You Are qualified through Christ!

You Are qualified through Christ! 

(Eph 4:11-13  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

 

One of the most devastating events in church history was the division of the people into clergy and layman. These unbiblical titles have been a problem since the Protestant Church annexed this idea from the Roman Catholic institution. There is no such thing in the body of true believers as a separate class of super-spiritual clergy.  If we look at Ephesians 4:11 above, we will see that Pastors are given in the church as a spiritual gift equal to evangelists, prophets, and apostles. The prophets and apostles today are not like the ones of the first century. The prophet declares God’s words and the apostle is one who is sent. The gift of Pastor is not a gift to be exalted above all other Christians. 

 

It is a sad truth, in the times we are living in, that the some clergy with their agendas, ministry plans, and executive boards end up ruining the personal relationships that most Christians have with their Heavenly Father, and the local churches.

Time to get a grip on the love of Christ! 

^{Acts 17: 24-28} “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

Church Hopping - So if I am reading this correctly, it is God who has determined the times set for them and the exact places where I should live. 

Nowhere do we read that we must first get the permission of clergy to obey the Lord. Every Christian is to be involved with ministry and if the Pastor of the church does not like the fact that many are involved in personal ministries, then let him give a reason to the congregation why he opposes the obeying of Christ’s command to go forth. 

 Here is a warning from Matthew Henry:

 

"The ministers of Christ must remember that they are not Christ and therefore must not usurp His powers and prerogatives, nor assume the praises due to Him only." - 

Matthew Henry

Uneducated

Acts 14:13 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.

 

One of the biggest misconceptions about ministry today is that unless a person holds a college and/or seminary degree, they are somehow less than prepared for the ministry of God's Kingdom purpose. 

REALLY?

Here is a truth.  Peter and John were ignorant and unlearned. Peter and John were fisherman and did not have time to spend many hours in studying the Scriptures. Look at the great ministry they had and what was the reason? “they had been with Jesus.” 

Now, where can we learn the thoughts of Jesus today? Through the means of grace, which is the Gospel found in Word and sacraments. A sacrament is as a sacred act established by Christ in which the Word connected with an earthly element gives the forgiveness of sins. I believe that the Lord gave his Word and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper for a purpose. Through God's Word and sacraments he preserves and extends the holy Christian church throughout the world. 

Believers should therefore be diligent and faithful in the use of these divinely established means of grace for themselves and in their mission outreach to others. These are the only means through which immortal souls are brought to faith and to life in heaven.

For more on the means of grace - http://www.wels.net/what-we-believe/statements-beliefs/this-we-believe/means-grace

Personally I have a hard time wrapping my thought process on why God would still love me after all of the sinful things I have and continue to do. Yet that sweet tasting message of the Gospel of Christ helps me grasp the concept, and motivates me to strive and grow in the gift of faith the God has blessed me with. 

It is the means of grace that has changed me, the messages from the pulpit that fuel my zeal for Christ, and is responsible for establishing CEO Ministries. 

Hebrews 5: 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

You are: 

Alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)

Called - 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Chosen - John 15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” 


Created - Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Commissioned - Matthew 28:19 - 20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Complete in Christ (Colossians 2:10)

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


Forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)


Gifted 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.


Sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13)

^{Colossians 3: 23-24} Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Eight years of college isn't what God had in store for me. However, I'm still responsibile for what I do with the Gospel message of Christ


So what are you going to do with it? 

Identity Theft.

Who are you? 

Do your actions, how you talk away from your family, decisions you make outside of your church, match up with who you really are on the inside? 

Understanding our identity in Christ is critical to a fruitful walk with the Lord. The central events of Christianity, Christ’s death and resurrection, are the foundation of our Christian life. Dying with Christ means dying to the things that used to run our lives. For instance, while material wealth is the central motivation in many people’s lives, Christ calls us to relinquish pursuing wealth as a core motivation. The same is true of any other vice that keeps us from fully loving God and people.

Rising with Christ means rising to a new way of living under His kingship. Before we came under Christ’s kingship, our identity was dominated by concerns other than loving God and loving people as Jesus did. There was no way we could transform ourselves to make us acceptable to our perfect Judge and Maker. Whether we knew it or not, objectives and motivations that didn’t focus on loving God and others were running our lives.

