Course Syllabus

The Biblical Foundation for Church Growth

The divine offer of eternal life, the Gospel which we preach, is examined in detail, not only to assure each student a solid theological base in evangelism and Church Growth, but also so that the student will overflow and be awed by the message in such a way that he will want to go everywhere and tell all men the best news that has ever been revealed to the world. It is a prerequisite to the course, Proclamation for Church Growth.

	Unit	Lesson	Assignment
1.	Introduction	Course Syllabus & a Missions Statement	Prepare a missions
2.	God and the Mission	God’s Missionary Heart	statement for your
3.		God’s Missionary Son 1	departement of evangelism
4.		God’s Missionary Son 2	using the doctrinal points
5.		God’s Missionary People	discussed in this theological
6.		God’s Missionary Spirit 1	base for your department
7.		God’s Missionary Spirit 2
8.		God’s Kingdom
9.	The Church & the Mission	God’s Missionary Church
10.		God’s Missionary Church Member1
11.		God’s Missionary Church Member 2
12.		God’s Mission 1
13.		God’s Mission 2
14.		A Summary Statement on God’s Mission
15.		God’s Church Growth
16.		Planting the Church of God
17.		The Little Church in God’s Church 1
18.		The Little Church in God’s Church 2
19.		God’s Harvest
20.		God’s Harvest Celebration 1
21.		God’s Harvest Celebration 2
22.	The Disciple & the Mission	The Vision of God’s Disciple
23.		The Mark of God’s Disciple 1
24.		The Mark of God’s Disciple 2
25.		The True Disciple of Jesus Christ 1
26.		The True Disciple of Jesus Christ 2
27.		God’s Promises to the Disciple
28.		God’s Equipment for the Mission 1
29.		God’s Equipment for the Mission 2
30.		God’s Gifts to the Corinthiens
31.		God’s Gifts to the Ephesians
32.		Holiness of the Believer: God’s Inheritance 1
33.		Holiness of the believer: God’s Inheritance 2
34.		Holiness of the believer: God’s Inheritance 3
35.		Holiness of the Believer: God’s Offer 1
36.		Holiness of the Believer: God’s Offer 2
37.		Holiness: God’s Call 1
38.		Holiness: God’s Call 2

God's Missionary Son 1

I. His sacrifice Jn. 10:17-18

A. A voluntary act 2 Co. 8:9

B. A humble act Ph. 2:6-8

C. A divine act 7 "I ams" of N.T.

II. His salvation

A. Divine

1. God took the initiative. Rm. 5:8

2. God sent a redeemer with no invitation from man. Jn. 1:10-11

B. Christocentric

1. It teaches that Christ is salvation. 1 Jn. 5:12

2. The saved are Christ identified, dependent, centered, and honoring.

3. Salvation is centered in a person, Jesus Christ. Jn. 1:12

4. It is not the experience of something, but Someone. Ro. 8:32

5. The Bible does not teach that Christ has salvation.

C. Cross-resurrection related

1. The cross is a reality, God's starting point with man. 1 Pe. 1:20, Ep. 1:4, 3:11

2. The cross is the basis of God's dealings with sinful man. Ro. 3:25

3. The death of Christ is mentioned over 175 times in the N.T. Torrey

4. The cross was the purpose of the incarnation Mk. 10:45

5. All the N.T. writers uphold it, except James (but he builds on it) Ja. 5:7-11

6. Every aspect of salvation must be related to the cross-resurrection.

D. Grace originated

1. Man is totally depraved, enslaved, alienated, lost, & guilty from conception. Rm. 3:23

2. Salvation, from start to finish, is from God. Ep. 2:8-9

E. Organically one

1. Christ is the source and content of our salvation.

2. Christ bestows all His fullness on the believer.

3. In Christ: Election, calling, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption ...

4. One aspect cannot be separated from the whole; it is an integral unit.

5. Christ cannot be received in stages.

6. There is Christian progression, a growth in grace. 2 Pe. 1:5-7

7. Three major stages of salvation

a) Counsel of God: Election

b) Initial bestowment: Calling, conversion, regeneration, justification, adoption

c) Progressive life: Sanctification, preservation, discipleship, glorification ....

F. Morally received

1. Salvation is not forced on man.

2. God deals with man as a responsible, moral agent.

3. Man can thus voluntarily respond to the grace of God.

4. Man consciously, voluntarily, and responsibly experiences the salvation of God.

5. The grace of God is received by faith.

a) It enlightens man's mind.

b) It redirects man's will.

c) It transforms and revitalizes man's moral nature.

d) It imparts the nature of God.

e) It gives him a moral purpose, the purpose of God.

6. Man becomes identified with Christ. Rm. 8:29

God's Missionary Son 2

G. Faith operable

1. Faith begins where grace begins to manifest itself in man. Heb. 11:1

2. Man is to respond to God's gracious manifestations and operations. He. 11:6

3. Faith is a personal response which goes farther than the modern meaning Rm. 10:17

a) Mental assent Ja. 2:19

b) Conformity Rm. 12:1

c) Sincerity Jn. 14:6

d) Temporality Prayer requests

4. Faith is a personal response to God

5. God divides all of mankind into two distinct classes.

a) The believers

b) The unbelievers

H. Potentially universal Jn. 1:29

1. Beareth

a) The sin of total mankind Gn. 3:15

b) The Lord put on His Son and took all mankind's sin Is. 53:6

2. Sin

a) God did not just atone for the guilt of our sins.

b) God dealt effectively with the root of sin.

c) The sinless one was made sin.

d) Christ entered the chamber of death to destroy the works of the devil 1 Jn. 3:8

e) Then He destroyed the devil himself. He. 2:14

f) The sin-death principle is one unit, inseparable.

g) All die because all are sinners. Rm. 3:23, Rm. 6:23

h) Christ overcame the death-sin principle. Rm. 5:18

3. Lamb of God

a) The priest provided the sacrifice, Himself. Rev. 21:22

b) A divine and infinite sacrifice provides divine and infinite salvation. Col. 1:9, 20

c) Salvation is this infinite in quality, duration, and potential. Rm. 8:19-21

d) Salvation is eternal redemption. He. 9:12

e) Salvation provides an eternal inheritance. He. 9:15

f) The Sacrifice is more sufficient in redeeming than the fall in comdemning.

g) Grace did more abound. Rm. 5:12-21, especially 18

h) The Sacrifice is final and absolute. He. 7:27; 9:12, 26-28; 10:2,10

I. Cosmic

1. Creation is not in a redeemed state: Nature seems to be against itself.

2. Man's fall involved the fall of the earth.

3. Isaiah anticipates "new heavens and a new earth." Is. 65:17

4. Paul says that all creation lost its original glory, goal, and purpose. Rm. 8

5. Creation is in a state of imperfection and incompletion.

6. John saw the completion of the universe: the new earth, the new Jerusalem. Rev. 21-22

7. At the center of restored cosmos is the Lamb: mentioned 28 times in Revelation.

8. The Lamb of God bears the sin of the cosmos: reconcilation of the total creation.

9. This comprehensive salvation does not include Satan, his angels, his disciples.

10. Satan, his angels, and unbelievers will perish in the lake of fire. Rev.9:20

J. Eventually, salvation will be victorious. 1 Co. 15:24,28

God’s Missionary Spirit 1

I. The Holy Spirit in the World: God preserves mankind in a salvable condition.

A. The triune God does not permit man to lapse into total darkness. Jn. 1:9

B. God does not allow God-awareness to be totally erased from the soul of man.

C. God does not allow man to sink to where sin and guilt-awareness become extinct. Jn. 16:7-8

D. God does not allow man to sink beyond redemption.

E. God does not permit false practices to satisfy the salvation yearning. Jn. 12:32

F. The salvation yearning can always be rekindled by the preaching of the Word.

G. Man remains in a searching condition because universal teaching is going on.

II. The Holy Spirit draws man toward salvation. Jn. 6:45

A. All creation and man's conscience point to the Messiah.

B. The hope of man to remain in a salvable condition rests in two facts:

1. The inability of the Fall to destroy the image of God in man

2. The gracious, prevenient, operations of the Holy Spirit to frustrate the onslaughts of Satan.

III. The Holy Spirit blesses all mankind.

A. The Holy Spirit operates for the general welfare of all humanity.

B. The Holy Spirit preserves the world as a mission field.

C. The Holy Spirit creates high-potential seasons and responsive people.

D. The Holy Spirit brought about the "fullness of times" into which the Son of God came.

E. The Holy Spirit was always present in history. Gn. 1:2, Ps. 139:1-12

IV. The Holy Spirit in Missions

A. The Holy Spirit's function is that of the divine Paraclete.

1. The Paraclete is the Holy Spirit. Jn. 14:16

2. The Paraclete will be sent by the Father. Jn. 14:16, 26

3. The Paraclete will be sent by the Son. Jn. 15:26, 16:7

4. The Paraclete will abide with us forever. Jn. 14:16

5. The Paraclete will testify of Christ. Jn. 16:7-8

B. The Holy Spirit's ministry is multiple.

1. To the New Testament: He gives revelation, inspiration, and instruction.

2. To Believers: He bears witness.

3. To the World: He brings conviction.

God’s Missionary Spirit 2

C. The Word "Paraclete"is a rich word: "one who is called in."

1. "One who is called in to help or render a service"

2. A comforter

3. A helper

4. An advocate: Counsel for the defense of an accused person

a) Jesus is our advocate in heaven.

b) The Holy Spirit is not our advocate, but Christ's advocate on earth.

c) His office is to represent Christ, to plead His cause, defend His name, guard His interests.

