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Q1. (Hebrews 2:9) In what ways did Jesus suffer during his life and death? In what ways are we likely to suffer? Does suffering have any value? What happens when we live in such a way to avoid all suffering? Jesus suffered hundreds of ways. First His family had to go to Egypt to escape king Herod. Secondly, from the very beginning of His ministry He was not accepted in His home town. People simply couldn't believe He was the Son of God, even though all the evidence (if anyone cared toook) made it clear. This meant He could not minister to those people. The customs of Jerusalem made Him weep. Behaviour in the temple made Him furious. His dicsiples found it very difficult to understand His teachings at times and missed the point completely. They had no idea what He was going through on the passover night before he was captured, so He prayed without their support. He knew exactly who He was, and throughout His ministry had to teach His disciples how to accept His death and resurrection. They didn't "get" it until Pentecost. So, one of the most difficult things He sufered was being misunderstood. No-one was up to it! Then He suffered as a man anticipating all the pain of whipping and crucifixion. He knew exactly, from the scriptures, what he was to suffer, and could have put a stop to it so very easily. In fact I think it was very hard for Him not to stop it, as the very soldiers who apprehended Him fell right down whenH e mentined His Name! Effecively He had to release them to capture Him. So He had to deliberately permit them to whip and crucify Him. However, this didn't stop Him fearing what they were going to do and the pain therof. Nevertheless, at theFather's will He suffered all of it - even to death. We are made in His image, so we are likely to suffer likewise, if not in so great an extreme! We will suffer the mockery of unbelief, the treachery of the traitor (turncoat) in relationships, maybe even torture or physical death for the sake of faith. Through all of it, like Him, we are to keep our eyes on the Glory set before us and endure to THE END! If we live to avoid all suffering we are living for pleasure only. Love and loyalty for Jesus means that we will remain faithful to Him regardless of cost. We will experience taunts etc for being "wowser" or straight-laced. Maybe at a later time we will be "punished" for our adherence to theChristian faith. We need to be greatly in love with our precious Jesus to deal with this faithfully.t We need the same powerful faith to deliver any answers to the young ones! """" If, perchance, it is all toomuch and we avoin suffering fitting one inthe Melbourne holy Stree

Q4. (Hebrews 2:3b-4) In what way has the truth of salvation been confirmed to you? Would signs and wonders help or hinder establishing the truth of Christ's ministry today? From which portion of the Bible have you formed your opinion of the value of signs and wonders today? TheTruth of Salvation has been confirmed to me by the vision of living by love I received on the first day, by the prayers I have had answered, by other people telling me things only God coulc have told them, by asking Father things and having immediate replies, by revelations within scripture, by my daily increasing love of His word and understanding of how it lives and is our connection with Heaven, by the pain of seeing God so fiercely mocked in the world, and by the inspiring lives of friends who love Jesus also, and most of all by Who He is! Signs and wonders might help, although people get attached to them (what I can get out of religion) rather than to the truth, which is actually more important. It worries me that we can have a ministry of signs and wonders and still be in error in major parts of our lives - eg not having control of the tongue or sexuality. Obedience, not a ministry of signs and wonders, is the test of whether we will receive eternal life. I've seen pastors with major ministries outrageously defective in terms of obedience in these two areas and it worries me. Reading these sections in Hebrews has confirmed for me that signs and wonders can eclipse some things that need attention - not that I don't want to see healings because they reflect God's great glory and we are supposed to walk in the works that God has prepared for us to walk in. When obedience is not there, the signs and wonders disappear eventually as the relationship with God disintegrates. "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another". This is what I like to see in praactice and it's actually rare in Western society. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I'm a sounding brass or a clanging bell" - just a big noise really. We need to love Jesus passionately, obey Him fanatically, and keep a severe check on ourselves in the light of scripture lest we fail to make the grade. It's those who complete the race victorious that get the crowns, no-one else!

Q3. (Hebrews 2:1) In what ways are we not immune to drifting away from the gospel? According to the author, how can we successfully resist the tendency to drift? How did Jesus describe this phenomenon of "drift" in the Parable of the Sower? Our sinful nature constantly urges us to neglect Jesus in favour of "more important" things. We have to be on constant watch against this, as by nature we believe the old lie/seduction of satan - "Really?" 'We need to give more earnest heed' means we have to devise ways of staying close to Jesus - establishing the habits of daily prayer and study, attendance at a church, involvement with other Christians. Being aware of the danger we need to put things in place to prevent the drift tendency. In the Parable of The Sower the seed falls on various soil types, only one of which is productive. It is so because the soil is soft, uncontaminated by other interests, and no birds come to remove the seed. In other words, about 25% of those who hear the word might receive it and incorporate it into their style, but 75% will neglect it and find themselves short of the mark. That is frightening. No-one wants to be found short (of oil) on the day of judgement. The consequences are unimaginably terrible! Therefore we need to pay close attention.

