Christian Foundations

ecclesia

2008-05-07T03:21:00.000-07:00

To understand what a word really means, we should look at its history. The word translated Church in the New Testament is the Greek word, ecclesia. Liddell and Scott's Greek English Lexicon (Harper & Brothers, New York, 1846) is considered by many scholars one of the best ever published. This lexicon states that the primary meaning of ecclesia is, "an assembly of the citizens summoned by the crier, the legislative assembly.''

In the Greek city states, such as Athens and Corinth, the citizens of the city could be called together to debate and vote upon a particular issue. This is the original secular meaning of the word.

Another way to discover what a word means is to break it apart and examine the meaning of its parts. The word, ecclesia, is a combination of two words, ek and klesis. Ek means "out of, from within.'' Klesis means "a calling.'' It can be used of a legal summons to court or an invitation to a feast.

Putting the two words together, you have "out of calling.'' It can be clearly seen how this came to be used of an assembly of citizens. The citizens of the city were called out from among all who might live in the city to attend the meeting. Many of the residents in the city would not be citizens and therefore would not be part of the ecclesia or assembly of citizens.

Follow Up

2008-04-27T05:12:00.000-07:00

If the person makes a commitment, you then have a responsibility to ensure the well being of the new born Christian. If possible introduce him to another Christian and ask the new Christian to tell what he has done. Ask for his name and phone number and give him your phone number. Invite the person to Church, ask him if he knows where it is and find out if transportation is a problem.

Encourage him to read the Bible and make sure he has one. Tell him that he can talk to God in prayer. Encourage him to tell others about his decision. Keep in contact.

The first few weeks of an individual's Christian life are the most important. While his experience of salvation is still fresh in his mind, he is willing to make further steps in the Christian life. If he is quickly established in a fellowship of Christians and receives encouragement during this important time, he will likely continue to grow.

If he is left to his own, he will find it difficult not to slip back into his old life style. One Church did a study and found that only 1 in 6 of those who professed Christ through their ministry became active in their Church. As a result the Church established a follow up program where those who professed Christ were immediately contacted and received extra encouragement for several weeks.

When the Church did another study after this program was established, they discovered that now 5 in 6 of those who professed Christ became active in their Church.

Sharing the Gospel

2008-04-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

Once you are comfortable with telling others your testimony, you need to increase your witnessing ability. A new Christian may only be able to share his testimony. However, a person who has been saved for sometime should have much more to say.

Find a simple Gospel outline and begin to memorize it. Memorize the Scriptures that prove each point and be ready to show someone else where the Scriptures are and what they mean.

There are many good Gospel outlines available. One of the most popular is the Romans Road, which uses several verses in the book of Romans to present the Gospel. Some Christians find a good Gospel tract and then use it to share the Gospel.

When you share the Gospel with someone try to make sure that the person understands what you have said by asking him questions. ''Do you understand why Jesus died for you?'' or ''Does this make sense to you?''

Go over anything about which he is not sure.

It is not just enough to know the Gospel in our heads. The inquirer needs to be shown that he must respond to the message, to make a decision to turn from everything he knows to be wrong in his life, to apologize to God, to put his trust in Jesus, to follow Him and to receive the Holy Spirit in order to live the New Life.

We receive the free gift of Eternal Life by Faith, not just believing. The Bible tells us that the demons believe. Scripture states, ''Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils believe and tremble.'' (James 2:19)

A person must not only understand the Gospel, He must also place his trust in Jesus. If the person has understood and has come to the point in his life where he is ready and willing to turn and follow Christ, then ask if he would like to make that step right there and then.

Ask him if he could sincerely pray the commitment prayer at the end of the tract that you are using. Assure him that if he means it from his heart then from that moment he will be a Christian, a follower of Christ. If he is willing, pray first for him then ask him to pray the prayer from the tract.

If you do not have a tract with you, then ask him to repeat what you say as you pray. When he finishes praying, welcome him into the Family of God! Assure him of what he has done by reading one or two suitable verses, like Romans 10:9 and 1 John 5:13.

If the person is not ready or is unwilling to turn and follow Christ, then suggest he take a tract and seriously think about becoming a Christian. Be polite and exchange phone numbers if it is appropriate.

My Personal Testimony

2008-04-13T13:30:00.003-07:00

In a follow up on the previous post, here is a short version of my own testimony.

