HCDukes

Isn't John the Baptist's humble statement, "the thongs of whose sandals I am unworthy to untie," a bit overstated? No, not at all. Are we unworthy to serve Christ? If so, why? If not, why not? In our current state as sinners we are unworthy and unclean to serve Christ. Christ is holy, perfect and divinely pure, righteous and almighty. In order to serve him in the beauty of holiness, we must be purified, cleansed & washed by the blood of Jesus. We must present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable which is our reasonable service; and finally we must be transformed by the renewing of our mind in order to know the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. Then we will be in the right position to serve Christ. What does John's comparison of water baptism to Spirit baptism tell us about what Spirit baptism means? Water baptism is earthly, while Spirit baptism is unworldly! What does it mean to be "Spirit-filled"? How would our lives be different if we were truly filled and flooded with the Holy Spirit? Being Spirit-filled to me means to be filled with the Spirit of God. Our lives would be unworldly, supernatural and filled with power if we were truly filled and flooded with the Holy Spirit - our lives would be Christ like. We may be afraid of "fire-of-judgment" kind of language, but what should our response be to warnings of terrible judgment? We should approach the warnings of terrible judgement with fear and trembling. How good a change-motivator is the warning of future judgment? What other motivators might people respond to in addition to this? Or better than this? I believe the warning of future judgement is an excellent change-motivator for those who believe the word of God. Other motivators people might respond to are heavenly and earthly rewards, position, power and authority to rule and judge.

Is it reasonable to expect that the power of the Spirit will be as great in a Christian today as it was in Jesus? Yes it is reasonable to expect that the power of the Spirit will be as great in a Christian today, as it was in Jesus. Jesus in fact said that we would do greater works than what he performed in his day. Here is a premise: "If we are followers of Jesus, then Jesus' commission is our commission, too. We must both embrace his mission and adopt it for ourselves." It could be argued that one person's mission need not be another's. Do you think this is a valid premise? Why or why not?If we are to be followers of Jesus then Jesus commission is our commission too. Our mission need not be another’s it should be according and in line with Jesus commission. I believe any deviation from Jesus commission would not be the will of God. The mission and goals don’t change…an individual’s method may differ but the end results should and must be the same as Jesus’s commission. Why can being around the very poor make us feel uncomfortable? Can we with integrity declare good news to the poor without seeking to alleviate their poverty? Can the two be separated? Should they be? Did Jesus give alms to the poor, do you think? Being around the very poor can make us feel helpless to help them in their current situation. The poverty may not just be a financial one. A person may suffer from poverty of health:mental, spiritual or physical. There’s a long list of lack that someone may suffer from. We may feel uncomfortable when we feel powerless to help. But that’s the POWER of declaring and sharing the GOOD NEWS to the poor or to those who lack. The Good News is that our Heavenly Father is an All Sufficient God, who supplies all our needs according to his riches in glory. We may not have the power or means to alleviate their lack or poverty but our All Sufficient God does! Therefore the two should not be separated, the word & deed are forever linked. Faith without works is dead..even Jesus gave Alms to the poor, he just didn’t share the Good News…he healed the sick, set the captive free, fed the hungry, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead. Who around you is a prisoner? How can you declare freedom to them with sensitivity? There are many around me who are prisoners: neighbors, friends, relatives, sometimes I’m even a prisoner. We declare freedom to them by preaching or telling them about the gospel’s liberating message with love, gentleness, and with simplicity. How should you heal the brokenhearted in your world? We heal the brokenhearted with loving kindness, compassion, and with God’s love, his leading and his guidance. Who are the oppressed in your particular community? How can you assist them and help them find justice? There are so many oppressed in my community: neighbors, friends, relatives, leaders, students, young people, unchurched, the spiritually blind and dead. I can help them by being a light, speaking up and standing up for truth and supporting and helping them get & find justice. Sharing with them scriptures about justice and keeping them lifted up in prayer and fasting.

