March 13, 2011

 Matthew 4: 18-22 

 Becoming Fishers For People

Matthew

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers - Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew - fishing with a net, for they were commercial fishermen.  Jesus called out to them, "Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people."  And they left their nets at once and went with him. 

A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, mending their nets.  And he called them to come, too.  They immediately followed him leaving the boat and their father behind. 

***

Thoughts.....

Before I open this morning, I feel we need to pray for our brothers and sisters and those in the world suffering from the mighty and horrific effects of the recent earthquake and tsunami.  So, please, without further ado, pray with me, please.

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please be with everyone in the world suffering from the effects of the recent earthquake and tsunami.  Although we know Japan was affected, as was the west coast of America, there could be others we do not know about whom we may have never known of their exisitence on a remote island somewhere.  There are boats shoreless with possible inhabitants.  There may even be people trying to float awaiting rescue still, as others are on land.  We beg you to send the workers into the fields and waterways to find all those at risk of death.  And for those suffering beyond measure, we pray your mercy will be swift, that you will embrace them in your arms, saved or not, for we need miracles here, Lord.  We pray that the people in the world not affected, will step up and help our neighbors who most need help.  And in doing so, be reminded that everyday someone somewhere suffers and to not just stop giving when this monumental crisis has seen your healing glory.  All suffering is monumental to those who suffer.  May we all reach out in all the ways we can, as we can, to help those on foreign shores, or ours, wherever we are.  And we pray that your love will be immeasurable to those who need it most.  We thank you.  In Jesus' holy and mighty name we pray.  Amen.

This morning I will be sharing with you the 'Four Spiritual Laws' which was written by Bill Bright.*  In every Christian bookstore, you will find this tract.  Years ago, and still in some areas, you will find it plastered on a phone poll.  It is handed out in coffee shops, shared at ecumenical/evangelistic events, given to college students by others, offered at ladies' groups and men's alike.  It may even be available in the entry of your church.  The intent is to get it into as many hands as possible, so that everyone will hear the saving message of Jesus Christ, and having heard it, accept him as Lord and Savior of their lives.  It is brilliant and simple in its layout.  I do not possess the capability, or perhaps I just don't possess the know how to copy or scan the pages to give it to you exactly with diagrams.  So I will adjust the phraseology only as it pertains to the diagrams.  I encourage you to find a copy of this tract/pamphlet.  The diagrams make it even simpler to understand.  It is profound in its message, exacting in its truths, compelling in its embrace, as it calls people to come....to Jesus' open arms.   

In becoming fishers for people, as we are ALL called to do, you will embark on the most rewarding multi-level/network marketing phenomenon in history.  You will be giving the opportunity for others to be forgiven of their sins, the opportunity for eternal life, and the opportunity to have an abundant life.  By proclaiming the Gospel that Jesus Christ lived and died on a cross for them, and continues to live, having been resurrected to a new life, HE can live in the hearts and minds of others today, if they choose to accept him as Lord and Savior.  So let's get started.  I will be presenting all the laws this week.  I was going to divide it into two weeks, but have decided to give it to you in its entirety.  Oh, how I wish I could give you this with the diagrams...it makes it so easy to understand.  Quoted directly from The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell, I give you the Four Spiritual Laws:

"Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe, so are there spiritual laws that govern your relationship with God.

LAW 1:  GOD LOVES YOU, AND OFFERS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE. 

God's Love

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16 NKJV).

God's Plan

(Christ speaking):  "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (that it may be full and meaningful) (John 10:10 NKJV). 

Why is it that most people are not experiencing the abundant life?

Because....

LAW 2:  MAN IS SINFUL AND SEPARATED FROM GOD, THEREFORE, HE CANNOT KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD'S LOVE AND PLAN FOR HIS LIFE.

Man Is Sinful

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"  (Romans 3:23 NKJV).

Man was created to have fellowship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own independent way, and fellowhip with God was broken.  This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

Man Is Separated

"For the wages of sin is death" (spiritual separation from God) (Romans 6:23 NKJV).

This [the] diagram illustrates that God is holy and man is sinful.  A great gulf separates the two.  The arrows illustrate that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts, such as a good life, philosophy, or religion.

[Picture two parallel lines drawing them left to right, so there is one on the top and one on the bottom.  Above the top line are the words 'HOLY GOD'.  Beneath the bottom line are the words SINFUL MAN.  From the top of the bottom line are arrows pointing up to the top line in varying sizes.]

The Third Law explains the only way to bridge this gulf...