When I was young, my father deserted our family. After this, I became a loner. I did not want to show emotion, and I had few friends. I came to hate my father. For a time, I kept a baseball bat by the door of our home, ready to use if my father ever showed up.

After a long spiritual journey, one day I had a conversation with an older man who helped me to understand what Jesus accomplished for me on the cross. At that time, I asked God to forgive me, and I became a follower of Christ. I put my trust in Jesus to take care of me in this life and for eternity.

Jesus became my friend. Over time, God began to work on the emotional desert that was my heart. It did not happen all at once, but slowly the hate for my father was replaced by love. I established a relationship with my father again. We never became close, but before he died I could honestly say that I loved him and held no hard feelings towards him.

God and his Spirit are still at work in my life. I am still not all I should be. Making friends is still difficult. But I am not what I once was. God has and is changing me to became what he wants me to be.

I tell people who have been hurt in relationships that no matter who may have betrayed them, there is one person who will always be a true and faithful friend. His name is Jesus.

Your Personal Testimony

2008-04-02T03:03:00.000-07:00

Sharing what Jesus has done for you is your personal testimony. A personal testimony has great power. People who would never listen to a Gospel presentation will listen to someone tell about how their life was changed.

You should think over your testimony and know what you will say. This will help you to present what happened to you in a logical and easy to understand way. You should be able to give your personal testimony in three or four minutes.

First, talk about what your life was like before you became a Christian. Give some relevant details but do not glorify your past sins.

Then talk about how you became a Christian. Give details about when, where, why and how you felt at the time.

Then mention the difference that Jesus has made in your life. Tie your present situation into your past life and explain what has changed. Tell the person what Jesus means to you now.

Who Can Witness

2008-03-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

Some Christians have the mistaken idea that they need much Bible knowledge before they witness. This is totally false. Now, Bible knowledge will help you to witness and answer questions but as soon as a person trusts Jesus as their Saviour they can be a witness.

After all, to be a witness just means to tell what you know. All that a Christian needs to do is tell others what Jesus has done for them. You can at least be like the blind man who told the Jewish religious leaders, ''Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not; one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.'' (John 9:25)

A new Christian may say, ''I do not know what will happen to those who never hear about Jesus. But I do know that before I was on my way to hell and now heaven is my home.''

Or he might say, ''I do not know why God allows suffering. But I do know that before I was miserable and now I have peace and joy.''

Or he might say, ''I do not know all the answers. But I do know that before my life had no purpose and now I follow Jesus.''

Looking For Opportunities

2008-03-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

The idea of telling others the Gospel can be a little frightening. We must remember that God is with us. If people reject what we say, they are not rejecting us they are rejecting the message. We cannot force people into God's family. We do not convict people; the Holy Spirit does that.

Do not put too much pressure on yourself. Be open, honest, friendly. Do not be pushy, rude or looking for an argument. Trust God to give you opportunities and trust God to make the person understand the truth. You just tell what you know.

Many times the problem is that we are not aware of an opportunity when it comes. Many every day events can be used as an opening to begin a conversation and share a little of the Gospel.

James Kennedy in Evangelism Explosion (1970, D. James Kennedy) tells this story:

I once stood outside an elevator with a friend. When another person approached, my friend reached for the button to call the elevator and said to the woman, ''Are you going up?''

''Yes,'' she responded.

''Are you going all the way up?'' he inquired.

''No, just to the third floor,'' said she.

''I mean, when God's sweet chariot swings down low to take his people home to heaven, do you know for sure that you are going all the way up to heaven?'' he continued.

Her response was, ''No, I'm not sure of that,'' and, as we entered the elevator, he began sharing the Gospel with her.

It is important when you speak to a stranger or someone who is not well know to you, that near the beginning of your conversation you ask their permission to share the Gospel with them. This is not only polite but also ensures that the person is interested and will listen.

The Command to be a Witness

2008-03-18T03:14:00.000-07:00

If you are a born again Christian, then you are to be a witness for Jesus. He told His followers, ''Ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.'' (Acts 1:8)

At the Last Supper, Jesus said, ''But when the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father. He shall testify of Me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.'' (John 15:26,27)

To tell others about Jesus is a commandment. If we love Jesus, then we will obey Him. Being a witness is also evidence that we are saved. If God has truly given us eternal life, the greatest possible gift, then we will want to share that with others.

When the Samaritan woman met Jesus, she immediately went and told the people in her town about Him. She wanted others to share in her joy.

