Life Track 201 by Life Network

Bernie L. Wade, PhD Barney P. Phillips, PhD Page |2

Life Track 201

Page |3

Life Track 201

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

Life College & Seminary 1901 Prestwick Drive, LaGrange KY 40070

Ordering Information: Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address above. Printed in the United States of America

Page |4

Life Track 201

Contents

PREFACE

CHAPTER ONE - EVANGELISM

Introducing Others to Christ. - The Great Commission

Living a Fulfilled Life …………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….……. 13

CHAPTER TWO – LEADERSHIP

Leadership Principles ………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………. 25

CHAPTER THREE– REPENTANCE & BAPTISM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Repentance ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25 Water Baptism …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30 Spirit Baptism ……………………… ... ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 38

CHAPTER FOUR – PLAN YOUR LIFE ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 43 Goal Setting and Planning ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 44

Page |5

Life Track 201

CHAPTER FIVE – DEALING WITH OFFENSE ………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… 50 Living Free From Offense ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 51

PREFACE Jesus said, “… I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” The Gospel of John 10:10 - NKJV

“If a man in the morning hear the right way, he may die in the evening without regret.” - CONFUCIUS

We are enthusiastic that you are continuing this journey to learn more about following Jesus Christ. In Life Track 101 we expect that you learned foundational principles of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ and just living. In these studies, we will continue the journey and discuss sharing your faith, Page |6

Life Track 201

growing in your faith, the call of God on your life and more. Much of life is just seeing how a fulfilled life is lived. Life is much more than most of us have experienced. The power of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) becoming resident in our lives is transforming. In the Gospel of John, Jesus Christ spoke about how people have come into our lives for their own purposes. Notably to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus Christ reminded us that He came for a much different purpose. His coming into our lives was to transform us, renew our minds and to give us fulfilled lives that would bring joy, peace, love and much more! Jesus came into our lives to give us a better life and the promise of eternal life with Him! So often, we find that people have just not been allowed to live. They have existed with lives full of heartache and misery. When we come to Jesus, He takes all of that and gives us a life worth living. Jesus Christ came to earth so that we could live fulfilled lives in place of the sin stained ones we previously experienced. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly! John 10:10 NKJV When I think of a word picture of the abundance of the Holy Spirt (Ghost) coming into our lives, I think of Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is one of the 7 natural wonders of the World.1 Niagara Falls has been flowing for thousands 1 Eduplace. Niagara Falls: One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Weekly Reader. Current Events. Harcourt Publishing.

Page |7

Life Track 201

of years, generates unbelievable amounts of water that is converted into power and there seems to be no end to the flow! For those who have been privileged to stand at Niagara Falls we have witnessed the amazing majesty of one of God’s many creations. For those who have also witnessed the power of the Holy Ghost (Spirit), we understand that Niagara Falls does not really measure of up to the Majesty, power and endless flow of the presence of God in our lives! The Comforter has come just as Jesus promised! … when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He [c]will take of Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:12-15 Jesus wants us to understand that it is all about Him! His Spirit, The Comforter, the Holy Ghost (Spirit) that has come to us for the purpose of leading us and guiding us! Jesus Christ reminds us (in case we were not listening or have forgotten) that not only does He have all the power in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18), but He owns everything that belongs to the Father. So, we are His! My prayer for you is that, on this journey we call life, you will continue to find direction and purpose. I expect that these lessons will be some help to your journey. Blessings on your journey!

Bernie Bernie L. Wade, Sr., PhD is the Chancellor of Life College & Seminary (www.lifecollege.education). He is an educator, mentor, and teacher. He also serves as President of the International Circle of Faith (ICOF). (www.icof.net).

Page |8

Life Track 201

Evangelism

Page |9

Life Track 201

CHAPTER 0NE INTRODUCING OTHERS TO CHRIST The Great Commission Matthew 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

"Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every P a g e | 10

Life Track 201

pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us—a crucified God—must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world.” - John Piper THE GREAT COMMISSION Jesus’ Great Commission is not just “telling people about Jesus” (though it is that); it’s not just trying to convince people to agree with us on a laundry list of facts from the Bible (though it can be that at times– Truth matters, whether or not we believe Truth matters). Even more than that, the Great Commission is about introducing people to Jesus, helping people get to know Him better through the way that we treat them. It is also helping people—who at one time loved Jesus but have since slowly drifted away for various reasons—to get to know Him again. Illustration I: “I know intellectually that God loves me (just as I know that I have a winter coat in my closet on a cold day); but what I need help with is learning how to put it on and wear it.” In other words, I am still learning how to “put on God’s love” each day to keep me warm and protect me from the elements. And I have a feeling that there are many others out there struggling with the same thing. So evangelism isn’t just about a persuading about facts, but also (and more personally) about how to walk with God practically.” God not only loves you; he thinks about you all the time. Let’s look at fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission and compare it to getting physically healthier: Some people do nothing because they say, “I don’t have time to work out for an hour or two each day.” We can get healthier by simply tweaking/adapting the way we already spend our time:  switching from white bread to whole grain breads  taking the stairs at work instead of the elevator;  re-filling up our empty soda can with water throughout the day;  Doing some sit-ups and push-ups while we watch our favorite programs; etc. Here’s the point: fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission doesn’t have to mean that we add more religious tasks/good deeds to all the busyness that we currently have going on. P a g e | 11

Life Track 201

“[To have Faith in Christ] means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus, if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain why because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.” - C. S. Lewis (Mere Christianity) There are many ways that we can show the love of Jesus Christ. The best way is to model Him in our own life. It may be said that leading others to Christ is just like the childhood game, “Follow the leader!” You lead and others will follow your example. Here are some ways you can lead others to Christ:  Make Eye Contact with & smile at people that you cross paths with each day — God can shine through your gaze and smile just like He did through Stephen as recorded in the Book of Acts or Moses in Exodus. Exodus 34:29 NIV: “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.” Acts 6:15 NIV: “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”  Compliment People Who Serve or Wait on You (waitresses, person bagging your groceries, librarians, etc.). Illustration: A few years ago I was checking some items out of our local library and I was particularly amazed at how efficient the request and transfer system is. I spontaneously thanked the librarian for all of her hard P a g e | 12

Life Track 201

work. She was dumbstruck and said she had never been thanked one time in 13 years of being a librarian. PEOPLE notice it when they get a taste/glimpse of Jesus’ love—how exciting!  Start Your Morning Off Right. Each morning, try and say to God, “Lord, who do you want me to bless today, who can I love sacrificially today?” “Lord, how/where can I be your hands and feet today, in a sacrificial/extraordinary/out-of-my- comfortzone/expensive/I-can’t-believe-I’m-doing-this-but-who-cares-it’sall-for-Jesus way?” We can ask God to help us focus on the question: “Who around me needs … A breath of fresh air. A pat on the back. A genuine smile. An encouraging word (or paragraph!), An hour away from the routine. A truly listening ear. A tender embrace. An empathetic/sympathetic ear. A smoothie or Frappuccino that says, ‘I was thinking about you today!’  A touch of the Savior through:         

