Back To The Basics

Back To The Basics

“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” 

 Acts 2:47

Many books have been written and seminars taught to teach various methods used in bringing about Church Growth. 

It would be good for us to understand, first of all, that we as people cannot cause the church to grow.  We can witness, conduct evangelism, pray, fast, build a church building, but none of these will ensure that our church will grow. 

Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”      (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

Paul made it very clear that we are merely “labourers together” with the Lord who builds the church. 

Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose Driven Church states that “church leaders should stop praying, ‘Lord, bless what I’m doing’ and start praying, ‘Lord, help me to do what you are blessing.’” 

We cannot bring about church growth but we can learn to understand what God is doing and blessing and work accordingly.

Rick Warren advises us to ask “What is keeping my church from growing?” Instead of, “What will make our church grow?” 

God wants His church to grow.  Since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God has been making a way for bringing lost people back into a correct relationship with Himself.  The Gospel provides this.  It is being presented throughout the world, and we have the option of accepting it or rejecting it.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

 

In this Scripture we understand that God wants everyone to repent instead of perish.  This was the reason why He came to earth, was tempted, died on the cross, resurrected, and has ascended.  This is well understood in John 3:16-18.

Jesus made his purpose of being on the earth very clear when he said “I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18) Jesus loves the church and gave His life for it.

We have established three truths so far in this lesson. First, we cannot bring about church growth. Secondly, God causes the church to grow.  Third, He wants the church to grow.

We cannot put our confidence in methods that have been made by men. Paul said our confidence should be in God (2 Corinthians 3:4-5).  He warned against using excellency of speech and wisdom. He claimed that this would be enticing people. Instead he proclaimed that we should be “declaring the testimony of God.”  (1 Corinthians 2:1).  This is the reason why he wanted to know Jesus Christ instead of any other thing and operated in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. 

Methods change but principles do not change.  Methods can change according to culture, location, circumstances, and time.

“Methods are many,

principles are few;

Methods always change,

principles never do.”

Warren Wiersbe

Principles will apply to all people, everywhere, in all situations, and throughout time. There is much danger in copying the approach of other churches and other men.

We should rather look for principles that do not change and will be very effective.  It is time for us to go back to the basics. We often like to compare ourselves with other churches around us.

 

We begin to measure ourselves against other churches.  We measure our revival against no revival in another church.  We copy methods hoping to reproduce the same results.  Some even copy the styles of other preachers and singers.  We begin to compare our success or lack of it with others. 

Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, ARE NOT WISE.”

There is no better place to study the growth of the church than the Book of Acts.  Here we find the acts of the church, and the God that made it grow.  We can clearly see in Acts that the Lord was the one that added to the church.

Following the New Testament pattern and principles will produce New Testament churches.  We need churches that are patterned after the New Testament example.  New Testament preaching will also produce New Testament results.

The best way to study church growth is to go back to the basics of the Word of God. It would be best for us to measure ourselves against the Word of God, the only measurement of truth. We should measure our church with the church established in the Word. 

Jeremiah wrote, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls....”  (Jeremiah 6:16)

Facts in the book of Acts

Acts Facts

“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs...”

Acts 1:3

 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The Bantu title for the Acts of the Apostles is, “Words Concerning Deeds.”  A brief survey of this book will leave you with the impression that it is the deeds that the Lord continued to do, through the Holy Spirit (primarily) and His disciples (secondarily). 

Actually when you consider the content of the book you will note that it really only tells the story of two Apostles: Peter and Paul. 

In ancient times this book was called, “Acts of the Holy Spirit”; “Gospel of Resurrection”; “Gospel of the Holy Spirit”; “The Acts of the Ascended and Glorified Lord”; and some referred to it as the “Fifth Gospel”. 

In the New Testament it is only the Book of Acts that gives us the history of the growth of the church.  Acts gives us principles that should govern the church in every generation. The Full Life Study Bible states, “Acts records what the church must be and do in any generation as it continues Jesus’ ministry in the Pentecostal power of the Holy Spirit.”

The Book of Acts focuses on the ministry of two men.  Peter preached mostly in Jerusalem and Paul preached to the Gentiles.  Acts is the story of the original church. It records how “the Word of God increased.” (Acts 6:7)  Acts gives us much insight into church growth dynamics and principles. It also teaches us about evangelism, preaching, church life and leadership, the Holy Spirit, the Gifts of the Spirit, Apostles’ doctrine, missionary activity, church planting, prayer, role of women in the church, persecution, signs, wonders, miracles, and so many other aspects relevant to the church today.  The Holy Spirit is mentioned more than fifty times in the Book of Acts.  No wonder some called it the “Acts of the Holy Spirit.”  The Holy Spirit was the source of the power that the early church had.  Jesus had promised such power in Acts 1:8.  

