Angelmom

Q3. (Acts 19:11-19) Why do so many contemporary churches expect to evangelize effectively in the 21st century without signs and wonders? What are we afraid of? How do we identify people in our congregations whom God has gifted with ministries of healing, faith, and miracles? What will it take to move in this direction for you? For your church? It appears that many churches have forgotten that Jesus said the " Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. " John 14:12-14. I would think that they only believe that the signs and wonders were for the early church and not for the 21st century but the Scripture states "whoever" is that not for today. Are we not believers, the "whoevers"? I am not sure what they are afraid of but it certainly appears fear of what people might think is one, and perhaps fear of persecution, rejection, and other sanctions that can be imposed on them. I believe that the Holy Spirit will identify those with spiritual gifts that will lead to a ministry. We all have gift some are stronger than others and are more visible. Scripture state that we are given gifts and that we should use them to the degree that we have been blessed. This in and of itself is a way to identify those blessed with special gifts. I believe in signs and wonders for today. I do not believe that they are the focal point of evangelism but a confirmation of what has been shared. A showing of the power of the true God. I don't really know what the church can do but continue to rely on the Holy Spirit to further show us through signs and wonders, through physical healing, through break-throughs, through miraculous happenings, etc. so that the church will continue to grow spiritually.

Q2. (Acts 19:9-10) How did “all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia” hear God’s word from one apostle, who taught daily in Ephesus and didn’t travel around. What do you think was going on that caused this kind of expansion? Why is it vital to evangelize in our great cities? The Word was spoken by Paul in Ephesus and what happened was "discipleship" as many heard the Word and shared it. So that the Word traveled with the disciples throughout the province of Asia and other areas. It, the Word, still is shared that way. As we encounter others and give them what we have received they in turn bring the message to areas where we do not travel. People were believing in the Word which was spoken by Paul. They found a sense of community and wanted to share it with those that they loved and honored and even those that never heard of Jesus. They spread the Word by mouth to anyone who would listen. This "evangelism" spread far and wide despite the opposition. Our large cities are centers of moral and ethical development. To bring the Word and to evangelize the people of the cities can and will create a new outlook on who they are and who it is that can bring peace and wisdom. It can make a major difference in the environment and culture Christ said to make disciples of all nation...Would that be a good reason to start in the large cities so that it would tinkle outward to the areas beyond their limits.

Q1. (1 Corinthians 1:11-12; 2:1; 3:3-6) What seems to be the primary difference between Paul's ministry approach and that of Apollos? Why does this create competing allegiances at Corinth? How does Paul address the issue? Can you think of any divisions over style within the Christian community in your region? What should you do as a result of those divisions? It is important to realize that both have a unique way of teaching. Paul simply speaks so that he is understood by those he is speaking to and is schooled as a teacher. Remember Paul was a Rabbi. Apollos was schooled in the technique of speaking to the masses. He uses his charm (Charisma) and mastery of language to teach. Each uses what God has given them and each will reach different sector of the community. God blessed Paul as an Apostle to bring the word to the Gentiles in many nations. God blessed Apollos, as it seems, to encourage and enhance what Paul had already done. The Corinthians were split between Paul and Apollos because they were attracted to the person speaking forgetting what was being said. It could reflect our human condition to go with what sounds good to us forgetting that Christ is the center of all we believe. It is the same today as you see some people love to listen to one Pastor because he/she speaks with eloquence while others choose another because he/she is down to earth in their teaching. Nothing new under the sun! Directly and pointedly reminding that it is Christ who died for us. Too many divisions are apparent. The main feeling I have is that if all Christians took our basic beliefs, Christ Born, crucified, died, buried, resurrected, ascended, and set aside our "religious" beliefs - what people would see is the power of Christ arise. Pray for unity in the Church of Christ. Make Christ the center of all I do and love as Christ loved.