5. A counselor

6. A helper

7. An intercessor

8. A strengthener: exhorting men to noble deeds and high ideals, encouraging them in battle.

9. A standby

V. Pentecost is a unique event unparalleled in the history of religion.

A. No other religion suggests that God came down to man instead of man going up to God.

B. No other religion points to the stable (the incarnation)

C. No other religion points to the cross (the atonement)

D. No other religion points to an empty tomb (triumph of life over death).

E. No other religion points to Pentecost (the invasion of the divine and personal in space and time)

1. The Holy Spirit came to give gifts (charismata) to those whom God calls out to His ministry.

2. A similar event will take place when the Holy Spirit will be poured out on Israel. Jl. 2:28-32

God's Missionary Church

I. Current definition of the Church

A building dedicated to the worship of the Christian religion, in which there are religious services with a pastor who works exclusively in Church matters. The members profess faith in Jesus Christ, but most remain inactive outside of the building.

II. Definition of the New Testament Church

An assembly of believers who profess faith in Jesus Christ. Members live for the most part in the same city, neighborhood, or village. They meet in His name for baptism and Holy Communion, for worship, for prayer, for praising God, for fellowship, for witness, for participation in the ministry of the Word, for , and for growth. The Gospel is the center of such a church and the Holy Spirit lives in this Temple of God.

III. Uses of the word

A. The Greek word, "ekklesia," means "assembly, the called out ones."

B. Two of its uses are biblical; others are sociological.

1. Universal - all Christians at any time.

2. Local - All Christians in a locality.

3. National - All Christians in a nation.

4. Denomination - All Christians under a common doctrine and statutes.

5. Ecumenical - Institutional Union of Christians

IV. Biblical Nature

A. "Koinonia,"means "(spiritual) communion." / "Laos" means people (of God).

Koinonia	Local	Visible	Spiritual gifts	Small groups	New morals
Laos"	Universal	Invisible	Priests	Congregations	New humanity

B. "Laos" glorify God the Father and the Son in "koinonia."

1. By adoration and praise

2. By biblical preaching and teaching

3. By individual and corporal witnessing

4. By fellowship

5. By the observation of the sacraments - baptism and communion

C. Ministry

1. Service In the world

2. Edification Of the saints

V. The Church’s Mission (it must be Church-centered): To make disciples

A. Evangelism - Presence, Proclamation, Persuasion, Propagation

B. Establishment - Strengthening

C. Equipping - Perfecting

D. Expanding - Propagation

VI. Factors in the Growth of the Church

A. Direct Proclamation of the Gospel

B. Multiplication of converts and congregations

C. Edification of the Christian community

D. Exercise of spiritual gifts

VII.Steps to Recovery of the Church Mt. 16:18

A. Personal study of the biblical Church

B. Evaluation of the quality of life in your local church

C. Meditation of what the Bible says about spiritual gifts

D. Consideration of giving birth to daughter churches

E. Investigation of an area to plant a church

F. Elimination of the duality, "clergy-laity."

God’s Missionary Church Member (ordained laity) 1

I. Chosen race - "genos " Ep. 1:4-5

A. Chosen - Everyone is elected to it.

1. Accept your position as a priviledged creature.

2. You were chosen before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy. Ep. l:4

3. But the offer is for everyone: "... that whoever might believe in Him ..." Jn. 3:l6

B. Race - You were born for adoption. Jn. 1:12

II. Royal priesthood - " Hiera " - Assume your responsability as a priest. 1 Pe. 1:3-4

A. Royal - You inherit the priesthood and receive your ordination from the King.

B. Priesthood - The intercession is linked to the "kleros " 1 Peter 1:4

1. The "kleros" is a lot, something shared, or an inheritance.

2. The clergy is made up of those who have received the inheritance from God.

3. The elders are a team of leaders (bishops). Titus l:9; Ac 20:28 ; l Tim 5:l7.

a) The pastor - an elder who gives food and protects the flock.

b) The administrator - an elder who organizes and coordinates.

c) The teacher, the doctor - an elder who researches and studies, giving courses, seminars, and S.S.

d) The supervisor - an elder who watches over the flock.

e) The preacher - an elder who proclaims the Word.

f) The apostle - the sent delegate, the ambassador, the missionary, who establishes elders. Ac. 4:11-13; Ac.13

g) The prophet - the corrector who warns the flock and guards like a sentinel.

h) The evangelist - the proclaimer of the Good News.

i) The deacon - a church member who assumes practical responsibilities. Ac. 6:1-8

III. Holy nation - "Hagios" - Live a life worthy of Him. Col. 1:21-22

A. Holy - "Hagios" is the word used here.

1. "Dikaios"- The holy citizen has good relationships with people.

2. "Hosios" - The holy citizen is gracious, kind and caring.

3. "Hieros"- The holy citizen is formally consecrated (ordained) for service.

4. "Hasiotes" - The holy citizen has an inheritance always accompanied by righteousness.

5. "Hagios"- The holy citizen is pure, separate from evil, and set apart for service.

B. Nation - The "ethne" is an ethnic group, a tribe, a nation, formerly foreigners, now citizens.

God’s Missionary Church Member (ordained laity) 2

IV. Redeemed people - "Laos" - Laity

A. Mobilized to proclaim His virtues. Heb. 8:10

B. Redeemed - The slave bought back & made a son to receive the inheritance.

C. People - We were formerly ennemies; now we are friends.

1. "Laos" are the people of God.^[1]

2. "Kleros" belongs to the saints.^[2]

D. The leaders, including the pastor, are laity; all were not leaders, but all were both laity and clergy.

V. Current confusion - "We pay a staff for that work."

A. The establishment of a professional clergy has twisted the inheritance and the royal priesthood.

B. This confusion has destroyed our sense of responsibility as initiators in the ministry.

C. Between 50 -300, the Church was growing rapidly; in 313, Constantine proclaimed an Edict.

D. After many other edicts, the whole Roman empire was proclaimed officially Christian.

E. It was the end of persecutions and the beginning of confusion.

F. Millions of unregenerate heathens invaded the Church with their superstitions and heresies.

G. The majority, without the power of the Holy Spirit, became passive.

H. Those who assumed their responsibilities often became clergy members.

VI. Resolution

The Church must rid itself of any practice or structure which prevents spiritual growth, overloads the activities of its leaders, and reinforces the passivity of its members.

