we can discover many of the qualities and activities that spiritual parents must have and do to be effective in their role.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">At level two, spiritual parents need to receive teaching and preaching that will help them to know God better. A sermon or study series on the attributes of God will greatly help spiritual parents to grow in this area. Standard Christian theology textbooks are good sources for such sermons or studies. Two modern classics have ministered to God’s people in this area: I. J. Packer’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Knowing God</i> and A. W. Tozer’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Knowledge of the Holy.</i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">For an illustration, below is a Bible study I prepared as Lesson 3 of my book NewLife Book 7:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LESSON 3</i></b><o:p></o:p></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">THUMB: FIVE TRUTHS ABOUT GOD<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">WHEN God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush, He told him, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground" (Exodus 3:5).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">As we study about God we should remember that we are standing on holy ground; like Moses we must take off our sandals. In other words, we must maintain the attitude of humility and worship. The only reason we are able to study about God is because He has made Himself known in His Word, and He has made it possible for us to know Him by making us members of His family through His Son Jesus Christ (John 1:18). He has also given us His Holy Spirit, who will enlighten us to understand what God has revealed about Himself in the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:12). We may begin by studying five truths about God.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TRUTH 1: GOD IS CREATOR</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">What is the first truth revealed about God in the Bible? God is Creator. (Genesis 1:1)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">The Bible tells us WHO was responsible for all creation: GOD. The Bible tells us two things about HOW creation came to be: First, God created everything by His Word. Second, God created everything out of nothing. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">Whenever we human beings make anything, we have to use previously existing materials. In the beginning, there was only God, and He did not have any pre-existing material to use; He caused everything to come into existence <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">out of nothing. A</span>s theologians say in Latin: God created EX NIHILO. God SPOKE things into existence from nothing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">Read Genesis 1:3: Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (See also verses 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26). Let’s also study Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 11:3.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">Scientists have proposed all kinds of theories about the beginning of everything. However, all their theories require that a pre-existing material must already be available to produce everything that we now find in the universe – from the smallest atom to the biggest galaxy. In the beginning, only God had the power and wisdom to create something out of nothing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TRUTH 2: GOD IS SUSTAINER</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">The Bible reveals that God did not leave His creation to continue operating on its own without Him. God continues to sustain and govern His creation. From the following verses describe God's work as Sustainer.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">Psalm 36:6; Isaiah 40:22,26; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">Note specially Colossians 1:17 and Hebrews 1:3. These verses reveal to us that everything in the present creation is held together and kept in proper working order by the power of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">The universe needs constant maintenance! Scientists tell us that we may expect the universe to do two things, either to fly apart, with planets and stars scattering in all directions away from one another; or to collapse upon itself, planets and stars crashing into one another into one big crunch – but it doesn't. Why not? Because of the power of GOD THE SUSTAINER, who keeps all things together in their proper places.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TRUTH 3: GOD IS REDEEMER</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">The Bible tells us that everything was created perfect in the beginning, but something terrible happened to mar this perfection. Humanity fell into sin, and as a result everything in creation became subject to decay and death. God could have decided to discard the ruined creation – people and all – and start fresh. But against this dark background, another aspect of God's nature was revealed. God manifested Himself not only as Creator and Sustainer, but also as Redeemer or Savior of His creation, specially as Redeemer of human beings. Please note the name of God in the following verses:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">Isaiah 44:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Jeremiah 50:34; Titus 3:4,5.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">Let’s think of this truth on a personal level. Each time we sin, God has all the right to judge and punish us instantly. But He doesn’t. Instead He has provided a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and to be restored to Himself and restored to the right path He has set for us. This way is through His Son Jesus Christ who redeemed us – paid for our sins – on the cross. When we believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior He forgives us our sins and gives us new life and power to live in the way God wants us to live. We may call God our Redeemer “the God of second chances”. He always gives us a chance to begin again. Do you realize that you have strayed away from God? Why don’t you ask God’s forgiveness – and begin again with Him today?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TRUTH 4: GOD IS FATHER</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">The truths about God as Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer are awe-inspiring. But here is a still more awe-inspiring truth: God gives Himself to us as our FATHER! This story is told about one U. S. president. One day he was meeting with very important persons from different nations; all these persons were very formal and careful as they talked with the president. But on the floor, at the foot of the president, his son was playing with his toys. Whenever he had a little problem with his toys he tugged at his daddy’s coat tails and the president would put all his guests on hold while he attended to his son. This story is only a faint illustration of what God wants to be to us as Father – very close, very intimate, very personal.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">In the Old Testament, the Fatherhood of God was only hinted at. In the New Testament the full blaze of the Fatherhood of God was revealed by Christ. However, Christ’s revelation came both as Good News and Bad News. The Bad News is that, because of sin, God's Fatherhood is no longer universal; it is conditional. The Good News is that Christ came precisely to restore sinful man to relationship with the heavenly Father. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">BAD NEWS: Because of sin, who has become the father of sinners? John 8:44 <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">GOOD NEWS: How may we restore our relationship with God as our Father? John 1:12 <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">GOD THE FATHER calls us to a Father-Child relationship. Please study 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">JESUS CHRIST THE SON teaches us to pray to God our Father. Matthew 6:9 <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">THE HOLY SPIRIT enables us to call to God in the most intimate terms. Galatians 4:6 <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">A PERSONAL QUESTION: Are you sure that your relationship with God as your heavenly Father has been restored? You may have it restored by inviting Christ to come in your heart as your Lord and Savior.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">TRUTH 5: GOD IS PERFECT</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText">God has attributes or qualities which He alone possesses in perfection. We shall mention nine of His innumerable attributes. Please study the following verses and meditate on each attribute that's mentioned.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1. ETERNAL (no beginning and no end) </i>Psalm 90:1,2; Revelation 1:8<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2. OMNIPOTENT (all-powerful)</i> Luke 1:37 <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3. OMNISCIENT (all-knowing) </i>Psalm 139:1-6 <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">4. OMNIPRESENT (present everywhere) </i>Jeremiah 23:23-24; Psalm 139:7-10<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">5: SOVEREIGN (controls everything)</i> Daniel 4:34-35; Romans 11:36<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6. LOVE (merciful and gracious) </i>1 John 4:8-10; Jeremiah 31:3<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">7. FAITHFUL (unchanging; fulfills His promises)</i> Lamentations 3:22-23; 2 Corinthians 1:18-20.)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">8. HOLY (pure; does not tolerate any sin) </i>1 Peter 1:15-16; Isaiah 6:3.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">9. JUST (punishes sin exactly and fairly)</i> Romans 2:5-6; 1 Peter 1:17.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">APPLICATION</b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">How should our knowledge of God affect how we relate to Him and how we live our lives?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(a) WORSHIP – </i>As our CREATOR and SUSTAINER, and as One who possesses all PERFECT ATTRIBUTES, God deserves our worship. Revelation 4:1-11 describes how God is worshipped in heaven; please note verses 10-11. 1 Chronicles 29:10-18 is a good example of a prayer of worship.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(b) RELATIONSHIP </i>- As our REDEEMER and FATHER, God calls us into relationship with Him. Are you sure you have a personal relationship with God? John 1:12. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">If you already have a relationship with God, are you living worthily before your Heavenly Father? 1 Corinthians 10:31.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MEMORIZE: </b> John 17:3<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">NOTE: To know God better, we must also know Christ and the Holy Spirit better. In NewLife Book 7 I also wrote the following lessons: 5 Truths about Christ, and 5 Truths about the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
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</div>Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-84465516600321158062010-12-01T17:37:00.000-08:002010-12-01T17:37:53.802-08:00BLOG POSTING #14: PREACHING TO SPIRITUAL YOUTH<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG POSTING #14<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FOCUS ON YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE (cont’d)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">PREACHING TRACK: WHAT TO PREACH TO SPIRITUAL YOUTH</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">In our Blog Posting #13 we talked about what to preach to SPIRITUAL BABIES.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this posting we will talk about what to preach to SPIRITUAL YOUTH.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">FOCUS: VICTORY</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">According to our preaching diagram, our FOCUS for this stage of SPIRITUAL YOUTH is VICTORY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is drawn from the scripture description of this stage in 1 John 2:13, 14:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">13</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> … I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one…. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">14</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"> … I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Let’s note the following characteristics of the spiritual youth:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have overcome the wicked one;</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are strong;</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word of God abides in them.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">The connection between these three characteristics is obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spiritual youth is STRONG because the WORD OF GOD abides in them; as a result they have OVERCOME the wicked one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the ideal picture of a Christian at the spiritual youth stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our goal in preaching then is to help a BABY CHRISTIAN to grow up to the level of a YOUTH CHRISTIAN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to PREACH sermons on:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The WORD OF GOD and what the Christian needs to do in order to have the Word of God ABIDE in him/her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Spiritual Baby Stage we already introduced the Christian to the five ways of taking in the Word of God: hear, read, study, memorize, meditate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Spiritual Youth Stage, we need to continue preaching at a deeper level on how to practice these disciplines. The goal of preaching at this stage<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is expressed clearly in <span style="font-family: Arial;">Colossians 3:16:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Spiritual Youth must learn to overcome (gain victory) over the enemy (the wicked one).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preaching at this stage must provide instruction on the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHY, and HOW of the enemy and his tactics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two scriptures provide powerful starting points, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Old Testament scripture is obviously Genesis 3, regarding the temptation of Adam and Eve, the first representative human beings; the New Testament scripture, also obviously, is Matthew 4 (and parallel Gospel passages), regarding the temptation of Jesus, the second representative human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t it very revealing that in both temptations relationship to the Word of God spelled the difference between defeat (in the case of Adam and Eve who did not have God’s Word abiding in them) and victory (in the case of Jesus who had God’s Word abiding in Him)?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t it also very revealing that in both cases Satan used the three major areas of temptation: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life?</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only must the Spiritual Youth learn about the Enemy and his tactics; he/she also must learn about his/her all-sufficient, all-victorious Ally, the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this stage he/she must know about and consistently practice the Holy Spirit-filled life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preaching at this stage must emphasize the person, work, and fruit of the Holy Spirit as they relate to the believer.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">(d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another way to differentiate the focus for the spiritual baby stage from the focus for the spiritual youth stage is as follows: the focus of the baby stage is primarily JUSTIFICATION; the focus of the youth stage (as well as the parent stage) is SANCTIFICATION.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sermons on justification deal with the basics of the Gospel and salvation; sermons on sanctification deal with the essentials of practical holy Christian living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may describe these two truths (justification and sanctification) as “lenses”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we use these two “lenses” to examine the apostolic epistles (both Pauline and general) to the churches, we will discover abundant texts and topics from which we can preach on either justification or sanctification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, Paul’s letter to the Romans divides roughly into GOSPEL & JUSTIFICATION TRUTHS (chapters 1-5) and SANCTIFICATION TRUTHS (chapters 6-8, 12-16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many of the epistles we will find texts regarding the Word of God and regarding Satan and his tactics and how to overcome him.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">KEY: HOPE<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">AREA OF CONFLICT: VALUES<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">MAJOR TEMPTATION: LUST OF THE EYES<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">For the spiritual youth stage, sermons for reproof, correction, and training will revolve around hope, values, and the lust of the eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We define lust of the eyes as the uncontrolled desire to be seen (admired) or to covet things that we see as valuable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One key scripture that exposes the root and essence of this temptation is Matthew 6:19-24:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">19</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">20</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">21</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">22</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">23</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great <i>is</i> that darkness!</span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">24</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.</span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Another key scripture is Philippians 3:17-21:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">17</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">18</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, <i>that they are</i> the enemies of the cross of Christ: </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">19</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> whose end <i>is</i> destruction, whose god <i>is their</i> belly, and <i>whose</i> glory <i>is</i> in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">20</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">21</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">To put the issue bluntly:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For whom and for what are we living – God or Mammon, the kingdom of God or this transient world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put in this way, you can see that essentially the spiritual youth will struggle with his/her COMMITMENT, which will determine his/her PRIORITIES.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also see why HOPE is the virtue that strikes at the root of this issue, because hope anchors the Christian’s commitment in heaven, not on earth.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">At the spiritual youth stage you will need to preach a lot of sermons to REPROVE Christians (make them stop loving this world), to CORRECT Christians (show them the way out of loving this world), and to TRAIN them in righteousness (how to start loving and serving God and His kingdom and righteousness first).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’s two letters to the Corinthians provide a lot of texts and topics for reproof, correction,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and training, sermons that will help spiritual youth Christians to have God’s Word abide in them, to be strong, and to overcome the wicked one.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">SEXUAL PURITY</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">We need to point out one fierce battleground for the spiritual youth, especially those who are literally in their physical age of youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apostle Paul warned his protégé Timothy about this:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 13.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2 Timothy 2:22:</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Bible commentators believe that at this time of writing Timothy was already a mature church leader, possibly close to forty years old, certainly no longer an adolescent or young adult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to warn him against the pitfall of youthful lusts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This implies that no one ever gets too old to become immune to this temptation, as many sad and tragic real life stories prove; so many supposedly mature, even highly visible Christian leaders have fallen in this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But most especially the adolescents and young adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Hence, we need to emphasize the need to preach and teach strongly and regularly on how to gain victory in this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">NOTE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our next blog posting we will talk about what to preach to SPIRITUAL PARENTS.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-44106139117532311092010-11-23T21:17:00.000-08:002010-11-23T21:17:24.745-08:00BLOG #13: FOCUS ON TARGET AUDIENCE (cont'd)<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #13<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FOCUS ON YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE (cont’d)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">PREACHING TRACK</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">In Blog #11 we said: Here the TEACHING TRACK is foundational.