Certainly, our earthly identity may contain characteristics that influenced us in godly ways. For instance, our parents may have taught us to be honest. Yet sin and offensive independence from God characterized our lives. Ironically, this “independence” was evidence of Adam’s control. When we come under Christ’s kingship, by God’s grace through our faith, we gain a heavenly component to our identity.

To say that we have a new component is a gross understatement. Coming under Christ’s kingship ought to so transform our understanding of our identity that, in many respects, we no longer consider ourselves the same people. We are new creatures (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). (For more on how we pursue transformation according to our heavenly identity, see the study called Integrity in this series.) The most basic truth of our identity, our position before God, is determined by who our King is, even though Adam’s realm may still influence us. And our actions will reflect our participation in one kingdom or the other, for each kingdom has certain “deeds” or “fruit” characteristic of it. The deeds of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21) result from being in Adam, whereas the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) grows when we are in Christ.

Uneducated?

Uneducated?

Acts 14:13 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.

 

One of the biggest misconceptions about ministry today is that unless a person holds a college and/or seminary degree, they are somehow less than prepared for the ministry of God's Kingdom purpose. 

REALLY?

Here is a truth.  Peter and John were ignorant and unlearned. Peter and John were fisherman and did not have time to spend many hours in studying the Scriptures. Look at the great ministry they had and what was the reason? “they had been with Jesus.” 

Now, where can we learn the thoughts of Jesus today? Through the means of grace. These are the means of grace, the gospel in Word and sacraments. A sacrament is as a sacred act established by Christ in which the Word connected with an earthly element gives the forgiveness of sins. I believe that the Lord gave his Word and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper for a purpose. Through God's Word and sacraments he preserves and extends the holy Christian church throughout the world. 

Believers should therefore be diligent and faithful in the use of these divinely established means of grace for themselves and in their mission outreach to others. These are the only means through which immortal souls are brought to faith and to life in heaven.

For more on the means of grace - http://www.wels.net/what-we-believe/statements-beliefs/this-we-believe/means-grace

Personally I have a hard time wrapping my thought process on why God would still love me after all of the sinful things I have and continue to do. Yet that sweet tasting message of the Gospel of Christ helps me grasp the concept, and motivates me to strive and grow in the gift of faith the God has blessed me with. 

It is the means of grace that has changed me, the messages from the pulpit that fuel my zeal for Christ, and is responsible for establishing CEO Ministries. 

Hebrews 5: 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

You are: 

Called - 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Chosen - John 15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” 


Created - Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Commissioned - Matthew 28:19 - 20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

^{Colossians 3: 23-24} Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

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


Gifted 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.




So what are you going to do with what God has entrusted you with? 

Readings for the Week of Pentecost 4 M        Mark 2:1-12            Jeremiah 14:7-9 T         Judges 10:6-16            Luke 7:36-50 W        Mark 2:13-17            Luke 15:11-32 TH       Romans 4:1-8            Romans 4:16-25 F         Romans 5:1-5            Romans 5:6-11 S         1 John 2:1-6            Isaiah 43:22-28

Fathers Day

Fathers are getting a bad press these days. When marriages fail or when children go astray, more likely than not it seems that the finger of blame is pointed at father. In cases of divorce, when judges decide which parent should have custody of children, nine times out of ten it won't be the father. 

Sometimes it is said of a father: "All he does each week is bring home the pay check." Perhaps the father who "only" brings home the pay check each week needs to hear a word of commendation rather than a recital of what else he should be doing.

We hear that a mother's work is never done, that being a mother is a really tough job. And there's no denying the truth of this assertion. At the same time it needs saying that being a father is no easy task. His workplace may be filled with tension and strife. Just getting to work has its own difficulties for some. Temptations to sin are all around. Finding no appreciation on his arrival home will only magnify feelings of guilt at being a less than adequate husband and father.

I have learned that before I can be a better Father to my daughter, I need to have a better relationship with my Heavenly Father first. Our Heavenly Father is many things. He is a living, concerned Father who is interested in the intimate details of our lives Here are 24 verses of God's Word that has enabled my faith, and strengthened my heart soul and mind. 

