“Are you faithful witnessing Christ to others?” I have had this same or similar conversation dozens of times with other Christians, either personally, during small group bible studies or in congregational discussions,

The answers vary, but one of the most frequent and most troubling answers is, “No, I do not”, or, “Yes, but in my own way”. The reasons people don’t witness or ‘share the Good News of the Gospel” range from “I am afraid”, to “I don’t like to do that”, “I don’t know how”, or most troubling, “that is not my spiritual gift”. What runs through my mind when I hear these things, are things like:

“Fear is not of God”,
“What does ‘like sharing the Gospel’ have to do with it when it comes to obeying God and His Word?”,
“You can and must learn how”,
“You really do not understand what the Bible requires of you, do you?”, and,
“It is called THE GREAT COMISSION for a reason”.

I am certain that the majority of Christians have the wrong idea, an incorrect impression or understanding of what it means to be a witness for Christ or to “witness about Jesus”. I know in fact, that we, the Church, have been taught wrong – terribly wrong – and the results range from dismal to spiritually catastrophic both for the waiting and watching world and for the confused Christian.

For example, when it comes to ‘witnessing’ most people have the idea that they must recite a ‘script’ or hand out a track such as ‘the Roman Road’ or leave cards lying around that say, “Jesus Loves You” with John 3:16 printed on them. Some others have suffered the labor of knocking doors, handing out flyers and asking leading questions before being asked to leave. (For the few that have limited success in getting someone to pray the ‘sinner’s prayer’, follow-up is usually ineffective-to-non-existent.)

Acts 1:8 gives us one of the primary commands about witnessing: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Reading this carefully you will discover that it is nothing you do, on and of yourself:

(1). You will receive power,

(from the Greek word, lambánō, from the primitive root, lab-, meaning “actively lay hold of to take or receive,” – properly, to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered). Strong’s Concordance # 2983, lambánō, “accept with initiative“, emphasizes the volition, and assertiveness of the receiver.

(2). When the Holy Spirit has come upon you.

(3). And you will be my witnesses

To recap: Once the Holy Spirit comes upon you, then you will receive the power of the Spirit of God, and then you will be my witnesses. It seems to be saying that it is not something you simply choose to do or be, but you WILL BE.

If this is so, then how do we experience and apply this power? You just do it! And if you are still puzzled, know that in concert or in conjunction with this amazing movement of the Holy Spirit upon the believer, you will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38 ), and then you will receive The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts, (charismata) are an endowment or extraordinary powers given by the Holy Spirit.

These supernatural graces, are given to individual Christians by the Holy Spirit with the purpose of building up the Body of Christ which is The Church and are needed to fulfill the mission of the Church. Spiritual Gifts enable Christians to serve the Lord and His Church.

Three important Truths have been lost over time, and this loss is rendering God’s Church as less effective in Her mission and, is in fact, soiling His Bride.

Truth #1. Having become a Christian, a Christ Follower, we become visible witnesses of Jesus and The Gospel.

I have heard people say, “He, or she, is a good witness for Jesus” or “they are a bad witness”. Okay, Either way, you have become a witness. You can tell people ABOUT Jesus and the Gospel, but as the old saying goes, “they may not be able to hear you because your actions are speaking so loudly that they cannot hear your words”. But the good news is that you are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. Just stay with it.

Truth #2. Many in the Church have become grossly “self-serving”.

It is through Spiritual Gifts that God empowers and enables us to serve Him and to serve His Church, which is His Body. We are, as Christians, to serve the Lord and His Church.

Jesus, Himself, said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

That is our calling also. We are not here “to be served”, we are here to serve.

Truth #3. You and I are The Body of Christ, that is we are “The Church”.

We have become accustomed, over the last two millennium (beginning with Constantine) with the idea that we ‘go to church’ and invite others to come to church. But that is impossible in God’s Kingdom and in His economy because we are The Church. We are the visible witness and witnesses of Jesus and the Gospel of Christ.

Jesus created His Church, His Body, and made it so the whole Body fits together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. This is our witnessing, and the world is watching.

The Holy Spirit guides us, convict us, defends us and empowers us.

Jesus transformed the practice and attitude of ‘going to church’. He also teaches about not allowing external things to convict or to defend us. We are to depend on and call upon the Holy Spirit for those things. Jesus has told us that His laws are now written upon our hearts and in our consciences.

