Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the tag “kingdom”

11 Jul 2016

Spending a Half-Day with God #2

Here’s some practical ideas on how best to utilize your extended time alone with God.

The first step in spending a half-day with God is to schedule the time and a place.  The place must be free from distractions and interruptions.  After you have chosen the date, you must protect it from other urgent, pressing needs that will tempt you into canceling or postponing.  Remember that our enemy, the devil, is actively opposing this plan and will seek to get you to cancel or postpone this time with God.  Be mentally ready for a battle!

Take with you a Bible, a notebook and pen, a songbook and perhaps a devotional book that can help you focus on the Lord.

Divide your time into three parts.  During the first part you want to fellowship and worship the Lord.  Read the Bible (especially the Psalms), worship Him with singing, confess known sin in prayer and thank and praise Him for all His goodness and faithfulness.  During this time you also may want to read your devotional book in order to help focus our thoughts on Him.

During the second part of your time alone with God you will want to pray for others.  Remember to pray as specifically as possible.  A poor example would be, “Lord, please bless Joe.”  A better example would be, “Lord, please help Joe live a life that is pleasing to you.  Give Him a heart of obedience and a hunger for your Word.”  Pray for others what you would pray for yourself.

In the third part of your time, you want to especially pray for yourself.  Pray for wisdom and insight from the Lord.  Pray for His perspective on your life and its problems.  Pray that your heart will desire to do His will.  Pray that you may be used to glorify Him through what you do and say.  Pray over your future activities and plans.  If you are facing a problem, ask the Lord to show you the solution or how to overcome it.  Think through your current spiritual condition and make note of any impressions or ideas you may get from the Lord.

Before you finish your time alone with God, it is most helpful if you summarize in writing what things God has spoken to you.  Perhaps it is a decision that you made, a new objective for the future, a task or project that must be started or other important matters.  Don’t look for some mystical experience during this time.  Rather, if you have taken time alone with God, realize that there will be an impact in your daily life, even though you may not have some special feelings.

It is best if you can take this half-day alone with God on a regular basis, about every several months.  This is especially true if you are facing major decisions or stressful times.

Have you scheduled your next half-day alone with God?

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06 Jun 2016

Sharing Your Story #1

Our personal salvation story is designed to be shared with a non-believer.  Our testimony will have its most impact if shared naturally during a personal conversation or in a small group.  It can be used as a “door opener” in order to turn the attention of your listener towards spiritual matters and create an opportunity to share the gospel in a more complete way.  Successful evangelism begins with a well-prepared testimony.

When sharing our testimony we want to explain what Christ has done in our lives, not preach at our listener.  Everyone who has trusted Christ as their personal Savior has a testimony about how God has touched their life.  Certainly this testimony is different for each person; we are not seeking to have our listener imitate our personal experience, rather we want them to personally trust Christ as their Savior.

Your testimony may be dramatic, especially if you trusted Christ as an adult, or it may not be so spectacular, if you trusted Christ as a child.  But, spectacular or not, God can use your testimony to touch the hearts of others.  A disciple of Jesus must be able to tell others how they came to know Christ.

OUTLINE FOR A SALVATION TESTIMONY

PART 1           Before I Trusted Christ

A brief background sketch of what your life was like before you trusted Christ (i.e. family, old way of life).  During this section you may want to share one or two specific instances that would illustrate what your life was like without Christ.  If you share some sinful experience, do not give a lot of details as this can disturb your listener’s concentration and detract from your main point.

PART 2           How I Trusted Christ

Specifically share how you came to know Christ as your personal Savior (i.e.  when, where).  Create a word picture that will attract your listener’s attention.

In this section you must remember to distinctly share the four parts of the gospel  as follows:

  • all people have sinned;
  • all people will be punished with death because of their sin;
  • because God loves us, He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sin – accepting our punishment;
  • we must each personally acknowledge that we are sinners and place our trust in Jesus as our Savior.

PART 3           After I Trusted Christ

Explain briefly what changes you have seen in your life since you accepted Christ as your Savior (i.e. deep peace because our sins are forgiven, the reality of the new life, assurance of salvation based on the promises of God).

Your objective is to be able share this three-part testimony in approximately four minutes.  If we examine the testimony of Paul as shared in Acts 24 and Acts 26 we find that it was about this length of time.  We can also see that Paul’s testimony easily divides into the three parts listed above, which we use as our model testimony.

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23 May 2016

The Basics are Basic #8

LORDSHIP OF CHRIST

Memory verse:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.                                                                     Romans 12:1

Conditions for Following Christ

Luke 14:26     “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27    And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33     In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

What Does it Mean to Call Jesus Lord?

Joshua 24:15     But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” 

Matthew 5:11-12       “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 6:33            But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 6:46                   “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Luke 9:23                   Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:57-62             As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

John 12:24-25            I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 

Romans 12:1              Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.