Being A Witness

2008-03-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Billie Hanks Jr. tells this story in his book Everyday Evangelism (Zondervan, 1983, Grand Rapids):

The young woman seated at my right at a wedding rehearsal dinner in Phoenix, Arizona, was a UCLA dental hygiene student. About halfway through the meal, she quietly whispered to me, "You know there is something very peculiar about the people at this table."

I looked around and saw that except for this young lady, all the people at our table were good friends of mine. Everyone at the table was a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. I knew nothing about her faith. I said to her, "I believe I know what is so peculiar about everyone at this table, but its a secret.''

She said to me, ''I have got to know. What makes these people so different?''

I replied, ''Well, I can tell you, but I can only do it in private, whenever we have the time to talk.''

At the end of the meal, the lady insisted that they go outside where they could talk alone. Billie Hanks then had the opportunity to share the Gospel with her privately.

My next few posts will be about the Christian duty of being a witness of Jesus Christ.

Pray and Act

2008-03-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

The final requirement for answered prayer is action. Someone has said, "Pray like everything depended upon God and then work like everything depends upon you." Although this is not Scripture, it does contain much truth.

When Nehemiah led the Israelites to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, they had many enemies seeking to prevent them from accomplishing their task. We are told how they dealt with this threat. Nehemiah said, "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them." (Nehemiah 4:9)

They prayed that God would help and protect them. They also appointed guards to watch for the enemy and give them warning. They were depending upon God, but they also did what they could. We should pray but we also must work to bring about the answer to our prayers.
Pray for your daily bread and then go out and work for it. Pray for souls to be saved and then go out and witness to the lost. Pray for health and then take care of yourself. Pray for a strong marriage and then build a good relationship with your spouse. Pray and then act.

Perseverance in Prayer

2008-03-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

Another essential part of making our prayers powerful is perseverance. In other words, not giving up. Luke states, "And (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (Luke 18:1)

The parable was about a lady who had been cheated. She asked a wicked judge to help her, but he refused. She continued to bother him until eventually he did help because he was tired of her harassing him. Jesus made the point that if a wicked judge would help someone because they kept asking, certainly God who is just and loves us will help us if we keep asking Him.

God often seems to us to be slow in answering our prayers. Yet we should not quit praying. God may be testing you to see if you will keep praying. God may be waiting for the best time to answer. God may have already answered your prayer but you are not yet aware of the answer. Whatever the reason for the delay, Jesus said that we should keep praying and not give up.

Prayer and Praise

2008-02-28T05:52:00.001-08:00

There is a danger that our prayers will become one sided. Prayer should contain praise, repentance and requests. Praise is often the area of prayer that is forgotten. Yet praise of God is an essential part of our prayer life. God wants us to praise Him and honour Him for Who He is and what He has done. The Apostle Paul, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Do you make your prayers part of your worship of God? We should constantly be thinking of things for which we can thank God. Parents love to hear their children say thank you to them. God loves to hear us say thank you to Him.

No matter what situation you are in, there is something for which you can be thankful. Personal prayer time can be complimented by singing hymns that praise God and making the words part of your prayer.

Praying With A Burden

2008-02-16T09:54:00.000-08:00

Another important aspect to prayer is that of having a burden. If we are praying halfheartedly, then our prayers will not be effective. We must pray for that which is important to us. We must pray from a heart that is burdened and desperate for an answer.

We are told that Jacob, "had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto Him: he found Him in Bethel, and there He spake unto us." (Hosea 12:4) Jacob was in great inner turmoil as he went to met his brother. He needed assurance from God that all would be well. The angel of the Lord appeared to Jacob and Jacob wrestled with him all night that he might get a blessing. When morning came, he cried out for that blessing. This is a picture of how our prayers should be.

Really effective prayers come from deep with us. When we recognize our need for God's help. When something becomes a burden that weighs us down. When we are willing to struggle in our prayers for hours and when sleep flees from us, that is when heaven and earth are moved by what we pray.

Prayer and Faith

2007-12-07T02:44:00.000-08:00

One day as Jesus was walking towards Jerusalem, He saw a fig tree by the side of the road. He walked over to it, but there were no figs on the tree. He cursed the tree and it withered. His disciples were amazed. Jesus tells them, "Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:21,22 - King James Version)

Doubt or unbelief is a great hindrance to our prayers. How can we expect God to answer our prayers when we do not believe that He will? God requires that we have faith in Him. We must build up our faith by trusting God in little ways; by praying for little things. As we see God answer our little prayers then we will have the faith to move up to greater prayers and truly see amazing results.