God’s Mission 1

Six Great Commission Passages

1. Make disciples Mt. 28:19,20

2. Preach faith and repentance Mk. 16:15-16

3. Preach repentance and forgiveness Lk. 24:47-48

4. Be sent by divine authority Jn. 20:21

5. Witness in the power of the Holy Spirit Ac. 1:8

6. Replace yourself II Ti. 2:1-2

I. Evangelism Quantitative growth ("going")

A. Presence (non-verbal)

1. Priority of the social mandate (the eucumenical position) Gn. 1:28; Mt. 22:39

2. Good actions, peace in the sense of social harmony, social renewal, rural development

B. Proclamation (objective)

1. Priority of the evangelistic mandate Gn. 3:9; Rm. 10:13-14

2. "Euaggelizesthai" - announce I Co.15:1-4

3. "evangel" - 76 times in the N.T.; "evangelize" - 51 times; "evangelist" - 3 times

4. "preach" - "kerussein" 2 Co.2:4

C. Persuasion (subjective) - call, invitation

1. Maturein" - witness Lk. 24:48, Ac. 1:8

2. Justify defend, not impose I Pi. 3:15

3. Entreat ask II Co. 5:20

4. Explain clarify Ac. 26:28

5. Evangelism is proclaiming the Gospel so that a person has a valid opportunity to receive the Lord.

II. Edification Qualitative growth ("baptizing" , "teaching")

A. Perfecting - "Katartismon" Ep. 4:12

1. Baptism-1^st step for the disciple Acts 2:41; 8:12; 9:18; 10:47; 16:14-15,33-34; 18:8; 19:4-5

a) Faith in Jesus came before baptism

b) The Christian was normally baptized in the N.T.

c) Baptism should not drag on after conversion

d) Water baptism - man cannot perform Spirit Baptism

2. Teaching - after baptism Ac. 2:41-42

a) The apostle's teaching Ac. 2:42

b) Prayer Ac. 1:14; 3:1

God’s Mission 2

B. Participating "Koinonia" Ac. 2:41-45

1. Communion He.10:24-25

a) first of all spiritual

b) then material

c) Lord's Supper Breaking of bread Lk. 22:19

C. Planning:

1. Visits

2. Seminars

3. Campaigns

4. Conferences

5. Home Bible studies

6. Worship service

a) Offerings

b) Preaching

c) Regular attendance

D. Conclusion:Re-evangelization of each generation (open air)

III. Expansion Cyclical growth ("Multiplying") Ge. 1:28

A. Propagating : Responsible, reproducing Christians Ac. 4:1-8

1. Watch the birth of new-born Christians

2. Care for the children during their dependence period

3. Responsible and reproducing congregations (3 self's)

a) Self-financing - offerings

b) Self-governing - local leaders

c) Self-expanding - trainers of disciples

B. Planting

1. Within 40 years, a church in almost all urban centers

2. Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Mark, Timothy were Church planters

3. Every large congregation starts as a small group

Conclusion

1. The child-like adult I Co. 3:1-3

2. The abandoned child I Pi. 2:2

3. The adult who remains a child I Co. 13:11

4. The non-reproducing adult He.5:11-14

A Summary Statement on God’s Mission

INTRODUCTION: I misunderstood the Great Commission for many years. Very simply put, our Father wants us to reproduce, to "be fruitful and multiply," as He told Adam and Eve. I had always separated worship from evangelism, not realizing that we worship when we evangelize. And I did not know what evangelism was, thinking that it preceded discipleship, not considering that it was merely part of the discipleship process. Jesus never called believers to make converts; his commandment to us is to make disciples. A parent is never asked by God to make babies; God wants us to have and raise children until they leave the nest and have their own children.

TEXT: After having read Matthew 28:19-20, allow me to say that this text is not accurately translated from the original Greek. No version in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, German or Lingala which I have read accurately renders what Christ commanded here. Only in the Latin have I seen it accurately translated. In English, how many verbs are there in the imperative voice, that is, how many commandments are there? There are two: "Go" and "Make." But in Greek, there is only one commandment: "Make." Christ wanted us to make disciples. He was not saying to get involved in an evangelism program that underlines "Go." He was telling us to make disciples, not just converts, as so many evangelism efforts emphasize, and He added three present participles which are grammatically submitted to that overall imperative: going, baptizing, and teaching. Christ was telling us how to make disciples: as we are going (about our business in life, evangelism), baptizing (seeing that they are incorporated into the church, incorporation), and teaching (establishing and equipping through the word, prayer, worship, and fellowship of the body). Let's look then at three major components of the Great Commission.

GOING - When we think of going out to "make converts," we often think of EVANGELISM. Various denominations have their particular definition of this word which simply and accurately means "proclaiming the Good News." I will mention three of its aspects, suggesting that all three must be included in a proper description of the biblical meaning: PRESENCE, PROCLAMATION, and PERSUASION. Religious groups which emphasize the Social Mandate tend to discuss good actions and the importance of being in the physical presence of those in need. Think of Hurricane Andrew. This is part of evangelism, but it alone does not mean that one is evangelizing. To do good works without associating them with the Person who is the motivator and raison d'être of those good works is to render them useless from an eternal perspective. What good is feeding a starving child or rescuing a person from the most recent flood if that same person never receives Christ before death? Others look to the necessity to proclaim the Gospel, regardless of the results, as the key aspect of evangelism, but again, those who proclaim the truth without compassionate interest in the results have not evangelized. Biblical, balanced evangelism implies that one is physically present with those in need, proclaiming the truth in love, with an ardent desire to persuade them to be reconciled with God. Paul used an interesting word in 2 Corinthians 5:20 when he begged the people to be reconciled with God. Yet most Christians who are bold enough to proclaim who Christ is never give an invitation to receive the One who died for our sins. 1 Peter 3:15 says clearly that we are always to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us, yet most Christians retreat almost apologetically at the mere thought of asking, not begging, their family, neighbors, and friends to be reconciled to God. Without an invitation reflecting an ardent desire to persuade those dying in their sins to be saved by the infinite God-man, evangelism has not taken place. In short, evangelism is presenting the Gospel in such a way that a person has a valid opportunity to receive Christ.

BAPTIZING - Baptism is part of the edification process of the church and the individual. If we go out and evangelize without leading the new convert to the body of believers of which he must become a part, we have made a convert, but not a disciple. Baptism is the sacrament by which the believer affirms that he or she belongs to the body. The eight passages in the book of Acts which mention baptism all occurred very quickly after belief was demonstrated. Acts 2:41 states that they believed and were baptized. When Philip preached to the Samaritans, Acts 8:12 says that many men and women who believed were baptized in the Lord Jesus, but that Peter and John were sent to pray for and lay hands on them so they would subsequently receive the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:16-17. In many cases, people were baptized the same day they believed, as in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:38 and Paul in Acts 9:18. Acts 10:47 states that in Caesarea, Peter baptized the Roman citizens who had already received the Holy Spirit. Acts 16:14-15 tells of Lydia's conversion and that, as a result, all her household was baptized. Later in verses 33-34, Paul and Silas led the jailer to Christ, and his whole household was promised salvation and received baptism. In Acts 18:8, Crispus and all his household first believed and then, they were baptized. Acts 19:4-5 speaks of an interesting baptism where certain Ephesians believed John the Baptist's message and had received his baptism of repentance, but as Paul completed the prophet's message with that of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, they believed and were baptized a second time in the name of the Lord Jesus, at which point the Holy Spirit came down on them, as He did when Jesus was baptized in Matthew 4:16. The only case in Scripture where baptism did not take place was that of the thief on the cross, undoubtedly because he was unable to do so. It is not only normal for the believer to be baptized as a sign of death to self and incorporation into the body, it is also a commandment which the believer is to obey whenever possible. The pattern seems to be belief, baptism, and Holy Spirit, although at times, it was belief, Holy Spirit, and baptism.

TEACHING - New Testament teaching normally followed baptism. This should be carefully studied in light of the practice to postpone baptism until the new convert has successfully completed a series of discipleship lessons. It is undoubtedly no accident that teaching is mentioned after baptism in Acts 2:42. Paul makes it clear that teaching serves two purposes: that of establishing the new convert in the faith, and once he is established, that of equipping the saint for service. We are to be perfecting by participating and careful planning. The baby in Christ cannot grow until he is properly fed on the Word of God, weaned from the milk of elementary teachings, chewing and digesting on his own the meat of the Word. The author of the book of Hebrews makes this abundantly clear in Hebrews 5:12 - 6:6, where the believers were continually rehashing repentance unto salvation and trying to be saved over and over again. Once a child is born again, he need not be born again! He must be established to eat meat, and as an adult, equipped in a service (ministry), which utilizes his spiritual gifts. Establishing and equipping teaching never end in the life of the believer, but they can be measured by the expanding ministry of the believer. The discipler has fulfilled his mission when his disciple begins propagating and producing responsible, reproducing disciples of his own. The church is fulfilling its mission when it is propagating and producing responsible and reproducing congregations of its own, churches which are self-financing, self governing, and self expanding. Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Mark, and Timothy were all church planters; within 40 years, there was a church in every major urban center of Asia Minor. Jesus Himself concentrated on a few, twelve laymen, notably three, winning at least 500 to the kingdom cause in His three years of ministry.

