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IMHumbleO, Today there is too much debate over subjects that profit little......heresies, word origin, preferred translation rather than being led by the Spirit ! What did Jesus have to say about our position in him ? 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:25-28

What issues are most difficult for you to deal with? Islam Atheism Faith VS Reason Evolution How to start a conversation? Biblical Evidences You can add to the list. I just posted a few as examples. I'd love some feedback on this. I'll use these topics in upcoming podcasts. I launched my Apologetics Evangelism Podcast recently and want to deal with relevant issues! Thanks, Dylan

I wrote this simple (free) e-book devotional a couple years ago. Just putting it out there in case it might help someone on their spiritual journey... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078P917JF I welcome any feedback.

There is an online version of this, wherein if you hover the cursor over the verse addresses, the text of the verses pops up, without having to open new windows on the links, as happens here. It is much easier to use and read, but, you cannot reply to it there, if you want to reply/comment, that has to be done in this thread. True Discipleship Omegaman 3.0 - 5/13/16 The Great Commision Jesus, in his great commission ( Matt 28:19-20 ), given to his disciples, told them to make other disciples and to teach them to obey everything that he had said.If Jesus told his disciples to make other disciples and the teach them to obey everything he said, one of the things that the new disciples were to obey (because Jesus told the first disciples to do) is to make more disciples who are taught to obey.So, here we are some 2000 years later having been made disciples, because other disciples in the past have handed down the command of making disciples and teaching the new disciples to obey what Jesus said.So if we want to be true disciples of Jesus we also must make disciples and teach them to obey Christ and of course we must obey Christ as well. Obedience to what? So what things did Jesus command that we are supposed to pass on to others and that we ourselves are supposed to obey?Listed below I have collected quite a few of the verses from the Gospel (Matthew primarily) which contain the commandments of Jesus. It is not an exhaustive list. Some of the things Jesus cammanded were to particular individuals, not to us, so I did not include those. For example, after Jesus had spat on the ground and applied the clay to the eyes (I hope that means the eyelids) of the blind begger, He said: "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam". Clearly, that command was not to be applied to everyone, so that sort of thing, is not in the following list. Repent - Matthew 4:17 Follow Jesus - Matthew 4:19, 8:22 Let Your Good Works be Seen (with right motives) - Matthew 5:16 Reconcile & Confront Others, the Right Way - Matt 5:23–24, Matt 18:15–17 Don't Sin in Action or in Thought - Matthew 5:27–30 Don Make Oaths - Matthew 5:34, 37 Don't Respond to Evil with Evil - Matthew 5:39-42 Love and Pray for Your Enemies - Matthew 5:44–46 Be Perfect - Matthew 5:48 Seek God's Kingdom First - Matthew 6:33 Don't Judge -Matthew 7:1 (My Commentary on Judgement) Don't Waste Your Breath - Matthew 7:6 Treat Others as You Would Like to be Treated - Matthew 7:12 Enter Eternity Through the Narrow Gate - Matthew 7:13-14 Be Wary of False Prophets - Matthew 7:15–16 Ask God to Send More Workers - Matthew 9:37–38 Don't Fear Those Who Can Kill You, Fear God - Matthew 10:28 Come to Jesus for Rest - Matthew 11:28 Forgive Readily and Repeatedly - Matthew 18:21–22 Give What is Due to Whom it is Due - Matthew 22:21 Love God - Matthew 22:37–38 Love your Neighbor - Matthew 22:39 Share in the Lord's Supper (Communion) - Matthew 26:26–27 Keep Guard Against Temptation - Matthew 26:41 Make Disciples - Matthew 28:19-20 Preach the Gospel - Mark 16:15 Don'r be Greedy - Luke 12:15 Give to Those Who Cannot Give Back - Luke 14:12–14 Love Other Disciples - John 13:34 John 15:12 John 15:17 Suggested followup: If you consider yourself a disciple of the Christ, think about how you are doing, measured by the above list

When the word worship is mentioned in a Christian context I wonder if playing music and singing are the only things that come to mind. Of course there is a lot more to worship than music and singing. In addition to doxa referring to honour in Luke 14:10, five other Greek words used in the Bible variously translate into the English word worship as follows:

A King James Version Sermon: (Meaning, this sermon is written for the King James Version Bible prospective and meant to be studied using the King James Version Bible, For your safe experience) - John 8:44 - Romans 3:23 - 1 Peter 5:8 - Isaiah 59:2 - John 3:20 - 1 Corinthians 10:21 - Ephesians 5:11 Christian views on world morality: (Christian morality on world morality) - Matthew 18:7 - 1 John 2:15 - 1 John 5:19 - Matthew 7:13-14 Satan is only the force that works against you: (Even sometimes through a false sense of loving affection) - Not with the wisdom of men, but with the knowledge of our Lord: Fight firm, Quick, thorough, all without doubt in action. Satan does not hesitate. Absolutely have to be ready to quickly as possible make the right decision no matter the cost and/or amount of reproach from peers you might endure. - Romans 6:16 - Ephesians 6:10-18