We must BE the Body of Christ, The Church, and behave as such, or we simply are not following Jesus.

No matter what we believe or say or do, we are not a follower of Jesus and we should not call ourselves by His Holy Name, if we are not behaving as Jesus says.

We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus and called to serve. We are God’s church.

Here is a list of the Gifts which God gives you, His Body. See if you can find which gift or gifts are yours. Can you imagine how different things would be in The Church and the world around us if we engaged and used these Gifts, daily?

Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12 Corinthians 12 Ephesians 4

Prophecy             Word of wisdom          Apostle                   Apostle
Serving          Word of knowledge    Prophet                  Prophet
Teaching            Faith                                Teacher                  Evangelist
Exhortation           Gifts of healing Miracles                 Pastor
Giving                     Miracles              Kinds of healing   Teacher
Overseer                Prophecy               Helps
Mercy               Distinguishing spirits   Administration
Tongues         Tongues
Interpretation of tongues

Sometimes, Spiritual Gifts are mistakenly considered to be a natural talent or a person’s proclivity, a natural inclination. Natural talents can mimic Gifts of the Holy Spirit, but, they will never accomplish God’s purposes effectively.

Please remember, these are not natural talents. These are supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Here is a more detailed description and function of the Gifts.

Apostle: The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “a messenger, one sent forth with orders”. It refers to one who has been delegated authority by another in a foreign land. Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; they were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel. (There is no passage in the Bible saying this gift was temporary nor that is has ceased)

Prophet: In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of service through exhortation, edification, and consolation (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11). The prophet’s corresponding gift is prophecy. Prophecy is “reporting something from God’s Word that God brings to your mind”.

Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” 1 Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (1 Corinthians 14:4).

Evangelist: An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.

Pastor: This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”. Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.

The term “poimén” primarily refers to a shepherd, one who tends, leads, and cares for a flock of sheep. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes those who care for sheep, while metaphorically, it refers to leaders or pastors who guide and nurture a community of believers, akin to a shepherd with his flock.

The image of a shepherd was deeply embedded in the cultural and religious consciousness of the Israelites, often symbolizing leadership, provision, and protection. This imagery is prevalent throughout the Bible, where God is depicted as the ultimate Shepherd of His people, and leaders are often called to emulate this role.

(The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.

During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)

Teacher: Someone who devotes his or her life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When teaching is provided for the Church by God, two gifts are actually given—to the Church is given a teacher and along with the teacher comes a divine capacity to teach.

Service: The word translated as “ministry” is diakonia, which can also be translated “service”. Since there are many types of ministries and service to the Church, this then describes a broad array of gifts rather than a single gift.

Exhortation: The ability to motivate Christians “to patient endurance, brotherly love, and good works”.

Giving: Those with this gift share their own possessions with others with extraordinary generosity. While all Christians should be givers, those possessing this gift will go beyond this normal giving.

Overseeing: This gift speaks to the various roles found in the Church. While many think of roles such as administration, management of funds, strategy planning, etc. as functions outside of the supernatural realm, in reality individuals in these positions are just as in need of supernatural empowerment as are ministers of the gospel. This is sometimes inappropriately called ‘leadership’.

Mercy: Possibly identical to the gift of helps, the mercy-shower possesses a ministry of visitation, prayer, and compassion to the poor and sick.

Word of wisdom: An utterance or message of wisdom supernaturally granted to an individual. For Paul, wisdom refers to “the knowledge of the great Christian mysteries: the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, and the indwelling in the believer of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 1:17)”.

Word of knowledge: The knowledge referred to is often said to relate to understanding Christian doctrine or scriptural truth. It is sometimes said to be connected with the ministry of teachers.

Faith: This refers to that strong or special faith “which removes mountains, casts out devils (Matthew 17:19–20), and faces the most cruel martyrdom without flinching”. It is distinguished from the “saving” and “normal” Christian faith.

Gifts of healing: The ability to supernaturally minister healing to others. The plural indicates the variety of sickness healed and the many forms the gift takes, such as healing by anointing with oil, by the laying on of hands, by saying the name of Jesus or by the sign of the cross.

Working of miracles: The performance of deeds beyond ordinary human ability by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Visions. An outpouring of this gift is prophesied in Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 and is expected to increase and be of great value in the “last days”.

