Christian Growth
Discipleship Lessons

May God bless you and open your heart and mind as you study these 30-Christian Growth Lessons. These lesson were designed by Dr. Carlos N. Moore to assist you as you continue your journey toward seeking Righteousness. Don't give up and put on the "Whole Armor of God."

CHRISTIAN GROWTH - TABLE OF CONTENTS

LESSON #1 - A Life With a Purpose

LESSON #2 - The Four Stages of Christian Growth

LESSON #3 - The Fruit of the Spirit

LESSON #4 - The Love of God

LESSON #5 - The Love of God Demonstrated

LESSON #6 - Our Love Relationship With God

LESSON #7 - The Inner Circle

LESSON #8 - Loving Ourselves

LESSON #9 - Loving People

LESSON #10 - A Love for the Lost

LESSON #11 - The New Commandment

LESSON #12 - Love Your Enemies

LESSON #13 - Various Relationships

LESSON #14 - Discipleship

LESSON #15 - Servantship

LESSON #16 - The Difference Between a Servant and a Son

LESSON #17 - A Royal Priesthood

LESSON #18 - The Bride of Jesus Christ

LESSON #19 - You Have A Ministry

LESSON #20 - The Ministry of Worship

LESSON #21 - The Ministry of Giving

LESSON #22 - The Making of a Man of God (Part 1)

LESSON #23 - The Making of a Man of God (Part 2)

LESSON #24 - The Ministry of Prayer

LESSON #25 - Sincerity

LESSON #26 - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)

LESSON #27 - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Part 2)

LESSON #28 - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Part 3)

LESSON #29 - How to Know the Will of God

LESSON #30 - Living a Victorious Life

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LESSON #1 - A Life with Purpose

". . . you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God's own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds, and display the virtues and perfections of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"

(I Peter 2:9, Amplified Bible).

Living a life without any real meaning to it--without any goal or purpose--is not only dull and boring, it is miserable! But to the Christian, such a life should not be. If we really understand who we are, what the purpose is for our being here--and where we are going--life will become very exciting indeed!

WHO ARE THESE CHRISTIANS DR. MOORE?

". . . a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God's own purchased, special people ..." (above). "...now are we the sons of God..." (I John 3:2).
"... children of God... joint heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:16, 17).
"...his wife..." (Revelation 19:7).

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A CHRISTIAN?

There are basically two (2) purposes for the Christian: BECOMING & DOING

Becoming

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son . . ." (Romans 8:28, 29).

What we are becoming as a person needs to be our number one priority. It is more important than what we are accomplishing, because if we have the proper character, we will accomplish God's will for our lives. Heaven is not our goal, it is our destiny. Our goal is to become more like Jesus!

We must also note that the Apostle Paul was a man who was not in a spiritual rut. He pressed towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. His one supreme goal was to know Jesus in a more intimate way, and to be identified with Him by his life.

"I therefore so run, not as uncertainly (without a goal); so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (I Corinthians 9:26, 27).

Paul knew that if he would ever be the person Jesus wanted him to be, he must exercise discipline. He had desire, but discipline was also necessary. The body, with its own desires and cravings, must be brought under control and become subject to the Spirit of God!

THE IMPORTANCE OF DISCIPLINE

The word "disciple" comes from the same root word that "discipline" comes from. If we are going to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, we must learn to discipline ourselves. This simply means we must learn to bring our body under subjection. We need to exercise control over our desires, thoughts, emotions, and behavior. In almost every other vocation--for example: sports, music, and a military career such as what Dr. Moore obtained--discipline is the key word for success. Our primary vocation or calling is to be a Christian (Christ-like), and this is only possible when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit and discipline ourselves.

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (II Corinthians 7:1).

". . . the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is come, and his wife (the church) hath made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7).

The emphasis in the above scriptures is that the Holy Spirit does not do it all. We must cleanse ourselves, and make ourselves ready for our bridegroom. It is not always convenient to fast and pray, but it is always necessary. There are many things we could do besides reading the Bible, but man cannot live by bread alone. He needs to partake of the bread of life (the Word of God).

YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU WANT TO BE!

It really is true! What kind of Christian do I want to be? What do I really wish to do with my life? It is up to me to choose whether you will be just an ordinary Christian, or whether you will be a person that God can use in a very special way. Again, discipline is the key word!

Elijah was used of God to bring revival to a whole nation. Was he some super human being?

"Elias (Elijah) was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit" (James 5:17, 18).

What was the key to his success? A disciplined prayer life!

The book of Acts, Chapter Six, informs us of seven men who were appointed as the first deacons of the apostolic church. Five of them were Brothers Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas. How many of them could you have named before you read the last sentence? Probably none. They were just good, ordinary men who did their job in a good, ordinary way.

But what about the other two deacons, Stephen and Philip? They had the same opportunities. The same doors opened to them that opened to the other five. But both went down in church history as great men of God.

Stephen became the first Christian martyr, and Philip became a great evangelist who set the city of Samaria afire with the flames of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and also was responsible for the gospel being carried into the country of Ethiopia. (Acts, Chapters 7 and 8)

Doing

"Go then and make disciples of all the nations..." (Matthew 28:19, Amplified Bible).

"...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

"...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

The responsibility of reaching this world with the gospel of Jesus Christ does not belong to preachers only. Every child of God is to be a witness for Jesus Christ. The spiritual-minded Christian is not content with just existing. He has learned that the only truly happy life is when we get involved with the work of God, and are busy for Jesus. He has learned that true joy comes when we have the right priorities:

Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.

There is a lot of meaning in the words of Jesus, "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it" (Luke 17:33). When we truly lose sight of ourselves and begin to live for others, we will be partakers of the abundant life.

Read Luke 6:38. What is this scripture referring to? Give what? Where does it say that this is referring to material things only? When you read the eleven verses before verse 38, you will realize that Jesus was talking about giving love. What we have is what the world needs most. We have Jesus, and we have truth. We also possess the love of God, because God is love! We are vessels of His truth, and we need to be channels of His love:

"God's love was not put in your heart to stay; Love isn't love, until it's given away!"

If we live our little selfish "walled-in" lives, we will go backwards in our walk with Jesus Christ, who said: "... the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

Jesus Christ loved others, lived for others, and finally died for others! Is there a real reason for being in this world? Did God save us for a reason? Yes, He does love us, and wants to share eternity with us, but He also wants us to be busy becoming more like Him, and doing His will--becoming, and doing!

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LESSON #2 - Four Stages of Christian Growth

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:2).

". . . that we might arrive at really mature manhood--the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection--the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ, and the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children . . .Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth in all things--speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him, Who is the Head, even Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed one" (Ephesians 4:13-15, Amplified Bible).

STAGE #1 - THE BABY STAGE

When we are born into the kingdom of God by repentance, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receiving the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-7), we are not automatically mature Christians. We are "babes in Christ."

It would not be normal for a baby to be born, and the same day begin to walk and talk. He must go through many stages of development before he is physically and mentally able to do these things. But a baby is expected to grow and develop. For instance, if a two-year-old child is still not walking, there is cause for concern.

As it is with the natural world, so is it with the spiritual world. When we come into the church of Jesus Christ, most of us have much to learn. We are not yet ready for the "meat" of God's Word. We must stick to our "milk bottle" for a while. Peter tells us that as "new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).

THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS WROTE:

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age (mature) . . ." (Hebrews 5:12-14).

The author calls the "milk of the word" the "first principles of the oracles of God."

Then he lists them in Hebrews 6:1-2:

1. Repentance from dead works

2. Faith toward God

3. Doctrine of baptisms (water and Spirit)

4. Laying on of hands

5. Resurrection of the dead

6. Eternal judgment

The author refers to these six principles of the doctrine of Christ as the very foundation of our Christian experience and life. That is what a newborn babe needs--a good, solid foundation upon which he can build his life for Jesus!

The newborn babe does not need to understand all the mysteries connected with the books of Daniel and Revelation.

He needs to understand and be persuaded of the truths that have brought him into his new relationship with Jesus Christ (faith toward God, repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit). He needs to have an understanding that there is life after death, and that someday all men will stand before the judgment throne of God.

Besides these truths, the new Christian needs to be taught important principles that lead to Christian Growth: prayer and fasting, faithfulness to God and His body, worship, giving, holiness, etc.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BABIES:

1. Natural: A newborn babe is totally dependent upon his parents for all his needs. He cannot sit, crawl, walk, nor run. He cannot feed himself, nor change his diapers. All his needs are met by other people. He often must make those needs known by crying, as he has no other way to express them.

2. Spiritual: A new convert must be taught how to study and read the Bible. He does not have the ability to "feed himself." He must be taught how to communicate with God, just as a natural baby must be taught to communicate with people. He must be taught how to walk with God, the same as a natural baby must learn to sit up, stand, and eventually walk.

The natural baby will often fall, until its muscles are more fully developed. It is the same with the spiritual baby. Therefore the saints and leaders must have much patience as the new convert gradually develops his "spiritual muscles."

NOTE: Sometimes the saints bring people to church, and after they are converted, they expect the pastor to do all the "mothering." If you bring someone to Jesus, do not forsake them after they are in the body of Christ. They will still look to you for further guidance, help, and understanding. If it was love that compelled you to witness to them, then that same love should still manifest itself toward them after they are in the church!

STAGE #2 - THE CHILD STAGE

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up . . ." (Ephesians 4:14-15).

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN:

"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whoseover therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:2-4).

From the verses of Scripture in Ephesians and Matthew we can see that there are negative and positive things connected with the nature of a child. Jesus points out to us that children as a whole are humble, trusting, and obedient. They will normally do anything you ask them to, trusting that whatever you say is correct. They are not too proud to humble themselves before God and men. They have not yet learned (at least in most cases) to be stubborn, willful, and rebellious. In that way we can learn from them. That is the positive side of their nature.

On the negative side, because they do believe everything they hear and trust everybody without question, they are easily led astray. That is why the author wrote, "be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine."

While children can walk, run, feed and dress themselves, and do many things, they still occasionally stumble. They still need others to guide them in many things. They are not aware of many dangers that exist "in the world," and must be constantly warned. They have no idea what proper food is, and most of them would be happy with nothing but hamburgers and French fries, or perhaps cake and ice cream, if they always had their wish.

So it is with the spiritual! Guidance is still needed in the spiritual diet, also. Even much religious material that is available in bookstores can be harmful to the Christian who is not fully rooted and grounded in the truth. Some books may look very interesting, and yet be filled with false doctrines, and slander against the truth!

As it has always been, there are many false religions and false prophets who will lead people astray, if they can. Jesus and the apostles warned us concerning this. Read Matthew 24:11; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4.

Just as natural children are full of energy, so is it with spiritual children. The energy must be channeled in the right directions. Zeal without knowledge is like a runaway horse! Knowledge is learned, not just by studying the Word of God, but also by walking with Jesus Christ over a period of time, and learning those things that are pleasing and displeasing to Him. It is attained, not only by "glorious experiences," but also by hardships, persecutions, temptations, and trials. All these help the "child" to grow up and become a "mature" Christian.

Also, Christians still in the "children stage," tend to rely on "the blessing" rather than "the Blesser, Jesus Christ! They have not learned that the greatest joy of being a Spirit-filled Christian is the relationship we have with Jesus Christ, whether there is any special feeling, or not!

STAGE #3 - THE YOUTH STAGE

". . . I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one" (1 John 2:14).

This is the stage in which the Christian has perhaps reached the peak of his spiritual strength and faith in God. He has learned how to "take hold of God" by prayer and fasting. He knows how to assert and use his God-given authority over the enemy of his soul, the devil. There are, however, some dangers to avoid.

Young people tend to believe that they know more than their elders. They like their independence. It is often difficult for them to be subject to authority. Often they don't appreciate anybody correcting them.

Sometimes there is the same tendency with those in the "spiritual youth stage." They pray and fast much. They are spiritually strong. But they may still lack maturity. They may feel that because they hear from God and enjoy God's blessings, they do not need to submit themselves to authority, or even correction. This can be extremely dangerous, because the Bible admonishes us:

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:17).

STAGE #4 - THE MATURE CHRISTIAN

"And His gifts were (varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us,) some to be apostles (special messengers), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers." His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), (that they should do) the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), (That it might develop) until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the com- prehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God; that (we might arrive) at really mature manhood--the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of the fullness of the Christ, and the completeness found in Him" (Ephesians 4:11-13, Amplified Bible).

Heaven is not our goal--it is our destiny. Our goal is to grow up and arrive at "really mature manhood"--to become more like Jesus Christ. This was what Paul was referring to when he wrote:

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14).

In all things, Paul seemed to be a mature Christian. He could write "for me to live is Christ . . ." How many of us could make such a statement. Paul also wrote: "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:15-16).

Despite his close walk with God, Paul was not satisfied! Had he lived in our day, he would probably have loved the old hymn:

"To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, On earth I long, to be like Him, All through life's journey, From earth to glory, I only ask, to be like Him."

Some people remain in the "baby stage" year after year. There is no Christian Growth in their walk with God. They are in a spiritual rut. They are going nowhere. This is not the will of God for any of us. His will is: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

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LESSON #3 - The Fruit of the Spirit

"But the fruit of the (Holy) Spirit, (the work which His presence within accomplishes), is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23, Amplified Bible).

Notice that these things are called the fruit (singular) of the Spirit, not fruits (plural). This is because they come from one source--the Holy Spirit. They are not something that we can develop within our own selves. They are "of the Spirit."

They are not something we put on when we are in church and take off when we get home. It is godly character that becomes the part of the real us, as we learn to walk and live in the Spirit. Separated from Jesus Christ, and without His Spirit dwelling within us, we cannot bear this fruit:

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:4-5, 8).

When we are born into His kingdom, we become "trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord" (Isaiah 61:3). See also Romans 6:5. Jesus said, "Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up" (Matthew 15:13).

1. A true Christian is known by the fruit he bears:

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:16-20).

2. The Lord "planted us" to bear fruit, and He is disappointed when we do not:

A. The Cursed Fig Tree:

"Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away" (Matthew 21:18-19).

Jesus hungers to see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Our lives are truly cursed if we are not bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

B. The Parable of The Fig Tree:

"He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down" (Luke 13:6-9).

In this parable, Jesus is the man who owned the fig tree. The "dresser of the vineyard" is the pastor. The fig tree is a person who has come into the church, but after three years still is not fruitful. The "dresser" (pastor) made intercession for the unfruitful person, because the owner wanted to know why it was allowed to take up the ground, since it did not bear fruit.

Truly God does not want us to just "take up space in the church." The pastor, evangelists, and teachers preach and teach the Word of God faithfully, and the pastor and leaders especially pray for the new Christian, but after a while, each person is expected to become a fruitful Christian.

C. The Parable of The Sower:

"A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold" (Luke 8:5-8).

Jesus gave us the interpretation of the parable in verses 11 through 15. He informed us that the seed is the Word of God.
The sower is someone who shares the Word.
The varied conditions of the soil represent the varied conditions of the hearts of men which hear the word. Below are 4-Types of "Soil":

SOIL TYPE 1 - The first type of “soil”, the “way side”, is the paths between the rows where people walk. This ground is hard. When the Word of God is shared with people whose hearts are hard, it is not received, and the truth shared with them is quickly taken away by the devil.

SOIL TYPE 2 - The second type of "soil", “rocky ground”, represents people who hear the Word, and receive it with joy, but they never get rooted and grounded in the truth. They also lack moisture (they never receive the Holy Spirit) and soon dry up.

SOIL TYPE 3 - The third type of "soil", “thorny”, represents people who receive the Word of God and are obedient to it. They go forth and begin to live the Christian life. They never backslide, but they are never very fruitful because they are choked with the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life.

SOIL TYPE 4 - The fourth type of "soil" is the “receptive heart” that receives the Word gladly, and becomes a fruit-bearing Christian: "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15).

HOW TO BE A FRUITBEARER

1. Stay full of the Holy Spirit, because the fruit we have studied about is the "fruit of the Spirit."

2. Read and meditate upon the Word of God: ". . . his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper" (Psalm 1:2)

3. Put your trust in the Lord: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

4. Let the Lord work on you: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (Christ-like love). For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:5-8).

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LESSON #4 - The Love of God

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:17-19).