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The PREACHING TRACK assists as a trouble-shooter. But note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All preaching involves teaching, and all teaching involves preaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for the purposes of this study, we make the following distinction: </div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">TEACHING gives the timeless Word; PREACHING gives the timely Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TEACHING aims to impart God’s Word progressively from Genesis to Revelation; PREACHING chooses specific texts and truths to expound and apply to the current needs of the congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TEACHING serves the regular menu for healthy Christians who are developing normally; PREACHING serves a special menu that provides the nutriments needed at critical stages of development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">Again, we may illustrate the difference as follows:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teaching (horizontal arrow) instructs God’s people consecutively, progressively and systematically from Genesis to Revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preaching (vertical arrows) brings out truths from anywhere in God’s revelation in the Bible to meet the current needs of God’s people and to equip them to deal with their present circumstances.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">(Sorry. Diagram is supposed to be inserted here, but I'm having a problem uploading it. Diagram shows one long horizontal arrow, representing TEACHING; above the horizontal arrow are short vertical arrows, representing PREACHING.)</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">Our diagram provides a guideline as to what we need to preach on, as we focus on our target audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We simply need to ask questions such as:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I need to preach on when I’m speaking to SPIRITUAL BABIES?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m speaking to SPIRITUAL YOUTH?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m speaking to SPIRITUAL PARENTS? </div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">Please note that our diagram shows four general topics for preaching:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Focus</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Key</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Area of Conflict</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Major Temptation</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;">These topics arise out of 1 John 5:12-17:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 John 2:12-17:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>12</b> I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. <b>13</b> I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">who is</span> from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">14</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">who is</span> from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.</span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">16</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> For all that <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">17</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"> And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">BABY CHRISTIANS</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Let’s look at the four topics as they relate to BABY CHRISTIANS.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">FOCUS: SECURITY<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 John 2:12, 13: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake … I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">From the above description of the spiritual baby we deduce that the focus of preaching/teaching to the spiritual baby is SECURITY, which is related to forgiveness of sins and knowledge of the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sermon topics for Baby Christians on SECURITY may include the following:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Assurance of Salvation</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Assurance of Victory over Temptations</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Assurance of Forgiveness</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Assurance of Answered Prayer</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Daily Devotional Time (Quiet Time)</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Fellowship with Other Christians</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Another key verse for SPIRITUAL BABIES is 1 Peter 2:2:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Sermon topics for Baby Christians on the WORD OF GOD may include the following:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>A Brief, Panoramic Survey of the Bible</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Five Ways of Receiving God’s Word: Hear, Read, Study, Memorize, Meditate</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>The Importance of God’s Word as Food (Milk) for Spiritual Growth</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Obeying and Applying God’s Word</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Two Kinds of Hearers of God’s Word (Matthew 7:24-27)</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">KEY: FAITH<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">AREA OF CONFLICT: BASIC NEEDS<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">MAJOR TEMPTATION: LUST OF THE FLESH<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">The three topics above are all related.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than at any other stage of the spiritual journey, it is at the BABY STAGE that a Christian struggles with the basic needs of life and with the major temptation of lust of the flesh, which arises out of those needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And FAITH is the key quality to develop in the Baby Christian, because it is faith that will help him/her to deal with basic needs and with the lust of the flesh.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">Matthew 6:25-34 provides the essential message for Baby Christians regarding the three topics above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The message centers on this truth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOD YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS JEHOVAH-JIREH, THE LORD YOUR PROVIDER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This truth may also be expressed as JESUS YOUR SHEPHERD WILL ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF YOU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below are some scripture passages that you may preach from:</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>1 Kings 17:1-16 – God provides in times of famine.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Psalm 23 – Our Shepherd provides for all our needs.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Psalm 103 –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s Material and Spiritual Blessings.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>John 2:1-11 – Jesus will help us when our resources run out.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Philippians 4:19 – God will supply our needs, not wants.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>James 1:5 – God gives the needed wisdom to live the Christian life.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Philippians 4:6, 7; 1 Peter 5:7 – How to overcome worry.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Hebrews 13:5, 6 – God will never forsake us.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: 76.0pt; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Mark 4:1-20 – How to overcome Satan’s temptations regarding the lusts and cares and worries of this life.</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; tab-stops: 76.0pt;">NOTE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our next posting, we will explore preaching topics for YOUTH CHRISTIANS.</div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-34199173719364635682010-11-15T21:11:00.000-08:002010-11-15T21:11:39.858-08:00BLOG #12: AN OVERVIEW OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #12<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 4: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> FOCUS ON YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE (cont'd)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">AN OVERVIEW OF THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY</span></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">NEWLIFE DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING MANUAL</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A manual is a brief guidebook that's easily carried in one's hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This discipleship manual is not only a book that you carry in your hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This manual will put on your palms and fingers important discipleship truths, taught through hand illustrations, that will equip you to participate in the greatest work -- becoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ and helping others to do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the Bible, God often refers to His hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord Jesus gives the most beautiful reference to the divine hands: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:27-29, NIV).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What a wonderful promise!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the almighty hands of the Father and the Son we Christians are safe and secure – forever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our salvation does not depend on our holding on to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our salvation is securely grounded on the truth that God holds on to us with a grip that won't let go.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Does this mean that we fold our hands and do nothing but wait for heaven? Unfortunately, many Christians hold this wrong idea in their minds.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">To the contrary, because we are secure in God's hands we should work vigorously with our hands!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul captures this graphically in Philippians 3:12:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ took hold of us -- grasped us with His hands -- for a purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we are challenged to take hold of -- to grasp with our hands -- Christ's purpose until it is perfectly fulfilled in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">To take hold of Christ's purpose, the Christian must have strong hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This discipleship training manual will strengthen your spiritual hands at every stage of your Christian growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">STAGES OF GROWTH</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">There are three stages of Christian growth, according to 1 John 2:12-14: "I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Children, young men, fathers. In more general terms, every Christian goes through three spiritual stages: BABY, YOUTH, and PARENT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This discipleship training manual will teach and train Christians to use their spiritual hands during each of these stages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence, the outline of this course is as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK ONE</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BABY RIGHT HAND:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THE GOSPEL</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumb:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God's Love<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pointing Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man's Problem<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middle Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ is the Answer<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ring Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ's Invitation<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man's Decision<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christian's Assurance<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">EVANGELISTIC BIBLE STUDIES<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">FROM THE GOSPEL OF JOHN<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK TWO<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BABY LEFT HAND:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NEEDS OF A SPIRITUAL BABY</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumb:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer - I<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pointing Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word of God - I<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middle Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgiveness<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ring Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family of God<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Testimony<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indwelling Holy Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK THREE</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">YOUTH LEFT HAND: NEEDS OF A SPIRITUAL YOUTH</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumb:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer - II<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pointing Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word of God - II<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middle Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cross<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ring Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Body of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Witnessing<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy Spirit-Filled Life<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK FOUR</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BAPTISM AND CHURCH MEMBERSHIP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Importance of B-A-P-T-I-S-M<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Thumb: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>B</u></b>elieve<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Pointing Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>A</u></b>ccept, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>P</u></b>rove<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Middle Finger: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>T</u></b>estify<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Ring Finger: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>I</u></b>nstruct<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Little Finger: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>S</u></b>tewardship<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Palm: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>M</u></b>embership<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK FIVE</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">YOUTH RIGHT HAND: KEYS TO VICTORY</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumb:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Body<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pointing Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mind<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middle Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emotion<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ring Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Armor of God<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Exchanged Life<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK SIX</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">PARENT LEFT HAND: NEEDS OF A SPIRITUAL PARENT</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumb: Prayer - III<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pointing Finger: Word – III (Expanded in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Book Eight</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middle Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stewardship<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ring Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bride of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>World Mission<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Expanded in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Book Nine</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.5in;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK SEVEN</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">PARENT RIGHT HAND: <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">Foundations for Ministry</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumb: The Spirit in Ministry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pointing Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word in Ministry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middle Finger: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer in Ministry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ring Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Modeling in Ministry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trials in Ministry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goal & Process of Ministry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK EIGHT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BASIC BIBLE TRUTHS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Palm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TRUTHS ABOUT THE BIBLE<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumb:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TRUTHS ABOUT GOD<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pointing Finger: TRUTHS ABOUT CREATION<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Middle Finger: TRUTHS ABOUT SIN AND SALVATION<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ring Finger: TRUTHS ABOUT THE CHURCH<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Finger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TRUTHS ABOUT LAST THINGS<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK NINE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">SPIRITUAL GIFTS:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">DISCOVERING, DEVELOPING, DEPLOYING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four Wonderful Truths<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are Spiritual Gifts?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gifts for Serving<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gifts for Teaching<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gifts for Leading<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basic Ministries<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Developing and Deploying your Gifts<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Affirming Your Gifts and Ministry<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NewLife Church Planting Strategy<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BOOK TEN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CHI UPSILON<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">SPECIAL TRAINING FOR YOUTH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CHI and UPSILON are letters from the Greek alphabet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>CHI</u></b> (shaped like the English letter <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">X</b>, pronounced like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>CH</u></b>) is the first letter of the name of Christ in Greek: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>CH</u></b>RISTOS<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>UPSILON</u></b> (shaped like the English letter <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Y</b> but equivalent to the English letter <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>U</u></b>) is the first letter in the Greek word <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>U</u></b>PSISTOS (pronounced [H]UPSISTOS), which means ABOVE ALL. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CHI UPSILON is a Bible study course designed to help Christians, specially young people, to put <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">CHRISTOS [H]UPSISTOS – CHRIST ABOVE ALL</i></b> – in every area of their life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a person receives Christ as Savior and Lord, this commitment is symbolized<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by superimposing the letters CHI (X) and UPSILON (Y) on the circle of life; thus dividing the circle of life into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SEVEN AREAS</i> (please see diagram below):<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4w7bQDyH_CiA-CJvl2Zp1KHqlZo3KDBP0uSX2zNHqAYW3LkmHjk7vy87x8xrHUTWprn11G1wWlTBjZwtLDnZC55sBQ6HDy6pKyB6imXmql_OHERVJfm9D-t1g8cQvDt5mNoIQMGJ9tmQp/s1600/NLCOVER010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4w7bQDyH_CiA-CJvl2Zp1KHqlZo3KDBP0uSX2zNHqAYW3LkmHjk7vy87x8xrHUTWprn11G1wWlTBjZwtLDnZC55sBQ6HDy6pKyB6imXmql_OHERVJfm9D-t1g8cQvDt5mNoIQMGJ9tmQp/s200/NLCOVER010.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div align="center" class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 2.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 2.75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">G</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">OD<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 2.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 2.75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">S</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ELF<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 2.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 2.75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">P</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">ARENTS<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 2.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 2.75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">F</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">RIEND<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>S</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 2.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 2.75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">S</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">PECIAL <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>F</u></b>RIEND<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 2.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 2.75in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">P</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">URPOSE<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Bullet1" style="margin-left: 2.