Is it reasonable to expect that the power of the Spirit will be as great in a Christian today as it was in Jesus? I believe it can because Jesus said you would do greater works. In John 14:12-14 (NIV) it states: 12) “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. 13)And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14) You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Here is a premise: "If we are followers of Jesus, then Jesus' commission is our commission, too. We must both embrace his mission and adopt it for ourselves." It could be argued that one person's mission need not be another's. Do you think this is a valid premise? Why or why not? Yes, Jesus commission is our commission too. But it plainly states in Matthew 28:16-20 that some of the disciples doubted: 16)”Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17) When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 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.” I agree that we must both embrace Jesus mission which was the commission (to go and make disciples)…. yet we must adopt it for ourselves (Paul and Peter went out to make disciples but their methods and assignments and missions were unique and different). I agree that one person’s mission need not be another’s mission but the commission is the same (to go make disciples)/(reference Paul and Peter). Why can being around the very poor make us feel uncomfortable? Being around the very poor can make me feel uncomfortable because I may want to do more for them but can’t (due to the lack of resources available). Can we with integrity declare good news to the poor without seeking to alleviate their poverty? Yes, we can declare the good news (with integrity) to the poor without seeking to alleviate their poverty because the good news is Now faith and the belief in the resurrected Jesus to give us or them life and life more abundantly. Their faith in Jesus is a substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen… although they may not see the physical manifestation of things hoped for - they can be assured that God’s promises are yea and amen … and will eventually manifest itself in the process of time. Can the two be separated? Yes they can be separated - you may not have any money to give the poor but you can give them something far more valuable and eternal (which is the good news). In Acts 3:6 A lame man begged John & Peter at the temple gate called Beautiful 6) “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”Should they be? No they shouldn’t be separated, but sometimes they are due to the will and purposes of God. Did Jesus give alms to the poor, do you think? Yes, I believe Jesus gave alms to the poor, in Luke 18:22 he instructed would be followers to give to the poor. Who around you is a prisoner? Anyone in bondage is a prisoner. Sinners are prisoners, or anyone who may be bound by strongholds or habits are prisoners. A person can also be a prisoner by being bound by sickness, disease, pain, trauma, anxiety, depression, mental health, disabilities, domestic abuse, violence, grief. Physically a person may be incarcerated in a medium or maximum jail. How can you declare freedom to them with sensitivity? By prayerfully ministering to them by the Holy Spirit about the good news and the anointing to set the captives free. How should you heal the brokenhearted in your world? I would pray to God in the name of Jesus, using all types of prayers (intercession prayer, prayer of faith, binding & loosing, consecration prayers, petitions, supplications, etc.)…then, waiting to hear from God, on how He wants me to help the brokenhearted. Give them encouraging words, do something to make them laugh. Pray with them. Introduce them to Jesus and just be supportive and willing to listen and help in the uplifting of their down cast spirits. Who are the oppressed in your particular community? The oppressed can be anybody in your community therefore (don’t judge a book by its cover, don’t judge people by their appearances). People who are always smiling or laughing are often hiding behind their smiles oppressive/painful things in their lives. So allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and direct you in your coming and going within your community… Also, remember to pray for discernment and for God to equip you to be used to help & minister to those oppressed and in need. How can you assist them and help them find justice? You can assist them by gathering information, being supportive, being available and helpful by doing research to find them resources, sharing helpful researched information with them, being an advocate for them, taking good notes, being an active listener. Staying alert, prayerful and watchful.

Is temptation only merely inevitable, or is it necessary to our growth as disciples? Temptation is both inevitable and necessary to our growth as disciples. Temptation measures our spiritual maturity and how trusting and reliant we are on God’s word for godly living. What is the essence of the first temptation, to turn stones into bread? Which temptations we face are similar? The essence of turning stones to bread is trusting in our own means, our strength and our power and resources to satisfy our appetites and needs in life (instead of trusting, relying and waiting on God to supply our every need according to his will). Any human appetite that we crave or hunger for can be similar i.e. the hunger and thirst for love, affirmation, affection, friendship, intimacy can be sought after through ungodly or illegal or unrighteous avenues. What is the essence of the second temptation, to attain power and splendor? What similar temptations do we face today? The essence of the temptation to attain power & splendor could lead a person to use ungodly tools to obtain power via i.e. manipulation, stealing, killing, lying. Basically, using whatever means it takes to obtain power, position and the splendors that are attached to power. These individuals will seek promotion and elevation by any means necessary: e.g. lying, cheating, discriminating, disenfranchising voters, misrepresenting one’s credentials (resume), sleeping with someone, bribing someone, the list goes on and on. What is the essence of the third temptation, to throw oneself down from the temple? How do we face this temptation today? We are told in Romans 12:1 ….to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Our bodies is the temple for God’s Holy Spirit. God would not want us to do anything to the body that would cause it harm. To do so by throwing oneself down from a temple (or anything reckless, dangerous and foolish) would tempt God. Deut. 6:16 states thou shall not tempt (test) the Lord God. Also in Matt 4:7 Jesus states it is written thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Did Jesus have any special powers at his disposal to resist temptation that Christians today don't have? Jesus had the Holy Spirit and the word of God, prayer and the ability to fast (self control) to help him resist temptation. What lessons about how to resist temptation does Jesus teach us disciples in this passage? Jesus teaches us to Live our Lives by EVERY WORD of God. That requires us to study (the Word) to show ourselves approved, a workman that needed not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Also, we must fast, stay alert, and be prayerful so that we can discern the wiles of Satan when he comes as an Angel of Light (partially quoting scriptures, misinterpreting scriptures, questioning who we are, and trying to get us to focus on ourselves, our personal problems and our pressing needs (appetites). instead of focusing on God, His Word, His Will and the Ultimate Eternal Purpose vs the petty, carnal, temporary, compromises of sin (i.e. the **** of the eyes, **** of the flesh and the pride of life).

