2008 Messages

Fellowship in Luke

The Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Luke
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• Who was Luke?
  • A gentile doctor
  • "The beloved physician"(Col.4:14)
• His View concerning the Person of Christ:
  • Jesus the man (Son of Man, the Man-Savior) expressing God
• Compared to John's Gospel:
  • The God-Man, God expressing Himself in Man
    • And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor and spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40).
• Human Virtues and Divine Attributes
  • And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary as a duty for Me to be in My Father's house and occupied about My Father's business (2:49)?
  • And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man (2:52).
• The Lord's Work: As the real Physician
  • To Seek and to Save that which is lost
  • For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost (19:10).
  • So He said to them, You will doubtless quote to Me this proverb: Physician, heal Yourself! (4:23a)
  • The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me the Anointed One, the Messiah to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity (2:18),
  • As a Physician, He full of feeling, care and compassion
  • Just as He drew near the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large gathering from the town was accompanying her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, Do not weep.
  • And He went forward and touched the funeral bier, and the pallbearers stood still. And He said, Young man, I say to you, arise from death! And the man who was dead sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother (7:13).
  • But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy (compassion) for him (10:33),
• He, Himself was the Divine Prescription.
  • But Jesus said, Someone did touch Me;
    • for I perceived that healing power has gone forth from Me (8:48).
• In Jesus, As the Man-Savior, we see the Tri-une God's concern for the Lost:
  • The Son, as the Shepherd caring for the Lost sheep
  • And when he gets home, he summons together his friends and
  • his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I have
  • found my sheep which was lost (15:6).
• The Spirit as the Woman, looking for the lost coin
  • And when she has found it, she summons her women friends
  • and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the silver
  • coin which I had lost (v. 9).
• God the Father, as the Father of two sons
  • Because this son of mine was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to be merry (v. 24).
  • And he called ten of his own slaves and gave them ten minas,
  • and he said to them, Do business until I come (19:13).
• NOW AFTER this the Lord chose and appointed seventy others and sent them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to come (visit).
• And He said to them, The harvest indeed is abundant there is much ripe grain, but the farmhands are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (10:1-2).

Good News, Great Joy, A Heavenly Celebration

Good News, Great Joy, A Heavenly Celebration
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• Luke 2:4-7
  • The Birth of Jesus
    • So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
• Luke 2:8-14
  • The Shepherds and the Angels
    • And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
    • "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
• The Good News
  • A Savior has been born
  • He is Christ the Lord
    • Actors in this Story
      • The Heavenly Angels
      • The Lowly Shepherds
• The Heavenly Angels
  • The Celebration
• The Heavenly Angels
  • The Message
• The Shepherds
• King David
  • Anointed when a lowly shepherd
    • Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"
    • "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
    • Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
  • So he sent and had him brought in....Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 1 Samuel 16:11-12
• King David
  • Despised even among his brothers
    • When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle." 1 Samuel 17:28
• A New Testament
  • shift in Paradigm

Sinners Un-Paralyzed

Sinners Un-paralyzed
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• THE GOD MAN WHO FORGIVES AND EMPOWERS SINNERS.
• THE HEALING OF THE PARALYTIC.
• Luke 5:17-20 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem. and the power of the Lord was with Him to heal. And behold some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when the He saw their faith, He said, "man, your sins are forgiven you."
• Luke 5:21-26 And the Pharisees and the scribes began to question ,saying," who is this who speaks blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God alone? When Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered them, why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say ‘your sins forgiven you' or to say,' rise and walk'? But that you may know that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-He said to the man who was paralyzed-I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home" And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home Glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying," we have seen extraordinary things today."
• Sin paralyzes people

  • Sin makes us dead-Eph.2:1
  • Sin makes us unresponsive (paralyzed) toward God
  • Sin makes it impossible to move to come to God
  • Sin numbs us to our condition before God

• Faith saves us
  • Faith with determination-this explains Ephesians 2:9 "(Not of works that no man should boast")
• Faith saves us...
• Unconditional Faith
• Not dependent on the environment
• (Crowds and or hindrances)

  • Shame
  • Rejection
  • Verbal abuse

• Unconditional Faith

  • Daily needs for both ourselves and those around us
  • Spiritual success and accomplishment

• Unconditional Faith
• Our faith should always be unto the Lord in good and bad times alike.
• The son of man--the forgiver of sins
  • The son of man has authority to forgive sins.
• "But that you may know that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-
  • God is powerless in His divinity to forgive sins! Only the son of man, a perfect man, the God man, can forgive our sins.
• The son of man--the forgiver of sins
  • Finally there is a man who can forgive us of our sins
  • The forgiven sinner is empowered from paralysis by the God man
  • The testimony of an empowered forgiven sinner is the best Gospel.
• Jesus' Forgiveness
• Gave him the ability, the strength, the power to glorify and praise God
• Conclusion
  • We are sinners
  • Sin paralyzes us
  • Faith saves us
  • The Son of man has the authority to forgive and empower us from sin

Jesus As Rest

Jesus As Rest
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• The Lord of the Sabbath
• Luke 6:1-11
  • Scripture Reading
    • One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some ears of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
  • Scripture Reading
    • On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.
    • Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
    • He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
• Jesus makes a point:
  • "One Sabbath..."
  • "On another Sabbath..."
• In fact, all the synoptic gospels place these stories together.
• What is the Sabbath?
  • Exodus 20:8-11 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
• What is the Sabbath?
• Exodus 31:14-15
• Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.
• Did Jesus violate the Sabbath?
• He allowed His disciples to prepare food:
• "One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some ears of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels."
• Compare this to Exodus 16
• So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning... on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no one is to go out
• Did Jesus violate the Sabbath?
• Then He justified Himself, citing David's example of breaking the priestly regulations to feed himself in a time of need.
• Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."
• Did Jesus violate the Sabbath?
• He did a healing work on the Sabbath:
• On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.
• Compare this to Exodus 20
• "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
• The Point!
  • 5.16 Spinning
  • 5.17 Weaving
  • 5.18 Making two loops
  • 5.19 Weaving at least two threads
  • 5.20 Separating two threads
  • 5.21 Tying
  • 5.22 Untying
  • 5.23 Sewing at least two stitches
  • 5.24 Tearing for the purpose of sewing
  • 5.25 Trapping
  • 5.26 Slaughtering
  • 5.27 Flaying
• The Point!
• Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
• The Point!
• Colossians 2:16-17
• Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
• The Same Error Can be Repeated in Christianity Today
  • Enforcing a day of rest, because it is the "Lord's Day" –based on one mentioning of this phrase
• Revelation 1:10 "I was in spirit on the Lord's Day..."
  • Having the Lord's Table only on "The Lord's Day" –based on one "apparent" mentioning of this practice
• Acts 20:7 "And on the first day of the week when we gathered together to break bread..."
• The Same Error Can be Repeated in Christianity Today
  • Adding a list of traditions to the Bread breaking gathering, such as:
  • Prayer style
  • Music style
  • Enforced mutuality
  • Sacrament presentation, including bread size and shape, cloth cover, table position
  • Prayer that proceeds distribution
  • Distribution rules
  • Closing ceremony to the Father
  • Official close of the meeting
• The Point!
  • All practices, traditions, and regulations are only a shadow of Christ... the Christ Who is our real rest.
  • Jesus said in Matthew 11:29:
• Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
• Warning:
• Look at the Jews:
• But they were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
• Warning:
• Look at us:
  • We often live under condemnation for not living up to a self-imposed standard.
  • We are unduly concerned about how others view us.
  • We are jealous of those who seem to have their life together.
  • We feel good about ourselves when we accomplish a set of weekly rituals.
  • We feel angry when practices change and express ill-will toward the perpetrator.
• Listen to the words of Jesus
• "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
• A Good Hymn:
• And...
• What is Jesus doing on the Sabbath?
  • Taking care of His disciples, even physically.
  • "Doing good," healing, saving lives that are destined for destruction
• Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"
  • Saving His people from the self-destruction of their rules and regulations
  • Becoming the reality of the Sabbath rest as the Son of man.
• Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath!