Daily Reading 19 If you prefer, you can look up the following verses in your own Bible, of by whatever means and in whatever version you choose. Luke 14:25-35 Genesis 26 Psalm 19 Audio 4:36 Audio 4:18 Audio 1:52 The above addresses are linked to Bible Gateway. That is an easy way to read (or listen to) the Bible verses, and choose your version. Personally, I prefer written, that way I can go at my own pace, on think about it, before moving on. Nothing wrong with doing either or both. The Bible says faith comes by hearing. See the picture below to get an idea of what to expect if you follow the above links. Thank you Lord for making the your word so accessible for us in these times. Amen

Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable thing you do not know." PRAYER IS MEANT TO BE ANSWERED - OR GOD WOULD NOT ASK US TO PRAY. JESUS DIDN'T PRAY WITHOUT EXPECTING TO BE HEARD. Hebrews 3:13 - "But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Develop a "discipleship consciousness" and a "love-consciousness" for the lost as well as for the brethren. We do this through love bydiscipling new believers into a consciousness of their inheritance in Christ (Galatians 5:6 - "For in Jesus Christ .... faith which worketh by love." Affirmations: I STIR UP MY FAITH AND EXPERIENCE MORE DEEPLY THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN MY LIFE THROUGH THE EXHORTATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF OTHER BELIEVERS. I INTEND TO FIND A WAY TO ENCOURAGE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS STRENGTH AND UNDERSTANDING TODAY! Psalm 141:3 - "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Observation: THE WORLD IS LIKE A RUSHING RIVER, PULLING AT ME, TRYING TO GET ME TO FLOW WITH IT. Affirmation: I MAKE THE DECISION TODAY TO PADDLE UPSTREAM AGAINST THE CURRENT BY SPEAKING GOD'S WORD INTO MY LIFE. Proverbs 4:20 - "My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRYhttp://afministry.ning.com