CONCLUSION - We, who are mature, having been evangelized, established and equipped for service, are to be expanding. This is done by PROPAGATING our inheritance and PLANTING new churches, as Paul exemplifies so well. Had we been left after our conversion, we would have died as an abandoned child in the street. But adult believers took us under their wing. How can we not do the same? Look at our churches filled with well-fed children who refuse to acknowledge their growth and accept the responsibilities of an adult. What is more normal and beautiful than a three-month old baby nursing at his mother's breast? But how sad, warped, and tragic to see a 30-year old man still nursing. Someone has said that the church is like a football game, with a few players working hard, desperately in need of food and rest while many spectators look on passively, desperately in need of diet and exercise. God wants all his disciples to not only grow into adulthood because of the good feeding of the church, he also wants them to assume the responsibilities of the adult, those of the married spouse, giving birth and raising children who become adults in turn and carry on the wonderful name of the family, that of Jesus Christ.

The Little Church in God’s Church 1

I. The process of evangelism does not stop at the individual’s conversion.

A. We must know where evangelism stops. 2:36-37

1. Presence Rm. 13:9; Gal. 5:14; Ja. 2:8

2. Proclamation Ac. 8:1,4; 1 Cor. 15:1-4

3. Persuasion Luke 24:48; Ac. 1:8; Ac. 26:28; 2 Cor. 5:20; 1 Pe. 3:15

B. We must know what an evangelistic activity is. Ac. 2:38-41; Ac. 5:42

1. Personal contact and door-to-door visitation Jn. 3:1-9; 7:50; 19:39; 4:7-42

2. The campaign or open air Mt. 5-7; Ac. 2:1-41; 3:1 - 4:4

3. Teaching Ac. 2:42

4. Fellowship Ac. 2:42

5. Holy Communion Ac. 2:42

6. Prayer Ac. 2:42

7. Miracles Ac. 2:43; 20:10

8. Church meetings Rm. 16:5

9. Preaching Ac. 20:20

C. We must know how to introduce a person into the kingdom of God. Ac. 2:42-47

1. Vision: Adopt a defining moral vision in the community. Ac. 2:40

2. Behavior: Accept a set of disciplines within the community. Ac. 2:41,45

3. Belonging: Become an intergral part of the community. Ac. 2:42

4. Doctrine: Accept the intellectual claims of the community. Ac. 2:42

5. Attitude: Experience emotions appropriate to the community. Ac. 2:42

6. Development: Receive and develop useful gifts for the community. Ac. 2:43

7. Praise: Worship God within the community. Ac. 2:46

II. The process of discipleship does not stop in the temple.

A. We must recognize the importance of the spiritual meeting place.

1. The edifice is spiritual, not material, with no accent on a building. Jn.4:21-24

2. The temple at Jerusalem Ac. 2:46

3. Solomon’s Place Ac. 5:12

4. The upper room (at Troas) Ac. 20:8

The Little Church in God’s Church 2

B. We must recognize the importance of the house in Scripture.

1. Pentecost Ac. 2:2

2. The practice of Holy Communion Ac. 2:46

3. House meetings Ac. 5:42

4. The miracle at Ananias’ home Ac. 9:17-19

5. The conversion of a Roman citizen Ac. 10:22; 11:12-14

6. The prayer meeting at Mary’s home Ac. 12:12

7. The conversion of the jailor Ac. 16:30-34

8. Holy Communion Ac. 20:7

9. Proclamation of the Word in a house at Troas Ac. 20:8

10. The resurrection of Eutychus Ac. 20:10

11. Preaching and teaching Ac. 20:20

12. Preaching and teaching at Paul’s home Ac. 28:30

13. Church in the home of Priscilla and Aquila Rm. 16:5

14. Church in the home of Pricilla and Aquila 1 Cor. 16:19

15. Church in the home of Nympha Col. 4:15

16. Church in the home of Apphia Philemon 2

C. We must recognize the advantages of home meetings.

1. We are freer than in the temple.

2. We can have more exchanges of ideas than in the temple.

3. There is more family committment in the home.

4. Neighbors are more attracted to home meetings.

5. Home meetings are more accessible to neighbors.

6. Potential leaders can be better trained in the homes.

7. More lay people in the church can be mobilized by using the home.

8. It is the best place to develop spiritual gifts because there are less spectators.

III. Conclusion

A. The most important Christian meeting place in the Bible was the home.

B. The most important Christian meeting place today is the temple.

C. We do not deny the importance of the temple, but we seek to stress the importance the home.

D. Why? Because it is neglected as a spiritual meeting place.

E. The home is almost never used for Holy Communion, for example; it is used very little for Bible studies, preaching, and prayer meetings, as in the Bible.

F. This sad situation should change, not later, but now: for the growth of our disciples.

God's Harvest Celebration 1

Introduction Ac. 2:1-47

1. "When the heart is empty of self, God can fill it with the Holy Spirit.

2. The Holy Spirit must fill the heart so that self remains on the cross." --- Ch. Rochedieu

3. "Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

4. Illustration of an empty, half-filled, and full glass.

· The question should not be: "Are you filled?"

· The question should not be: "How did you get filled?"

· The question should be: "With what are you filled?"