The Father/Son relationship makes Jesus divine. He is of the Father's essence, even for the period when He inhabited the earth in human flesh. The angels are to worship Him and He is the express glory of God which no human can touch. He has a throne together with God, the scepter of righteousness, and is annointed with the oil of gladness more than any other. all this is because He is the Son, not a messenger, angel or prophet ony, but the Son. Ths Son has a throne and sceptre, so He is the ruler of a Kingdom. He was involved at creation and the heavens are the work of His hands. Effectively He is the voice - or Word - of God. Jesus has still the role of maintenance until the appointed time for the creation to perish - to fold up like a cloak. God has so honoured Him because He loves righteousness and hated lawlessness. In other words He thinks exactly like the Father.

Q1. (Hebrews 1:2) In what way do you think the author of Hebrews is using the word "Son"? As a metaphor? As a biological relationship? How would a Son's words have more weight than a prophet's? The use of the word "Son" is no metaphor - it describes a real (not poetic licence) relationship. Jesus was actually, physically sired by the Holy Spirit of God. It is a biological relationship in some sense. It demonstrates more something like the relationship between a king and His first-born son, the Crown Prince and heir to the throne. A king might send ambassadors (cf prophets) to other countries, and they can develop the relationship between the two nations to some extent. But, really, the best they can do is to prepare for the time when the kings of the two countries meet together. John the Baptist did this. Sheba could have sent ambassadors to Solomon's court, but the real event was when Sheba went herself and Solomon could meet with her. When Jesus came, it was like Sheba at Solomon's court - romance in the air - looking for His bride. The Son has authority that an ambassador can never have. Even so, the ambassador can have authority, as when Abraham presented his servant with a very special trust (hand under thigh time) to go select a bride for Isaac. Nevertheless, the central issue was the son in that case too. The King has all the authority (otherwise he wouldn't be king!) which will, one day, be passed on to his son and heir. The Son has already royal status! Therefore all his (the king's) efforts focus on his son. It would be normal to build his whole empire around his Son. Thle Son of God is therefore the focus for us

Q2. (Ephesians 6:13) What is difficult about standing our ground in today's world? In what way can standing our ground be considered victory? Why are the saints in Revelation 12:11 considered victorious over the devil? How did they stand their ground? Stabnding our ground in today's world is often a lonely thing to do. At the moment it seems that the whole world is against you, because you can't see who is "just testing", who isn't game but admires you for standing, and none of your Christian friends are present, youmight be 'vilified' by others for standing your ground When we stand our ground we are victorious againt these things the devil would throw against us, or would have us believe (lies). We are not alone ut expressing our faith in Christ who died for us - alone. and continues to walk with us everywhere knowing. If we will not state our belief publicly there is no victory, for Jesus said that if we publicle recognise Him, He also will recognise us before His Father. How can the world know who we are unless we stand? They overcame evil by the blood of the Lamb and their testimony (testimony = standing up and being counted for Jesus). They were willing to stand though it cost them their lives because being right with God is more important than life itself! They stood their ground by giving thanks for the blood of the aLamb and remembering their debt, by making public what they knew of Jesus whatever the cost. They faced the accuser of the brethren squarely and uncovered His lies through the truth that Jesus has shown us, being willing to speak the word of truth as they experienced its power into every situation.