"It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 God does not see us in ourselves - He sees us in Christ. He does not see us, He sees Christ in us. If we really believed that, we would be delivered from ourselves and would indeed be triumphant Christians. WE ARE NOT DEFINED BY OUR PAST We must develop the mind-set that -- we are not defined by our past, what people think of us, or our circumstances - but only by who we are in Christ. We step into our future (God's CALLING on our lives) with great boldness and confidence knowing certain that Christ has paid the price for complete freedom. "To whom God would make known what is the riches of glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." - Colossians 1:27 UNDERSTANDING OUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST IS VITAL We know who we are in Christ without doubt or fear. We are sons and daughters of God by His marvelous grace. We have the Blood of Jesus flowing through us. By His blood we overcome the darkness of this world. We are all anointed for the DISCIPLESHIP of new believers as we follow the Spirit's leading. Too many in the Church have limited themselves and limited God by not understanding their inheritance in Christ and their right standing with God. By praying the scriptures in the epistles of Paul that pertain to our inheritance in Christ we come to know who we are in Christ; the power that is flowing through us and our authority over sickness, distractions, or other issues of life. Our body is the temple of God and we have the right to take authority over every area of it – spirit, soul, and body. HIS POWER IS PERFECTED IN WEAKNESS Christ in us is our hope of glory. When we are weak, He is strong. As 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says: "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Observation: CONFESSION DOESN'T MEAN BRINGING UP MY PAST. IT MEANS AGREEING WITH GOD ABOUT WHAT HE SAYS TO ME AND ABOUT ME. WHATEVER I TRY TO JUSTIFY, I HAVE NOT REPENTED OF. WHATEVER I TRY TO EXPLAIN, I AM NOT SORRY FOR. WHEN I AGREE THAT GOD IS RIGHT, THAT IS CONFESSING. 1 Corinthians 4:1 - "Let us be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." The kingdom of heaven is planted within us as a seed and it is intended to grow and expand within us and on the earth. We are called to glory and virtue; We show others how to be neither barren nor unfruitful in the ways of God. Since we are rooted and built up in Christ Jesus we are able to teach others (saved and unsaved) of a higher life in the Lord Jesus. Affirmations: I CONFESS THAT I HAVE TAKEN MY PLACE IN GOD'S PLAN. THE ASSIGNMENT GOD HAS GIVEN ME PROBABLY WON'T BE ACHIEVED QUICKLY. IT WILL TAKE UNBELIEVABLE STRENGTH AND ENERGY TO MOVE THAT VISION FROM THE REALM OF DREAMS TO THE REALM OF REALITY. BECAUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ME, I HAVE THE STRENGTH Song of Solomon 1:10 - "Your cheeks are lovely as a turtledove's; your neck as jewels." The cheeks represent both the inner and the outer life. Here they are compared to the beauty of a turtledove. The dove marries for life. If the dove's partner dies, the dove remains single without seeking another mate. If you were ever separated from you God, you could find no pleasure in anyone or anything else. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Romans 8:11 (NASB) - "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." We have that same Spirit of God, His "Resurrection Power," indwelling within us to transform this earth into God's Kingdom now and for eternity. BUT HOW MUCH AUTHORITY DO WE HAVE When Jesus declared on the Cross, "It is finished," He decreed to the earth and the world of darkness that they had lost. When Jesus arose from the grave, He fulfilled the legal requirements of the law and broke the curse of sin off the earth! Jesus secured everything for the Believer from the Cross of Calvary and the Resurrection from the grave, and satan knows he is powerless to stop God's Kingdom plan. VICTORY THROUGH OUR RESURRECTED SAVIOR Colossians 2:12-15 (NKJV) - " ...[You were] buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us." When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we indeed begin with our restored relationship to not only our Holy God but also our personal, loving Father God. Because of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, we now enjoy an intimate relationship with a personal, caring Abba Father. As we understand that our spirit is "quickened" by His Spirit we must – as God's design for Kingdom citizens – take dominion and multiply God's Kingdom on this earth as it is in Heaven! That is indeed the Believer's resurrection authority. We have God's DNA, and we have His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, as well as our "big brother" advocating to the Father on our behalf. Our value is so powerful that once Christians realize their potential, all Hell will flee from them. God made us in His own image and gave us authority to multiply God's Kingdom. Understandably, the defeated enemy cannot multiply anything, and our being "made-in-God's-image" should always remind satan of his irrevocable defeat! When satan wanted to take over Heaven, he lost his position, his abode, and his relationship with a Holy God. SLAIN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD After Christ arose from the dead, He actually fulfilled what He already was: Resurrection Authority! That means when the Word states that Christ was "slain from the foundations of the world," He came to this earth realm to manifest what had already been accomplished in the Kingdom of Heaven! Revelation 13:8 (KJV) - " And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Remember that as Believers in Christ we carry that same abundant, transforming spirit of Jesus to resurrect dead souls into the light and life of Christ! Moreover, Christians should grow in this authority by DISCIPLING new believers into their inheritance in Christ as well as begin resurrecting forgotten prophetic words, sidelined destinies, dead dreams, shattered relationships, and complete wholeness in every area of our lives! We can now demonstrate that power to transform things that have not been fulfilled into completion by the quickened Spirit of Resurrection authority deposited into us through Jesus Christ! There is no limit to this abiding Resurrection Spirit within every Believer! John 10:10 (NASB) - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." The Celebration of Resurrection reminds us to embrace our personal "resurrection spirit" to raise the dead! Christians must now use their resurrection authority to raise souls of this earth back from spiritual atrophy and the dead sins that have blinded hopeless lives for too long! JESUS IS AN APPROACHABLE, TOUCHABLE RESURRECTION WITNESSS The best gift to others is a lost life resurrected into eternal relationship with a loving Father. Now, that is truly "raising the dead" lives from the enemy's grip into a living, eternal life now, and having it more abundantly! When We Receive Jesus, We Receive The Resurrection And The Life! John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies..." Because Jesus is our Risen Savior, we now have that same Resurrection Spirit living within each of us! We will indeed do as Christ instructed to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give" - (Matthew 10:8). ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

As the Lord taught in the Parable of the Sower, many will depart when testing comes. Many depart from Church, and many are now even departing from pursuing their CALLING in Christ when the tests come. You can never pass a test by quitting. 1 Peter 1:7 AMP - "So that the genuinenes of your faith may be tested, your faith which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire....." OUR CONNECTION TO GOD AND ONE ANOTHER The Cross is a vertical post that represents our connection to God and a horizontal one that represents our connection to one another. One thing that taking up our cross means is that we must have both of these in our lives. Of course, our connection to God eclipses the importance of our connection to one another and must always be kept first. But if we have this and keep it first, we will also have the other. As John also wrote, we cannot love God who we do not see if we do not love our brother who we can see (see I John 4:20-21). John 20:21 -- "Just as the Father has sent me forth so I am sending you." This is certainly a command of Jesus for the Body of Christ to meet the needs (both temporal and spiritual) of new believers so they may indeed advance in the faith. The humbling service of DISCIPLING a new believer into: WHO HE IS IN CHRIST, HIS RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD, AND WALKING IN THE SPIRIT is the most valuable Christian service someone can minister to someone who has just had the "born again" experience. OLD THOUGHT PROCESSES In order for the church to advance into her destiny there are old thought processes that need to be dismantled: 1. The idea that higher spiritual advancement and development is reserved for the clergy. 2. The idea that spiritual training and discipling is the sole responsibility of the pastor and/or elders. 3. The idea that it takes years in the faith to be able to DISCIPLE other believers. 4. The idea that the only thing the laity is to be involved in is Church programs and listening to sermons. Submitting to DISCIPLESHIP training develops a "personal ministry to others consciousness" in the believer as well as promotes unity and brotherly love in the fellowship of the Body of Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

