PenTab's FOJ 2015 Speakers Brochure

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ll scripture from Genesis to Revelation relate the purpose and plan of God – the redemption of the soul of the man. Starting with the record of the creation of man in Genesis: 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (KJV) through to the fall of Adam and Eve and the resulting consequences on all humankind as recorded in Romans 5:12: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” to the hope of our restoration as recorded in Revelations 20:4 & 5 “….and I saw the souls of them ……. which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ …..” the soul of man has always been God’s sole priority.

God sets such a high price on our redemption that He came into the world in the form of man-in order to die and rise again for the salvation of the soul of everyman.

It cost Jesus every drop of His blood and His very life. 1 Peter 1:18-19 highlights more precisely: “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” Jesus literally gave Himself!. In return he gives us the first commandment in the gospel of Mark 12:30: “…. thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength...” This should be our sole priority – “….seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; Matthew 6:33. However, in our dysfunctional world so many things clamor for our attention and devotion on a daily basis: our jobs, our children, our spouses, our hobbies.

These demands and distractions of life, often times result in misplaced priorities.

The sad reality is that distractions and misdirected priorities are not limited to the secular world. It is tragic that so many today have the wrong priorities.

The average Christian is more interested in secular pursuits than they are on matters concerning the soul or soul-winning. Sadly churches are not immune and have become consumed with buildings, wealth and fame than the priority established by God that of soul-winning.

Jesus in his foreknowledge knew what would be at stake and therefore warned in Mathew 16:26-26:

Jesus was so concerned about the soul of man that he taught his followers to “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) Here at Pentecostal Tabernacle we have consciously become more deliberative in our focus each year about the theme of our annual conference - The sole priority is the soul priority - to bring more attention to the word of God and highlighting the urgency of his imminent return in light of the signs around us and times in which we live to make souls our focus in keeping with our God given mandate in Mathew 28:19: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” So valuable is souls to Christ that Luke 15:7 says that there is “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,” Our time on earth is so short. The Lord’s return is imminent. The end of this life is so near. Proverb 11:30 says, “… he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverb 11:28. It is time to make the sole priority the soul priority.

It is my hope and prayer that this summit will reawaken our consciousness to the value of our soul to God, cause a re-examination of the state of our soul against the word of God and reignite a passion for soul winning.

Pastor S. Robert Stewart

THE SOLE PRIORITY IS THE SOUL PRIORITY

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Or, what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

The Sole Priority | Pastor Alan Todd | Colossians 3: 1-3 | 7:30 PM

When dealing with our soul, how should we prioritize? How many priorities are there? There is only one priority; the focus should always be on Jesus Christ. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) God made us His priority and His desire is that He be our only priority as evidenced in John 10:10 & John 3:16. The mighty God became man to redeem us that we might have life. Paul says in Colossians 3:3, “Christ is our life.”

The wise king Solomon taught veritable lessons about the vanity and emptiness of a life without God. He conquered economic misery and financial woes. He lived in affluence. He caught all the fun life could afford, and yet summarized it all as “VANITY OF VANITIES” indeed, absolute emptiness! (Eccl. 1:1-2; 2:1-11)

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rom the world’s perspective, life is about juggling priorities at various stages of our life. Each new year, millions of sincere people make resolutions. Some resolutions are deemed more important than others and may even be ranked in value and given priority. Most resolutions dissipate and amnesia gradually takes over. Inevitably, what starts out as rankings of priorities in the New Year, succumbs to shifting sands and a shuffling of the priority deck. The initial resolve and fidelity gradually surrenders to the expedient realities of daily life.

Jesus Christ is the chief reason, the sole purpose, and the most urgent cause.

Nothing is more important in our life than Jesus Christ!

The Value of the Soul | Pastor Audley Castro | Mark 8:36-37 | 7:30 PM

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od sees our soul as the most valuable thing in the world. So valuable that He sent His only Son to the cross to suffer and die so that our soul may be saved.