Discerning of spirits: The capacity to discern, distinguish, or to discriminate the source of a spiritual manifestation—whether it emanates from a good or evil spirit. It seemed to have been particularly associated with prophecy as it would be necessary to know whether a prophetic utterance was truly inspired by God.

Tongues: The supernatural ability of speaking an unlearned language. Paul seems to have distinguished between the public use of the gift (which must always be interpreted) and the private use which was for the spiritual strengthening of oneself.

(Among Christians there is a discussion as to whether tongues were/are always xenoglossy, which is speaking an unlearned human language, or whether it also included/includes glossolalia, which is speaking an unlearned and allegedly non-human language of heavenly or angelic origin).

The Apostle Paul had a lot to say about tongues in the church. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14:23, Paul says, “Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane?” Paul encourages order, reason, and emphsizes the higher gifts of prophecy and teaching.

Interpretation of tongues: This gift always follows the public exercise of the gift of tongues.

(In 1 Corinthians 14, the Apostle Paul required that all speech in Christian worship should be intelligible. This required that speech given in an unknown tongue be interpreted in the common language of the gathered Christians.)

Helps: This gift has to do with service to the sick and the poor. Possessor of this gift has a “spiritual burden and a God-given love for the needy and afflicted”.

Administration: Also called the gift of governing, the Greek word translated “governments” is kubernesis, the verb form of which means “to steer” or “to be a helmsman”. This gift then refers to the God-given capacity to oversee or guide the Church through storms and difficult seas.

(NOTE: Many versions of the Bible and many theologians and bible teachers say the word “leader” or “leadership” is a Spiritual gift. That is a misunderstanding of the correct word and intention of the word “overseer”. )

I pray that you will consider the Gifts God has given you and how you can serve His Church and affect the world around you as we make ready for His return.

There are few things in the Christian life and walk that will make most people more uncomfortable than “witnessing the Gospel” to others when doing it by their own effort, in their own way and in their own power. Conversely, there is nothing more exhilarating or satisfying that being a witness for Jesus through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It becomes a natural, (make that a supernatural) thing.

There are many places you can find and take a Spiritual Gifts test for the purpose of applying what God has so graciously and generously given you. Here are just two of such web sites:

Spiritual gifts test link to an external site

Or, you can click on this image to take a test and grade it yourself by clicking on this image.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

January 29, 2025February 1, 2025 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

Links to a Spiritual Gifts Test at the end of this article

“DO YOU KNOW YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT?”

Have you ever been asked that question before?

So, do you? Do you know your Spiritual Gift? And, if you do know your Spiritual Gift – SO WHAT?

What I mean is, SO WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR PRECIOUS GIFT from the Holy Spirit?

Spiritual gifts, (charismata) are an endowment or extraordinary powers given by the Holy Spirit.

Two important Truths have been lost over time, and this loss is rendering God’s Church as less effective in Her mission and, is in fact, soiling His Bride.

Truth #1. Many in the Church have become grossly “self-serving”.

It is through Spiritual Gifts that God empowers and enables us to serve Him and to serve His Church, which is His Body. We are, as Christians, to serve the Lord and His Church.

Jesus, Himself, said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

That is our calling also. We are not here to be served, we are here to serve.

Truth #2. You and I are The Body of Christ, that is we are “The Church”.

We have become accustomed, over the last two millennium (beginning with Constantine) with the idea that we ‘go to church’, but that is impossible in God’s Kingdom and in His economy because we are The Church.

The Holy Spirit guides us, convict us, defends us and empowers us.

We must BE the Body of Christ, The Church, and behave as such, or we simply are not following Jesus.

No matter what we believe or say or do, we are not a follower of Jesus and we should not call ourselves by His Holy Name, if we are not behaving as Jesus says.

We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus and called to serve. We are God’s church.

Here is a list of the Gifts which God gives His Body. See if you can find which gift or gifts are yours. Can you imagine how different things would be in The Church and the world around us if we engaged and used these Gifts, daily?

Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12 Corinthians 12 Ephesians 4

Please remember, these are not natural talents. These are supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Here is a more detailed description and function of the Gifts.

Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (14:4).

Evangelist: An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.

Pastor: This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”. Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.

During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)

Exhortation: The ability to motivate Christians “to patient endurance, brotherly love, and good works”.

