Text Message: Matt 16:13-18; Acts 2:41-47

This is an important part of a Biblical Christian’s calling. The first responsibility of a Biblical Christian is to know that they will have to use the bible if they are going to attempt to help others to grow spiritually. Then the Biblical Christian counselor must learn to pray for those they will counsel or disciple (those needing to be Christ-like).

The other component of biblical discipleship is realizing that God didn’t save you for you. He saved you for someone else.

God has called you to work on the whole person. Not just one problem

1. Our goal is to show  genuine care and concern for the individual. Galatians 6:1-4.

   Jesus had a sincere but intense compassion for people. Let them see that you are a friend.
   a. That means the believer must be an authentic child of God who has the love of  God’s people. This will compel us to deal with the person and the problems.

2. Our goal must always be to help others change.   1st Corinthians 16:11.
   What you have to do is gain involvement. To effective get involvement, you have to gain their trust.

3. Or goal is to see the individual glorify God. 1st Corinthians 10:31.
   Col 3:17, 23. Praise, exalt, lift up God.

4. Our goal is to show them that we respect them. Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3.
   1st Peter 2:17.
               a. Use the proper verbal communication
               b. Use the proper non verbal communication
               c. Take that person’s problem seriously
               d. We must be good listeners.

5. Let them know that you trust them. 1st Corinthians 13:7.
               a. You believe they are telling you the truth. Until you see signs differing.

6. Let them know you have the confidence of God in them. Philippians 2:13.
   St. John 10:27.  Give them hope.

7. We Must be available to them. Acts 20:31.

8. Don’t be afraid to confront problems. 1st Thessalonians 5:14.
               a. Be solution – oriented. Ephesians 4:29.

The Ministry of A Blessed Church

Matt 16:13-18

1. Opinions are not what makes a blessed church. But it can destroy a church.

2. Jesus wants to know what HIS disciples believed about Him.

3. Every believer should have a biblical conviction/belief about who Jesus is.

4. You can't be a blessed congregational church if you are not a blessed individual church. You are blessed by your testimony of who Jesus is to you personally.

5. The Higher you want to go up in your elevation, the deeper you will have to go in your foundation. You foundation must always start with the word of God.

6. The Church was established on a ROCK foundation That Jesus is the Son of the Living God.  Jesus is the word of God.

7. The way that Jesus blesses us is that He will change our name / nature.  

8. Jesus is the maker, builder, keeper, protector and provider of the church. 
   

How to build a church. Their are 11 ways to build a church.

Acts 2:41-47.

1. (V. 37) The Church is built on  Evangelism. Evangelism = Sharing your faith about Jesus. You do it in three ways.
   a.) Share the Gospel. Jesus came, He lived, He died, & He resurrected 
   b.) Tell others how we got saved. Tell them how you came to Christ.
   c.) Tell others what Jesus means to you and how much you love HIM. 
   
   

2. (V. 38-41) The Church is Built on  Baptism. Baptism = An outward sign of an inward change. 
   Baptism shows you have changed from the world and you now belong to the church.
   Baptism shows identity with the membership. They have all been baptized.
   Baptism identifies with Jesus death burial and resurrection. Plus, Jesus got baptized.
   Baptist shows righteousness.
   Baptist shows that you are obedient to God’s word.
   
   

3. (V. 42) The Church is built on Correct Teaching. Doctrine = that fundamental teaching from the bible to bring us closer to God in relationship with HIM. That would come from Sunday School classes, Midweek bible class, and Sunday Sermons.
   

4. (V. 42) The Church is built on Fellowship. Fellowship = the communion and togetherness of God's people. We need fellowship to grow closer to one another. Without this, it really wouldn't be a church.
   
   

5. (V. 42)  The Church is built on Prayer. Prayer = Our communication and conversation with God.
   
   

6. 6. (V. 43) The Church is built on having a healthy Fear of God. Fear = Something we are afraid of that can also cause reverential awe. There are three types of fear according to the bible.
   a.) Fear of going to hell. That's why we got saved.
   b.) Fear of losing our blessing.
   c.) Fear of hurting God. Because we love HIM and HE means so much to us.

1. Speaking the knowledge of God’s word to the lost that they may be found and testifying to what you have seen about Jesus.

2. Presenting Jesus Christ to others in the power of the Holy Spirit to men and women that they may put their trust in God through Him (Jesus) to accept Him (Jesus) as their Savior and serve Him as their King (Lord, authority).

1. What is an Evangelist? An Evangelist is a Christian Witness. Acts 1:8.

1. We are Eyewitnesses of Who Jesus is to Us.

2. We are Eyewitnesses of What He has done in Our Lives.

3. We are messengers of the Gospel.

1. Why Should Christians Evangelize?

1. It is a command. Matthew 28:19, 20.

2. Sinners Need to Be Saved Now. Matthew 1:21. Romans 3:23; 6:23.

3. Because of My Love For Christ. St. John 14:15.

4. Because of My Love for Others. St. John 1:39-41.

5. It is the Responsibility of A Good Steward. 1st Cor. 4:1

6. It is How You Glorify God. St. John 15:1-8. Gal 5:22.

7. Promised Reward to Us. 2nd  Cor 5:10; 1st Cor. 3:13. 1st Thes 2:19, 20.

1. Why Is Evangelism Important? Man has a Need for Salvation.

1. Jesus came to save men from their sins. Matthew 1:21; St. John 14:6

2. Because man will be judged once he dies. Hebrews 9:27.

1. How Do I Become A Good Evangelist?

1. By Evangelizing. Do it Often. James 1:22

2. Studying the Word of God. 2nd Timothy 2:15

3. Speaking What you know About Jesus. Matt 3:11.

4. Having a Heart for the Lost. St. John 3:16; Titus 2:11-15. Not wanting to see others die in their sins.

5. Reading Evangelism Books and Material

1. Who Do I Evangelize to? Those in “F.R.A.N.C.E.”

1. F > Friends

2. R > Relatives

3. A > Associates

4. N > Neighbors

5. C > Co-Workers

6. E > Everybody Else

The first institution God ever created was the institution of marriage. Marriage, according to scripture was between a man (Adam) and a woman (Eve).

Unfortunately, our society has seen fit to try and alter the landscape of biblical foundation and doctrine on this particular premise.

Genesis 1:26 Indicates that man and woman were made in the image of God. Because we were created in God’s image, there is a particular characteristic we should display in our marriages also. Such as: holiness, righteousness, love, faithfulness, servanthood, sacrifice, expressive openness. They were also made in God’s likeness. Meaning there was oneness or agreement between the Godhead. If we were created in God’s likeness, evidently even marriage was created to have ONENESS (Agreement, communication, covenant, companionship, friendship, order, peace, Malachi 2:14).
In this passage, you also find the words “us” and “our”. These words indicate that there was pluralistic presence of God there in the creation of man and woman. Therefore, the principle we can gain from this is, God’s presence should always be in our marriages. St. John 2:1-2. Shows another principle. When you need a miracle to be performed, always invite Jesus to the marriage.

Genesis 1:27 They were named male and female. God gave them identity. God should be the standard that we are measured by, not other couples. Many of us could list failed or successful marriages. But the greatest standard should always be God. He holds marriages to higher standards but also HE’s the only one who can hold true Godly marriages.

Genesis 1:28 Indicates that God wanted them to be fruitful and multiplying. In other words, HE wanted them to not only bear children, But bear godly children (Malachi 2:15). He wanted to see a godly seed produced through their godly union. This is another good reason to get married.

Ephesians 5:21 Within marriage, there should be a daily submission one to another. Submission is the voluntary willingness of one being subjective to another out of respect. It is hard to submit to a person in whom you don’t respect. It is NOT only for the woman but also for the man.

Ephesians 5:22-24, The biblical role of the woman, in the marriage, is to be submissive to her husband (Not to her pastor, not boyfriend or fiancé) because of his headship, but the dual responsibility in Christian love is to submit to each other. It is a command.

Ephesians 5:25 The role of the husband is just as important.  Husband must love their wives. He must be willing to give up his life for his wife. This is not a suggestion, it is a command.

Neither the husband role nor the wife’s role is based on feelings and emotions. It is a choice and decision that they make. It is based upon God’s will for the marriage relationship. One will have to consistently pray for God’s strength to assist them in performing their roles.

Ephesians 5:25-33 Marriage always identifies with God’s (Jesus) relationship with the church. One must realize, when they walk in God’s perfect will in His directives for the marriage, they are glorifying God and will be rewarded directly from God.

More information can be shared with the viewer if they decide to have a biblical consultation with the pastor regarding these facts.

Communication is an everyday event. To have proper relationships with others, to grow successful in life, and to be able to exist in the world. To be an effective Christian witness, one must learn the art of communication.

Webster’s Dictionary defines “Communicate” as: To convey knowledge or information; To make known; to reveal by clear signs; to transmit thought or feeling; to open up to one another; to connect; Webster defines “Communication” as: An act or instance of transmitting. It can be verbal; it can be written; it can be a process or system where information is exchanged between individuals; It can even be non-verbal.

We want to see how this works with the most important defining source, “The Bible”.
With God, He has so many different definitions of Communicating. But we want to look at the ones that are important just for the youth.

Ways of Successful Communication

Verbal.

 

What you say. Words that you use.

How you say. Tone or sarcasm that you use.

 

 

Non-Verbal.

 

Your body language

Your facial expressions.

 

Written

 

Is it clear what you wrote, what you typed, what you texted?

How You Share

It is a way you give or show love to others. It speaks intensely.

 

 

How you Live

Lifestyle of integrity and character when no one is looking.

How you serve others

Always take inventory and be aware of your every day communications and your intentions. It will speak volumes. Once you communicate certain things, it is hard to get them back once the other parties have received it.

 

Let’s look at ways that God has shown us to communicate.

Communicating God’s Way

 

How Do we successfully communicate with God? Living a Righteous Christian Life – Ephesians 2:10. Producing Good works. Your character speaking louder than your words.

Praying to God - James 5:13, 16. Talking with God. Because of your righteous life, you are able to have your prayers answered.

Reading The Bible – 2 Timothy 2:15. Read and study your bible. This is how God talks with you. You get your approval from God.

 

How do you successfully communicate with your parents?

Obey (Submit to) Honoring (Respect) our parents – Ephesians 6:1-3 It is the right thing to do. Even when they don’t understand you.

It is a commandment. It is God’s will. He promises you: You will have a long life

You will have a good (successful) life

 

How do you successfully communicate with others?

a. Beware and be careful of the company you keep – 1 Corinthians 15:33

 

Bad company can destroy your good character. 1st Thess 5:22

One event could affect what it took years to build. Romans 14:16

Know when it is time to leave a conversation. 2 Cor 6:12-17.

 

Build Friendships by being friendly Proverbs 18:24
a. Lean how to listen – James 1:19

It is not always your turn. Take turns.

 

Understand what they said, wanted to say, trying to say, and didn’t mean to say. Paraphrase, restate, and summarize.

a. Always speak in a loving way to help others. Ephesians 4:15, 29-32

Love will cover bad (past) conversations & conduct 1st Peter 4:8

Always be honest with people. God will respect you for it.
2 Corinthians 8:21.