Q4. (Philippians 3:9; Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4) Abraham had been a moon-worshipper. According to Genesis 15:6, how does he come into right relationship with the God who created all? How can a person today become righteous by faith? What is involved in really “trusting” Christ? Abraham, listened to God even though he did not know God personally, He believed and trusted God and followed God's directions without hesitation. Abraham believed God and received righteousness (being in right standing with God) We are credited with the same righteousness when we put our faith in Christ. Trusting Christ is living a life of surrender. Giving our all to Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our footsteps, words, deeds, etc.

Why do ambitious Christians struggle so much when they don't seem to be doing anything important? Why is patience with God's plan so important to growth? Why is a period of spiritual formation so important to future leadership? To listening for God's voice? Many Christians struggle when they don't seem to be doing anything important - this is true for most people when they believe that to be busy is to be successful. Busy is good but does not always accomplish anything. We need to remember to be still and know that God is God. His plans for us are in His timing. It is hard to sit still and we must stop and think about what God has said in the Psalms, Proverbs, and New Testament. To rest in Him, seek Him, to lean on Him, to Trust Him, to follow Him, etc. All these thing are important because they lead to the need for patience which in turn helps us to grow into the plans that God has for us. We do not know the whole plan but even if we are walking in His plan we still need to grow into where He is taking us. if one lacks a deep spiritual foundation the trials the things of the world can chip away their belief and bring them into a dry wilderness where they forget what it means to wait on the Lord. Listen to God and hearing His voice over the chaos that surrounds us daily is a sure way to produce leaders that will stand firm in their beliefs and bring peace into the leadership position they hold. Surely John 14:27 should be a guiding verse for all those in leadership "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives...." I believe that to be an effective leader one must be fill with the peace of the Lord.

Legalism is destructive to the way we follow Jesus. If we want to follow the law we need to be perfect, which of course is not possible for we humans due to our flesh vs our spirit. We become believers of our own self sufficiency and thid leads us to depend on our own ability to control our lives therefore adapting into our spirit pride of life. To follow in Jesus' footsteps we must follow the law ( Love God and love your neighbors which fulfills the law) but we must do it so that we are not putting our trust in ourselves to be "perfect" but that we are allowing God to direct and control our lives through the Holy Spirit. Occasionally, perhaps a little more than that, I have fallen into selfish pride. At those times I do not feel the presence of God, even though I know he is there, but forget that I should give Him the credit for my success. At those time I have felt lost and alone..But God who is full of mercy and love has always guided me back to the place where I am reminded that my humility will help me to grow the way He has designed for me. Being humble and waiting on the Lord in all situations will protect one from falling into selfish pride.

Jesus sent Paul whom he has already told He would have someone come to him and in doing so he was preparing Paul to be ministered by one of His believers even though Paul was going there to arrest them. Ananias on the other hand argued with God because he was afraid that Saul aka now Paul would put him in jail or have him killed. Ananias reminded God of the main intentions of Paul coming to Damascus. Ananias listened to God and put his trust and faith in what he was told and followed God's instructions. It took a lot of courage to go and do something that could have cost him his life. And so, it take us a lot of courage to do many things that God through the Holy Spirit prompts us to do. But in the long run God will make a way where there is no way. He does not give us instructions that He does not give us the way and means to accomplish what He has charged us with, even though it might seem hard or even impossible. With trusting in God, no matter what happens, shows deep rooted faith. Yes, it does take more courage sometimes then other times to obey God. Yes, on many occasions the Holy Spirit has prompted me to talk or minister to another person. I, for the most part, listen and do what He is directing me to do. There are those time when I will hesitate and that little bit of hesitation has made me miss out on seeing God's glory manifested.

Because as Christians we have the Holy Spirit indwelling in us, when we are persecuted, Christ is the center of the persecution. People are not aiming their anger and hate at us but at the Living God in us. I say that the light and spirit that live in us are seen and the dark spirit in those persecuting is rebelling against that light and spirit. Being obedient to the Living God is hard as our flesh has a way of "wanting its own way." God has given me may "prompts" to move me along Christ's path mostly in showing me His love and compassion for me so that I might pass it on to others. This way I am aware of what he is doing in my life and this keeps me walking in the direction of eternity. I believe it hurts the Living God more when we "push back" and not listen to His Spirit.