I. The harvesters came to the harvest celebration. Lev. 23

A. It was the day of bringing the first fruits to God.

B. It was the day when the entire harvest was dedicated to the Lord.

C. It was a time of making sacrifices to the Lord. 23:15-16

1. Respect - Wave offering - Two loaves 17

2. Fragrance - Burnt offering - Ten animals 18

3. Blood atonement - Sin offering - One male goat 19

4. Peace - Fellowship offering - Two lambs 19

D. All work was suspended. 21

E. It was a day of sacred assembly 21

1. It was in this context that people came to Jerusalem.

2. It was in this context that the Church of Jesus Christ was founded.

3. It was in this context that the Holy Spirit was given.

F. It is now a day of new beginning for the believer.

1. The gift of the Holy Spirit: the baptism of the Holy Spirit

2. The gifts of the Holy Spirit

3. The fullness of the Holy Spirit

4. The ministry of the Holy Spirit

II. The harvesters redeemed the time.

A. There were 120 disciples among the god-fearing Jews of all nations. Acts 1:15; 2:5

B. Peter was God's chosen preacher. Acts 2:14

C. All were invited to repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the H.S. Ac. 2:38-39

III. The harvesters varied their meeting places.

A. In a home Ac. 2:2

B. In Jerusalem 2:5

C. In a public place 2:6 implied

D. In the temple 2:46

E. In homes 2:46

God's Harvest Celebration 2

IV. The harvesters harvested well.

A. They prepared: met, were annointed, and were filled by the H.S. beforehand. Ac. 2:1-4

B. They allowed the Holy Spirit to work through them. 2:4

1. They were not in the temple.

2. They did not speak in unknown tongues.

3. They did not need interpreters.

4. They were equipped for the ministry of discipleship.

C. They attracted people passing by to their activities. 2:6-13

V. One harvester was burdened & proclamed publicly the Gospel. Ac. 2:14-40

A. Explication - Apology Ac. 2:14-21

B. Accusation - Confrontation 2:22-36

C. Reaction - Guilt 2:37

D. Invitation - Altar call 2:38-40

VI. The other harvesters rallied around and supported him in discipleship. 2:14-30

A. Acceptance 2:41

B. Baptism 2:41

C. Statistics 2:41

D. Teaching 2:42

E. Fellowship 2:42

F. Communion 2:42

G. Prayer 2:42

H. Awe 2:43

I. Wonders and miracles 2:43

J. Sharing 2:44-45

K. Meetings 2:46

L. Testimony 2:47

Conclusion

1. The harvesters did not see all their ripened crop. Gn. 12:3; 22:18;26:4; 28:14

2. God waited patiently for lazy stewards to do the job. Is. 44:3;59:21;Ez.36:26-27;Jer. 31:33

3. Finally, he changed the way he would harvest.

4. Jesus came and trained 500 new harvesters in three years. 1 Cor. 15:6

5. Then Jesus filled his harvesters with his Spirit. Ac. 2:4

6. Jesus will come back and the harvesting will end one day. Ac. 1:11

7. Let's celebrate by bring the fruits of the harvest to him.

The Mark of God’s Disciple 1

Introduction Jean 17

1. What is the mark? Jn. 17:20-21

· It is a command with a condition. Jn. 13:34-35

· It is possible to be a Christian without showing the mark. I Cor.1:2

I. The Commandment to have the mark of the disciple 1 Thess. 3:12

A. Love all mankind.

1. A general concern

2. The image of God Gn. 1:26

3. The Good Samaritain Luke 10:30-37

B. Love all Christians. Galatians 6:10

1. A special concern I Jn. 3:11

2. No contrast with loving all mankind

3. No exclusiveness

4. No worldliness

II. The Condition

A. Make a distinction between true believers and pretenders.

B. Include those who may be outside your group.

C. Do not judge as the world judges.

1. The world's judgment is not based on absolute truth and has little relevance.

2. The Christian's judgment is based on biblical doctrine, faith, fruit, and absolute truth. I Cor. 6:2

3. God's judgment is absolute, a perfect balance of holiness & love. Heb. 9:27; Rev.20:12

III. The Mistake

A. Organizational oneness has often been mistaken for spiritual unity.

1. The Roman Catholic Church: classical and progressive

2. The Ecumenical Movement: liberals and conservatives

3. The Church of Christ in Zaire (ECZ): members and non-members

B. Separatist purity has often been mistaken for spiritual unity.

1. Denominationalism

2. Monasteries

3. Cults

C. Spiritual unity is a united, pure, visible Church

1. Proper organization

2. Proper doctrinal base

3. Open to observation

The Mark of God’s Disciple 2

IV. The Solution

A. Apologize

1. Doctrinal problems don't divide; love problems do.

2. Avoid bitter criticism of spouse, friends, fellow workers, and Church Phil. 4:8

B. Forgive 2 Cor. 2:7

1. Christ forgave and justified us once and for all.

2. The Christian walk is to be taken moment by moment.

3. If we lack fellowship, it may be because we lack forgiveness. 1 Cor. 5:2

4. This does not mean a lack of discipline or a lack of love; it means the opposite.

C. Demonstrate that forgiveness (in Christian conflicts) Mt. 5:25-26, I Cor. 6:1-8

1. We should regret having to discipline (no tearing down to build ourselves up).

2. There is no desire to win (the world desires to win)

D. There is loving confrontation

1. This does not mean compromise - love without holiness 1 Cor. 5:1-5

2. This does not mean harshness - holiness without love 2 Cor. 2:5-8

3. It does mean opportunity

4. Principles are uncompromised and love is observable.

5. Truth without love is not truth, and love without truth is not love.

What is the mark?

1. It is observable love and the unity it attests to.

2. The reason is so that the world believe in Him.

3. We are to be a loving Church in a dying culture.

The true disciple of Jesus Christ 1

Introduction: Conditions of Jesus’ disciple Luke 14:25-35

1. The crowd followed Jesus for bread, miracles, healing, and deliverance.

2. The witnesses were with the resurrected Jesus. 1 Cor. 15:4

3. Those watching were filled with the Holy Spirit. Actes 2

4. The workers visited and evangelized two by two.

5. The disciples gave up their personal lives to follow him.

6. The three were part of Jesus’ inner circle. La transfiguration

7. “The disciple that Jesus loved” took care of His mother. Jn. 21:7, 21-22

I. The disciple loves Jesus above anyone or anything else. Luke 14:26

A. Jesus emphasizes this theme by literary exaggeration. Mt. 10:37

1. In comparison with love for Jesus, other loves are like hate.

2. Jesus is saying that the disciple values his family less than Jesus.

3. But Peter took his wife with him during his ministry. 1 Cor. 9:5

4. We must take care of our family or we are denying our faith. 1 Tim. 5:8

5. We must make Christ the priority of our lives. Phil. 3:7-8

B. No other love must rival that of Jesus. Luke 14:20

C. The sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham is the supreme example. Ge. 22:9-12

D. We will be rewarded if we have our priorities in place. Mk. 10:28-30

II. The disciple denies self and takes up the cross Luke 14:27

A. In times past, the cross meant the death of self. Mt. 10:38

B. Today, the cross means an improvement of self. Mt. 10:39

C. We deny ourselves and take up our cross. Mt. 10:38; Mt. 16:24; Mk. 8:34

D. Your burden leads you to the death of your ego. Mk. 8:34-35

E. You take up your cross each day. Luke 9:23

F. The world considers the cross foolishness 1 Cor. 1:18

G. The world is an ennemy of the cross. Phil. 3:18

III. The disciple renounces all that he possesses. Luke 14:33 (Mk. 10:21)

A. We are not owners of our bodies; we are stewards of them.

B. We must forsake our possessions. Luke 18:29-30

C. The young rich man lacked one thing. Mk. 10:21

D. Jesus exhorts us to seek first the kingdom of God. Mt. 6:33

E. Paul renounces everything which is in conflict with Jesus. Phil. 2:8-10

The true disciple of Jesus Christ 2

IV. The disciple remains in the Word. John 8:31

A. He continues in the Word. John 8:31

B. Remain implies perseverance, like we should have in marriage. Gal. 5:1

C. He who begins will not be saved; it is he who finishes. Heb. 12:1-3

D. The disciple stands firm, even when the master is away. Phil. 1:27

E. The disciple is not frightened by those who oppose him. Phi.l. 1:28

V. The disciple shows his love for God by loving others. John 13:35; I Jn. 4:20

A. Love was the mark of the Christians.

B. There are three Greek words for the word, “love”: “eros, philio, agape”

1. Agape: selfless love

2. Philio: brotherly love

3. Eros: physical love

VI. The disciple is convinced that God acts on his behalf. Je. 29:11

VII.The disciple bears much fruit. Jn. 15:8

A. The seed is the Word of God.

B. We must check the soil in which the seed is planted.

C. The fruit should remain. Jean 15:16

D. The disciple must be trimmed to bear more fruit.

E. He who bears no fruit will be condemned.

F. The fruit of the Spirit shows up in our changes. Gal. 5:22-25; 6:1-5

VIII.The disciple runs with perserance the race which God has set before him.

A. We fight the good fight; we finish the race, we keep the faith.

B. The disciple walks as He walked I Jn. 2:6

CONCLUSION: The paradox of dying to live

1. He who seeks to keep his life will lose it Mt.10:39; 16:25

2. He who loses his life for Jesus will find it Mk. 8:35

3. He who follows must weigh the cost Lu. 14:28

4. Illustration: The seed that falls into the ground

God’s Equipment for the Mission 1: His Gifts to the saints

I. Distinctions

The Gift	The Gift	The Gift	The Gift	Baptism
The Ministry	The Giver	The Person	The Giver	Fruit
The Operation				Gifts

II. The Contrast between the two covenants

OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT

The Spirit takes hold of a man temporarily	The Spirit takes hold of a man permanently
The work of the Spirit is partial	The work of the Spirit is total
Mediators are priest, judges, prophets, kings	Mediator is a priest, judge, prophet, & king