Moved with Compassion

Moved with Compassion
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• Luke 7:11-17
  • Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd.
  • Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.
  • When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, "Do not weep."
  • And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!"
  • The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother.
  • Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited His people!"
  • This report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district.
  • What makes someone Great?
  • Who they are
  • What they can do
• Physical
  • "I am the greatest"
• Money
• Medicine
• Technology
• What Makes Jesus so Great?
  • Who He is
    • God
    • Man
    • Moved with compassion as a man
    • Having resurrection power as God
  • What He can do
    • He can move us with compassion
    • He can impart divine life to us and through us
    • He is compassionate power
• The Need for Both
  • Compassion with no power
  • Power with no compassion
• Jesus is
• Compassionate Power
• Why we aren't the greatest

  • NO COMPASSION
  • NO POWER

• But....
  • We have Jesus living in us!
    • "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1)
    • "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all respects like us, yet without sin"
    • "Let us therefore come forward with boldness to the throne of grace that they may receive mercy and find grace for timely help." (Heb 4)
• Consider all the people...
• Where are they going?
• Bottom Line
  • We need Jesus every day
  • "Lord Jesus, fill me with your humanity
  • And empower me with your divinity
  • That I might feel for other people
  • And I might impart to them divine life"
• Feel Where People Are
  • In Failure
  • In pride
  • In physical pain
  • Big plans for future
  • Lonely
  • Religious
  • Disciplined
  • Rich
  • occupied
  • In success
  • In guilt
  • Living it up
  • anxious for future
  • Lots of friends
  • Secular
  • Loose
  • poor
  • bored
• We can stop the coffin
  • "To me, less than the least of all saints, was this grace given"
  • "to announce to the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ as the Good News" (Eph 3)

The Pharisees

The Pharisees
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• What They Represented
  • Of the three major religious societies of Judaism at the time of the New Testament (the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes), the Pharisees were often the most vocal and influential. The origin of the Pharisees is uncertain, but their movement is believed to have grown from the Assideans (i.e. the "pious"), who began in the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Greek/Syrian ruler Antiochus IV, or "Antiochus Epiphanes," around 165 B.C. It was during that roughly 4 centuries between the end of the Old Testament record and the birth of Jesus Christ, prior to the rise of the Roman empire, that the idolatrous Greek influence was at its peak in Jerusalem. The first direct mention of the Pharisees was by the Jewish/Roman historian Flavius Josephus in describing the three sects, or schools, into which the Jews were divided in 145 B.C.
• The Name Pharisee
  • The name Pharisee in its Hebrew form means separatists, or the separated ones. They were also known as chasidim, which means loyal to God, or loved of God - extremely ironic in view of the fact that by His time, they made themselves the most bitter, and deadly, opponents of Jesus Christ and His message.
  • The Pharisees perhaps meant to obey God, but eventually they became so devoted and extremist in very limited parts of The Law (plus all that they themselves added to it), that they became blind to The Messiah when He was in their very midst. They saw His miracles, they heard His Words, but instead of receiving it with joy, they did all that they could to stop Him - eventually to the point of getting Him killed because He truthfully claimed to be the Son of God.
• The Main Problem
  • The lesson from the Pharisees' example is that self-righteousness is not righteousness, and that God's true people are to live according to all of God's Word, not just certain parts that are most convenient or to one's own liking.
• Jesus Invited to Dinner
  • This story begins with a Pharisee inviting Jesus to dinner with some of his peers present. No doubt, they felt Jesus' spiritual understanding was inferior to their own. However, God in His providence arranged that Jesus would actually expose their situation and ultimately do the instructing.
• Luke 7:36-50
  • 36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.
  • 37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
  • 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
  • 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner."
• Parable of Two Debtors
• Luke 7: 40-43
  • 40 And Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher." 41"A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
  • 42 "When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?"
  • 43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."
• The Woman and Simon
• Luke 7:44-47
  • 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
  • 45 "You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
  • 46 "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
  • 47 "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
• Grace for the Sinner
• Luke 7:48-50
  • 48 Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
  • 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"
  • 50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
• Only God Can Forgive Sins

Where is Your Faith?

Where is Your Faith?
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• Luke 8:22-25
  • 22 Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out.
  • 21 But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.
  • 23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep;
  • and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.
  • 24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!"
  • And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.
  • 25 And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another,
  • "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"
• Who then is this?
  • That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the full knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened... (Eph 1:17-18)
• HIM...not ME
  • Who He is
  • What He can do
  • Not who I am
  • Not what I can do
• A little science
  • What holds the universe together?
  • 4 basic forces
  • Strong force—holds atoms together
  • Electromagnetic force—holds molecules together
  • Gravity—holds stars, planets, galaxies together
• Who is Christ?
  • ...His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
  • And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb 1:2-3)
• Where is your faith?
• Who is Christ?
  • For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.
  • He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (Col. 1:16-17)
• Where is your faith?
• Who is Christ?
  • All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
  • In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men (John 1:3-4)
• Where is your faith?
  • So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Rom 10:17)
  • Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb 11:1)
  • And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb 1:6)
  • For indeed we have had glad tidings presented to us, even as they also; but the word of the report did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard. (Heb 4:2)
  • However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)
  • But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)
• Two Kinds of Prayer
  • "Master, Master, we are perishing!"
  • And He said to them, "Why are you cowardly, you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matt. 8:26)
  • "For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." (Matt 8:9)
  • Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. (Matt 8:10)
• "Open the eyes of my heart Lord.
• I want to see You."

9 Part Series on the Church (God's Eternal Purpose Eph. 3:10-11)

Ephesians 3:10-11 10 In order that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenlies the multifarious wisdom of God might be made known through the church, 11 According to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord A 9 part series that focuses on God's Eternal Purpose: His Church!

Part 1 - Stepping Into Eternity

Part 1 - Stepping into Eternity
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• The multifarious wisdom might be made known through the church, according to the eternal purpose—Ephesians 3:10-11
• If we could step into eternity with God, what would He tell us?
  • To find out, we need to ask about these words:
    • Ephesians 3:9
      • To enlighten all that they may see what the economy of the mystery is, which has been hidden in God, Who created all things
    • Ephesians 3:10
      • In order that NOW to the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies the multifarious wisdom of God might be made known through the Church
    • Ephesians 3:11
      • According to the eternal purpose
    • Ephesians 3:9-11 summarized
      • There is a mystery that historically has been hidden in God
      • The church is the manifestation of this hidden mystery
      • This is God's eternal purpose
• If we could step into "God's shoes"
  • He would tell us about the church
    • Ephesians 5 Explains this eternal purpose:
      • His pleasure
      • His heart's desire
      • The apple of His eye
      • His eternal counterpart
    • Christ loved her and so He died for her
    • Christ sanctifies the church, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word
• The Bible's Theme: Christ and the Church
  • Portrayed 4 Women
    • EVE
      • The Wife of Adam
      • The church comes out of Christ, is the counterpart of Christ and becomes the fullness of Christ
      • The church is produced through the death and resurrection of Christ
    • The Bride of Christ, The New Testament Church
      • The Church is loved by Christ
      • The Church is cherished by Christ
      • The Church is glorious in the eyes of Christ
    • The Woman (Rev. 12)
      • At the end of this age
      • The church at the end of this age gives birth to the manchild, the overcomers;
      • She defeat the enemy to prepare for Christ's second coming
    • The Wife of the Lamb
      • For Eternity
      • The wife that has made herself ready
      • The New Jerusalem, the city of God, united with Christ for eternity

• What is Christianity to you today?