What do you think Jesus was saying to the Father as he was praying after his baptism? (Luke 3 verse 21): I believe Jesus was praying & asking his Father to show him his glory and to testify of him amongst those being baptized - that he was indeed his son, who was sent from heaven. He also prayed for a visual confirmation from his Father. Which came in the form of Heaven opening up and God the Father sending His Holy Spirit down to earth (like a descending dove, but in a bodily form). Which landed physically and spiritually on and in Jesus. What a sight that must’ve been! I believe Jesus also prayed and asked for an audible confirmation from the Father - one that could not be denied but heard audibly by everyone as the voice of God! Therefore, even unbelievers in attendance could not dispute nor deny or even explain away, the ordination & confirmation and the anointing service that took place at the Jordan river. In summary, what took place after Jesus prayed - was God’s response or answer to Jesus prayer. Why would Jesus be baptized along with all the sin-laden people at the river that day? Wasn't he in danger of mis-communicating to them who he was? I believe Jesus was baptized with all the sin-laden people because of Philippians 2:6-8 6)Who existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7) But emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 😎 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. His actions was one of humility and it was to show that he was human & divine. It was to fulfill scripture and to address the sin nature (though he was sinless) that was within his human/physical body. Why do you think God staged the dove to descend in a visible way? (verse 22) I believe it was an answer to Jesus prayer and to show everyone there without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus was God’s beloved Son the Messiah. What was the significance of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at this time in his life? I believe the descending of the Holy Spirit at this time in his life was the divine timing for Jesus to start his earthly ministry. Just like in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell on Jesus disciples it was their divine timing to start their earthly ministry. How did Jesus interpret the Voice that sounded from heaven? Jesus knew that it was his Heavenly Father answering his prayer. He knew it was the voice of the Father because he was accustomed to hearing his voice in Heaven (prior to emptying himself and being made in human likeness). Did Jesus become the Messiah at this point? Or become divine? Or how do you understand this decisive event? I believe his divinity and understanding matured as he matured as a human being. I believe the decisive events that transpired where like his graduation or ordination/anointing ceremony.

Why do you think God chose someone like John to be Jesus' forerunner? I believe, God chose John to be the forerunner for Jesus because John had a very consecrated, set apart and intimate relationship with God. John was able to hear the word of God (or God’s voice so clearly), that God totally trusted him to do His Will and to obey God’s Way of doing things. John was not like others, John had totally forsaken the things of the world in his day and lived a recluse life in the desert and was willing to trust God to be his everything. How can we be sure that all our personal differences are part of God's plan and purpose? The only way we can be sure that all our personal differences are part of God’s plan and purpose is to daily die to our self life by surrendering, submitting and yielding our way for God’s way, our will for God’s Will, our thoughts for God’s Thoughts and our understanding for God’s Understanding. Yes some of our personal differences can be patterns of our sinful reactions to past events that’s why we must daily ask God to search our hearts, and to forgive us of sins of commission and omission and to ask God to renew a right spirit within us and to put on the mind of Christ and the whole armor of God and praying without ceasing. If we do these things and read & meditate on the word - we will be equipped, empowered and enabled to resist temptations. John was raised in the desert. What kinds of circumstances has God used as a training ground for your preparation? The circumstances that God used as a training ground for my preparation was being poor, living in poverty and being a part of a despised and hated group of people - just because of the color of my skin. Living and growing up on these types of training grounds has alienated me from the world and set me apart like John. How dependent are you upon what others think and say about you? How can you change this without becoming callous? I am not dependent upon what others think and say about me. I’ve learned that Everybody has an opinion. If I became influenced by opinions of what others think and say - I would be a doubled minded man and unstable in all my ways. I would be like the chaff that is blown here and there. I’ve learned how to listen and respect other peoples opinion but I have learned to respectfully disagree with others and try not to be cold hearted, hard and insensitive in doing so. Over the years, I’ve learned to hear the voice of God; and learned to be solely dependent on what my Heavenly Father thinks & says in His word. His words are Truth, Wisdom and Life for me. What would you say to a person suffering from chronic guilt over past sins? How can guilt be healthy? How can guilt be unhealthy? I would tell the person who is suffering from chronic guilt over past sins to take everyone of those sins (by name) to the Lord in prayer with Godly sorrow and tears. Truly repenting and asking God to forgive them of their past sins. The Holy Spirit may even lead the guilty person to go to the person they wronged to reconcile (i.e. if they stole from someone, repay the person) to make them whole if possible. Guilt can be a healthy internal spiritual monitor system - convicting a person of wrongs (the Holy Spirit convicts us of wrongs). Guilt can be unhealthy when a person ignores it as not being wrong. Guilt is also unhealthy when a person can’t accept the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God. Why is humbling (such as repentance and baptism in John's day) necessary to form disciples of Jesus? Repentance and Baptism are God’s prescribed path for reconciliation and for being in right standing with God. In order to be formed into a disciple of Jesus, the individual must be willing to follow and obey the required guidance that God prescribes. Humbling (in the form of repentance and baptism in John’s day) was necessary in becoming disciples of Jesus; because John was the forerunner of Jesus. He laid the groundwork and paved the highway or path for those who would become disciples of Jesus. What kind of cutting, filling, straightening, and smoothing work has God been doing in your life? What does he still need to do? Why is this necessary preparation for disciples? God has been preparing the way for the Lord in my life by straightening paths that were crooked in my life, by filling in the valleys and potholes in my life. He has humbled every mountain or high thing that I had elevated above God and has brought them under the obedience of Jesus. He has made the the rough and rocky things in my life that I was stumbling blocks smooth. This work is continuous and ongoing and the Lord is the Author and Finisher of my Faith. This work is necessary preparation for any disciple of Jesus - because without it we can not be transformed or created into the image and likeness of Jesus the Christ.

