Obedience Part 2

 

    Obedience is a declaration of love, respect, and trust.  If you love Jesus with all your heart, mind, and strength, then you will obey his commands.  Devotion is when you commit to divine priorities.  Your focus on the eternal things instead of the momentary commitments or distractions.

    Christians are expected to be obedient to God.  Our obedience is more than following the rules.  It is a set heart attitude toward God.  Salvation is a call to obey God's commands out of love and devotion.  When you hear God's Word, you are called to be doers.  It is not good enough to just learn about what God wants.  You need to apply it to your life and allow it to change who you are.

    To follow Jesus means you have to deny your personal desires until they align perfectly with Jesus'.  We will never hit perfection in this life, but we do change and align more with Jesus if we invest into the relationship.  To follow Jesus means to pick up your cross daily.  It is a heavy burden, but he carried it first.  He is still carrying the heaviest part.  Your weight is what you put into it.  Let go of anything holding you back.  Sacrifice it at the cross and do not pick it back up.

    Jesus showed us how to be obedient.  He came into this world to make the old ways new.  He turned the commandments into a reality that reveals the truth of how much we need God.  He lived them in a way that made them more relatable.  You can see how every command is for your benefit.

    Obedience brings God's favor.  When you obey God, you have no deceit.  It brings forth good things and life giving attributes.  That can't be insulted, but some people will try.  Obedience judges justly.  It is hated by the world because it reveals the truth about how Satan works.  Whomever you obey reveals who you love.  If you really know God, then you will obey Him.

Luke 9:21-27, John 14:15-21, James 1:22-25, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:18-25, & 1 John 2:3-6

Evangelism Strategy

 

    The strategy for evangelism is simple: be a witness.  Your entire lifestyle tells the world what you believe.  You should only need words to defend your faith or explain why you choose to live the way you do.  This means there is no room for grumbling or arguing.  Your life should be blameless and pure, so that the world can see the redeemer in your life.

    Evangelism includes good works.  Good works are not to earn your way into Heaven, but draw the attention of the world to God.  When they ask why you are the way you are, you give God the glory.  When you speak to people, be gracious.  Your attitude is what will be attractive to people.  God met you where you were in life, so try to meet people where they are in life too while being careful that you do not fall into a sinful pattern or lifestyle.  

    Prayer is the only way evangelism works.  Pray salvation over people, so that they will understand the truth.  Prayer for the leaders to live peacefully and quiet lives that mark Godly dignity.  Pray that God will bring people into your life that you can invest into, show the way, or have a salvation conversation with.  Pray that doors are opened to speak God's Word and make Him known to people.  

    If you are in a threatening situation, it can be hard to speak God's word instead feeling panicked.  God commands that we be bold and courageous.  Pray now that you will be bold if the you are ever persecuted for your faith.  Worship God with your life instead of being afraid for it.  Live your life with a clear conscience.  

    You need God's Word to evangelize.  It penetrates the soul separating it from the spirit to judge the thoughts of the heart.  You need scripture to witness, so that you can explain it and make it real to people.  It also is the proof that Jesus raised the dead and fulfilled all his prophecies or will in the future.  Prayer keeps your mind alert and heart thankful, so you can make the most of every opportunity.

    Scripture brings wisdom to your conversations to lead people to salvation through faith.  It holds power that you cannot obtain on your own.  It speaks to any situation that anyone has in life.  It is essential to have confidence in God.  It is the only way you will have a defense for your faith.  Keep it simple, but use the Bible to develop a strategy that works for you and your spiritual gifts through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:13-16, Acts 4:27-30, 17:1-4, Romans 10:1-4, Philippians 2:14-18, Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Hebrews 4:12-13, & 1 Peter 3:13-17

Evangelism Essentials

 

    Evangelism is sharing the good news of the Gospel.  Jesus died for all of our sins, not a select few.  He was dead, so he was buried. When it was impossible for anyone to revive, he rose from the dead as promised.  He defeated death.  He broke the chains that tied us to eternal death.  Now all we have to do is believe and declare the truth.  When we do, we are saved from damnation and nothing can change that.

    Evangelism is not being ashamed of the Gospel or the power of salvation.  You are grateful, glad, and excited enough to tell others how to have it.  To have salvation you have to believe in Jesus.  He is the Word.  He is life, truth, and the only way.  His name frees you and will save you because he poured out his blood for you.

    How do you share the story of salvation and redemption for other people to understand?  There is no straight by the book way.  You follow the direction that the Holy Spirit leads you in the moment.  You seek a connection with the person(s) and share your testimony.  The point is you do your part and the Holy Spirit will do everything else.

    The essentials to evangelism are making it clear that everyone sins including yourself.  No one can meet God's standards on their own.  The Bible is God's love letter to all people, even that hard parts to read.  Jesus is the only way to salvation and that his time on earth is proof of God's love.  Evangelism is telling the world of the light that changed your life.  Jesus is the light and you are his witness. 

    God pursued us while we were bound to our sinful nature.  He sent Jesus to hare all people's sins.  He was wronged, hurt, and died so that we can have the opportunity to have eternal life with God.  He is the only way to righteousness.  To find salvation is to believe, confess with your mouth that you are a sinner and Jesus is Lord.  Then, you receive the Holy Spirit to seal your salvation by living with your soul in your body.  It is not anymore complicated than that.  It is that simple to become a part of God's family.

    The point is that everyone has to understand that they can not save themselves.  God is holy and righteous.  God hates sin, so He sent Jesus to show us how to live without sin and open the door for everyone to have salvation from their chains to sin and Satan.  Jesus died and raised again breaking the chains, so we are free to follow him or Satan.  It is now our choice.  Jesus leads us to eternity of peace and joy.  Satan takes you down to places you never want to go.  It is only eternity that we are talking about.  Faith is the only way.

Psalm 5:4-8, Mark 10:26-27, John 1:1-13, 14:6-7, Acts 4:8-12, Romans 1:16-17, 3:23-26, 5:6-11, 6:20-23, 10:5-13, 1 Corinthians 15:3-9, Colossians 2:8-10, & 1Peter 2:22-25, 3:18

Evangelism Part 2

 

    Evangelism is the word to describe spreading the gospel through preaching or personal testimony.  It is not a program or set defined process.  You can have revivals.  You can go knock on people's doors.  You can stand on street corners.  Those are the typical ideas of evangelism.  However, you can also have coffee with someone, a Bible study in your home, or conversation as it presents itself.

    Evangelism is a role of all believers, but how they fulfill that role will depend on them, their spiritual gifts, and how much time they spend with God.  Jesus commanded those that follow him to go into the world and preach the gospel to everyone.  The whole world can be your community, city, state, country, or foreign location.  We all have different ways to evangelize.  The point is that we step up to do as God commanded.

    The point of evangelism is to make disciples.  That means you lead people to Jesus, get them baptized, stay with them to learn God's commandments, and walk with them as they mature as a Christian.  When they are ready, then they will go out and start making disciples too.  

    Jesus said as it was written it would happen.  It did.  Jesus sacrificed himself for all people and now God's Word needs to be lived out in our everyday lives.  Go tell people how Jesus has impacted your life.  How has he changed it?  What has he shown you?  What is he teaching you in your alone time of devotion and prayer?  That is your testimony.  That is how you evangelize.

    We only love God because He loved us first.  He shows us His love everyday.  You only have to see it and your response will be to evangelize.  Evangelism is a concern of God's.  He wants everyone who is lost to be found.  Jesus came to seek us out and save the lost.  It is your job to tell the world about Jesus.  It is the job of the Holy Spirit to use you to convict the hears of the lost.  The point of evangelism is to save the lost.

Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 19:9-10, 24:44-49, Acts 22:14-16, 1 Peter 3:13-17, & 1 John 4:1-12

How to Work Spiritual Gifts

 

    What is the point of having spiritual gifts if you don't use them.  There are little quizzes to discover what your spiritual gift(s) are, but you can also pray.  The Holy Spirit wants you to know what your gift is, so He will show it to you.  He has given you different gifts for different things to build up the church.

    If you have prophecy, then you need to speak out faithfully what God has given you.  If your gift is service, then serve the church well.  If it is teaching, then educate the church well.  If your gift is encouragement, then exhort the church.  If your gift is giving, then be generous.  If your gift is leadership, then lead responsibly and diligently.  If your gift is kindness or mercy, then be kind with a cheerful heart.

    It takes time to learn how to use your gifts properly.  You do not want to abuse or take advantage of what the Holy Spirit has given you.  They are gift(s) to you, but not for you.  They are to be used in love to put faith into action.  If you use the gifts for your own benefit, then it will turn people away from the church.

    When you exercise your gifts in love, then they are profitable for the church.  Use your gifts in patience, kindness, rejoicing in truth, bearing all things, believing in God's promises, hope in salvation, and enduring persecution.  Do not allow envy, boasting, arrogance, rudeness, selfishness, demanding, irritability, grudges, or unjust to block you from using what God has given.  Love never gives up.

    Your attitude toward your spiritual gift(s) needs to be what benefits the church.  You need to avoid division by taking care of each other.  Build each other up in Godly love by working together instead of against each other.  Each member of the church is commanded to minister, but how they minister depends on their spiritual gifts.  

    Even if you do not possess the gift of faith, wisdom, knowledge, exhortation, giving, or helping, you can learn the skills.  These are functional skills that can put you in a support role to make the church strong.  It all starts with an obedient heart.  The direction that it leads you will reveal what your spiritual gift(s) are.  

    Look for open doors, pray for opportunities, and seek Godly counsel from mature Christians.  Seek service in missions, administration, or physically being a helper in the church.  Use your gifts to mature as a Christian and help the church as the Holy Spirit directs.  It will all come together perfectly if done in love.  This is how you will receive God's approval.  

Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:22-26, 13:1-7, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 9:6-10, Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Timothy 2:15-18, Hebrews 10:23-25, James 1:5-8, & 1 Peter 4:10-11

Temporary & Permanent Spiritual Gifts

 

    God is good.  He gives us what we need, when we need it.  Security and stability are two of those gifts.  The Holy Spirit works alongside us to give us abilities in the moment and abilities that become a part of us.  

    The temporary spiritual gifts are gifts that come as we need them.  They include miracles, healing, tongues, and interpretations.  They are given to confirm the testimony of Jesus.  They were prevalent in the early church, but ceased to be evident in the established church.  

    Miracles are the gift to have the ability to do "wonders" and "signs".  Christ performed miracles and it was an affirmation of the apostles.  Today, we still have miracles, but not in such a big way.  Healing worked along side miracles.  It is the gift to affirm Jesus' message and help establish the foundation of the church faith.  The healed were a walking testimony.  Tongues and interpretations are gifts that manifested by speaking unknown languages.  Speaking in tongues is only relevant if there is someone to interpret what was being said.  

    Permanent gifts are the gifts that become a part of you and need to be developed as you mature as a Christian.  These are gifts that the Holy Spirit gave to build up the church and need to be used to bring unity and strength.

    Prophecy is the gift to preach or inform the truth of scripture.  It is not necessarily tell what will happen in the future like it prominently was in the old testament.  Teaching is the gift that gives the ability to teach God's Word and help the hearers to understand God's Word as it was intended.

    Faith is a consistent gift that help Christians to face overwhelming obstacles and human impossibilities to achieve great things.   This gift is more than the faith that brought your salvation.  It is can be tied to the gift of prayer because it is normally expressed to God through prayer.  This is powerful prayer because you know God will show up.

    Wisdom is the gift that gives you the ability to gain spiritual insight.  It helps you see right from wrong and how to apply it.  It goes along with discernment and knowledge.  The spiritual gift of knowledge is being able to understand God's Word factually.  It makes you a scholar of the truth in scripture both broadly and the depth.  Discernment is the spiritual gift of being able to tell what is from God and what is evil.  It enables you to distinguish truth from error.  It help protect the church.

    Mercy is the gift that enables a person to display deep compassion to anyone in need: spiritual, physical, or emotional.  Exhortation is the gift of encouraging and motivating.  It can be used to comfort through love, help people to commit spiritually, help spiritual growth, or get people into action.  People with this gift tend to go into counseling.

    The gift of giving is a material ministry.  These people give what they have and encourage others to give: food, clothing, money, property, and more.  They meet the needs of the church.  The gift of helpers is to be present in the time of need.  They help bear each other's burdens as a situation arises.  The gift of service is the calling to work for the church in the physical areas of ministry.  They typically serve food or perform behind the scenes duties that make the church look nice or function.

    The gift of administration or leadership has the ability to oversee the church/  This is the gift of pastors, elders, and missionaries.  This gift contributes to a lot of aspects to the overall church.  These people are called to be the face of the church as they lead people into their growth, maturity, and movement into the community or world.

Acts 2:1-13, 3:4-8, 5:12-16, 1 Corinthians 14:27-28, & 2 Corinthians 12:11-13

Nature of Spiritual Gifts

 

    When you become a Christian you are given gifts from God through the Holy Spirit.  The purpose of these gifts are not for personal gain.  It is to help you serve the church and ministry.  Spiritual Gifts comes from two Greek words: charismata and pneumatika.  Spiritual Gifts used the charis which means grace and pneumatika which means spiritual.  Grace is something that was not earned or deserved to be given, but was.  

    The Holy Spirit is the source of all spiritual gifts.  That is why you cannot obtain them until you are a Christian.  He gives them freely to whom and how he decides.  They are given for the common good and to excel at building Jesus' church.  Spiritual Gifts are meant to serve the people in the church as a good steward an to glorify Jesus in all that we do.

    Spiritual Gifts are prophecy, service, teaching, exhorting, giving, leading, and mercy.  They are used for wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophesying, discernment, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongue.  Spiritual Gifts lead to jobs: apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, administration, and languages.

    Your faith determines how strong and useful the Spiritual Gifts will be.  When you prophecy faithfully, then you speak out as God instructs.  If your gift is serving, then you serve well.  Same with teaching because you are invested in learning as much as you can about God.  Encourage faithfully means you will speak the truth without destroying the spirit of another person.  Giving spiritually is knowing what a person needs and providing it without strings attached.  Leadership is to be taken seriously because you direct people's lives and souls.  Gift of kindness needs to be given gladly because everyone needs it.  They all work together to make the church strong and united as one body.  We all need each other.

Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-28, 14:10-12, & 1 Peter 4:10-11