Holy Spirit

The Power is With You and In You

Dr. Mike Journey in Christ , , , , , , ,

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In our early business career, are we not usually exposed to various programs of self-development to provide us with an edge in our business dealings? You probably can easily recall attending seminars and workshops where you gained the latest management and personal insight in your field. You probably read books and listened to audio messages written by the latest guru of the times. You may have practiced exercises to maintain a positive mental attitude and to develop supreme self-confidence in yourself. Everything you did most likely was to build yourself so that you would have the edge over others. But somewhere through all this you may have, like I did, found it non-fulfilling. It didn’t satisfy the inner hunger, only strengthening the outer image that was being carried before others.

Then one day, like me, you received a “spiritual slap.” For those not familiar with the old TV after-shave commercial, it goes like this: a man is standing in  front of the bathroom mirror just putting down his razor after his morning shave. He reaches for a bottle of after-shave lotion, dabs a little on his hand and proceeds to slap his face. The punch line he states then is “Thanks, I needed that.” A spiritual slap is like that. It’s being spiritually slapped by our Heavenly Dad to awaken us from our blindness and stupor. It breathes a fresh aroma into our dull life. It jump-starts us for the day and hurdles us unto the next track meet. It revitalizes the soul. It brings a fresh stream of running waters in our life. It makes us want to stand up and dance. It’s the light bulb turning itself on in our inner being. After which, we only are able to humbly kneel before our Creator and thank Him for graciously being involved in our life, for giving us a spiritual breakthrough. That is what we call the “spiritual slap.”

Well, after I received one of these spiritual slaps, it became apparent that all the self-improvement going on in my life up to that time, was creating myself into an image of success. It was Michael working hard to develop solid habits of leadership, self-discipline, social charm so that Michael would look good in the eyes of others. So that Michael could get from life what Michael solely desired. So that Michael …Michael …Michael …etc. Do you get the point? Everything Michael did was built around Michael. It took God’s mercy to awaken me from the ignorance.

There is nothing wrong with working to improve the self. It’s that we need to build our life on a solid foundation where everyone comes out a winner. What good is it to gain the whole world for ourselves at the expense of others? When we pursue our selfish interest only to sacrifice “me, myself, and I” or “only to protect our little world,” don’t we generally do so at the expense of others?

Imagine a world where everyone only pursues their own interest without concern for others. A world where everyone pursues what they want without placing boundaries on themselves. A world where everyone pursues what they want without a peaceful formula to settle differences. Would that describe a world in chaos? How close is that to our present world? Do you know how war and strife starts between people? (James 4:1-3)

What does all this have to do with the power of the Holy Spirit?  Everything, plus more. The problem is that we work to change our self from the outside-in. We work to improve the outer image and forget the inner man. We play the role of creator in our life. We determine what is of value based on our own, limited, human understanding. It is a frustrating, difficult if not impossible work, to change one’s heart to be perfect like the Creator’s. It takes the Power of the Creator to change it. You and I with all the resources from the universities, research laboratories, and private/public institutions do not have the tools to make it happen. It takes God to make it happen.

When the Holy Spirit became active in our life, this life begins to change from the inside-out. I remember one instance that made me become aware of this change from the inside-out. In my early career, I was very impatient. I hated to wait for anything. I needed instant gratification or my insides would become a short circuit fuse box with wires exploding around it. A war would be ravaging in my emotional channels.  I wasn’t a pleasant person to be with at times like this. Anyhow, several years after the Holy Spirit became active in this life, I found myself waiting for an appointment with a gentleman. He was going to be late. Normally, I would wait for five minutes and if the client didn’t arrive, then I would leave. I didn’t have the patience to wait. But this time I found myself waiting. I just sat there reading a magazine letting the time go by. When his secretary came to get me, I looked at the time and notice it was over a twenty minute wait. I found myself chuckling down the corridor before I met him. It was a change from the inside-out that I didn’t do anything to make happen. It was simply the power of the Holy Spirit doing His work in my life. This was the first time that I really noticed a change in my character that I couldn’t take any credit for. It was here that the realization came that God is truly creating a masterpiece in His children if we surrender ourselves to Him and let Him change our inner being to be made totally in His Image and Likeness.