One of the most powerful forces on earth to bring us to a Christ-like life is a proper concept of God- -how we truly see Him, and what we think He is really like! Our ability to love God as He desires us to love Him hinges on a proper concept of God.

Those who have never experienced much human love often have a distorted view of God. The Bible tells us that we were created in the image of God, but unfortunately, some of us, in our imaginations, have been busy trying to create a God in our image, with all its limitations!

As children grow up, they often hear such statements as, "If you do that, God won't love you." "God's going to get you!" With a picture in their minds of a God who is ready at every opportunity to disperse out His wrath upon humanity, so, is it any wonder that as they grow older they reject God? Their parents have introduced them to a God they cannot love!

Some people like this do come to Jesus out of fear, but that kind of relationship seldom lasts! John Powell, in his book "Why Am I Afraid to Love," states: "Fear is a fragile bond of union, a brittle basis of religion. The person who serves out of fear, without the realization of love, will try to bargain with God. He will do little things for God, make little offerings, say little prayers, etc., to embezzle a place in the heaven of his God. Life and religion will be a chess game, hardly an affair of love."

The distorted and limited vision most of us have of God is not at all the God revealed to us in the Bible, and manifested to us through the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ!

The Bible declares to us the very nature of God:

1. God is holy (Leviticus 19:2)

2. God is light (I John 1:5)

3. God is love (I John 4:8, 16)

These are not attributes or characteristics of God. They are what God is! He does not have holiness, He is holy. He does not have love, He is love! UNDERSTANDING THE GREATNESS OF HIS LOVE, Paul tells us that if we are to be filled with all the fullness of God, we need to be able to comprehend or understand the greatness (the breadth, length, depth, and height) of God's love. Then after making such a statement, he concludes that ". . . the love of Christ . . . passeth knowledge . . .". It is broader than the east is from the west. It is higher than the heavens, and deeper than the ocean. It knows no boundaries or limitations!

Literally thousands of books have been written, even the ones that Dr. Moore have written, trying to somehow enable us to understand this beautiful love, but when they are all compiled together, they still do little justice to this inexhaustible theme. No wonder that in 1917, F. M. Lehman wrote these words in his popular hymn, "The Love of God":

"The love of God, is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell,

It goes beyond, the highest star, and reaches to, the lowest hell."

Then comes to beautiful chorus:

"Oh love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure, the saints' and angels' song."

Finally comes the climatic verse that says it better than anyone else has ever been able to say it before or since:

"Could we with ink, the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made.

Were every stalk, on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade.

To write the love, of God above, would drain the ocean dry,

Nor could the scroll, contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky."

The late Brother A. L. Clanton expressed it this way in his song, "My Thanks to Him":

"But mortal tongue could never tell the whole,

Nor thank Him for such wondrous love."

And so continues the insurmountable task of trying to understand, let alone describe, the greatness of the love of God.

Perhaps it is impossible for us to fully comprehend and define His love, but it is important for us to know it, and be persuaded of it. If we have an insight and knowledge of the vast beauty of His person, it will greatly enhance our relationship with Him, and help us to love Him as He deserves to be loved!

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD'S LOVE

Now that we have studied about the nature of God and the dimensions of His love, we will look at the characteristics of that love. As we do so, we are again made aware that a vast gulf exists between our frail human love, and that which is offered by Jesus Christ.

More than any other Old Testament writer, the Psalmist David seemed to have a good understanding concerning God's love. He did not use the word "love" so much, but chose rather to write about the characteristics of that love.

GOD IS FAITHFUL

One of David's favorite themes was the faithfulness of God:

". . . thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds" (Psalm 36:5).

"Thy faithfulness is unto all generations . . ." (Psalm 119:90).

The word "truth" as used in most Old Testament scriptures, comes from the Hebrew word "emeth," and means: stability, trustworthiness, truth, certainty, and faithfulness. In this unstable world when it often seems difficult to know whom we can trust, how wonderful to know that God is faithful!

"For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth (stability, trustworthiness, faithfulness, etc.) unto the clouds" (Psalm 57:10).

". . . the truth (stability, trustworthiness, faithfulness, etc.) of the LORD endureth forever" (Psalm 117:2).

GOD'S LOVINGKINDNESS

Another favorite subject for David's songs was the lovingkindness of God:

"How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings" (Psalm 36:7).

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee" (Psalm 63:3).

Notice how eloquent David gets when he writes about the beautiful qualities that are a part of God's love: "unto the clouds," "unto the heavens," "endureth forever," "better than life." But nowhere does David get more expressive than when he writes concerning the mercies of the LORD.

DAVID'S "HYMN NUMBER ONE"

Most churches have a hymn or chorus that seems to be "the crowd favorite." It is sung in almost every service. When the song leader announces, "Hymn Number One," some faces light up with obvious pleasure, while others make a face which can be interpreted to mean, "Oh no, not that song again!"

David's favorite theme was "the mercies of the LORD." Probably his favorite psalm was Psalm 136, a responsive psalm.

The leader would sing a line, "O give thanks unto the God of gods," and the people would answer, "For his mercy endureth forever." Then the leader would sing, "O give thanks unto the LORD of lords," and the people would sing again, "For his mercy endureth forever." Twenty-six times the people repeated these words during the singing of that psalm.

The chorus of this psalm was David's favorite, which he used in other psalms and on many occasions: "O give thanks unto the LORD: for he is good, For his mercy endureth forever." Psalms 106 and 107 start with the same chorus, while Psalm 118 starts and finishes with it. Lest anyone complain upon hearing these words repeated over and over, David seems almost to warn, "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever" (Psalm 89:1).

When the ark was brought up to Jerusalem from the house of Obededom, the singers were singing David's "Hymn Number One" (I Chronicles 16:34). The Scriptures are careful to note that this had been ordered by David: "And with them (the Levites) Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed (designated) by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because his mercy endureth forever" (I Chronicles 16:41).

At the dedication of Solomon's temple many years later, what song do you suppose the people were singing when the house of the LORD was filled with the glory of God? David's "Hymn Number One" (II Chronicles 5:13).

Five generations later, its popularity had not diminished. The singers that were appointed to go out before Jehoshaphat's army could not just sing any song. It must be "Hymn Number One" (II Chronicles 20:21).

GOD'S LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL

Why was David so "caught up" with "the mercies of the LORD"? Indeed, why do we appreciate this aspect of God's love so much? Is it not because we realize our own weakness and frailty? We have all failed Him many times, in many ways. Yet He extends His mercy towards us. As He does so, we are made aware again that God's love is so much greater than any that has ever been offered to us by others. It is unconditional!

We all know that we are imperfect. We want to do better, and most of us are striving to improve ourselves. Nevertheless, it is the joy of knowing that God loves us "just the way we are" that enables us to rise from our failures, brush off the dust of defeat, and continue to walk with God. More and more, as we experience God's love, and come to comprehend its characteristics and dimensions, our love relationship with Him will grow, so that we are able to say like the Apostle Paul:

". . . I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Dr Moore's favorite Hymn is "Amazing Grace."

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LESSON #5 - The Love of God Demonstrated

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us . . ." (I John 3:16).

Not everyone who is quick to say, "I love you," really possess what they profess. That is why John the beloved exhorts us:

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but indeed and in truth" (I John 3:18).

When God was ready to demonstrate His love for mankind, he did not just speak pretty words, which came floating down from heaven out of the clouds. He took action. God was manifest in the flesh (I Timothy 3:16).

Since God is love, the very nature of God was revealed to mankind in a hundred thousand ways during the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth. Every healing was an act of love. Every person set free from demonic spirits was a testimony of the compassion of our loving Lord. The turning of water into wine, the multiplying of the fishes and bread, the calming of stormy seas--all were miracles that not only exhibited the power of God, but also displayed to us the love of God.

Throughout the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, this love was made known. Yet it was by His death that the greatest expression of God's love was given--love that would draw men from the grips of Satan to the crucified Christ:

"Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die" (John 12:31-33).

There is an awful misrepresentation of these verses of Scripture that is being used by people today. It is partly because of some choruses that exhort, "Lift Him up, lift Him up, He said if I be lifted up I will draw all men to me." The connotations are that if we praise Jesus, our praise and worship will draw men to Him.

Although it is true that our exuberant worship does draw some people to our churches, let us not use these verses out of context and take anything away from the power of the cross. As is plainly understood by verse 33, Jesus was referring to the demonstration of His love at Calvary as the power that would draw men unto Himself!

It is interesting to note that although the apostles expected the second coming of Jesus Christ to take place at any time, this was never the major theme of their preaching to sinners. The second coming of Jesus Christ is the hope of the church, and the apostles freely used this theme in an effort to challenge the church to walk closer to Jesus Christ. See II Peter 3:1-14, and I John 3:2-3.

The theme the apostles always presented to a lost world was "the crucified Christ." As a Theological Professor, I often preached to people from all walks of life. Many times I have preached "hellfire and brimstone" messages, and preached concerning the coming judgment of God upon this world. But I have never seen any message touch the hearts of men more powerfully than the message of the cross!

It causes people to respond with: "I'll live for Him, who died for me, I'll live for Him, who set me free. His name is Jesus, what a Saviour is He, I'll live for Him, who died for me."

I do not wish to take anything away from the great "prophecy revivals" that are taking place right here in America.

Perhaps, we Americans have become so hardened to the message of the cross that it no longer touches us. If this is true, this is a sad state of affairs!

What took place on an old rugged cross at Calvary was designed by God to bring us to Himself. That beautiful demonstration of His love toward us, if truly understood, should cause us to love Him in return.

"We love him, because he first loved us" (I John 4:19).

Paul summed up his own evangelistic preaching when he wrote to the church at Corinth:

"For Christ sent me . . . to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (I Corinthians 1:17-18, 23-24).

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LESSON #6 - Our Relationship with God

". . . he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Ephesians 1:4).

Before the world was ever created, God had a plan. That plan was to bring into being a group of people who would willingly choose to love and serve Him--His church, His bride! "Us in him" in the above verse speaks of a close relationship. "Before him in love" tells us that this is to be a relationship based upon mutual love. Personal holiness is necessary, not to create a bunch of Pharisees, but because God is holy, and He cannot have fellowship whenever sin exists in the human heart.

Genesis is the "book of beginnings." It especially relates to us the beginning of God's plan of action to bring into existence His special people. It was Satan's desire to thwart that plan of action in every way possible, and he did succeed in causing the first man Adam to lose his relationship with God. Yet, the failure of man became an opportunity for God to reveal His love and mercy. Although Adam and Eve had to pay dearly for their sins, their relationship with God was at least partially restored by the introduction of the sacrifice system.

When do you suppose Adam and Eve loved God the most--before they sinned, or after? No doubt it was after God manifested His love towards them through the redemptive act of killing the two animals-- instead of them. Abel, their son, must have learned love and obedience to God from them--and also something about God's plan of redemption, because he was faithful to offer the required sacrifices (Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4).

ISRAEL, GOD'S OLD TESTAMENT CHURCH

Israel was God's "church" because of two reasons.

First, they belonged to God because of the covenant God had made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), Isaac (Genesis 26:1-5), and Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel (Genesis 28:10-16).

Secondly, the word "church" means: "called out ones." God brought them out of their Egyptian bondage, redeeming them by the blood of a lamb without blemish (Exodus 12:1-13). Moses was called of God to be their "saviour," leading them out of Egypt to the promised land of Canaan (a type of the kingdom of God).

When Israel came to Mount Sinai, God clearly expressed His love for them: "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar (special) treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation . . ." (Exodus 19:4-6).

"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt" (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).

At Mount Sinai, God also clearly expressed His desire for their love in return: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).

What words was Israel commanded to have in their hearts and teach their children? Only that which pertains to the Oneness of God? No! It is not enough to know the truth that God is one. We must love that One with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. The command to love God is called by Jesus Christ the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).

Israel never became that which God had desired her to be, because she never fulfilled her part of the covenant.

GOD'S NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

The love that was commanded under the law was not possible to attain, because the law is spiritual, but man is carnal (Romans 7:14). But deity took on humanity to pay the price for our redemption. God became man, and came into this world to woo, win, and redeem the people who would become His bride.

1. From the side of Adam, a bride was formed for man: "And the rib or part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man, He built up and made into a woman and brought her to the man" (Genesis 2:22, Amplilfied Bible).

2. From the blood that flowed from the side of Jesus (John 19:34), the bride of Jesus Christ is being formed today. What Israel could never attain to, we can, because of the blood that cleanses us from all sin, and makes it possible for us to experience a new birth! (John 3:1-7)

God told Israel, "If you obey my voice . . . ye shall be a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." They did not obey His voice. But Peter wrote to those who are a part of the New Testament church of Jesus Christ: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (special) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (I Peter 2:9).

If we have been born of the water and the Spirit, we are a part of the bride, God's chosen people. But chosen for what? Just to have free fire insurance (hellfire)? Were we chosen just so we can experience the good feeling that comes to us when we are "high" on the Spirit? Let's take another look at the verse of Scripture at the beginning of this lesson:

". . . he hath chosen us in him . . . that we should be holy and without blame before him in love"

Is this the kind of relationship that we have with Jesus? Do we serve Him because we love Him, or because we fear Him? Do we attend church, pray, worship, and testify because of our love for God? Do we obey God's Word, and the Biblical standards set forth by it out of a heart of love for Jesus? It is possible to do all the right things for the wrong reasons. God expects--nay, demands your love. We must love Him more than anything and everybody!

"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37).

"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33).

To the one who denied him three times (Peter), Jesus questioned, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Three times Peter answered, "Thou knowest that I love thee." (John 21:15-17)

Yes, Jesus does know just how little or how much we love Him. It is important to Him. Many years later, God, through John the beloved, gave this message to the church at Ephesus: "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love" (Revelation 2:2-4).

The Amplified Bible's translation of verse 4 is: ". . . you have left (abandoned) the love that you had first--you have deserted me, your first love."

We can be busy doing Christian works, we can take a strong stand for the truth--all for the wrong reasons. The chief question Jesus is asking us today is, "How much do you love me?"

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LESSON #7 - The Inner Circle

"Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, it is the Lord" (John 21:7).

John refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" five times in the book of John. Does Jesus Christ love everyone equally? That is a difficult question, but it is evident that some people do enjoy a special relationship with Jesus Christ. They experience things that the average believer never dream of. They have deep secrets whispered into their ears that are never revealed to the normal Christian. They are partakers of a friendship and fellowship that most people do not even realize is possible for them. These people are part of "the inner circle."

There were several such people in the Old Testament. Both Abraham and Moses were referred to by God as His "friends" (Exodus 33:11; James 2:23). David was called by God, ". . . a man after mine own heart . . ." (Acts 13:22). But it is in the New Testament that we find an even more beautiful illustration. It is the intimate relationship that Peter, James, and John enjoyed with Jesus Christ. The “Inner Three”.

Jesus Chose Twelve Men to be Apostles

For many months He had a close relationship with all of them--eating, drinking, and sleeping with them. But most of all, He poured Himself into them--both by word and example.

Although He loved them all unto the end (John 13:1), He singled out three of them to become "Master Members” of His “Inner Circle”. The close relationship that Peter, James, and John had with Jesus is so beautiful to note, especially that of John and Peter. (We don't read much about James, who was obviously the more reserved of the three). Peter, the loud-mouthed one, always seemed to be in constant rivalry with the more affectionate John for that place nearest to the heart of Jesus.

The first time Jesus singled out these men to be His special companions was when He visited the “House of Jairus”, to raise his daughter from the dead. Upon arrival at the house, Jesus found the mourners all doing their professional best to weep for the dead girl. But Jesus told them to stop making such a fuss over her, since she was not dead, but just "asleep." Then the mourners became mockers.

Jesus then put them out of the house, and taking only the parents and His "Inner Circle" friends (Peter, James, and John), He entered the room where the body lay. Taking the girl by the hand, He commanded her to arise. "And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment" (Mark 5:37-42).

Why did Jesus Christ choose to take only Peter, James, and John with Him to the house of death? Why not the rest of the twelve? Later, all of them would witness the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, but this initial display of the resurrection power of God was reserved especially for the three closest to Him. He delights to share His power with those who love Him most!