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 2.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">S</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">UCCESS<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-50887844710744843602010-11-11T17:05:00.000-08:002010-11-11T17:05:22.765-08:00BLOG #11: FOCUS ON YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #11<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FOCUS ON YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBMjHGI8nOt5lHnFACXyqIoEtHttOYxIYVMzkeaEEdvwEkcFaiDpPlxTxtqun9ofoalF84XcuwTUgvk_3zF2BtNzZW2FcgpC1sl8HymUe_YSUA-F8eMwn5xM9wSuNXQsOSQCJk9iReDv-/s1600/PREACH_FRAME.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBMjHGI8nOt5lHnFACXyqIoEtHttOYxIYVMzkeaEEdvwEkcFaiDpPlxTxtqun9ofoalF84XcuwTUgvk_3zF2BtNzZW2FcgpC1sl8HymUe_YSUA-F8eMwn5xM9wSuNXQsOSQCJk9iReDv-/s400/PREACH_FRAME.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The bottom half of our diagram deals the MESSENGER; the top half deals with the HEARER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our simple model of communication HEY! YOU… SEE? SO., the HEY underlines the importance of knowing, understanding,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and focusing on your target your audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old illustration of the shotgun versus the rifle is apt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people preach/teach as if they are blasting a shotgun at their audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pellets of the shotgun blast cover a large area and some of those pellets will surely hit someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the focused single shot of the sniper rifle is more effective in hitting the heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone said, “If you aim at nothing, you will surely hit it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another said, “If you try to talk to everybody, you’ll end up talking to nobody.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What do we mean by focusing on your target audience?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We mean three things:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Focus on the goal of the spiritual journey.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Know at what stage of the spiritual journey your audience is at present.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Aim to bring your audience one step closer to the goal.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">THE GOAL</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s begin with the GOAL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christian life is a spiritual journey with a very clear goal or destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This goal has two aspects: IN THIS LIFE and BEYOND THIS LIFE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please look at our diagram.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BEYOND THIS LIFE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PERFECT LIKE CHRIST</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This aspect of the goal is beyond this life because it will be accomplished at the Second Coming of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be the culmination of salvation described as glorification, in which the believer will share in the perfect humanity of the resurrected Jesus, in body, soul and spirit.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ephesians 4:13: T</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">ill we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.</b></span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Romans 8:29-30: </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For whom He foreknew, He also predestined <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to be</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">conformed to the image of His Son</b>, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">glorified</b>.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Philippians 3:20-21: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">20</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">21</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> who will transform <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">our lowly body </b>that it may be<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> conformed to His glorious body</b>, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IN THIS LIFE: MATURE IN CHRIST</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Every Christian is called by God to grow to full spiritual maturity in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maturity is not the same as perfection; maturity is achieving your God-given potential (in character and service) in this world short of perfection.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ephesians 4:12, 14-16:</span></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> for the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">equipping of the saints for the work of ministry</b>, for the edifying of the body of Christ… </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">14</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> but, speaking the truth in love, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Chris</b>t<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">— </b></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">16</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Colossians 2:6-7: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">6</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">walk in Him, </b></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">7</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">, as you have been taught, abounding in it</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">with thanksgiving.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Every time you preach/teach keep your eyes on the goal of the spiritual journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your purpose is not to inform merely, or to encourage merely, or to challenge merely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at every person in your audience and praise God in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>your heart and say: “God, thank You this person will become mature in Christ in this life, and perfect like Your Son someday.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You preach/teach like Paul with all your might because of the greatness of the goal:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Colossians 1:27-29:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">27</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">is Christ in you, the hope of glory. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">28</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">29</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> To this <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">end</span> I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And you must undergird your preaching/teaching with the same fervency of prayer exemplified by the apostle Paul as well as by a local church leader like Epaphras:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Feel the passion of the apostle Paul as a spiritual parent: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Galatians 4:19:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Share in Epaphras’ uncompromising commitment to the goal:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Colossians 4:12:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Epaphras, who is <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">one</span> of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">in all the will of God.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">THREE STAGES</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As in the physical life even so in the spiritual life, the Christian goes through three stages in his/her spiritual journey toward maturity: baby stage, youth stage, parent stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please look at our diagram again.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 276.0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 John 2:12-14: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I write to you, little <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">children</b>, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">13</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I write to you, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fathers</b>, because you have known Him <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">who is</span> from the beginning. I write to you, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">young men</b>, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">14</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">who is</span> from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A newborn baby is the sweetest thing in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if that baby stays a baby and does not grow normally toward the next stage of development, parents become concerned as they should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Philippines we have a name for a person that develops physically to the size of a grown man but whose mind remains that of a baby; we call that person BONDYING (pronounced <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bon-djing</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often use that term for fun, but there is nothing more tragic and more sad for parents than for their baby to grow into a BONDYING.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The New Testament strongly warns against believers remaining BONDYINGS.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 Corinthians 3:1-3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">people</span> but as to carnal, as to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">babes</b> in Christ. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to receive it,</span> and even now you are still not able; </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> for you are still carnal. For where <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">there are</span> envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">mere</span> men?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 23.5pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hebrews 5:12-13:</span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> 12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">someone</span> to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">13</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For everyone who partakes <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">only</span> of milk <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">babe</b>.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How do we protect the people in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our care from remaining spiritual BONDYING?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do this by making sure they get the knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes and character qualities that they need at each stage of the spiritual journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, let’s remind ourselves that we do this through two tracks, TEACHING TRACK and PREACHING TRACK.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here the TEACHING TRACK is foundational.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The PREACHING TRACK assists as a trouble-shooter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do we mean?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">TEACHING TRACK</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Every group or congregation must have a curriculum of Bible studies, which progresses from evangelism on to the baby stage and the youth stage and the parent stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And everyone who becomes a regular attender (and eventually a member) of the congregation must be enrolled in that curriculum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Campus Crusades’ TEN STEPS?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Navigators’ 10 book-series called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lessons in Christian Living</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These lessons are designed to take a person from the start of the spiritual journey up to a certain level of maturity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This kind of step-by-step, systematic curriculum is the best way – the ONLY WAY – to ensure that every member of the congregation gets the needed teaching and training at every stage of the spiritual journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">NOTE: NEXT BLOG</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For purposes of illustration, the next blog posting will give the outline of my 10-book<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>NewLife Discipleship Training Series (available free in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">word.doc electronic file</i> upon request at <a href="mailto:pastor.bien@yahoo.com">pastor.bien@yahoo.com</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> NewLife Series</i> utilizes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hand Illustrations</i>, which contain the knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes and character qualities needed at each stage.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-84135046493178449382010-11-09T17:40:00.000-08:002010-11-09T17:40:27.333-08:00BLOG #10: PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #10<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE (concluded)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We have one more item under Step 3 that we need to discuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we shall proceed to Step 4.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">LAYER 3: REPROOF, CORRECTION, TRAINING, EQUIPPING (cont’d)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please look over our diagram again (below).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been dealing with Layer 3, and we have discussed REPROOF, CORRECTION, and TRAINING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we will focus our attention on EQUIPPING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s review our key scripture in 2 Timothy 3:15-17:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">16</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> All Scripture <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> given by inspiration of God, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">17</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> that the man of God may be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">complete</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">thoroughly equipped</b> for every good work.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What then is the end product of preaching/teaching when we have faithfully done all the aspects of the ministry the Word as indicated in Levels 1, 2 & 3 (please see diagram)? Let’s review our key scripture in 2 Timothy 3:15-17:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">16</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> All Scripture <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> given by inspiration of God, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">17</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work</b>.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end product is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">the man (and woman) of God (who are) complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.</span></i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s note the words: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">complete, thoroughly equipped</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">artios</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fit, complete, capable, sufficient; i.e., able to meet all demands (BAG)…. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Exartizo</b> completely outfitted, fully furnished, fully equipped, fully supplied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word was used of documents which were completely outfitted or of a wagon which was completely outfitted or of a completely outfitted rescue boat.” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament)<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our diagram we are putting EQUIPPING as an aspect or activity separate from teaching, reproof, correction and training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our key scripture, however, seems to indicate that the state of being complete and equipped is the end result of doing the ministry of Word in its aspects of GOSPEL (SALVATION), DOCTRINE (TEACHING), REPROOF, CORRECTION, and TRAINING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we are using the word EQUIPPING to describe “the finishing touches” (if you will) in the preparation of the servant of God who has to fulfill a four-fold role, according to 2 Timothy 2:3-7, 15 (please note the words in bold letters):</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> You therefore must endure</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">hardship as a good <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">soldier</b> of Jesus Christ. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">this</span> life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">5</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And also if anyone competes in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">athletics</b>, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">6</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> The hardworking <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">farmer</b> must be first to partake of the crops… </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a worker</b> who does not need to be ashamed, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">rightly dividing the word of truth</b>.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>SOLDIER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character qualities should be possessed by a complete, capable, sufficient, fully equipped soldier disciple? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ephesians 6:10-18 suggests the answer.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>ATHLETE. What knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character qualities should be possessed by a complete, capable, sufficient, fully equipped athlete disciple? The answer must be based on truths found in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>FARMER. What knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>qualities should be possessed by a complete, capable, sufficient, fully equipped farmer disciples?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The principles highlighted by the agricultural parables used by Jesus should guide us in formulating an answer (Mark 4).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>SERVANT OF THE WORD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character qualities should be possessed by a complete, capable, sufficient, fully equipped servant of the Word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer should include solid grounding in the principles, methods and practice of our diagram PREACH & TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES: A FRAMEWORK (2 Timothy 3:15-17).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The complete, fully equipped man and woman of God pictured in 2 Timothy 3:17 is the end product of faithful preaching/teaching of God’s Word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in the bottom<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>half of our diagram;</i> the same person is also the end product in view of the completed growth process <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in the top half of our diagram</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To that top half we shall now turn our attention.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">NOTE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our next blog posting we shall proceed to Step 4.</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-26553160808801366432010-11-07T20:42:00.000-08:002010-11-07T20:42:34.524-08:00BLOG #9: TRAINING<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #9<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE (cont’d)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">AN APPROACH TO TRAINING<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">Applying Christ’s "With Him" Principle in Mark 3:14, effective training involves six steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For easy recall, we may place these steps in our hand:</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR9YgFjV0h1bs8E0Zftgo7clYjBGqHa_0bjVczgZW3xFYQUCPUmbPh0o4GtekEoJiqaO4b2cVO5DcXJCkO5sIh1u7peDCNh7MqIcpY3z-9-MSDbpvv7xOmPQsn3ZG862z5SJxcvrUafIR/s1600/HAND_RT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpR9YgFjV0h1bs8E0Zftgo7clYjBGqHa_0bjVczgZW3xFYQUCPUmbPh0o4GtekEoJiqaO4b2cVO5DcXJCkO5sIh1u7peDCNh7MqIcpY3z-9-MSDbpvv7xOmPQsn3ZG862z5SJxcvrUafIR/s200/HAND_RT.jpg" width="184" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>LITTLE FINGER – STEP 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Information - "Tell him what"</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>RING FINGER – STEP 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Motivation - "Tell him why"</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>MIDDLE FINGER – STEP 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Demonstration - "Show him how"</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>POINTING FINGER – STEP 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duplication - "Get him started"</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span>THUMB – STEP 5:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supervision - "Keep him going"</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">· <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>PALM – STEP 6:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Multiplication - "Let him teach someone else"</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">How do we actually put these steps into practice? Please study the example below.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">LITTLE FINGER - STEP 1: INFORMATION: TELL HIM WHAT.</b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">The first step in training your disciple to do any of the discipleship skills is INFORMATION: tell him WHAT he needs to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We place this on your little finger.