Q5. (Ephesians 6:15-17) Why is it important to have your "shield" up each day? In what way does the "helmet of salvation" protect you? Is the "sword of the Spirit" an offensive or defensive weapon? How do you keep it sharp and ready for the battle? Each day there are gossips saying things about you, people attacking you behind your back about your faith, people trying to make you feel guilty about something they want you to do for them, people misinterpreting the thiings you said, people blaming you for things that are not of your doing, and all sorts of things that might occupy your mind unless you know your scripture and have your answers ready. With the scriptures you are armed with the truth which sets you free of whatever other people would like to put on you, or what ever traps the demons have set for you. You don't take on that which is not the truth and demons and people can't hurt you. Their lies have no meaning for you because you don't pay any attention to them. This is the faith shield that protects you. What you believe is your motivation. If you believe truth, then satanic lies can't offend of damage you. The helmet of salvation is there to protect the mind which is recreated like the mind of Christ. The saved mind revolves around Jesus our redeemer, not around the things of the world.The helmet of salvation discerns between those things that are of God and should enter the mind, and those which are of the devil and have no place in Chlristian thinking. It is discernment, wisdom and understanding, the functions of the Christian mentality. The sword of the Spirit is definitely an offensive weapon with which we attack and demolish demonic forces. They might whisper lies to us, but we return the Word of the Lord which is the sword of the Spirit and defeats every lie that might oppose us. The Word is mighty to save. It is understood in the world that the pen is mightier than the sword. So God's word (written or otherwise) is the mightiest force in the universe since it defines the boundaries of the universe in the smallest areas, and NEVER returns to God void! To keep the sWORD sharp and ready for battle you read it daily, commit it to memory, and use it at every opportunity to defeat satan or to witness and testify of your faith. You keep tuned in to it and operate in obedience to it or in accordance with it, and it will, in turn, keep you safe strong and victorious.

Q4. (Ephesians 6:15) What would be the characteristic of a person who didn't have his feet ready to run with the Gospel? How does heart preparation make you more ready to share the Good News with those around you? How does this help defeat the dominion of darkness? The first characteristic would be that they are not bringing people to the Lord. The other side of this coin is possibly that they are not prepared to go out of their comfort zone. The passion for souls doesn't involve a plan or program for salvations. maybe it means that the person is more concerned with the Gospel as a means of serving their personal interests (eg personal development, problem solution/evasion) than as a command to reach the nations. Perhaps there is a lack of victorious living in this case. Heart preparation means that we have a heart ofter God's heart, as had King David. It means that God is everything to us and we love to see Him pleased and not disappointed. It means our mind is made over in the image of Christ, and serves our heart after God's heart, rather than dominating the scene! It means that whatever needs doing is done, whatever the cost and without second thoughts. It means we are motivated by love, the love of prople rather than love of ourselves. We see things in God's terms, rather than human terms. We know scriptures increasingly every day and are very much alert (alive) and responsive to his messages. Everything runs around Jesus, the King of Kings, not around humanity. This helps defeat the dominion of darkness because we simply don't give any consideration or thought to the powers of darkness because they are only the manipulations of fear and lies. We share God's determination that His purposes will not return to Him void, that they will be achieved in the very situations in which we find ourselves. We are totally aligned with God and His intentions, and give no space to the Devil to operate! We have the wisdom from study of scripture and from the logos and theSpirit of God to do this. "Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us fromthe love (and purpose) of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38,39.)

Q3. (Ephesians 6:5-8) What are the characteristics called for in a truly Christian employee, according to Ephesians 6:5-8? How can these attitudes help us in difficult work situations? Servants are to do good consistently and from the heart, for so they will be rewarded in Heaven. We are to doeverything as if doing for Christ, which indeedwe are. In difficult work situations scripture gives excellent guidelines as to what is appropriate and right in every situation. We will be leaders in spite of being servants, because we will set the example in doing things well and right. It may cost us, yet we continue to do things God's way. In all situations we will be gentle and kind, even though we have a point of view to put in front of people. We will not be moved from Truth and real Freedom in Christ. Our attitude of service with respect (and of love) will honour both bosses, other employees and our Father in Heaven.

Over correction can be associated with anorexia. Ignoring a child or paying insufficient attention to him/her may well cause major depression if not outright rebellion. Putting children down will produce undesirable effects. Some children ex;por by pushing people's buttons hardand need stronger correction than others whose desire is to please their parents. Each is different and warrants special attention. The training and instruction of the lord involves spending time with children in doing lots of things together, discussing their lives and what God might have to say about things. It also involves lots of encouragement, which means that you need to get to know the child and what s/he is good at so they may feel encouraged and strengthened, I think anticipation is important - seeing what is coming up in the near future and discussing appropriate scenarios so the child will be forewarned about the issues, and has a "management plan" in place, eg the need to discuss teenage issues early so chldren can see what goes on and make sound decision for themseles. Sensing a child's problems and being ready for discussion is valuable. There is so much involved. For example, today I was watching a James Dobson program on the effects of computer games on children. Having time and interest in the children is so urgent. Too many times parents are too busy to know what is really going on, and regret it later.

