Bible References: Acts 20:24; Acts 1:5; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:16-20; Matthew 5:3; Matthew 5:4; John 8:32; Ephesians 1:3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor  and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,  and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise     instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-5 In this prophetic scripture, we see the ministry of Christ attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit when it says, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me.” By the empowering of the Spirit, Jes

Galatians 4:21-31 The difference between believers who rested in Christ only, and those who trusted in the law, is explained by the lives of Isaac and Ishmael. These things are an example and the Spirit of God points out something further. Hagar and Sarah are examples of the new and old covenant. The heavenly Jerusalem, the true church from above, represented by Sarah, is in a state of freedom, and is the mother of all believers, who are born of the Holy Spirit.  They were by regeneration and true faith, made a part of the true seed of Abraham, according to the promise made to him.  Hagar is of the earth, always fighting for survival receiving their reward while on earth and never taking it into eternal life. A life of torment – never being good enough. So then, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free. We would not have found out this example in the history of Sarah and Hagar, if it had not been shown to us, and this is what was intended by the Holy Spirit

Romans 4:1-16; Gal 3:19; Deuteronomy 32:20 It is vitally important that every Christian study the life of Abraham, because one of Paul’s greatest revelations was that he was the ideal pattern for mankind’s justification with God. Paul came to understand that righteousness, and from that full justification could only come by God’s grace, through faith, apart from any of mankind’s human efforts. For Paul, Abraham was the proof of this. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all…Romans 4:16. Not only was Abraham, the Patriarch of the Jews, declared righteous by God specifically because of his belief apart from keeping a list of commandments (Genesis 15:6), but that declaration of his righteousness and right standing with God came centuries before the Law had been given through Moses. While there were many

Matt 22:37-39 In OT God spoke through His Word and the prophets In NT God spoke through His Word and the Holy Spirit (now) 1  Worship God  -  Love the Lord your God...worship God Matt 22.37, loving God.  God doesn't just want lip service, but fulfilling these life purposes. 2  Ministry -  Matt 22:39 - loving others.  Love people regardless, even the sand paper people.   3  Evangelism - Matt 28:19-20 - ethnic groups, make disciples - v19a, Evangelism Individualism has caused so much harm, especially Christians.  How do we go and make disciples?  A disciple is different to a believer.  Satan believes in God.  A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, and has a relationship with Him.  The Holy Spirit is our helper. 4  Fellowship.  Until you taken home as a baby you dont have a family.  Baptism, incorporating people into a family.  A baby becomes part of a family when the mother and father pick the baby and take that child home.  Matt 28:19b  To lead in Church (be a Pastor)

Bible References: Rev. 1:4-6; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Col. 1:15-18; 1 Peter 2:9; Mark 1:9-11; Rom. 6:6-14; John 15:5; 1 Peter 3:15 We have beliefs and Values.  Our values don't mean much unless we put them into actions.  We need to be people in the world who keep morality and keep values that build up, not pull down. We are not to have empathy, BUT we are to have compassion. Empathy:  Identification with and understanding of another's situation, feelings, and motives. Compassion:   Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. We as believers and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are Overcomers not the underdogs.  We are all ministers - we all share the ministry of reconciliation.  We are all in a full time vocation - a minister of JC! Some practices we need to establish daily: Read the Bible everyday Pray everyday Regularly meet with fellow Christians to encourage each other and build up each other remember each Church is a BODY no

References: 2 Corinthians 6:2-10 John 3:17 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Luke 19 Acts 13, 14, 17 2 Corinthians 5 The Story of the Woman at the Well John 4:7-26 Good News Translation (GNT)  "A Samaritan woman came to draw some water, and Jesus said to her, Give me a drink of water. (His disciples had gone into town to buy food.)  The woman answered,  You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan—so how can you ask me for a drink? (Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritans use.)   Jesus answered, If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water.  Sir, the woman said, you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where would you get that life-giving water?  It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his children and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you?  Jesus answered, Those who drink this water will get thirsty again,but