 MY WEATHERED HANDS  MY QUIVERING VOICE  MY WANDERING ATTENTION  MY FLAWED INTENTIONS?” As we bungle through answering the above question each day, we will be fulfilling the Great Commission without even always realizing it.  Allow God to Interrupt Your Day. Ask God to help you be prepared for when He interrupts you, for when He brings people into your path each day who could use a glimpse of Him, a taste of His love. More often than not, God will wind up interrupting our lives with those who are closest to us—namely, our spouses, children, siblings, and families (sometimes they are the most difficult to love).  Know Your Neighbors. One of the most effective ways to introduce others to Jesus is to build relational bridges by getting P a g e | 13

Life Track 201

to know them, by “doing life” with them. Summertime is a great way to do this: try inviting some neighbors over for dinner, or inviting them to enjoy a glass of wine on your deck with the fire pit roaring. If you’re going for a long walk with your dog, stop by and see if a neighbor wants to go with you. I know this is difficult, but God has placed us around certain people for a reason; we might be the only Bible someone ever reads…  Perform Random Acts of Kindness. This can be a great exercise to do with our children, especially when they are bored! The next time they are bored, gather them around the kitchen table and say, “Who can we do a kind act towards RIGHT NOW? What should we do?” It could be a kind note thanking a neighbor or family member for their friendship; it could be picking up some smoothies for someone and dropping them off; it could be dropping off a dinner for a family; it could be sending a bouquet of flowers to a beloved teacher. Be spontaneous with your love!  Pray, Pray, Pray! Pray for others when you are riding the train, when you are stopped at a red light, when you enter a store, when you are waiting for your meal at a restaurant, etc.  Know What You Believe and Why! -Alpha is a great course not only for seekers but also for believers to sharpen their faith in God through learning about the basics—the fundamentals—of what the Bible teaches! -Try out a small group where you can safely ask questions and grow closer to God in a group setting.  Know Your Own Testimony. The difference Jesus has made in your life up to this point. Think about how you have grown, matured, and changed since you first trusted in Jesus as your Savior. Ask others who are close to you to tell you how you have grown. This can be done during small group time over a series of weeks. Then be ready to share your testimony with others in a 30 second and three minute version of your testimony, your story P a g e | 14

Life Track 201

about what God has done in your life. God will give you the opportunity to share it! 1 Peter 3:15 NIV: “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…”  J. Grow in Your Love for God By Simply Thinking About Him & Spending Time With Him. If God is simply an idea in our minds, a two-dimensional figure about whom we know a bunch of facts, then it will be very difficult for us to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission. But as we begin to walk each day with Jesus, talking to Him throughout our day, reading His Word, thinking about Him, asking Him to help direct our thoughts toward Him each moment, soaking in His promises and Truth, then we won’t just be trying to convince people of the facts of Jesus; we will be able to introduce others to Him! Acts 4:13 NIV: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” People will notice when we spend time with Jesus…  Grow in Your Love for Others (Strangers and Friends) - God: please help me to love others as you love them, to see them as you see them. -Not just a sum of their parts: stranger, level of affluence, address, car, physical appearance, etc. But a unique masterpiece made in the image of God, hand-made by Him. -We protect paintings in museums with red velvet ropes, cameras, and security guards, but we manhandle humans everyday with our glances, words, thoughts, and actions. The grocery store is a real museum…because it is filled with PEOPLE made by God and for whom Jesus died. We must start—with God’s help—seeing people this way. P a g e | 15

Life Track 201

 Be Patient. George Muller, the 19th century man who cared for thousands of British orphans, prayed for and showed love towards many people during his life, in the hopes that some of them would accept Jesus as their Savior. One of Muller’s biographers—Basil Miller—notes that two gentlemen for whom Muller prayed for 52 years did not accept Jesus until a few years AFTER Muller had gone to heaven. Remember: it is God’s job to change our hearts; it is our job to introduce others to God and His love through the way we treat them. God Made Us for This! God made us for this important role! Like an eagle was made to soar, so we too have been made and equipped to show the world how great Jesus is through our words and actions. Let’s not be content merely with splashing around in puddles on the ground– let’s soar for Jesus each day! “Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in [you] Himself [forever].” — C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

P a g e | 16

Life Track 201

REVIEW 1. What is the great commission?

2. What is the purpose of the great commission?

3. What does C.S. Lewis mean in comparing us to a house?

4. What did Jesus command us to do in the great commission?

5. Name two things we can do to introduce Jesus Christ to people. _____________________________ ______________________________ 6. How does eye contact help?

7. What can we learn from George Muller’s prayers? ____________________________________________________ ________

P a g e | 17

Life Track 201

LIVING A FULFILLED LIFE

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV

“Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy.” Fulfilled. What a word. Two simple syllables and yet so elusive for our frazzled and resembling fulfillment in our frantic, demanding, “what have-youdone-for-me-lately” world? Fulfilled is a great word – the only problem is finding fulfillment. Oh, we can crack open a dictionary and “find” it easily enough, right there between “fulcrum and “fulgent”… but the trick is moving beyond Webster and finding it in the pages of our lives. The truth is that a fulfilled life is well within the reach of anyone hungry enough to devour four principles.. If you want fulfillment, if your heart cries out for deep satisfaction, then take a few unhurried moments to drink in the life-giving principles that follow. Your heart will thank you for it. P a g e | 18

Life Track 201

Find Joy in the Ordinary We played every came we knew. We ran up and down the hall. We played “find me” behind the couch. We bounced the beach ball off each other’s heads. We wrestled, played tag, and danced. It was a big evening for Mom, Dad and little Alice. We were having so much fun that we ignored the bedtime hour and turned off the TV. And if the storm hadn’t hit, who knows how late we would have played. But the storm hit. Rain pattered, then tapped, then slapped against the windows. The winds roared in off the Atlantic and gushed through the nearby mountains with such force that all the power went off. The adjacent valley acted as a funnel, hosing wind and rain on the city. We all went into the bedroom and lay on the bed. In the darkness we listened to the divine orchestra. Electricity danced in the sky like a conductor’s baton summoning the deep kettle drums of thunder. I sensed it as we were lying on the bed. It blew over me mixed with the sweet fragrance of fresh rain. My wife was lying silently at my side. Alice was using my stomach for her pillow. She, too, was quiet. Our second child, only a month from birth, rested within the womb of her mother. They must have sensed it, for no one spoke. It entered our presence as if introduced by God himself. And no one dared stir for fear it would leave prematurely. What was it? An eternal instant. An instant in time that had no time. A picture that froze in mid-frame, demanding to be savored. A minute that refused to die after sixty seconds. A moment that was lifted off the time line and amplified into a forever so all the angels could witness its majesty. An eternal instant. A moment that reminds you of the treasures surrounding you. Your home. Your peace of mind. Your health. A moment that tenderly rebukes you for spending so much time on temporal preoccupations such as savings accounts, houses, and punctuality. A moment that can bring a mist to the manliest of eyes and perspective to the darkest life. Eternal instants have dotted history. It was an eternal instant when the Creator smiled and said, “It is good”. It was a timeless moment when Abraham pleaded for mercy from the God of mercy, “But if there are just ten faithful.” It was a moment without time when Noah pushed open the rain-soaked hatch and breathed in the clean air. P a g e | 19

