DAY 1
Just last week we have seen the shooting in the Columbine High School.
It is a cold blood act. Many people are asking the question, why would
these teenagers kill other people? Many answers are being proposed on
why those kids did those awful things. Psychologists from all around
the world give their professional opinions on how teenagers become
killers, how to prevent such a thing and how to build an effective
family. Yet, actually the real answer lies in the "HUMAN HEART". Yes,
this whole thing is a question about the human heart. Whatever had
happened to their human heart?
Through last week's incident, America gets its "wake up call". It is
about time for Christians and Christian churches to "wake up" and ready
to face and make an impact in this present world. Our present world is
made up of disfunctional society. Our society is made up of
disfunctional families, and disfunctional families are made up of
disfunctional family members. People need the Lord. People are lost,
they don't know right from wrong anymore and they are seeking
fulfillment from the very wrong places. People need to hear the hope,
joy and love that we, Christians, have. We need to bring that message
of love, hope and joy to the lost world.
What is a "church"? Last week we have seen that a church is a family of
God and each one of us is a member of this family. What kind of a
church should we become so that we can make an impact to this lost
world, so that we can bring the message of love, hope and joy to the
very people that needs them? We will start discussing this tomorrow.
For today, it is enough if we can just pray to prepare our hearts and
see how God wants to use me to reach out to the lost world.
Just as a side note, the movie JOYRIDERS that is currently being
presented in the movie theaters is one of the first attempts of making a
Christian-based Hollywood movies. The movie is worth watching. If you
want to spend some time together, you may want to consider watching this
movie. Through this movie also you can see how disfunctional the
families and society that we lived in. Teenagers are the ones that are
being hurt the most and we see that slowly but surely these teenagers
"hearts" are being killed.
DAY 2
What kind of a church should Christians build? What kind of a family of God
should Christians build? Today we will see some essential functions in a
church. While you are reading this study material, please pray and evaluate
if your church has these essential functions and if we, as members of the
church, are performing these essential functions.
1. PRAYER
In a glance it seems like "obviously", "of course" Christians and churches
meet this essential function. But are we conducting TRUE praying or are we
conducting PRAYERLESS praying. Let us see if we recognize the following
patterns. "First, one hurries through prayer. Then, the time one
spends at
prayer is shortened. Then, prayer is crowded into a corner and depends on
the fragments of time for its exercise. It no longer commands respect or
brings any benefit. It has fallen out of esteem, out of the heart, out of
the habits, out of life. When one ceases to pray, he ceases to live
spiritually." (E.M. Bounds)
The prayer habit is a good habit, but prayer done only by force of
habit is
a very bad habit. This kind of praying is not conditioned after God's
order, nor is it generated by God's power. It is not only a waste, a
perversion and a delusion, but it is also a prolific source of unbeliever.
Prayerless praying gets no results. God is not reached, self is not helped.
Prayer is a rare gift, not a popular, ready gift. Prayer is not the fruit
of natural talents, rather, it is the product of faith, of holiness, of
deeply spiritual character. Men learn to pray as they learn to love. The
spirit of prayer must control our lives, or the hour in the prayer time will
be dull and useless. The following are some of the bible verses on praying:
"continually in the ministry of prayer (Acts 6:4)", "watch and pray (Matt
26:41)", "fervently ... in prayers that they might stand perfect and
complete in all the will of God (Col 4:12)". Are you a praying Christian?
If so, it should be evident in how often you pray.
2. FELLOWSHIP
We have discussed this in last week's EBS, but we should at least remind
ourselves of the following verse from the Bible, "And let us consider how
we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up
meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage
one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb
10:24-25)." A family and a church that is praying for each other and
fellowships with each other (i.e., encouraging and loving one another)
creates the first line of defends against producing disfunctional family
member (e.g., troubled teenagers.)
DAY 3
What kind of a church should Christians build? What kind of a family of
God should Christians build? Today we will continue to study the
essential functions of a church. While you are reading this study
material, please pray and evaluate if your church has these essential
functions and if we, as members of the church, are performing these
essential functions.
1.. WORD OF GOD
Again, as before, on the surface it seems like "obviously", "of
course", Christians and churches have a love for the word of God. In II
Tim 3:16, God said, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that
the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work". "Prayer
generates a love for the Word of God. Prayer leads people to obey the
Word of God and puts into the obedient heart a joy unspeakable. Praying
people and Bible-reading people are the same sort of folk. One reads
the Bible to discover God’s will. He prays in order to receive power to
do that will. Bible reading and praying are the distinguishing traits
of those who strive to know and please God." (E.M.Bounds). The word of
God trains us to live a righteous life. Without meditation on the Word
of God, it is impossible to lead a righteous life. As parents, what
kind of an example do we set before our children? Are we setting up an
example of a righteous life that is filled with joy, hope and peace? Do
we come short of that goal? If so, why should we be surprised when our
teenagers are desperately seeking love, peace and hope in all the wrong
places? Leading a life to its fullness starts with the love to the Word
of God. How much time do you spend on the Word of God daily?