This will be too long to interest most of you, but it is a Topical study, and as it is, I left things out. It was prepared for a live, in class study, not as a Forum post. Bible Study Notes – All verses NIV Discipleship/Evangelism 10/10/2015 – Omegaman 3.0 We may not be able to get through all of this material, I am not well known for keeping things short. However, if we do not get through all of this in our discussion, you may follow through on you own with the rest of the material. Matt 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” “Make disciples” is the Greek word “mathēteusate“, (math-ayt-yoo'-sayt-eh) to disciple (as a verb), IE. helping someone to progressively learn the Word of God to become a matured, growing disciple (literally, "a learner," a true Christ-follower); to train (develop) in the truths of Scripture and the lifestyle required, IE. helping a believer learn to be a disciple of Christ in belief and practice. (from Helps Word Studies) Notice in v. 19 that these disciples, are to be baptized, so we are talking about believers here not merely people who learn about things (students). Question 1. What commands did Jesus give in verse 19? Question 2. What command did He issue in verse 20? Question 3. If disciples are to make disciples, and they are to be taught to obey commands . . . then what things are we (as disciples) also told to do in obedience? Question 4. If disciples are to make more disciples, and teach them to obey everything that Jesus commanded, is merely telling someone a basic Gospel message, really fulfilling this great commission? When we tell others about Jesus and His Gospel, we refer to this as evangelism. Sometimes we call this witnessing. The word “evangelist” comes from the Greek word “euangelion” or “euagglion” (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on). Question 5. What 5 letter English word do we see in both “evangelist” and in “euangelion”. Question 6. That word, comes from the Greek word “angelon”. What does that word mean or what is it that an 'angelon' does? The prefix in 'euangelion', “eu” it means common (as in common, not ordinary) or good. So, an evangelist, is one who brings a message of good news. Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” So we have seen that disciples, us, have been commanded by the Lord Himself, to make more disciples, and that this means not only bringing them good news, but teaching them everything He taught his Apostles, to obey. Question 7. If we do not do that, which better describes us?: a. obedient followers b. rebellious excuse makers Back to the topic of “good news”, we sometimes call that the Gospel. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, the word gospel is a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", IE., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", IE., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, IE., "good message." It denotes (1) "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. When we see the word “gospel” in the Bible, it is a translation of that same Greek word, that we get the idea of evangelist and evangelism from. They are extremely linked ideas. When Jesus tells us to make disciples, and to teach them to obey everything that He told the Apostles, we need to consider that Jesus told the apostles to preach His gospel. Therefore, He has commanded us also, to be evangelists. Eph 4:11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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. Question 8. According to Eph 4:13, at what point is Christ's gift of evangelists, for the equipping of His people for works of service and the building up of the body of Christ finished? Are we there yet? Some see that evangelists are a gift, then say “I do not have the gift of evangelism.” Now it could be argued whether “evangelism” is a gift, or if only “evangelists” are a gift. People have seen this both ways. Let's look though at what Paul said to Timothy in 2 Tim 4: 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. Question 9. According to verse 3 and 4, of 2 Tim 4,what will happen? Question 10. Has that time come, do you think? Question 11. Can you think of any of these doctrines that tickle or scratch itching ears? Name a few. Question 12. What can we do to counteract these false teachers? Question 13. In verse 5, do you see the word “gift” anywhere? Question 14. In verse 5, what sort of work is to be done? Question 15. Is it possible to do the work of an evangelist without being specifically gifted in that? Question 16. What sorts of things, do you believe hinder people from doing the work of an evangelist? Question 17. What are some ways we could overcome these issues? Question 18. What do you think the Gospel actually is? What is it that we need to be telling people? Question 19. Part of Jesus great commission that we looked at in the beginning, included us teaching the disciples we make, everything He taught. Does standing on a corner with a bullhorn, or leaving a gospel tract with someone, accomplish this part of Jesus command? Question 20. If not, what are some ways we compensate for that shortcoming? One thing that the bible tells us also, is the idea of preparation. 1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts revere 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. Question 21. What is the first thing we are told to do in the above passage? What is the second thing we are told to do and in what manner are we to do this? 2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Question 22. How does 2 Tim 2:15 relate to 1 Pet 3:15? How much effort does the Timothy verse imply? That word “reason” in 1 Pet 3:15 is a translation of the Greek word “apologian”, we get our word apology from this. However, this does not mean to say “I am sorry”. It means to provide a defense – that is to say to present a reasoned case, as an attorney would in a trial. We also get our word “apologetics” from this. Apologetics, the science of defending ideas, Christian apologetics, is a sub-species of evangelism. However, it is a back-up to witnessing, It is a legal term, just as the word witness is a legal term. Witnesses, give testimony to what they know. That is where we start. We testify of Jesus, and when necessary, we defend our faith, but always circle back to the gospel, and not be distracted from what our hearer really needs. Jesus, is the issue, being able to defend how all of the animals could fit on the ark is getting side tracked, and will not win anyone to the gospel. There are other ways not to to evangelize. You may have heard someone say, perhaps you have said it yourself: “Preach the Gospel, if necessary, use words”. Some believe that if they just live their lives in a holy way, people will see Jesus in them. There is a technical, theological term for this: “Horse feathers”. No one is going to see you order a diet cola at a restaurant when they order a glass of wine and think: “Gee, this person is really different, I think I will give my life to Jesus!” It is a great idea to live a holy life, failing that does tend to discredit your message, but success at it, will not convince someone of the truth of the gospel, let alone inform them of what the gospel is. Similarly, a rational person can look at the marvelous design and vastness of the universe, and reasonably conclude that there must be a brilliant and powerful creator. That means they have no excuse not to seek God, but it does not reveal what God requires of us, that is where we come in, that is our job, to present the problem, and provide the answer. So, preach the Gospel, if necessary, use words. However, realize that in order to preach the Gospel, words are always necessary. Living it out is also necessary, in order to add credibility to the message. When we fail to proselytize, we are demonstrating that we do not take our faith seriously, because we are disobedient to our God. We are also demonstrating that we do not care enough about others, to put out a little effort to insure that they are adequately informed to inherit eternal life. Question 23. What are two things you can do, to either increase your efforts at evangelism, of make yourself more effective at evangelism? Question 24. If the gospel is “good news:, is there also bad news? What is the bad news? Should people be told the bad news as well? Why or why not? Question 25. Do you personally, feel, that you do not know enough about the Bible or how to defend your faith? Was there a time, when you did not know how to drive a car? What changed? More to think about Penn Jillette, atheist, said something very profound and haunting: “I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me alone and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?” Roman 1:14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the Godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Matt 10:32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. Some Final Thoughts What we have seen, is that it is not our job to save people. It IS out job to tell them. We have seen that it is not optional, it is a command. We may understand that God chooses people for salvation, apart from our efforts, and be tempted to conclude, that God does not need us. It is true that God does not need us, but He has given us the task to preach to everyone. We do not know who the chosen are, that is why we need to get the message to all. We should not see this, as a chore, we should see it as a privilege to be included in God's plan, to be used for His purposes and His glory. Do not be anxious, just trust the Lord, and be obedient. He can bring the right things to say to mind at the right time. How much better though, if you take the trouble to prepare and learn about the things you need to say. Memorizing scripture, and apologetic techniques and information, is not only for others, it builds your own faith and knowledge as well. You will have more confidence, and feel better about yourself, knowing that you have made efforts to be faithful. Matthew 25 14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,a each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16T he man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24“Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “ ‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