Life Track 201

And it was a moment in the “fullness of time” when a carpenter, some smelly shepherds and an exhausted young mother stood in silent awe at the sight of the infant in the manger. Eternal instants. You’ve had them. We all have. Sharing a porch swing on a summer evening with your grandchild. Seeing her face in the glow of a candle. Putting your arm into your husband’s as you stroll through the golden leaves and breath the brisk autumn air. Listening to your six-year-old thank God for everything from goldfish to Grandma. Such moments are necessary because they remind us that everything is okay. The King is still on the throne and life is still worth living. Eternal instants remind us that love is still the greatest possession and the future is nothing to fear. The next time an instant in your life begins to be eternal, let it. Put your head back on the pillow and soak it in. Resist the urge to cut it short. Don’t interrupt the silence or shatter the solemnity. You are, in a very special way, on Holy Ground! Count Your Blessings Ahhh… an hour of contentment. A precious moment of peace. A few minutes of relaxation. Each of us has a setting in which contentment pays a visit. Early in the morning while the coffee is hot and everyone else is asleep. Late at night as you kiss your three-year olds sleepy eyes. In a boat on a lake when memories of a life well lived are vivid. In the companionship of a well-worn, dog-eared, even tear-stained Bible. In the arms of a spouse. With the whole family gathered at Thanksgiving dinner or sitting near the Christmas tree. An hour of contentment. An hour when deadlines are forgotten and strivings have ceased. An hour when what we have overshadows what we want. An hour when we realize that a lifetime of blood sweating and headhunting can’t give us what the cross gave us in one day – a clean conscience and a new start. But unfortunately, in our squirrel cages of schedules, contests, and side glancing, hours like these are about as common as one-legged monkeys. In our world, contentment is a strange street vendor, roaming, looking for a home, but seldom finding an open door. This old salesman moves slowly from house to house, tapping on windows, knocking on doors, offering his wares: an hour of peace, a smile of acceptance, a sigh of relief. But his goods are seldom taken. We are too busy to be content. (Which is crazy, since the P a g e | 20

Life Track 201

reason we kill ourselves today is because we think it will make us content tomorrow.) “Not now, thank you. I’ve too much to do,” we say. “Too many marks to be made, Too many achievements to be achieved, too many dollars to be saved, too many promotions to be earned. And besides, if I’m content, someone might think I’ve lost my ambition.” So, the street vendor named Contentment moves on. When I asked him why so few welcomed him into their homes, his answer left me convicted. “I charge a high price, you know. My fee is steep. I ask people to trade their schedules, frustrations, and anxieties. I demand that they put a torch to their fourteen-hour days and sleepless nights. You’d think I’d have more buyers.” He scratched his beard, then added pensively, “But people seem strangely proud of their ulcers and headaches.” Can I say something a bit personal? I’d like to give a testimony. A live one. I’m here to tell you that I welcomed this bearded friend into my living room this morning. It wasn’t easy. My list of things was, for the most part, undone. My responsibilities were just as burdensome as ever. Calls to be made. Letters to be written. Checkbooks to be balanced. But a funny thing happened on the way to the rat race that made me slip into neutral. Just as I got my sleeves rolled up, just as the old engine was starting to purr, just as I was getting up a good head of steam, my infant daughter, Alice, needed to be held. She had a stomachache. Mom was in the bath so it fell to Daddy to pick her up. Accept Forgiveness While Jesus was climbing up the hill of Calvary, Judas was climbing another hill — The hill of regret. He walked it alone. hurt. Its landscape was as barren as his soul. Thorns of remorse tore at his ankles and calves. The lips that had kissed a king were cracked with grief. And on his shoulders he bore a burden that bowed his back—his own failure. Why Judas betrayed his master is not really important. Whether motivated by anger or greed, the end result was the same — regret. A few years ago, I visited the Supreme Court. As I sat in the visitor’s chambers I observed the splendor of the scene. The Chief Justice was flanked by his colleagues. Robed in honor, they were the apex of justice. They represented the efforts of P a g e | 21

Life Track 201

countless minds through thousands of decades. Here was man’s best effort to deal with his own failures. How pointless it would be, I thought to myself, if I approached the bench and requested forgiveness for my mistakes. Forgiveness for talking back to my fifth-grade teacher. Forgiveness for being disloyal to my friends. Forgiveness for pledging “I won’t” on Sunday and saying “I will” on Monday. Forgiveness for the countless hours I have spent wandering in society’s gutters. It would be pointless because the judge could do nothing. Maybe a few days in jail to appease my guilt, but forgiveness? It wasn’t his to give. Maybe that’s why so many of us spend so many hours on the hill of regret. We haven’t found a way to forgive ourselves. So up the hill we trudge. Weary, wounded hearts wrestling with unresolved mistakes. Sighs of anxiety. Tears of frustration. Words of rationalization. Moans of doubt. For some the pain is on the surface. For others the hurt is submerged, buried in a rarely touched substrata of bad memories. Parents, lovers, professionals. Some trying to forget, others trying to remember, all trying to cope. We walk silently in single file with leg irons of guilt. Paul was the man who posed the question that is on all of our lips, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” At the trail’s end there are two trees. One is weathered and leafless. It is dead but still sturdy; its bark is gone, leaving smooth wood bleached white by the years. Twigs and buds no longer sprout, only bare branches fork from the trunk. On the strongest of these branches is tied a hangman’s noose. It was here that Judas dealt with his failure. If only Judas had looked at the adjacent tree. It is also dead; its wood is also smooth. But there is no noose tied to its crossbeam. No more death on this tree. Once was enough. One death for all. Those of us who have also betrayed Jesus know better than to be too hard on Judas for choosing the tree he did. To think that Jesus would really unburden our shoulders and unshackle our legs after all we’ve done to him is not easy to believe. In fact, it takes just as much faith to believe that Jesus can look past my betrayals as it does to believe that he rose from the dead. Both are just as miraculous. P a g e | 22

Life Track 201

What a pair, these two trees. Only a few feet from the tree of despair stands the tree of hope. Life so paradoxically close to death. Goodness within arm’s reach of darkness. A hangman’s noose and a life preserver swinging in the same shadow. But here they stand. One can’t help but be a bit stunned by the inconceivability of it all. Why does Jesus stand on life’s most barren hill and await me with outstretched, nail-pierced hands? A “crazy, holy grace” it has been called. A type of grace that doesn’t’ hold up to logic. But then I guess grace doesn’t have to logical. If it did, it wouldn’t be grace. Finish the Race “It is finished “John 19:30 Several years ago, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel enchanted us all with songs of a poor boy who went to New York on a dream and fell victim to the harsh life of the city. Penniless, with only strangers as friends, he spent his days “laying low, seeking out the poorer quarters where the ragged people go, looking for the places only they would know.” It’s easy to picture this young lad, dirty face and worn clothes, looking for work going somewhere “where the New York City winters aren’t bleeding me, leading me home.” He entertains thoughts of quitting. Going home. Giving up – something he never thought he would do. But just when he picks up the towel to throw it into the ring he encounters a boxer. Remember these words? In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter of his trade, and he carries a reminder of every blow that laid him down or cut him till he cried out in his anger and his shame “I am leaving, I am leaving!’ but the fighter still remains. “The fighter still remains.” There is something magnetic in that phrase. It rings with trueness. Those who can remain like a boxer area a rare breed. I don’t necessarily mean win, I just mean remain. Hang in there. Finish. Stick to it until it is done. But unfortunately; very few of us do that. Our human tendency is to stop before we cross the finish line. Our inability to finish what we start is seen in the smallest things: A partly mowed lawn. A half-read P a g e | 23

