“I Pledge Allegiance”

Did you know that two very powerful beings are constantly pleading for your allegiance and trust.  The truth is–we can only pledge to ONE!  I bet you can guess who those beings are:  Our Great God, the Creator and Holy One and Satan.  These two beings are in a constant battle.

The Enemy:

• Satan-(mentioned 55 times in the bible)
• The devil-(35 times)
• great Dragon-(Revelation 12:9)
• god of this age-(II Corinthians 4:4)
• ruler of this world-(John 16:11)
• Lucifer-Isaiah 14:12-14
• prince of the power of the air-(Ephesians2:2)
• Adversary-devil-(I Peter 5:8)

 

• He was and still is the most powerful created being. (Ezekiel 28:11-19; Isaiah 6)
• He has one-third of the angels as his helpers (demons). (Revelation 12:4)
• he is not omniscient(all knowing). BUT-he does know the scriptures and believes in God.
• He is not omnipresent

Here is the Enemy’s Strategy

• He is continually trying to seduce believers to think incorrectly about themselves. (This is called PRIDE) Genesis 3:1-7; Deuteronomy 17
• He is continually trying to seduce believers to misrepresent the facts. (This is called LYING) John 8:44
• He is continually trying to seduce believers to be independent from God’s authority. (This is called ANARCHY) Isaiah 14:12-14

The Enemy’s Temptations

• COWARDICE- Fear in spiritual things.  II Timothy 1:7; I Peter 5:8
• BUSYBODY- Overly curious and meddling in anothers’ affairs. I Timothy 5:13-15
• DISAPPOINTMENT/DISCOURAGEMENT- A lack of trust in God’s resources during hardship and distress. II Corinthians 12:7-9
• LAZINESS- Spiritually inactive, satisfied to let the other perosn do God’s work.  I Timothy 5:11-15
• LYING- Misrepresenting the truth. Acts 5:4-6
• PRIDE- Self exaltation, self reliance or acting independently of God.  Isaiah 14:12-15
• STEALING- Taking of someone else’s belongings.  Ephesians 4:27-28
• GOSSIP- Accuse falsely and malicious intent.  II Corinthians 12:20
• UNFORGIVING ATTITUDE- Refusal to forgive another when they have confessed.  II Corinthians 2:10-11

How to have Victory over Satan

• Be in the Word!  The Battle is the Lords.  Matthew 4.
• Practice Humility.  You are the light of the world.  James 4:6-7
• Be serious and spiritually awake.  I Peter 5:8
• Armor UP!!  Ephesians 6:10-18

May you walk with the Lord and may He watch over you always!

Because we proclaim to know Jesus Christ, we must be servants with a passion to serve Christ and His church!

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.    Ephesians 4:11

. . .for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.    Ephesians 4:12

A spiritual Gift is a supernatural ability, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer at their conversion.  It is to be used to minister to others, and therefore, build up the Body of Christ.

10 Truths

Only believers have spiritual gifts.    I Corinthians 2:14

Every Christian has at least one gift.    I Corinthians 7:7

No one receives all the gifts.    I corinthians 12:27-30

No single gift is given to everyone.    I Corinthians 12:29-30, Romans 12:3-8

You can’t earn a spiritual gift.    Ephesians 4:7

The Holy Spirit decides what gift I get.    I Corinthians 12:11

The gifts I’m given are permanent.    Romans 11:29

I am to develop the gifts God gives me.    I Timothy 4:14

It’s a sin to waste the gifts God gave me.    I corinthians 4:1-2, Matthew 25:14-30

Using my gifts glorifies God and matures me.    John 15:8, 2 Peter 1

The purpose of spiritual gifts is not for my benefit, but for others.  They are to bless the body of christ and to produce maturity and stability in our church family.

Do not confuse gifts with:  Natural talents, Fruit of the Spirit (love, patience, kindness . . .), Christian roles (wife, husband, mother. . .)

HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR GIFT

Study the word.  See how others serve.

Trial and error.  Experiment with different areas of service.

Analyze.  Where is my passion?  How am I trained?  What stirs me?

Request a response.  Ask others what gifts they see in me.

Take ministry training.  Take advantage of ministyr training.

(It’s easier to discover your gift through ministry than to discover your ministry through your gift)

Understanding and identifying Spiritual Gifts

Even though there is not much said in Scripture about gifts, we can learn soem bsic principles.

There are two words translated “spiritual gift.”

Xarismata= grace gift (I Corinthians 12:4   and    Pneumatikos= spirit gift (I Corinthians 12:1)

* A spiritual gift is given to each believer to build up the body of Christ.

* We are never told to ask for a spiritual gift; the Holy Spirit decides that. (I Corinthians 12:11, 18)

* A spiritual gift is not the same as a natural talent or acquired ability.

* We are never commandedto identify our individual gift, but we are told to use the gift we are given.  We should not get overly concerned about “labeling” our gift.  Our concern should be in developing a passion to serve.

* The Holy Spirit will always direct us to have a “passion” to serve in the area of our giftedness.

* Since spiritual gifts are discovered and developed by activity, be active in serving the Lord.