Q1. (Ephesians 6:1-3) What kind of obedience and honor is appropriate for adult children to show towards their parents? What might be the exceptions? How do respect and forgiveness figure in this relationship? I think adult children are past blind obedience to parents except if they still live in their parents' house. In that case they are still obliged to submit to parental rules about the house. They are certainly to rspect the fact that their parents own the house and deserve to be content within it, content with the way it is run etc. When they have their own home they can make the rules. However, adult children are to honour their parents at al times. If they differ in a point of view, they are still to respect the parent in his/her viewpoint, and agree to differ. Their spouse comes before parent in fealty and parents are not permitted to come between their child and spouse. Parents can still be honoured however, by having physical needs (including some company) met in old age, by having their opinions sought on important issues (they possibly have some wisdom to offer), having birthdays remembered, and lots of little ways. Close relations should be sought and encouragement given all around! There are always exceptions - when parents want civil law or God's law broken, when they want to interfere between husband and wife, or want to dominate their lives. Respect is required at all times, even for the worst of parents. One can still give respect and honour. Forgiveness makes this possible. Loving is not the same as giving in all the time. Love can occur even when wisdom differs.

Q4. (Ephesians 5:32) In what sense is Christ our Husband as individuals? As a church? What are the implications of this for our lives? What does this say about Christ's responsibilities towards us? Christ is father to the fatherless and husband to the widow. He is my husband seeing that I am alone. He has most amazingly brought me help as I have needed it - with my car miraculously, and with my health by hearing my prayer and responding immediately! I can have no doubt that He is watching over me all the time, listening also. It is as if I had someone right here to ask for the help I need. Indeed I have! As a church He also hears our prayers and ministers to our need, for our need is His need, seeing that we are one with Him. i think that when our prayers reflect the unity with Him, with His divine purpose, He responds fast. When we step out from that unity He is unable to be so responsive. The implication of this is that we are to study unity with Him, to remain under his protection and in his care. If the bride steps out of the marriage and its culture, then the husband can no longer support her. So, if the church becomes out of alignment it does not receive the protection of the Master. Unity with Jesus is the key for the church. Jesus seeks to keep all who are committed to Him as He did with the disciples excluding Judas. In speaking with the Father He stated that He had done this - been faithful to that duty. He is faithful at that same time He prayed for all of us who would laterbelieve in Him through the word of His disciples. He had us in mind right from the beginning and is committed to us. Praise Yeshua!

Q3. (Ephesians 5:28) In what sense is a husband's care for his wife's needs just common sense in taking care of his own needs? What is the principle from Genesis 2:24 that underlies this? A wife is as much part of a husband as his arms and legs are. Therefore he needs to take care of her in the same manner, to be sensitive to her as to his own needs, and to see that those needs are met. This includes psychological needs as well as physical, also to take care of discipline (with children) in the house so that she is respected and loved by them. They will largely follow his attitude towards her, so that needs to be positive and caring. If he treats her with this kind of love it will be easier for her to give him the respect that he so longs for. If he is responsive, her wisdom will not be lost on him. Her wisdom doesn't need to threaten his position in the family, but add to it. aChildren know exactly what is going on in the house, and they will be much easier to deal with if mother and father have unity together than if they are divisible through their own self-importance. When a man marries a wife, she becomes part of him, which his parents are not and never were (because he was on loan to them by God to be brought up in wisdom). Therefore a man must not allow his parents to come between him and his wife. He must insist that they respect her and treat them as a single entity in society. The same actually goes for a woman, eg her relationship with her mother must not be permitted to intrude upon her proper relationship with her husband. This doesn't mean that parents will not be loved, cared for and respected by both. It simply means that everything will have its right order and priority. In other words, when children marry, it is appropriate for parents to treat them more as they treat other adults, no longer as children. They are no longer in the "obey your parents" scenario because they are no longer children, although they might well seek parental wisdom on certain issues, and should certainly honour their parents.