Life Track 201

book. Letters begun but never completed. An abandoned diet. A car up on blocks. Or, it shows up in life’s most painful areas: an abandoned child. A cold faith. A job hopper. A wrecked marriage. An unevangelized world. Am I touching some painful sores? Any change I’m addressing someone who is considering giving up? I I am, I want ot encourage you to remain. I want to encourage you to remember Jesus’ determination on the cross. Jesus did not quit. But don’t think for one minute that he wasn’t tempted to quit. Watch him wince as he hears his apostles backbite and quarrel. Look at Him weep as he sits at Lazarus’s tomb or hear him wail as he claws the ground of Gethsemane. Did he ever want to quit? You bet. That is why His words are so splendid. “It is finished.” Stop and listen. Can you imagine the cry from the cross? The sky is dark. The other two victims are moaning. The jeering mouths are silent. Perhaps there is a thunder. Perhaps there is weeping. Perhaps there is a silence. Then Jesus draws in a deep breath, pushes his feet down on that Roman nail and cries, “It is finished!” What was finished? The history-long plan of redeeming man was finished. The message of God to man was finished. The works done by Jesus as a man on earth were finished. The task selecting and training ambassadors was finished. The job was finished. The song had been sung. The blood had been poured. The sacrifice had been made. The sting of death had been removed. It was over. A cry of defeat? Hardly, Had his hands not been fastened down I dare say that a triumphant fist would have punched the dark sky. No, this is no cry of despair. It is a cry of completion. A cry of victory. A cry of fulfillment. Yes, even a cry of relief The fighter remained. And thank God that he did. Thank God that he endured. Are you close to quitting? Please don’t do it. Are you discouraged as a parent? Hang in there. Are you weary with doing good? Do just a little more. Are you pessimistic about your job? Roll up your sleeves and go at it again. No communication in your marriage? Give it one more shot. Can’t resist temptation? Accept God’s forgiveness and go one more round. Is your day framed with sorrow and disappointment? Are your tomorrows turning into never? Is hope a forgotten word? Remember, a finisher is not one with no wounds or weariness. Quite to the contrary, he, like the boxer, is scarred and bloody; Mother Teresa is credited with saying, “God didn’t call us to be successful, just faithful.” The fighter, like P a g e | 24

Life Track 201

our Master, is pierced and full of pain. He, like Paul, may even be bound and beaten. But he remains. The Land of Promise, says Jesus, awaits those who endure. It is not just for those who make the victory laps or drink champagne. No sir. The Land of Promise is for those who simply remain to the end. Let’s endure. Consider it pure joy; my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Therefore life your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet so that what is lame may not be put our of joint but rather be healed. Let us not be weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of Righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

P a g e | 25

Life Track 201

P a g e | 26

Life Track 201

REVIEW 1. What is Joy? _________________________________ 2. What is Happiness?

3. What did Jesus finish?

4. What hill was Judas climbing? 5. The King is still on ____ ______.

P a g e | 27

Life Track 201

LEADERSHI P

P a g e | 28

Life Track 201

CHAPTER TWO LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES

Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. Exodus 18:21 NKJV

"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand." -- Woodrow Wilson

Leadership is the privilege to have the responsibility to direct the actions of others in carrying out the purposes of the organization. Leaders must take responsibility and be accountable for both success and failure. No model or system of leadership behaviors can anticipate the circumstances, conditions and situations in which a leader must influence the actions of others. An evaluation is an effective base upon which to build other skills that may be P a g e | 29

Life Track 201

important to success in various fields. I can find no better base of principles then the Bible. It is essential to every organization, church, company and nation, that we have in position leaders at every level who possesses the skills, abilities and attitudes that will enable them to successfully carry out their responsibilities. There is no quick way to develop leaders. Leaders must learn throughout their lives. They must never cease to be students. They must never be above gaining new insights or studying innovative procedures or methods— whatever the source. Leaders must learn early in their service certain basic qualities and have opportunities to mature in them. We must teach these qualities to our young men and women if they are to develop into able and effective Leaders. In order to skillfully lead in our world today, we must have Leaders who possess, the following essential qualities, which through experience become mastered skills: LOYALTY—above all things, a Leader must be loyal. Disagreement is not necessarily disloyalty. A Leader, who, in the best interest of the organization, disagrees, should be should be given the respect of listening to their thoughts. On the other hand, a Leader who actively participates in or encourages actions that are counter to the good of the organization is disloyal. This person must be expeditiously removed. Their ability to influence and discourage loyal people and other leaders is a contagious disease. In cases where disloyal actions and attitudes cannot be changed, harsh action must be taken to rid ourselves of those among us who see no value in and subvert our vision and purpose. DEPENDABILITY—If a Leader cannot be depended upon in all situations to carry out their role and responsibilities – relieve them. COURAGE—Leaders who lead must have courage. They must be fearless and have the fortitude to carry out assignments given them—the gallantry to accept the risks of leadership. They must not balk at the sight of obstacles, nor must they become bewildered when in the presence of adversity. P a g e | 30

Life Track 201

DESIRE—Few people will sustain themselves as leaders without strong personal desire—an inherent Commitment to influencing people, processes and outcomes. Weak is the leader who does not want to be one. We must be careful to avoid placing people into positions of leadership that they have no desire to fulfill. EMPATHY—Leaders must develop empathy—an appreciation for and an understanding of the values of others, a sensitivity for other cultures, beliefs and traditions. However, empathy must not be confused with sympathy, which may result in unwise consolation. DECISIVENESS—Young Leaders must learn to be decisive, knowing when to act and when not to act, taking into account all facts bearing on the situation and then responsibly carrying out their leadership role. ANTICIPATION—learning by observation and through instincts sharpened by tested experience, Leaders must anticipate thoughts, actions and consequences. Anticipation bears a level of risk to comfort of personal security. TIMING—Essential to all acts of leadership is the timing of recommendations and actions. There is no magic formula for developing a sense of timing. One often gains this leadership skill by applying the lessons learned through failure. Knowing whom you are dealing with, their motives, characters, priorities and ambitions are critical elements even when seeking approval of the simplest recommendation. ACCOUNTABILITY—learning to account for personal actions and those of subordinates is fundamental to leadership. Leaders must never heap praise or lay blame on others for what they themselves achieve or fail to accomplish, no matter how glorious or grave the consequences. RESPONSIBILITY—Leaders are only necessary when someone is to be responsible to see that actions are carried out and directions followed. No

P a g e | 31

Life Track 201

leader should ever be allowed to continue to serve as a leader who will not accept full responsibility for his actions. CREDIBILITY— Leaders must be credible. Their words and actions must be believable to both friends and foe. They must be trusted to have the intelligence and integrity to provide correct information and gain proper influence. Those who cannot be trusted in this manner should be removed from positions of responsibility. They cannot be trusted. TENACITY—the quality of unyielding drive to accomplish assignments is a desirable and essential quality of leadership. The weak persist only when things go their way. The strong persist and pursue through discouragement, deception and even personal abandonment. Tenacity is often the key to achieving difficult assignments or meeting challenging goals. STEWARDSHIP—our leaders must have the essential quality of stewardship, a caretaker quality. They must serve in a manner that encourages confidence, trust and loyalty. People are not to be abused; they are to be guided, developed and rewarded for their performance. Punishment is to be reserved as a consequence of last resort and applied only when all other attempts have failed to encourage compliance. Without a flock there can be no shepherd. Without an army there can be no battle captains. Without subordinates there can be no leaders. Leaders are, therefore, caretakers of the interests and well-being of those and the purposes they serve.