Six days after Peter's great declaration of faith, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus led His "Inner Circle" (Peter, James, and John) friends up into a high mountain "apart by themselves." It was here that Jesus was “Transfigured” before them, with His white raiment shining whiter than snow "as no fuller on earth can white be." It was also here that Moses and Elijah appeared unto Jesus, and talked with Him. Oh, what a display of God's power and glory! How much closer to heaven can one get, and still be on this earth? Where can one go to find such fellowship? That great lawgiver, Moses, and Elijah, one of the most fearless of all prophets--except where Jezebel was concerned. And, of course, Jesus!

PETER TERRIFIED

"Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias (Elijah)." It was Peter!

The Bible tells us that he was actually terrified by the sight, but he had to open his mouth and say something.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice spoke out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son: hear him." When they looked around, Moses and Elijah had disappeared. When they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them that they should tell no man what they had seen until He had risen from the dead. No man, not even the other nine disciples! (Mark 9:2-9) How hard it must have been for talkative Peter to keep so great a secret to himself. He could not even share it with his brother, Andrew, who had brought him to Jesus!

Again we are faced with the question, "Why did Jesus choose these three particular men to share the transfiguration experience?" Adam Clarke, well-known for his Bible Commentary, offers this suggestion: ". . . He chose those (Peter, James, and John) that they might be witnesses of his transfiguration, two or three witnesses being required by the scriptures to substantiate any fact. The same three were made witnesses of his agony in the garden."

At first glance, this might seem to be sound reasoning, but aren't twelve witnesses better than three? And why were they commanded not to share the experience with the other disciples until after His resurrection?

JESUS CHRIST WAS FULLY GOD--YET FULLY MAN!

Jesus Christ came into this world fully God--yet fully man! His physical needs were the same as ours. He got tired, hungry, and thirsty. As our example, He was both Spirit and water baptized (Matthew 3:15-17). The man Christ Jesus prayed to the Spirit (Father) who dwelt within Him. The man Christ Jesus also had social needs--people who loved Him, to whom He could share His heart secrets with. People with whom He could be real and open--even people who would stand by Him in His hour of crisis! This is the kind of relationship Jesus was building with these men.

But why these men? True, they were men that would each play an important part in the development of the church of Jesus Christ, but why were they chosen for that role? Could it be because of their special love and devotion to Jesus Christ? That is what I read in the often repeated words of John concerning himself, "the disciple whom Jesus loved." If it is true that Jesus did love John more than the other disciples, it also seems evident by the Scriptures that John probably loved Jesus more than the other eleven.

Just as He gave these men the privilege to share in the raising of Jairus' daughter, He also rewarded them for their love and devotion by singling them out for the "transfiguration experience." He delights to share His glory with those who love Him most.

This close relationship was especially noticeable in the lives of Peter and John, who were more demonstrative of their love and devotion to Jesus. See them as they sat at the table with Jesus, partaking of the last Passover with Him. John sat as close to Jesus as he possibly could. Just to make sure that he didn't miss a word Jesus spoke, he leaned upon His breast; here he could hear even His heartbeat. Somewhere close by was Peter, probably envious that he himself was not occupying that "chief position."

Then Jesus made a dramatic announcement. "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." Shock! One by one the disciples questioned Him, "Lord, is it I?" But Jesus did not commit Himself to the whole group. Then Peter, knowing that if anyone could extract that bit of information from Jesus, John could, beckoned unto John to find out who the traitor would be. John quietly asked, "Lord, who is it?" There was no hesitation on the part of Jesus to share His secret with the one who occupied the closest place to Him. "He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it," Jesus whispered. Jesus told John but not the others. So why John?

Jesus then dipped the sop and gave it to Judas Iscariot. After he had done this, He told him, "That thou doest, do quickly." Nobody at the table (except John, of course) knew why Jesus spoke those words to Judas, because they had not been a part of the secret. Read and compare Matthew 26:21-22, and John 13:21-29. What we learn from this is that He delights to reveal His choicest secrets to those who love Him most!

The next scene took place in the Garden of Gethsemane, a place where Jesus often came with His disciples. But things were different this time. To start off with, Judas was not present, because he was busy making arrangements for the betrayal. Therefore, Jesus now only had 11-disciples with Him. Meanwhile, Jesus came to the place of prayer with a heavy heart, and tremendous inner turmoil. He who knew no sin, had to become sin for us. He had to become willing to take upon Himself the sins of the whole human race.

It was the most critical hour of Jesus' entire life, but He did not reveal His inner conflict yet. Not far into the garden he dismissed eight of His disciples. "Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder," He instructed them (Peter, James, and John). They were given no special duties or instructions. They were told nothing about what was going on inside of Him. They were told only to sit!

"And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed" (Matthew 26:37, Amplified Bible).

He did not feel free to show what he felt to all His disciples. Some of them perhaps would misunderstand Him and get panicky that their leader was so unstable. (Leaders aren't supposed to be human, according to some people's opinion.)

But with His "inner circle" friends (Peter, James, and John ), He could share not only His glory, but also His grief. He could "take off His mask" and reveal exactly how He felt: "Then He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and watch with me" (verse 38, Amplified Bible).

It is so very true that Jesus delights to reveal His true self to those who love Him most!

The next important event took place on a hill called Golgotha, where love was demonstrated like it never had been before. The sinless Lamb of God hung suspended between heaven and earth on a wooden cross, but it was not the nails that kept Him there, it was His love. Not far away, Roman soldiers gambled for His seamless tunic, being too valuable to destroy. His other clothing was torn into four pieces so that each man might have a souvenir from their conquest.

Close by the cross stood “Three Mary's”: Jesus' mother, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast out seven devils. Oh how this woman loved Jesus! Many Bible scholars believe that she was the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears, and wiped them with her long hair, after which she anointed them with costly ointments. Jesus used this same woman as an example of one who loves Him most. (Luke 7:37-47)

Who else was standing with the women? John, of course! While it seems the other nine disciples had forsaken Jesus Christ, John and Peter did follow Him. Though Peter followed Him "afar off," John had actually gone inside the palace of the high priest with Jesus, being known by the high priest. In fact, John spoke to the woman who kept the door, so that she would allow entrance to Peter. The sad thing is that it was here that Peter denied his Lord three times, and cursed. (John 18:15-27; Matthew 26:58-75)

Whether Peter was present at the crucifixion, we know not. He probably was. However, it was to John that Jesus looked when He needed someone that He could trust with the care of His mother: "When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home" (John 19:26-27).

Jesus knew that he who loved Him most would, at least for the sake of that love, take care of that which had been committed unto his charge. Jesus Christ commits the most unto those who love Him most. Three days later, early in the morning before daybreak, Mary Magdalene made her way to the Sepulchre where Jesus was buried. Mary, the mother of James and Salome, also went with her to anoint the body of Jesus with sweet spices. They had one chief concern. "Who will roll away the stone?" Imagine their surprise when they found that the stone had already been rolled away. Then a heavenly visitor spoke to them:

". . . Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there ye shall see him, as he said unto you" (Mark 16:6, 7).

Almost surprisingly, the only name Jesus singled out among the disciples had been that of Peter, not John. After's Peter's thrice denial of his Lord, he needed special reassurance that Jesus still loved Him--that he had not lost his membership in the "Inner Circle Club." In the Air Force, Dr. Moore's group were called the “Top Three Club” based on their ranks.

A mother of twelve children was once asked, "Which of your children do you love the most." Without hesitation she replied, "The one who needs my love the most." Such was the case with Peter at that time.

Mary Magdalene was quick to obey the angel's bidding. She ran to Peter and John with the good news of Jesus' resurrection. No doubt Peter's heart warmed as she spoke those words, "and Peter," and he probably glanced out of the corner of his eye to see if John caught it. He had been forgiven!

With that glad assurance, Peter began to make a wild dash for the sepulchre. Jesus was alive! He must go and see the tomb for himself. Suddenly he realized that he was not alone. Running alongside of him was John, and like two Olympic contestants they dashed down the road from which Mary Magdalene had just come.

John just did beat Peter "for the gold medal," and stooping down, he looked in and saw the linen clothes--yet he went not in. However, without hesitation the bolder Peter entered, followed by John. What they saw caused them to become firm believers.

A lie had been circulated that Jesus' disciples had stolen away his body. If that had been true, they would not have bothered to take the time to strip the clothes from it, and to wrap them up and lay them neatly in separate places--and that is what they found!

How their hearts were filled with joy as they began to understand some of the things they had been unable to grasp. Once more Jesus Christ had proved to them beyond the shadow of a doubt that He was indeed the true God manifest in flesh. God delights to reveal His deity to those that love Him most!

Some days later, Peter was on an outing with six other disciples. It was old, familiar territory to Peter, perhaps a little too familiar. The Sea of Galilee was as beautiful as it had ever been that day. Scenes from the past raced through Peter's mind. Fishing! Many people fish because they like to. They don't really care if they catch anything or not. But it had been a means of livelihood to Peter. Sometimes he caught little or nothing. But there were those times that the night's catch had provided them with some of the "extras" in life. That is why he had continued his trade until the day that Jesus passed by with the command, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Something about that "man" had made him willing to become His disciple, forsaking all to follow Him.

The sun was setting in the western sky, while a slight breeze stirred the air. It seemed to be an ideal night. Suddenly Peter heard himself saying, "I go a-fishing." Peter did not know what the response of the other six would be, but James and John, Thomas and Nathanael, and the other two disciples quickly agreed to follow him. Soon they were out in the waters of Tiberias, which was the more familiar name to the Gentiles.

After a night of fruitless effort, they headed towards the shore, tired and dejected. It had been, after all, a wasted night! Still some distance away, they could see someone on the shore with a fire burning-- evidently cooking his breakfast. Was it another fisherman? Then they heard the man call out to them, "Children, have ye any meat?" It was Jesus, but they did not immediately recognize Him. Possibly they were close enough to hear his voice, but not see his physical features clearly.

How hard it was to admit to this "stranger" that they had caught nothing. Jesus, however, called to them, "Cast your net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find." Well, the "stranger" evidently had caught some fish himself, so maybe he did know what he was talking about, they thought. When they obeyed, their net was filled with such an abundance of fish that it was only with great difficulty that they were able to bring them in.

The one who sat closest to Jesus at the table could no longer be deceived. "It is the Lord," John cried out. When Peter heard this, he leaped out of the boat and made his way to Jesus. John might have been the first to recognize Him, but it was Peter who was the first to come running up to his Lord.

It was probably with some feeling of shame that these seven men gathered around Jesus. He had been taken away from them, suffered cruelly for them, and in a few days He would be taken from them again. The "Inner Circle" men must have been feeling especially small that day. All three of them had been fishermen by trade. They had been called to catch men now, not fish. Somehow their return to the water, even for just one night of fun, seemed a little wrong when their Lord would soon be taken from them. Perhaps they looked warily at Jesus as they sat down to the meal of fish and bread that He had prepared. But there was no sermon--yet.

Seven men that Jesus Christ had often referred to as His "friends" sat down to eat with Him. How often He had shown His love and compassion towards them. He could have been angry that so soon after His death and resurrection they had their fishing trip. Yet He made sure that it was a successful one, and He had even prepared a good breakfast for them, because He shares His love with those who love Him most! It was only after the meal was finished that Jesus looked deep into Peter's eyes. He had been the one to initiate the whole fishing trip. The others had just followed their natural born leader. "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" Jesus said, nodding towards the fish. Peter's eyes first went in the direction of the nod, and then dropped. "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." "Feed my lambs," Jesus replied. There was a pause, but Jesus was not finished. Once again came the searching question, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Again Peter answered, this time raising his voice just a little, "Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." Jesus answered, "Feed my sheep." Another quiet pause.

To the person who had denied Him three times, Jesus asked one more time, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Peter would never forget that morning. That question was indelibly imprinted in his brain for all time! "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." (John 21:2-17)

Yes, He does know all things. He knows how little or how much we love Him. He knows "how far down the table we choose to sit," or whether we are even "in the same room" with Jesus. He knows if we are just "sitters," or have made ourselves available to be His close friends--willing to share His glory, His power--and even His sufferings.

He knows if there are "fish" in our lives that we love more than we love Him, so He is asking us today, "Lovest thou me more than these?"

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LESSON #8 - Loving Ourselves

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:29-31).

"So husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies; he that loveth his wife loveth himself" (Ephesians 5:28).

Perhaps it will come as a surprise to some people that according to the above verses of Scripture, we are to love ourselves. It is God's will for us to do so, because we cannot love others until we learn first to love ourselves (possess self-esteem and self-respect).

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF-LOVE AND SELFISHNESS

When we use the term "self-love" in this lesson, we are not referring to the kind of self-love pictured by the Apostle Paul: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (II TImothy 3:1-4).

This kind of love is selfish and egotistical. People with this kind of problem usually have an unrealistic view of themselves because of extreme self-preoccupation.

The self-love or self-respect that is spiritually, physically, and mentally healthy for us begins with an awareness that God loves us, and He doesn't make junk! Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived wrote, "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). After God created all things--including mankind, "God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good . . ." (Genesis 1:31).

Even though we are all disciples "in the making," it is very important for us to realize that God loves us just as we are.

There’s a story that goes like this: A few years ago, a minister's wife gave a beautiful testimony. She admitted that she was a very normal human being, capable of a wide range of feelings and possessing faults. However, as a pastor's wife, she had tried to mask those faults, not only from others, but also from God.

One day she became tired of her pretension. She knelt down before the Lord and began to tell Him about her real self.

When she finished pouring out her heart to the Lord, she said, "And now, God, since You know what kind of person I really am, I suppose You don't love me." How surprised she was at the immediate answer from God, "Why, the very person you have just described is the one that I do love--the real you!"

Now, do you suppose that the image of yourself that you try to project to others is the person that God recognizes and loves? If so, you are mistaken. God loves the real you. He loves you now, just the way you are. His love is without stipulations. It is not based upon conditions of performance. He knows that we have many faults, but he did not come into this world to condemn us. He came to save us and give us abundant life. He is making something beautiful out of us. We are His children, His chosen, special people. We can love ourselves--because Jesus love us!

It is a well-known fact that many of the dark and devious sins of this world are committed by people who have lost all respect for themselves. When you truly have a healthy self-image, when you can accept yourself as you really are--you will be free to forget yourself and reach out to others with the love of God. Does that sound like a paradox?

Nevertheless, it is true. When we lack self- love and self-respect, we are too preoccupied with our own feelings and guilt to really think of others.

I must admit that I am still in the growing process. I am not always warm and lovable. In fact, sometimes I am just plain grouchy! At such times my wife will often say to me, "Why don't you love me the way that you use to love me? You should love yourself so that you can love me!" I hold my peace, because I know that she is right! My ability to truly love my wife is based upon my ability to accept and love what Jesus is doing in my life.

Have you ever noticed how the little old grandmothers with very little formal education can read and understand the Bible better than some college graduates? I believe it has to do with their desire to learn of God and their willingness to receive their wisdom from Him. I know plenty of men who barley read, but God has called them to the ministry and has filled him with the wisdom to fulfill the job. They love God!

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LESSON #9 - Loving People

"Using things and loving people, That's the way it's got to be,
Using things and loving people, Look around and you can see,
That loving things and using people only lead to misery,
Using things and loving people, That's the way it's got to be.
Using things and loving people, Brings you happiness I've found,
Using things and loving people, Not the other way around,
'Cause loving things, and using people only lead to misery,
Using things and loving people, That's the way it's got to be.
(David Hall and Archie P. Jordan)

In previous lessons, we studied about God's love for us, and our love relationship with Him. That is the starting place, because we cannot love others as we ought to, if we do not have a right relationship with God.

Also, in our last lesson, we saw the importance of self-love, so that we can forget ourselves and reach out to others around us with the true love of Jesus! But who are the people we are to love? Everybody! Especially those who are a part of your "world." Your home, your school, your working place, your next door neighbor, the postman, the grocer--the list goes on and on.

Many times we take many of these people for granted. We have been around them for a long time, yet have never shared Jesus Christ with them. Perhaps we even work with them side by side, and yet have never let the love of Jesus flow through us to touch them with the gospel of salvation. What are people for? To use only? No, we are to love everybody with the love of Jesus!

THE SECOND TOUCH

"And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking" (Mark 8:24).