Q2. (Ephesians 5:25-30) Does being head of the wife involve being "boss"? Why or why not? What does being "head" require of a husband? What is the example husbands are to follow in headship? There are lot of categories of "boss" - authoritarian, democratic, lasse-faire etc. I think Jesus opens up a new category. He definitely is the "boss" because we will eventually be judged by His words. His standards are high, yet His love is great. I once knew a man who worked on oil rigs. He was the naval architect and "boss" of the rig. His men told me they loved him because if they made a mistake he simply came alongside and said "try it this way next time" and showed them the best method. He took care of his men in many other ways also. This is Jesus kind of "boss" and if men could be like this in their families I think it would be most acceptable. So if "boss" means accepting responsibility, yes, the husband is boss. Whether he is successful at it depends on his methods. Being "head" requires responsibility and devotion, putting the people first under Jesus. He is, in fact, managing for Jesus, and needs to imitate Jesus' style as part of the "Family Company". Men need to follow Jesus' example. Everything is given for the benefit of the family, and nothing is retained for his own interest alone! My dad was a golf adict in his retirement. However, he had put this great love on hold (enjoying just the occasional game) while we were growing up in order to better serve his family. I admire this quality and self-discipline in him immensely.

Q1. (Ephesians 5:22-24) Why should a wife submit to her husband? According to these verses, to what degree is a wife required to submit to a husband who is not a Christian or who is a carnal Christian? Does submission mean a wife doesn't verbally disagree? What if there's a conflict with the wife's conscience? A wife should submit to her husband because you can't have unity when two people are pulling in opposite directions and he has final responsibility to God. She is largely responsible for creating the unity in the family, although he has some responsibility in this too, but his is different. Particularly in front of the children they must present a united front or the children will play on their differences. A wife needs to submit in all respects unless he is proposing something that is sin in the eyes of God. She may (and should) present her arguments to her husband, but in the end the decision is his. If his decision does not respect God's laws then she may say that she cannot go along with it. Submission does not mean that she is always in total agreement - she is entitled to have her say, and really to be heard by her husband, who, if he is a wise man (and many are not) will listen. But, seeing they can't both make opposite decisions, the task falls in the husband's hands. Conflict with conscience means that the wife may explain her feelings and, if it is real conscience 9not just feelings) she may desist gently and take an alternative path in deference to God.

Q2. (Ephesians 5:15-16) Why does Paul exhort us to make the most of every opportunity? Why do we resist that? What must happen in our lives so we can be ready for the opportunity? Whatever we do has repercussions in our lives. Everything we do is a seed sown for the future which cannot be undone. We can repent, but we cannot undo the past. Seeing that we are active every moment of our lives (even doing nothing is using the moment!) Then we need to make good use of every moment so that the consequence will be advantageous and beneficial. If the days are evil, then we have to be very aware of what is good and what is evil, so we must be careful to study the Word to know truth, and make wise choices. Wisdom, says the proverb, is the utimate thing. Every moment represents an opportunity to do good. Every good thing that we o is recorded in Heaven as a jewel for our crown. This is our treasure in Heaven (not our means of getting there - that is jesus alone). We can take nothing to Heaven except other people, so we need to use the time to be kind, to help and to sow seeds of faith in others. These are the opportunities we have while we are here. Why do we resist that? In our western world we seek above all things convenience. We hardly know that we do it, it is so ingrained. We hate to be inconvenienced by weather, people we don't like so well, by God's reasonable expectations of us. We simply tend not to see what we don't want to see. We are short on time to tune in with God. We allow ignorance to run its course rather than sharpen up and be aware of the time and opportunity. We run in ruts rather than with the Holy Spirit of the living God. I think if we pay more attention to the time we spend with God quietly, we will become more aware of the opportunities we have to do the works that He has prepared for us to walk in. If we are truly in love with Jesus we will do His will. As we truly seek God in prayer about the people around about us, we will have increasing desire to win them for Him.

Q1. (Ephesians 5:2-3) Why does Paul warn so strongly against sexual sin? Is sexuality part of our spiritual life or can it be (should it be) partitioned from our spiritual life? Those who engage in any kind of sexual sin will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore we need to embrace sexual purity including in our thoughts and in modest clothing that is not suggestive. Modest clothing can still be very beautiful. Our spiritual life is connected to everything we do. You can't separate the spiritual from its outworking in the physical any more than you can separate a man's politics from his religion. Each part of the personality works with each other part. Spiritual lilfe is a very practical thing for the Christian. God always preferred us to take care of widows and orphans than to give sacrifices, to love one another because that is tantamount to loving God. Therefore you cannot separate sexuality into another box from faith. Misuse of sexuality is abuse of the other person involved (even if it's ***********) and therefore is inconsistent with loving God. Love is not **** and **** is abuse. It seeks to use another person for its own benefit without thought for the other.