P a g e | 32

Life Track 201

1. What is credibility? 2. Why must leaders have credibility? 3. What is Stewardship? 4. Is it ok to disagree? Why or why not. 5. Finish this sentence. Weak is the leader

P a g e | 33

Life Track 201

KNOW YOUR ROLE?

It is a WWE entertainer nicknamed “The Rock” that people most associate with the words, “Know Your Role”. We are not talking about the WWE, but nonetheless, knowing your role is very important. You need to take the Spiritual Gifts Survey at this point. SPIRITUAL GIFTS SURVEY DIRECTIONS

P a g e | 34

Life Track 201

This is not a test, so there are no wrong answers. The Spiritual Gifts Survey consists of 80 statements. Some items reflect concrete actions; other items are descriptive traits; and still others are statements of belief. · Select the one response you feel best characterizes yourself and place that number in the blank provided. Record your answer in the blank beside each item. · Do not spend too much time on any one item. Remember, it is not a test. Usually your immediate response is best. · Please give an answer for each item. Do not skip any items. · Do not ask others how they are answering or how they think you should answer. · Work at your own pace.

Your response choices are: 5—Highly characteristic of me/definitely true for me 4—Most of the time this would describe me/be true for me 3—Frequently characteristic of me/true for me–about 50 percent of the time 2—Occasionally characteristic of me/true for me–about 25 percent of the time 1—Not at all characteristic of me/definitely untrue for me

______ 1. I have the ability to organize ideas, resources, time, and people effectively. ______ 2. I am willing to study and prepare for the task of teaching. P a g e | 35

Life Track 201

______ 3. I am able to relate the truths of God to specific situations. ______ 4. I have a God-given ability to help others grow in their faith. ______ 5. I possess a special ability to communicate the truth of salvation. ______ 6. I have the ability to make critical decisions when necessary. ______ 7. I am sensitive to the hurts of people. ______ 8. I experience joy in meeting needs through sharing possessions. ______ 9. I enjoy studying. ______ 10. I have delivered God’s message of warning and judgment. ______ 11. I am able to sense the true motivation of persons and movements. ______ 12. I have a special ability to trust God in difficult situations. ______ 13. I have a strong desire to contribute to the establishment of new churches. ______ 14. I take action to meet physical and practical needs rather than merely talking about or planning to help. ______ 15. I enjoy entertaining guests in my home. ______ 16. I can adapt my guidance to fit the maturity of those working with me. ______ 17. I can delegate and assign meaningful work ______ 18. I have an ability and desire to teach. ______ 19. I am usually able to analyze a situation correctly. ______ 20. I have a natural tendency to encourage others. ______ 21. I am willing to take the initiative in helping other Christians grow in their faith. ______ 22. I have an acute awareness of the emotions of other people, such as loneliness, pain, fear, and anger. ______ 23. I am a cheerful giver. ______ 24. I spend time digging into facts. ______ 25. I feel that I have a message from God to deliver to others. ______ 26. I can recognize when a person is genuine/honest. ______ 27. I am a person of vision (a clear mental portrait of a preferable future given by God). I am able to communicate vision in such a way that others commit to making the vision a reality. ______ 28. I am willing to yield to God’s will rather than question and waver. ______ 29. I would like to be more active in getting the gospel to people in other lands. ______ 30. It makes me happy to do things for people in need. ______ 31. I am successful in getting a group to do its work joyfully. ______ 32. I am able to make strangers feel at ease. ______ 33. I have the ability to plan learning approaches. ______ 34. I can identify those who need encouragement. P a g e | 36

Life Track 201

______ 35. I have trained Christians to be more obedient disciples of Christ. ______ 36. I am willing to do whatever it takes to see others come to Christ. ______ 37. I am attracted to people who are hurting. ______ 38. I am a generous giver. ______ 39. I am able to discover new truths. ______ 40. I have spiritual insights from Scripture concerning issues and people that compel me to speak out. ______ 41. I can sense when a person is acting in accord with God’s will. ______ 42. I can trust in God even when things look dark. ______ 43. I can determine where God wants a group to go and help it get there. ______ 44. I have a strong desire to take the gospel to places where it has never been heard. ______ 45. I enjoy reaching out to new people in my church and community. ______ 46. I am sensitive to the needs of people. ______ 47. I have been able to make effective and efficient plans for accomplishing the goals of a group. ______ 48. I often am consulted when fellow Christians are struggling to make difficult decisions. ______ 49. I think about how I can comfort and encourage others in my congregation. ______ 50. I am able to give spiritual direction to others. ______ 51. I am able to present the gospel to lost persons in such a way that they accept the Lord and His salvation. ______ 52. I possess an unusual capacity to understand the feelings of those in distress. ______ 53. I have a strong sense of stewardship based on the recognition that God owns all things. ______ 54. I have delivered to other person’s messages that have come directly from God. ______ 55. I can sense when a person is acting under God’s leadership. ______ 56. I try to be in God’s will continually and be available for His use. ______ 57. I feel that I should take the gospel to people who have different beliefs from me. ______ 58. I have an acute awareness of the physical needs of others. ______ 59. I am skilled in setting forth positive and precise steps of action. ______ 60. I like to meet visitors at church and make them feel welcome. ______ 61. I explain Scripture in such a way that others understand it. ______ 62. I can usually see spiritual solutions to problems. ______ 63. I welcome opportunities to help people who need comfort, P a g e | 37

Life Track 201

consolation, encouragement, and counseling. ______ 64. I feel at ease in sharing Christ with nonbelievers. ______ 65. I can influence others to perform to their highest God-given potential. ______ 66. I recognize the signs of stress and distress in others. ______ 67. I desire to give generously and unpretentiously to worthwhile projects and ministries. ______ 68. I can organize facts into meaningful relationships. ______ 69. God gives me messages to deliver to His people. ______ 70. I am able to sense whether people are being honest when they tell of their religious experiences. ______ 71. I enjoy presenting the gospel to persons of other cultures and backgrounds. ______ 72. I enjoy doing little things that help people. ______ 73. I can give a clear, uncomplicated presentation. ______ 74. I have been able to apply biblical truth to the specific needs of my church. ______ 75. God has used me to encourage others to live Christ like lives. ______ 76. I have sensed the need to help other people become more effective in their ministries. ______ 77. I like to talk about Jesus to those who do not know Him. ______ 78. I have the ability to make strangers feel comfortable in my home. ______ 79. I have a wide range of study resources and know how to secure information. ______ 80. I feel assured that a situation will change for the glory of God even when the situation seem impossible.

SCORING YOUR SURVEY Follow these directions to score for each of your spiritual gifts.