A blind man was brought to Jesus, and those who brought him begged Jesus to touch and heal him. That was the way Jesus normally healed people, but Jesus is God, and He has the right to do things anyway He chooses. Sometimes He does things different just to remind us that He is God!

Jesus, being every bit a gentleman in His behavior, and not wanting to embarrass the blind man with what He was about to do, took him by the hand and led him out of town. Then He spit on the blind man's eyes, and putting his hands upon him asked him what he saw. The answer was quite startling to say the least. The man was not fully healed. He answered, "I see men as trees, walking." How shocked the disciples of Jesus must have been at the apparent "power failure" of Jesus. But it is obvious that Jesus does all things for a reason--in this case, to teach us a valuable lesson! Jesus touched the man a second time, and he saw all men clearly. He needed a second touch.

When you and I were filled with the precious Holy Spirit of God, a beautiful river of love began flowing from our life. We loved everybody. We wanted to share Jesus with everybody we came in contact with. We had not memorized many Bible verse. Perhaps we were not even sure just exactly what we believed. But we were sure of the reality of Jesus Christ, whose love flooded our hearts. Nobody had to ask us to witness. The compelling force was the love of God within us.

That is the way it is supposed to be--not just in the beginning of our walk with God, but all the time. If we have somehow lost that first love, if we no longer see the multitudes about us as lost souls that need Jesus, then we need a second touch--we need a fresh refilling of the Holy Ghost!

One of the most powerful verses in the Word of God concerning our "obligation" to witness is this one: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

For years I had been beating people over the heads with the second "ye shall" in the above verse. I made witnessing an obligation and a duty that we must perform, whether we liked it or not. No doubt with that kind of an attitude it became to some a no more glamorous "chore" than washing dishes or taking out the garbage! I am happy that the Lord has opened my understanding to the true meaning of this verse.

The second "ye shall" can best be interpreted in the light of the first "ye shall." When people are genuinely baptized with the Holy Spirit, they shall receive power. It is the natural consequence of the experience. It is spontaneous.

Additionally, when people are genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit, they become witnesses--not because they are forced or assigned to--but because it is the natural consequence of the experience. God is Holy, God is a Spirit, and God is love. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are filled with a holy love. "...the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:5). This love will compel us to share Jesus with others! Someone once asked me, "Dr. Moore, why do everything in life have to be reference to the Bible?" What he and many others do not understand is that even though they are looking with their "Eyes" at the "Old Shell" (Flesh) of a person, but what they hear with their "Ears" is what's on the "Inside" of a "Born-Again" person. He or she cannot help but to speak about the Word of God in all conversations because it is the "Holy Spirit" speaking using the person's mouth.

It is a known fact that new converts win more people to Jesus Christ than "seasoned saints". These are people who have been serving the Lord for some time. What a shame! What has gone wrong? Have they lost our first love? As we have grown older in the Lord, have we forgotten the pit that the Lord Jesus Christ pulled us out of? Have we lost the freshness and the excitement of the Pentecostal experience? This is not the way it should be. We ought to love souls.

We need the Lord to give us that second touch, so that we can love Jesus more as we get to know Him better. Knowing Him more will result in us having a greater burden for that we will be soul-conscious. When that happens, the people around us will cease to be moving objects only (Men looking like trees). We will see them clearly on their journey towards hell, and we will surely want to do something about their spiritual condition!

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LESSON #10 - A LOVE FOR THE LOST

"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:36-38).

THE GREAT COMMISSION

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

"And the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14).

To the church of Jesus Christ, it has been given the grave responsibility of reaching this world with the gospel that alone can save them. It must be preached in every nation, and we are also commanded to preach it to every person. This responsibility is not for just a few. It is given to the whole church of Jesus Christ, the Universal church. If we have the Holy Ghost, God has given us that which qualifies us to become His witnesses--His power, His love! We are the light of the world. Wherever we go, we must let our lights shine by our Christian conduct and testimony (Matthew 5:14-16). We are the salt of this earth. Salt is a preserving substance. The only thing that is keeping this world from the judgments of God is the presence of His church on this earth. But if we lose our identification (if the salt has lost its saviour), we are useless (Matthew 5:13).

A COMPASSION FOR SOULS

Definition of the word compassion: To have the bowels (tender emotions) yearn, to feel sympathy, to feel pity.

We cannot reach this world when we are not even willing to reach our neighbor. Yet we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27). This we find very hard to do! We can love our brother, because he also may feel kindly towards us--but to love our neighbor, that is a very different thing! When Jesus reminded a lawyer of this requirement of the royal law of love, the man sought to justify himself by asking the question, "And who is my neighbour?" (Luke 10:29).

Jesus then told the man a parable: "...A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee" (Luke 10:30-35).

We can learn many valuable truths from this parable:

1. The "certain man" is a type of the sinner. His road is downwards.

2. The thieves represent the power of sin, or demonic spirits that try to destroy the sinner, and leave him wounded and dying.

3. Two religious leaders were coming from Jerusalem, a priest and a Levite. They had been engaged in religious service in the temple, and were on their way home when they came across the wounded man. The priest did not even bother to check the condition of the man. The Levite did walk over and look at his condition, but then went on his journey. Neither man was moved with compassion. Their religion had little effect upon their lives. They had already finished their religious duties, and they had no time to be bothered with helping others.

4. The man who was wounded was a Jew. The priest and the Levite were Jews. The Jews hated and often mistreated Samaritans. Nevertheless, it was a Samaritan who came along and felt compassion towards the wounded man, and ministered to his needs.

We can learn important lessons how we can be a soul winner by taking note of just what this Samaritan did:

A He came where the man was. He did not wait for the man to come to him. Sometimes we can be so "heavenly-minded" that we are of no "earthly good." We must not stand aloof from sinners. We must not be quick to judge and criticize them. We must not act as if we are better than they are. We need to humble ourselves and get down on their level.

B. He truly saw the man's need, and was moved with compassion towards him: There are so many people that we daily meet who do not know Jesus Christ. Many of them have been wounded by sin, and all who do not know Jesus truly are dying. We must pray that we will have a heart full of love and compassion for them. If we do not have a burden for the lost, the chances are great that we will never win anybody to Jesus Christ! How sad it would be to someday meet our Saviour and have Him ask us, "Where are the souls that you have helped to win?" And we would have to say, "There are none!"

C. He went to him. We must put the "go" in the gospel by going to the sinner. The church is not the field, the world is the field. "Go ye into all the world..." is the command we have received from the Lord.

D. He bound up his wounds. "...he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted" (Isaiah 61:1). This is what the gospel of Jesus Christ will do for the sinner. Sin leaves its victim helpless and bleeding, but the saving gospel of Jesus Christ gives healing and forgiveness.

E. He poured in oil and wine. Both oil and wine are types of the Holy Ghost. He did not wait until he brought the man to the inn before he poured in the oil and wine. You can minister the Holy Ghost to people wherever they are!

F. He brought him to the inn. He put the man on his own beast. This meant that there was a real sacrifice involved, because he would have to walk along beside the animal. Perhaps he had to travel for several miles before they came to the inn. This showed how much he cared. He would not stop caring for the man until his needs were all met. The inn is a type of the church. It is important that we bring those we win to Christ to the church where they can find spiritual rest and receive spiritual food.

G. He turned him over to the innkeeper, but did not forget about him after that. The innkeeper is the pastor. Those you win to Jesus do need a pastor. However, do not just drop-off those that you have won to Jesus. Continue to minister the love of God towards them, and help disciple them.

What was the chief difference between the priest and the Levite, and the Good Samaritan?

The first two men had absolutely no feeling towards the wounded man, while the third took the time to really see what the man's need was, and then ministered to that need. He was filled with compassion towards him. It is an absolute necessity to have a burden and a compassion for souls if we are going to be soulwinners. "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed (the word of God), shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6).

JESUS, THE SOULWINNER

Jesus did not just command us to be soul winners, He gave us a living example. The greatest example of soul winning in the Bible is when Jesus Christ witnessed to the woman of Samaria: It was no accident that Jesus went to Samaria. It was not the normal route for Jews travelling north to other parts. Jews normally avoided this area, because they were highly prejudiced against the Samaritans.

Yet we read concerning Jesus, "He must needs go through Samaria" (John 4:4). Jesus could have gone around it, but the great Soul winner had a burden for a certain sinner in that region.

When Jesus reached the city of Sychar, a city of Samaria, he was very weary, and sat down on the well.
This was one of the wells that Jacob had dug many hundreds of years earlier, and the Samaritans were proud of its historical significance.
As Jesus sat there, a woman came to draw water.
It was about noon time when the woman arrived. (The Jewish sixth hour is twelve o'clock.)
Most women had long ago finished drawing the day's supply of water in order to avoid the hot sun, but this woman probably purposely waited until she would be alone.
Such was her lifestyle that she was ashamed to meet other women.
She was startled to find a Jew sitting on the well when she arrived.
Oh well, she was used to being snubbed by her own, and now she would be snubbed by a Jew.
Then Jesus spoke to her, "Give me to drink."
How shocked she was, so that she had to inquire, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans?"
Jesus immediately turned the conversation from the natural to the spiritual: "...If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water" (John 4:10).
It is not probable that Jesus stopped everyone who came to the well and witnessed to them.
He sat there until this particular woman came whom he discerned felt a real need for something in her life.
Jesus later cried out to a multitude of people, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37).
That message was only for those who were spiritually thirsty.
He evidently considered this woman to be among those who were thirsty for the things of the Spirit.

We can learn a lesson from this:

If we witness to everyone that we meet, we may have little results for the time spent.
It is best to pray that God will lead us to those who are thirsty.
The soil of their heart is prepared for the seed of God's Word.
Jesus knew that this woman formerly had five husbands, and the man she was living with at the present was not her husband.
She was seeking true love, but from the wrong sources.
Now "Love" was sitting on the well beside her, sharing with her the truth that would change her life.
When we witness to people, we need to somehow show a care and concern for them.
We need to find out what their personal needs are, and show them that Jesus Christ is the answer to their needs.
If they have family problems, let them know that Jesus is the answer!
If they have physical problems, tell them that Jesus wants to be their Healer!
If they are having problems overcoming some evil habit, tell them that Jesus Christ wants to be their Saviour and Deliverer!
When the student studies the entire witness of Jesus to this woman, he will see that the woman kept trying to change the conversation, but Jesus kept coming back to her personal need.
The woman was so excited about her conversation with Jesus that she forgot why she had come to the well.
She left her water pot, and went running into the city and told the men of the city: "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (John 4:29).
Her testimony caused the whole city to come unto him (verse 30).
Meanwhile, the disciples were more interested in other things, than witnessing.
They had gone into the city to buy food, while Jesus rested upon the well.
When they returned, they saw him witnessing to the woman, but said nothing (verses 8, 27).
After Jesus' conversation with the woman was concluded, the disciples begged him, "Master, eat." "But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him aught to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest" (verses 32-35).
The disciples did not understand that after Jesus witnessed to the Samaritan woman he felt full, satisfied.
How does the worth of one soul compare with earthly food, regardless of how tasty it might be?
Their minds were on the things of this earth to the extent that they had no interest in what Jesus was doing.
Therefore He encouraged them, "lift up your eyes, and look on the fields."
They did not consider that it was the proper time for the harvesting of souls, but He encouraged them to realize that there was no better time than the present.

What about us? Are we waiting for some future time to begin to be a real witness for Jesus Christ? Meanwhile, souls around us are going to hell daily! We need to get our eyes off of everything of this earth that does not matter and see the ripened fields. We can be so caught up with personal problems, self-pity, etc., that we are not doing that for which we have been called. We need a burden, because a burden will make a way for itself. A burden will cause us to pray, to weep for souls, to fast, to witness, to love, to do all that is necessary to bring the lost to Jesus Christ.

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LESSON #11 - The New Commandment

When Moses was on Mount Sinai, God gave to Israel, through their leader Moses, the Ten Commandments. These can be summarized as follows:

1. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:2-3).

2. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" (verses 4-5).

3. "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (verse 7).

4. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (verse 8).

5. "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee" (verse 12).

6. "Thou shalt not kill" (verse 13).

7. "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (verse 14).

8. "Thou shalt not steal" (verse 15).

9. "Thou shalt not bear false witness (lie) against thy neighbour" (verse 16).

10. "Thou shalt not covet (desire) . . . any thing that is thy neighbour's" (verse 17).

During the ministry of Jesus, He informed His disciples what the two great commandments were:

"...The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment: And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:29-31).

Toward the close of Jesus' ministry (as His death drew nearer), Jesus gave to His followers a new commandment--one that demanded a higher quality of love for others than the law had demanded: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35).

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12, 13).

John also wrote in one of his epistles that we should have this kind of love for one another: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (I John 3:16).

Notice that this kind of love is not optional. We are commanded to love one another with the same kind of love Jesus has for us--love to the extent we would be willing to die for one another! Jesus said, "By this (kind of love) shall all men know that ye are my disciples."

A disciple is a follower or learner of any teacher, but that which would identify people as true followers of Jesus is that they would possess the same love Jesus possesses. Do you have this kind of love for others? How many people would you be willing to die for? If we do not have love like this, we need to sincerely strive and pray for it.

THREE GREEK WORDS FOR "LOVE"

1. Eros: The Greek goddess of love and beauty was Aphrodite. According to Greek mythology, Eros was the son of Aphrodite, who excited people in a sexual way by shooting them with "love arrows." This is where we got the word "erotic" from, which means: tending to arouse sexual love or desire. The Greek word "Eros" means "sexual love."

2. Phileo: This is the Greek word for friendship love. This type of love involves the emotions. It means: to be fond of, to have affection for.

3. Agape: This is the highest form of love. It is the love that God has for us. It is the love that causes us to act for the benefit and welfare of other people--not for ourselves. It involves the will and mind. It is love given without expectation of return.

OUR PERVERTED WORLD

Today the world is so filled with perversion that when someone uses the word "love," most of the time people think of it in relation to sexual desires. Thus, many people are even afraid to express their love for their brothers and sisters in Christ, "lest they get the wrong idea." The answer to misuse and abuse this word is not to not use it, but to use it properly.

The world has enthroned sexual love as its almighty god. Cigarette and liquor advertisements glorify it as the most important thing. Television and video portray it in all forms and fashions, as do the movie theatres. It is often the main subject matter of discussion in the office and in factories between men, women and children.

The word "love" is found in the New Testament approximately 270 times. About 240 times it was translated from the Greek word "Agape." Approximately 30 times it came from the Greek word "Phileo." How many times was the word "love" translated from the Greek word "Eros"? Not even one time in the whole New Testament! Evidently sexual love is not as important as some would have us to believe!

Even when Paul encouraged the husbands to love their wives (Ephesians 5:25), the word he used was "Agape," not "Eros." Sexual love is good and to be desired when it is practiced within the marriage boundaries: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4).

However, if there is no "real love" in the marriage, the couple are merely using one another, not really loving one another. The command by Paul to the husbands was: "Husbands, love (Agape) your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25).

The women are commanded "to love (Phileo) their husbands, to love (Phileo) their children" (Titus 2:4).

When God gave Adam a wife, the total purpose was not procreation and sexual pleasure, although that was certainly a part of it: "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18).

Eve was first of all Adam's friend, and secondarily his lover! Relationships based on the fulfilling of unholy desires are not true love relationships. Remember that "Agape" love causes one to act for the welfare and benefit of others. The love of God in us will cause us to lift others up to a closer relationship with God. It is lust, not love that will not wait until marriage!

THE IMPORTANCE OF LOVE

I Corinthians, Chapter 13 is often called "the love chapter," and truly it beautifully relates to us the importance of possessing "Agape" love, which is God's love. The word "Charity" in the King James Version is translated "love" in all other versions. In the days when the King James Version came into being, the word "Charity" meant God's love, the highest quality of love, but it has since lost this meaning. The word was translated from "Agape." We will use the word "love" here in the place of “Charity.”

"Agape" love is more important than having the gifts of the Holy Spirit: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing" (I Corinthians 13:1, 2).

"Agape" love is more important than benevolence without love: "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing" (verse 3).