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">For example, I want to train Mario to witness by using the Gospel Hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tell him, "Mario, as a Christian you need to witness for Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One method you may use is the Gospel Hand."</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">This step, INFORMATION, is placed on the little finger because when you use only this step of telling people what to do, they will never learn to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though INFORMATION is a necessary step, like the little finger, it is the weakest step.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">RING FINGER – STEP 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MOTIVATION: TELL HIM WHY.</b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">People learn when they are motivated; they are motivated when they see a compelling reason why they should do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence, the second step in training is MOTIVATION: tell him WHY he should learn to do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We place this step on the ring finger.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">I motivate Mario by giving him reasons why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may say something like this, "Mario, do you know why you need to witness for Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let's look at three reasons from the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, God commands you to do it; let's read Matthew 28:18-20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, your experience should motivate you to do it; let's read Acts 4:20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, the need of others demand that you do it; let's read Revelation 20:15."</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steps 1 and 2 may be done during the first session with your disciple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, during this first session, you may spend time making a prospect list of your disciple's friends and relatives, and setting up a tentative schedule when to visit these prospects.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MIDDLE FINGER – STEP 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DEMONSTRATION: SHOW HIM HOW.</b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">Real training begins with the third step, DEMONSTRATION, whereby you actually show your disciple HOW to witness, using the Gospel Hand presentation (or any equivalent presentation).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was Christ's principle of training His disciples, and some have called this the WITH HIM PRINCIPLE (Mark 3:14-15).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before Christ sent His disciples to do the work, He first trained them by keeping them with Him to observe how He did the work.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">This step of DEMONSTRATION is done in two phases:</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">Phase One: I will take Mario with me when I go witnessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will do nothing except to be with me and observe me while I do the witnessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will take him with me at least two or three times as an observer.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">Phase Two: After I have taken him at least two or three times as an observer, I will set a day when we will use the technique called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Role Playing</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I train Mario to witness through role playing, in which, first, I play the role of the Christian and he plays the role of the non-Christian; and then we reverse roles.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">For example, I tell Mario, "Let’s practice witnessing, using the Gospel Hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the Christian; you pretend to be the non-Christian."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go ahead and present the Gospel Hand as simply and as clearly as Mario can understand it, making sure that he gets the main points and the transitions between the points.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we reverse roles; he will play the Christian, I play the non-Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will present the Gospel Hand step by step, and I will make suggestions or corrections as he goes along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will practice role-playing until he is able to present the Gospel Hand to me with a measure of confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we are ready to go on to the fourth step.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">POINTING FINGER – STEP 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DUPLICATION: GET HIM STARTED.</b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">The fourth step on your pointing finger is DUPLICATION: get him started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting started is the most difficult of all, so you need to make it as easy and pleasant as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Train your disciple to witness one portion at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">For example, during our first outing, I may say to Mario, "When we witness to your friend Ed, I will begin the conversation and I will present the first point, God's Love; then I will turn over the conversation to you by telling Ed that you will explain the second point, Man's Problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I will pick up the conversation again and finish the entire presentation."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the actual day of witnessing, I will rehearse Mario to make sure he knows his part of the presentation.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">During our second outing, I will still do the introduction and the first point, Mario will take the second and third points, and I finish the presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">During the succeeding outings, Mario will take more and more points of the presentation until I am doing only the introduction and the conclusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the day will come when Mario will do the whole thing from beginning to end, with me as a silent prayer partner.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">With some disciples you may not need to take as many outings; they may already be ready and able to present the Gospel hand at the first try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The important thing is to train a disciple according to his readiness and ability.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">One reminder:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you assign a part of the presentation, let your disciple do it without your assistance; allow him to "sink or swim", even if he has to struggle through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only exception is, if he becomes suddenly dumb or confused.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">Another reminder:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always commend your disciple for his job when you are already by yourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, after the commendation, give him the necessary suggestions on how to improve his presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always give encouragement to your disciple.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THUMB – STEP 5: SUPERVISION: KEEP HIM GOING.</b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">On your thumb we put the fifth step: SUPERVISION: keep him going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you keep your disciple to go on in the practice of a skill he has learned?</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You yourself must keep on going, and he must see and know that a certain skill, like witnessing, is part of your daily lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pacesetting</i> on your part.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Give opportunity for testimony time when the group gets together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask for testimonies of their experiences in the practice of the discipleship skills (not only witnessing but other skills as well, such as Scripture Memory, prayer, etc.)</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Regularly schedule projects in which certain skills will be exercised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, witnessing days; or day in prayer; or Scripture Memory review contest.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The greatest motivation to keep going is provided by the final step in training.</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PALM: STEP 6 - MULTIPLICATION: “LET HIM TEACH SOMEONE ELSE”.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 12.0pt;">We place this step on your palm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you get this far, training your disciple to train another, you may be sure that he has grasped the skill you have taught him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To accomplish this step, you will have to assist and equip him to repeat the process of training someone else following the Training Hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this stage you help your disciple most by being an equipper, encourager, and co-laborer with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The challenge for you, when you begin to train a disciple, is not to stop until have accomplished Step 6.</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-76358229956020233352010-11-05T15:24:00.000-07:002010-11-05T15:24:01.456-07:00BLOG 8: PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE (cont'd)<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #8<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE (cont’d)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In our previous blog posting we wrote:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Layer 2 and Layer 3 may roughly be described as focused on discipleship or Christian growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please notice that Layer 1 and Layer 2 both cover the whole period of the Christian journey from beginning to end, from spiritual babyhood to spiritual parenthood (please see top half of our diagram).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that these two emphases are constant and on-going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In contrast, there are seasons and situations when you need to focus on REPROOF or CORRECTION or TRAINING or EQUIPPING as the need arises, but Layer 1 and Layer 2 will always be in view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">LAYER 3: REPROOF, CORRECTION, TRAINING, EQUIPPING</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we define and differentiate these four components of Layer 3 from each other?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, we need to define and differentiate the four in relation to DOCTRINE (TEACHING).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a simple way to do it:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>DOCTRINE (TEACHING) tells the Christian what to be and where to go in his discipleship journey.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>REPROOF tells him to stop when he strays away from the straight and narrow path.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>CORRECTION tells him how to return to the straight and narrow path.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>TRAINING (INSTRUCTION) helps him to obtain the knowledge and to learn the skills,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and develop the attitudes, and character qualities that will help him stay on the straight and narrow path.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>EQUIPPING provides him with the know-how and resources needed to serve God effectively.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s talk about REPROOF and CORRECTION.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, let’s remind ourselves that we are communicating God’s message using two tracks: PREACHING TRACK and TEACHING TRACK.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In delivering the message of REPROOF and CORRECTION the PREACHING TRACK is usually the more flexible vehicle; the pastor can easily decide to preach on a problem<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>topic as the need arises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is probably why the sermon is usually viewed by many as a tool for REPROOF and CORRECTION.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Pilipino language we say, “Sinermonan niya ako” (He preached a sermon at me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The need for reproof and correction naturally arises when problems are observed in the lives of certain members or with the Christian congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we must always distinguish between problems that were already there before the person(s) became Christians and problems that have developed recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must also remember that Christ has provided very clear guidelines about how to reprove and correct a sinning brother or sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must never use the sermon as a substitute for following these clear guidelines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s read Matthew 18:15-17:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">16</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>17</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And if he refuses to hear them, tell <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">it</span> to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know for a fact that every newborn again believer carries a lot of non-Christian baggage into his new Christian life; this is called the old life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growth in discipleship is the process of learning to put off the old life and to put on the new life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between the putting off and the putting on, the new Christian needs a lot of REPROOF and CORRECTION.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can this be done effectively and systematically?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The TEACHING TRACK provides the reproof and correction as the new Christian goes through the normal course of discipleship studies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The PREACHING TRACK can also do this without being resented as “sermonizing” when the pastor preaches expositorily book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, if a pastor preaches through the Book of 1 Corinthians he will have a lot of opportunity to deal with the many problems that Christians face in their journey of discipleship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the pastor preaches on any of these problems he will not be accused of intentionally attacking any person because he is dealing with the problem as it happens to occur within the scripture passage under current study.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another proactive way to do REPROOF and CORRECTION is for the congregation to choose certain relevant topics to be studied by the whole church (or by certain groups within the church) through either the PREACHING TRACK or the TEACHING TRACK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, if the church decides to study the topic HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE, this topic itself naturally includes dealing with very specific problems that threaten marriage.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, if a grievous problem occurs, which threatens the spiritual health of the congregation, the pastor must never be afraid to give the needed reproof and correction, albeit with all wisdom and Christian love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must be wise and bold and zealous for the Lord like prophet Nathan was before the king himself (2 Samuel 12:1-14).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or like Paul with the Galatian Christians.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, let’s deal with TRAINING (INSTRUCTION).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As messengers we communicate the Word of God that will provide Christians with TRAINING (INSTRUCTION) IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The original word is PAIDEIA, which literally means the nurturing and rearing and educating of a child for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, the goal of Christian preaching and teaching is to change lives, lives which are characterized by righteousness, being right with God and right with people.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be effective our preaching and teaching must set before the people the WHAT of righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must have a clear picture of what a righteous life looks like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God Himself provided us with the PERFECT IDEAL, Christ Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brings us back to what we said earlier: the main theme of the Old and New Testament is Christ, who He is, how He lived a perfect human life on earth, what He taught, what He accomplished through His death and burial and resurrection and ascension. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our preaching and teaching must also show the people the HOW of righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we tell them that the Christian must overcome temptation and sin, we must also show them how they can overcome temptation and sin and Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ gives us both the model and the method.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can take a passage like Matthew 4 about the temptation of Jesus, from there preach/teach both about the perfect Person of Jesus as the overcomer and about<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His sure-fire method of overcoming sin and temptation and Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible gives us not only the positive HOW TO; it also gives us the HOW NOT TO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why the Holy Spirit inspired much of the Bible to be written in the form of stories, because these stories dramatize for us in very practical ways the HOW TO and HOW NOT TO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have already talked about the Old Testament as essentially talking about Christ; what about those parts, specially the stories, that do not seem to talk about Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of scripture passages give us the key to the practical use of the Old Testament stories:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1 Corinthians 10:6-11:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">7</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And do not become idolaters as <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">were</span> some of them. As it is written, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">8</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">9</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">10</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">11</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Now all</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Romans 15:3-4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> ]</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This TRAINING (INSTRUCTION) aspect of preaching/teaching underlines the importance of the fourth component of effective communication in our model HEY! YOU… SEE? SO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our preaching/teaching must always contain practical, relevant, do-able suggestions about what our hearers can do in order to apply and obey the truth we have just preached/taught them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we said above primarily deals with TRAINING in the sense of making the sermon or Bible study relevant and applicable to daily life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But training also involves the impartation of SKILLS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, here are some basic skills that a disciple must learn: Quiet Time (Devotional Time); preparing and giving a personal testimony; giving a Gospel presentation (Roman Road, Bridge Illustration, 4 Laws, Gospel Hand); etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Navigator mentor shared with me an approach to training, which I will share in a separate blog posting.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(e)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how do you train disciples to develop GODLY CHARACTER QUALITIES?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, you must first preach/teach on these qualities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, how does a disciple receive training in these qualities?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One way that I learned from the Navigators was getting disciples involved in a project or work training program in which they have the opportunity to practice the qualities in their relationship with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, one time we got a group of guys to repaint and refurbish the apartment in which one of our Bible study members lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t remember exactly now but this project lasted probably about two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be sure that we had lots of opportunities to practice the qualities of hard work, faithfulness and excellence in the work we did, patience, understanding, cheerfulness, helpfulness, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Godly character qualities are learned in real life situations, whether in programmed training programs or in the ordinary course of living.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-21048227641080803702010-11-02T17:55:00.000-07:002010-11-02T17:55:38.062-07:00BLOG 7: PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #7<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PROCLAIM A CLEAR MESSAGE<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">At the conclusion of our previous blog we promised to deal with the question below:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">How do we get God’s message from the Bible today?