The value of our soul is measured by • God’s concern for saving our soul: God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all

should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) • The price paid for its redemption:, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed

with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by

tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb

without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:18-19) • The severity of its loss: It is terrible when a person loses his health, his money, his

friends, or his character. However, an even greater loss is to lose one’s soul. The human

soul is a priceless treasure. Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew, “For what is a man

profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or, what shall a man

give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) • The enemy’s interest in it: The devil is at work in the world and he is after our

soul. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring

lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Issues to consider • Protecting and guarding the soul • Devaluing the soul • The battle for the soul

The Wellness Check: The State of the Soul | Pastor Sammy Stewart Ephesians 4: 17-32 | 10:00 AM– 11:30 AM

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hen conducting a wellness check, the first step is to assess the present condition. We all want to be physically healthy and it would be convenient if there were a pill we could take or a book we could read that would produce physical vitality and health. Despite proponents of “quick fix” remedies, no such product exists. Likewise, the world seeks easy methods of attaining and maintaining spiritual health. However, we become healthy physically and spiritually by adhering to the same principle: following the plan outlined by the physician, eliminating what is harmful, and cultivating what is helpful. It might not be easy . . . but it is the only way.

The Bible states that we are all born in sin and shaped in iniquity. Why not start here. What can be done about this spiritual genetic abnormality? When this is addressed, how do we remain healthy? A sad but painful reality is that we reintroduce infections when we blend the wrong ingredients in our spiritual diet.

In Ephesians chapter 4 vs 31, the Apostle Paul refers to certain ingredients that should never be included in the diet of a Christian: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice. In contrast, verse 32 gives some ingredients for a healthy diet: kindness, being tenderhearted, and forgiving one another.

As each person conducts a spiritual check-up, the following should be considered: • What is my present condition and what is the healthy state?

• What do I need to do to attain the desired state of health?

• What is the danger of being non-compliant?

• How frequently should wellness checks be done?

Break 11:30 AM – 11:45 AM

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Soul Food | Pastor John-Mark Bartlett 1 Peter 2:1-5 | 11:45 AM – 1:15 PM

Everyone knows that junk food has no nutritional value but people eat it anyway. Some even crave junk food because it is cheap, convenient, easy to get, it temporarily sustains our hunger, and it tastes good. Eating fast food regularly, robs the body of important nutrients. The medical dictionary defines starvation as “the result of a severe or total lack of nutrients needed for the maintenance of life.” When our diet lacks the proper nutrients, we are not properly nourishing our life.

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e have all probably heard the phrase “You are what you eat” which is usually a statement that is made in reference to food. However, this can also be applied to the things we “feed” our spirits on a daily basis.

The prosperity of our soul depends on our spiritual food choices.

Just as we need nourishing food to survive physically, we need the gospel of Jesus Christ to survive spiritually. Jesus himself said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) Sadly, some Christians do not experience the richness of the Christian life because they settle for spiritual junk food.

Today’s fast food culture is also reflected in the spiritual culture: preaching and teaching that does not nourish. Teaching that only stimulates the intellect and satisfies the physical cannot nourish the soul. As a result, many are malnourished and dying spiritually.

• What is soul food?

• How do we detect the difference between good and bad soul food?

• What are the steps that should be taken to change your diet?

Hope: The Anchor for the Soul | Minister Dwayne Stewart Hebrews 6: 17-20 | 7:00 PM

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Man’s natural tendency is always to question and to doubt.

• How long will the good times continue?

• What will we do if global warming produces all of the dire things some predict?

• Is there going to be widespread drought and starvation?

• What are we going to do when our health fails?

• What will happen when we die?

• What is the future of the Church and can it survive the apostasy evident today?

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he present moral decay demands that we heed Paul’s warning not to be “…tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4: 14) To withstand the spiritual winds howling about us as well as our inner turmoil, we need a sense of stability. We need spiritual mooring. We need something solid and firm to anchor our souls.

We have to face all of those questions and possibilities in the light of the personal question posed by the words of the beautiful hymn: “Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, when the clouds unfold their wings of strife? When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain, will your anchor drift, or firm remain?”

The answer you give to that question will depend on where your anchor is placed.

The anchor, referred to in the Hebrews text, is the hope that we are given in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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God’s Will – Man’s Dilemma | Minister Rosalina Matos Job 2:1-10 | 10:00 AM– 11:30 AM

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n the minds of many modern Christians, who are being swayed by the concept of a God who behaves like Santa Claus, it is much easier to accept the account of Job’s suffering and loss as a fictional story rather than reality. Man is likely to ask the following questions: How can a loving God allow a faithful servant to suffer? How can He consent to such a deal?