  • An obligation on Sunday mornings?
    • A Seeking of personal growth in Christ and a daily devotion in His word?
    • Fits your social status
    • Has many in your age category
    • Identifies with your culture
    • Matches with what you are used to
    • With a music/preaching/meeting style that makes you comfortable
    • Agrees with your doctrines
    • With ministries that care for your hardships and personal struggles
    • With ministries that care for your children, parents, spouse, etc.
    • With ministries that help you succeed in the world
    • With ministries that uplift the soul to carry you through another week
    • Attracting large numbers
    • Organizing charitable events
  • NO!
    • Put yourself in God's Shoes

• Step into Eternity
  • Rediscover God's Church
    • The Bride of Christ

Part 2 - Unveiling the Eternal Blueprint

Part 2 - Unveiling the Eternal Blueprint
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• Paul's Vision
• Paul's Work
• Where Did He Get All This?
• The Blueprint
• God's Eternal Purpose in Genesis
  • Let Us make man in Our Image and after Our Likeness
    • Image
  • Let them have dominion over all the earth
    • Dominion
• Old Testament Pictures of the Church

  • Adam and Eve
  • Abraham -> Israel
  • The Tabernacle
  • "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagle's wings and brought you to Myself..."
  • "Now therefore if you will indeed obey My voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be My personal treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine." (Exo. 19:4-5)

• Christ

  • He is the center and focus of the church
  • Christ is the grace, power, speaking, and leading of the church
  • All we say and do in the church should lead people to Christ

• The Church

  • The expression of Christ
  • The door to Christ
  • Dispensing Christ as food and light

• Our Vision
• New Testament Reality
• Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of Man is?

  • And they said, Some, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
  • He said to them, But you, who do you say that I am?
  • And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
  • And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in the heavens.
  • And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
  • I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatever you bind on the earth shall have been bound in the heavens, and whatever you loose on the earth shall have been loosed in the heavens. (Matt. 16:13-19)

• The Lord's Person
• His Heart's Desire

  • And the glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, even as We are one;
  • I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. (John 17:22-23)

Part 3 - Laying Foundation of the New Testament Church

Part 3 - Laying Foundation of the New Testament Church
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• Ephesians 2
  • Picture of Fallen Humanity
    • That you were at that time apart from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers of the promise of the covenant, having no hope and without God.
    • But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off have become near in the blood of Christ.
• Christ's Solution:

  • Makes us members of God's household
  • And fellow citizens with the saints (19)
  • Being built and fitted together on the foundation...Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone... into a dwelling place of God in spirit (20-22)

• Abolition of Divisive Enmity

  • Differences lead to enmity
    • Laws and ordinances
    • Rituals & spiritual practices
    • Race & culture, age, gender, social class, political preference, ministry, music, books, bible versions, clothing style, preaching styles, praying styles, association or lack of, etc. etc.

• Issue of Offenses (1)

  • Starting arguments.
  • Spreading gossip.
  • Creating cliques.
  • Carrying grudges.
  • Backstabbing.
  • Deliberately undermining those in authority.
  • Pitting one person off against another.
  • Lying.

• Issue of Offenses (2)

  • Setting up rules in order to create social barriers.
  • Being a racist or sexist or elitist.
  • Giving orders and demanding obedience.
  • Using principles (or even 'righteous' anger) as an excuse to cut off contact.
  • Personalizing a political dispute.
  • Raising the stakes in disputes.
  • Having an 'I win, you lose' attitude.
  • Acting without concern about how it affects others.

• Man's Solution - End Results

  • Avoidance
  • Accommodation
  • Competition
  • Compromise


• God's Solution

  • Collaboration & Reconciliation
    • Lord's admonishing (Matt 5:22-24)
    • Paul's example

• (I Cor 3 : 5-9 )

  • "To reconcile is to restore to friendship or harmony, to settle or resolve differences."

• Two Natures

  • Our Evil Nature
    • Starting arguments
    • Spreading gossip
    • Creating cliques
    • Carrying grudges
    • Backstabbing
  • Our Aspiration to Do Good
    • Politics
    • Religious zeal
    • Insistence on practices
    • Division
    • Hatred

• But We Have Died...

  • Our Evil Nature
    • Starting arguments
    • Spreading gossip
    • Creating cliques
    • Carrying grudges
    • Backstabbing
  • Our Aspiration to Do Good
    • Politics
    • Religious zeal
    • Insistence on practices
    • Division
    • Hatred

• Moses Went UP

  • Moses was called into God's presence on Mt. Sinai
    • "Moses... and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. ...they saw God, and they ate and drank."
    • "Moses... stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights."

• Blueprint Given on Mt. Sinai

  • Moses received blueprint for building tabernacle on mountain top.
    • Lord to Moses: "Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you."

• Stephen Looked UP

  • "The Grecian Jews...complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food."
  • 7 were chosen for food service
  • No record of what Stephen did, but...
  • Stephen was "full of the Spirit and wisdom...full of grace & power"

• Stephen Looked UP

  • "...being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."

• We Need to Grow UP

  • "Out from whom all the body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love." (Eph 4:16)
  • "But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ." (4:15)

• But to Go UP
• We Must First Go DOWN

  • "If we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him." (Rom 6:8)
  • When was the last time I knelt down to pray?
  • When was the last time I laid down my soul life according to the inner-anointing:
    • opinions,
    • "my-way-or-the-highway" insistence, and
    • evil as well as good intentions?

• Know Christ & Know Ourselves

  • To build the church, our old man must die.
  • "And might reconcile both in one Body to God through the cross, having slain enmity by it." (Eph 2:16)
  • "In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in spirit." (Eph 2:22)

Part 4 - The Spawning of the New Testament Church

Part 4 - The Spawning of the New Testament Church
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• 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • Underlying Principle of our study of the church
  • The Scriptures
    • Satan's strategy: Distract us from the plain a simple Word of God
  • The Vision of the Church in God's Word
  • 2 Important Old Testament Passages
    • Genesis 1:26-28 Birds-eye view
    • Exodus Chapters 26-40 The tabernacle
• The Vision of the Church in God's Word
  • 2 important references by Jesus
  • The Mountain Retreat
    • Matthew 16 Jesus explains the building of the church
  • One of Jesus' final prayers
    • John 17 Jesus asks the Father for oneness among the believers
  • The Vision of the Church in God's Word
  • 4 Important New Testament Passages
    • The Apostle Paul
    • Ephesians 3 & 5 The eternal purpose, the bride of Christ
    • Ephesians 2 Christ's death
    • 1 Corinthians 12:13 Christ's resurrection and ascension
• Church Vision Applied in the New Testament