P a g e | 38

Life Track 201

1. Place in each box your numerical response (1-5) to the item number which is indicated below the box. 2. For each gift, add the numbers in the boxes and put the total in the TOTAL box. P a g e | 39

Life Track 201

1. For each gift place a mark across the bar at the point that corresponds to your TOTAL for that gift. 2. For each gift shade the bar below the mark that you have drawn. 3. The resultant graph gives a picture of your gifts. Gifts for which the bars are tall are the ones in which you appear to be strongest. Gifts for which the bars

P a g e | 40

Life Track 201

are very short are the ones in which you appear not to be strong.

Now that you have completed the survey, thoughtfully answer the following questions.

The gifts I have begun to discover in my life are: 1. ___________________________________________ 2. ___________________________________________ 3. ___________________________________________

After prayer and worship, I am beginning to sense that God wants me to use my spiritual gifts to serve Christ’s body by ___________________________________________ __. P a g e | 41

Life Track 201

· I am not sure yet how God wants me to use my gifts to serve others. But I am committed to prayer and worship, seeking wisdom and opportunities to use the gifts I have received from God.

Ask God to help you know how He has gifted you for service and how you can begin to use this gift in ministry to others.

FIVE FOLD MINISTRY

Ephesians 4:8, 11-13 speaks of five ministry gifts given to the Body of Christ by P a g e | 42

Life Track 201

Christ after he ascended. “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men…And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” KJV

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE FIVEFOLD MINISTER, ELDERS, AND OTHERS

P a g e | 43

Life Track 201

Character requirements of all fivefold ministers (the goal is to have the best example of mature, Holy Ghost filled, leaders in these important roles in the Body of Christ):

P a g e | 44

Life Track 201

Spiritually mature (1 Tim 3:6) Positions of authority without spiritual maturity lead to the trap of pride. When pride grows in a man, sin abounds. 2. 3. Devoted to their spouse (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:2). Children must be in submission (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim 3:4-5).

4. 5. 6. 7. Faithful Steward (Titus 1:7) Humble - not arrogant (Titus 1:7) P a g e | 45

Life Track 201

Gentle - not quick-tempered (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3) Sober - not a drunkard (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3). This is not just overindulgence in alcohol but is idiomatic for any behavior that fuels addictive responses. 8. 9. Peaceful - not violent

(Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3)

Must have financial integrity - not greedy for gain (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim 3:3; 1 Peter 5:3) 10. 11. 12. Hospitable (Titus 1:8; 1 Tim 3:2) Lover of good (Titus 1:8) Self-controlled (Titus 1:8; 1 Tim 3:2) Self-control is a characterization of P a g e | 46

Life Track 201

every area life: diet, time, mouth, exercise, relationships, sex, and money. 13. Upright (Titus 1:8). Integrity in his relationships and in the way they treat others. 14. 15. Holy (Titus 1:8). A life devoted to Jesus externally and internally.

P a g e | 47

Life Track 201

List two qualifications of a minister. 2. The first requirement of anyone in ministry is ________ 3. What is the purpose of 5 fold ministry? 4. List the 5 roles. 5. What is the definition of the evangelist? 6. What 2 roles are the helps?

P a g e | 48

Life Track 201

New Testament Church Life

J. A. Bengel, the great Pietist commentator on the Bible, concluded his comments on Acts this way: "Thou hast, O church, thy form [pattern]. It is thine to preserve it, and guard thy trust" (Bengel 1860:1:925). We must do this by examining Luke's portrait of a Spirit-filled community. Four Commitments (2:42)

P a g e | 49

Life Track 201

The outpouring of the Spirit produced not just momentary enthusiasm but four continuing commitments: to learn, to care, to fellowship and to worship. The apostles' teaching probably included an account of Jesus' life and ministry, his ethical and practical teachings, warnings about persecution and false teaching, and the Christocentric Old Testament hermeneutic. But at its center was the gospel message. And so today, to devote oneself to the apostles' teaching means evangelism as well as edification (4:2; 5:42; 15:35).

P a g e | 50

Life Track 201

The apostles' fellowship and breaking of bread was a sharing of possessions to meet needs and of lives in common meals (2:4446). What an inviting way of life for our day, when "loneliness drives people into one place, but that does not mean that they are together, really" (Ogilvie 1983:74).

Finally, Luke portrays prayer as integral to the church's life (compare 4:24; 6:4; 12:5; 13:3; 20:36). It is the essential link between Jesus and his people as they

carry out his kingdom work under his guidance and by his strength (4:29-30; 6:6;

P a g e | 51

Life Track 201

8:15; 14:23; 28:8). The reputation of the vital, growing Korean church as a praying church shows that the maxim is indeed true: "the vitality of the church was a measure of the reality of their prayers" (Williams 1985:39).Impact: Fear (2:43)

The conviction of sin that followed Peter's Spiritfilled preaching (2:37) was not momentary panic but a continuing uneasiness among those who had not yet received the word. The many wonders and miraculous signs done by God through the apostles served only to intensify this conviction. Whether the "signs and wonders" element be taken as normative for today (Wimber 1986:21) or as P a g e | 52

Life Track 201

simply the authentication of a fresh stage of revelation (Stott 1974:13), clearly Luke is certain that the church's presence will have an impact on society. A Caring, Joyful, Transparent Fellowship (2:44-47)

In expression of their Spirit-inspired togetherness, the believers pooled their resources. Individuals voluntarily sold property and goods, contributed the proceeds to a fund from which any Christian (and possibly non-Christians as well) could receive help, as he or she might have need. What a standard for today's church! Indeed, "what we do or do not do with our material possessions is an P a g e | 53

Life Track 201

indicator of the Spirit's presence or absence" (Krodel 1986:95).

The community lived out its commitment to the apostles' teaching by gathering each day in the temple courts to hear instruction. They probably met in Solomon's colonnade, at the eastern end of the court of the Gentiles (5:12; compare 5:2021, 42, and Jesus' practice--Luke 20:1; 21:37). In the temple they also fulfilled their commitment to prayer as they engaged in corporate worship.

Daily the community broke bread together in homes--sharing a meal, beginning it P a g e | 54

Life Track 201

with the bread and ending it with the cup of the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:19-20; 24:35; Acts 20:7, 11). With constant intimacy, exultant joy and transparency of relationship they enjoyed the graces of Messiah's salvation in a true anticipation of his banquet in the kingdom (Luke 22:30; compare Acts 16:34). It was a gracious witness to the people (laos), "Israel as the elect nation to whom the message of salvation is initially directed" (Longenecker 1981:291).

Today growing churches manifest the same "metachurch" pattern: celebration, joining in large gatherings for worship and instruction, and cell groups meeting in P a g e | 55

Life Track 201

home groups for fellowship and nurture. Impact: Church Growth (2:47)

Every day the Lord Jesus by his Spirit saved some, incorporating them into their number. God's plan is for churches to grow. The challenge for us is, "Will we meet the Scriptural conditions for growth: a dedication to be a learning, caring, fellowshipping, worshipping church?" Will we meet the one essential condition? "As empowering follows petition, so evangelism and Christian unity or community follow Pentecost. The empowering, moreover, is repeatable. So pray!" (Talbert 1984:17). P a g e | 56

Life Track 201

1. Define megachurch. 2. What is the purpose of ‘breaking bread’? 3. What are the four commitments of the New Testament Church? 4. List the things you would like to do to be like the New Testament Church? 5. What are 3 things that Life Church can do to better help people become like the New Testament Church?