John 13:13-15 -- "Jesus said, 'You call me 'Teacher and Lord' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I , your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. You also should wash one another's feet. I have set you and example that you should do as I have done for you.'" John 20:21 -- "Just as the Father has sent me forth so I am sending you." This is certainly a command of Jesus for the Body of Christ to meet the needs (both temporal and spiritual) of new believers so they may indeed advance in the faith. The humbling service of DISCIPLING a new believer into: who he is in Christ, his right standing with God, and walking in the Spirit is the most valuable Christian service someone can receive who has just had the "born again" experience. OLD THOUGHT PROCESSES In order for the church to advance into her destiny there are old thought processes that need to be dismantled: 1. The idea that higher spiritual advancement and development is reserved for the clergy. 2. The idea that spiritual training and discipling is the responsibility of the pastor and/or elders. 3. The idea that it takes years in the faith to be able to DISCIPLE other believers. 4. The idea that the only thing the laity is to be involved in is Church programs and listening to sermons. Submitting to DISCIPLESHIP training develops a "personal ministry to others consciousness" in the believer as well as promotes unity and brotherly love in the fellowship of the Body of Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Exodus 14:11,12 - "They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt...It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'" There was something comforting about the past that the Israelites preferred at this point to the unknown dilemma of future freedom. It would seem they were so afraid of the unknown that they might even have been willing to settle for second best and remain in an oppressed lifestyle rather than face the trial of exodus. SURRENDER SELF-PITY TO GOD 1. One of the most effective ways to destroy the habit of feeling sorry for one's self, is first of all to focus on God and start affirming the promises of God promised to you in scripture (your inheritance in Christ). Then, purpose to think about other people. 2. Ask God to give you someone that you can help with their spiritual needs -- and go minister to them -- tell them about Jesus -- look after them and take an interest in their spiritual development. 3. Let go of the past and move into new opportunities to discover our CALLING andDESTINY in Christ. Even though our enemy will use fear of the unknown to overwhelm us and cause us to lose courage, we must endeavour to maintain a bold faith in the face of adversity. 4. STANDING AND STILLNESS IN WARFARE IS STRATEGY Exodus14:13,14 - "And Moses said unto the people, 'Fear Ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall see them again no more forever.'" Ephesians 6: 10,14 - "Finally, my bretheren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness." When we stand firm, God enables us to overcome our enemy in His truth. We quickly discover in spiritual skirmishes that God's authority is truly indisputable and the enemy must bow the knee to the King of kings. God said that the people would never have to face the enemy they faced that day again. In other words, the battles we win today remain future victories. By faith we can maintain ground taken without having to fight the same battle twice. Furthermore, we do not need to revisit old wounds: what God has healed, He has healed. Ongoing introspection has no place in a people whose focus is the Lord. 5. REACH OUT "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.'" Exodus 14:15-16 There is a time to stand and a time to move. If we don't discern a new season with God's instruction to "move on," our past has then the potential to be used as a "crutch" - meaning it remains a familiar comfort zone and a possible stumbling block to the new things God has for us. Our authority in Christ raises itself as a banner of victory over our circumstances, situations and any and all intimidation and enemy assault. We must do our part, like Moses, in learning to exercise our God-given authority over our circumstances. Moses raised his staff, commanding what stood before God's people in the natural environment to be aligned with Heaven. He then stretched the staff out as a gesture of faith in ACTION. Similarly, we have to do our bit to engage by faith and believe that Jesus' finished work on the cross will deliver every area of our lives into total freedom. In this way we will experience Kingdom transformation and acceleration of DESTINY! QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: 1. Am I happy in my confort zone or do I really want to change -- that is, reach for the earthly DESTINY God has for me. 2. How many people am I presently discipling? Am I equipping these people to disciple others so they can advance the "Great Commision"? ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Haggai 2:9 - "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." Hebrews 6:1 - "Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ, advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity." Nearly 2000 years ago, the author of the book of Hebrews exhorted the Jewish Christians to leave the elementary teachings and principles about Christ, urging them to press forward into maturity. Today as we are DISCIPLED into a higher life in Christ we come before the very throne of God with boldness and confidence - stepping into maturity - as we encounter new realms of the Glory of God. Psalm 149:6 - "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand...." We are being commissioned by the Lord to step into new realms of Glory through worship and high praise. As we do this together, we are going to see the Kingdom of Power and Glory made manifest. God's Kingdom is taking dominion upon the earth and is displacing every stronghold of the enemy. Through high praise we destroy the plans of the enemy and bring to earth new realms of Glory not yet revealed. We are stepping into a realm of timelessness where the miracles in His presence are being made known to us. As we continue Heavenward, we are breaking the constraints of the natural realm and shaking off old paradigms. The doors of Heaven are opening wider than we've ever seen before and we are witnessing the unfolding of the scrolls of DESTINY. Both the seen and unseen worlds are being changed from one degree of Glory to another, and all are being transformed by the ever-increasing Glory of God. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: How much time do I spend each day praising God out loud? Do I believe that praising and worshiping God will lead me into new realms of glory? PRAYER: Father, let me continually see Your goodness pass before me. Jesus wash Your Bride with Your Word - sanctify me so that I will be a resting place for Your holy habitation; You will present to Yourself - the Church in all her Glory. Holy Spirit, teach me how to move and operate in the realm of Glory as this time of acceleration is upon us, that I may arise in faith, in the experiential knowledge of the Son of God, with unparalleled demonstrations of the Kingdom of Power and Glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. AFFIRMATIONS: The Lord blankets me with His tangible, manifest presence, and cloud of glory. God is enlightening the eyes of my heart so that I would experientially know the inheritance of glory that lies within the saints. I declare the word of the Lord and see it supernaturally manifest. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Read John Chap. 14 and Matthew Chap. 25 Have the class (or individual) read aloud each of the ascribed scriptures. Then dictate the indicated summary. The student is to recite the summary of each of the scriptures 5 times per day until the next class. Rom 3:22-25; God put men right through their faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all: All men have sinned and are far away from God’s saving presence. But by the free gift of God’s grace, they are put right with Him through Jesus Christ who sets them free. God offered Him so that by His blood He could become the means by which men’s sins are forgiven through their faith in Him. Acts 4:12; Faith in Jesus is the only way to salvation. Eph 2:8-9; You cannot receive salvation through your own good works. I John 5:1; You are God’s son if you believe that Jesus is God’s son. Rom 10:9-10; For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is believing in your heart that man becomes right with God; and it is with his mouth that he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation. Heb 10:10; 12, 14, 16-17; Through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice we are cleansed of our sins, and God no longer remembers them. HOMEWORK: JOHN - CHAPTER 14 - QUIZ 1. Jesus said: I am the Way, _______________, and the Life: _______________unto the Father but by Me. 2. Jesus said: Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that _______ on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and ___________ works than these shall he do: because I go unto My Father. 3. Jesus said: whatsoever you shall_______________, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified________________. 4. Jesus said: I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another _______________, that He may abid with you _____________________. 5. Jesus said: but the comfortor, which is the______________, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you ______________________. MATTHEW - CHAPTER 25 - QUIZ 1. In the parable of the ten virgins, the oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The five foolish virgins by choice took no oil which means they were not ____________________. 2. The servant who "played it safe" and took the conservative action of hiding His talent in the earth was called by his lord ___________and________________. 3. Jesus said: the reward of the unprofitable servant was that he was to be ______________________________. 4. If we visit the sick, comfort someone in prison, or clothe and feed someone in need we are really doing it to _______. 5. The reward for neglecting people in need is____________. JOHN - CHAPTER 14 - QUIZ ANSWERS 1. The truth, no man cometh 2. Believeth, greater 3. Ask in my name, in the Son 4. Comforter, forever 5. Holy Spirit, all things MATTHEW - CHAPTER 25 - QUIZ ANSWEERS 1. Walking in the Spirit 2. Wicked, slothful 3. Cast into outer darkness 4. Jesus 5. Everlasting punishment ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Read Mark Chap. 16 and John Chap. 15 Have the class (or individual) read aloud each of the ascribed scriptures. Then dictate the indicated summary. The student is to recite the summary of each of the scriptures 5 times per day until the next class. John 19:30; John 17:4-5; Heb 1:1-4; - Jesus has finished the work of redemption for mankind, through making a once and for all blood atonement for us. John 3:3; II Cor 5:17; - John 1:12,13; - Your spirit must be born again to see the kingdom of God. Rom 6:4; - We are resurrected out of our old life into a new life in Christ. John 3:13-18; - Everlasting life and freedom from condemnation are available to those that believe in Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. HOMEWORK: MARK - CHAPTER 16 - QUIZ 1. When Jesus was risen early on the __________day of the week He appeard first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He cast out________________devils. 2. Go ye unto___________the world and preach the gospel ___________________. 3. To then that believe: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall_________________. 4. So after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received into___________, and sat on the_______________. 5. They went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with__________. JOHN - CHAPTER 15 - QUIZ 1. _______________the vine, you are the____________. He that________in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much_________; for without me you can do nothing. 2. If you____________in me, and my_______________ abide in you, you shall ______________what you will, and it shall be done unto you. 3. These things I have spoken to you that my__________ might remain in you, and that your_______________might be full. 4. I have chosen you out of the world, therefore, the world ______________you. 5. When the ________________is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of __________. QUIZ ANSWERS: MARK - CHAPTER 16 - QUIZ ANSWERS 1. First, seven 2. All, every creature 3. Believe, recover 4. Heaven, right hand of God 5. Signs following JOHN - CHAPTER 15 - QUIZ ANSWERS 1. I am,branches,abideth,fruit, nothing 2. Abide, words, ask 3. Joy, joy 4. Hateth 5. Comforter, me ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