Q2. (Ephesians 4:26-27). Why did God give us the emotion of anger, do you think? How can anger be dangerous? How can we keep from sinning when we are angry? Is anger itself sin? Anger, llike fear, jealousy, envy, is a good capacity to have. It is necessary at times. A couple shoud be jealous of interference in their relationship, we should rightly fear a lion, or a horse's kick. We need envy for god has told us to envy (covet) the spiritual gifts We are to anger over injustice to the poor and take care of themand desire them. Anger is needed to correct injustice. However, misuse of these feeling can cause al sorts of troubles. Therefore we are to be strongly disciplined in the way we handle our emotions. This is definitely possible. Anger and the other emotions are like horses. if they are broken in and tamed they are wonderful, powerful creatures which can be most valuable to us. Untamed, unbridled and saddled theyare frightfuly dangerous. They know all the tricks of the trae in getting rid of those who can't ride them. But what an asset if you can! Same with emotions. If you can't establish control over them you have a runaway on your hands and that is useless. Anger is a tool, not a sin. It's misuse produces evil and is called sin..

Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values? The Mortal Disease of the Intellect! Reason, they say, is the ultimate truth And the intellect is understanding. Why then all these wars, with intelligent men Their compatriots on death marches leading?

Q3. (Ephesians 4:11) How could a person have the spiritual gift of pastor or teacher without having an official position in a church? What must a church do if its "senior pastor" doesn't have the spiritual gift of pastor? Who gives these gifts? Apiritual gifts are given by God, not men. Someone in a church might have such a gift and it is not recognised or understood by the leadership. If opportunities are not available then such gifts remain hidden If the senior pastor is unable, for whatever reason, to shepherd the church, then others must be appointed to the task, otherwisee the flock will simply go elsewhere. They want and need some attention from a pastor.

Q2. (Ephesians 4:11) How can we stir up the gift of evangelism among members of our congregations? What might be the earmarks of a person with this gift? How can we encourage and stimulate the Spirit-gifted evangelists in our midst? Stirring up the gift of evangelism among the congregation is a difficult one but essential. I think the telling of testimonies is most important and valuable. People need to delight in giving their testimony - telling their story This way we learn how to minister to one another so everyone develops those skills which can then be applied elsewhere. People generally can't do anything until they can see how it's done and watch the processThle Bible says it's by the Blood of the lamb and their testimony, so that is what we need to practice and observe until it comes naturally. The earmarks of a person with the gift of evangelism might be their ability to communicate freely with everybody, and a large number of people brought into the Kingdom. They are good Bible students, travellers etc. To encourage a Spirit-gifted evangelist in our midst, help his program financially. We should financially back those we want to encourage so they don't constantly have money worries. Opportunities to speak will be important. Prayer support during their services will help.. Keeping in touch with encouragement , will help too as it is sometimes lonely work. Providing follow-up for their proteges will be important if they are not doing it themselves, and creates a team feeling.

Q1. (Ephesians 4:11) If there were apostles today, why kind of function might they have? What needs do our congregations and regional groupings of churches have that an apostle might meet? How might we detect false apostles? (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2) An apostle might have oversight of a group of churches, by virtue of the fact that his apostleship was recognised and desired by those churches as oversight and a gifting to their activities. The needs that churches have that might be met by an apostle are Powerful teaching Great ability in Mentorship and pastoring of the pastors of those churches.(shepherding skills) Healing giftings Prophetic gifts. Prayer Community influence and care. False apostles are those who insert themselves into a congregation and try to seek their own following. Their prophecies do not turn out to be consistently correct and they don't submit to the authority and judgement of the leaders but try topush their own varrow. They cause division and speak poorly of other leaders to enhance their own position. They do not have a servant heart which is an essential test. When dealing with people they seem to have their own agenda to serve more than having the people's interests at heart..