While enduring pain, loss, and anguish, where is the God who will make everything all right? What do you do when your perception of how God should operate in your life does not match the reality? How does one continue to serve God, offer praises, and maintain hope when faced with the knowledge that God is allowing them to walk a path of adversity?

Job’s response to his wife is instructive in helping us to have the right perspective. Job’s wife did not only question his ability to maintain his integrity, she went further by telling him to “Curse God and die”. Job chose however, to hold on to the only thing that was stable in his life – his trust and faith in God. Job recognized that God is sovereign as evidenced by his profound response - “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10) Job’s story is not isolated. The disciples in the early church went through persecution, imprisonment, and death for the name of Jesus. Over the years, Christians have been martyred because of their faith. In current events, we hear of Christians being executed by terrorist groups such as ISIS. Everyday ordinary folk - those you work with, play with, and worship with, face challenges that raise the questions anew.

So how do you maintain a posture of praise while passing through a valley experience?

The answer to these questions lies in our accepting the sovereignty of God. The answer lies in understanding that the refining process is to make us conformable to His image. The answer lies in personalizing the words of the Lord to Jeremiah, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. (18:6) The reality however, is that while being pressed on every side, it is difficult to maintain the right attitude.

This is an opportunity to share practical steps and biblical truths on how to accept the will of God for our lives as He processes us.

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Changing Priorities (A forum for Pastors and Spouses) Pastor Devon Dawson | Acts 30: 28-29 | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

n examining the explosive growth of the early church as recorded in the Book of Acts, four priorities critical to its success are noted: They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

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In our increasingly changing and evolving world, some call for the church to be relevant. Should the priorities of the church change? Have changes to methods caused changes to the message? Can the church ever be relevant to the world? How do leaders adapt to these changes and the resulting conflicts that may arise in ministry?

This look at changing priorities will cause an examination of:

• Promoting self as opposed to God – e.g. examination of church names

• Expanding buildings versus growing people

• Following and elevating the blessings above the One who blesses

• Developing ministries and leaders to support the Pastors in their role, as in

the model of the early church

• Resolving conflicts in the church – a look at Acts 6

• Quantity vs. Quality

• New methods of preaching

• Balancing family and church

• Do we still have the urgency and passion of the first church?

In all things, whether rebuke, encouragement, guidance, or counsel, love should be the guiding force. This forum creates an opportunity for pastors to have the necessary frank discussion of some of the issues that are a common challenge.

“Iron sharpeneth iron!” The goal is to be introspective, and share ideas on how to realign to God’s plan for the church.

Break 11:30 AM – 11:45 AM

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The Soul Harvest | Bro. Ken Raggio Joel 2: 28-32; 2 Corinthians 5: 6-11 | 11:45 AM – 1:15 PM

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he prophet Joel predicted a worldwide soul harvest for the end time: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions… The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered… (Joel 2: 28-32) Jesus predicted in Matt. 24:14 that the gospel would be preached throughout the world before the end comes. The church, and therefore each individual, has a role in Matthew 24 verse 14 being accomplished. Unfortunately, we have gotten complacent and despite the unfolding world affairs, it appears that many are not mindful that these are the last days.

What are the signs of the times? The discourse should include:

• Biblical truths to sensitize us to the urgency of reaping the harvest.

• Exploring and understanding current world events and their

importance in scripture • Implications for planting the seeds of revival based on bible

prophecy • Examining whether numericalgrowth in the churchguarantees that

people are being saved from hell?

• Answering the question, of which is priority, numerical vs.

spiritual?

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Dramatization & Discussion | Ruth 1:16-17 | 7:30 PM CHAIRMAN: Pastor Sammy Stewart

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PANELISTS: Pastor Wayne Williams | Pastor Colin Sterling Minister Dwayne Stewart | Sis. Shondell James Sis. Allison Todd | Sis. Alecia Bartlett

ho is a soul mate? If two souls are headed in different directions, can they be soul mates? If the individual does not care about your soul, do they qualify to be a soul mate? A soul mate goes beyond being a good friend. What is the distinction? How does this discourse apply to casual, professional, and business relationships?

The state of your soul determines your destination beyond this life. A soul mate travels the same path as far as your eternal destination is concerned.