AGAPE LOVE DESCRIBED

"Love suffereth long, and is kind;
love envieth not;
love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own,
is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity,
but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things,
believeth all things,
hopeth all things,
endureth all things.
Love never faileth...." (I Corinthians 13:4-8).

THE GREATEST OF THESE IS AGAPE LOVE

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (I Corinthians 13:13).

Faith is important. We cannot please God without faith. We cannot receive salvation, healing, or anything else without faith. But agape love is even more important!

Hope is important. It is the hope that we have in Jesus, His second coming, our eternal reward, etc., which keeps us living for God. But agape love is even more important! Paul wrote to the church at Colosse: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity (agape love), which is the bond of perfectness" (Colossians 3:12-14).

Peter, that big, strong, and rugged fisherman also believed that "Agape" love was very important: "And above all things have fervent charity (agape love) among yourselves: for charity (agape love) shall cover the multitude of sins" (I Peter 4:8).

"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins--forgives and disregards the offenses of others" (I Peter 4:8, Amplified Bible).

The Epistles are filled with exhortations to Christians to love one another. Please read the following verses of Scripture:

1. In these verses of Scripture, the word "love" was translated from the Greek word "Phileo": Romans 12:9-10; I Thessalonians 4:9-10; Titus 2:4; Hebrews 13:1; I Peter 2:17; I Peter 3:8, 9

2. In these verses of Scripture, the word "love" was translated from the Greek word "Agape": Galatians 5:13, 22; Ephesians 4:2-3; Ephesians 5:1-2; Colossians 2:2; I Thessalonians 3:12; I Peter 1:22; I John 3:18; I John 4:7-8; I John 4:20-21; Jude 20-21.

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LESSON #12 - Love Your Enemies

A man once wrote a book about his experience in the year of 1979. His church received a wonderful baptism of "Agape" love and his story is as followed:

After this beautiful event, with the leading of the Lord they began a cell ministry, which they called "house fellowships."

The chief purpose for these house fellowships was to bring Christian Growth to their church. In fact, many of the lessons we have discussed were given by the Lord during those important days. Every week, this man would gather 12 to 14 men together and teach them a lesson that he felt God had given him. His practice was to first apply the lesson to his own life before teaching it to them. After he taught the lesson to his house leaders, it was their responsibility to put the lesson into personal practice before teaching it to their house fellowships.

One day when he was praying for a new lesson, the Lord spoke plainly to him, and said, "Love your enemies!" Wow! Up to that moment he really did not think that he, nor his church, had any problems loving anybody. He had already taught several lessons concerning the importance of loving God, and loving one another. He had taught concerning having a burden and love for people who do not know God. He felt that the subject of "love" had been covered quite thoroughly--until he heard the Voice!

As he was studying for the lesson, he asked himself, "Do I have an enemy I do not love?" The answer was immediate. "Yes, I do have an enemy, and I don't love him." He knew he could not teach that lesson until God did something inside of him so that he could love his enemy.

At that time they were holding their services in chapels in their district. A head chaplain in charge of all the chapels had just been appointed in that area. Another civilian man, who was jealous of their growing congregation, lied to the newly appointed chaplain concerning their church. The head chaplain believed the lie, and wanted to put them out of the chapel system.

He reacted in a way that he realized later was not Christ-like. He called the church together for a three-day fast, had them sign a petition saying they wanted to continue to use the chapel system, and marched into head chaplain's office, armed with the petition. When he left the chaplain’s office, he had permission to use an even larger chapel--but he still had an enemy! He later discovered this, when he met another chaplain, who greeted him with these words, "Oh, you're the rascal the head chaplain told me about!"

When he faced that fact that he did have an enemy, and Jesus required him to love him, he took immediate action. He called the head chaplain's office and made an appointment to meet with him the next day. When he walked into his office, he stiffened, expecting further confrontation. Instead, he met a man who had been changed, because of a proper understanding concerning the love of God!

He began the conversation by apologizing for his previous behavior. He told him that God had been teaching him many things about loving others, and that he wanted to work with the chaplain system. This chaplain almost wept as he heard his testimony. When he finished, the chaplain said, "Listen, any way that I can help you, I would be so glad to do so. If you want to have a church dinner, we will take the funds out of the chaplain system. Just whatever we can do to help you."

He walked into the office with an enemy, but he left with a friend. The head chaplain did indeed help him on at least two occasions, proving that he was his friend.

After that experience, he was ready to teach his lesson to the fellowship leaders with greater confidence.

The following is a brief summary of that lesson:

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

1. Love required by the law:

a. Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
b. Love your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18).
c. No requirements to love your enemy: (Deuteronomy 23:6; Psalm 41:10; Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:19; and Deuteronomy 19:21).

2. Love in the kingdom of God:

a. Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Luke 10:25-27).
b. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:25).
c. ". . . love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34).
d. "Love your enemies . . ." (Luke 6:27, 35).

3. Who is my enemy?

Definition: a person who possesses negative thoughts and feelings toward another person, and may or may not act upon these thoughts or feelings.

4. What should be my attitude and behavior toward my enemies? References: Matthew 5:41; Luke 6:22-38; Romans 12:14-20; and I Peter 4:12-16.

a. Love your enemies.
b. Do good to people who hate you.
c. Bless those who curse you.
d. Pray for those who spitefully use you.
e. Don't render evil for evil.
f. Be merciful as your Father is merciful.
g. Judge not, and you will not be judged.
h. Condemn not, and you will not be condemned.
i. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
j. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
k. If your enemy hungers, give him food; if he thirsts, give him drink.
l. As much as is possible, live peacefully with all men.

5. When my enemies treat me wrong and speak evil of me, what should I do?

a. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven (Luke 6:22-23).
b. Rejoice, because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings (I Peter 4:13-14).
c. ". . . if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (verse 16).

When Jesus said, "Love your enemies," the Greek word used was "agape." Agape love is divine love that comes from Jesus alone. It is not normal for people to love their enemies.

That is one of the reasons that God gives us His precious Holy Spirit:

". . .the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5).

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LESSON #13 - The Shephard and His Sheep

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand . . ." (Psalm 95:7).

"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls" (I Peter 2:25).

Sheep are animals that are much different from other animals. Every other kind of animal can exist in the wild. There are wild horses, wild goats, wild pigs, wild cats, and wild dogs--but there are no wild sheep! A sheep has no sense of direction, and no way to protect itself. A sheep needs a shepherd!

Man is like a sheep. He was created with a need to depend upon God for his preservation and direction. Everything God created during the six creative days (God rested on the seventh day), He created for mankind. But man was created for God.

That is why, separate and apart from God, man is lonely and easily goes astray:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12).

David was a shepherd since his early youth, and understood about sheep and shepherds. He knew that his sheep depended upon him for all of their needs and preservation. He also knew that man is like a sheep (Psalm 95:7).

What is more important, David knew the Good Shepherd, and we can learn from what he wrote concerning this Good Shepherd in Psalm 23: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (verses 1-3).

When the Lord is our Shepherd, we can lie down at night and not worry about our needs. We can rest with the assurance that He is our Provider. He is also our Peace, and leads us beside the still waters. Sometimes we stumble along the way, but He gently lifts us up again, and after we sincerely repent, he renews and restores us. He leads us in the path of "right living," because of His great name!

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (verse 4).

We need not fear evil, or the evil one, when Jesus, our Immanuel, lives within us.

Rods and staffs were for two purposes:

1) To correct the sheep, and keep them from going astray

2) They were also used as weapons to protect the sheep from wild animals.

David said, "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." It is a great comfort to me that I can't get by with anything I want to do. If I stray from Him, He will correct me because He loves me.

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Hebrews 12:6).

It is a great comfort also to possess mighty weapons of warfare to defeat the enemy of my soul: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (I Corinthians 10:4).

THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD

We have the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the girdle of belt of truth, and the shield of faith to defend us from the enemies attack. We also have the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, we have Prayer, and our feet fitted with the right shoes for peace, the blood of Jesus, and the all-powerful name of Jesus to attack and destroy strongholds.

"Thou preparedst a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over" (verse 5).

Oil is symbolic of the Holy Ghost. God often does allow our enemies to see how we are mightily blessed of Him, not only with the anointing of His presence, but also with an overflowing cup that contains all of His blessings to us!

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever" (verse 6).

Someday Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is going to return for us, and we will go with Him to the home He has prepared for us (John 14:1-3).

Jesus, with the eyes of a loving Shepherd, saw the multitudes, and was moved with compassion on them, "because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).

He ministered to their needs, casting out devils and healing the sick, but he did much more than that- -He gave His life for the sheep: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:11, 14-15).

We have a Good Shepherd who loved us so much that He died for us upon the cross of Calvary. We should get to know Him better, and love Him as He is worthy of being loved. We need to follow Him wherever He leads us, because He will lead us in the paths of right living!

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LESSON #14 - Discipleship

Definition of a disciple: a learner and/or follower of another person.

Definition of a Christian disciple: a believer in Jesus Christ who is striving to learn of Him, follow Him, and progressively become more like Him.

The suffix "ship" means: an office or profession.

The word "discipleship" therefore, means the office or profession of striving to learn of Jesus Christ, follow Him, and progressively become more like Him.

We have many different relationships with Jesus Christ. The beginning relationship is that of a "believer."

"And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women" (Acts 5:14).

"And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues" (Mark 16:17).

A true believer is one who has heard and accepted the truth. He has experienced far more than just "accepting Jesus Christ" as his personal Saviour. He has been baptized in Jesus' name (Mark 16:16), and because his belief or faith is of a scriptural nature, he has received the Holy Ghost: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (inner being) shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38).

Not all believers develop into disciples as we can see by the below verse of Scripture:

"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke 8:13).

A “disciple” is a “believer”, but a “believer” may not be a “disciple”!

A “believer” may not strive to be more like Jesus Christ. He or she may be satisfied by just saying that they “believe” in Jesus and sit back and not do the work of a “disciple”.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE DISCIPLE

1. They live a disciplined life. Both words (disciple and discipline) come from the same Latin root word "discipulus."

2. They are learners of Jesus: ". . . learn of me . . ." (Matthew 11:29).

3. They bear much fruit of the Spirit: "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8).

4. They love one another to the extent that they are willing to die for one another: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples. If ye have love one to another" (John 13:34, 35).

5. They love Jesus Christ more than any earthly person: "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26).

6. They are willing to bear their cross and follow Jesus: "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27).

7. They are willing to forsake all to follow Jesus: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33).

8. They have made Jesus their Lord and Master (John 13:13).

9. They are willing to suffer for Jesus Christ: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (I Peter 2:21-24). "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him . . ." (II Timothy 2:12).

10. They are not following Him just for signs and wonders: "And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased" (John 6:2).

11. They are not just following Him for material benefits: ". . . Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled" (John 6:26).

12. They are following Jesus because of who He is; God Manifested in the Flesh: "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:66-68).

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LESSON #15 - Servantship

Many of our relationships with Jesus Christ have much glory and honor attached to them, such as "Sons of God," "Daughters of the King," "Children of the Kingdom," and "The Bride of Jesus Christ." Other relationships that we have with Jesus do not appear to be so glorious, but there is great blessing connected with them. This is very true of our relationship with Jesus Christ as His “Servant”.

THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST

A "Lord" is one who has power and authority over others. Those subject to him are "servants." There is only one supreme Lord, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Read Deuteronomy 6:4, Luke 2:11, John 13:13, Acts 2:36, and Ephesians 4:5. In fact, He is called the "Lord of Lords and King of Kings" (Revelation 17:14).

THE SPIRIT OF A SERVANT

"The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord" (Matthew 10:24).

"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also" (John 15:20).

"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am" (John 13:13).

"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:15).

Is Jesus telling us in John 15:15 that we no longer have a servant relationship with Him? Not at all! He said, "I call you not servants . . . but . . . friends." Although our relationship with Jesus Christ is much greater than that of a servant to his lord, we are to consider ourselves as servants and possess the spirit and attitude of a servant.

"But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow (think) not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:7-10).

We learn from these words that after we have obeyed our Lord's every command, we are to still consider ourselves unprofitable servants, and say, "I am an unprofitable servant." The benefit of thinking this way and having this attitude, the Lord will say, "You are my friends."

Jesus Christ set the example for us by taking upon Himself the spirit and attitude of a servant: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name." (Philippians 2:5-9).

One of the ways He manifested to His disciples this servant attitude was to wash their feet. When He was finished, He questioned them: "Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him" (John 13:12-16).

A MINISTER IS A SERVANT

The mother of James and John came with her two sons desiring a special place for them in Jesus' kingdom. Her idea (and perhaps her sons, also) of the ministry to which they had been called was that it was a high and exalted position (and so it is!), and so they would sit like kings or vice- kings, sharing a throne with Jesus. Jesus answer to this was: "Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister (servant); And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28).

THE SERVANT ATTITUDE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL

Paul, with all of his education, and the great work that he had accomplished for God, still considered himself a servant of Jesus Christ. He wrote: "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ . . .” (Romans 1:1).

The church at Corinth suffered division, because some people considered Paul to be greater than Apollos, and others considered Apollos to be greater. Both of these men had baptized people in the church at Corinth. Paul knew that they were exalting him and Apollos too much. He wrote to them: "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers (servants) by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase" (I Corinthians 3:4-7).

THE DUTIES OF A SERVANT

The servant cannot pick what duties he wants to perform. He must do whatever his Lord requires him to do: "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46).

"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

When a person has truly placed himself in the position of a servant of Jesus Christ, he will ask, like the Apostle Paul, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6).

Read Luke 9:57-62 concerning three people who called Jesus "Lord," but were not willing to obey Him, unless they could dictate their own terms. This the servant has no right to do!

THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LORD TO HIS SERVANT

The Lord supplies the tools for his servant. It is the Lord's field, the Lord's vineyard. Our own equipment is not sufficient. We must seek the Lord so that He will supply us with what we need to get the job done (Acts 4:29-31).
The Lord hires and sends forth the laborers (Matthew 9:37-38).
The Lord rewards His servants for their faithfulness, or for their lack of faithfulness, accordingly (Matthew 25:14-30).

If we keep a servant-like attitude, and are submissive to the Lord, some day we will be duly rewarded: "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them" (Luke 12:35-37).

What Jesus is saying is that if we will take upon ourselves the spirit or attitude of a “servant”, the day will come when He Himself will minister to us.

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LESSON #16 - The Difference Between s Servant and a Son

"So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10).

Eliphaz the Temanite asked the question, "Can a man be profitable unto God" (Job 22:2).

We have studied in a previous lesson that we must have the attitude and character of a servant. After we have done all that is required of us, we are to say, "I am an unprofitable servant" (Luke 17:10).

The Difference Between A Servant and a Son

The Servant:

It is true that we are to have the humble attitude of a servant, but at the same time, we should remember, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God" (I John 3:2).

A servant will do what he is required to do--what has been assigned to him--nothing more, nothing less.
He does not have the same rank or relationship as all the servants of his master.
He eats alone, not enjoying fellowship and friendship with his master.
He honors his master, but seldom does a servant really love his master, and serve him because of that love.
He serves him because of the pay he receives.

The Son:

On the other hand, a good son considers the needs of his parents, and will often do more than that which he was asked to do.

A good son will love his parents and receive their love in return.
He will seek to do the things that are pleasing unto them. Jesus wants us to enjoy this kind of relationship (Sonship) with Him. All that we do--praying, fasting, reading the Bible, attending church services, witnessing to people who do not know Jesus--He wants us to do it because we love Him, not because of a reward we will receive some day for faithful service as “servants” expects.

There are many Christians who are servants of the Lord, but do not live as sons and daughters! They serve Jesus and strive to follow His Word, but they do not enjoy a close relationship with Him. Jesus is not satisfied if we only have a servant relationship with Him.

In Luke 15:11-32 He gives us the story of the prodigal son to illustrate this point:

A certain young man demanded his inheritance from his father, and then left his home and his family.
He traveled to a far country, where he wasted all of his inheritance with riotous living.
He reached the point that he did not have sufficient money to buy food, and was forced to obtain employment feeding the swine, a task which was very repulsive to him, being a Jew.
In his hunger, he was about to fill his stomach with the husks that the swine ate when he finally "came to himself." ". . .he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants" (Luke 15:17-19).
The son did not feel that his father would ever want to be close to him again, because of the rebellious ways of his past life.
This shows how little he knew his father.
Since the day that he had left home, his father had grieved for him.
His father had spent much time looking down the long, dusty road, hoping to see the return of his son--and finally it did happen. . . . when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him(Luke 15:20).