List of Spiritual Gifts-for Today’s Church

THESE GIFTS WERE USED BY GOD TO ESTABLISH THE EARLY CHURCH

*Evangelist: (Ephesians 4:11) The supernatural ability to share the gospel to the unsaved.

*Pastor-Teacher: (Ephesians 4:11) The supernatural ability to shepherd, lead and protect God’s people.

*Teacher: (I Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:7) The supernatural ability to explain God’s Word to people.

*Helps: (I Corinthians 12:28) The supernatural ability to do various tasks to build up God’s people.

*Administration/Organization: (I Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:8) The supernatural ability to lead and organize ministries.

*Mercy: (Romans 12:8) The supernatural ability to minister to those who are sick or hurting.

*Giving: (Romans 12:8) The supernatural ability to financially support the local church and related ministries.

*Exhortation: (Romans 12:8) The supernatural ability to encourage others in various ways. (knowledge of the word of God and of others heart)

TEMPORARY GIFTS FOR THE EARLY CHURCH ONLY 

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE–I CORINTHIANS 12:28

WORD OF WISDOM–I CORINTHIANS 12:28

HEALING–I CORINTHIANS 12:9, 28, JAMES 5

MIRACLES–I CORINTHIANS 12:10,28

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS–I CORINTHIANS 12:10

TONGUES–I CORINTHIANS 12:10

INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES–I CORINTHIANS 12:10

FAITH–I CORINTHIANS 12:9

APOSTLE–EPHESIANS 4:11

PROPHET–EPHESIANS 4:11

Salvation in Jesus Christ automatically includes a call to ministry.  Every believer is created, saved, called, gifted, authorized nd commanded to minister.  Ministry is the heart of the Christian life. (matt. 20:28; eph. 2:10).  The evidence of the right match between my “shape” and my ministry is fruitfulness and fulfillment.  Membership and spiritual maturity are prerequisites to ministry. 

About the Body of Christ: God intends for ministry to be performed through the context of the local church.  In fact, the church is to operate on the bsis of spiritual gifts, rather than elected offices.  We do not elect people to ministries.  God calls, we train!

About the role of Pastors: The equipping of the members of ministry is the number one priority of the Pastors/Elders. 

Accountability: We become wht we re committed to.  Therefore, we encourage growth in commitment to Christ andHis church.  Everything rises or falls on leadership.  No ministry can exceed the commitment of those leading it.  One mark of a maturing church is that the standards for leadership are raised every year.  There must be periodic reviews of all ministries. 

Training: Every leader is a learner.  The moment you stop learning , you stop leading.  We emphasize on the job training more than pre-service training.  We learn best by doing.  We delegate to develop people.

Diversity of Ministry: We have unity without uniformity.  We believe diversity in ministries simply illustrates the unique giftedness of individuals.  Ministries have life cycles.  If a ministry isn’t meeting a need anymore we will give it a decent burial.  Your primary ministry commitment should be in the area where you are gifted.  Your secondary ministry includes serving in any other area of the body where you are needed.  You are not ready for ministry until you are willing to serve anywhere.

Performance: We expect excellence in ministry, not perfection.  Excellence is doing your best.  God deserves our best.  We encourage creativity and innovation in ministry, which assumes mistakes will be made.  No mistakes means you are not growing or trying anything new.

REMEMBER: IF EVERYTHING MUST BE NEW, THAT IMPLIES THAT NOTHING YOU HAVE EVER DONE HAS WORKED!  WALKING WITH GOD BRINGS CHANGE, BUT SO CAN THE RETLESSNESS OF THE FLESH.  WE LOOK FOR PRAYER SOAKED, RELEVNT PROJECTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYER

One author said:  “Our fellowship with God is not meant to wait wntil we are in heaven.  god’s greatest desire, and our greatest need, is to be in constant fellowship with Him now, and there is no greater expression of experience of fellowship than prayer.”

Colossians 4:2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

Vital Prayer Life

To have a vital prayer life we must have the right attitude.  We also must avoid pride, don’t be a hypocrite or try to impress others or God.  Make your prayers personal.  After all you are talking to your Heavenly Father and Creator.    And we must follow Christ’s example.  (See  Matthew 6:5-15-Sermon on the Mount)

Proclaim

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name . . .”

Start by expressing you love to God.  Express Adoration, Thanksgiving and Praise.  To get an idea about this read Psalms 146-150.

“Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise”

Purpose

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven . . .”

Commit yourself to God’s purpose.  Align your self with His will.

See these verses for God’s will in scripture:  I Thessalonians 4:3-6, 5:18; Ephesians 5:15-17; John 7:16-17

Provision

“Give us this day our daily bread . . .”

Ask god to provide for your daily needs, but be sure your motives are right.  See the following verses:  Philippians 4:6,19; James 4:2,3 *; i John 5:14; John 16:13

Pardon

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. . .”

Ask the Holy Spiritto reveal any sin and and accepts God’s forgivness.  Confess each sin and make restitution when ever necessary.  It is best to make things right before going to the Lord in prayer.  Here are some helpful verses:  Psalm139:23-24; Proverbs 28:13; matthew 5:23-24; I John 1:9

People

Pray for other people.  See I Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 1:15-19; Colossians 1:3-12; I Thessalonians 1:2-3 

Protection

Ask God for spiritual protection.