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s review our diagram:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnqAxIvFSlt_b5pAgn8CTjSzjnXGKKYTUk7iLcCBZwyQ226fQ7vuRM8OmFjx-lHHRzI0yNgi8mnHXvzcG9-SWQhVptf7gU1cUpGg4LnkB9ic6LKcrUQ2bDyPKxcLvgYA6jivEavwuVVL1/s1600/PREACH_FRAME.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnqAxIvFSlt_b5pAgn8CTjSzjnXGKKYTUk7iLcCBZwyQ226fQ7vuRM8OmFjx-lHHRzI0yNgi8mnHXvzcG9-SWQhVptf7gU1cUpGg4LnkB9ic6LKcrUQ2bDyPKxcLvgYA6jivEavwuVVL1/s400/PREACH_FRAME.00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our diagram shows that the Bible (Word of God) is the foundation and source of our message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But exactly what form will that message take?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s read 2 Timothy 3:15-17.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">salvation</b> through faith which is in Christ Jesus. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">16</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> All Scripture <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> given by inspiration of God, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> profitable for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">doctrine</b>, for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">reproof</b>, for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">correction</b>, for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">instruction</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(training)</b> in righteousness, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">17</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">equipped</b> for every good work.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Please note the words in bold letters in the passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage shows the forms that the message will take: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Gospel (Salvation)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Doctrine (Teaching)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Reproof</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Correction</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Training</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Equipping</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Please study our diagram.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note that the first layer on top of the foundation is labeled GOSPEL (SALVATION); the second layer, DOCTRINE (TEACHING); the third layer is divided into four sections: REPROOF, CORRECTION, TRAINING, EQUIPPING.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">LAYER 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOSPEL (SALVATON):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that the Gospel message of salvation must always be the initial content of our preaching/teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Study the following verses:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Luke 24:46-47: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">46</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">from the dead the third day, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">47</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">John 20:31: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">31</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Acts 10:36-43: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">36</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> The word which <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">God</span> sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">37</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">38</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">39</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">killed by hanging on a tree. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">40</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">41</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">even</span> to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">42</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to be</span> Judge of the living and the dead. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">43</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 Corinthians 15:1-4: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(2) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a person receives salvation through faith in Christ (has been born again and has received the assurance of forgiveness and of eternal life), he then needs to grow in his faith in a process we call discipleship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The succeeding layers in our diagram give the forms that the message will take to help a Christian in his discipleship growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in all the succeeding forms of the message, our preaching/teaching must always be grounded in and connected to the core Gospel message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do we mean?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must always remember the difference between LAW and the GOSPEL OF GRACE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Study the following passage:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Galatians 3:21-27: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">21</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Is</span> the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">22</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">23</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">24</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Therefore the law was our tutor <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to bring us</span> to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">25</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Galatians 2:20:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">life</span> which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Philippians 3:8-11: </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">8</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">9</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> from the law, but that which <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">10</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">11</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone said it very well: “Christ did not come to make bad people good; He came to make dead people live.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, when we preach/teach on the duties of discipleship we must always remind people that the Gospel of Christ provides all the resources to fulfill all those duties by grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Christ commands He will also enable His disciple to fulfill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must avoid the pitfall of preaching any part of the Bible as a new law that Christians must fulfill by their own effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the Galatian heresy that we must avoid:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Galatians 3:1-5:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">as crucified? </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">it was</span> in vain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">5</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">does He do it</span> by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Important:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when we are preaching/teaching on discipleship or any other topic, we must make sure that, somewhere in the sermon or Bible study, we must always insert a brief but clear explanation of the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at the end of the preaching/teaching, during the decision or response part, we must always remember to include a challenge to receive Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Equally important:</b> All preaching/teaching (from the initial proclamation of the Gospel of salvation on through the whole Christian journey) must in some clear way be related to Christ (His person, His death, resurrection, ascension, present High Priestly ministry, and Second Coming).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">LAYER 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DOCTRINE (TEACHING)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we mentioned above, Layer 2 and Layer 3 may roughly be described as focused on discipleship or Christian growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please notice that Layer 1 and Layer 2 both cover the whole period of the Christian journey from beginning to end, from spiritual babyhood to spiritual parenthood (please see top half of our diagram).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that these two emphases are constant and on-going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In contrast, there are seasons and situations when you need to focus on REPROOF or CORRECTION or TRAINING or EQUIPPING as the need arises, but Layer 1 and Layer 2 will always be in view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The impartation of DOCTRINE (TEACHING) is an on-going activity with the over-all objective of helping all Christians to know the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, by head and by heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is accomplished by using two tracks, PREACHING TRACK and TEACHING TRACK. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people are not clear about the difference between preaching and teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A seminary professor was asked: “What’s the difference between preaching and teaching?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He replied: “When you preach you shout; when you teach you speak in a conversational tone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For our purposes, we distinguish preaching and teaching as follows:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PREACHING is primarily a one-way proclamation, from God’s messenger to the hearers; TEACHING is communicating the Word in an inter-active situation, where the messenger and the hearers can and may inter-act with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note the example of the apostle Paul: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Acts 20:20: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>H</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">ow I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">(Note: TRACK 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preaching (proclaiming) publicly to the big group or the congregation; TRACK 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teaching from house to house in small groups.)</span><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Acts 20:27:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (NKJV) – For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God. (Amplified)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first aspect of the whole counsel of God includes the BASICS OF DISCIPLESHIP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All church members must be taught and trained in the knowledge, disciplines, skills, attitudes, and character qualities that every Christian must have to be fruitful disciples of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These basics must be taught in such a way that a person is led through the three stages of the Christian life (please see top half of our diagram), from spiritual baby, to spiritual youth, to spiritual parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The basics are usually taught more effectively through a series of Bible studies which are done in a small group situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One example is the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Campus Crusades’ 10 Steps</i> made up of ten Bible study books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Navigators also have 10-book series called (back in the 1960s) as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lessons in Christian Living. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on my training and experience with the Navigators and many years of pastoral experience I have written a series called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NewLife Discipleship Training</i> (the revised version consisting of 10 Bible study books is available free (Word.doc) upon request at <a href="mailto:pastor.bien@yahoo.com">pastor.bien@yahoo.com</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every local church must enroll all their members in a discipleship course in such a way that the members not only finish the entire course, but that they are also able to teach the same course to younger believers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible study books serve as the material for the TEACHING TRACK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through the PREACHING TRACK the pastor will preach on any aspect of discipleship which the congregation needs instruction in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will talk more about these needs when we discuss the top part of our diagram.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b) A second aspect of the whole counsel of God is the mastery of the whole Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every local church must be a Bible school; all members are lifetime students in that school. All Christians, when properly taught, must have a basic knowledge and understanding of (1) the theme of the whole Bible; (2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the theme of the Old Testament and of (3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the theme of the New Testament, and (4) how these two parts of the Bible relate to one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, all Christians must have a basic knowledge and understanding of (5) the different groups of books in the Old and New Testaments and how these groups relate to one another; and of (6) each individual book of the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone might object:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s a very tall order!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still another might protest:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“An impossible ideal for the local church!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tall order or impossible ideal, that was the goal of the apostle Paul in every church that he planted, and it should be the goal of every preacher and teacher as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are study materials available in Christian bookstores that can be used effectively for the TEACHING TRACK to help church members master the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the PREACHING TRACK, the ideal is for the pastor to preach through the Bible book by book from Genesis to Revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some pastors find it easier not to preach consecutively on the books of the Bible; rather, they choose a particular book of the Bible whose theme and teachings relate to the current needs of the congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever approach you choose, your objective must always be clear: to preach and teach the whole counsel of God. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A third aspect of the whole counsel of God is the mastery of the basic doctrines of the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, my NewLife Discipleship Training has one book (available free upon request) entitled BASIC BIBLE TRUTHS FOR DISCIPLES devoted to basic doctrines, such as the following: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">TRUTHS ABOUT THE BIBLE<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">TRUTHS ABOUT GOD<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">TRUTHS ABOUT CREATION<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">TRUTHS ABOUT SIN AND SALVATION<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">TRUTHS ABOUT THE CHURCH<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">TRUTHS ABOUT LAST THINGS<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For teaching Bible doctrines, the TEACHING TRACK probably works best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the pastor must also include in his preaching program doctrinal topics that he will preach on as needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, when a pastor preaches expositorily chapter by chapter or verse by verse, he will naturally have opportunities to preach on doctrines as these are mentioned in the Bible book he is currently preaching on. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">NOTE:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In our next blog posting we will discuss Level 3: Correction, Reproof, Correction, Training, Equipping.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-84716832532417741252010-10-31T00:11:00.000-07:002010-10-31T00:11:52.164-07:00BLOG #6: YOUR TASK AS GOD’S MESSENGER (cont’d)<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #6<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CLARIFY YOUR TASK AS GOD’S MESSENGER (cont’d)<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Our previous blog concluded with a promise to answer these questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Does God still call messengers today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Does God still give His word directly to His messengers today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">How do we get God’s message from the Bible today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s review our diagram:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDBgVFM5z_Mqr7Anm1Fdqs87ugZfGuLujrEV9N9dv1aOJEfjcNPlTmhjFx_wAFCDBkt1Scp0nL1kGqolDpziu4Qo6ewbw-3pYf9JHEi7jNOvTvvhLGUKzLCwYY27Q2DiwWPIuUFxZ2cS2/s1600/PREACH_FRAME.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDBgVFM5z_Mqr7Anm1Fdqs87ugZfGuLujrEV9N9dv1aOJEfjcNPlTmhjFx_wAFCDBkt1Scp0nL1kGqolDpziu4Qo6ewbw-3pYf9JHEi7jNOvTvvhLGUKzLCwYY27Q2DiwWPIuUFxZ2cS2/s400/PREACH_FRAME.00.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">GOD’S WORD TODAY</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At the bottom of our diagram you will see that the BIBLE (WORD OF GOD) serves as the foundation and source of all preaching and teaching today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible gives us the Word that God wants His messengers to deliver today.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And what is that Word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Word is summed up in the name CHRIST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, the main theme, the main Word, that God is communicating through the Bible is Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what Christ Himself revealed after His resurrection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s read Luke 24:44-48:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">44</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then He said to them, “These <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are</span> the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the</span> Prophets and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the</span> Psalms concerning Me.” </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">45</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">46</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">from the dead the third day, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">47</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">48</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And you are witnesses of these things.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Please note: The Old Testament Bible that Christ used was made up of three groups of books: the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Law of Moses included the first five books of Moses also called the Torah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Psalms included what we usually describe as the poetical books today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Prophets included the historical and prophetical books not included in the other two groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Christ, what was the main Word or theme of the Old Testament?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How about the New Testament?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apostle John summarizes for us the main Word or theme of the New Testament (John 20:30-31):</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">30</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">31</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">John was primarily describing the contents of the Gospel, which he wrote, but we can take his description as also summarizing the main theme of the entire New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main Word or theme that the New Testament, like the Old Testament, communicates is Christ.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is true that the Old Testament prophets delivered messages from God that dealt with the historical situation of God’s people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But over and beyond these historically relevant messages, there was the larger message and deeper meaning of the coming Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, Peter describes the struggle that Old Testament prophets went through as they sought to penetrate this larger message and deeper meaning (1 Peter 1:10-12):</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">10</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that would come</span> to you, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">11</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That larger message and deeper meaning in the Old Testament concerned Christ; it is that message and meaning that is now communicated clearly to us in the New Testament as the message of the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ was God’s Word in the Old Testament and Christ is God’s Word in the New Testament today.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">WHOM DOES GOD CALL TODAY</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are now ready to answer the question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whom does God call to deliver the message of the Gospel of Christ today?