One of the purposes of this parable was to teach us concerning God's love, compassion, and the forgiveness He offers the person who repents. It should have been evident to the son that his father had forgiven him, and he could now enjoy full Sonship with him again. But he did not know how to receive his father's love. He had memorized his little speech, and he went ahead and gave it: ". . . Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son" (verse 21).

What was the reaction of the father to these words? He ignored them! "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found . . ." (verses 22-24).

This beautiful parable conveys to us God's love and forgiveness, and His desire to have a love relationship with us (Ephesians 1:4). We have all sinned--and there isn't anybody who is worthy to be called a son of God. But God is not satisfied when we serve Him as a servant only. He wants us to have the humble spirit and attitude of a servant--but at the same time, a loving relationship with Him as a son!

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LESSON #17 - The Royal Priesthood

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:" (I Peter 2:9).

"And hath made us kings and priests unto God . . ." (Revelation 1:6).

In this lesson, we shall study two beautiful relationships we have with Jesus Christ. The above two verses of Scripture declare unto us that we are a royal priesthood; that is, we are spiritual priests, but we are also sons of the King of Kings, and share His throne!

SPIRITUAL PRIESTS

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (I Peter 2:5).

God had originally promised Israel: "If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exodus 19:5, 6).

Because the nation of Israel was disobedient to God, and did not keep His covenant, they never became a "kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."

Instead, it was to the blood-washed, Spirit-filled believers that Peter wrote: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and an holy nation."

1. The duties of the priests under the Law. The main duties of the priests under the Law was to offer sacrifices. There were many different kinds of sacrifices. Most of them were for the purpose of getting right with God. If a man sinned, an animal was slain and offered as a substitute for his own blood, because the Bible declares: "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4), and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). By the offering of these type of sacrifices, the priest interceded for the guilty person. The priest also offered "thanksgiving offerings" to the Lord (Leviticus 7:11-13) 2. The duties of the "Spiritual Priests." "

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Hebrews 13:15).

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men" (I Timothy 2:1).

Peter tells us that we are to "offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:5). This we do when we worship Jesus with our praise and thanksgiving. How can we ensure our "spiritual sacrifices" (Praise and Thanksgiving) are acceptable to God? By making sure we have first offered ourselves as a living sacrifice: "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service" (Romans 12:1). Our worship must be sincere, and when we have first surrendered ourselves totally to Jesus, it will be. Someone has truthfully said, "Sincerity is when heart and tongue agree!"

OUR POSITION AS KINGS

Many Christians have the idea that we will reign as kings only in the future millennium. However, notice that Peter wrote "Ye are . . . a royal priesthood" (I Peter 2:9). Webster Dictionary tells us the meaning of "royal" is: "of kingly ancestry."

That means an "outsider" cannot buy his way into the royal family. He must be born into it! When we are born into the kingdom of God by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16, 17).

This certainly does not mean that we are equal in all things with Jesus Christ. It does mean that as "kings," we have been given some authority, and we need to use it. Paul makes this clearer to us when we study his letter to the church at Ephesus: " . . . making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. And you hath he quickened (*made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even we we were dead in sins, hath quickened (*made alive) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:16-23; 2:1, 4-6). Herein is a beautiful truth that we must understand if we will live an overcoming and victorious life over the kingdom of Satan.

Please notice what Paul wrote:

1. Jesus:

a. died, and was raised from the dead. b. He was elevated to a place of authority "in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion."

2. We:

a. were "dead in trespasses and sins."

b. When we repented of our sins, and were filled with the Holy Ghost, we were quickened, or made alive.

c. We were raised up together with Jesus to sit in heavenly places.

The reason many people do not understand this beautiful truth is because they don't understand the meaning of the term used here "in heavenly places."

The word "heavenly" used here comes from the Greek word "epouranios," which is translated: celestial, heaven, or high. The word "heavenly" often has the meaning: "the spiritual realm," and this is what Paul is referring to. Paul wrote about something that had already happened to the church at Ephesus: "God hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places." This truth is so important that Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus that the eyes of their understanding would be opened, and they would realize "what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe."

We do not rule and reign over each other, but we do share Christ's throne of authority over the Satanic kingdom. The term "principalities, and powers" is used by Paul in several places in his writings, and refers to the spirit world, which consists of:

The angels of God, and also
The Satanic kingdom (Satan and the fallen angels and demons below his authority. Satan's kingdom is highly divided, with demons of different rank and position).

Read Ephesians 3:10; 6:12; Colossians 1:16; 2:15. In the spiritual kingdom of God, we are seated on the throne with Jesus Christ--in the place of power, authority, and victory. But remember, we are little kings. He is the King of kings. We must make sure that we have made Him Lord and King over our total being.

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LESSON #18 - A Bride for Jesus Christ

The sending forth of the servant to get a bride for the son is a type of the Holy Spirit, sent forth into the world to prepare a group of people who would choose to love and serve Jesus Christ, thus becoming His "bride."

The Holy Spirit does not force us to choose to serve Jesus Christ. We must willingly say, "I will go." When we say "yes" to God, He has many gifts that He gives us to prepare us for the bridegroom.

The "gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38) is the greatest one of them all, for this is the invisible presence of Jesus that comes into our life. This presence will give us not only love, peace and joy, but also a greater understanding of God's Word, and His will for our lives. The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit were also given to His church (His bride). (See I Corinthians, Chapters 12-14.)

Jesus will have no trouble recognizing His bride, because they will possess His gifts! Jesus Himself occasionally made reference to His future relationship with the believers.

The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked why His disciples did not fast. Jesus answer was:

"Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast" (Matthew 9:15).

John referred to Jesus as the bridegroom, and himself as the friend of the bridegroom (John 3:29).

Jesus gave several parables concerning His relationship as the bridegroom:

1. The Parable of the Marriage Feast (Matthew 22:1-14)

2. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

These parables teach the importance of preparing ourselves for the coming "marriage feast." We must be wearing the "wedding garment," which is the garment of salvation.

The five foolish virgins were careless, and did not make sure that their lanterns stayed filled with the oil. As believers and disciples, we must not make the same mistakes as they made. We must stay full of the Holy Spirit by feeding him daily with God’s word. We must not take our salvation for granted. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (II Peter 1:10).

Paul had a beautiful understanding concerning Jesus Christ being our bridegroom:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:25, 27; 30-32).

Jesus Christ gave us a beautiful promise before He went away:

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2, 3).

Surely our eternal home is already prepared, and Jesus is getting ready to come back for His bride, the church of Jesus Christ. Paul tells us that He is coming after "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing," a church that is "holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27).

We must make sure that we are preparing ourselves for our bridegroom:

". . . for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7).

". . . the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 25:10-13).

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LESSON #19 - You Have a Ministry

"And His gifts were varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us, some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), that they should do the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church)" (Ephesians 4:11-12, Amplified Bible).

In the New Testament, the words that have been translated "ministry," "minister," "ministered," and such like words, come from several Greek words:

1. diakoneo: to be an attendant, or as a host, friend, teacher, deacon, to minister unto others, serve.

2. diakonia: attendance as a servant, ministering, serving.

3. diakonos: to run on errands, an attendant, a waiter at a table or other menial duties, a Christian teacher and pastor, deacon, minister, servant.

4. leitourgeo: to perform religious functions, to worship.

The five-fold ministry as mentioned in the above verses of Scripture is:

1. Apostles (Messengers for God)

2. Prophets (Messenger from God)

3. Evangelists (Recruiters for God)

4. Pastors (Under Shepherds Helping Jesus With His Church)

5. Teachers (Growing Disciples)

Some people also put the pastors and teachers into one classification and refer to the four-fold ministry.

The Purpose of the Ministry:

Is to train all of the saints, perfecting them and equipping them to do the work of ministering toward the building up of Christ's body, the church.

Everybody has a ministry. Each member of the body of Christ has a particular place in the church that only he can fill.

He is unique. There is no one in the church that can do the job just like he can!

"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another" (Romans 12:4-5).

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He pleased" (I Corinthians 12:7, 18).

The child of God must seek God to find out what is his particular calling or place in the body of Christ. His ministry may be of a spiritual nature, or it may be otherwise, but it is important!

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues" (I Corinthians l2:28).

In the Church of Jesus Christ, there are many kinds of ministries.

Some of the most important ministries can be classified as follows:

1. The Ministry of the Word: The five-fold ministry, which is directed to both believers and unbelievers (Acts 6:4; Ephesians 4:11-12).

2. The Ministry of Worship: A ministry directed unto God, but which also blesses the individual and the church (Acts 13:2).

3. The Ministry of Prayer: Prayer is a ministry unto God and unto men, since it involves both worship and intercession. Read Luke 2:36-37.

4. The Ministry of Reconciliation: This is a combination of several ministries to bring the sinner to God. The ministry of prayer, the ministry of the Word, and the ministry of the saints--all help to bring the sinner to God. Read II Corinthians 5:18.

5. The Ministry of the Saints: This ministry involves both the spiritual realm (the heavenly), and the carnal (the supplying of earthly things).

a. Spiritual:
- 1) Seeking to reconcile people to Jesus Christ, thus fulfilling His commission to the church (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).
- 2) Building up one another (I Corinthians 14:26; Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19- 22).

b. Carnal (Material):

"But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are in Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things" (Romans 15:25-27).

Thus, the supplying of material or carnal needs can be thought of as a ministry--the ministry of giving. Just like a Homeless Shelter mission should be. Metropolitan Ministries located in downtown Tampa Florida is a good example of this.

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LESSON #20 - The Ministry of Worship

"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said . . . " (Acts 13:2).

The word "ministered" as used in this verse comes from the Greek word "leitourgeo," which means "to worship."

Worship is the only ministry which is directed to the Lord alone. Prayer involves some worship, but also intercession for others and petitions for our own needs. We “minister” unto the Lord by “worshipping” Him. Let us always remember that! We do not “praise” God to be heard by men. Also, keep in mind that since “worship” is a ministry unto the Lord, we should not worship God for the purpose of receiving material benefits or spiritual blessings from Him. He has already done enough to deserve all our “praise” (our Thank You) and worship!

We are commanded to worship God, but it must be in spirit and in truth: ". . . Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:10). "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).

WHAT IS WORSHIP?

The word "worship" comes from the Greek word "proskuneo," which means to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand.

It means to prostrate one's self, or to make one's self low. It also means to reverence and adore. The deepest form of “WORSHIP” is “praise (an expression of warm approval or admiration)” and “adoration (deep love and respect)” to God for what He is. There are "no strings attached" to this kind of worship. We are not worshipping Him for what we can get out of Him, or because of what He has done for us.

Worshipping God for what He has done for us is "thanksgiving." Our “worship” should include “thanksgiving”, but we must not forget to “praise” and “adore” Him because of what He is!

In order for a “Believer” to “Worship” God properly, he or she must:

1. Thank God

2. Praise God

3. Adore God

These three elements illustrates “True Worship”.

In a future lesson we will discover that we can also refer to this kind of worship as "high praises." Examples of "high praises" will be given from the Word of God in that lesson.

SEVEN WORDS FOR "PRAISE"

The word "praise" as found in the Bible was translated from seven different words, six of them Hebrew, and the other New Testament word is Greek.

1. yadah: to revere or worship with extended hands

2. halal: to shine, to make a show, to boast, to rave, to commend, glory

3. tehillah: to sing a hymn of praise

4. zamar: to make music, to praise with song and music, sing forth praises

5. towdah: worship and adoration with extension of hands, especially a choir of worshippers

6. shabach: to praise with a loud voice.

7. ainesis: the act of praising God, an offering of praise.

The following are examples where the word "praise" was translated from one of these seven words. The student should look up each verse of Scripture in his Bible to note the full meaning:

1. yadah: Psalm 9:1; 138:1; Isaiah 12:1, 4

2. halal: Psalm 22:22; Psalm 111:1; Psalm 150

3. tehillah: Psalm 22:25; Psalm 34:1; Psalm 100:4

4. zamar: Psalm 21:13

5. towdah: Psalm 50:23; Title of Psalm 100

6. shabach: Psalm 63:3

7. ainesis: Romans 15:11; Revelation 19:5; Hebrews 13:15

The Bible also teaches us to clap our hands unto the Lord (Psalm 47:1).

WE ARE A SPIRITUAL PRIESTHOOD

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood . . ." (I Peter 2:9).

"Ye also, as lively (living) stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priest- hood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (I Peter 2:5).

One of the main duties of the Old Testament priest was to offer up the proper sacrifices unto the Lord. We are “Spiritual Priests.” We do not offer up animals and fruits unto the Lord. We offer “worship” out of a pure heart unto the Lord.

"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 1:11).

EXAMPLES OF THE POWER OF PRAISE

1. Dedication of Solomon's Temple: "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God" (II Chronicles 5:13-14).

The glory of God did not fill the temple until the musicians and singers began to “Praise” God in one mind and one accord--even though the temple was already finished, and all of the pieces of furniture were in their proper place. This teaches us that we can have everything in proper place in our lives, but we must “worship” God if we want to experience His glorious presence.

2. Judah's Victory Over Their Enemies: "And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten" (II Chronicles 20:22).

Several nations of Israel's enemies joined together to fight against Judah. Judah was greatly outnumbered. Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, proclaiming a fast throughout all Judah. The spirit of the LORD came upon one of the Levites, who prophesied that the Lord would give them the victory. They would not even have to fight for it! Singers were appointed to “worship” and “praise” the LORD, and as they did so, God fought for Judah and defeated their enemies. This teaches us that in the time of temptations, trials, etc., we can have the victory by “praising” (Thanking) and “worshipping” (Reverencing and Adoring) the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Paul and Silas Experiences Victory in Prison:

"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed" (Acts 16:25-26).

Paul and Silas had been cast into prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of moaning and groaning, they got their minds off themselves, and begin to sing “praises” (Thank You’s) unto their God. God sent a spiritual (and physical) earthquake. Because of this move of the Holy Spirit, Paul baptized the jailor and his household. (Acts 16:27-33)

THE BENEFITS OF A LIFE OF PRAISE

1. Praise decentralizes self. We get our mind off of our own selves and our problems when we “minister” (Worship) to the Lord in “True Worship”.

2. God's presence is continually with us (Psalm 22:3).

3. We will be spiritually fat (Psalm 63:3-7).

4. We can wear the garment of “praise”, or the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3).

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LESSON #21 - The Ministry of Giving

Many Christians struggle with the issue of "Tithing". In some churches giving is over-emphasized. In fact, "Tithing" is considered a "Law" because it is a "Tax". At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making "Offerings" to the Lord. Giving and not "Tithing" is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today.

"Tithing" is an Old Testament concept. The "Tithe" was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5).

In fact, the Old Testament Law required "Multiple Tithes"—one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land—which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.

The death of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says gifts should be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving.

The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the body of Christ. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

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LESSON #22 - The Making of a Man of God (Part 1)

"Go then, and make disciples of all nations . . ." (Matthew 28:29, Amplified Bible).

"For we are God's own handiwork, his workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew, that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live" (Ephesians 2:10, Amplified Bible).

". . . that we might arrive at really mature manhood--the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection--the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ, and the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children, tossed like ships to and fro . . . let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him, Who is the Head, even Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One" (Ephesians 4:13-15, Amplified Bible).

What does it mean to be "perfect"?

If one is sinless, is he then perfect?
Was Jesus born sinless?
Was He born perfect?

These are the questions we will now take a look at. The Bible teaches us that we should strive to be perfect:

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

"Till we all come . . . unto a perfect man" (Ephesians 4:13).

". . . that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:28).

". . . labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (Colossian 4:12).

"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: thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (II Timothy 3:16, 17).

The word that was translated "perfect" in our King James Bible came from the Greek word "telelotes," which means "complete in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, completeness, of full age, mature, perfect."

JESUS WAS BORN SINLESS, BUT NOT PERFECT

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52).

"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Hebrews 2:10).

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (Hebrews 5:8-9).