This is only one of the many powerful attributes on how the Holy Spirit blesses us. Another attribute of the Holy Spirit is the attitude that He instills in us. This is one of the great paradoxes of the Christian life. You find yourself discouraged, but yet full with joy. You are angry, but still at peace. You feel emotionally hurt, yet still reach out in love. The list is endless. In Galatians, Paul writes about the attributes of the Holy Spirit in contrast to the satanic side of human nature (Gal 5: 16-25). He calls them the “fruit” of the Spirit and lists them as love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And states that these spiritual qualities come in one’s life not by keeping any laws or rules or principles, but they come in one’s life by the Holy Spirit. They are a gift from God. Though one needs to believe and obey God to receive the Spirit (Act 5:32). The Holy Spirit doesn’t reside in the lives of people who are rebellious against God. But only upon those who truly have surrender their all into the hand of God. Typically, this is given at the time one is baptized and hands are place on you by church elders in prayer requesting God to impart the Holy Spirit in you; it’s when you make a public announcement that you have surrendered your life to God. There are volumes of books written on the Holy Spirit; about His divinity, His role in the Godhead, and His involvement in our life. My purpose is only to highlight His power to change our life and create within each disciple an overflowing, abundant, treasure of spiritual wealth that is ever refreshing and ever giving. It is a Power that changes lives from inside-out and touches the lives of everyone around you. It cannot be hidden for long.

My early frustration in walking with the Lord was trying to become a Christian by doing it all myself. I wanted to be like Jesus Christ and wanted to be like Him now. I was on the fast track to becoming the perfect Christian. No life long process for me. I had my Benjamin  Franklin habit list made out and began tackling each item on that list. I was going to become the perfect Christian overnight. No ten year plan for me. I was on the one year, fast track to holiness plan. Yes sir, the Christian world is going to rise up and take notice of me; the making of a Christian superstar. No stopping me. Well, that was my attitude; a self-centered approach of becoming a Christian. I started by  focusing on exercising more outward love. I would read scripture relating to the benefits of love. I would meditate on the fruits of love. I would pray asking God to make me more loving.  I would read books on being more loving.  I setup guidelines and rules of behavior to become more loving.  I did everything in my power to change myself to become more loving. Now, I probably became slightly more lovable then before I started all this. But, after many, many years of working at love, I had to admit we haven’t arrived to where I thought I ought to be. It was about this  time that I experienced another one of those “spiritual slaps.” In hindsight, while I was working to change myself in the area of love, God was working to change other areas of my life that I didn’t think was that necessary. In my youth, I was more arrogant, prideful, and supremely confident in myself than today. But didn’t think it was a problem that required priority attention. Instead, I focused on love. Meanwhile, while working on becoming more loving, the Holy Spirit worked on my interior heart and changed my attitude from the above three to a more humble, service-oriented, and faithful disciple of our Lord.

In looking back, I have come to realize that He is the Master Potter and we are only the clay. That there is great comfort in knowing that He knows what is top priority in our life and He will create His masterpiece in us. Our mission is to diligently yield to Him and trust Him to accomplish the work that He has started in us. Meanwhile, I have become more patient today then I was yesterday. But also realize that no matter how much more we become, it is still far short of the patience that God has for us. His patience is supreme. He is more patient than the most patient person you can think of multiplied many times over. The attitude and spiritual qualities that the Holy Spirit manifests within us are His qualities. He gives as much or as little as He pleases. They are all a gift from Him. Though He is very generous and wants to give us more than we ever ask or imagine, we must still ask and seek diligently. But we must realize that He has the final say.  We are not talking about a positive mental attitude (PMA).  Though God has more PMA than the top ten PMA’s of the world. To cultivate a positive mental attitude is something that we do ourselves apart from God. I know. I did. What the Holy Spirit offers is more than just PMA. They are more than emotional or mental attributes that we control. He implants within us a fruit seed that through proper cultivation grows within us to become like Him. Imagine a life where the fruit of the Holy Spirit overflows out from a person touching others; a life that is rich in love, joy and peace. Imagine being in a room with one dozen other people who are rich in love, joy and peace. You want. to experience a natural high? There are few greater highs than experiencing the richness of God with others.