WHAT MUST I DO TO GAIN ETERNAL LIFE?

P a g e | 57

Life Track 201

Now behold, on came to him and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thinks shall I do that I may have eternal life? (Matthew 19 Verse 16).

"Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter." - Francis Chan

The goal of religion is to point adherents toward God. This study is of Christianity which finds its basis in the Bible. A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. There are many good books, but Christians believe that the Bible is their textbook. From this book they derive everything that they believe. When we speak of Christianity, we are speaking of those truths that are in the Bible. Primary to this discussion is doctrine. Doctrine is truth lifted from Scripture and dedicated to purpose. Believe: means to have a firm faith. To have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something. John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life. I John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Apostle Paul says believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead and then confess that Jesus is Lord. The mistake that people often

P a g e | 58

Life Track 201

make is not understanding that when they confess Jesus Christ as Lord, they relinquish their right to be their own boss. Accepting Jesus as your personal savior is not a Biblically accurate. Verbally declaring that you have switched your allegiance to Jesus Christ is Biblical. The answer is not about just obedience; it is about submission! See: Matt 19:16-22 and Luke 10:25-37 Jesus counsels the Rich Young Ruler Now behold, one came to him and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thinks shall I do that I may have eternal life? (Verse 16). So, He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the Commandments.”

What are the Commandments? You shall not murder Most Christians have been led to believe that Scripture forbids the taking of life; that is to kill. They have been told that Scripture forbids the taking of life under any circumstance, even in self-defense. If this were true, why would God tell the nation of Israel (in Ancient times), “Thou shalt not kill”, but also tell them to kill their enemies? This would seem to be a glaring contradiction. Unless, God never said, “Thou shalt not kill.” Even though Bible translations may use the word ‘kill’ in several places, is this what the Original Hebrew and Greek Texts say? Or do we have some translation errors? Let us investigate. In Exodus 20:13 we have the Fifth Commandment, “Thou shall not kill’. Look at the word ‘kill’. In the Hebrew, the word for kill is ‘Ratsach’, which means: Murder, i.e. - to Murder, a Murderer; to dash to pieces. Thus, Exodus 20:13 reads, “Thou shall not MURDER”. Next, look to Exodus 21:12, “He that smitten a man P a g e | 59

Life Track 201

so that he did shall be surely put to death.” Here, the Hebrew word translated ‘Smiteth’ is “Nakah”, which means: Murder, to slay or to slaughter. Exodus 21:12 actually reads, “He that smites a man so that he dies, shall surely be put to death. You shall not commit adultery Adultery is when a married person cheats on his or her spouse, or another person commits an infidelity with another married person. You shall not steal Many human laws have been made to try to protect personal possessions and property from those who would seek to take them for themselves. The intent of God’s Eighth Commandment goes deeper. Stealing can take many forms, including cheating someone or even delaying paying someone what you owe him or her: “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another. … You shall not cheat your neighbor nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.” (Leviticus 19:11-13). God Gives us other Commands to Obey  You shall not bear false witness  Honor your father and your mother  You shall love your neighbor as yourself

The Parable of the Good Samaritan “And behold a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So, he answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

P a g e | 60

Life Track 201

And He (Jesus) said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.,” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man when down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. Now by chance certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came, and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So, he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. So, which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”2 50 days after the Passover, we find the followers of Jesus Christ at Jerusalem. This act of great faith performed by more than 120 persons is recorded in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles.

2 Luke 10:25

P a g e | 61

Life Track 201

CHAPTER ONE - LESSON TWO 1.

What is

doctrine?

2. Who was Samaritan?

the Good

3. What is law?

written in the

4. What kind of teacher did they call Jesus? ____________________________________________________________ 5. We are commanded to honor whom? ____________________________________________________________ 6.

Who is your neighbor?

7. Explain Leviticus 19:11-13. ____________________________________________________________ 8.

What is the story of the Good Samaritan about?

What are we to learn from the story of the Good Samaritan?

10.

How many days after Passover till Pentecost?

OBEDIENCE AND SUBMISSION

CHAPTER TWO SUBMITTED TO JESUS CHRIST

“I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees, and laws’ then you will live.”

Now the things done may not be evil or improper; they in fact may be good and godly (such as reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, preaching); but if they are not undertaken in a spirit of complete reliance upon the Holy Spirit, then the flesh is the source of all. The old creation is willing to do anything-even to submit to God - if only it is permitted to live and to be active!  Watchman Nee The Meaning of Submission Obedience means to comply with the orders or instructions of another person. Obedience has in its meaning submission. In the Greek New Testament, the English word is expressed by the word hupotasso. It

literally means “to be under, to arrange under, to subordinate, to subject oneself.”3 Therefore, to submit is to place oneself under another. Gene Getz remarked of submission, “In Scripture it appears in contexts describing servanthood, humility, respect, reverence, honor, teachableness, and openness. All these for one basic purpose--obedience to Jesus Christ.” 4 “One of the Greek terms for obedience in the Bible conveys the idea of positioning oneself under someone by submitting to their authority and command. ... Thus, biblical obedience to God means to hear, trust, submit and surrender to God and his Word. Most of those who claim to be Christians are such in name only. They lack a level of submission to God that is expected. “Submitting to God's ways means to humble yourself. ... It is crucial to realize that since Christ is perfection, we fall short of God's standard everyday through sin. He is deserving of praise. Only through the grace of God are we able to be saved. Without Jesus Christ, we would get what we deserve: death. Along with humbleness, it means recognizing that it’s not all about you. Selflessness is key. It is necessary to understand that the reason why we are here isn’t for your glory but his. Therefore, who are we to say that we have the authority to determine our life? Last time I checked, God’s the one that is in control and created us into existence. If we didn’t have him, we wouldn’t be here in the first place.” 5

3 Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Complete and

Unabridged (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1889) p. 645. 4 Gene A. Getz, Building Up One Another, (Wheaton, Il: Victor Books, 1994), p. 100. 5 Bible Study Guide. Submission and Obedience. Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns. Copyright 2019

“Submission to God means saying no for His purposes. Letting go of your desires may be quite difficult. Especially if both options could give you a chance to glorify God. Though it hurts now, and you may doubt His logic, temporary discomfort is okay because at the end of it all, it will be completely worth it. As he told the prophet Jeremiah when he questioned God’s calling for his life:”6

6 Ibid. Bibles Study Guide. Guns.

“I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Furthermore, being vulnerable is an automatic for genuine submission to the Lord. There’s no turning back. You are going to be feel fully exposed, an open book. Your heart will be examined. The temptations and sins will be put into the light. Vulnerability places you into a position where you are fully putting your life into his hands -- giving him all your burdens, anxieties, and fears and trusting him with them. Besides, he is omniscient… so why are you still trying to hide? Ultimately, it is trusting that at the end of the road, everything will be okay. It is that hope that he will someday use this to grow you spiritually into the person that God made you to be. 7 We asked Bishop Teklemariam Gezahagne, the leader of the Apostolic Church of Ethiopia, “How do you get God to answer your prayer?” 7 https://www.theodysseyonline.com/submit-to-god

He answered, “If you ask in the flesh you will not receive it because the flesh is the enmity of God.” (He used the Scripture reference below). “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be [b]carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the [c]carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”8 “I beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” 9

CHAPTER TWO - LESSON ONE 1. Read Luke 22:39-46. What did the experience of Jesus in Gethsemane teach us about submission? ____________________________________________________________ 2. What are two things that we can learn from Jesus about submitting to the will of God? 8 Romans 8:1-9. NKJV. 9 Romans 12:1-2. NKJV.