We see that the baptism and ministry  of the Holy Spirit imparts:

Þ     power (1:8)

Þ     boldness (4:31)

Þ     fear of God (Acts 5:5)

Þ     wisdom (6:3,10)

Þ     guidance (16:6-10)

Þ     spiritual gifts (19:6)

The Book of Acts covers the first thirty years of church history and draws you into the world of the first century church. Some think that it would be so exciting to go back to the first century.  However, the Holy Spirit continues to move as we approach the twenty-first century.  We are continuing to see all of the miracles of the Book of Acts being performed today; even to a greater dimension. Countries are reporting thousands receiving the Holy Ghost in a single service; blinded eyes opened; and people being brought back from the dead. 

We are living in a tremendous

day of opportunity.

C. Peter Wagner in his book entitled, Prayer Shield tells us that more than 392 million Pentecostals were reported worldwide in 1991.  He claims that there has never been a movement that has grown as rapidly as the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement of the last thirty years.  He interestingly claims that in any large city where they are open to new churches and to Christianity that the largest churches will usually be Pentecostal or charismatic.  Of the twenty largest churches in the world with membership exceeding 20,000 in each local church, fourteen of the twenty are Pentecostal/Charismatic.

This allows us to know that there is more opportunity to win souls today than ever before and that the world is open to the vibrant, living, Pentecostal movement. 

A Look At The Back Of The Book of Acts

A Look At The Back Of The Book

“Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things

which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence,

no man forbidding him.” 

Acts 28:31

Many times when reading an exciting book we are often tempted to look at the back of the book to see what happens at the end of the story.  The Book of Acts is God’s Training Manual for Today’s Church.  It is an exciting story in the most thrilling book in the world, the Bible. 

The entire Bible is the story of the battle between good and evil.  When you look at the last book of the Bible you see that good wins and evil loses.  The devil, Satan is bound for a thousand years and thrown into the bottomless pit where he can no longer  deceive the nations of the world.  Eventually he will be thrown into the lake of fire forever. (Revelation 20:2,10)

The Book of ACTS is the triumphant story of the birth and growth of the Church.  Even in the midst of a battle between good and evil, and persecution, the Church grew and became a powerful force in society.

When you look at other books of the New Testament beginning with the Gospel According to Matthew and you turn to the back of the book, Chapter 28:20 you will read, “Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. AMEN.” 

The very first thing to be noticed about this verse is that Jesus wanted his followers to teach what he had commanded. 

In the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) we see Jesus performing “on the job training” with his followers.  He also promised that He would be with us until the end of the world.  Our being alive today proves that the world has not ended. Through being filled with the Holy Spirit, we have the promise that Jesus is still with us.

The Book of Matthew  closes with the word “Amen.”  This word means “let it be so!”  It expresses our willingness to be obedient, and proves that we are in agreement with the speaker.  It also implies that something is finished.  Nothing can be added to the Word of God. 

John in the Book of the Revelation  warns us that if we add to the Word of God or take away from it that “God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city.”  (Revelation 22:18-19)

When we look at the end of the Gospel According to Mark you find the powerful promises of the Word of God for the believer (Mark 16:15-18).  The book closes with these words, “And they went forth, and preached every where,  the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.  AMEN.”  (Mark 16:20)

What a thrill to realize that Jesus is working with us, and confirms the Word preached with signs following.  He said “these signs shall follow them that believe” (Mark 16:17)  and in another place, “greater   works  than these shall he do!”  (John 14:12)

At  the close of the book of Mark we find the word “Amen,”  letting us know that the writing is finished and we should “let it be so.”

At the end of the Gospel According to Luke  in Chapter 24:53 we find, “And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.  AMEN.” 

Again we see the word “Amen” letting us know the completion of the book.

Turning to the Gospel According to John  in Chapter 21:25 we read, “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.  AMEN.”    

The Lord Jesus Christ has done so many great things in the past and continues to be at work in the church today. The book of John is quite complete.

However, when we look at the back of the Book of Acts we do not find the word “Amen.” 

The Book of Acts is the only unfinished book in the Bible. 

It is a book that closes very quickly.  In this book we see the Lord at work through the Holy Spirit.  We see the growth of the Church.  The Lord is still at work, and the Church still continues.  God intends for the ACTS of His disciples, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the preaching of the Gospel to continue on until the end of the world.    

A Job Worth Starting Is Worth Finishing

A Job Worth Starting Is Worth Finishing

“...Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.  Until the day in which he was taken up...”

  Acts 1:1-2

In the Book of Acts we quickly see that Jesus continues the work that He started on the earth.  His plan was to endue His disciples with power; coming inside of them so that He would continue to work in His church.  In Acts we can see that Jesus is the “worker”.  Acts 2:47 tells us that the Lord added daily to the church those that should be saved.  He continues to do what He began even up until today.  (Philippians 1:6)

Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”  From this Scripture we can conclude that:

1.             Anything Jesus has ever done before   He can do it again.

2.           Anything that Jesus is doing    anywhere         else in the world, He    can do  it right             here.

3.           Anything that He is doing for   anybody           else, He can do it for    me (because He            is no respector of persons).

Jesus continues to do and teach through the Holy Spirit who “shall teach you all things.”  (John 14:26) 

When Jesus was on the earth He was operating in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14)  and in the Book of Acts His men operated in the same power of the Spirit.

When Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke He wrote about what Jesus did in his physical body. The Book of Acts was written to explain what Jesus was doing, from his throne in Heaven, through His spiritual body (which is the Church).

Jesus stated what He was beginning to do in Luke 4:18-19 when He said that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him and He was anointed to....

1.     preach the gospel to the poor

2.     sent me to heal the brokenhearted

3.     to preach deliverance to the captives

4.     recovering of sight to the blind

5.     to set at liberty them that are bruised

6.     preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

When He had finished stating what He was going to do He “closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister.”  (Luke 4:20)  This is symbolic of the completion of His earthly ministry and Him now giving us the responsibility to carry on what he began. 

Luke 10:19-20 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions...”

Mark 16:17-18  “And 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.”

John 14:12, 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 shall he do; BECAUSE I go unto my Father....I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.”

If we were to try to explain all of what Jesus did while on the earth it would take more than all of the books available. (John 21:25)  However let us look at a sampling of what He did.

We see that Jesus performed seventeen healings of individuals (fever, leprosy, paralysis, withered hand, blindness, deafness, internal bleeding, dropsy, severed ear.)  He still heals today, through you.

He supplied needs by feeding the hungry on five different occasions; financial need of tax money; stood in the boat and calmed the storm (protection) and walked on water.  He said, “Greater than these shall he do!” (John 14:12)

He did His miracles anywhere and everywhere; weddings, funerals, graveyards, synagogues, houses, mountains, pools, and boats.  Is there anywhere that you can allow Him to use you?

How He performed His miracles:  He touched, He was touched, He spat; He wept; He groaned; and He was moved with compassion.  Couldn’t you touch, weep, groan or be moved with compassion over the needs in this world?  You are to complete what He started.

God gave Moses a rod.  God gave Elijah a mantle.  But God has given you, His name.  What are you doing through the power of the name?

·         Jesus has given us dynamite power (Acts 1:8)

·         He wants us to be a POWERHOUSE for Him.

·         We should GO in the POWER and DEMONSTRATION of the Spirit.

·         You must SAY what He SAYS.

·         You must DO what He tells you to DO.

·         There is POWER in you.

·         If you don’t use the POWER you are CHEATING GOD and ROBBING people of being ministered to.

·         The only HANDS He has to use are YOUR HANDS.

·         The only MOUTH He has to use is YOUR MOUTH.

·         The only FAITH He has to use is YOUR FAITH.

·         We are labourers together with God.

·         “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13)

·         Your ministry will have SIGNS FOLLOWING.

·         God is the SAME.

·         You have the SAME MESSAGE.

·         You have the SAME JESUS.

·         You have the same POWER.

The only thing that should not be the same is YOU.

  Lord use me to continue what you started to do!!

A Good Name Is Rather To Be Chosen

“A Good Name Is Rather To Be Chosen”

Proverbs 22:1

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name  under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

One Old Testament prophecy after another predicted the coming of Jesus Christ long before He ever arrived on the Earth.  The most important of these, Isaiah 9:6 was written six hundred years before the birth of Jesus.  In another verse, Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”   (Isaiah 7:14)

The name, “Immanuel” shows to us the very truth of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.  It literally means, “God with us!”  It tells us that God Himself came as a human infant. This baby that was to be born would be God in human form.  Everything surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ can be summed up in those three words, “God with us!”  You see this truth brought to light again when you read John 1:1-14.  The baby that was born, and placed in the manger was the omnipotent (all powerful) Creator of the heavens and the earth.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”   (Isaiah 9:6)

Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible gave an interesting illustration concerning Jesus Christ that I would like to include here.  (Page 187) “From the very dawn of history this wicked world has desperately sought to employ the services of someone (or something) who could heal the hurt of the human soul and usher in the long stream of universal righteousness. Many persons have applied for this position, and numerous methods have been employed, but all have led to bitter disappointment and despair. But here the prophet Isaiah introduces a special candidate.  What are his qualifications? Can he satisfy the five key positions?

                   A.  What about his personality and                character?  It is wonderful

B.  What about his education? He knows all things and is therefore the supreme Counselor.

C.  What about his nationality?  He is the Mighty God.

D.  What about his previous work experience? He both planned for and carried out the creation of this universe and is therefore called the Father of Eternity.

E.  What is his special talent?  As the God-man, he is able to reconcile man with God, and is therefore the  Princeof Peace.

In view of all this, Isaiah (along with Peter, Paul, John, and a host of others) earnestly exhorts all sinners to hire this heavenly Candidate immediately.  (See Isaiah 1:18)”

The name of Jesus is mentioned 600 times in the Bible.  This shows us how important it is to use His name.

When Can We Use The Name Of Jesus?

In Prayer...

“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 shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

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)

In Preaching...

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all

 nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)

When In Need...

“That whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”  (John 15:16)

To Receive Eternal Life...

“But these are written, that ye might  believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”  (John 20:31)

When Healing Is Needed...

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong whom ye see and know”  (Acts 3:6, 16)

“By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?...Be it known unto you all... that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole...But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name”.

“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”  (Acts 4:7,10, 17-18)

In Salvation...

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”   (Acts 4:12)

In Deliverance From Demons...

“And this did she many days.  But Paul,

being grieved, turned and said to the spirit,

I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.  And he came out the same hour.  (Acts 16:18)

In Water Baptism...

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  (Acts 2:38)

“For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  (Acts 8:16)

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  (Acts 19:5)

In Everything...

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  (Colossians 3:17)

David Livingstone, the great pioneer missionary to Africa, declared concerning the name of Jesus: “It is the word of a Gentleman of the most strict and sacred honour.”

He came as the Word (John 1:1,14) and left the Word.

He came with a name and left His name.  Who shall proclaim His name if the church fails to do it.

Take the name of Jesus with you, and use it!

Short Daily Morning Devotion March 6, 2019

Short Daily Morning Devotion March 6, 2019

Spirit Filled life: is a Way of Life, Not Merely one time events

Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire . . . And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . . Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them . . . the place . . . was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit . . . And do not be drunk with wine . . . but be filled with the Spirit. (Act_2:3-4; Act_4:8, Act_4:31; and Eph_5:18)

When we are born again through faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our lives thereafter (1Co_3:16). At times after new birth, our lives may be repeatedly filled to overflowing by the empowering presence of the Spirit. The testimony of the early disciples illustrates this.

On the day of Pentecost, the 120 followers of Jesus were filled with the Spirit. "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire . . . And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." Subsequently, the Apostle Peter, who was originally filled on Pentecost, was again filled as he stood before the religious hierarchy of Israel. "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them." After this encounter, Peter joined the other disciples for a prayer meeting. "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." In this event, those who had been filled with the Spirit at Pentecost were filled a second time. Peter, who had been so filled twice before, was filled a third time. Therefore, it is evident that the filling of the Spirit is not a once for all time matter.

Furthermore, being filled with the Spirit is not automatic or universal for Christians, as is the indwelling of the Spirit. This fact can be clearly seen in the instruction given in Eph_5:18. "And do not be drunk with wine . . . but be filled with the Spirit." Since this is a command and not a description, it only becomes a personal reality to those who respond properly.

Additionally, the form of this command contains tremendous insight concerning the fullness of the Spirit and God's desire for us. The injunction to "be filled with the Spirit" is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing condition. It could properly (though awkwardly) be translated "be (always) being filled." This imperative is a call to a way of living, not merely periodic events. It is the will of God that we actually live, day by day, more and more, by the fullness of the Spirit's empowering work. We should humbly pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit as we face each day, each challenge, each opportunity of life.

Lord God of all power and might, the giver of life I rejoice that Your Holy Spirit dwells within my heart. I thank You for those times when Your Spirit has worked powerfully upon my life. Help me to see that the fullness of Your Spirit is not merely an event-to-event experience, but a lifestyle to be developed. Lord, with great expectation I humbly seek You now for a fresh, ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in me. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.