Obedience and Prayer

2007-10-12T03:10:00.000-07:00

The Apostle John wrote, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." (1 John 3:22)

John makes it clear that obedience is a requirement to answered prayer. When we obey God and please Him, He listens with greater attention to our requests.

We see this principle at work with parents and children. If a child has just done something that his mother told him not to do, she is unlikely to give him some treat that he wants. On the other hand, if a child has just done something that pleases his mother, then she will be very happy to give him a treat. A child's obedience or disobedience influences how his parents will respond to him.

There is a similarity here with our Father in heaven. If you want a powerful prayer life, then obey God. Put Him first in your life.

Reverence and Prayer

2007-08-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

A danger that exists today is a lack of reverence towards God. In Western society, many have developed a rather light hearted attitude towards the Lord of the Universe. People refer to God as "the man upstairs." This type of attitude will hinder our prayers. God expects us to approach Him with reverence and humility.

We should fear God by respecting His power, position and character. Our attitude should be like that of Isaiah when he saw a vision of God in the temple. Isaiah said, "Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." (Isaiah 6:5)

We must learn to balance ourselves between being bold before God because we are His children and showing the proper respect for Him. As God's children, we have the right to ask God for those things that we need. However, although He is our heavenly Father, He is still the Almighty God and we must be humble before Him.

Prayer and Bible Study

2007-06-15T02:14:00.000-07:00

Making the Word of God part of our life increases the power of our prayers. Jesus said, "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7)

We must know what Jesus taught. This includes more than just the Gospels and what Jesus Himself said during His ministry. The teachings of Jesus include the entire Bible. Jesus is God and as God He gave us the complete Bible for us to study.

A person who does not read the Bible will have trouble praying. A person who does not believe the Bible will see no use in praying. The Bible gives us the great promises upon which we base our prayers. Knowing the Word of God increases our Faith and builds confidence. The Bible and prayer go hand in hand.

Prayer: Be A Child of God

2007-06-04T02:19:00.000-07:00

During the American Civil War, a soldier for the Southern States wrote these words:

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for
But everything I had hoped for . . .
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.

This poem speaks of the remarkable power and mystery of prayer. In the next few posting, I will discuss the requirements that we must meet if we want our prayers to be answered consistently. God does answer prayer! However, the Bible makes it clear that God requires certain things from us if we want to experience a powerful prayer life.

The first requirement is that we be God's Child. In the Model Prayer, Jesus told His disciples, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, . . ." (Luke 11:2) Jesus goes on to give an example of prayer. Notice that Jesus began the Model Prayer with, "Our Father." God answers the prayers of those who are His children.

Now in one sense God is the Father of all people, because He is the Creator of everyone. However, the Bible speaks of those who are children of God in a special way. The Apostle John wrote, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name." (John 1:12)

Only those who have received and believed in Jesus are God's children according to the Bible. If you want God to hear and answer your prayers, you must be born again. If you want to know more about this, go to this website: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/StepsToPeace_Step1.asp.

Why Study the Bible

2007-01-31T03:05:00.000-08:00

The main message of the Bible is the Gospel. I trust that you have considered the truth of that message. The Bible, however, does contain more information than just the Gospel. It also tells us what God wants us to do after we have accepted His gift of eternal life.

God desires that we enjoy life. He has given us guide lines that will help us to avoid unnecessary trouble and live the best possible life. Living life according to God's will is a testimony to others of the power of the Gospel. Our lives should be used to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.'' (2 Timothy 3:16,17)

These verses tell us that the Bible can help us in at least four areas. First, the Bible is useful for doctrine. This refers to what we believe. The Bible tells us what is true. Everything we hold to in terms of religious doctrine should be found in the Bible. If what we believe is not taught in the Bible, then we should reject it. I challenge you to read and study the Bible for yourself. Accept only what it teaches not what men might tell you.

The Bible is also useful for reproof: telling people what is wrong in their lives. The Bible gives us God's perfect standard of what is right and wrong. This standard does not change with time or circumstance. It is universal and eternal. A lot of laws are based on personal and public opinion. Driving 80 miles per hour may be illegal in one country and legal in another. However, the moral standard that God sets does not change. Telling a lie is always wrong. We can use the Bible to examine our own lives and discover what needs to be changed.

The Bible is useful for correction. Not only does the Bible tell us what is wrong, it tells us how to change what is wrong. It does not just condemn us; it also gives us a solution. The ultimate solution for all sin is allowing Jesus to live in us.

The Bible gives us help in dealing with individual sins. For example, if you often find yourself in arguments, the Bible tells you, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1) The Bible tells us not to be angry and argue. It also tells us that by speaking softly and gently, we can avoid arguments.

The Bible is also useful for instruction in righteousness: teaching how to live right. It tells us what is wrong. It also tells us what is right. If we stop our sinful habits then we have gone only half way. God wants us not just to stop doing what is wrong but to replace it with what is right.

Paul wrote, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.'' (Ephesians 4:28) The thief is not to just stop stealing. He is to also start working and giving to the poor.

In order for the Bible to teach us these things, we must read and study it. A Car Repair Manual can only help us repair our car if we study it and do what it says. God's guidebook for our life: the Bible, can only help us live a satisfying, joyful and peaceful life when we study it and obey it.

The Message of the Bible

2007-01-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

Every great book has one main message or theme. This message connects the various chapters together into a unified whole. The Bible has one main message. The Gospel or Good News is that message.

From early in the book of Genesis, the first book in the Bible, to the end of Revelation, the last book in the Bible, the Gospel message is found. In a nutshell the Good News is that man can only have peace and fellowship with Almighty God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for man's sin and rose from the dead.

The first time the Gospel is presented in the Bible is in Genesis chapter 3 verse 15. After man had fallen into sin. God comes to the first man and woman and confronts them. He curses the snake that Satan used to deceive the woman. God says to the snake, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.''

The Seed of the Woman is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was the Seed of the Woman because He was virgin born. Satan, the one behind the snake's actions, bit the heel of Jesus by encouraging Judas to betray Him that He might be killed. Yet this was not a fatal wound because Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus in His death crushed the power of Satan by providing man with a way to escape slavery to Satan. This verse teaches us that Jesus died so that we can have freedom from Satan. In Jesus we can have victory.

The last time the Gospel is presented in the Bible is in Revelation chapter 22 verse 17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is a thirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.''

To help us understand this verse we need to remember the words of Jesus to the woman at the well. Jesus said to her, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.'' (John 4:14)

The water of life refers to salvation. It satisfies not a physical but a spiritual thirst. Water is essential to physical life. The water of life is essential to spiritual life. Yet the water of life is a free gift. It does not cost us anything. It is free for the asking.

Putting together these two verses, Genesis 3:15 and Revelation 22:17, the first and last presentation of the Gospel in the Bible. We have all the essential ingredients of the Gospel. Eternal life is a free gift. It was paid for when Jesus died on the cross. To receive it, we must come to Jesus.

The Inspiration of the Bible

2007-01-14T04:57:00.000-08:00

The Apostle Peter wrote, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.'' (2 Peter 1:20,21) The entire Bible was written under the supervision of the Holy Spirit. He made sure that no mistakes were made.

The Bible claims to be inspired of God. We are not going to argue that issue in this lesson. This lesson will simply present the Biblical view of inspiration.

How did God work to bring about the Bible? As we examine the statements of Scripture, we discover that a variety of methods were used. The Apostle John tells us, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life.'' (1 John 1:1) When John wrote about Jesus, he wrote as an eye witness.

Large sections of the Bible contain history written by eye witnesses. As they wrote about things that they had seen, God prevented them from making any errors. Two of the Gospels, John and Matthew, were written by eye witnesses. The Gospel of Mark was probably written from what Mark learned from the Apostle Peter. So it too was based on the account of one eye witness.

The Gospel of Luke is slightly different than the others in respect to how God brought in about. Luke says, "It seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.'' (Luke 1:3,4: NAS)

Luke was not an eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus. He also did not base his account on what he learned from any one individual. Rather, it seems that he spoke to many who were eyewitnesses and put together his Gospel from all that he learned. It is believed that he even interviewed Mary, the mother of Jesus. After his careful research, he began to write out what he had learned and God supervised his writing to ensure that it was without error.

Other parts of Scripture were given to individuals by direct revelation. A good example of this is Daniel. He wrote, "And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.'' (Daniel 8:15,16)

The prophets wrote much that God told them directly, some of which they did not even understand! God by different means and through different people brought about the writing of His perfect Word: the Bible. This leads to an important question: Why did God go to all the trouble of providing a perfect inspired book of Scriptures? What is God trying to tell us? What is the message of the Bible? My next post will deal with this subject.