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We may confidently say that, as God called prophets in the Old Testament even so in the New Testament He still calls certain people to serve in special ministries today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ephesians 4:11-12 mentions these five special ministries: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">11</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And He Himself gave some <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to be</span> apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal">But let’s note very carefully that these five ministries are to equip the saints (all Christians) for the work of ministry, which means the edifying or building up of the body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole body of Christ (all Christians) is called to ministry, and this ministry involves delivering the Word of the Gospel to the whole world (Matthew 28:18-20).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Not just any Christian can serve as apostle or prophet or evangelist or pastor or teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all Christians are called to be witnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the task and the promise that Christ gave just before His ascension in Acts 1:8:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">8</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And this is exactly what happened in the early church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When intense persecution (led by the fanatical Pharisee named Saul, who later became, by God’s grace, the apostle Paul) drove the believers from Jerusalem, what do we read about them in Acts 8:1-4?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Now Saul was consenting to his (Stephen’s) death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And devout men carried Stephen <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">to his burial,</span> and made great lamentation over him. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">them</span> to prison.</span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.</span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 24.5pt;">Read verse 4 again:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word!</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were ordinary believers, mind you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember, the apostles remained in Jerusalem; they seemed to have been given some kind of immunity.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 24.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 24.5pt;">Ordinary believers went everywhere preaching the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Word was that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s pick up the thread of the story in Acts 11:19-21:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 24.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 24.5pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">19</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">20</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">21</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Some of the believers felt somehow that they were to preach only to Jews; others preached to the Hellenists or Greeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what was the topic of their preaching?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord Jesus.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In fact, the word translated in the NKJV as “preach” in Acts 8:4 and Acts 11:20 is EUAGGELIZO, which literally means “to proclaim the good news (Gospel)”, from which word we have the English words “evangelize” and “evangelist”.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ordinary believers preached (proclaimed) the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Christians equally share in the privilege and responsibility of evangelism, although some may be called, over and above this basic duty, to serve as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Gospel of Christ is God’s Word or message for the world today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all Christians are called to preach the Gospel of Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not wait for persecution to force us to take up this privilege and responsibility.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Not only that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians are expected to grow to maturity in such a way that eventually they also become teachers of God’s Word!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at Hebrews 5:12:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">someone</span> to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To whom was this letter to the Hebrews written?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to specially called people but to ordinary church members, who were actually struggling with spiritual immaturity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet in spite of their immaturity, they were being reminded and reprimanded for not coming up to God’s plan for them to attain a maturity that would equip them to be teachers of God’s word in their turn.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’s charge to Timothy adds further dimension to this ideal of the mature Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:2:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Granted that this charge was given to Timothy, who had a special calling to serve as pastor and teacher, the principle seems to hold for all Christians: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pass on to others what you have received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Navigators have made this as a foundational principle for their disciple-making ministry emphasis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They call it the 2-2 PRINCIPLE OF SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The implementation of this principle involves passing on something up to the fourth generation, as represented by these persons in the verse:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Generation 1: Paul</div><div class="MsoNormal">Generation 2: Timothy</div><div class="MsoNormal">Generation 3: Faithful men</div><div class="MsoNormal">Generation 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">SUMMARY</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To summarize:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, all Christians are called by God to be His messengers.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The message God entrusts to Christians is the Gospel Message of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is main Word or theme of the Bible, which serves as the foundation and source of all Christian preaching and teaching.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In our next blog we will take up the question:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">How do we get God’s message from the Bible today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-39769068914086940812010-10-22T17:52:00.000-07:002010-10-22T17:52:30.359-07:00BLOG 5: YOUR TASK AS GOD'S MESSENGER<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #5<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> CLARIFY</span> YOUR TASK AS GOD’S MESSENGER.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In Step 1 we talked about how to engage your hearers’ attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were really talking about how to present your message; we were talking about the mechanics of effective communication by using the four elements: HEY! YOU… SEE? SO.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But what good will it do if you know the HOW of communication, but you don’t have a MESSAGE to communicate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting with the HOW is not the best place to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it’s time to start at the right place, and we will do this with the help of the diagram below (please enlarge accordingly on your computer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcDmebQOjP5it_f5mbHz9tF6ecGlN_vpLQrBSSKnIEA23sSg8hZFEH0fulpKvArOP2ORu9VCchswytk5bF-fYiMqbsW-M_T3BgX_iVmSOWJzeekLmMXQh3C8G9tCLZ6jADlfw4uCUCFi0/s1600/PREACH_FRAME.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcDmebQOjP5it_f5mbHz9tF6ecGlN_vpLQrBSSKnIEA23sSg8hZFEH0fulpKvArOP2ORu9VCchswytk5bF-fYiMqbsW-M_T3BgX_iVmSOWJzeekLmMXQh3C8G9tCLZ6jADlfw4uCUCFi0/s400/PREACH_FRAME.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The right place to start is with the MESSENGER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the left hand side of our diagram, please note the two persons involved in communication – HEARER and MESSENGER?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To preach and teach to change lives, you must be clear that your task as preacher/teacher is to be God’s messenger to deliver the God-given Word.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">PREACH THE WORD</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a preacher/teacher, you are God’s messenger charged with the task to DELIVER GOD’S WORD.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeremiah 23:28, 29: </i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">28</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">29</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (NIV)</span><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2 Timothy 4:1-2: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I charge <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">you</span> therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">]</span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and</span> out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (NKJV, and so throughout unless otherwise indicated)</span><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Personality, talent, age, and background (family, economic, social or educational) have absolutely nothing to do with becoming God’s messenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything depends on God’s choice and call.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">THE STORY OF SAMUEL</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is worth reading again the familiar story about the call of Samuel when he was only a boy in 1 Samuel chapter 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please note the comments inserted in brackets in bold letters.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">there was</span> no widespread revelation.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[The message (“the word of the Lord”) was not learned in any school or seminary; it always came by “revelation”.]</span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And it came to pass at that time, while Eli <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was</span> lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">of the LORD where the ark of God <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was,</span> and while Samuel was lying down, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> that the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">5</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">6</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">7</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> (Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.) </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[How did Samuel come to know the Lord and the word of the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he need to go to some school or seminary or some apprenticeship under an experienced prophet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, that had to be “revealed” to him by the Lord Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this account tells us about that first instance when God revealed Himself and His word to the boy Samuel.]<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">8</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the LORD had called the boy. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">9</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[We have to give credit to the priest Eli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe Eli knew somehow that God had set him and his sons aside, in spite of them being the divinely appointed hereditary priests and therefore the normal human vehicles for God’s revealed word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, Eli showed no jealousy toward the boy – the BOY! mind you – and he wisely instructed Samuel how to respond to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This response was, is and will continue to be the response of all God’s true messengers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s messengers do not discover God’s message through their study and research; they wait on the Lord until He speaks to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During Jeremiah’s time God condemned the false prophets for doing exactly the opposite: </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Behold, I <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">am</span> against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the LORD, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:32) </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God did not send or command the false prophets; in other words, God had not revealed to them Himself and His word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrast the false prophets with the true prophet Habakkuk; he could do no better than the boy Samuel did: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected. (Hab 21:1). </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, Habakkuk was saying, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.”]<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">10</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">11</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then the LORD said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">13</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">14</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> So Samuel lay down until morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[This was the very first time that Samuel was entrusted with God’s word and he already confronted the temptation that all messengers of God, old or young, face: the temptation to be afraid of delivering the word because of what might happen to him (the messenger) or to the recipient (hearer) of the message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boy Samuel was no more susceptible to this fear than was the mature prophet Ezekiel, as God’s warning to him proves: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are</span> with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are</span> a rebellious house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are</span> rebellious. (Ezekiel 2:6, 7) </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once more, we have to give credit to the priest Eli for encouraging and at the same time warning the boy Samuel about the awesome privilege and responsibility of bearing the word of the Lord.]</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">16</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son!” He answered, “Here I am.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">17</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And he said, “What <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> the word that <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the LORD</span> spoke to you? Please do not hide <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">it</span> from me. God do so to you, and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He said to you.” </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">18</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">19</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">20</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">had been</span> established as a prophet of the LORD. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">21</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then the LORD appeared again in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> [The only credentials of a messenger of God are: (1) God reveals Himself to the messenger; (2) God gives His word for the messenger to deliver.]<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The story of the call of all of God’s prophets and messengers follow the basic pattern that we see in the calling of Samuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For comparative study, please read the story of Jeremiah’s call when he was probably only a teenager (Jeremiah 1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also compare the defense of Amos when the king questioned his authority to prophesy (7:12-15): <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">12</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then Amaziah said to Amos: “ Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, and there prophesy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">13</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> the king’s sanctuary, and it <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">is</span> the royal residence.” </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">14</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: “ I <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was</span> no prophet, nor <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was</span> I a son of a prophet, but I <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was</span> a sheepbreeder</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">and a tender of sycamore fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">15</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, ‘ Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’’</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Amos is a classic example of a prophet who never had formal educational training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was an absolute layman as any layman could be in regard to religious position or profession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was his sole qualification?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day as he was taking care of his sheep, God revealed Himself to him and entrusted him with His word and then commanded him to go and deliver the word to no less a high personage than the king himself!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We are not saying that education and training and background are not important; they are, in their right place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But their presence neither qualifies nor their absence disqualifies a person from becoming God’s messenger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s revelation of Himself and His word alone qualifies a person to become God’s messenger.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Study also the call of the persecutor Saul, who became Paul, God’s apostle (Acts 9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here was a man with great family background and with considerable education and training from the schools of his day coupled with tremendous natural gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we are sure that all of these enabled him to communicate God’s message in a most powerful way to different classes of society, from common people to royalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he never forgot for one moment the basis of his authority, God alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">1</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">of God. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">2</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">4</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And my speech and my preaching <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">were</span> not with persuasive words of human</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, </span></i><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">5</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">In our next blog posting we will answer, among others, these questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does God still call messengers today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does God still give His word directly to His messengers today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">(3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we get God’s message from the Bible today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-9375396395760888992010-10-20T16:29:00.000-07:002010-10-20T16:29:40.862-07:00SAMPLE SERMON #1: "BITING" THE HAND THAT FEEDS US?<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BLOG #3<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the previous blog posting we talked about the four elements of effective communication:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HEY! YOU… SEE?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw that (very abbreviated though it may look) Paul’s sermon in Acts 17:22-31 utilized these four elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the model sermon below we will see how these four elements are used.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SAMPLE SERMON #1:<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">SERMON TITLE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>BITING" THE HAND THE FEEDS US?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">SERMON TEXT:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JOHN 1:1-13</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">HEY!<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Are you familiar with the saying, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This saying came alive vividly to me with the help of our Pekingese dog named Woofy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day we cooked some beef bones as a surprise treat for Woofy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I gave him one bone, he immediately started chewing on it furiously, it looked like he was wrestling with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such fun to watch Woofy so I approached him to get a better view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Woofy’s reaction took me by surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped chewing and holding down the bone with his forepaws, he growled loudly at me with bared teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My response probably surprised him too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shouted at him something like the following: “You, fool, I gave you that bone, what are you attacking me for?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ve got more bones in the pot for you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">YOU…<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Did you know that many times we often act towards God like Woofy did?