Q4. (Ephesians 4:7-10) Who gives spiritual gifts? Can our "natural" talents be related to our "spiritual" gifts? How? What is the difference between a natural God-given talent and a spiritual gift? When God created me He created me wonderfully, with gifts and talents to celebrate His glory. Wneh Adam fell he died. He lost the Spirit of God that had been breathed into Him by God, and was restored at Pentecost by Jesus. To me, natural gifts represent the functioning of the human without the Spirit of God to enliven the man. The Spiritual gifts represent the functioning of the man with the Holy Spirit of God restored to him, enlivening him. It is like a light bulb. It's all there potentially but not in evidence until someone turns the light on, and then the whole potential is revealed. Yet, before the light was turned on you could see the potential beauty of the bulb,especially if it was made of coloured glass, or had pictures drawn in it. So we can recognise the innate beauty of the unsaved man, but only in salvation will his full power in the Spirit be revealed. No two will be the same I think spiritual gifts are the natural gifts livened by the Spirit of the living God, and have unlimited dimensions .

I don't think it's so much about spending energy on unity. If we remain very close to Jesus we will have unity with all the others of whateer denomination who also remain close to Jesus. The only thing we can do about disunity is to draw closer to Jesus for correction in the spirit. Unity is about He in us and we in Him. He left His peace with us and that is the arbiter of all that we do. We owill either have peace in our spirit or we will be agitatedin the spirit. If there is agitation then we need to lok to Jesus for direction, correction, whatever is needed. We cannot be in unity with Him without loving our brother as we do ourselves, so this is a given. Yet if a brother trespass, we are encouraged to correct - making absolutely certain that this is done according to scriptural manners, in order to bring him back). This also enhances unity. Unity can only be had in the spirit. It is not something we can engineer by human effort. It is most important seeing that it was the subjectof Jesus prayers immediately before they took Him off for crucifixion. The bond of peace: "My peace I leave with you" said Jesus to His disciples.If we are right with God in all respects we will be at peace with Him. If we are in some respect out of order, or have not attended to something He wants of us, we will experience lack of peace - probably as a gut feeling we have not yet learned to understand. This is a sensitivity we need to develop and be very aware of. It comes of loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, because then we hate to be out of sync with Him - it disturbs us too much. Everything with God is a function of passionate love. If we love someone we know when things are not right between us. So it is with God. And we must put it right immediately It is so much joy to be moved by God in His ways. Not to be moveable is hardness of heart and no joy. To be intent on argument and dissension is out of order. Argument as such is a dead loss. If we are in disagreement with someone we must put our point, strongly prayerfully and gently and pray that the truth will come out, as it is the truth that sets us free. We must be set on discovering truth, even to our cost (but it's never to our cost really). Truth is more important than our own agenda and we must always be willing to give up our own agenda in its favour, but at the same time to stand firmly on it. We are not to be people-pleasers and bend if that does not serve truth, but neither are we to become heated and urgent to "win". We need constantly to pray for those with whom we differ, examining ourselves and asking God to bring truth. If we have no agenda but to love Jesus, we will be at peace with truth and will love it We will also know how best to love the person with whom we differ.

Blood flows through our arteries and veins, collects oxygen and distributes it faithfully, bringing health to the body. But the minute some blood cells decide to dominate the others we have a cancer which brings increasing disease and eventually death. Jesus is the lifeblood of the church and submitted Himself to that role among us, giving us His life in the process. He served in this role faithfully, ministering to the whole body. He served even His disciples, washing their feet, and when blood had to be let He submitted to that also. He brought Life, overcoming death (cancer = pride, arrogance, domination). So must we operate in service, patience and humility, lest we bring disease to God's people and minister death instead of life. Right doctrine will never replace love and service to others as a witness to our Lord. "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love for one another". Love is our focus. If we don't have love we are just a big noise with no meaning. (!Cor13:1). Arrogance in any form misrepresents Jesus completely. If we misrepresent (lie about) a product in business we will be sued or fired. Misrepresenting Jesus is no lesser a crime. His Name is to be honoured in everything we do and say lest we be found to be misrepresenting Him to those whom He desires in His bride. There is incredible power in gentleness. I have found that you can get away with all sorts of confrontation if you do it with gentleness and sensitivity. Gentleness wins confidence because it is unthreatening and seeks only good. Australia is building great relationships with Asian countries nearby because it sends its army in when there are great disasters to assist and bring medical resources. When they have done what they can they depart peacefully, having done only good things. This is mighty powerful diplomacy. It works at every level! It opens the way for conversation with those countries on other levels. We need to apply this diplomacy at every level of our lives, fromfamilies to neighbours, to cities, to countries. God is so honoured. Fighting is done with truth, for the truth will set us free. Nothing else does. So we apply the truth in every situation, gently, in order that people will be able to let down their defences and receive it.