This session allows for an exploration of the connections that we make that affect our soul. Are the people we align ourselves with soul mates or cancerous tumors? Do they contribute to spiritual health and growth or are they tumors that metastasize to our soul causing spiritual death? Since the health of our soul is to be given priority, it is necessary to understand the effects of ungodly connections.

Samson’s connections progressively affected his relationship with God. Eventually, his love for and intimate connection to Delilah, stripped him of his anointing and led to his spiritual and physical death. In contrast, when Ruth refused to leave Naomi, she was solidifying a connection with a true soul mate. Ruth turned her back on her people and the gods she knew in order to embrace a connection that led to a relationship with the only true God. Overview: To be covered by the chairman who will define “soul mates” for the purpose of this discussion.

Panelists: 1. The pros and cons of having a soul mate. Do we need one? – Pastor Colin Sterling 2. What qualities should we look for in a soul mate? - Sis Shondell James 3. How do we develop and maintain positive relationships? – Sis. Alecia Bartlett 4. What are the benefits and pitfalls of exposure? – Sis Allison Todd 5. What are the signs that a connection is having a negative impact? – Minister Dwayne Stewart 6. Is it ever appropriate to sever ties? If so, when and if not, why not? – Pastor Wayne Williams

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The Lost Soul | Pastor Robert Stewart Luke 15 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Adult Sunday School)

uke 15 is a story of several contrasts. It begins with the beautiful picture of the heart of a shepherd, who goes after the lost, goes into the wilderness, and finds the lost sheep. When he finds the sheep, he does not make it walk home, but does the walking for it

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In the next parable, we see another type of passion for the lost: not the one lost in the wilderness, but those lost in the house. We are of great value in the eyes of God. God is as concerned about those lost in the house, as He is about those lost in the wilderness.

In the story of the man with the two sons, the pouting son stayed at home yet on a path to being lost even though he was in the proximity of his father. Being lost has more to do with “how” we are rather than “where” we are. As such, we can be in the house, in the place of safety and privilege, and in the presence of God but not be submitted to the rule of the house and the will of God. We can come to church every Sunday, sing in the choir, preach in the pulpit, be a deacon or a trustee, and be a lost soul while in the house; lost to our usefulness and lost to our destiny. Jesus alluded to this sad state when he referred to the prophecy of Isaiah in Mathew 15: 8&9: – “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

Relationship is the channel through which redemption and restoration is manifested.

The lost sheep still belonged to the sheepfold. The silver was lost but was still in the woman’s home. The prodigal son set himself outside of his father’s house but he was still a son. “Wherever we are lost or whatever has caused us to stray, Jesus is willing and able to restore. We belong to Him; He is Creator, Shepherd, Seeker, and savior.

He has already paid the price for our redemption and will restore us unto himself if we return and say “Father forgive me.”

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When My Heart Beats…| Sis. Shondell James Psalm 73: 25-26 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

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he heart pounding in the chest signifies the presence of life. It indicates that the muscular pump is working to supply oxygen to the entire body. This is true of the physical body, but, what of the spiritual? What happens in the spiritual realm with every beat of my heart? Am I only alive to fulfill material needs or does the beating heart indicate an eternal purpose yet to be fulfilled? Is there any spiritual flow to energize the Body of Christ when my heart beats?

It is important to answer these questions in light of the many attractions that pull us from our God-ordained purpose. Young people are especially challenged because the world system has made sin more attractive and convenient. The rhetoric is such that it is becoming more difficult to recognize what is right and what is wrong; unless, of course, we examine the Word of God. We are in the days when Jude 1:3 declares that we must “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”.

When my heart beats… there should be a passionate desire to get closer to Jesus, the sustainer of life. When my heart beats… my desire should be to please Him in everything that I do and everywhere I go.When my heart beats… all the choices I make including career and spouse should take into consideration that Jesus is first.When my heart beats… I should be focused on my destination, heaven.

Jesus has to be the center of my desire; the one who drives my passion and the one for whom my heart beats.

Is my Soul Satisfied? | Pastor Alan Todd Psalm 42: 1-6 | 11:00 AM (Morning Worship)

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Psalm 63 is probably among the most well-known and well-loved songs in the entire Psalter. Its central premise is that God, and God alone, can satisfy the needs of the human soul. The psalmist David rejoices in the comfort the Lord affords him.