1 Kings 19:9 9Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” So the word of the Lord came to him “what are you doing here Elijah”. This is one of the most important questions God will ever ask us. His questions probes the reality of our spiritual state. He is asking “how did your service to me become dry and desolate?” He wants us to know that when we fail to esteem Him as our first love, we will always find that a desert awaits us. God never intended for religion. He intended to have a people called by His name to steward, be productive, and carry His presence to those around us and to the nations. QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF: 1. Does sitting in a church service each week hearing a good message and worshipping together give me all of what I need? 2. Am I living my experience of being part of the Church through two hours on Sunday and maybe a home cell group on Wednesday evening ie. is this the only thing that defines my spiritual development in the Kingdom? 3. Am I active in my thoughts and communications with the Father in my everyday life? 4. Am I being transformed by His presence? 5. Am I "asking, knocking, and seeking" to discover God's calling on my life in Christ? 6. Am I personally discipling others to equip them for discipling new Christians in the Church body? 7. Do I believe that I can change the world? Luke 16:16 - "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." This realm of God’s Spirit does not come without “pressing” – without contending. The first thing about pressing is seeking. Pressing into it means there is a passionate pursuit of God in prayer. The word “to seek” means to diligently look for and search out earnestly until the object of the search is located. It is as crying out and hungering for the presence of God. AFFIRMATIONS: God is about to bring my life to a new beginning. I press into and lay hold of the kingdom of heaven in an aggressive way. I have a burning heart of fiery witness and passion when it comes to exhorting others in their walk with God. I repent from trying to do God's will without abiding in His presence. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