Most people who I have met express the desire to have more love, joy and peace in their life. Yet most people pursue these qualities in a worldly fashion. Television and magazine commercials associate these qualities with physical items or activities. Movies portray that these qualities are only attained if we be willing to sin. Another life guru arrives on the scene with his philosophy to a path way of more love, joy and peace in your life. When in fact, the Holy Spirit is willing to start His work in you if you are willing to repent and surrender your life to the Creator of this universe. The problem most of us have is that we are not willing to do it God’s way. We either can’t believe it works, or we have witness Christian amateurs who never fully commit to discipleship, or we want an easier route that fits into our lifestyle. God laid out a simple plan outlined in the Bible that each person with a desire to know and seek may experience the power of Himself in their life. Why not give it a real try?

I’m sorry to say but many of us would not recognize the power of God if they were directly confronted by it. We think of God coming in great power to shake up the heavens and earth. Rarely do we think of God coming in a whisper. When Elijah sought an answer from God, he kept looking into the major events confronting him at the time. But God spoke to him in a whisper (I Kings 19:11-12). He speaks to many of us in the same way; in a very low key manner. Our problem is we just don’t recognize it because we don’t recognize God. We don’t recognize God because we don’t know Him. We don’t know Him, because we don’t invest much time in developing a meaningful relationship with Him. If we knew God better than we do, we would see the invisible fruit that He produces in the lives of those around us. You would see the fruit being produced in your life, your children, your mate, your parents, your friends, your business associates, etc. You wouldn’t have to look for physical signs or miracles. You would listen to the changes in people’s lives. You would feel the emotional change in lives. You would sense the peace and calmness in people while their world was being torn apart. You would notice something different in their life and write it off as a growing up thing. Ask God to allow the Holy Spirit to come into your life and change it. It takes faith. It takes belief. It takes a disciple of His fully surrendering personal ambitions, plans and dreams. It takes much. But it also receives much. And also gives much. God does anything He desires. And His desire is that you come to know Him and the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Have you?

OUR PRAYER

PRAY 9

Oh Heavenly Dad, Thank you for giving us a Counselor, Coach, and Helper in The Holy Spirit. Let Your Spirit saturate us with You. Let Your Divine Fruit live in us, grow in us, and multiply in us so we can glorify Your name with all the people we meet. Help us to introduce You to each person we meet through Your Spirit. Let Your Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Kindness, Mercy, Humility, and Self-Control be present always with each person we meet. Let them come to know You through me. Again, thank you for choosing me as your  vessel of encouragement and inspiration. Help me live this life in Your glory always. Amen.

 
Dr. Mike

 

WHERE DOES YOUR RECOGNIZATION COME FROM?

Dr. Mike Essays , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A DISCIPLE’S PRAYER
PRAY 9

Dear Wonderful Dad:
You are my success, joy, and recognition in everything I do. You surround me with your Grace and Presence each and every day. You give me more than I deserve. You make my cup overflow with your abundant riches. Everything I own is a loan from you. You created everything for us to share in and we likewise share it with others. Without you there is nothing worth owning, possessing, or having. You add value to everything because you created value. I can never express my gratitude and thankfulness for your involvement in my life. Everything is because of you.

If I have not express my thanks to you today, let me say thank you again and again. If I have already expressed my thanks to you today, express it again. There is not enough time in a day to thank you for your Grace, your Gifts, but more importantly just knowing you. We humbly thank you and express our gratitude.

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“so we, who are many, are one body in Christ,
and individually members one of another.”
Romans 12:5

Why do you serve? Do you want to let the world know how good of a person you are? Does ii make you feel important? Or is it just a part of your nature? Do you truly believe it is more blessed to give than receive?
 