1. Why do you think John the Baptist calls people a brood of vipers, a den of snakes? Snakes are slithery, sneaky, reptiles that slither on the ground - hidden by their environmental surroundings. John the Baptist called people a brood of vipers, and a den of snakes because of their sneaky, slithery snake like natures. The tax collectors, lawyers, soilders and the Pharisees and Sadducee’s hid their dirt (i.e. sins from the public eyes). Brood of vipers or den of snakes would signify their place of living and the gathering together to plan their evil activities. 2. How did the Jews' religious pride in Abraham keep them from taking John's call for repentance seriously? How could religious pride have that same effect on us? They believed that they were entitled, privileged, set a part, and God’s chosen (saved) people. Due to their historical connection to the linage of Abraham - self righteousness set into their hearts and blinded them of their sin of pride and the need for repentance. They could not humble themselves to partake in the ceremonial cleaning/washing/ that was for gentile converts to become Jews/ Judaism. They saw the mote in the eyes of others but was blinded by the beam in their eyes. They became content in their tradition and content in their understanding of God (in their minds they had everything they needed spiritually) nobody could tell them anything. When we allow self righteousness and pride to blind us today, we may come to think that just being saved is enough (and stop pursuing God)… because there’s always higher levels and deeper depths that we can learn about God if we remain humble, teachable (childlike). 3. In what way does sharing clothing and food with the poor constitute meaningful repentance? What ways do you find to do this in your everyday life? Sharing our clothing and food with the poor, speaks to the condition of our heart. It shows are care for those who don’t have food or clothing. Whatever we do unto the least of these … we do it unto Christ. 4. Tax collectors were tempted to collect more than was due them. How does this same temptation show up in your line of work or education or home? This is the temptation of greed and not being content with what one has and desiring or coveting or ******* after what isn’t your’s. 5. How will we know when we have repented? What are the fruits of genuine repentance? We will know when we have truly repented - when there’s a change in our actions, a change in our mind set, a change attitudes, lifestyles, desires. The fruits of genuine repentance is obedience to the word, will and ways of God. Fruits of genuine repentance is genuine love, kindness, peace, long suffering (the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5th Chapter). The fruits of genuine repentance is “change” (spiritual growth), allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus the Christ. 6. How does discontent with our lot in life cause us to sin? What would constitute repentance in this circumstances. Discontent with our lot in life causes us to sin by not be grateful, thankful and appreciative for all that God has given us. It can also lead to a complaining spirit. Impatient spirit, angry and accusatory spirit against God. When this happens, doors are opened that allows Satan a foothold into our lives and heart. Satan plants his seed weeds in our heart - that causes us to doubt God or to make us think God doesn’t love us or that he loves others more. Repentance in these circumstances is much like tilling a ground full of weeds, roots, stones (we must break up our fallow ground). The book of Joel speaks to breaking up our fallow ground (things/sins/) in our heart that are deep rooted. Surrendering, Submitting, Yielding and confessing these sins and asking God/The Holy Spirit to uproot them out of our heart/out of our lives/out of our attitudes/ out of our spirit will bring about the CHANGE that comes from true repentance!