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

From the preceding verses of Scripture, we can see that:

1. Jesus Christ was not born perfect. He was made perfect. That is, Jesus Christ, though sinless, was not complete and perfected in every area of His character. In fact, He could not even become the author of our salvation until He learned obedience and submission. (The word "obedience" comes from the Greek word "hupakoe" and means compliance or submission).

2. Jesus became the author of salvation after He was perfected.

3. Jesus is able to help to those who are tempted because He was tempted in all points like as we are.

4. Jesus has the ability to feel compassion for us as we combat our weaknesses because of His own personal temptations that He faced.

HOW DO WE BECOME A PERFECTED OR MATURE CHRISTIAN?

1. God has given the five-fold ministry (pastors, evangelists, prophets, apostles, teachers) for "the perfecting and full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), that they should do the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body the church . . . that we might arrive at really mature manhood--the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection . . . the completeness found in Him" (Ephesians 4:11-13, Amplified Bible). In these verses of Scripture we see the importance of our spiritual leaders and the Word of God in bringing us to spiritual maturity.

2. Our fellowship with the saints of God, and our ministering to one another is also important: "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying (building up)" (I Corinthians 14:26).

3. Nevertheless, the spiritual blessings we receive from God, and the beautiful fellowship we have with one another are not enough to mature us. In many areas of our lives, we could never fully develop the Christ-like character without those beautiful things called trials, tribulations, temptations, persecutions, etc., in other words--life's experiences. This is also a part of God's plan. When you are going through some particular kind of struggle, don't fight it. It is God's plan for you for the present: "For it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you, energizing and creating in you the power and desire, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13, Amplified Bible).

We are God's handiwork, His creation. God is at work in our lives, perfecting and completing us, so that we ought to accept all that comes our way as a part of His divine will and His work (Romans 8:28-29; II Corinthians 3:18).

What, then, should be our attitude towards these things we consider negative factors (persecutions, tribulations, temptations)? "Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character--that is, approved faith and tried integrity. And character of this sort produces the habit of joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation" (Romans 5:3-4, Amplified Bible).

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong" (II Corinthians 12:10).

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing" (James 1:2-4).

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LESSON #23 - The Making of a Man of God (Part 2)

THE TRIALS OF JOB

We learned that God wants us to become mature Christians, perfected and completed. The five-fold ministry was given for this purpose. Our ministry to one another, in building up one another, is also very important. However, just as important to our spiritual maturity are life's experiences, which include persecutions, tribulations, temptations, and testings.

Now we will clearly see this in the life of Job.

1. The Character of Job:

"There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who reverently feared God and abstained from and shunned evil" (Job 1:1, Amplified Bible).

2. The Wealth of Job:

"His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all men of the east" (Job 1:3).

3. Job's Family:

"And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters" (Job 1:2). Because Job was such a good man, he had developed a somewhat self-righteous attitude. He was not aware of the great gulf that existed between his righteousness and the righteousness of God. He needed to learn how great God was. Only this would bring him to a place of true humility.

4. Job's trials:

A. He lost his wealth (Job 1:14-17).

B. He lost his children (Job 1:18-19).

C. He lost his health (Job 2:7-8).

D. His wife told him to curse God and die (Job 2:8-9).

E. The greatest of all trials was that he lost his awareness of God's presence:

"Behold I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:" (Job 23:8-9). Yet he recognized that which he was going through as a trial allowed by God, and he was determined to be faithful to God, regardless of the trials and testings he experienced: "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).

F. His friends made long speeches, trying to convince Job that he must have sin in his life, or God would not allow him to suffer so much. Nevertheless, the testimony of Job was: "My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:11-12).

The Bible does not record any actual sins that Job committed. However, he did need a revelation of the greatness of God that would humble and soften him. In fact, it was in the midst of the trial that he wrote, "For God maketh my heart soft . . ." (verse 16).

Isaiah had seen a vision of the holiness of God, and what he saw and experienced forever changed him (Isaiah, Chapter 6).

In Job, Chapters 38 through 41, we read that God revealed His greatness to Job. Job listened as God described the greatness of His power, and majesty. Then he spoke: "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further" (Job 40:4-5). "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).

It was after Job spoke these words that God told him to pray for his friends, because they had not spoken the thing that was right. "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10).

God not only gave Job ten more children, but he also received twice as many sheep, camels, oxen and donkey as before.

The trials of Job brought blessings to him spiritually and materially. Job's trials, and revelation of the greatness of God helped to make his heart soft, and also rid him of his self-righteousness. Not all things that happen to us are good, but "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

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LESSON #24 - The Ministry of Prayer

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Let us look at what prayer is not.

It is not just a lot of "hocus-pocus" to bring us the things that we desire.
It is not words uttered in order to put a curse upon those who have wronged us.
It is not a set form of words, which, if we repeat them enough times, will undo any harm that we have done, and ensure a place for us in the heaven of our God.

If we have the wrong idea and the wrong attitude concerning what prayer is, we will just waste time speaking insincere words into the air.

Let us look at what prayer is.

True prayer is the privilege of entering into the presence of God, and communicating with Him.
It is our feeling for God, seeking His face, seeking to know what is pleasing to Him, and what is not.
It is sincerely confessing our failures to Him, and expressing how weak we are without His divine power filling our lives. It is thanking Him for the abundance of blessings that He has bestowed upon us.
It is bowing before Him in loving adoration, and offering high praises to Him because of what He is!
Prayer is making known our needs to Him, and interceding for the needs of others.
Prayer is all this and much, much more!

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER

Prayer is as real as God is real. There is absolutely nothing that God cannot do if it will advance His kingdom, and is in accordance with His will. It is prayer that releases God's power.

Wesley L. Duewel, in his book, "Touching the World Through Prayer", wrote: "Prayer is the master strategy that God gives for the defeat and rout of Satan. Through prayer the Holy Spirit can so empower us that Satan's hold on lives is broken, Satan's hindrances to the kingdom are removed, and Satan's work is destroyed. Christ came to destroy the work of the devil (I John 3:8). He did this potentially at Calvary, and Christ enforces Calvary's victory through the prayers of His bride, the church. That is why the people of God are also the army of God."

Prayer is the opportunity to bask in the presence of God. It is the brightest spot of every day. If we really know and believe that, we will spend more time in prayer. We were created to love, serve, and have fellowship with our Creator.

King David wrote:

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God (Psalm 42:1-2).

O God, thou art my God: early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary" (Psalm 63:1-2).

Man was created body, soul, and spirit. The spirit gives life to the body. Food and drink can satisfy the cravings of the body, but the soul was created to hunger and thirst after God. It is the inner yearning for communication with God, and a closer relationship with Him. If we understand this, it will help us to be faithful to God, and approach His throne by prayer every day! This holiest and highest of all privileges are open to every true believer. You don't have to have an appointment. You don't have to wait for Him. He is waiting for you!

THE MODEL PRAYER

"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples" (Luke 11:1).

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen" (Matthew 6:9-13).

We often refer to this prayer as "the Lord's Prayer," but we have no Biblical reference that He ever prayed these words as a formal prayer. It is all right to pray this prayer just as it is, but notice that Jesus said "After this manner therefore pray ye." It is meant to be a guide for us to enlarge upon.

With this in mind, let us learn from it the elements that are necessary to pray effectively:

1. Worship:

Jesus' model prayer begins with the words, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

a. The deepest form of worship is when we praise (Thank You) God for what He is. We should start and end our prayer time with this kind of praise.
b. Thanksgiving is praising God for what He has given us and done for us. We should offer thanks to God every day for all of the many spiritual, physical, and material blessings He bestows upon us.

2. Kingdom Praying:

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This phase of the kingdom has already come. However, we should daily pray for our leaders (civil and spiritual), our brothers and sisters in Christ, for the lost, for all mankind (I Timothy 2:1; James 5:16). All of the occupants of heaven do the will of God. We are to pray that all of the occupants of the earth will do the same.

3. Petitions:

"Give us this day our daily bread, lead us not into temptation." These are examples of petitions. A petition is something we request or ask God for. The Lord does want us to ask (Matthew 21:22; James 4:2). We should not ask "amiss," but according to His will (I John 5:14).

4. Confession:

"Forgive us our debts (sins) as we forgive our debtors (those who have sinned against us)." This prayer has two parts: repentance (requesting forgiveness), and forgiving others.

a. “All have sinned and have come short of the glory of God”(Romans 3:23). Try hard not to fail God, but at times you will stumble and fall. When that happens, do not become discouraged and give up. Confess your sins to Jesus. He has promised to forgive you and cleanse you (I John 1:9). Psalm 51 is a model prayer for the sincere confession of sins.
b. To be forgiven, however, we must forgive others (Matthew 6:12). He has told us that He will not forgive us if we will not forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).

5. End your prayer with praise and worship:

"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." The more you communicate with God, the more you will learn to pray sincerely and effectively. And the more you seek His face through earnest, believing prayer, the greater will be your relationship with Jesus Christ!

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LESSON #25 - Sincerity

Sincerity: comes from the Latin words "sine cera," which means "without wax, separated from the wax, pure honey." Free from adulteration, genuine, unfeigned, real, wholehearted, honest, and free of dissimulation.

Dissimulation: to put on a false appearance, to disguise, to hide under a false appearance; to conceal intentions, facts, feelings under some false pretense.

Unfeigned: sincere, not hypocritical.

Hypocrite: One who pretends to be what he really is not. Like an actor, he takes on a role which is not really his true self.

There is no quality more important in the life of the true child of God than sincerity. No amount of fasting, praying, reading the Bible, going to church, etc., can take the place of this! Perfection might be an impossible goal in this life, but we can and must be sincere, if we are going to experience real Christian Growth.

The charge that Joshua gave to the leaders of Israel is applicable to us today: "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth..." (Joshua 24:14).

1. It is not enough that we are serving the Lord and doing His will. We must do it from our heart: "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you" (Romans 6:17). "Not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6).

2. It is not enough for us to worship God, we must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality, sincerity): "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (reality, sincerity)" (John 4:24).

3. It is not enough for us to love people, our love must be sincere: "Let love be without dissimulation..." (Romans 12:9). "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart" (I Timothy 1:5). "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (I Peter 1:22).

4. It is not enough to give our offerings unto the cause of Jesus Christ. We must do so from our heart: "And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought... an offering . . . unto the LORD" (Exodus 35:22). "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with *sincere heart they offered willingly to the LORD..." (I Chronicles 19:9).

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (unwillingly): for God loveth a cheerful giver" (II Corinthians 9:7).

5. How can we tell if we are sincere?

a. Do we say that we love the Lord with all of our heart, and yet we do not obey Him? Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
b. Do we say that we love Him, and yet we do not spend much time in prayer communing with Him. If we love Him, we will desire to spend time with Him.
c. When we tell our brother or sister that we love them, do we really? Or are these just mere words. Sincerity is when heart and tongue agree.
d. When we worship the Lord, is it real, or just an act to impress others how sincere or spiritual we are?
e. Is our life "pure honey," or is there a lot of wax mixed in?

THE SPIRIT OF PHARISAISM

A casual glance at a Pharisee might impress you. He was a person who did much praying and fasting. He carried his "Bible" wherever he went. He prayed long prayers. He was careful to pay his tithes. His garments were long in length. He went to a great extent to get one convert. He had only one problem. He was not sincere. He was just acting out a role.

1. The Pharisees prayed, fasted, and gave to be seen of men (Matthew 6:1-18).

2. They preached, but did not practice their own preaching (Matthew 23:3).

3. They looked outwardly religious:

a. The borders of their garment were enlarged. (This was a special fringe that God required Israelite men to wear, to remind them of the commandments (Numbers 15:38-40, Matthew 23:5).
b. They made their phylacteries (cases that held Scriptures) broad, so that they would be more noticeable (Matthew 23:5).

4. They loved recognition (verses 6-7).

5. For a pretense, they made long prayers (verse 14).

6. They were very careful to pay their tithes, but omitted the things that were more important: judgment, mercy, and faith (verse 23). 7. They strained at a gnat (strained out) and swallowed a camel (verse 24). 8. They made clean the outside, while within they were full of extortion and excess (verse 25).

9. Jesus said of them: "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto me, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (verses 27-28).

10. The Pharisees were very self-righteous in their prayers (Luke 18:10-14).

11. They were quick to pass judgment on others (Matthew 9:10-11; 12:1-2, 9-12).

12. They accepted and rejected whatever was convenient to them (Matthew 15:1-11).

It is easy to see the shallowness and insincerity of the Pharisees, even though they were abundant in religious works. It is no wonder that Jesus said: "...except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). It is possible for a Christian today to have the spirit of Pharisaism, if he or she is not careful. Long dresses, long prayers, much fasting, etc., do not ensure that our hearts are right with God and that we are sincere Christians. We must have a right relationship with God and with men. Then we will be sincere--pure honey, without wax!

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LESSON #26 - The Gifts of The Holy Spirit - (Part 1)

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant" (I Corinthians 12:1).

It is the will of God for us to have a proper understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. What is a proper definition for the Biblical term "gifts of the Spirit?" Many people think that this refers to natural abilities to give counseling, speak effectively, etc. But this is not the answer!

The gifts of the Spirit are: a divine and supernatural enablement to know certain things, or to do certain things, or to speak certain things.

These gifts are identified in I Corinthians 12:8-11, and can be classified as follows:

1. Administrative Gifts (to know):

Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Discerning of Spirits

These gifts are helpful in the administration of the church.

2. Evangelism or Ministry Gifts (to do):

Faith
Gifts of Healing
Working of Miracles

These are especially helpful in reaching the lost with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, and also ministering to physical and emotional needs that exist in the body of Christ.

3. Revelation or Communication Gifts (to speak):

Prophecy
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues

We will now look at a brief description of each gift, and an example where these gifts were ministered by Jesus, and also by the apostles:

Administrative Gifts (to know)

1. Word of Wisdom: (Administrative Gifts)

Supernatural wisdom that goes far beyond the wisdom of the individual to deal with a certain situation.

Examples: Jesus: Matthew 22:15-46 James: Acts 15

2. Word of Knowledge: (Administrative Gifts)

This is not the gift of knowledge, but the Word of knowledge. The unction or anointing of the spirit comes upon a person to impart to them facts about people, places, things, or events which they could not possibly know without the Spirit revealing it to them. Examples: Jesus: John 4:16-29 Peter: Acts 5:1-9

3. Discerning of Spirits: (Administrative Gifts) The ability to recognize Satanic spirits in a person, or using a person. There is no Biblical requirement that we must be able to identify each spirit in order that we may deal with it. However, Jesus often did call spirits by name when commanding them to leave. This gift can also be a divine enablement to discern whether something is a result of the human spirit, rather than the Spirit of God. Examples: Jesus: Luke 9:42 Paul: Acts 16:16-18

Evangelism or Ministry Gifts (to do)

4. Gift of Faith: (Evangelism or Ministry Gifts) This is a supernatural faith which exhibits itself when impossible circumstances come our way and we need a miracle--a financial need, a door opened to preach the gospel, the intervention of God in a certain situation, or a sickness healed. When this supernatural faith takes hold of us, we can make bold statements and we will see results! Examples: Jesus: John 4:50-52 Peter: Acts 3:6

5. Gifts of Healing: (Evangelism or Ministry Gifts) Notice that the Bible says "gifts," not "gift." It seems to this writer that some people are used of God in praying only for specific diseases, such as cancer, etc. However, if a person has all of the gifts of healing, he can be used of God in praying for all the sick. If a person is prayed for and at that moment they began to get better, this is proof that the Gifts of Healing for that particular sickness is in operation. If a person is prayed for and they are instantly healed, it was more than just a gift of healing, it was the Working of Miracles in operation. Examples: Jesus: Matthew 9:35 Phillip: Acts 8:5-7

6. The Working of Miracles: (Evangelism or Ministry Gifts) While there is some overlapping between the Working of Miracles and the Gifts of Healing, the Working of Miracles goes far beyond the scope of healing. Healing is confined to the realm of the human body, but miracles includes the totality of creation. In this gift, a supernatural power is released by God through a person's life to effect a supernatural healing or other happening. Examples: Jesus: John 2:1-11 Acts 28:3-5

Revelation or Communication Gifts (to speak)

7. Gift of Prophecy: (Revelation or Communication Gifts) Prophecy can be divided into two parts: forthtelling, and foretelling:

Forthtelling: Forthtelling is to retell that which has already happened. Each time we preach from the Word of God, we retell the lives of individuals, the miracles of the Bible, etc. This is forthtelling. A sermon preached under the anointing of the Holy Ghost (and even an anointed testimony) is a form of prophesying. In normal preaching or testifying, the messages come from the mind of the preacher or the speaker. But this is not the Gift of Prophecy.
Foretelling: Foretelling is the utterance concerning things to come. The Gift of Prophecy can be either forthtelling (see above), or foretelling. But when the true Gift of Prophecy is in operation, there will be a divine utterance of words that are spoken by the individual that have come direct from the mind of God. It is similar to and sounds the same as the interpretation of tongues, except it is not preceded by tongues. Many preachers, while preaching under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, will begin to say things they never planned to say. Sometimes they themselves marvel at what came out of their mouth. The gift can also operate in this manner. Example: Jesus: Matthew 24:2 Different Believers: Acts 20:22-23

8. Gift of Tongues: (Revelation or Communication Gifts) Actually, the Bible does not call this gift the "gift of tongues," but rather "divers (or different) kinds of tongues" (I Corinthians 12:28). This can be divided into two parts:

a. speaking in tongues for personal edification.
b. speaking in tongues for church edification.