A. DEVOTIONAL STUDY (To be used in teaching) Go directly to the Blble and read over a few times the portion to be taught. Then try answering the following questions: 1. What does this portion teach about God the Father...the Son...the Holy Spirit? 2. What does it teach about man? 3. Are there any warnings to heed? 4. Are there any commands to obey? 5. Are there any promises to claim by faith? When completing this exercise, draw some conclusions you can apply to your life or to the lives of those you are teaching. Then read over the teacher's manual or a Bible commentary to see if it agrees, clarifies, expands or qualifies what you have discovered. You will find this process will make the material more your own. You will be able to remember it better and share it with greater confidence. Be sure to give homework assignments -- to give the students introspection and reinforcement. eg. Questions to Ask Myself? Two or three questions that apply to WHO THEY ARE IN CHRIST, limitations they may be putting on their spiritual advancement, and seeking their DESTINY in Christ. The work they do alone in answering these questions will benefit them more than many hours of Sunday School teaching. Also give them several verbal affirmations highlighting their inheritance in Christ which will be from points in the lesson. By verbally affirming their re-created status they will not be as likely to skim over the lesson and eventually forget it. B. TOPIC TECHNIQUE (To be Used Individually) 1. In this Bible study technique you CHOOSE A TOPIC--not a random topic but a topic that you feel the you need further revelation of. Examples of Topics: High Calling Boldness Fruitfullness Sanctification Love Compassion Spiritual Gifts Worship Praise Deliverance Healing Wisdom Humility Discipleship Growth Restoration 2. Pick out several books to study in the New Testament. 3. DEVELOP A CONSCIOUSNESS of the topic by meditation on it and by arousing some eager expectation of revelation to come. 4. As you focus on the topic begin reading the scripture. Write out the passages that have to do with the topic and ask the Holy Spirit for a deeper understanding. 5. At the end of the study session WRITE OUT A LIST OF AFFIRMATIONS that affirm the written out scriptures and carry them with you throughout the day to say out loud and meditate on. 6. Share any revelation you have received with others in the body of Christ. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