Jesus must be first in all areas of the believer’s life.  He must become all in all.  We are called to live holy, obedient lives because He is Lord, the one and only God.  Jesus has the right to control our lives because of His Lordship.

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks, #2 BE - Who a Leader Is and tagged , , , , , , , , ,
16 May 2016

The Basics are Basic #7

FELLOWSHIP

Memory verse:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.                                          Hebrews 10:24-25

 Fellowship and the Body of Christ

  1. Christ is the Head of the Body of Christ

Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:22-23

  1. Every believer is a member of the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23

  1. There are spiritual leaders in the Body of Christ

Hebrews 13:7,17; Ephesians 4:11-13

  1. All members are one in the Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 2:11-22; Galatians 3:26-28

All those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior are members of God’s family, the Body of Christ.  Within this Body all members have the same value before God, but they will have different functions.

Our unique function in the Body of Christ is determined by our design (spiritual gifts) given to us by the Holy Spirit.  Though we have different functions within the Body, no member is of greater importance than another;  all have the same importance and value to God.

The Goal of Fellowship

Acts 2:42        They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Romans 15:1              We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

1 Corinthians 14:26               What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

Galatians 6:2             Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:14             And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Hebrews 10:24-25     And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

James 5:16                   Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

All believers will gather together regularly to worship the Lord.  Included in this fellowship together is prayer, teaching of the Word of God, testifying to God’s work in our lives, strengthening the weak, comforting the downcast and encouraging one another to continue to live lives pleasing to God.

Believers need each other.  There is no one who does not need the fellowship of other believers.

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09 May 2016

The Basics are Basic #6

WITNESSING

 Memory verse:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”                                                 Acts 1:8

 Who Must Witness?

 John 20:21      Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

 Acts 8:4           Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

All people who have put their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior must witness about Him to others.

What Does it Mean to Witness?

 John 4:39-42           Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.  And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

John 9:25        He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Acts 22:21      “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'”

Acts 8:26-40   Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Witnessing is simply telling another person what you already know and have experienced.  All people who have trusted Jesus as their personal Savior have a testimony that they can share with others.

To Whom Must We Witness?

 Matthew 28:18-20     Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 16:15          He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Acts 1:8          But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

Believers must be led and empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness wherever they live, work and play, with the objective of reaching the whole world with the gospel of Christ.

When Must We Witness?

2 Timothy 4:2          Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.

1 Peter 3:15               But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

We must always be prepared to witness to others about Jesus, morning or evening, when the time is easy and also when it may not be so easy.

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02 May 2016

The Basics are Basic #5

WORD OF GOD

 Memory Verse:

 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness             2 Timothy 3:16

Characteristics of God’s Word

 Psalm 19:7-11             The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 119:160            All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Isaiah 8:20                  To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Isaiah 40:8                  The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

Matthew 24:35          Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Hebrews 4:12             For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

2 Peter 1:20-21          Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The Word of God, the Bible, is eternal, true and can be trusted.

Those who wrote the bible were guided by the Holy Spirit so that what was written was according to His will.  God’s Word is important to His children because it is His living, eternal, unchanging message to them.

II.     Why is the Word of God Important?

Psalm 119:105            Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:130            The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Matthew 4:4              Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

John 15:3                    You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

Acts 20:32      “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

2 Timothy 3:16-17     All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God’s Word is given so that we may know our Heavenly Father in an ever deeper and intimate way and how to live a life that is pleasing to Him.  By studying and applying His Word we will grow in our relationship with Him.

The Word of God is spiritual food for the believer.  As such, we must eat from this spiritual food daily through reading, studying, memorizing and meditating so that we may grow spiritually.

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18 Apr 2016

The Basics are Basic #3

OBEDIENCE TO GOD

Memory verse:

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
John 14:21

Why Is Obedience to God Important?

1 Samuel 15:22  But Samuel replied:  “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Luke 6:46  “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

John 14:21-24  Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”  Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”  Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

Romans 12:1  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.

James 1:22-25  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.

James 4:17  Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

1 Peter 1:14  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

1 John 2:3-6  We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:  Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

God commands His children to obey Him. If we live in obedience to Him we demonstrate our love for Him. Because God gave His one and only Son to die on behalf of our sins, we should live a life of obedient submission to His will as a sign of thankfulness and gratefulness for all He has done. If we chose to live in disobedience to His Word, we sin.

Benefits of Obedience to God

Deuteronomy 4:39-40  Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below.  There is no other.  Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.

Proverbs 1:33  But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

Proverbs 16:7  When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Isaiah 1:19  If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;

Jeremiah 7:23  but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.

Matthew 7:24-27  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

John 15:1-14  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.   Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.

Obedience will bring forth the fruit of joy in our hearts.  Remember, in order to know the commands of God that we might obey them, we must read and study His Word. Obedience to God is always in alignment with His Word, the Bible.