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s hand is continually feeding us and providing for us and caring for us, but when He comes near to us we fight Him and get ready to bite His hand that is feeding us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today I want to show you from John 1:1-14 two ways that we can treat God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One way is “biting” His hand that feeds us; another way is receiving His hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of this study we will have the opportunity to decide which way we will choose to treat God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SEE?<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoHeader" style="tab-stops: .5in;">1. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“BITING” THE HAND</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">John chapter 1 tells us about the coming of God into the world in the person of His Son Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this chapter Jesus is introduced to us as the Word (John 1:1); He is also described as the Light (John 1:8).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, let’s read John 1:9-11:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.<sup> </sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came to His own, and His own<sup> </sup>did not receive Him.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Can anything be more sad about the coming of Jesus into the world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note verse 11:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He (Jesus) came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” He first came to the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, who were the Jews?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were God’s own chosen people, the descendants of Abraham, to whom God promised that the Messiah would come someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how did majority of the Jews treat Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not receive Him; they rejected Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And their rejection was shown in the most cruel form: they crucified Him on the cross for claiming that He was the Son of God, the Messiah, promised by God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This rejection was very tragic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why was it very tragic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very tragic because they did not realize the full identity of the Person they were rejecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exactly who was He?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">John 1:1-5 lists for us several things about the One they were rejecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before coming into the world, Jesus was called the Word, and as the Word He had the following attributes or characteristics:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus the Word already existed in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the beginning of creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not begin to exist at the beginning of creation, as if He was the first one created by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the beginning WAS the Word; in other words, in the beginning the Word already was there.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus the Word was with God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus the Word was God; He Himself possessed the same God-nature as God the Father.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through Jesus the Word, God created ALL things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without Jesus the Word, not one thing could have been created.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(e)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life was located in Jesus the Word; this Life served as the Light of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The enemy Darkness threatened to swallow up everything and everybody, but the Light stood up against the Darkness and said, “Stop!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus far and no farther.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did the Light stop the darkness; the Light pushed back the darkness and defeated it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(f)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because Jesus the Word created everything, therefore He owned everything and everyone including the Chosen People the Jews (John 1:10-11).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This was the Person who approached the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how did the Jews treat Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They rejected Him and killed Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Person’s Hand was the Hand that fed them; He created them, He gave them life and light; He provided for them and protected them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what did the Jews do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jesus came to their door, they turned Him away, drove Him out of the city, and nailed Him to a tree.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you were there at that time, what would you have said to the Jews?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would I have said?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have said to them, “You’re making the biggest mistake of your life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re rejecting the very Person to whom you owe everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are biting the very Hand that’s feeding you!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But wait a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not need to have been there when the Jews rejected Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is with us today and He is knocking at our door today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will you do with Jesus today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Aren’t you in danger of making the same tragic mistake that the Jews made two thousand years ago when Jesus came to them?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RECEIVING THE HAND</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But the story of the first coming of Jesus was not all tragic. Not everyone rejected Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some believed in Him and received Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John 1:12 tells us:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:</span><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is a very significant statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people did two actions: they believed and received; they not only believed in Jesus, they also received Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is this statement significant?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is significant because it tells us about the nature of true belief or genuine faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Genuine faith both believes in and receives Jesus.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There are people who claim to believe in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they are not willing to receive Him into their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their belief, their faith, is merely in the mind, merely intellectual, merely theoretical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their faith is merely head knowledge that doesn’t affect the way they live.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There was a story of a famous acrobat who had the great ability to walk on a tightrope successfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One time a tightrope was installed from one side of the Niagara Falls to the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The acrobat asked the crowd:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How many believe I can cross the Niagara Falls by walking on this tightrope?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody shouted, “We believe!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s what the acrobat went on to do successfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next, he asked the crowd, “How many believe I can cross the Niagara Falls by walking on this tightrope with a chair balanced on my shoulders?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again the crowd shouted, “We believe!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And once again the acrobat successfully demonstrated to the crowd his great ability by walking across to the other side with a chair balanced on his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, he asked the crowd, “How many believe that I can cross the Niagara Falls by walking this tightrope with a chair balanced on my should with a man sitting on the chair?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the crowd roared with their greatest approval and said, “We believe!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the acrobat asked, “Who wants to volunteer to sit on the chair?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a hushed silence fell on the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, they all believed; but nobody wanted to act on their belief.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In our relationship to Jesus, the twin actions of believing and receiving are very important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person who truly believes in Jesus will receive Him; only the person who receives Jesus truly believes in Him.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Why is that?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because the heart of every person is like a kingdom; and in our heart there is a throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of sin, guess who is sitting as king or queen on that throne?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The big, proud “I” – ME, MYSELF, MY SHADOW AND I – sits as the king/queen on the throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, do you know what is the root meaning of SIN?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you spell SIN – S – I – N – right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What letter is in the middle?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The letter “I”!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Do you know why most of the Jews rejected Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They realized that if they truly believed in Jesus, they must also receive Him as their Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they were not willing to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not willing to get off the throne of their life and surrender the throne to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the real issue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who will continue to sit on the throne of my life?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How about you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you claim to believe in Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But are you ready and willing to receive Him as Lord and Master and King of your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus came to the world to be our Savior and Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Savior He saves us from sin; as Lord He will lead us and empower us to live a life of holiness and love and service to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s note what Jesus gives to you when you believe in Him and receive Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s please read John 1:12-13:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First of all, Jesus gives you the RIGHT to become a child of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people have the mistaken idea that every human being is a child of God and they have a right to call God their Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was true in the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when our first parents sinned, they and all their children after them (that includes you and me and everybody in the world today) lost that right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why when Jesus came into the world He told people their real condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said in John 8:44:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” </span></i>But the moment a person believes in Jesus and receives Him into their life, that right is restored.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly, Jesus gives you the POWER to live as a child of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some translations translate the phrase “the right to become children of God” as “the power to become children of God”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is because the same word does have this double meaning: Jesus gives you both the right and the power to become a child of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus gives you both the position and the ability of being a child of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, to have the position without the corresponding ability is useless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What good is your position when you don’t have the ability to enjoy it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It requires power to live as a child of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus gives you this power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does Jesus give this power?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirdly, Jesus gives you a new NATURE through a new spiritual rebirth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you believe in Jesus and receive Him in your life, God gives you a spiritual rebirth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In John 3:3 Jesus emphasized the absolute need for spiritual rebirth: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this is how Jesus gives you the power to live as a child of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are born again spiritually, you receive a new nature from God with new desires and new motivations and new goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that, God’s own life will come to live in your heart through the Holy Spirit coming to indwell your new nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what Jesus meant in John 3:5:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Romans 8:15-16 also tells us about the indwelling Holy Spirit: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. and by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SO.<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are talking about biting the hand that feeds you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Majority of the Jewish people did not realize that in rejecting Jesus they were biting the hand that fed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what a tragic loss for them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did not know that in rejecting Jesus they also forfeited the great gifts He came to give them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, praise God, a minority made the right decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believed in Jesus and received Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what great blessings they received!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They received the right to become children of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They received the power to live as children of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they received a new spiritual nature that was indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, you and I face the same decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is standing in front of us right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Jesus is our Creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the Giver and Sustainer of our life; every breath we take and every beat of our heart, the air and the sunshine and the rain and everything all around us that make this world a beautiful place to live… everything comes from Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus’ Hand is the Hand that feeds us.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The challenge for you and me is this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will we reject Him, will we bite the Hand that feeds us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or will we believe in Him and receive Him in our hearts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Remember, to reject Jesus will mean the loss of the great gifts He comes to give.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To believe in Jesus and receive Him will mean that we will enjoy all that He came to give.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What is your decision today?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-29627596874078866422010-10-15T18:53:00.000-07:002010-10-15T18:53:59.438-07:00RE: TULIP, KING JAMES VERSION ONLY<div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A couple of friends asked about what I think about the TULIP and about the KING JAMES VERSION ONLY. Here's how I have resolved these two issues for myself.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A. ABOUT THE TULIP...</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The bottomline issue is: HOW DO WE RECONCILE (1) DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY and (2) HUMAN FREEDOM & RESPONSIBILITY.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">We cannot humanly reconcile both. Just like the TRINITY, we must believe that:</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(1) The Bible teaches DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:3-11; etc.). Calvinism views everything from this perspective.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(2) The Bible equally teaches HUMAN FREEDOM & RESPONSIBILITY (John 3:16; Revelation 22:17, etc.).</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">To paraphrase one wise old preacher:</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">"Preach to sinners the WHOSOEVER GOSPEL, emphasizing the need for everyone to make a decision to believe and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Build up Christians, assuring them that they have been CHOSEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD and challenging them to persevere in following Jesus because God will surely bring the work He has begun in them."</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Another wise preacher said:</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Above the front door of the church is written in bold letters: WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME. After the person believes and enters the church, he/she looks back and sees above the same door of the church on the inside, in equally bold letters these words are written: CHOSEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Still another said:</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Preach the Gospel to sinners always assuming that every person in the audience has been chosen by God.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Still another:</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 20px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Our job as preachers is to preach WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME; God's job is to convict sinners and grant them the grace of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us do our job the best way we know how in the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287192834_0" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">power of the Holy Spirit</span>; we can be sure that God will do His job with perfect wisdom and perfect power and perfect sovereignty.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">VERY IMPORTANT: Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, NOT through faith in any doctrine (Calvinism or <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287192834_1" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Arminianism</span>). </div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287192834_2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">B. ABOUT THE </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287192834_2" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">KING JAMES VERSION</span> ONLY.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(1) Only the original Hebrew and Greek Bible was inspired; no translation is inspired. The danger of the KING JAMES VERSION ONLY teaching is that it elevates the KJV translation to the level of the inspired Word of God. </div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(2) The KJV was an English translation of the Hebrew & Greek Bible done in 1611. 1611 English is Shakespeare English; the 1611 meanings of many English words have changed dramatically. For example, "conversation" (Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet 1:15) did not mean talking with one another but "manner of life". The <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287192834_3" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">New King James Version updates</span> the 1611 English. Standard modern translations aim to present the Hebrew and <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287192834_4" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Greek</span> into today's languages.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(3) The original copy of the Hebrew and Greek Bible written by the inspired writers no longer exists. Today we have only copies of the original; some copies are closer in time to the original copy; many are copies of copies which are more distant from the original. Through the science of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287192834_5" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">textual criticism</span>, scholars have been able to determine up to 99% accuracy what the original inspired writers actually wrote. The KJV was based on late manuscripts (copies more distant from the original); most modern translations are based on earlier manuscripts (copies closer to the original). But there are NO MAJOR BIBLE DOCTRINES affected by the differences between the earlier and the later manuscripts.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(4) God has used the KJV to save souls and build up believers; God is also using other translations to accomplish the same purpose.