  • Acts 1-9

  • Description of the early church life
    • It's probably not what you think
    • It probably has few similarities to what we practice today
    • So, before we make up our mind as to what the church life should look like, we better take an honest look at the Bible
• Church Vision Applied in the New Testament

  • Ephesians 4

  • Teaching Church Practice
    • Paul describes the building Jesus' spoke of in Matthew 16
    • Paul expounds on the oneness of the church that Jesus prayed for in John 17
• Church Vision Applied in the New Testament

  • 1 Corinthians 12 (& 14)

  • Teaching Church Practice
    • Ministry and gifts
    • Oneness and coordination
    • Edifying meetings
• Church Vision Applied in the New Testament

  • Acts 10-20

  • Parallels to modern Christianity
    • Ministry and gifts
    • Oneness and coordination
    • Edifying meetings
• Let's Talk About Pittsburgh

  • A testimony, gospel, and witness to this city
  • A life-style
  • A spiritual home life
  • Joyful and edifying meetings
  • An environment of healthy growth in the divine life, development of spiritual function, and an uplifting of humanity

• Rediscovering God's Church
• The Spawning of the New Testament Church
  • 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • There was no church in the Old Testament
    • Just a blueprint
  • There was no church during Christ's earthly ministry
    • Just a promise
    • And a prayer

• The Church into existence through:

  • The death of Christ (Ephesians 2)
  • The resurrection and ascension of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13)

• 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
  • Baptized into the Spirit
    • Initiating a new era
    • This baptism occurred firstly on the day of Pentecost to the Jews
  • "And there appeared to them tongues of fire ... and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ..." Acts 2:3-4
    • And secondly at the house of Cornelius to the Gentiles
  • Baptized into the Spirit
    • Initiating a new era
    • The baptism of the Spirit changed the world
    • The non-church age became the age of the church
    • The blueprint became a reality
• 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
  • Baptized into the Body of Christ
    • Inheriting a new life-style
    • Those alienated and far off became fellow citizens of the saints (Ephesians 2:11-12, 19)
    • The lonely strangers became members of a loving family (Ephesians 2:19)
  • Baptized into the Body of Christ
    • Inheriting a new life-style
    • Those who once were haunted by demons (addictions, lusts, temper, etc) became a temple of God (Ephesians 2:22)
    • Those dwelling in darkness became the light of the world (Matthew 4:14-16)
    • Once having a purposeless existence, but now a part of the bride being prepared for her husband (Ephesians 3:11; 5:32; Rev2elation 21:)
• 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
  • Drinking of the Spirit
    • Experiencing a new reality
    • The Spirit is the reality of Christ and the work of Christ
  • "But when He, the Spirit of reality comes, He will guide you into all the reality ... All that the Father has is Mine ... He receives of Mine and will declare it to you." John 16:13, 15.
    • The church is not our talk, but our experience. It is real.
    • The church is not our doctrine, it is our daily reality
    • The church is not merely our stand, it is our experience
• 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit
• Oneness

  • Entering into a divine existence
  • Paul deliberately emphasizes the word, "one," in this verse
  • The era of the church is the era of the oneness of the human race
  • It is not man-made—it is the divine oneness that Jesus prayed about in John 17, a oneness created by the Trinity
  • So in Ephesians 4:3, Paul exhorts us to "keep" the oneness of the Spirit.
  • Oneness is a fact! Believe it and receive it!

• 1 Corinthians 12:13
  • For also in one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and were all given to drink one Spirit

Part 5 - Church Practices, New Testament Style - The Facts in Acts

Part 5 - Church Practices, New Testament Style - The Facts in Acts
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• Speaking to the Disciples the Things concerning the Kingdom of God V.3
• Charging Them to Wait for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit vv.4-8

  • And as He met together with them, He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, ...(V.4)
  • But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth (V. 8)

• Meetings:
  • Teaching and fellowship meetings (by the apostles)
  • Home gatherings (Acts 2:46; 5:42)
    • Held from house to house
    • Daily
    • Accompanied by food
    • In simplicity of heart
    • With one accord
  • And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with exultation and simplicity of heart (2:46),
• And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and announcing the gospel of Jesus as the Christ (5:42).
  • To:
    • Speak the gospel to friends
    • Review and fellowship the apostles' fellowship and teaching
    • Break bread (Lord's table?)
    • Pray (Acts 1)
  • Temple gatherings (2:46; 5:42)
    • Daily
    • Healings (3:1-10)
    • Preaching the gospel and teaching (Acts 5:20-25, 42)


• Prayer meetings
  • Church prayer (2:42; 4:24)
  • Apostles' prayer (6:4)
• Gospel Outreach:
  • By the Spirit
  • Preaching Christ and the work of Christ
  • Through:
    • Speaking in the tongues of the people
    • Open air preaching at the temple
    • Apostles' visitation to the homes (5:42)
    • Having favor among the outsiders (2:47)
    • On a chariot
    • Through signs and wonders
  • People were exhorted to be saved by:
    • Repentance
    • Calling on the name of the Lord
    • Being baptized
  • Gospel reports
    • People saved daily
    • Numbers reported
  • Practical Dealings
    • Communal living (2:43-44)
    • Church discipline
    • Widows cared for
    • One accord
  • Offices
    • Apostles
      • Spend time and prayer and ministry of the Church
      • Teaching & fellowship of the truth
      • Open air preaching
    • Deacons
      • Requirements: full of the Spirit and wisdom
      • Appointed to meet the needs of the widows
  • Appearance to Outsiders
    • The ones that overturned the world
    • The way (9:31)
    • Christians (13)

Part 6 - Advanced Church Practice - Paul's Vision of the Body of Christ

Part 6 - Advanced Church Practice - Paul's Vision of the Body of Christ
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• Jesus' Prayer for Oneness
  • "That they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected into one.."
    • John 17
• Jesus' Prophecy to Build His Church
  • "Upon this rock I will build My church"
    • Matthew 16
• Eph 4:1-6
  • I THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord, appeal to and beg you to lead a life worthy of the divine calling to which you have been called
  • With complete lowliness of mind and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.
  • Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of the Spirit in the binding power of peace:
• One body and one Spirit--just as there is also one hope to the calling you received--
• One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
• One God and Father of all, Who is above all, through all and in all.
• Oneness
  • Keep the oneness
  • You cannot make oneness
  • The oneness is just the Triune God
  • Lived out in lowliness of mind and love
  • We lose the oneness if we focus on
    • Teachings
    • Practices
    • Ministers
• Eph. 4: 7,11
  • But grace was given to each of us individually in proportion to the measure of Christ's gift.
  • And His gifts were varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us-- some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some shepherds and teachers.
• Eph. 4:12-13
  • His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints, that they should do the work of ministry, unto the building up Christ's body,
  • Until we all attain at the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full grown man-- the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ.
• Building
  • Depends on diversity
  • Each member, uniquely operating, builds the Body of Christ
• Oneness in Diversity
  • Over 200 distinct cell types in the human body
  • Yet the body is one
  • They all start off as STEM CELLS
  • But they all become different
• The Same With the Body of Christ
  • We all start off the same
  • Yet we should grow to become different
• Conformity is Not Oneness
  • A video example...
• Who You Are
• God's Plan
• Balanced View
  • When the focus is God....
    • Everything is One
    • When we lose that focus division
  • When the focus is the believers....
    • Everything is diverse
    • When we lose that diversity conformity
• He gave some as...
• Gifts...
• THE SAINTS
• Unto the work of...
• Unto the building up of...
• "ministry churches"
• THE CHURCH
  • Eph. 4:15-16
    • But, holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the head, the Christ:
  • Out from whom the whole body, joined together, and connected by every joint of the rich supply, according to working in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the body to the building up of itself in love.
• "I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH"
  • Not "I will build my ministry"
  • The ministry is for the church
  • The church is not for the ministry
• Our Goal
  • Help every saint minister according to their God given grace
  • Immersed in the atmosphere of love for the building of His church in oneness

Part 7 - Oneness through Diversification for the Building Up of the Body

Part 7 - Oneness through Diversification for the Building Up of the Body
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• "For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12)
• Maturity in life should lead to differences
• The fruit is all different

• Oneness and Building Manifest Gifts, Ministry, and Operation (Function)
  • Oneness
  • Building
  • Gifts
  • Ministry
  • Operation
• The Principle
  • "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking in the Spirit of God says, Jesus is accursed; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord! Except in the Holy Spirit.
  • But there are distinctions of gifts, but the same Spirit; And there are distinctions of ministries, yet the same Lord; And there are distinctions of operations, but the same God, who operates all things in all" (1 Corinthians 12:3-6)
• Speaking
  • Calling on the name of the Lord makes us one with the person of Christ. So also in any kind of prophesying when one speaks for God or speaks forth God as a minister of Christ, one does so by being in the person of Christ.
• Different Ministries
• Ministry
  • Ministry in Ephesians 4 is not related to the gifted ones
  • But to the ministries of each member of the Body
  • "And He Himself gave some (gifts)....for the perfecting of the saints...unto the work of ministry" (4:11-12)
• Operating in and by means of the Holy Spirit
  • "I am crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.
  • And the life that I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Gal. 2:20)
  • Every operation must be inspired by the Spirit, be an impartation of the Spirit, and result in spiritual building up of the Body.
• Three Levels of Function
  • Distinct Gifts
  • Distinct Ministries
  • Distinct Operations

• So...
  • what has God given to you to carry out in the local church He has placed you in...
  • or are you running wild without substantiating this vision?
  • But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for what is profitable.
  • For to one through the Spirit a word of wisdom is given, and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
  • To a different one faith in the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing in the one Spirit,
  • And to another operations of works of power, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits; to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor. 12:7-10)
• Examples of Gifts
  • Word of Wisdom
  • Word of Knowledge
  • Faith
  • Healing
  • Power
  • Prophecy
  • Discerning
  • Tongues
• Oneness through Diversification
• Crucial Attitudes in the Body
  • Not honoring one's distinct portion
    • If the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, it is not that because of this it is not of the body. (v 15)
• Crucial Attitudes in the Body
  • Despising other's portions
    • And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (v 21)
• Crucial Attitudes in the Body
  • Mutual Care for One another
    • That there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same care for one another (v 25)

Part 8 - Rediscovering God's Church

Part 8 - Rediscovering God's Church
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• Church Life in it's Most Pure And Biblical Form
  • How Do We Apply the Vision of the Church?
  • Who are We?
  • What Should the Church Look Like?
  • Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint (run wild, become demoralized); but happy is he that keepeth the law (the Word) (Prov.29:18).
• The Lord did not leave a handbook on how to practice The Church
  • Two items necessary to go on:
    • The Spirit
    • The Word of God
  • But when *he* is come, the Spirit of truth, he shall guide you into all the truth...(Jn.16:13)
  • Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psa. 119:105).
  • The church is the called out assembly of the Body of Christ
• Where do we assemble?
  • In the Temple
  • From house to house
  • And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house...(Acts 2:46)
  • What is a local church?
  • The application, practice, and substantiation of the vision of the Body of Christ
  • Why do we call ourselves the church in Pittsburgh?
  • The church is not so much our name as it is what we are
  • And we are here in the city of Pittsburgh
  • Complications came in between Peter's ministry and Paul's (Acts 15)
  • Studying Paul's experience correlates with our experience of modern Christianity.
    • A. Diversity of cultures and backgrounds produced animosity and division among the believers
    • Differing practices led to churches becoming divided from one another (Acts 15)
    • Rallying around different ministries caused division among the believers (1Cor.1)
  • The practical church life should:
    • Have Christ as our content
    • Have the freedom and authority of the Spirit
    • Hold the Word of God as our standard
    • Receive all believers, open to all genuine ministries, love all Christians, meet as generic Christians, not holding onto any special practices, ministries or non-essential teachings
  • Who We Are
    • We are a group of Christians who come from a number of different backgrounds. Our common denominator is a desire to know, love, and follow the living Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His love has captured us, and in such a love we meet together with a church life according to the New Testament revelation.
    • We are families and singles. We are young and old. We are workers at a variety of jobs along with college students. We come from many countries and cherish all races. But with this variety there is a marvelous oneness of the Spirit that we strive to keep.

Part 9 - Gifts for the Church

Part 9 - Gifts for the Church
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Fellowship in Acts

Acts - Back to Basics

Back to Basics
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Inner Reality of God's Move in the Book of Acts

• Lord's Commission
  • But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (1:8)
• Lord's Commission
• Growth of the Church
  • These all continued steadfastly with one accord in prayer (1:14)
• Growth of the Church
  • Holy Spirit poured out on Pentecost
• Growth of the Church
  • Those who received his word were baptized, and... added... 3000 souls (2:41)
• Growth of the Church
  • But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of men... about 5000 (4:4)
• Growth of the Church
  • The high priest and all those with him...laid their hands on the apostles and put them in prison (5:17-18)
• Growth of the Church
  • But it continues to grow
• Growth of the Church
  • And grow...until Stephen
• Is the Church Over?
  • There occurred in that day a great persecution against the church... all were scattered...(8:1)
• NO! It Spread...
• A New Beginning at Antioch
  • Lord sent out Paul and Barnabas from Antioch to the gentiles...
  • And the Church grew...
• Churches of the Gentiles
  • And grew...
  • And grew...
  • Under persecution

• Churches of the Gentiles
  • Until gospel spread to Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece, Italy, ...
• Lord's Commission
• It's Our Turn
  • Can we grow?
  • Are you sure?
  • How will we grow?
  • How did the early church grow under great persecutions?
• How Did They Grow?
  • The secret is...
  • The ROOTS!
• The Power of Life
• Pray
  • A prayer life
    • Lord told Ananias: "Seek... Saul, for behold, he is praying"
    • "Peter went up on the housetop to pray around the sixth hour." (10:9)
  • Corporate prayer
    • All continued steadfastly with one accord in prayer...(1:14)
• Be Nourished by the Word
  • The Word was God; In Him was Life
    • "It is not fitting for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables... But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word." (6:2,4)
    • "...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God in boldness" (10:9)
• Be Nourished by the Word
  • Church grows or the Word grows?
    • "And the word of God grew, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly..." (6:7)
    • "But the word of God grew and multiplied." (12:24, 6:7, 19:20)
    • Thus, the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
• Call on His Name
  • "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (2:21)
    • Ananias to Lord: "...he (Paul) has authority... to bind all who call upon Your name." (9:14)
    • Ananias to Paul: "...Rise up and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name." (22:16)
• Be Exercised in Spirit
  • During Paul's 2nd journey
    • "And they passed through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia." (16:6)
    • "And when they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, yet the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them." (7)
    • And a vision appeared to Paul during the night... (9)
• It's not Rocket Science!
  • Saints had gone before us and set a pattern.
  • It's not rocket science, but where are we (you) today?
  • May Lord have mercy on His church; Bring us back to the basics; May His Word grow and to Him be the rest and glory forever in His church! Amen!

Fellowship in John

John - Fruitbearing (with updates from Africa)

Africa and Fruitbearing
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• A Fruitful Branch in the Vine - John 15
  • Having faith in Jesus' promise: "He who abides in Me and I in Him, he WILL bear much fruit (15:5)
  • Being sobered by Jesus' warning: "The Father takes away every branch that does not bear fruit (15:2)
  • Since apart from the vine the branch is unable to do anything (15:5), we should rely on the Father by asking for fruit in the name of Jesus (15:7)
• A Fruitful Branch in the Vine - John 15
• The Bottom Line:
  • Commitment to Consistent and Specific Prayer
• A Sower
  • Indiscriminately casting baskets of seed on every kind of ground, being ready to pass out tracts, to speak to people, to testify the Lord's name, etc. wherever we are, realizing that God has, according to His sovereignty, placed us on this earth particularly to preach the gospel.
• A Sower Sowing with a forethought of reaping:
  • strategy
  • purpose
  • creativity
  • practicality
• A Shepherd
  • Reaching the world being based on an overwhelming love (a passion) for the lost (Luke 15:4)
  • Being watchful, aware when one sheep has gone astray
  • Bearing the helpless on our shoulders (Luke 15:5)
  • Joining in on the angelic emotional jubilation of rejoicing when a sinner turns to God (Luke 15:5-7)

• A Steward
  • Stewardship is based upon the principle that what you have received from God is what you are to give to others (Ephesians 3:2)
  • A household steward must personalize the care for each member of the household
  • A household steward is responsible to mentor the "children" one-by-one to grow as healthy believers and servants of Christ to:
    • Cultivate spiritual life habits
    • Participate in a meaningful church life
    • Develop a serving life
• An Investment Broker - Matthew 25; Luke 19:13
  • Jesus charged us to "Do Business until I come"
• An Investment Broker
  • A life-time of time
  • Money
  • home & neighborhood
  • Family
  • Job / school
  • Achievements
• God Arranges our life
  • According to His sovereignty
  • To spread the good news to the uttermost parts of the earth
  • Cooperating with God to Manage Our Time effectively
    • Set apart time for Weekly prayer
    • Personal guidance/leading from God
    • List of people
    • Outreach plan
    • Fruit bearing meeting
Listen to more messages on the work in Uganda and Africa here...

John - Life's Shepherding Outside of Religion

Life's Shepherding Outside of Religion
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• John 10:1-16
  • Within the Veil
  • Let us come forward to the Holy of Holies with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Heb.10:22).
  • Outside the Camp
  • Let us therefore go forth unto Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach (v.13:13).
  • Truly, truly, I say to you, He who does not enter through the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up from somewhere else, he is a thief and a robber; But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John10:1-3)
  • When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers (vv.4-5).
  • Jesus therefore said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you that I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved and shall go in and go out and shall find pasture (vv.7-9).
  • The thief does not come except to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and may have it abundantly (v.10).

• I
  • am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and it does not matter to him concerning the sheep (vv. 11-13).
  • I am the good Shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, …And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must lead them also, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd (vv.14-16).

Fellowship in Philippians

• Philippians - Just 3 Things!
• Philippians - The Experience of Christ
• Philippians - The Heavenly Brain Transplant
• Philippians - Chapter 3
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John - Life's Shepherding Outside of Religion
Philippians - Just 3 Things!

Philippians - Just 3 Things!

Just 3 Things!
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• Paul's Exhortation in Philippians 4:1-9
• Paul Exhorts the Philippians
  • Concerning their church life
  • Concerning their heart
  • Concerning their testimony to the world
• The Church Life
  • The Key
• Success achieved through
  • Love
  • The bottom line, the most fundamental expression of the Body life – 1 John 3:14
  • The divine element that separates the Church from all secular societies – 1 John 4:16
  • The church's greatest attraction to the world
• The Church Life Success achieved through
  • Love
  • Forbearance
  • Understanding that I am just as fallen and weak as the next guy
  • Realizing that the only reason I am here is because of the forbearance of Christ.
  • Observing that those that are faithful church life survivors are those with forbearance
• The Church Life Success achieved through
  • Love
  • Forbearance
  • Labor
  • Members of the church life are farmers on God's farm.
  • Caring for others lifts our spirits and causes us to have a positive attitude toward the saints.
• The Heart
• Working through anxiety
• The Heart
• Working through anxiety
• Did you know?
  • Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., with 40 million (18.1%) of the adult U.S. population (age 18 and older) affected.
  • According to "The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders," a study commissioned by the ADAA and based on data gathered by the association and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year
  • More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses.
• The Heart
  • Working through anxiety
• The Heart
  • The source of anxiety
    • The uncertainty of life
• The Heart
  • The source of anxiety
    • Seeking more than you have
• The Heart
  • The source of anxiety
    • The cares of the world
• The Heart
  • The source of anxiety
    • Being in the eye of a religious storm
• The Heart
  • Working through anxiety
• Prayer and petition

  • Present your requests to God

• The Heart
• Working through anxiety
  • Prayer and petition
    • With Thanksgiving
• The Heart
  • Working through anxiety
    • God grants every request.
    • God changes your environment to relieve your anxiety.
    • God transforms you to be able to handle anxiety.
• The Heart
  • Working through anxiety
    • Rather, through prayer, The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard
• Remember
• The Heart
  • Working through anxiety
    • The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
    • George Muller.
• Testimony to the world
  • Take account of 6 things
    • What is truthful
    • What is dignified
• Testimony to the world
  • Take account of 6 things
    • What is truthful
    • What is dignified
    • What is fair
    • What is pure
• Testimony to the world
  • Take account of 6 things
    • What is truthful
    • What is dignified
    • What is fair
    • What is pure
    • What is lovely
    • What is worthy of good report
• FINALLY
  • The things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace will be with you. – verse 9