See Ephesians 6:10-12, 18 (the armor of God); I John 4:4

Then rest in his peace.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer an supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Phil. 4:6-7

 

TIME IN THE WORD

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  (II Timothy 3:16 and 17)

“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.  they also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.”

“How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Your word.  With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments.  Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.”

“I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.  I shall delight in Your statues; I shall not forget Your word.”  Psalm 119: 2-3, 9-11, 15-16

WHAT SHOULD I DO ?

HEAR THE WORD:  Read it out loud, Listen to it out loud, Be under good teaching.  ( Colossians 3:16,         I Tim. 4:13)

READ THE WORD:  Daily and Systematically go through the Bible. (Psalm 1, Luke 24:13)

There are 845,000 words in the Bible.  An average person reads about 200 words per minute.  So, you can read through the bible in a year reading about 15 minutes a day.

STUDY THE WORD:  (important thought–study helps us avoid:)  Spiritual anorexia-no nurishment, and Spiritual bulimia-food that enters and leaves to quickly.  (Psalm 19:7-10)

**SCRIPTURE HAS ONE MEANING, ONE SENSE.**  We need to ask what God means by what He wrote.  Not what someone else’s opinion is about God’s word.  (2 Peter 1:20-21)

• Read entire context and Note important terms.  (Psalm 19:7-10
• Identify background and culture and List and look up cross-references. (I Corinthians 10:1-13, Exodus 32;1-6, Numbers 25, Psalm 30:5-6)

MEDITATE ON THE WORD: 

• Ask 6 basic questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?
• Construct a principle-What am I to do? How? When? What will be the result?  (will I be a tree firmly planted and bearing fruit)
• Memorize Scripture.  (Psalm 37:30-31)
• Consider and apply  the principles you have learned.
• Speak it.  (The more you speak it the better you’ll remember it.)

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14

Authority of Scripture

The Bible which is a called, “The Book” is more than just a collection of writings.  Believers weather new or established Christians knows it is a more unusual book.

God used 39 (possibly 40) different authors over a span of 1500 years to write this living book.  Even though God used human authors to write Scripture, it is still the living, abiding Word of God.

Because it is inspired or “God-Breathed,” it is God’s own love letter to us.  To live the Christian life effectively, one must accept the Authority of Scripture.  This is different than just accepting it as “an authority” in your life.  It must be the sole or only authority in your life.  Many people who claim to be Christians never grow in their walk because they fail to believe and exercise this principle.

The Evidence of Scripture

External Evidence:

* Archaeological discoveries * Scientific research * Changed lives * Actually, the external evidence only points toward the internal evidence of the authority of Scripture.

Internal Evidence:

* II Timothy 3:16-Scripture is God Breathed

* II Peter 1:19-21- Scripture is without error because of the Holy Spirit‘s part in producing the Word of God.

* I Peter 1:22-25- Scripture has an eternal quality.

* Hebrews 4:12- Scripture is alive and active because of it’s “link” to the Holy Spirit.

The Denial of the Sole Authority of Scripture

* Some declare other authorities such as religious groups, church leadership, creeds, traditions, constitutions and practices.

* Others even claim religious experience as equal to, or even above, the authority of the Scriptures.

* many profession believers are led astray by the slightly twisted statement about the Word of God.  it is” “The Bible contains the Word of God.”

 

A Believer’s Response

By faith, a believer must accept totally the Word of God as inerrant, the standard for all truth and the soul authority for all belief and practice.

Our entire existence depends upon the “Authority of Scripture”

Result: Proper Priorities

As we come to submit toe the authority of the Word of God, one of the first areas that you will notice being impacted is your priorities.

Most people who believe have good motives and really do set out to please the Lord.  However, they may have not yet become convinced of a biblical priority system.  Because of this they are continually pressured by other people and circumstances to follow demands that are contrary to good, sound living.

Remember: priorities are established by our commitment to that priority, not necessarily how much time we spend doing it.

The greatest violations seem to com in two areas.  One is the family and our job outside the home.

Priorities:

GOD

MATE

FAMILY

MINISTRY

JOB

PRIORITY # 1- YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Your relationship to God affects all other priorities.  (Acts 20:28, I Timothy 4:16, II Peter 1:3-10)

PRIORITY # 2- YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO YOUR MATE

Your marriage is the ultimate illustration of Christ and His bride to be on earth.  (Ephesians 5:32-33) 

Quote by Martin Luther: The husband should hate to leave the home-The wife should hate to see him go.          

PRIORITY #3- YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO YOUR FAMILY

Rules must be understood and obeyed. (I Timothy 3:4-5 and 5:14, Ephesians 6:1-4)

PRIORITY #4- YOUR MINISTRY TO THE BODY OF CHRIST

We truly serve God by ministering to His people.  (Ephesians 4:11-12, Hebrews 10:23-25, I Cor. 12:13)

PRIORITY #5- YOUR JOB OUTSIDE THE HOME

Eternal matters always precede earthly matters. (Colossians 3:2, Matthew 6:33)