I Corinthians, Chapter 14, governs the use of this gift and the gift of prophecy.

9. Interpretation of Tongues: (Revelation or Communication Gifts)

Notice that it does not say "translation of tongues," but "interpretation of tongues." There is a difference! The tongues might be much longer or shorter than the message. Examples: The church at Antioch: Acts 13:1-2 Other examples of the gifts of the Spirit in operation: Using the preceding information to recognize and identify the gifts of the Spirit, let the student study the following verses of Scripture: Jesus: Matthew 8:2-3; 14-16; 24-27; 9:1-7; 12:10-13; 14:15-21; 16:21-23; 21:18-22 Apostles: Acts 5:12-16; 9:10-18; 10:9-17; 27-28; 13:6-12; 14:8-11; 14:19-20.

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LESSON #27 - The Gifts of The Holy Spirit - (Part 2)

The Church is Compared to a Spiritual Building

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (I Peter 2:5).

"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:20-22).

Because the church is a spiritual building, it must be built with the tools of the Holy Spirit. Natural talents and abilities alone will never get the job done correctly. Paul was a highly educated and qualified man, but he confessed that these were not the things that are needed to build God's spiritual temple, the church: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (I Corinthians 2:1-5). 1.

1. The gifts of the Spirit edify (build up) the church:

a. They bring men into a deeper knowledge of God.
b. They help men to see themselves as God sees them.
c. They provide deliverance from demonic spirits that would oppress them.
d. They give physical healing, so that the saints can better serve the Lord.
e. They give emotional healing (bind up the broken hearted -- Isaiah 61:1).
f. The gifts of the Spirit build up, comfort, and instruct the body of Christ (I Corinthians 14:3-4).
g. They strengthen the faith of the believers. h. They give direction to the church.

2. The gifts of the Spirit help us to reach the lost:

a. The city of Lydda was reached through the operation of the gift of miracles (Acts 9:32-35).
b. The city of Joppa was reached through the operation of the gift of miracles (Acts 9:36-42).
c. Sergius Paulus was reached through the operation of several gifts of the Spirit (Acts 13:6-12).
d. The city of Lystra was reached through the gifts of the Spirit (Acts 14:8-11).
e. Paul informed us that the gifts of the Spirit will convince the sinner that God is with us (I Corinthians 14:29-30).
f. The gifts of the Spirit help confirm the truth that we preach (Mark 16:20; Acts 8:5-8; Acts 4:29-30).
g. When Jesus commissioned the twelve to go forth, they were not only to preach, they were to heal the sick, also (Luke 9:1-2).
h. When He sent forth the seventy, it was the same (Luke 10:8-9).

3. The miraculous moving of the Spirit is given to all believers:

"These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" (Mark 16:17-18).

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these . . . And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it" (John 14:12-14).

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues" (I Corinthians 12:7-11).

4. What our average church service should be like:

"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying" (I Corinthians 14:26).

Is this what our average church service is like? Our teaching is Biblical and apostolic, but what about our services? Have we settled for forty per cent of what God wants us to have? Have we substituted other things for the moving of the Spirit because we do not want to pay the price? Do we have to have a lot of extra songs to fill in, because we do not have the gifts of the Spirit in operation? Let us not accept a substitute. Let us seek for a restoration of the gifts of the Spirit in the church of Jesus Christ! Let the Spirit of God be manifested in your life, both for personal edification, and the building up of the body of Christ. Remember that the gifts of the Spirit are the power tools necessary to build up the spiritual body of Christ--His church!

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LESSON #28 - The Gifts of The Holy Spirit (Part3)

HOW TO HAVE THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT ACTIVE IN THE CHURCH

1. We must sincerely desire to have the spiritual gifts manifested among us, and then expect them to operate: "But covet earnestly the best gifts . . ." (I Corinthians 12:31). "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts" (I Corinthians 14:1).

2. We must have the right motive or reason for wanting the gifts active in our church. That is the reason sandwiched in between the two chapters that deal with the gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12 and 14), we find the "love" chapter (I Corinthians 13).

Take notice that after Paul said, ". . . covet earnestly the best gifts," he ended the statement by saying, "and yet show I unto you a more excellent way," and then he began to talk about the importance of agape love. The gifts of the Spirit must be operated out of a heart of love for others. Then they will not be misused. The gifts of the Spirit are never for self-glorification. They are for the edification of the body of Christ: "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth (builds up) himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth (builds up) the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying" (I Corinthians 14:3-5). "Let all things be done unto edifying" (I Corinthians 14:26).

3. We must have the moving of the Holy Spirit in our churches, which comes only by much prayer and fasting: "As they ministered to the Lord (worshipped the Lord), and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them" (Acts 13:2).

In the middle of their fasting and worship, the gifts of the Spirit operated to give direction to the church. They were told to send forth Paul and Barnabas as the very first missionaries.

In the early days of the church of Jesus Christ, there were continual manifestations of God's glory and power, and the operating of the gifts of the Spirit. It happened because they sought God for it. The church of Jesus Christ was under attack. They were forbidden by the religious leaders of Jerusalem to teach further in the name of Jesus. What was their answer to this? Did they stage a sit- down strike or a hunger strike? That is what some people would have done in the age we live in, but the church reacted by having a prayer meeting: "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus" (Acts 4:29-30). What was the result of their prayer meeting? "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all" (verses 31, 33).

JESUS CHRIST, OUR EXAMPLE IN ALL THINGS

It is the will of God for us to be conformed to the image of the man Christ Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). Setting the example for us, He was both water and Spirit baptized (Matthew 3:16-17 The Holy Spirit dwelt in Him since His conception, but, as our example, he was baptized, and there were outward signs of His being full of the Holy Ghost.

It is the will of God for us to live like Him, and even be willing to suffer as He did (I John 2:6; I Peter 2:21-24). We have seen that it is also the will of God for us to have a ministry like His (John 14:12). Jesus did not begin His ministry immediately. He needed a special anointing for that: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" (Isaiah 61:1). This was a prophecy of Jesus Christ. That same anointing that would enable Him to effectively preach would also enable him to minister the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Before Jesus began His ministry, He spent forty days in the wilderness, fasting and praying, and conquering the devil (Luke 4:1-13). At the end of that time, the Bible says of Him: "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about" (verse 14). At that point of His life He began a miraculous ministry. It is important for us to realize that Jesus Christ continued to spend much time in prayer--and thereby kept that special anointing upon His life.

1. Jesus rose up a great while before day and prayed (Mark 1:35).

2. Jesus continued all night in prayer to God before He chose the twelve apostles (Luke 6:12). 3. Jesus prayed often in Gethsemane. When He faced the great struggle of His life, He prayed until His sweat was as great drops of blood (Luke 22:39-44). "(Jesus) . . . in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared" (Hebrews 5:7).

THE LAST DAY OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY GHOST

Through the prophet Joel, God had promised: "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month" (Joel 2:23).

Many Bible scholars agree that the "former rain" represents the outpouring of the Holy Ghost which began on the day of Pentecost, and the "latter rain" represents the outpouring of the Holy Ghost which began at the turn of the century. In actuality, the former rain and latter rain were separated by a period of five months. But God has promised that in the last days, the "former rain," and the "latter rain" would be poured out together. In other words, the greatest outpouring of God's Spirit would take place in the last days.

This is further confirmed a few verses later: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh" (verse 28). This outpouring of the Holy Ghost was not to happen by accident or coincidence, but as a result of God's people obeying what they were asked to do in the first two chapters of the book of Joel; We must humble ourselves: "Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God . . . Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabi- tants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD" (Joel 1:13-14).

We must turn to God with all of our heart: "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God . . . And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh . . ." (Joel 2:12-13, 28).

Many people take note of the tremendous evil in the land today, and say that it is hopeless to have a great move of God in such an evil world. But God had already spoken of these days through His prophet Isaiah: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isaiah 60:1-3).

Is this not the day that sin covers the earth like thick, gross darkness? Then these are the days we need to arise, and shine, and be filled with the glory of God. These are the exciting days when God is already pouring out His Spirit in a measure never experienced before by mankind. As we humble ourselves, and fast and pray with proper motives, God will give us that special anointing that we need to have the gifts of the Spirit operating in our lives. As we "desire the best gifts," He will show us which of the gifts He desires to operate in our lives, and help us to develop them for the glory of His kingdom! Even so, Jesus, let it happen to all of us!

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LESSON #29 - How to Know the Will of God

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15)

The Bible gives to us different methods that people have used to discover the will of God in a certain situation. When a person seeks to find the will of God, the first question should be, "Does the Bible have anything to say about the matter?" For example, it is not necessary to pray about whether you need to be baptized in Jesus' name. The Bible declares there is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12), and all the apostles baptized the believers using the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48,19:5).

I have heard of women praying and asking the Lord for permission to cut their hair. Such praying is dangerous, because the Bible declares that a woman should not seek to shorten her hair in any manner. Her long hair is her glory. We override our conscience when we try to pray around something that the Bible commands us to do or not to do! Likewise the man does not have to pray about how he should treat his wife. The Bible commands him to love his wife as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for it (Ephesians 5:25).

Here are some other methods that are commonly used to discern the will of God:

Choosing Scriptures At Random

I have had the Lord speak to me and tell me to open my Bible, and at such times He has given direction or encouragement from His word. Other times, in my immaturity I would seek to know God's will for a situation by praying, "Oh God speak to me through your Word." Then I would open the Bible at random, and look at the first verse. Believe me, the results of this method often were not encouraging — and could be dangerous. God is not usually in such things!

Fleecing (Judges, Chapter 6)

Gideon was the first person to use this method. The angel of the LORD visited him as he sat under an oak tree threshing wheat. (This was none other than the angel of God's presence, or God manifest in the form of an angel. See verse 14) The angel informed Gideon that he had been chosen of God to lead Israel to victory over the Midianites. "And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and if it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this onces with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground." (Verses 36-40) Although I often used this method in my earlier walk with God, it is not the most mature method, and we have no Biblical record that it was practiced by the apostolic church. Some say that the apostles "casting of lots" was their way of fleecing the Lord to find out who should take Judas' place. Yet we must remember that they did this BEFORE they received the Holy Ghost, and we cannot even be certain that the man THEY chose was God's choice. His name was never mentioned again in the Bible.

Meanwhile, the Apostle Paul referred to himself as an apostle "born out of due season." One could say that Paul became the twelfth "apostle of the Lamb" (Revelation 21:14).

God's Peace:

The Best Way to Discern the Will of God God finally got through my thick skull the best and most effective way to know His will. The answer is found in the portion of Scripture at the top of this page: "Let the peace of God rule in your heart." The word "rule" comes from a Greek word which means "acts as an umpire or decision-maker." The Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of truth" John 15:26. As we pray about a certain thing, if it is the will of God, we will feel the peace of God the more we pray. If, the more we pray we feel troubled, it is NOT the will of God.

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LESSON #30 - Living a Victorious Life

BE STRONG IN THE LORD!

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:10-12).

There are two spiritual kingdoms in this world - the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of Satan. When we are born into the kingdom of God, we become a true enemy of Satan and a true soldier of Jesus Christ (II Timothy 2:3-4). As a soldier of Jesus Christ, we must understand that the battle we are involved in cannot be won by any physical, mental, or moral strength of our own. That is why Paul wrote: "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3). We can only be an overcomer (one who lives victoriously) as we rely on the strength that Jesus Christ alone can give us. Be strong in the Lord! Jesus further illustrated this truth by comparing Himself to the true vine, and our relationship with Him is compared to the branches - which get their strength from the vine. "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:4-5). Paul said, "I can do all things," but was careful to add "through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

Some people have the mistaken idea that we can reach a place of spiritual maturity when all of our weaknesses will have been conquered, and we will be able to slack up a bit on our praying and seeking after God. Our character will be so molded after His image that we won't need to be so "spiritual" any more. The truth of the matter is that when a man "thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).

The Christ-like life is never lived by developing mature character in the manner one would attain book knowledge. It is the bearing of fruit because we are "clinging to the vine (Jesus)". As we learn more and more to yield our very lives to the true vine, Jesus Christ, we can bear more fruit of the Spirit unto perfection. "Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ, the Messiah, may rest - yea, may pitch a tent over and dwell upon me. So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak (in human strength), then am I (truly) strong - able, powerful in divine strength" (II Corinthians 12:9-10, Amplified Bible).

The word "infirmity" in Webster's Dictionary means, "the quality or state of being weak or frail, personal failings." The word "infirm" means "weak of mind, will, or body." The word "infirmity" as used in the Bible comes from the Greek word "anaesthenia," and means "feebleness of body or mind, disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness, without strength or power, moral weakness."

When we are born into the kingdom of God, our weaknesses are not necessarily done away with, although we are greatly changed in many ways. In fact, often times our weaknesses are the driving force to bring us closer to Jesus Christ - to a total forsaking of the "self-life," and a total dependency upon Jesus.

Paul prayed three times for God to remove his weaknesses and infirmities, but God's answer to him was that His strength was made perfect in weakness. That is why he said, "I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ... may rest... upon me." He went on to say "when I am weak (in human strength) then am I strong." The secret of winning the battle over all things we face is to be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might. We must allow our weaknesses, trials, persecutions, perplexities, distresses -- and every negative thing that comes our way drive us to Jesus Christ. There is no better place than in His presence!

Thank you for taking time to read this lesson. Please don't forget to click on the "DONATION" and make a contribution to our mission.

Signed,

Dr. Carlos N. Moore

Christian Growth Discipleship Lessons

LESSON #1 - A Life with Purpose

LESSON #2 - Four Stages of Christian Growth

LESSON #3 - The Fruit of the Spirit

LESSON #4 - The Love of God

LESSON #5 - The Love of God Demonstrated

LESSON #6 - Our Relationship with God

LESSON #7 - The Inner Circle

LESSON #8 - Loving Ourselves

LESSON #9 - Loving People

LESSON #11 - The New Commandment

LESSON #12 - Love Your Enemies

LESSON #13 - The Shephard and His Sheep

LESSON #14 - Discipleship

LESSON #15 - Servantship

LESSON #16 - The Difference Between s Servant and a Son

LESSON #17 - The Royal Priesthood

LESSON #18 - A Bride for Jesus Christ

LESSON #19 - You Have a Ministry

LESSON #20 - The Ministry of Worship

LESSON #21 - The Ministry of Giving

LESSON #22 - The Making of a Man of God (Part 1)

LESSON #23 - The Making of a Man of God (Part 2)

LESSON #24 - The Ministry of Prayer

LESSON #25 - Sincerity

LESSON #26 - The Gifts of The Holy Spirit - (Part 1)

LESSON #27 - The Gifts of The Holy Spirit - (Part 2)

LESSON #28 - The Gifts of The Holy Spirit (Part3)

LESSON #29 - How to Know the Will of God

LESSON #30 - Living a Victorious Life

Christian Growth
Discipleship Lessons