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11 Apr 2016

The Basics are Basic #2

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

Memory verse:

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5:11-12

What is the Meaning of Eternal Life?

John 17:3  Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Eternal life is a personal relationship with God which lasts eternally and begins the moment we put our trust in Jesus as our Savior.

How Do We Obtain Eternal Life?

John 1:12  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–

John 5:24  “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

John 20:31  But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Acts 16:31  They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.”

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–

1 John 5:11-12  And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Eternal life begins the moment we put our trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.  At that moment we become a child of God, a member of God’s eternal family (Romans 8:15-16).

Can Eternal Life Be Lost?

John 10:27-30  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

John 14:16-17  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Romans 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 1:13-14  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession–to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 4:30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Philippians 1:6  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:12-14  But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.  Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

1 Peter 1:5  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

2 John 1:2  because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

Eternal life cannot be lost. God’s Holy Spirit, who lives within all true believers, is our seal and guarantee of eternal life.  If we seek to live a life of obedience to Christ and His Word we will grow in our relationship with God.

What Happens When Believers Sin?

1. When God’s children (believers) sin, communication with their Heavenly Father is hindered, but they remain God’s children. We are not removed from God’s family.

Isaiah 59:2  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

1 Peter 3:7  Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

2. Believers who fall into sin must confess their sins to God in prayer so that their communication with their Heavenly Father can be restored again.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

3.  If a “Christian” falls into sin and then begins to mock Christ, it is obvious that they never truly believed.

1 John 2:18-19  Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.  They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

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04 Apr 2016

The Basics are Basic #1

THE GOSPEL

Memory verse:

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
John 5:24

What is the Meaning of the Gospel?

1.  The bible says that there are three things that are common to all people:  1) all have sinned (Romans 3:23), 2) all will die (Romans 5:12) and 3) all will stand before God in judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

2.  Because of sin, people are separated from God and will die; death is physical, but also spiritual separation from God; God who is Most Holy, cannot relate with man who is sinful.

3.  People often seek to bridge the gap of separation back to God by various means such as trying to live a good, moral life or being faithful in their religion.

4.  But God says that all these good deeds will not help us bridge this gap and end the separation (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Mankind needs a Savior who is able to bridge this gap and bring them to God.

5.  Jesus Christ came to deliver mankind from death; to “bring us to God.” He was put to death to pay the penalty for our sin and raised from the dead as proof that salvation is through Him.  Jesus is the bridge to bring people back to a right relationship with God (1 Peter 3:18).  He is the Savior!

6.  God offers eternal life with Himself and the forgiveness of sin if we fulfill two conditions:  1) we must hear the gospel and 2) we must believe (John 5:24).

7.  By believing we put our trust in Christ to save us from our sin and renounce our sinful ways.  We must invite Him into our life (John 1:12; Revelation 3:20).

You can have your sins forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life now by praying and asking God to forgive you and telling Him you want Jesus as your Savior.

Prayer is simply talking with God.  Our words are not as important as the attitude of our heart.  We place our trust in Christ by praying a prayer like this:

“Dear Heavenly Father, I admit that I am a sinner.  I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for me.  I trust Jesus to forgive my sins right now.  Let me start a new and meaningful life with you today.  Amen.”

You have heard the gospel.  Have you believed and put your trust in Jesus?

Posted in #1 KNOW- How a Leader Thinks and tagged , , , , ,
28 Mar 2016

Retirement – Is it Biblical?

Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere
your God. I am the LORD.       Leviticus 19:32

The bible does not speak specifically to the subject of retirement.  But just because this topic is not addressed, we must not conclude that retirement is unbiblical.  The bible does not address riding in an airplane, but we don’t conclude therefore that airplane rides are unbiblical.

The bible does address the subject of aging and treatment of the elderly.  Therefore, though we may not have an organizational obligation to those who are older, we do have a moral and a biblical obligation to them.

Elders
The OT elders and the NT elders were people of influence and authority.  While not exactly equivalent, we can draw guidance from both examples of how they contributed to the work of God and how they were to be treated by others.

Peter reminds us, “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:  Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.”  (1 Peter 5:1-5)  Note that these passages speak to both attitudes and contribution for the elders.  And Paul says, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)

The Aging
Leviticus 19:32 exhorts us to, “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.”  James 1:27 also reminds us, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Passages that address the treatment of aging parents are also instructive for us.  Jesus made sure that his own mother was well cared for after His death by entrusting her care to the Apostle John (see John 19:25-27).  It’s fascinating to contemplate that the care of Jesus’ mother was remanded to an apostle and not to one of His own family members.

Paul instructs Timothy concerning the care of aging parents, “But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.”  (1 Timothy 5:8)  He continues, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)

 

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