</div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">(5) VERY IMPORTANT: We must NOT divide or fight over which translation to use; DO let us unite in preaching the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287192834_6" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Word of God</span> from the version we are most confident in. Let us not despise or attack one another regarding the Bible version we use. Let us adopt Paul's attitude in Philippians 1:18 (paraphrased): "What then? Only that in every way, whether in King James Version only or in another translation, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice."</div>Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-20467384261288223282010-10-13T15:23:00.000-07:002010-10-13T15:23:55.838-07:00ENGAGE THE ATTENTION<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Step 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ENGAGE YOUR HEARERS’ ATTENTION<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before we can change lives with our preaching and teaching, we must first of all engage our hearers’ attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we do this?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The most helpful advice I got about this came from a writers’ seminar I attended where the lecturer told us about FOUR POWERFUL WORDS (which he learned from someone else): HEY, YOU, SEE, SO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">According to our lecturer, all effective communication (spoken or written) must have FOUR BASIC ELEMENTS as represented by these four powerful words: HEY!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU… SEE?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s look at these elements and see how they apply to the process of sermon/Bible study preparation.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HEY! <o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">CATCH THE ATTENTION of your audience.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always start your sermon with a HEY!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine yourself in the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You stand on a park bench and shout HEY!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be sure that everyone within hearing distance will turn their eyes toward you and look at you for at least two or three seconds to find out whether you’re just a crazy guy, or you’ve got something important to say.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In preaching, your first task is to CATCH the attention of you audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you catch their attention?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of ways, but here are some standards: news, story, question, dramatic statement, humor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YOU…<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">HOLD THE ATTENTION of your audience.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must quickly follow up the HEY! with a YOU…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to our park illustration:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After shouting HEY! you say: “Everybody wearing a red shirt or red dress, I’ve got a special message for you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So your hearers look at their shirt or dress, and those wearing red will continue to give you their attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others wearing the wrong color will go back to what they were doing.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In preaching, your second task is to HOLD the attention of your audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All advertising gimmicks use one principle: PEOPLE WILL PAY ATTENTION ONLY TO WHAT CONCERNS THEM OR TO WHAT WILL BENEFIT THEM – SOLVE THEIR PROBLEM OR MEET A FELT NEED.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the YOU… section of your sermon, your aim is to make people aware of that they have a need or problem in their life and that your lesson/sermon will help them with that need or problem. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SEE?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">GUIDE THE ATTENTION of your audience.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that you have the attention of your audience, proceed to your SEE?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, back at the park:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You say, “Now, all of you red shirts, let me tell you about the newest detergent that can keep your shirt or dress retain its color fresh for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s how… point one, point two, point three.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In your sermon, the SEE? will go on to explain your message point by point.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">APPLY THE ATTENTION of your audience.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conclusion of your talk must present a challenge for the audience to APPLY what they learned, a challenge to do something about the information received.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back to the park one last time:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I have explained to my red-shirted audience the secret of keeping their red colors perennially fresh-looking – of course, the secret is a certain product – then I give them the opportunity to do something about the information. I’ll tell them where to obtain the product, and if I brought some along I’ll tell them I have these ready for them to look at, at the end of my talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I thank them for listening and end my talk right then and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The SO is your conclusion where you explain how your audience may apply the truths you have just shown them. More than any other form of communication, the sermon normally concludes with the preacher providing guidelines and encouragement regarding practical applications of the sermon.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">PAUL’S EXAMPLE</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Paul’s sermon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in Acts 17:22-31) provides a clear and effective illustration of the use of the four elements:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">HEY!<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">22</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; </span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">23a</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">YOU…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> 23b </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">SEE?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">24</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. </span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">25</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. </span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">26</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> And He has made from one blood</span><sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-27546c"><span style="color: #0011ed; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none; vertical-align: baseline;">c</span></a>]</span></sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, </span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">27</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; </span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">28</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ </span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">29</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">SO.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">30</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, </span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">31</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824036509908147672.post-52046765408800385732010-10-08T14:24:00.000-07:002010-10-08T14:24:27.969-07:00ABOUT THIS BLOG<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp6SSodRLvEr_GZxJ4n5EgyXItfBgunHD-k-zVzdSCdTBZ1ao6RjA700M2AzUXfrIh-AiB8eQnN3xcrja4d7IK0X_oXTFrMAX97FP5J9LpH0bYx3X6cSKDiZbLaaY74Vdeuno0fNVKgIl/s1600/IMG_7413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp6SSodRLvEr_GZxJ4n5EgyXItfBgunHD-k-zVzdSCdTBZ1ao6RjA700M2AzUXfrIh-AiB8eQnN3xcrja4d7IK0X_oXTFrMAX97FP5J9LpH0bYx3X6cSKDiZbLaaY74Vdeuno0fNVKgIl/s400/IMG_7413.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastor Bien and Lolita Llobrera, married in 1973, have three grown sons: Keryx, Kairos,Kratos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This blog is created</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> primarily for friends of mine, young pastors and Christian workers, who are involved in preaching and teaching the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By God’s grace I plan to share lessons I’ve learned in more than forty years of preaching and teaching, first, as a layperson involved in Christian student ministry (1964-1972), then as pastor of the following churches:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1972-1988: First Baptist Church, Cavite City, Philippines;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1988-1990: Faith Filipino Fellowship, Santa Ana, California;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1990-1996: First Filipino Baptist Church, Pasadena, California;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1996-Present: First Southern Baptist Church, Pasadena, California. (www.fsbcpasadena.com) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">If others beyond my circle of friends will find something helpful from this blog, glory and praise to the Lord for this added blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">I have two favors to ask of my readers:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please freely post your comments (no holds barred), or email me at <a href="mailto:bien_llobrera@hotmail.com">bien_llobrera@hotmail.com</a>; <a href="mailto:pastor.bien@yahoo.com">pastor.bien@yahoo.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please forward to your friends who are pastors and Bible teachers the address of this blog http://preachteachwithpastorbien.blogspot.com/<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Thanks and God bless you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Now, on to our first lesson…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">PREACH AND TEACH TO CHANGE LIVES<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">INTRODUCTION<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Preaching and teaching to change lives – that is the only kind of preaching and teaching that’s worthy before God and that will bless people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">But how do we preach and teach to change lives?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Two verses, one in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament, give us the clue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Zechariah 4:6:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. (NKJV, the translation used throughout unless otherwise indicated).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Luke 24:49:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Holy Spirit-empowered preaching and teaching – that is the only kind of preaching and teaching that will change lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The question every Bible preacher and teacher must ask is this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I continually walking and ministering in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, every Bible preacher and teacher must make sure that his/her Christian hearers, after their salvation, are continually obeying the command in Ephesians 5:18: “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">So, let me ask you, Bible preacher and Bible teacher:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you sure that you are filled with the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be filled with the Holy Spirit means to be controlled, guided, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me suggest six steps to make sure of your relationship with the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may, in the past, have gone <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>through these steps (or something similar), but I strongly encourage you to check yourself regularly by these six steps.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">STEPS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: -1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">STEP 1:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>KNOW THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT LIVES IN YOU.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The first step to the Holy Spirit-filled life is to thank God for giving you His Holy Spirit when you received Christ as your Lord and Savior (Romans 8:15-16; Galatians 4:6).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the space below, write a prayer expressing your gratitude for the Holy Spirit's indwelling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>____________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">STEP 2:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>REMOVE THINGS THAT BLOCK THE HOLY SPIRIT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Ephesians 4:30, what are we commanded to stop doing?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>____________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Holy Spirit is grieved (blocked), He cannot flow freely in us and through us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What things block the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:17-5:17)?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>____________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These things grieve and block the Holy Spirit:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Habitual sins; sinful habits; sinful attitudes, such as hatred, unwillingness to forgive, pride, worry, bitterness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doubtful things can also block Him (Romans 14:23).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before you can experience the Holy Spirit-filled life, you must confess and forsake all these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(c) Examine your heart in the light of God's Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a piece of paper and write on it every sin that the Holy Spirit convicts you of.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: -1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Habitual sins. ________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: -1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sinful attitudes. ______________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: -1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sinful relationships. __________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: -1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doubtful matters _____________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After completing your list, make a full confession of these sins to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Claim the forgiveness and cleansing promised in 1 John 1:9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then across your list write the reference "1 JOHN 1:9".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank the Lord for His forgiveness; tear the paper into small bits and throw these into a trash can.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">STEP 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SURRENDER YOUR LIFE FULLY AND UNRESERVEDLY TO GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Summarize Romans 12:1,2 in your own words.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>____________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit, surrender every part of your life to His control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are like a container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After removing the dirt that blocks the Holy Spirit, turn the whole container (your life) over to God for His exclusive use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take this step of full surrender by sincerely praying:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Dear heavenly Father, I now fully surrender my whole life to You, spirit, soul, and body, all that I am, all that I have, all my relationships, and all the days of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From now on I am Yours alone and Yours forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christ's name. Amen."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you have prayed this prayer before, renew your commitment today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After praying, complete the record below:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>TODAY, I COMMITTED/RECOMMITTED MY LIFE TOTALLY TO THE LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>DATE ___________ TIME ______________ PLACE _________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">STEP 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>CLAIM BY FAITH THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You became a child of God by asking in faith for Christ to come into your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly, you may receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by asking in faith that God will fill you with His Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your faith should be based on these truths:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: -1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOD COMMANDS you to be filled with His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18);<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOD PROMISES to grant your request to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13);<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOD GUARANTEES to answer to answer prayer that is based on his will and promise (1 John 5:14,15).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray this prayer in faith:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Heavenly Father, You promised to give the Holy Spirit to all who ask. You also commanded me to be filled with the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, I ask You now, Father, to fill me, possess me, and control me with Your Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By faith in Your promise and in obedience to Your command I now ask for and claim the filling of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank You for filling me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christ's name. Amen."<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you prayed this prayer before, ask again for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After praying, complete the record below:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>TODAY, I CLAIMED/RECLAIMED THE FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>DATE ___________ TIME ______________ PLACE _________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After this prayer of faith, act upon God's promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this moment on, always confess and declare that the Holy Spirit has taken control of your whole life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you go about your daily tasks, always count on the presence, power, and control of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the beginning of each day, take time to meditate on the fact that He has filled you and is filling you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you do your work during the day, maintain the attitude of dependence upon the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">STEP 5:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WALK BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Read John 15:5 and Galatians 5:16-17, 22-25.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To walk by the Holy Spirit means abide continually in Christ and to live the Christ-centered life by faithfully maintaining the basic disciplines of the Christian life: WORD, PRAYER, FELLOWSHIP, WITNESSING.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evaluate yourself with the help of the following questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(a)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WORD:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When and how much time do you give to the WORD of God through:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hearing _______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Reading _______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Studying ______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Memorizing ____________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Meditation ____________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(b)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PRAYER:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When and how much time do you give to PRAYER?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>_______________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(c)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FELLOWSHIP:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When and how much time do you give to FELLOWSHIP with other Christians?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>_______________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">(d)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WITNESSING:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When and how much time do you give to WITNESSING for Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>_______________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">STEP 6:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>DISCERN, DEVELOP, AND DEPLOY YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Steps 1-5 opens your whole being so that the Holy Spirit can begin to fill you with His power and blessing. The Holy Spirit provides channels through which He can flow through you to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These channels are called spiritual gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, you are ready to ask:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What are my spiritual gifts?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">In a future blog we will study about how to discover, develope, and use your spiritual gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment-->Pastor Bienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16198052694526766365noreply@blogger.com5