24 Passages of Scripture Regarding Your Heavenly Father

• He is the living, concerned Father who is interested in the intimate details of our lives (Matt. 6:25-34).

• He is the Father who never gives up on us (Luke 15:3-32).

• He is the God who sent His Son to die for us though we were undeserving (Rom. 5:8).

• He stands with us in good and bad circumstances (Heb. 13:5).

• He is the ever-active Creator of our universe. He died to heal our sickness, pain and grief 

(Isa. 53:3-6).

• He has broken the power of death (Luke 24:6-7).

• He is available to us through prayer (John 14:13-14).

• He is aware of our needs (Isa. 65:24).

• He created us for an eternal relationship with Him (John 3:16).

• He values us (Luke 7:28).

• He doesn’t condemn us (Rom. 8:1)

• God values and causes our growth (1Cor. 3:7).

• He comforts us (2 Cor. 1:3-5).

• He strengthens us through His Spirit (Eph. 3:16).

• He cleanses us from sin (Heb. 10:17-22).

• He is for us (Rom. 8:31).

• He is always available to us (Rom. 8:38-39).

• He is a God of hope (Rom. 15:13).

• He helps us in temptation (Heb. 2:17-18).

• He provides a way to escape temptation (1 Cor. 10:13).

• He is at work in us (Phil 2:13).

• He wants us to be free (Gal. 5:1).

• He is the Lord of time and eternity (Rev. 1:8)

Those to whom God has given the responsibility of parenting children will not lack for opportunities to find fault with each other's performance. Spouses especially need to take to heart the question asked by Jesus: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's (spouse's) eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" Far better to build up one another in love than to mark each shortcoming.

How to be a godly Father:

1. Love abundantly
2. Discipline constructively
3. Be clear, consistent, and authoritative
4. Punish in private
5. Be flexible, reasonable, and understanding
6. Discourage continued dependency
7. Spend time together
8. Develop mutual respect
9. Really listen
10. Tend to personal and marital needs

Thank you to Victor H. Prange for his comments

Theme - Another Hero of Faith Story—You!


Story (Red L) A car with a big red L in the back is supposed to indicate a student driver. When does one become experienced? I'm sure I make mistakes even after driving for 30 years and holding a CDL. 


1 Thessalonians 2 


Q) Judgement day What is your hope, your joy, or the crown in which we will give God glory? 


Q) Do you willingly share God’s Gospel message of salvation with people?  


Another Hero of Faith Story—You!


Hebrews 11




Q) Are you so busy trying to gain knowledge of God's Word that there is no time to become that  bring others closer to Christ? 


Q) Is there one personal result God could use to lead others to Christ? 


We should always be learning something daily through God's Word. Even those who are the most learned in God's Word need to get a grip and realize that they will always be students of Christ until God calls them home to heaven. 


Philippians 3:12 ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.


Where is your red L? 


Prayer: (Philippians 1:3-6): ³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The Evening Devotions

The Family Evening Devotion

1) Responsive reading
Head of the household- Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world.
Family- The light no darkness can overcome. 
Head of the household - Stay with us for it is evening
Family - And the day is almost over
Head of the Household - Let your light scatter the darkness
Family - Let it shine in our hearts and lives, Amen.

 2) Apostles Creed (read together) 

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3) Explore God’s Word. The goal: help your family interact with the God's 

     Word.

      A) Find out what’s going on in the story

      B) Discover the families initial thoughts, feelings, and ideas of the story.

4) Connect through Christ. The goal: Growing deeper, knowing your role  

      through Christ: 

Pursue this question: 

Q) What changes do I personally need to make to daily live better for Christ?

5) Resurrection Response!

There is so much we can‘t see or understand.  God does know our struggles.  We do matter to God. That is why he enlightens us so we don‘t have to be in the dark.  He provides answers for us to help us sort through things we could never discover on our own.  He made sure it was written down for us. ―For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the 

Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.‖  (Romans 15:4)   

6) LUTHER'S EVENING PRAYER

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night.  For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things.  Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me.  Amen.

7) The Lord's Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever.

                                                                     Amen. 

8) Hymn

                               After this, go to sleep immediately with joy.