III. The New Covenant

A. All Christians receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is salvation. Romans 8:9

B. The fruit of the Spirit is a collective singular. Galatians 5:22

C. Christians become priests, prophets, and kings. Acts 2:17-18; Rev. 1:6; Rev. 5:10

1. Christians no longer need priests, prophets, or kings.

2. Christians are part of the royal priesthood. 1 Peter 2:9-10

D. All saints take on the role of the clergy.

1. Human clergy reflects a desire to return to the Old Covenant.

2. Spiritual clergy reflect a desire to advance in the New Covenant.

IV. A comparison of the four lists

A. There is a list in each passage.

B. There is an exhortation to humility.

C. God is sovereign in the distribution of the gifts.

D. The image of the body is evoked.

E. There is diversity of gifts & functions, but the unity of the body is emphasized.

F. No one person has all the gifts.

G. The gifts are given to all. Rm. 12:3-5

H. The gifts are useful for all. Rm. 12:66

I. All the gifts are to be used in the context of love.

J. Grace is given to each one, after the measure of Christ's gift.

K. Each one is to use his gift for evangelizing outside & edifying inside the body.

V. Analysis of the four lists

A. 1 Cor. 12:4-11: Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation

1. In Paul's epistle to the Corinthians, he was correcting a bad situation.

2. There was an excessive emphasis on the gift of tongues.

3. Paul is talking about the gifts of the Spirit.

B. Rm. 12:6-8: Prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, generosity, directorship, mercy.

1. In Rome, Paul wants a solid church here, well founded on faith, well organized.

2. He is not correcting here; he is giving direction.

3. He is talking about the gifts of grace

4. Paul is possibly talking about a future base for his move into Spain.

God’s Equipment for the Mission 2: His Gifts to the saints

C. Eph. 4:11-12 - Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, doctors

1. In Ephesians, he is talking about ministries of the Spirit.

2. Paul's goal is to edify, not to correct.

3. The ministries are for perfecting the saints for the ministry.

4. The ministers are to use their leadership functions to equip the saints for service.

D. 1 Peter 4:7-11 - Speaking, serving

1. He makes a distinction between gifts of the word and gifts of service

2. He states that each one should use his or her gift.

3. Gifts are for serving others to the glory of God.

VI. God’s Gifts to the Saints, an incomplete list

Romans 12:4-8

1 Cor. 12:4-32; 13:3; 14:26

Ephesians 4:4-16

1 Peter 4:10-11

1. Prophet (Exhortation) RCEP	10. Healing C
2. Teacher (Doctor) (Knowledge) (Wisdom) RCE	11. Discernment of spirits C
3. Helps (Service) RC	12. Tongues C
4. Liberality (Generosity) RC	13. Interpretation of tongues C
5. Administration RC	14. Song C
6. Apostle (Missionary) CE	15. Revelation C
7. Mercy R	16. Martyr C
8. Faith C	17. Pastor (Shepherd) E
9. Miracles C	18. Evangelist E

VII.Classification of gifts

A. Proclamation

Apostle

Prophet

Exhortation

Evangelist

Pastor

Teacher

Knowledge

Wisdom

B. Service

Deacon

Helps

Manual dexterity

Liberality

Mercy

Hospitality

C. Leadership (Administration)

Special powers

Faith

Healing

Miracles

Discernment of spirits

D. Praise and Prayer

Music

Speaking in tongues

Interpretation of tongues

Conclusion

1. The gifts are an important subject: there are over 100 Bible verses about them.

2. There is a danger of pride, but we must remember that they are gifts of grace.

3. The gifts are to be used for the edification of the Church.

4. God distributes the gifts as He wishes.

5. No believer has all the gifts, but each believer has at least one gift.

6. The Church is not lacking in any gift. 1 Cor. 1:7

7. There are more than twenty gifts listed.

8. The lists are very different.

9. The lists are not meant to be complete.

10. There is no distinction made between natural and supernatural gifts.

11. The definitions are not rigid; they are flexible.

12. The prophet practices exhortation and evangelism. 1 Cor 14:3, 24-25

13. Silas was called an apostle and a prophet. Acts 15:32; 1 Thess. 2:1,7

God's Gifts to the Corinthians

I. Paul is answering questions about spiritual gifts. 1 Cor. 12-14

A. Here, Paul is correcting a bad situation: an excessive emphasis on tongues.

B. There is a fascination for spiritual gifts, but beware of false gifts. 1 Cor. 12:2

II. There is unity in diversity; God is singular and plurial. 1 Cor. 12:4-7

· Gifts of the Spirit

· Ministries of the Lord.

· Operations of God.

III. Each believer has received a gift. 1 Cor. 12:7

A. The goal: the gifts are to be used for the common good. 1 Cor. 12:7

B. What is useful edifies. 1 Cor. 10:23

Manifestations of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7-10)	Those gifted by the Spirit (1 Cor.12:27-30)
1. Wisdom	1. Apostles
2. Knowledge	2. Teachers
3. Faith	3. Administrators
4. Healing	4. Healers
5. Miracles	5. Workers of miracles
6. Prophecy	6. Prophets
7. Discernment of the Spirits	7.
8. Tongues	8. Speakers of tongues
9. Interpretation of Tongues	9. Interpreters of tongues

IV. God is sovereign in his arrangement of the gifts. 1 Cor. 12:11,18,24,28

A. We can aspire to gifts, but God decides what we get; No frantic search for a gift is biblical.

B. All Christians have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:13

C. No one has all the gifts; no gift is given to all the members. 1 Cor. 12:29-30

V. Love controls and gives the gifts their true value. 1 Cor. 13

A. The gift of martyrdom crowns the other gifts when done in love. 1 Cor. 13:3

B. Love is permanent; the gifts are all temporary. 1 Cor. 13:8

VI. Paul focuses on effects of prophecy: edification, exhortation, consolation. 1 Cor. 14

A. Paul seeks to devalue the gift of tongues; we seek to value it. 1 Cor. 14

B. A person should seek and can have many gifts. 1 Cor. 14:1,12

C. Paul contrasts tongues and prophecy:

Verset		Tongues	Prophecy
2		One speaks to God, but no one understands.	One speaks to man, edifies, exhorts, & consoles.
4		One edifies oneself.	One edifies the Church.
6-19		Tongues are useless without interpretation.	Prophecy is useful to the whole body.
22		Tongues are a sign for non-believers	Prophecy is a sign for believers.
23-24		Tongues give an impression of insanity.	Prophecy convinces non-believers.
34-35	Women are not to speak.		A woman can prophecy, head covered (11:5)
39	Tongues are to be sought, but are limited.		Prophecy is superior to tongues.

VII.God is a god of order; the diversity is to be organized. 1 Cor. 14:33

A. The different gifts are not to be used in anarchy, but coordinated and interdependent.

B. The more important gifts seem to be listed first.

C. Apostles, prophets, and teachers are fundamental to the ministry of the Church.

D. Are tongues at the end of the list because of the greed and envy of the Corinthians?

VIII.There are biblical criteria for judging the value of the charisms.

A. Does it confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ? 12:3

B. Is it useful to others? 12:7

C. Does it give value to the other gifts, especially the least apparent? 12:14-26

D. Does it allow for love to be expressed? 13:1-13

E. Does it edify the body? 14:19,31

F. Is it fitting and does it contribute to order? 14:40

God's Ministries to the Ephesians

Introduction Eph. 4:1-16

1. Paul is speaking here of ministries which Jesus gave to the Church.

2. His goal is to edify the church, not to correct it, as in Corinth.

3. Full church participation is a commandment. He. 10:24-25

· This participation defines itself by expressing spiritual gifts.

· This participation translates into activities Ac. 2:41-47

· This participation requires outer as well as inner work.

4. People are not used to perfect ministries; ministries are used to perfect people.

5. A small number in leadership roles: their primary role is to perfect the saints.

6. Churches are direct fruit of outer work; outer work is direct fruit of the local church.

7. The Church perpetuates itself in a cycle.

I. The Church Team

A. Saint - A born again believer Rm. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1

B. Bishop - elder, overseer, "episkopos" 1 Ti. 3:1-7; 1 Pe. 5:1-3

1. He leads, teaches, and preaches. 1 Tim. 5:17

2. He encourages the flock and refutes those who threaten it. Titus 1:9

3. He keeps watch over himself and the flock. Acts 20:28

C. Deacon - practical service Ac. 6:1-8; 1 Ti. 3:8-13

II. The Leadership Ministries Eph. 4:11-13

A. Apostle - "Apostoloï" 1 Cor. 15:5,7; 2 Cor. 8:23; Eph. 4:11

1. He is the commander of a Greek fleet, a Greek general.

2. Jesus was the first apostle.

3. The twelve disciples had been with Jesus. 1 Cor. 15:5,7

4. He is itinerant and sent out from a local church. Ac. 13:2-3; 22:21

5. The apostle goes to non-evangelized areas, leader for the extension of the church

6. He pioneers or founds a church - Peter, James, Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy ...

7. He establishes the elders. Rm. 16:15-16

B. Prophet Is.62:6; Jer.6:17; Ez.3:17-21; Ac.11:27; 13:1; 1 Cor.12:28; 14:29; Heb.13:17

1. Paul, Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen were prophets.

2. He warns and dissuades the sinner as a watchman or a sentinel

3. He foresees and announces the future.

4. He confronts, corrects, and encourages the members. Acts 15:32

5. He follows the apostle.

C. Evangelist Ac. 2; 8:5-13; 21:8; 2 Ti. 4:5

1. Peter, Philip, and Timothy were evangelists.

2. He proclaims the good news to non-believers with the goal of converting them.

3. He heals, delivers, preaches ...

4. He belongs to a local body and helps bring non-believers to the local church.

D. Pastor Jer. 3:15; Jer. 23:4; Jn. 21:17; Phil. 1:1 (not mentioned)

1. He is not the director: he has no distinction as the main leader. 1 Tim. 5:17

2. He is part of a team of leaders, possibly preacher or teacher, but not necessarily.

3. He feeds the flock, keeps the flock, and lives off his flock.

4. He follows the apostle.

E. Teacher Ac. 11:26; 13:1; 15:35; 18:11,25; 28:31; 1 Cor. 12:28; 2 Ti. 2:25

1. Paul, Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Apollos were teachers.

2. He interprets and teaches the Word

3. He follows the apostle.

The Holiness of the Believer: God's inheritance 1

Introduction: Eph. 4:21-24

1. The word is ambiguous in the Christian setting.

2. There are many misunderstandings: Calvinist and Wesleyan, for example.

3. Note the active verbs in the passage: There are also verbs in the passive voice

· "put off"