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very man’s soul has an inner longing, a hunger, a thirst, a craving, and an emptiness that demands to be satisfied. The question is, How are you trying to satisfy the longings, cravings, and emptiness of the soul?

More importantly, what can satisfy your soul?

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.” (Psalm 63: 1-5)

Understanding the setting is important because it highlights David’s spiritual attitude. He has many legitimate earthly concerns that he could turn his attention to, yet they all fade into the background.

David’s mind and his heart are focused on God. He is fully taken up in prayer and worship and he is fixated on the near presence of God and the satisfaction that God’s presence gives his soul.

This spiritual drive is like a bodily need - My soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water (verse 1). Compare this with Ps. 42:1-2,“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” David’s passionate words speak to more than mere sustenance. God is satisfaction and a delight to David.

Like marrow and fat, the presence of God in David’s life is delicious. It is a deep pleasure.

It is important to recognize the passion and ultimate satisfaction that David derived from the presence of God. This is what our soul desires and nothing else can give that to us but God.

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Breathe Again: Resuscitating the Soul | Pastor Sammy Stewart Ezekiel 37:1-14 | 7:00 PM (Evening Service)

an is incomplete without God. At creation, we were recipients of God’s breath to transform the physical to that which had a spiritual potential. Genesis 2: 7 states, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Through this same man Adam, sin entered the world and by sin death. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)

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In Chapter 37, Ezekiel described himself as set down by God in the midst of a valley that was full of bones.This fascinating prophecy of dry bones has many lessons. First, he was speaking primarily to his fellow captives among the children of Israel. By this time in history, the 10 tribes of Israel had been so widely scattered among the surrounding nations that they seemed all but lost as a people. The tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi had just been conquered and carried away captive to Babylon. It looked as if their national identity was forever gone and they would never return to their Promised Land. Hence, one purpose of this vision was to inspire them with hope that God would someday revive them as a nation.

In addition, this prophecy gave us insight to what God would do for the church in this dispensation.

An obvious theme of the vision is that God can resurrect dry bones; God’s Word is so powerful that it infuses new life into that which appears dead.

Next, Ezekiel 37 brings hope. It is a wonderful message that God’s Word and His Spirit can bring life to our personal situations no matter how dead we are in trespasses and sins.

God spoke matter into existence with just a word. He made a man out of clay and a woman out of a rib. It stands to reason that He can also cause the spiritually deaf to hear. Are we hearing the personal call and responding to God’s sole priority for man, the saving of our souls? Are we heeding the warnings to examine the state of our souls? Does the church hear the call to reignite a passionate desire for souls? Breathe on us again Lord!

SUMMITSCHEDULE WEDJUN24 THE SOLE PRIORITY | PASTOR ALAN TODD | 7:30 PM

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THE VALUE OF THE SOUL | PASTOR AUDLEY CASTRO | 7:30 PM

FRIJUN26 WELLNESS CHECK | PASTOR SAMMY STEWART | 10:00 AM Break 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM

SOUL FOOD | PASTOR JOHN-MARK BARTLETT | 11:45 AM

FRIJUN26 HOPE: THE ANCHOR ... | MINISTER DWAYNE STEWART | 7:30 PM

SATJUN27 GOD’S WILL | MINISTER ROSALINA MATOS | 10:00 AM

SATJUN27 CHANGING PRIORITIES | PASTOR DEVON DAWSON | 10:00 AM Break 11:30 AM - 11:45 AM

THE SOUL HARVEST | BRO. KEN RAGGIO | 11:45 AM - 1:45 PM

SATJUN27 SOUL MATES: DRAMATIZATION AND DISSCUSSION | 7:00 PM

SUNJUN28 THE LOST SOUL | PASTOR ROBERT STEWART | 10:00 AM

SUNJUN28 WHEN MY HEART BEATS…| SIS. SHONDELL JAMES | 10:00 AM

SUNJUN28 IS MY SOUL SATISFIED? | PASTOR ALAN TODD | 11:00 AM

SUNJUN28 BREATHE AGAIN:... | PASTOR SAMMY STEWART | 7:00 PM

Pentecostal Tabernacle International, Inc. 18415 NW 7th Ave | Miami Gardens, FL 33169 (305) 651-9696 | www.PenTab.org