Obedience

2007-01-06T07:01:00.000-08:00

The final requirement for spiritual growth is obedience to God's will. This is where Faith becomes real, Bible study becomes relevant, prayer gains fervency and witnessing grows in power.

To disobey our heavenly Father brings sorrow. To obey brings joy and eternal rewards.
God's will for your life is good and satisfying. Paul wrote, "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.'' (Romans 8:28)

God's will for your life is good but that does not mean it is easy. Difficult times will make you stronger. Hard decisions will make your commitment firm.

Obedience happens one day at a time. Obey the truth God has already revealed to you and He will reveal more. God gives us His will for our lives one step at a time. Trust Him and obey Him.

Witnessing

2007-01-02T02:12:00.000-08:00

Every Christian is called to be a witness for Jesus. Immediately before Jesus returned to His Father, He told His followers, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me.'' (Acts 1:8)

The idea of the professional witness is foreign to Scripture. The Bible does not teach that it is the duty of the clergy alone to witness. The minister is not paid to do all the Church's outreach.

Luke tells us, that after the death of Stephen, great persecution came upon the first Church. He goes on to say, "They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles. . . . They that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the Word.'' (Acts 8:1,4)

The professionals, the Apostles, stayed in Jerusalem. The lay people, the regular Church members, went out from Jerusalem. Where ever they went they witnessed.

The preaching in this passage means proclaiming, telling. It was both by action and by speech. It was both to individuals and to groups.

A Christian who is not a witness will soon lose his enthusiasm for spiritual things. God intends for us to tell others what He has done. An active witness encourages us in our Bible study, prayer and fellowship.

Fellowship

2006-12-28T04:32:00.000-08:00

In order to mature spiritually, we need a personal relationship with God. We also need close friends who are committed Christians. Man is not an island unto himself. He is greatly effected by those around him.

A Christian's closest friends should be other Christians. It is best if these friends agree with you about the basic teachings of Scripture. Friends can be a great source of strength, comfort and help.

The Bible has much to say about friendship. Amos 3:3 teaches that friends must have a common interest. Friendship is based on one or more areas of agreement. If this agreement is concerning spiritual things, the friendship has a solid foundation.

To take this to an extreme is to ignore the example of Christ. Those closest to Jesus were His disciples. They were His best friends. He spent more time with them than with any others.
However Jesus was called a friend of sinners. (Matthew 11:19) We should have friends who are not Christian. We can use our friendship to draw them to Christ.

Christian fellowship is also found in Church activities. Worship services and Bible studies should be a time of fellowship with the Lord and with other believers. Other Church centered times, such as special celebrations, ministering to those in need, or other activities, should bring Christians closer together, provide mutual encouragement and strengthen spiritual commitment.

Prayer

2006-12-19T03:13:00.000-08:00

God speaks to us through the Bible. We speak to God through prayer. Both are necessary for a growing relationship.

Prayer is one of the most neglected areas of the Christian life. Prayer is an expression of our Faith in God. Prayer is a source of spiritual refreshment and strength. Prayer can result in the almighty power of God working for us. Prayer is essential if we are to have an abundant life.

There are three main aspects to prayer: praise, repentance and petitions. Not every prayer contains all three. Prayer before we eat is often just praise for God's blessings. However to enjoy a powerful prayer life, all three should be in our daily prayers.

Praise is lifting up the Name of God. We should worship God in prayer by honouring Who He is and what He had done. We should thank Him for His blessings and provisions. Psalm 138 is an example of a prayer of praise.

Repentance is admitting to God our sin and turning away from it. Once a person is saved, he no longer needs to fear God's eternal punishment for sin. However unconfessed sin in our lives can damage our relationship with God.

God will punish sin in the life of a Christian. We need not fear hell and the Lake of Fire, but we should reverently fear the hand of God as we live on this earth. Therefore we should confess our daily sins to God that He might forgive us. Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance.

Petitions are the requests that we bring before the Lord. God desires that we ask Him for what we need. We should also pray for others. We can pray that the sick be healed, the lost be convicted and the broken hearted be comforted.

God is our Father. As our Father, He wants to make us happy. Therefore He patiently listens to our requests and answers them according to what is best for us and for others. Psalm 64 is a prayer for physical safety and help.