· "put on"

· “bear”

III. Four words in Greek

A. "Dikaios" - in human relationships

B. "Hieros" - by formal consecration

C. "Hagios" - by purity, by separation from evil

D. "Hasiotes" - by divine inheritance, accompanied by righteousness Lu.1:74-75

1. In the context of putting on the new man

2. In the context of deliverance from our enemies

3. This word is not to be separated from righteousness

4. A rightness of behavior and character

IV. Attributes of holiness

A. The result of salvation Acts 15:11

1. Not a condition - "Just as I am"

2. Fruit, a product, a result

B. The motive behind righteousness I Tim. 6:11

1. Eternal - Not temporary

2. The world calls them virtues: Self-respect, Maturity, Discipline, Appreciation

C. The way to be like God (It is good to want to be like God) Eph. 5:1

1. The bad way Gen. 3:6

a) Adam and Eve sinned so that man could be selfishly like God.

b) An agreement in which man can sin and escape punishment

c) An independence from God

2. The good way Gal. 2:20

a) Jesus came so that men could be selflessly (holy) like God.

b) A glorious deliverance at the hands of the enemy

c) A dependence on God

(1) A manifestation of voluntary submission

(2) A manifestation of voluntary service to God in righteousness and holiness

The Holiness of the Believer: God's inheritance 2

V. Measurement and Composition

A. The measuring sticks for holiness

1. Revelation:

a) Jesus Christ - the character of God Jn. 1:14

b) The Bible - the account of God Ps. 119:9

c) Conscience - the law written on our hearts II Cor. 1:12

2. Communion: the nearness of man to God

a) Verticle: Man with God - in a personal relationship I Jn. 1:3

b) Horizontal: Man with man - with mutual concern I Jn. 1:7

3. Collaboration: the working relationship between man and God

a) Verticle: Man with God - in his divine plan Eph. 2:21-22

b) Horizontale: Man with man - in his human condition Acts 1:14, II Tim. 1:8

B. Two constituants of holiness (love in action)

1. Grace - Love is the inspiration behind grace. 1 Jn. 4:8-10

2. Truth - Action must be controlled by truth; God governs by truth. Ps. 26:3

VI. The misunderstanding behind the word, Holiness.

A. Holiness is not deliverance from all our sins, deliverance from the power of sin.

1. What it is not:

a) Not "without sin"

b) Sin implies "missing the mark, the goal, the bull's eye."

2. What it is:

a) Sin no longer has control over me.

b) I do not need to sin; I will do good ...

(1) Obedience - if I submit to Christ

(2) Will - if I desire good

c) I will not do good ...

(1) Rebellion - if I do not submit to Christ

(2) Apathy - if I do not desire good

B. Holiness is not the deliverance from errors of judgment; it is the deliverance from the need to exercise judgment.

1. What it is not: "We do not make mistakes in this body."

2. What it is: Christ corrects our errors.

C. Holiness is not deliverance from temptation, but from paralysis of failure.

1. What it is not: "I will no longer be tempted."

2. What it is: "I will not be defeated."

D. Holiness is not the deliverance from body weaknesses; it is the deliverance from any sickness that comes from disobedience.

1. What it is not: Individual sickness is not always the consequence of personal sin.

2. What it is: "I will still be sick, maybe even invalid."

The Holiness of the Believer: God's inheritance 3

E. Holiness is not deliverance from combat; it is deliverance from defeat.

F. Holiness is not deliverance from the possibility of falling; it is deliverance from the necessity of falling.

1. What it is not:

a) "Free will is no longer part of my human nature: I will always choose good."

b) "It is no longer possible for me to choose disobedience."

2. What it is:

a) "Free will is part of my human nature: I can choose evil."

b) "It is possible for me to choose disobedience."

c) "I have recourse to His power to keep me from falling."

G. Holiness is not deliverance from the possibility of going forward; it is deliverance from the impossibility of advancing.

1. What it is not:

a) "I have reached the place where I no longer advance."

b) "I am now an adult, and I will no longer grow."

2. What it is:

a) It is a condition of life where it is now possible to advance.

b) Like a child, it is always possible to grow; everything is now in place to grow, develop and advance.

c) Holiness is good health.

d) Growth is a consequence of holiness.

H. Holiness is not an arrival at the summit; it is a progressive descent.

1. What it is not: a summit

a) I have "attained."

b) I can go no higher.

2. What it is: a total and complete humility.

a) I am unworthy of His purity in me.

b) I am ashamed of what I am beside the light.

c) I am not proud (in the negative sense).

d) The question needs to be rephrased.

e) Not how can I reach the summit of holiness

f) But how can I submit to Christ so that He can lift me up

Conclusion

1. We inherit this holiness; but this does not imply passivity.

2. We have to claim it; we have to appropriate it.

3. We have to put off the old so that we can put on the new.

The Holiness of the Believer: God's offer 1

Introduction

1. The theme of this study concerns the possibility of holiness in this present life.

2. Some religious groups teach that a life of holiness is reserved for an elite.

3. Catholics teach that only those who have died can be declared saints.

4. Many protestants deny the possibility of holiness while we live on this earth.

· Death leads us to holiness.

· Christ did not provide us with that possibility on the earth.

5. But look at the verse: "blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation" Phil. 2:15

I. Holiness of character is possible Rm. 8:29

A. It is the will of God that His people be conformed to the likeness of His son.

1. Justification -a beginning, not an end.

2. Holiness - also the reason for Jesus' sacrifice.

a) Purification: Is it only to forgive our sins?

b) Good works: Is it only to redeem us from our iniquity? Eph. 2:10

II. Christ came to the world to make holiness possible. Jn. 1:29

A. It is the will of God that His people be freed from the power of sin. 2 Cor. 5:21

1. His people

a) Not man in rebellion

b) He or she who submits to His authority

2. He will save them from their sins. Mt. 1:21

a) The power of sin: He solved the problem of sin. Rom. 6:2, 11, 14, 23; Heb. 9:26

b) The fruit of sin: He solved the problem of sins. 1 Jn. 1:7

c) Justification: Jesus does save man from the punishment of his sins.

d) Sanctification: But here He saves man from his sins.

3. Jesus was made our justification and sanctification. 1 Cor. 1:30

B. Illustration of the fruit tree

1. The fruit

2. The roots

III. The Spirit of God controls the life of the believer Rm. 8:1-3

A. Two meanings for the word "law"

1. The law of the Spirit -The essential principle

2. The mosaic law-the legalistic principle

B. One law does away with another

1. The law of the Spirit makes me free from the law of sin and death

2. Illustration of the law of gravity versus the law of muscular contraction

The Holiness of the Believer: God’s Offer 2

IV. All spiritual forces against holiness were defeated. Col. 1:12-14

A. Once we have yielded to Jesus, we struggle against a defeated enemy.

B. We follow Him who has never lost a battle.

C. When we fall, we know that it is because we did not follow His orders.

D. I can still sin, but I no longer need to sin.

V. Each believer has the potential for holiness. 1 Cor. 3:1-3

A. The same "saints" were carnal. 1 Cor. 6:11

B. When a person receives Christ & eeps his eyes on Him, he is "sanctified."

C. But the "saint" can fall.

D. Everything that is necessary for holiness is mine in Christ Jesus.

VI. The sanctified place is filled with the Holy Spirit I Cor. 3:16

A. This reality is present; it is not a future hope. II Cor. 6:16

B. This reality divides men:

C. He who has the Spirit belongs to God;

D. He who does not have the Spirit belongs to the world. Rm. 8:9

E. This reality contains three promises.

1. Divine residence: I will live among them.

2. Divine action: I will walk among them.

3. Divine government: I will be their God.

F. This reality is for those who fail.

G. This reality is conditional 2 Cor. 6:17

1. Submission

2. Departure

3. Separation

VII.The ressources at the believer’s disposition are unlimited. Col. 2:8,9

A. If a holy life is not possible on earth, I affirm that Christ is not capable of sancitifying me here.

B. Might we examine our lives beside Jesus, not beside others'

C. Might we be ashamed by our self-examination.

D. Might we respond by a commitment to submit to Christ's lordship.

Conclusion

1. "Blameless" does not mean "without a defect."