Philippians - The Experience of Christ

The Experience of Christ
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• Chapter 1
• Slaves of Christ Jesus to all the saints in Christ Jesus (1:1)
  • One who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other.
  • Metaphorically spoken of voluntary service, a servant, implying obedience and devotion.
• Fellowship Unto the Furtherance of the Gospel (1:5)
  • Participation or communication in the furtherance of the gospel or in caring for others because of something which you have in common, i.e., Christ.
  • Financial contributions both in the gospel and in meeting the needs of those who are in Christ.
• Defending and Confirming the Gospel (1:7)
  • Giving an answer or speech in defense of oneself relative to the gospel.
  • To make firm or reliable so as to warrant security and inspire confidence, to strengthen, make true, corroborate and fulfill, thus to confirm.
• Longing after the saints in the inward parts of Christ Jesus (1:8)
  • The inward parts signify one’s inward affection or tender mercy and sympathy which are according to Christ.
  • Our inward parts should long for the saints according to the grace we have received since this is Christ’s heart.
• Love Abounding in full knowledge and all discernment, approving by testing the things that differ (1:9-10)
  • Not loving in ignorance
  • Discerning different people, teachings and practices as under sunlight,
  • Moses did not discern properly his calling and how to carry it out until God revealed the way to him.
• Filled with the fruit of righteousness (1:11)
  • Righteousness is the way God carries out His doings or activities.
  • If we experience Christ in everything we do, then all our activities are done in a righteous manner.
• Christ being announced (1:18)
  • Rejoicing in whatever way Christ is announced.
  • Knowing what is in pretence or truth and not taking the wrong way.
• Petitioning for the saints and receiving the bountiful supply of the spirit (1:19)
  • Knowing the saints well enough to petition for them in a meaningful way.
  • Opening to the bountiful supply of the Spirit to know the humanity of the suffering Jesus and the divinity of the all-inclusive Christ.
• Christ magnified in the body in life or death (1:20-21)
  • The highest experience of Christ is to magnify Him in whatever circumstances we may have.
  • The most precious life is to live for Christ in life or in death.
• Remaining in the flesh for the progress and joy of the faith of the saints (1:24-25)
  • It is better to die and be with Christ and to not suffer in the flesh.
  • Nevertheless, we should choose to remain to be on earth only for the benefit of the saints and this is the most rewarding experience of Christ.

Philippians - The Heavenly Brain Transplant

The Heavenly Brain Transplant
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Page 1 of 67 of the Yellow Pages

• A Remnant of People Ministries Incorporated
• Abundant Faith In Christ Fellowship
• Abyssinian Capernaum Baptist Church
• Advent Episcopal Church
• Agape Christian Fellowship Church of Pittsburgh
• Agape Life Church
• Albright United Methodist Church
• All Saints Episcopal Church
• Allegheny Center Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Resh 717
• Allegheny Open Arms United Church of Christ
• Allen Chapel Ame Church
• Allison Park Assembly of God
• Alpha Nv Omega Ministries
• Ambassador Baptist Church
• Annunciation Church
• Apostles Lutheran Church

Man's Way

• Amplify diversity -> DIVISIONS
• Annul diversity -> UNIFORMITY

God's Way

• Much diversity -> Oneness
• Humanly IMPOSSIBLE

The Heavenly Brain Transplant Experiencing Christ in Philippians Chapter 2

• The Desire
  • "If then, any encouragement comes through union with Christ, if there is any persuasive power of love, if there is any common sharing of the Spirit...Fill up my cup of joy
  • That you think the same thing, having the same love, with united souls—your hearts beating in unison—your minds set on one purpose, as though you had only one mind between you."
  • "Doing nothing by way of selfish-strife or petty ambition, but in lowliness of mind, true humility, with low thoughts of self, practice treating one another as your superiors, as more important than yourself.
  • Stop looking after your own interests and virtues only, but every man the virtues and interests of others too." (v 1-4)
• The Heavenly Brain--Christ
  • "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,
  • Though the divine nature was His from the beginning, He did not consider being equal with God a treasure to be grasped or to be clung to
  • But emptied and impoverished Himself, laid it aside, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the likeness of men;
  • And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, and that the death of a cross" (v 5-8)
• Working out Your Salvation
  • "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
  • For it is God who energizes within you who makes you willing and gives you the energy to do what He wants.
  • Do all things without complaining or arguing" (v 12-14)
  • "That you may be blameless and guileless, children of God without blemish , living in a warped and diseased world, among whom you shine as luminaries in the world, offering to men the message of Life" (v 15)
• Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus – Three Successful Brain Transplants
  • Paul: pouring himself into the saints (v 17)
  • Timothy: "But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged by knowing the things concerning you. For I have no one like-souled who will genuinely care for what concerns you; For all seek their own things, not the things of Christ Jesus. " (v 19-21)
  • Epaphroditus: "he has been homesick for you all...Because for the work of Christ he drew near unto death, risking his life, that he might fill up your lack of service toward me." (v 25-30)

Be Zapped

• By the Spirit and the Word
• Get Christ's mind in you daily

Philippians - Chapter 3

Philippians 3
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Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision. (v. 2)

• Dogs:
  • Christians who accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but probably as the Savior of Israel only. (exclusivism) Having a shameless, reckless, mischief-devising, raging, unclean, irreverent, and disrespectful attitude towards other believers.
• Evil workers:
  • Insisting that Christ’s kingdom could be entered only through the gate of Judaism. (elitism) They controlled saints by giving them a false view of their superiority in the eyes of God. (Rev. 3:17-18)
• Concision:
  • Only those circumcised would be fully accepted by God. (legalism)
  • Conformity to a specific practice or rallying around the principle imposed (the unwritten law) instead of the letter of it.
• The Antidote
  • The antidote for the three problems previously addressed is to turn one’s pursuing and mind from "isms" to God Himself.
  • For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. (v. 3)
  • Serving by the Spirit of God keeps us from being dogs, boasting in Christ Jesus alone keeps us from becoming evil workers, and having no confidence in the flesh keeps us from legalities, saving us from religious formalism.
  • Paul goes on to say, "Moreover I also count all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse that I may gain Christ. (v. 8)
  • Forgetting the things which are behind, both the good and the bad, the religious and non-religious is to apply the cross to our past situation.
  • Furthermore, Paul states, "Stretching forward to the things which are before, pursuing toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward." (vv. 13-14) We should no longer be concerned with what ever earthly prizes are before us, especially self-indulgence (vv. 17-19), but rather seek Christ as the Head, and the building up of His Body in reality. Our destiny is that one day we all will be conformed to the body of His glory. (vv. 20-21)

Gospel - "Feed My Sheep"

Gospel - "Feed My Sheep"
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Gospel - Reaching The World

Reaching Out
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• Make no Mistake:
  • We are NOT
    • Used car salesmen
• Make no Mistake:
  • We are NOT
• Make no Mistake:
  • We are NOT EVEN
    • Gimmicky Religious Workers
• If This is YOUR Concept:
  • Rather, we are Ministers of the Gospel (the good news)
    • Reaching out to those who have need
• Paul Told Us Why

  • We are stewards, appointed by God to distribute His riches—Ephesians 3:2
  • Our stewardship which is entrusted to us by God obligates us to preach the gospel—1 Corinthians 9:17-19
  • We owe unbelievers the chance to hear the good news of Jesus Christ—Romans 1:14-15
  • Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are already white for harvest—John 4:35

• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the LOST
• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the LOST
• Do they know where they are headed?