LAW 3:  JESUS CHRIST IS GOD'S ONLY PROVISION FOR MAN'S SIN.  THROUGH HIM YOU CAN KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD'S LOVE AND PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.

He Died in Our Place

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"  (Romans 5:8 NKJV).

He Rose from the Dead

"Christ died for our sins...He was buried...He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred..."  (1 Corinthians 15:3-6 NKJV).

He Is the Only Way

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me'" (John 14:6).

This [The] diagram illustrates that God has bridged the gulf that separtes us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

[Picture the same two parallel lines drawing the left to right, again, so there is one on the top and one on the bottom.  On the top of the top line is the name GOD.  Beneath the bottom line is the name MAN.  There is an arrow going from the top line to the bottom line.  To the right of that is a cross with the name of JESUS written on it top to bottom.  It touches OVER the top and bottom line to embrace them.] 

It is not enough just to know these three laws...

LAW 4:  WE MUST INDIVIDUALLY RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD; THEN WE CAN KNOW AND EXPERIENCE GOD'S LOVE AND PLAN FOR OUR LIVES.

We Must Receive Christ

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12 NKJV).

We Receive Christ Through Faith

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9 NKJV).

We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation

(Christ is speaking):  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20 NKJV).

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives, to forgive our sins and to make us the kind of people He wants us to be.  Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Chrst is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough.  Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of the will. 

These [The] two circles [in the diagram] represent two kinds of lives:

SELF-DIRECTED LIFE

S - Self is on the throne [picture a circle, with a stick figure chair as the throne in the middle, and the letter S on the seat]

+ - Christ is outside the life ['+' Christ  is outside the circle]

o - Interests are directed by self, often resulting in discord and frustration. ['o's' around the chair but inside the circle.]

CHRIST DIRECTED LIFE

+ - Christ is in the life and on the throne [picture the circle, with the chair in the middle and '+', Christ on the seat]  

S - Self is yeilding to Christ ['S', self is inside the circle, but next to the chair]

o - Interests are directed by Christ, resulting in harmony with God's plan [lines go out from the chair with 'o's' at the edge of the circle]     

Which circle best represents your life?

Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

The following explains how you can receive Christ:

You Can Receive Christ Right Now Through Prayer

(Prayer is talking with God)

God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.  The following is a suggested prayer:

"Lord Jesus, I need You.  Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins.  I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord.  Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life.  Take control of the throne of my life.  Make me the kind of person You want me to be."

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?

If it does, pray this prayer right now, and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

How to Know That Christ Is In Your Life

Did you receive Christ into your life?  According to His promise in Revelation 3:20, where is Christ right now in relation to you?  Christ said that He would come into your life.  Would He mislead you?  On what authority do you know that God has answered your prayer?  (The trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word)

The Bible Promises Eternal Life to All Who Receive Christ

"And this is the testimony:  that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.  These things I have written to you, who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:11-13 NKJV).

Thank God often that Christ is in your life and that He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).  You can know on the basis of His promise that Christ lives in you and that you have eternal life, from the very moment you invite Him in.  He will not deceive you.

An important reminder...

Do Not Depend on Feelings

The promise of God's Word, not our feelings, is our authority.  The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word.  This [The] train diagram illustrates the relationship between fact (God and His Word), and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience) (John 14:21). 

[The diagram shows a train engine with the word FACT, a car with the word FAITH, followed by the caboose with the word FEELING on it.]

The train will run with or without the caboose.  However, it would be useless to attempt to pull the train by the caboose.  In the same way, we, as Christians, do not depend on feelings or emotions, but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word.    

Now That You Have Received Christ

The moment that you received Christ by faith, as an act of the will, many things happened, including the following:

1.  Christ came into your life (Revelation 3:20; Colossians 1:27).

2.  Your sins were forgiven (Colossians 1:14).

3.  You became a child of God (John 1:12).

4.  You received eternal life (John 5:24).

5.  You began the great adventure for which God created you (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Can you think of anything more wonderful that could happen to you than receiving Christ? Would you like to thank God in prayer right now for what He has done for you?  By thanking God, you demonstrate your faith.

Now what?

Suggestions for Christian Growth

Spiritual growth results from trusting Jesus Christ.  "The just shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11 NKJV). A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life, and to practice the following:

G  Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).

R  Read God's Word daily (Acts 17:11) - begin with the Gospel of John.

O  Obey God, moment by moment (John 14:21

W  Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8).

T  Trust God for every detail of you rlife (1 Peter 5:7 ).

H  Holy Spirit - allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8).