2.. JOY
3.. HOPE
4.. SPIRITUAL GROWTH
There is much to cover, but there is so little space. Therefore, for
now, let us just simply understand that a living and effective church
brings the message of joy and hope to the community. In addition, it
encourages the spiritual growth of each of the members. If we are not
growing in Christ, then we must examine ourselves to see what the
obstacles and the hindrances of our growth.
DAY 4
What kind of a church should Christians build? What kind of a family of God
should Christians build? Today we will continue to study the essential
functions of a church. While you are reading this study material,please
pray and evaluate if your church has these essential functions and if we, as
members of the church, are performing these essential functions.
1. FAITH
Faith is often called upon to wait patiently before God and is
prepared for God's seeming delays in answering prayer. Faith does not grow
disheartened because prayer is not immediately honored. It takes God at His
Word and lets Him take what time He chooses in fulfilling His purposes and
in carrying on His work. There is bound to be delay and long days of waiting
for true faith, but faith accepts the conditions. It knows there will be
delays in answering prayer and regards such delays as times of testing where
it is privileged to show that it is made of courage.
Delay is often the test and the strength of faith. How much patience
is required when these times of testing come. Yet faith gathers strength by
waiting and praying. Patience has its perfect work in the school of delay.
In some instances, delay is of the very nature of the prayer. God has to do
many things before He gives the final answer. They are things that are
essential to the lasting good of the person who is requesting the favor from Him.
One example is Jacob. He prayed with purpose and eagerness to be
delivered from Esau. But, before that prayer could be answered, there was
much to be done with and for Jacob. He had to be changed as well as Esau.
Jacob had to be made into a new man before Esau could be. Jacob had to be
converted to God before Esau could be converted to Jacob.
Yes, are you going through some struggles right now? If you are then
this is the time to come to the school of faith. The other family members of
this family of God should be there to help you to go through each struggle.
2. WORSHIP
Again, so much to cover, so little space to write. Christians are
called worship God at all times. Worship is more than just songs.
Worship includes a praying, thanksgiving and praising heartAre you worshipping
Christians? Do you realize that in heaven we will worship the Lord ALL the
time through eternity?
3. GIVING
God calls the family of God to be cheerful givers.
DAY 5
What kind of a church should Christians build? What kind of a family of
God should Christians build? Today we will continue to study the
essential functions of a church. While you are reading this study
material, please pray and evaluate if your church has these essential
functions and if we, as members of the church, are performing these
essential functions.
1.. MISSIONS
Missions means the giving of the Gospel to those who have never
heard of Christ and His atoning death. It means the giving to others
the opportunity to hear of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, and
allowing others to have a chance to receive and accept the blessings of
the Gospel as we have it in Christianized lands. It means that those
who enjoy the benefits of the Gospel give these same religious
advantages and gospel privileges to all of mankind.
The Spirit of Jesus Christ is the spirit of missions. Our Lord
Jesus Christ was Himself the first missionary. Whoever that is touched
by the Spirit of God is fired by the missionary spirit. This is one of
the reason why churches are involved in mission ministries. There are
several ways to be involved in mission ministries: we can offer prayer,
we can offer financial support or we can be the missionaries on the
field. It is all right to urge men to support financially to the
missionary cause, but it is much more important to urge them to give
their prayers to the movement. Today, foreign missions have more need
of the power of prayer than the power of money. Much money without
prayer is helpless and powerless. Churches (family of God) ought to be
prudent in praying for those missionaries. Those that have been called
to preach the Gospel to those that have never heard of it. Jesus’ last
sentence on earth was, "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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Mat
28:19-20)" Is our church involved in mission ministries? Are you
involved in mission ministries? Did you pray for those missionaries
that you supported?
2.. MINISTRY
We have cover this topic through last week’s EBS.
3.. WITNESS
The Webster’s dictionary defines "to witness" as "to give an account of
", "to serve as evidence of", "to be used as an evidence for." For some
of us, "witnessing" seems like it is the job of the church leaders. For
some Christians, "witnessing" is not part of their responsibility, it
is only for those clergies. But, what does the Bible say about
witnessing? Jesus said, "…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Juda and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)"
To witness means "to serve as evidence of", "to be used as an evidence
for". Our Christian life should "serve as evidence of" the salvation
that Jesus has given us. Through the Christian life style, other people
should be able to see Jesus. Jesus gives the message of forgiveness and
happiness into the lost world. The Christian life and the christian
family (church) should "serve as evidence of" the truth that Jesus
preached. Witnessing is not only for clergies, but it is for ALL
Christians.
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Disclaimer
This material is a summary of the message that was preached by Pastor
Jack Graham at Prestonwood Baptist Church. The writer of this EBS
(Electronic Bible Study) made some changes and added some personal notes
that is necessary to customize this material into an electronic media, a
daily reading material and to better fit the audience.
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