  • The religious relative
  • The “good” coworker
  • The annoying neighbor
  • The loving friend
  • The rogue sinner

• Jesus said:

  • "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, “Shepherd my sheep”—John 20:16

• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the beaten down
    • Bearing the burden of guilt from sin
• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the beaten down
    • Scarred by a troubled or broken relationship
• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the beaten down
    • Stepped on by the world
• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the beaten down
    • Condemned by the religious
• Jesus said:
  • the Case of the religious
    • In vain do they worship Me, teaching as teaching the commandments of men. While leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—Mark 7:7-8
• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the religious
    • The hypocrites who build there house on sinking sand—Matthew 7:24-27
• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the religious
    • The blind leading the blind so that both fall into the pit—Matthew 15:14
• The White Harvest
  • the Case of the religious
    • Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
• Jesus said:

  • And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free—John 8:32

• John the Baptist told us how
  • REPENT

Jubilee

Jubilee
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• The English term Jubilee derives from the Hebrew term yobel (via Latin:Jubilaeus), which in turn derives from yobhel, meaning ram; the Jubilee year was announced by a blast on an instrument made from a ram's horn, during that year's Yom Kippur
• And you shall number seven sabbaths or weeks of years for you, seven times seven years, so the total time of the seven weeks of years shall be forty-nine years.
• Then you shall sound abroad the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month almost October; on the Day of Atonement blow the trumpet in all your land (Lev.25: 8-9).
• And you shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his ancestral possession which through poverty he was compelled to sell, and each of you shall return to his family from whom he was separated in bond service (v.10).
• That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall not sow, or reap and store what grows of itself, or gather the grapes of the uncultivated vines.
• For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat the sufficient increase of it out of the field.
• In this Year of Jubilee each of you shall return to his ancestral property (vv. 11-13).
• Luke 4:18-19
• "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to announce the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to send away in release those who are oppressed,
• To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, the year of jubilee."
• It Signaled:
• A Release From Debts
• A Release of Slaves
• Letting the Land Lie Fallow and Uncultivated
• Our Condition Was Like that of the Jewish People:
• We Lost Our Birthright
• Sold Ourselves into Captivity
• Became Slaves
• Sold Under Sin:
• For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23)
• That you were at that time apart from Christ,
• alienated from the commonwealth of Israel,
• and strangers to the covenants of the promise,
• having no hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12)
• However at that time, not knowing God, you were slaves to the gods which by nature are not gods (Gal.4:8);
• For we also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving as slaves various lusts and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another (Tit.3:3).
• Christ's Redemption from the Law:
• Being justified freely by His grace through
• the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
• Whom God set forth as a propitiation place
• through faith in His blood (Rom.3:24-25a)
• For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Eph.2:8)
• To Release Us From the Slavery of Sin:
• Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin as slaves (Rom. 6:6)
• And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free (Jn.8:32).
• Christ's Redemption Brought Us Back to Himself as Our Allotted Portion:
• Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you for a share of the allotted portion of the saints in the light (Col. 1:12)
• To open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me (Acts 26:18).

The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ

The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
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• Of the religions of the world, Christianity is unique because it stems from the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the greatest man who ever lived. In Jesus, we have One who has virtually changed every aspect of human life, but sadly, most people are completely oblivious to the reality of how He has so completely impacted the world.
• Christianity is founded, not on what Jesus taught (and this distinction is vital to grasp) but on who Jesus is and on what Jesus accomplished. Of course, as Christians, we stand firmly on His teachings.
• No one ever spoke and taught like Jesus, but ultimately, the value of what He said was dependent upon who He was and what He did and the abundant historical evidence that authenticated His life and words. This gave the teachings of Christ authority and placed them alone in the category of absolute truth.
• All other beliefs are based on the teachings and ideas of those who were nothing more than mere men. No matter how brilliant, charismatic, or powerful they may be, there is no guarantee of their objectivity, accuracy or ultimate ability to deliver what they have promised.

• The Supernatural Nature of Christ
  • The Old Testament, which even the most ardent critic acknowledges was in existence centuries before Christ, predicted the where ( Micah 5:2 ), the when ( Dan. 9:26 ), and the how ( Isa. 7:14 ) of Christ's entry into the world.
  • The Old Testament predicted that Christ would die for our sins ( Psalm 22 ; Isaiah 53 ; Dan. 9:26 ; Zech. 12:10 ) and would rise from the dead ( Psa. 2:7 ; 16:10
  • All of these supernatural prophecies were uniquely fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This is not true of any great religious leader or person who has ever lived, including Muhammad.
• Unique in Life.
  • From his very first miracle in Cana of Galilee ( John 2:11 ), Jesus' ministry was marked by its miracles. Jesus even raised several people from the dead, including Lazarus whose body was already to the point of rotting ( John 11:39 ).
  • Events surrounding Christ's death were miraculous. This included the darkness from noon to 3 p. m. ( Mark 15:33 ) and the earthquake that opened the tombs and rent the temple veil ( Matt. 27:51–54 ).
  • The way in which he actually died was miraculous. As Jesus said, 'I lay down my life–only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord' (John 10:18 ).
• Unique in the Resurrection.
  • Jesus himself predicted it from the very beginning of his ministry: He said, ' ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'... But the temple he had spoken of was his body' ( John 2:19 , 21 ; Matt. 12:40–42 ; 17:9 ).
  • Jesus demonstrated the reality of his resurrection in twelve appearances over forty days to more than 500 people.
• Unique in the Ascension
  • Just like his entrance into this world, Jesus' departure was also miraculous. After commissioning his disciples, 'he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:10 ).
• Unique in Sinlessness.
  • For a description of what those closest to Jesus thought of his character, Hebrews says that he was tempted as a man 'yet without sinning' ( 4:15 )..
  • Jesus himself once challenged his accusers, 'Which of you convicts me of sin?' ( John 8:46 ), but no one was able to find him guilty of anything.
• The Character of Christ Is Unique In Exemplifying Virtues.
  • Even Bertrand Russell , who fancied he saw flaws in Christ's character, confessed nonetheless that 'What the world needs is love, Christian love, or compassion.' But this belies a belief in what most others acknowledge, namely, that Christ was the perfect manifestation of the virtue of love.
• In Combining Seemingly Opposite Traits
  • Christ brought together in his person characteristics that in anyone else would seem impossible. He was a perfect example of humility, to the extent of washing his disciples' feet ( John 15 ).
  • Yet he made bold claims to deity, such as, 'I and the Father are One' ( John 10:30) and 'before Abraham was, I AM' ( John 8:58 ; cf. Exod. 3:14 ).
  • The claim, 'I am meek and lowly in heart' (Matt. 11:29 ) sounds arrogant, but he backed his words among little children (Matthew 18:4 ).
  • Yet he was so strong as to overturn the tables of those who merchandised God's house, cracking a whip to chase away their animals ( John 2 ). Jesus was known for the virtue of kindness, yet he was severe with hypocrites who misled the innocent ( Matthew 23 ).
• His Uniqueness in Teaching
  • The Jewish intellectuals admitted, 'No one ever spoke the way this man does' ( John 7:46 ). Later, he confounded those who attempted to trick him so that 'No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions' ( Matt. 22:46 ).
• Christ Is Superior.
  • Jesus Christ was unique in every way. From his complete deity to his perfect humanity; from his miraculous conception to his supernatural ascension; from his impeccable character to his incomparable teaching–Jesus stands above all other religious or moral teachers.
• What If Jesus had Never Been Born? Would there be:
  • Hospitals, which essentially began during the Middle Ages.
  • Universities, which also began during the Middle Ages. In addition, most of the world's greatest universities were started by Christians for Christian purposes.
  • Literacy and education for the masses.
  • Capitalism and free enterprise.
  • Representative government, particularly as it has been seen in the American experiment.
  • The separation of political powers.
  • Civil liberties.
  • The abolition of slavery, both in antiquity and in more modern times.
  • Modern science.
  • The elevation of women.
  • Benevolence and charity; the good Samaritan ethic.
  • Higher standards of justice
  • The elevation of the common man.
  • High regard for human life.
  • The codifying and setting to writing of many of the world's languages.
  • The countless changed lives transformed from liabilities into assets to society because of the gospel.
  • The eternal salvation of countless souls!

We are Christians! - Goshen, Indiana Conference - February 2008

We are Christians!


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