We let the Lord take our heart through a process. Just as Peter had to go through a series of events to be ready to be used in an extraordinary way, we realize that God has a process for all of us. What the Lord worked in Peter was a NEW IDENTITY, a dependency upon the Lord so that he would not trust in His own strength. We learn to lean on the strength of God, not taking things into our own hands. WE WALK IN DISCERNMENT BEING AN INFLUENCE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD Philippians 1:9-11 - "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Keep your discernment. Love and discernment work together. They always do. We do not turn on love and turn off discernment. We do not turn on discernment and turn off love. Rather, we use them both together. True discernment comes from the Holy Spirit Who pours the love of God in our hearts. Jesus comes to bring the cure. That cure can only happen because He sees what is needed. WE KEEP OUR HEART FREE AND WALK IN LOVE Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Be willing to reconcile with others who are embittered against you. Some may be in a bitter place not wanting to reconcile. Just realize you need to be willing to be a peacemaker. Pray that the Lord will tenderize their heart and fill them with the love of God. Bitterness blinds people. He who has a bitter root defiles many because they spread evil reports with gossip. Walk in love and pray that God gives them the gift of repentance. WE GET UNDERSTANDING ON SOWING SEED AND HARVEST TIME 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 - "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." Make an effort to understand the power of SOWING and REAPING. Realize that all God has entrusted to us we are the steward of. In that way, all that we have is seed that can be sown into different places. Our time invested in the spiritual development of others, work, money, prayers, worship is all seed that is sown. If we want increase in our life, both in the spirit and in the natural, we need to get the revelation of SEEDTIME and HARVEST. Who doesn't want a HARVEST in their lives? But we have to sow in order to REAP. WE DRINK HIS NEW WINE! Hebrews 1:8,9 - "But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions." We take time to not only seek the Lord, but to receive from the Lord the new wine of His PRESENCE. We allow God to fill us with His joy as the Holy Spirit saturates us. For it is the joy that comes in His PRESENCE that strengthens us. God will give us a fresh anointing as we simply receive in His PRESENCE. Jesus was anointed with the oil of joy far above all others. How much more do we need His oil upon our lives. WE ARE ALL COMMANDED TO DO THE WORK OF MINISTRY John 21:17 - "He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.'" One of the unique things about the Church of the New Covenant is that God has authorized and commanded every believer to do the work of the ministry! God wants an entire army of workers out doing the vital work of DISCIPLESHIP of the saints and building up His Body, the Church. Many churches are so focused on the salvation message that they fail to feed and help mature the sheep who have already come to salvation. Believers should be equipped to DISCIPLE the new believers so they will be effective in personal ministry. "My children with who I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.." - Galatians 4:19 The true success of our ministry to others will be by how it brought forth the formation of Christ within the person God has given us to DISCIPLE. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

How do we resurrect the ones who have had the church experience but seem to be spiritually dead?

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me." - John 10:27 The Lord said that His sheep know His voice -- He did not stay that His lambs did. Young Believers (in spiritual age) often need to follow (be discipled by) other Christians until they mature. One of the primary ways we mature and become sheep is by knowing His voice (walking in the Spirit). We should also be devoted to building on a foundation of sound doctrine and an understanding of who we are in Christ. This is part of growing in the truth and having a love for the truth but fundamental to our life is following the Person who is the Truth. INTO ACTION: Sit with a group of other Christians and seek to hear the voice of the Lord -- He will speak to them. When you hear others in the group begin to say what they heard, it builds your confidence that they are hearing the Lord. As people minister in the group, over time, their sensitivity to His voice can grow dramatically. Then they start hear Him at work, while shopping, or at any time and in any place that He wants to speak. AFFIRMATION: I make it a weelky goal to hear something from the Lord for another person. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY