Read Hebrews 5:11-Hebrews 6:1.
“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God” Hebrews 6:1.
The bible says that as we continue in our walk with God, we are being changed from glory to glory, strength to strength (Psalm 84:7). Change is inevitable. God wants us to change – to grow. But if we are not aware of the foundations of God, our change will not be for the best.
We always want to do something to gain favor from God especially when we do wrong. But the bible says that we can’t earn our salvation.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8-Ephesians 2:9.
Grace means unmerited favor. Something we do not deserve. The bible says that our salvation is a gift from God. It is something we received that we did not earn. We cannot do anything to earn our salvation. We do not deserve it but God, out of His love for us, freely gave us the freedom from our sins.
It is one thing to grow old and another to grow up. One of the signs of a growing Christian is having the discernment of what is good or evil.
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God” Hebrews 6:1.
Repentance is a change of one’s mind, direction and ways. When we are fully committed to growing up in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we need to adjust our perspective.
Dead works are any works or useless rituals that have no bearing in God’s eyes. Men have the tendency to start from faith and go back to dead works, thinking that we need to add up to our faith to remain saved. This false burden is lifted off from us when we realize that despite our imperfections and our failures, God sees Jesus in us.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9.
WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE ARE DOING?
We do what we do out of the overflow of our love for God. It is our response to His love for us. Anything that we do outside of love will bear us down.
Regardless of how we feel and what we do, we are still God’s children. His love for us is the same. He still sent us His only begotten son.
NO AMOUNT OF WORK CAN EARN YOUR WORTH
“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
ABC SERIES: The Basics of Christianity
“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment” Hebrews 5:11-Hebrews 6:2.
Foundations are very important. Landslides occur and buildings crash because of faulty foundations. Foundations are important in all areas of life. An Accountant must at least have an appreciation for numbers and Musicians need to distinguish the difference in Do-Re-Mi. Life is temporary by we go through so much training. How much more must we train in the eternal things in life?
“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn” Hebrews 5:11.
2 MYTHS ON SPIRITUAL MATURITY:
1. Myth of Time Element.
Many Christians base their spiritual maturity is based on the length of time they have been with the church. They think that years of attendance make them more mature than others who have only been in church for a shorter time.
2. Myth of Association.
Some Christians gauge their spiritual maturity based on who they hang out with. They treat their friendships with the pastors and staff as they would an elite club or an inner circle.
PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY:
Principle #1: Spiritually mature Christians know the elementary truths of God’s word.
“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” Hebrews 5:12.
We live in a time when people are into “Consumer Christianity”. We expect to be amazed, entertained and served. We have so many criticisms, finding fault in the church. So-called Christians have been attending church for so long but never take part in the purposes of God for the church. They are there for the religious purpose of attending the weekly worship services only.
Principle #2: Spiritually mature Christians are acquainted with the teachings about righteousness.
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness” Hebrews 5:13.
Are we acting like babies? Whining about the smallest of things? There is no distinction between worldly Christians and the worldly people except that the Christians go to church every Sunday. The worldly Christians are as unfamiliar with the teachings of righteousness.
Principle #3: Spiritually mature Christians can distinguish between good and evil.
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” Hebrews 5:14.
How does a Christian train? We read the bible and put into practice what we have learned. We learn the basics and train ourselves with it. Do we really know the standards of integrity? Can we distinguish between good and evil?
Principle #4: Spiritually mature Christians can move on from the basic tenets of Christianity.
“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment” Hebrews 6:1-2.
Repentance, faith in God, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection and eternal judgement these are the basic tenets of our faith. In order for us to understand the more advanced teachings, we must first have a solid foundation of the basics of our faith.
IT’S TIME TO GROW
Growing old is not the same as growing up. We all need the grace of God to grow up in our faith in Him. Which areas of our lives is the grace of God evident in? Which areas in our lives do we need more knowledge of Him?
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” 2 Peter 3:18.
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 3:11.
Jesus is the main foundation of our faith.
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment” Hebrews 5:11-Hebrews 6:2.
Foundations are very important. Landslides occur and buildings crash because of faulty foundations. Foundations are important in all areas of life. An Accountant must at least have an appreciation for numbers and Musicians need to distinguish the difference in Do-Re-Mi. Life is temporary by we go through so much training. How much more must we train in the eternal things in life?
“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn” Hebrews 5:11.
2 MYTHS ON SPIRITUAL MATURITY:
1. Myth of Time Element.
Many Christians base their spiritual maturity is based on the length of time they have been with the church. They think that years of attendance make them more mature than others who have only been in church for a shorter time.
2. Myth of Association.
Some Christians gauge their spiritual maturity based on who they hang out with. They treat their friendships with the pastors and staff as they would an elite club or an inner circle.
PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY:
Principle #1: Spiritually mature Christians know the elementary truths of God’s word.
“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” Hebrews 5:12.
We live in a time when people are into “Consumer Christianity”. We expect to be amazed, entertained and served. We have so many criticisms, finding fault in the church. So-called Christians have been attending church for so long but never take part in the purposes of God for the church. They are there for the religious purpose of attending the weekly worship services only.
Principle #2: Spiritually mature Christians are acquainted with the teachings about righteousness.
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness” Hebrews 5:13.
Are we acting like babies? Whining about the smallest of things? There is no distinction between worldly Christians and the worldly people except that the Christians go to church every Sunday. The worldly Christians are as unfamiliar with the teachings of righteousness.
Principle #3: Spiritually mature Christians can distinguish between good and evil.
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” Hebrews 5:14.
How does a Christian train? We read the bible and put into practice what we have learned. We learn the basics and train ourselves with it. Do we really know the standards of integrity? Can we distinguish between good and evil?
Principle #4: Spiritually mature Christians can move on from the basic tenets of Christianity.
“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment” Hebrews 6:1-2.
Repentance, faith in God, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection and eternal judgement these are the basic tenets of our faith. In order for us to understand the more advanced teachings, we must first have a solid foundation of the basics of our faith.
IT’S TIME TO GROW
Growing old is not the same as growing up. We all need the grace of God to grow up in our faith in Him. Which areas of our lives is the grace of God evident in? Which areas in our lives do we need more knowledge of Him?
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” 2 Peter 3:18.
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 3:11.
Jesus is the main foundation of our faith.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
PASSION SERIES: Our Part.
The ultimate purpose of the church is to disciple the nations. But World Missions is not just about going. There is a purpose that comes with it. When we miss the purpose, we miss the blessings that come with obeying and fulfilling the great commission.
It all starts with understanding that it is the will of God to bless us abundantly. We need to embrace the blessings of God in our lives as individuals, as a ministry and as a nation before we can begin to be a blessing to the nations. We cannot be a blessing to somebody else if we have nothing.
GOD’S BLESSINGS = SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS + MATERIAL BLESSINGS
“Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold” Genesis 13:2.
GOD’S BLESSINGS EXTEND FROM ABRAHAM TO US.
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” Galatians 3:29.
We are co-inheritors of God’s promise to Abraham. God sealed His promise with a covenant that cannot be broken. The proper response to the promise of God is to believe, receive, thank the LORD and be a blessing to others.
GOD’S PURPOSE FOR THE CHURCH IS TO DISCIPLE ALL NATIONS.
Chairman Mao Tse Tung of China is the 20th century’s greatest evangelist next to Billy Graham. He didn’t have to be a Christian. In the 1950s, he kicked out every single missionary in China. In those days, it would take 7 months of traveling on a mule to get to places in China. Mao Tse Tung had a road system built for trams and buses to travel on, making it easier for our missionaries to travel from one place to another. What took 7 months before became only 7 days of travel! Mao Tse Tung issued a decree that required businesses to use only one dialect in their transactions, Mandarin. He also reduced more than 4,000 Chinese characters to 1,500 making the bible easier to translate using only one dialect that is understood by every single Chinese, and with only 1,500 characters to use. Mao Tse Tung’s greatest contribution was when he pulled out the high achieving scholarly Christians from the universities and sent them to the most remote islands of China. Unwittingly, Mao Tse Tung sent off an army of intelligent, young Christians to places that was difficult for missionaries to reach, allowing the gospel to be preached in the farthest corners of China! The greatest revival is now happening in the rural areas that these students were sent to. Mao Tse Tung was very instrumental in spreading the faith that he sought to destroy 60 years ago.
OUR PART.
1.GO.
9 out of 10 people still need to hear the gospel and 4 out of those 9 people have not even heard of the name of Jesus Christ.
2. SEND.
We are called to pray individually and corporately for the nations and for the safety of our missionaries.
“And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” Mark 11:17.
3. GIVE.
In the early beginnings of Victory Church in the Philippines, it decided to raise a mission fund from among the few, unwealthy student members of the congregation. It was able to raise a staggering amount (at that time) of Php10,000 a month and was able to send out their first missionary. Victory Church has not looked back since then and it has never been in lack. Thus is the principle of sowing and reaping. It is in the going and the sending that the local church becomes a global church.
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” Revelations 7:9.
Revelations 7:9 is our assurance that God commissioned us because He knew precisely that we can do it and that we will not fail. It is our assurance that His promise to Abraham will come to pass. He has already given the provisions and the victory to us through the blood of Jesus Christ. All we need to do is to respond and to obey to make disciples of all nations.
Once every people is represented in heaven, Jesus Christ will have received the full reward for his suffering, bringing glory and honor to His Name.
“The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." ”
Genesis 12:1.
Genesis 12:1.
It all starts with understanding that it is the will of God to bless us abundantly. We need to embrace the blessings of God in our lives as individuals, as a ministry and as a nation before we can begin to be a blessing to the nations. We cannot be a blessing to somebody else if we have nothing.
GOD’S BLESSINGS = SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS + MATERIAL BLESSINGS
“Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold” Genesis 13:2.
GOD’S BLESSINGS EXTEND FROM ABRAHAM TO US.
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” Galatians 3:29.
We are co-inheritors of God’s promise to Abraham. God sealed His promise with a covenant that cannot be broken. The proper response to the promise of God is to believe, receive, thank the LORD and be a blessing to others.
GOD’S PURPOSE FOR THE CHURCH IS TO DISCIPLE ALL NATIONS.
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you”
Psalm 67:1-3.
Psalm 67:1-3.
Chairman Mao Tse Tung of China is the 20th century’s greatest evangelist next to Billy Graham. He didn’t have to be a Christian. In the 1950s, he kicked out every single missionary in China. In those days, it would take 7 months of traveling on a mule to get to places in China. Mao Tse Tung had a road system built for trams and buses to travel on, making it easier for our missionaries to travel from one place to another. What took 7 months before became only 7 days of travel! Mao Tse Tung issued a decree that required businesses to use only one dialect in their transactions, Mandarin. He also reduced more than 4,000 Chinese characters to 1,500 making the bible easier to translate using only one dialect that is understood by every single Chinese, and with only 1,500 characters to use. Mao Tse Tung’s greatest contribution was when he pulled out the high achieving scholarly Christians from the universities and sent them to the most remote islands of China. Unwittingly, Mao Tse Tung sent off an army of intelligent, young Christians to places that was difficult for missionaries to reach, allowing the gospel to be preached in the farthest corners of China! The greatest revival is now happening in the rural areas that these students were sent to. Mao Tse Tung was very instrumental in spreading the faith that he sought to destroy 60 years ago.
OUR PART.
1.GO.
9 out of 10 people still need to hear the gospel and 4 out of those 9 people have not even heard of the name of Jesus Christ.
2. SEND.
We are called to pray individually and corporately for the nations and for the safety of our missionaries.
“And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations” Mark 11:17.
3. GIVE.
In the early beginnings of Victory Church in the Philippines, it decided to raise a mission fund from among the few, unwealthy student members of the congregation. It was able to raise a staggering amount (at that time) of Php10,000 a month and was able to send out their first missionary. Victory Church has not looked back since then and it has never been in lack. Thus is the principle of sowing and reaping. It is in the going and the sending that the local church becomes a global church.
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands” Revelations 7:9.
Revelations 7:9 is our assurance that God commissioned us because He knew precisely that we can do it and that we will not fail. It is our assurance that His promise to Abraham will come to pass. He has already given the provisions and the victory to us through the blood of Jesus Christ. All we need to do is to respond and to obey to make disciples of all nations.
Once every people is represented in heaven, Jesus Christ will have received the full reward for his suffering, bringing glory and honor to His Name.
PASSION SERIES: God’s Heart.
“and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” Revelations 5:9b.
What is Passion? Passion is defined as a strong, barely uncontrollable emotion or an intense desire for something. All of us have our own passions. We may discover people’s passions by the words that they speak, from the overflow of their hearts (Luke 6:45b). But what is God passionate about? What moves His heart?
WHAT IS THE PASSION OF GOD?
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” 1 Corinthians 10:26.
Everything is God’s and because He owns us, He is passionate that His plans and purposes are fulfilled. He is committed to take care of us.
WHAT IS THE PASSION OF GOD?
“and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” Revelations 5:9b.
Jesus purchased us with His blood. He died for the unbelievers of the world. God sacrificed His Son to gain us whom He loves. God is so passionate that He wants to reveal His plans and purpose for our lives.
WHAT IS THE PASSION OF GOD?
“that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nation”
Psalm 67:2.
“for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”
Isaiah 56:7.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”
Matthew 24:14.
Psalm 67:2.
“for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”
Isaiah 56:7.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”
Matthew 24:14.
“and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” Luke 24:47.
“but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him”
Romans 16:26.
Romans 16:26.
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands”
Revelations 7:9.
Revelations 7:9.
God is passionate about seeing every person in every tribe serving Him. His heart is for every people group to be represented in heaven. He wants every nation to be saved.
THE GREAT COMMISSION
(Also read Genesis 1:28; Genesis 9:7; Matthew 28:19).
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" Genesis 12:3.
“I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham" Genesis 26:24.
“Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring” Genesis 28:14.
“I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham" Genesis 26:24.
“Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring” Genesis 28:14.
God’s covenant with Abraham extends to us. God wants to bless us so that we can be a blessing to others. The brand Coca Cola is known throughout the world, even in the remotest of villages, but many nations have not heard of the Name of Jesus Christ. By the year 2010, the world is estimated to have 7 Billion in population. Only 2.1 Billion are considered “Christians” and only .7 are bible-believing Christians. God has envisioned the earth to be filled with His own people. 2.8 billion people are beyond reach, belonging to hostile nations.
GOD’S ULTIMATE PASSION IS TO DISCIPLE THE NATIONS.
The Great Commission to go out and make disciples of all nations is for all of us, not just for full time ministers. There are 3 ways to participate in the world missions:
1.Go.
Join short-term or long-term mission trips and church planting.
2. Pray.
We are called to pray for the nations of the world. God has different ways of reminding us to
pray for the other nations.
3. Give.
We can support missions and church planting through pledges and financial support.
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