2. The N.T. never teaches that we will be "without a defect" on the earth.

3. But it teaches us that we can be "blameless."

4. Illustration: A six-year son who writes a letter to his father.

5. Defective: The letter is full of grammar mistakes, poor handwriting, etc.

6. Blameless: The motive behind the letter is pure, and the love is genuine.

7. The Holy Spirit works on the inside; I work on the outside. Phil. 2:12

8. We do not have to climb ourselves to a summit of holiness

9. We become holy in living as a small child who depends on the Father following Christ according to the Holy Spirit's direction.

Holiness: God’s Call 1

Introduction Hebrews 5:11 - 6:8

1. We must make a distinction between justification and sanctification.

2. Justification: His gift, His sacrifice, His reconciliation, His washing

3. Sanctification: My offering, my sacrifice, my reconciliation, my washing

4. Too many believers are claiming the blessings of justification without living the holy life.

I. The Call to Maturity Hebrews 5:11-14

A. Passive

1. Milk is a food for children.

2. There is a problem with digestion of solid food.

3. Passive people do not get beyond the act of receiving.

4. Illustration of French students

a) They use their abilities to read and listen.

b) They do not use their abilities to write and speak.

B. Active

1. Meat is for the perfected Christian.

2. The meat is well digested by the adult.

3. Active people get into their ministry and begin giving back what they have received.

4. Illustration of the football stadium

a) The players are few, tired, and wanting rest.

b) The spectators are many, fat, and in need of exercise.

II. The Call to Progress Hebrews 6:1-3

A. It is for the one who receives - "Forsaking elementary teachings"

1. We can stop dwelling on things which bound or have freed us; this is the gift.

a) Repentance - Regret for the past life

b) Acts that lead to death - Broken chains

c) Faith in God - The gift

d) Baptisms - Washing of our sins

e) The laying on of hands - Healing

f) The resurrection from the dead - Salvation

g) Eternal judgment - Salvation

2. There are good reasons not to dwell on the “elementary teachings.”

a) It is ridiculous to build a foundation on top of another foundation.

b) It is ridiculous to build a foundation and think the building is finished.

c) Foundational truths are not goals; the foundation is only the beginning.

Holiness: God’s Call 2

B. It is for the one who gives. - "go on to maturity"

1. We are to advancing and progress to what is perfect, to what is received

a) Joy of new life

b) Acts that lead to life

c) The gift of self

d) The life of purity

e) The ministry of the healed

f) Reaching out to the condemned

2. We have laid the foundation & all its blessings; we move on to the crucified life.

III. The Call to attention Hebrews 6:4-8

A. The sin of falling back into the old life has serious consequences.

1. Jesus no longer has all the person's trust; Man tries to put his sacrifice alongside Jesus' to give it value.

2. By trying to keep faith by my self effort, man is saying Jesus' sacrifice was not enough.

B. The questioning of one's salvation has very serious consequences.

1. God's holiness demands that land with thorns and thistles be burned.

2. Only the thirsty land which produces a crop useful to God will be blessed.

Conclusion

1. He who called you is holy and says, "Be holy as I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15,16

2. You are a holy priesthood ... a holy nation. 2:5,9

3. You ought to live holy and godly lives. 2 Peter 3:11

^[1] Ex. 19:5-6; De. 14:2; 26:18-19; 1 Sa. 12:22; Ps. 29:11; 78:52; 100:3; Lu. 1:17; Titus 2:14; He. 8:10; 1 Pe. 2:9-10; Re. 21:3

^[2] Ac. 8:21; 20:32; 26:18; Ro. 4:13-14; 8:17; Ga. 3:18, 29; 4:1,7; Ep. 1:11;Col. 1:12; 3:24; Titus 3:7; He. 6:17; 9:15; 11:7-8; Ja. 2:5; 1 Pe. 1:4; 5:3

I. God has a missionary program Rm. 9-11

A. The God of creation Elohim

1. No people has been found living without religion.

2. All of life is sacred.

3. God gave up the nations, allowing them to live in darkness. Rm. 1:24, 26,28

a) The invasion of sin (the Fall) Gn. 3

b) The evolution of sin (first sin at the altar of God) Gn. 4-5

c) Divine intervention and retribution for sin (the flood) Gn. 6-7

d) The revival of sin Gn. 9

e) The culimination of sin (to be like God) Gn. 11:1-9

B. The God of redemption Gn. 3:15

1. Salvation is God-wrought.

2. Salvation will destroy Satan.

3. Salvation will affect mankind as a whole.

4. Salvation will come through a mediator related to mankind.

5. Salvation implies the suffering of the mediator.

6. Salvation will be experienced in history as the fall was a part of history.

C. The God of consummation

II. God is spirit Jn. 4:24

A. He seeks worship.

B. He accepts worship offered in spirit and in truth

C. He transcends all limitations.

III. God is light 1 Jn. 1:5

A. He is unapproachable, infinite, unchangeable, holy, open, inviolable, true.

B. He is consuming fire.

C. Light is diffusive, penetrating, searching, quickening, enlivening ...

D. Darkness cannot hide God.

E. God is the light of the world. Jn. 8:12

F. God overcomes all darkness. Jn. 1:5

G. God destroys the work of the evil one. 1 Jn. 3:8

H. God enlightens every man.

IV. God is love 1 Jn. 4:8,16

A. Love is an outgoing, dynamic relationship. Jn. 3:16

B. Love is a sacrificial, active relationship Jn. 3:16

C. Love is a comprehensive relationship Jn. 3:16

D. Love is a manifold relationship.

I. His sacrifice Jn. 10:17-18

A. A voluntary act 2 Co. 8:9

B. A humble act Ph. 2:6-8

C. A divine act 7 "I ams" of N.T.

II. His salvation

A. Divine

1. God took the initiative. Rm. 5:8

2. God sent a redeemer with no invitation from man. Jn. 1:10-11

B. Christocentric

1. It teaches that Christ is salvation. 1 Jn. 5:12

2. The saved are Christ identified, dependent, centered, and honoring.

3. Salvation is centered in a person, Jesus Christ. Jn. 1:12

4. It is not the experience of something, but Someone. Ro. 8:32

5. The Bible does not teach that Christ has salvation.

C. Cross-resurrection related

1. The cross is a reality, God's starting point with man. 1 Pe. 1:20, Ep. 1:4, 3:11

2. The cross is the basis of God's dealings with sinful man. Ro. 3:25

3. The death of Christ is mentioned over 175 times in the N.T. Torrey

4. The cross was the purpose of the incarnation Mk. 10:45

5. All the N.T. writers uphold it, except James (but he builds on it) Ja. 5:7-11

6. Every aspect of salvation must be related to the cross-resurrection.

D. Grace originated

1. Man is totally depraved, enslaved, alienated, lost, & guilty from conception. Rm. 3:23

2. Salvation, from start to finish, is from God. Ep. 2:8-9

E. Organically one

1. Christ is the source and content of our salvation.

2. Christ bestows all His fullness on the believer.

3. In Christ: Election, calling, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption ...

4. One aspect cannot be separated from the whole; it is an integral unit.

5. Christ cannot be received in stages.

6. There is Christian progression, a growth in grace. 2 Pe. 1:5-7

7. Three major stages of salvation

a) Counsel of God: Election

b) Initial bestowment: Calling, conversion, regeneration, justification, adoption

c) Progressive life: Sanctification, preservation, discipleship, glorification ....

F. Morally received

1. Salvation is not forced on man.

2. God deals with man as a responsible, moral agent.

3. Man can thus voluntarily respond to the grace of God.

4. Man consciously, voluntarily, and responsibly experiences the salvation of God.

5. The grace of God is received by faith.

a) It enlightens man's mind.

b) It redirects man's will.

c) It transforms and revitalizes man's moral nature.