3. Read Ephesians 5:21; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:3. How is submission to be demonstrated among believers?

4. Why is it so difficult to practice these teachings from the New Testament regarding submission? ____________________________________________________________ 5. Read Philippians 2:6-9; 2 Corinthians 8:9. What do we learn about the attitude of Jesus toward submission to God? ____________________________________________________________ 6. Read Mark 8:34-39. What did Jesus teach about admission into the ranks of His disciples? ____________________________________________________________ 5. Read Romans 13:1-8. What is the believer’s responsibility in the area of spiritual and secular authority?

6. What are areas of your life that you must submit to God? ___________________________________________________________

REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM

There are 3 actions in this chapter:

Step 1 – Repentance Step 2 – Water Baptism Step 3 – Spirit Baptism

CHAPTER THREE REPENTANCE

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

"The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” - Billy Graham Repentance (metanoia) called for throughout the Bible is a summons to a personal, absolute, and ultimate unconditional surrender to God as Sovereign. Though it includes sorrow and regret, it is more than that. ... In repenting, one makes a complete change of direction (180° turn) toward God.10 Repentance is about obedience, submission, and transformation to God. “The doctrine of repentance as taught in the Bible is a call to persons to make a radical turn from one way of life to another. The repentance (metanoia) called for throughout the Bible is a summons to a personal, absolute, and ultimate unconditional surrender to God as Sovereign. Though it includes sorrow and regret, it is more than that. It is a call to conversion from self-

10 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repentance

love, self-trust, and self-assertion to obedient trust and self-commitment to now live for God and his purposes.”11 Repentance is where we ask God to forgive our sins. We do this by praying to Jesus Christ (God Manifested in the Flesh). 12 We acknowledge that we are sinful beings. We ask Jesus Christ to forgive all our sins (both of commission and omission). Then, we live our lives in a completely changed manner. We also work to restore or make restitution to those we have wronged.

What is Repentance?  acknowledging the sin.  confessing the sin.  asking forgiveness.  turning away from the sin.  restoring the wrong done. We have all broken God’s law and sinned (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8, 10). Only appealing to His grace and forgiveness can absolve us of sin. God desires to forgive our sins and extend grace to a heart that repents. The scripture says He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). We have redemption through His blood, which forgives sins, and the richness of His grace (Ephesians 1:7). “Apostle Paul gives us the difference between someone who is truly repentant of sin and someone who is just sorry they were caught. 2 Corinthians 7:8-13 explains this and lists seven signs of true repentance. Paul said there is a difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. Worldly sorrow brings death and destruction, but Godly sorrow brings repentance and salvation (v. 10). Godly sorrow owns up to the sin and wants to repent of it to God and those it’s hurt, make it right, and make steps to never do it again. A repentant heart chooses Christ because it knows how horrible the sin was against God and how horrible God’s justice against that sin will be. 11 Stagg, Frank. New Testament Theology. Broadman Press, 1962. ISBN 0-8054-1613-7, pp. 118-119 12 I Timothy 3:16.

So how do you know you or someone else has truly repented and honestly trying to get out of that sin? How can you begin to trust them again?

7 signs or fruits of repentance found in 2 Corinthians 7:11.  First is earnestness. They are aggressively pursuing righteousness. They are sincere about getting free from sin and aren’t justifying or arguing their case any longer. They are genuine and sincere about being more Christ-like.  Second, they want to clear themselves. This isn’t paying for their own sin; they don’t want to hide their sin, but have it removed at all costs. They are an open book about the sin and willing to do whatever it takes to ensure it is gone.  Thirdly, is indignation -- anger at sin. Their attitude toward sin is one of hate. Sin isn’t wrong because they were found out or someone told them but because they know it hurt their relationship with God and God Himself. They know sin is a real killer, as it killed Jesus on the cross.  Fourthly, they have alarm or fear. Their eyes are open to keep from sinning again. They have set up boundaries and precautions. They have a holy fear of God’s wrath towards sin as well. The good news is Jesus satisfied God’s wrath on the cross and our sins can be forgiven.  Fifthly, is a longing or desire to be in perfect relationship with God. They want to have a rich, full, growing relationship with Jesus. They are quick to repent and look more and more like Christ in their character.  Number six is zeal or passion to serve and live for Him.  Lastly, they desire to avenge sin. They know they can’t pay for their own sins, but they desire to make all wrongs right. These signs, Paul says, leads us to “being innocent in the matter” (end of verse 12). It isn’t pretending the sin never happened but resting in the blood,

suffering, and cleansing work of Jesus death on the cross. Repentance also means living a life that hates and fights against sin to live zealously and purely for Christ.”13

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [k]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

o branches are dependent upon the life of the Vine flowing into the branch. John 15:4-5. Separation of the branch from the Vine issues in death. John 15:6. Union with Christ is eternal life. John 17:3. This foundational truth makes clear the reason why the Believer is to be baptized when he believes. Baptism becomes to him the sign and seal of his vital union with Jesus Christ. o The removal of the believer’s sins through the sacrifice of Christ’s death. Romans 6:4-5. Christ took the place of the sinner in bearing the penalty of God’s broken Law (man broke God’s law). Galatians 3:13; 4:4. o So complete is the believer’s identification with Jesus Christ that when Christ died on the cross, the believer’s submission signifies that he or she died with him. Galatians 2:20. Romans 8:1. Baptism to the believer therefore symbolizes the cancellation of our guilt. This is the absolute and complete removal of the penalty of his sins through the blood of Christ.

13 Stephen Harrison. Associate pastor of Family Church at White Hall. July 12, 2013

o Identification with Christ in the reality and power of His resurrection life. Romans 6:4-5. The believer is free from the penalty of sin and united with Christ in His resurrection life, possesses the dynamic which issues in the overcoming victorious life. o It is the very life of the Son of God expressing himself through the believer. He is, therefore, no longer held down and dragged under by the power of his old nature but lives the overcoming life in resurrection power of Jesus Christ.14 o Baptism signifies the Enthronement of Jesus Christ as the Lord of the believer’s life (total submission). Christ’s commission was to the effect that the disciples, which were made through the preaching of the Gospel, were to be, baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Christ who holds ALL POWER in heaven and earth!15 This clearly implies that they were to be brought under the authority of God by invoking the name of Jesus Christ. o Those thus brought under the divine authority were to be taught the things which Christ had commanded. Matthew 28:20. o Because of ignorance of the meaning of water baptism, many Christians have been deprived of the blessings of this ordinance.

14 Galatians 3:27. NKJV. 15 Matthew 28:18.

Life Track 201

Articles inside

PREFACE