I just finished reading an old Discipleship Journal magazine which had an article entitled “Secret Service.” The article outlined how a few Christ-followers are serving others incognito. They practice the scripture of not letting your right-hand know what your other hand is doing in serving others. When they help others they do it either through a third party or in secret. At the end of the day, all glory goes to God and the act. They just receive the personal satisfaction of helping others without the fanfare. I love it.
 

Was Jesus’ primary attitude to draw attention to Him or to help others for their sake with as little fanfare as possible? Did Jesus die for us because He wanted to achieve personal glory or because He Loves us? When He walked the earth, who did He give the glory to?
 

As His disciple, I have learned that the glory and honor belongs to Jesus, my Heavenly Dad, and the Holy Spirit. All the glory and praise is God’s. I have come to realize that everything I accomplish, whether in service or for personal gain, I achieve only because of God’s grace. For starters, He gives me life itself. He gives me the air to breathe, makes my heart tick, and mind to operate effectively (unless I damage it). He gives me His Spirit of compassion and love. He allows me to work and earn an income. He allowed me to be born in America, the land of physical wealth and personal freedom. He blesses me so I can bless others. He provides me the opportunities to serve. He teaches me the joy and privilege of serving. No wonder all the praises and glory go to Him. Everything begins and ends with Him.
 

I don’t need the recognition anymore. My recognition comes from Him. I am His disciple and He takes exceptionally good care of me. All recognition goes to Him. What about you? Where are you in your relationship with Jesus?

 

Dr. Mike

 

How Do You Cultivate a Ministry for God’s Kingdom in Your World Today?

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By Dr. Mike

Introduction
The theological and biblical foundation for ministry is the acceptance of a personal calling built on individual and community values shaped through time, education, and life experiences. This essay therefore outlines a ministry built on making God’s Kingdom come alive in a person’s world by exercising a daily life transformation process of ¹ accepting Jesus Christ’ as Lord, Redeemer, Teacher, Hero, and Friend; ² learning to work with and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in one’s life, and ³ receiving confirmation by the results God produces in one’s world. The outcome leads the Jesus-Apprentice to taste God’s Kingdom today while simultaneously being spiritually transformed for eternity.KINGDOM 7

1) Kingdom of God

The central-theme of Jesus Christ’s ministry pertains to proclaiming the Kingdom of God.(1)  Jesus expounded his role as the Messiah, King and Lord.(2)  He instructed others on standards of conduct within the Kingdom.(3)  He assigned seats of authority to his inner circle of twelve disciples when the Kingdom makes it complete arrival on earth.(4)  He died at the hands of the Romans as the King of the Jews.(5)  His entire ministry was spent in preparing his chosen few to become equip to lead and teach others regarding the Kingdom.

He spoke of a new world government rather than a heavenly retirement home.  Isaiah prophesied the same.(6)  Just prior to Jesus’ birth, angels proclaim his kingship to His mother.(7)  Throughout scripture the emphasis is on government and begs the question “Who shall you serve?  In today’s American culture, people have lost the significance of a higher authority or heavenly government and no longer ask “Who is my boss” or “Who am I accountable to?”   Instead, each person generally focuses on pleasing themselves and has become their own creator, unless God’s Spirit is regenerating their life.

God hates rebellion.(8)  When people fail to acknowledge His reign in their life they are openly rebelling against their Creator.  And like any form of government, open or even quiet rebellion leads to disunity and eventual removal from its protection. In our world, defiance to governmental authority may lead to expulsion or even capital punishment. God though wants all people to willingly participate within His governmental operations. He wants all people to come under his benevolent authority and reap the benefits of His Kingdom.

The concept of God’s Kingdom lays the foundation and goal of a person’s life.  When a person understands that this life is a preparation for eternity, the means become just as important as the end results. When one begins to understand and place scripture together, one must ask the question, “What are Christ-followers being prepared for after death?”  The answers are gray, but imply a certain theme of leadership.  John writes that you shall “be king and priests”(9)  An implication of a combined governmental and ministry role, not hammock swingers.  It also raises the question of what characteristics are important for Kingdom living.  Will people be allowed to enter without God’s love, faith in Christ, or hope in His Promises as the cornerstone of their life?  Will those with unrepentant illicit behavior be allowed entrance? (10)

The Bible records the outcome of the Kingdom as a new heaven and a new earth and the beginning of a new age.(11)  The Christ-follower learns today how to live in harmony, in oneness, and in relationship with the Lord of the Kingdom – Jesus Christ.  As a Believer walks with his Lord, he becomes familiar with His commands, His techniques with working with people, His desires and His goals for living. Only Believers partake in a taste of the Kingdom today.

The message of the Kingdom carried more weight with the Jewish recipients in the first century who were waiting for the return of the Messiah and the establishment of the prophetic Kingdom.(12)  The message of the Kingdom is the prophetic vision turned into reality.  The reason God chose Israel, blessed them, produced Jesus’ lineage and the church from them is the eternal process of the heavenly plan set in place from the beginning of time.

KINGDOM 1

2) Jesus Our Model for Ministry

Though Jesus stands as the ideal model for ministry, being fully God and fully man gives Him an advantage that today’s disciple can never attain.  However, if God in the flesh preached a certain message, practiced certain disciplines, and fulfilled a plan mission, what does it state to all his apprentices today as they follow Him with the assistance of the Holy Spirit?

What message did Jesus preached?  He started His ministry preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God. He likewise gave narrative parables on describing the Kingdom of God. Wherever He went, God’s Kingdom came alive – demons were cast away, diseases disappeared from people’s lives, illnesses were cured, sins were forgiven, the dead were resurrected.

Likewise, He outlined His job description fulfilling a prophetic anointing of the Spirit and invested the remaining part of His ministry completing it. Wherever He went, the Spirit was ignited with a touch, a question, a word, or a parable.

3) Jesus Pre-Told, Told, and Post-Told His Life’s Ministry.

How many people do you know throughout history that foretold their accomplishments before they were even born, achieved their goals, died, and then personally reviewed their life’s work putting everything into perspective?

The only person in history who can make that statement is Jesus Christ.  The Old Testament highlights scriptures that point and confirm the birth, place, and purpose of the Messiah that Jesus fulfilled in his lifetime.  During His ministry, he expounded and confirmed that He was the Messiah.  After His resurrection, he spent another forty days sharing and further teaching His disciples what His mission working through the Church is to accomplish.

Jesus is either who He claims to be or is not…and He gives all people the freedom to choose.

4) The Nature of God: Systematic Order, Love, and Reconciliation

God’s entire creation falls under his domain.  He created it, sustains it, and governs it in a systematic manner.  One only must look at creation to realize that an Intelligent Designer had to be involved.  The odds of probability are more realistic with Intelligence behind the wheel than every systematic order just simply evolving into its current position.  God’s nature surrounds us through His creation, His purpose, and His method of operations.

God is love; but not uncontrolled love.  God’s love is built on holiness and is motivated with freedom for a person to choose to reciprocate the same love back to Him and with others.  God’s character resounds with love.  Paul writes in Corinthians describing what love is which also describes what God is like.(13)

Likewise, God wants all people to be reconciled back to him and have a meaningful relationship with Him. Satan, sin, and death have taken people away from God.  This world’s systems are based on values contra to God’s.  The good news of Jesus Christ is that his death and resurrection brings victory from Satan, sin, and death. He accepted the death penalty for all people and his victorious life after death makes him ruler over all powers and authorities with Satan, sin, and death subject to himself.

 5) The Church Continues Jesus Ministry

The last command Jesus gave the Church was to be proactive in making disciples, bringing them into the spiritual family of God, and teaching them how life in God’s Kingdom is to be lived.(14)  Just as Jesus lived his life with purpose, He also lived doing good works.  Wherever He went and was addressed with a need that was within His ability to correct or heal, He did.  Like His job description(15), He touched people’s life fulfilling his calling.  Every touch, every word, every miracle, every parable was an introduction into making God’s Kingdom come alive before others.

The Church continues His purpose today.  For example, whenever a disaster occurs, the universal body reaches out to help.

Though many faith communities have lost the power to achieve results that Christ accomplished, there are a few ministries where God’s power is constantly being demonstrated through its membership and throughout the community.  Most of these though are in foreign countries where Christianity is growing exponentially and is not stagnate as in the United States.(16)

In the United States, Christ-followers without status or name recognition are ministering to those in need and fulfilling the same ministry that Christ started in the first century. When one reviews any denominational monthly magazine, the articles communicate how members are serving their communities, neighbors, and local congregations.  Each article generally refers to Believers acting on a ministry which Christ started in the first century.

6) The Holy Spirit Is Always WorkingKINGDOM 6

On that first Pentecost after Christ ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit made His public debut by baptizing the disciples with fire, gifting people to understand what was being preached no matter what language they communicated in, and leading over 3,000 people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.(17)

With Christ out of the picture, the apostles continued with preaching His message and conducting the same work in healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.(18)  The agent that was producing all this was the Holy Spirit.  In the name of Christ, the Holy Spirit continued the same Work in the first century and continues the same Work today.

A recent slogan campaign read “What Would Jesus Do”?  It would have been more appropriate if it asked “What is Jesus Doing?” The first slogan puts the emphasis on ethical behavior whereas the second focuses more on being aware of God’s Work in one’s world. The first puts emphasis on what one is doing, the other on what God is doing.

As one pursues God, investing more time walking with Him, and studying His word and creation while experiencing transformation, one learns how the Spirit works in peoples’ lives.  From working with a person prior to conversion and through the regeneration process, the Spirit leads.  It is God’s Spirit that is always working.  Jesus made the same claim regarding his Father.

Yet the Spirit doesn’t reside where disobedience thrives.  When the Christ-follower diligently pursues God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, the Spirit becomes more alive in the person’s life. As the wind blows but no one can see it, the results though are made known.  The same is true with the Spirit.  The Spirit cannot be seen, but His results are noticed.  For example, someone to say in a believing fashion “Jesus is Lord” requires the Spirit’s involvement.  Again, to understand the relationship between Law and Grace requires the Spirit’s involvement.

As the Christ-follower submits to the Lord’s lead, the Spirit plays a greater role in their development.  For example in praying, whenever words escape us the Spirit leads us to what to pray for.  Or in serving the church, the Spirit provides us with gifts that we can share with one another in building up the Body. As one learns how the Spirit works within ones personal life, than one is able to become more aware of his working in the lives of others. A Biblical example would be the apostle Paul.

In Paul’s letters, he wrote about his relationship with Jesus Christ and his experience being led by the Holy Spirit.  How can someone write such concepts unless one also lived the experience? For example Paul understood and wrote about: the working of the Spirit in the regeneration process;(19)  that the Spirit exudes love in the Believer;(20)  only those led by the Spirit are sons of God;(21)  the Spirit provides the means for a personal relationship with the Heavenly Father;(22)  the Spirit intercedes for Believers;(23)  the Spirit translates the things of God for Believers;(24)  the Spirit gives Believers tools to serve others in the Church;(25)  the Spirit is at war with the world’s powers;(26)  the Spirit generates God’s character in Believers;(27)  the Spirit leads one to eternal life;(28)  the Spirit surrounds Believers with freedom;(29)  the Spirit empowers Believers to have faith, speak, and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord;(30)  the Spirit is a guarantee of God’s promises;(31)  and that the Spirit confirms that the Believer is Christ’s.(32)

7) The 21st Century Mission Versus 1st Century Mission

When comparing the 1st century Work with the 21st century, there are similarities and differences that one can learn from to apply in mission today.  The 1st century mission was to proclaim the good news throughout the world making disciples of all people, baptizing them into the God family, and teaching them all that Jesus taught.(33)  The same mission continues in the 21st century.

Though in the 21st century, a greater movement is occurring in the poorer economic countries, however the higher challenge remain in the richer countries like the US and Europe.  The challenge facing the American mission field are the miss-communications of the gospel or the partial message being conveyed to its hearers. Both a similar problem discussed in the early church.(34)  The world’s culture has a greater influence in the church than kingdom priorities and values.

Paul wrote to the Galatians church chastising them for acceptance of a different gospel from what he initially preached to them.(35)  He preached a gospel of grace that is based on believing Jesus Christ is the Messiah, Lord, and Redeemer.  Today’s generations typically hear a message of Jesus as Savior, but do not understand His role as their Messiah or Lord. The vision of what discipleship brings and what messiah means is missed by today’s ignorant church member. Being raised in today’s current Christian culture with its similarity with today’s worldly culture, the basic understanding of scripture has disappeared from their life.(36)  Christian leaders need to make the message of scripture become real in today’s Christ-follower.  Otherwise, today’s Christian becomes another world religion and not the life-changing, transforming relationship of walking with the living God.

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8) Need to Develop and Equip People to Lead Ministry.

Besides being teacher and shepherd, today’s elder must also be a Kingdom coach, discipleship mentor, and vision caster.  Paul writes in Ephesians that the church must educate, equip, and prepare its people for ministry.(37)  The church member is not a spectator, but a participant in the Work of the ministry.  The body of Christ is a team focused on following the lead of the Holy Spirit towards influencing Kingdom results in people’s lives.(38)

As Christ-followers learn to deny themselves,(39) discover their spiritual gifts,(40) and learn to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in their life,(41) they will eventually find themselves in a ministry that continues the Work of Jesus Christ in some fashion.  The Work may be a healing ministry, a preaching ministry, a teaching ministry, or any one of the areas that Christ wants that person to move into to serve others and be an ambassador for God’s Kingdom.

There is no greater role for an elder but upon leaving their assignment to have other elders or deacons in place to continue the work that was started.(42)  A faith community without spiritual lay leadership in place will eventually become unfruitful and stagnate.  A congregation that relies solely on its pastor for ministry will rarely grow.  One person can only accomplish so much.  It takes a team of dedicated servant leaders to rally, direct, motivate, and channel its resources towards Kingdom objectives.  When a faith community can see, touch, and speak with lay members who are living examples of spiritual energy and allow themselves to be mentored by such Christ-followers, the church has resources that are more valuable than facilities, programs, or even sermon messages.

The greatest sermons are those never preached, but only lived.  The best is a lay leadership team solely inspired by the Holy Spirit to unleash its faith community for ministry.  Pastors must take charge to develop such a team that will outlive their tenure and always stay focus on Kingdom work.

9) Growing Beyond Ones Comfort Zone

Each person learns church by watching what others do.  If one grew up in a faith community, one most likely attended with their parents.  If one started attending later in life, one chose a community that felt comfortable with the surroundings. Either way, church to each person is what one has experienced within a community of believers. Therefore, when one talks about Church one typically visualizes one’s current experiences to date.

Pastors are typically trained to do church dependent on the denominational seminary attended.  The results of the denominations speak for themselves as many are losing members and new seekers are not interested in their culture.  The fastest growing churches today are typically non-denominational with an entrepreneurial flair.  That is senior pastors are thinking out-of-the-box to reach people from their perspective rather than from the churches vantage point.

For today’s Pastor to reach beyond current norms, one must change perspectives from communicating with Churchy phraseology to current marketplace terminology.  In addition, one must change from presenting the gospel within its church walls to reaching out into the community with the same message but living it out loud.

For most pastors, the change is difficult.  Most pastors are trained in biblical knowledge and counseling skills but not in management or leadership.  The latter two are business skills that separate the growth churches from stagnate, dying churches. Most people are content to keep the status quo including pastors.  However, if a pastor is willing to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, he will start an adventurous journey to lead their assigned faith community to make the largest kingdom impact within their world.

Whatever skill sets are missing, the Spirit will provide.(43)  The pastor may not initially recognize them, but over time the fruit will come out and the results will be produced when one steps out in faith and allows God’s Work and not church politics or bureaucracy have its way.  The safe route without risks produces unexcitable results. When calculated risks are taken, faith applied, and the Spirit-empowers, the results produce personal growth and organizational achievement.

When one pushes ones comfort zone, one must depend on God greater than ever. When the results are achieved, one also realizes where the growth and success comes from, and it’s not from self, but from a loving God who cares and wants His people to grow in grace and knowledge.  The push beyond ones comfort zone creates the environment for one to rely on God and see how great a God one serves.

10) Conclusion

The basis for a theology of ministry is built on scripture, personal relationship with the living God, and the life experiences based on faithful living.  The fundamental beliefs are the scriptural foundation of God’s kingdom now and in its future completeness, discipleship with Jesus Christ and His message, His resurrection and future resurrection of believers, plus the current Work of the Holy Spirit.  The bottom-line is helping people develop a stronger, personal relationship with the living God and allow God to have His way with each believer.

In summary, the ideal ministry is built on making God’s Kingdom come alive in a person’s world by exercising a daily transformation process of 1) accepting Jesus Christ’ reign as Lord, Savior, Teacher, Hero, and Friend; 2) learning to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in one’s life; and 3) receiving confirmation by the kingdom results God produces in one’s world.

Notes:

[1] Mark 1:14-15; “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Luke 4:43-44; But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because          that is why I was sent.”  And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.   NIV

[2] John 4:25-26; The woman said, “I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”  NIV

John 13:12-13; “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. NIV

John 18:37; “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”  NIV

[3] Matthew Chapter 5 through Chapter 8

[4] Matt 19:28-29; Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. NIV

[5] Matt 27:37; Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. NIV

[6] Isa 9:6-7; For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. NIV

[7] Luke 1:29-33; But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” NIV

[8] 1 Sam 15:23; For rebellion is like the sin of divination.   Jer 28:16; Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.'” NIV

[9] Rev 5:10; You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” NIV

[10] Gal 5:19-21; The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. NIV

[11] Rev 21:1-5; Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

[12] Nelson Bible Dictionary: Kingdom of God;

[13]1 Corinthians 13; If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. NIV

[14] Matt 28:17-20; Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. NIV

[15] Luke 4:17-21; The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your earing.”

NIV

[16] Christian History Institute, The Explosion of Christianity in Africa: An Unprecedented Spread of the Faith, Glimpses #151, 2003.

[17] Acts 2:1-4; 40-41; When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. ..With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. NIV

[18] Acts 8:12; But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. NIV

Acts 19:8; Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. NIV

[19]Gal 6:14-15; Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. NIV

[20] Rom 5:5; because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

[21] Rom 8:14; because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. NIV

[22] Rom 8:14-17; For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,  Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. NIV

[23]Rom 8:26-27; In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.  NIV

[24] 1 Cor 2:11-15; We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.   The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  NIV

[25] 1 Cor 12:4-5; There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. NIV

[26] Eph 2:1-3; As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

NIV

[27] Gal 5:22-25; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. NIV

[28] Gal 6:7-9; A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. NIV

[29] 2 Cor 3:16-18; Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. NIV

[30] 1 Cor 12:2-3; Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. NIV

[31] 2 Cor 1:21-22; He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  NIV

[32] Rom 8:9-11; You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. NIV

[33] Matt 28:17-20; Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. NIV

[34] Dallas Willard, “Discipleship: For Super-Christians Only?”, Christianity Today, October 10, 1980.

[35] Gal 1:6-7; I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. NIV

[36] The Great Omission, Dallas Willard, 2006, pg 172

 

[37] Eph 2:10; For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. NIV

Eph 4:11-13; It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. NIV

[38] Frank R. Tillapaugh, Unleashing the Church, 1982.

[39] Matt 16:24-25; Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. NIV

[40] 1 Cor 12:4-6; There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. NIV

[41] Rom 8:14; because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. NIV

[42] Aubrey Malphurs, “Developing a Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century, 1999, p 157.

[43] Rom 8:26-27; And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. NIV

Bibliography:

Aubrey Malphurs, “Developing a Vision for Ministry in the 21st Century, 1999, p 157.

Christian History Institute, The Explosion of Christianity in Africa: An Unprecedented Spread of the Faith, Glimpses #151, 2003.

Dallas Willard, The Great Omission, 2006, pg 172

Dallas Willard, “Discipleship: For Super-Christians Only?”, Christianity Today, October 10, 1980.

Frank R. Tillapaugh, Unleashing the Church, 1982.

The Kingdom of God: Nelson Bible Dictionary