Fellowship in a Good Church

God's Word admonishes us not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together..." (Hebrews 10:25 NKJV).  Several logs burn brightly together; but put one aside on the cold hearth and the fire goes out.  So it is with our relationship to other Christians.  If you do not belong to a church, do not wait to be invited.  Take the initiative; call the pastor of a nearby church where Christ is honored and His Word is preached.  Start this week, and make plans to attend regularly."

This concludes the 4 Spiritual Laws.  I've given you this and last months lessons to help you to better know how to fish for people.  You do not have to use the words from last week or this.  You may choose what you need to get the job done.  But please use the Word...the Bibles references therein to reinforce your presentation.  You may get sone of the tracts as outlined above to share.  You may have limited income and be able to obtain only one (less than a dollar) and memorize the drawings to be able to outline to someone along the way using stories or the verses from scripture to tell all.  However you choose to do this, do this in the name of the Lord for the Lord, and for the benefit of the person with whom you are sharing. 

Don't be concerned about whether they will accept you.  This is not about you.  This is about their lives.  And God.  You may be a seed planter, or someone who waters, or someone who reeps leading them all the way to the Lord in that moment.  Either way, it is GOD's glory, not yours.  Don't start getting puffed up, if you have led one or many to Christ.  Accept the gift of that life for the Lord and the individual with humility.  It will help you to go further. 

I've given you these studies because although I am always saying to 'go forth' and share with others, I have not outlined how to do that or why explicitly.  So, between last months study and this one, you now have the knowledge to become fishers of people.  You can share the why and the how.  And if you have been the one seeking, I am pleased you have had the opportunity to read these truths.   I offer you the opportunity to pray to the Lord right now to receive him, the forgiveness of sins he offers, and eternal life, if you but believe and obey.  If you have done this, I embrace you, and say, "Welcome!  The Kingdom of God is near you now."

For those considering answering our Lord's call to be fishers of people, I uplift you in prayer, that you will indeed (!) answer his call; answering it with humility and integrity, and in a way that will result in many coming to know who Jesus Christ is, that he is, and how wonderful he is. The journey may not be easy.  But it will be rewarding.  Keep looking up at him, and outward at the fields of the lost or strayed, ripe for picking, reaching, filling and embracing into the family of God.  You will do fine.  I and the Lord expect this of you and believe in you, and believe in this for you as part of your journey with him.  May your life be richly blessed for all you do for him and in His Holy Name. 

From my heart I give you Acts 20: 28 and 32:  "And now beware!  Be sure that you feed and shepherd God's flock - his church, purchased with his blood - over whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders." (v 28)  "And now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace - his message that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set aprt for himself. (v 32)  NLT **

Go forth in grace, granting mercy, with the love of God!                        

***

Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me of my sins.  I ask you into my heart today to be my Savior, and ask you to be Lord over my life.  I give myself to you willingly.  Please help me along life's way.  And help me to share this wonderful truth of your salvation with others, so they can come to know you, ask you to become their Savior, and make you Lord over their life, too.  Help me to put you first in my day and MAKE time to read and study the scriptures to learn more about who you are and how wonderful you are and why you are so important for my life and that of others.  As I open the Bible, and other things I read, and what I hear about you and how to live my life, please show me what you would have me to know for myself, and others.  And help me to not go headstrong into other's faces, but ask you first if the person I think I should be talking to is the one you want me to be talking to about you.  Temper me in all ways that I may go forth with humility and gentleness.  Give me a new life with you.  And send other Christians along my way to help strengthen me and help me.   Help me find a church that is not confused about ALL that scripture has to say and how to live.  Let it be a church that teaches and honors all Holy Spirit has to give me to help me life this new life, and teaches a New Testament life as opposed to the Old Testament laws.  It is what I know now that you came for...a new life and new way...a holy way of living and giving.  Thank you for all you've done for me and all the ways you've carried me through my life.  Don't stop now, please.  And thank you for living and dying for me.  Thank you for being my Lord and my Savior.  My gratitude is deep.  Help to find ways to show you how deeply I appreciate your love.  I love you, too.  Thank you.  Amen.          

***

More love.... 

  Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

***

  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

 Consider donating to Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc. today.  Google it!

 ***

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Trinity Missions

or the

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Note New Address 

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P.O. Box 85042

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If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

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Please note Trinity Missions or CoHS in your subject line.

As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

  ***

    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

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* Written by Bill Bright.  Copyright 1965 by Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Printed inthe United States of America.

**  Note:  I have not changed the reference from NKJV (New King James Version) to New Living Translation, which I prefer, because I did not want to disrupt what was written.   If memory serves me correctly, I think that the original tract was taken from The Living Bible, which was the original New Living Translation.   

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

 *