Mercy: Possibly identical to the gift of helps, the mercy-shower possesses a ministry of visitation, prayer, and compassion to the poor and sick.

Word of knowledge: The knowledge referred to is often said to relate to understanding Christian doctrine or scriptural truth. It is sometimes said to be connected with the ministry of teachers.

Working of miracles: The performance of deeds beyond ordinary human ability by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Visions. An outpouring of this gift is prophesied in Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 and is expected to increase and be of great value in the “last days”.

The Apostle Paul had a lot to say about tongues in the church. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14:23, Paul says, “Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane?” Paul encourages order, reason, and emphsizes the higher gifts of prophecy and teaching.

Interpretation of tongues: This gift always follows the public exercise of the gift of tongues.

Helps: This gift has to do with service to the sick and the poor. Possessor of this gift has a “spiritual burden and a God-given love for the needy and afflicted”.

I pray that you will consider the Gifts God has given you and how you can serve His Church and affect the world around you as we make ready for His return.

There are many places you can find and take a Spiritual Gifts test for the purpose of applying what God has so graciously and generously given you. Here are just two of such web sites:

Spiritual gifts test link to an external site

Or, you can click on this image to take a the test and grade it yourself by clicking on the image below

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

BALANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

March 4, 2024March 8, 2024 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

BALANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

“A just balance and scales belong to the LORD. All the weights of the bag are His concern”. Proverbs 16:11

“Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good.” Proverbs 20:23

“Let Him weigh me with accurate scales,
And let God know my integrity.” Job 31:6

BALANCE

Whether a “spirit level“, a “bubble level” or simply a level. It is an instrument designed to indicate whether a surface is horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb). Different types of ‘spirit levels’ may be used by carpenters, stonemasons, bricklayers, surveyors and other building trades workers.

More so with God’s creation. He is the Master Designer and has created all things with precision and balance.

The Apostle Paul dealt with matters of balance within the fledgling Church. There were those in the Church who would take liberties or license with the Word of God in their practices. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14:23, Paul says, “Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane?”

Some were new believers who simply needed instruction. Others were believers who, perhaps, got carried away with new-found freedom in Christ and went to excess. There were yet others were deliberately drawing attention to themselves out of pride, arrogance or were creating divisions within the Church.

One area of concern, which was subject to abuse, is Spiritual gifts. Paul taught balance in the Church regarding these matters:

1 Corinthians 12:1-10, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.

Therefore, I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

To one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually, just as He wills.”

Clearly, there are Spiritual gifts present within the Church, today:

Romans 12	1 Corinthians 12	Corinthians 12	Ephesians 4
Prophecy	Word of Wisdom	Apostle	Apostle
Serving	Word of Knowledge	Prophet	Prophet
Teaching	Faith	Teacher	Evangelist
Exhortation	Gift of Hearing	Miracles	Pastor
Giving	Miracles	Healing	Teacher
Overseer	Prophecy	Helps
Mercy	Distinguishing Spirits	Administration
Tongues	Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues

But, we must remember, these are Gifts from the Spirit of God and of the Spirit of God. They are not gifts of man, and they are not even gifts of Christians.

The Holy Spirit gives and empowers these Gifts for the benefit of the Body of Christ and for the Glory of God. The Works and Gifts of God are manifest by Him through His creation.

If you truly have the gift of prophecy, remember, it is the Spirit of God working through you, not you of yourself.

If you truly have the gift of healing, remember, it is the Spirit of God working through you, not you of yourself.

If you truly have the gift of giving, remember, it is the Spirit of God working through you, and not you of yourself.

We should not boast in our Spiritual Gift, but honor God, glorify God and find order in the balance of God’s Kingdom.

Let’s pursue our calling and our gifts with all zeal, but in balance, with decency and order, so to bring honor and glory to our King!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Spiritual Gifts (and a Spiritual Gifts Test)

The Kingdom of God in your midst?

GOING TO HELL? It may be easier than you think

March 30, 2023April 5, 2023 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

GOING TO HELL?

(It May Be Easier Than You Think)

The preachers said, “Everybody close your eyes. Nobody looking around. If you want to be saved today, just raise up your hand and put it right back down. I see that hand. I see that hand too. Anyone else? (after a short pause). Okay, pray this prayer after me, ‘I am a sinner. I confess my sins and turn away from them. I will follow Jesus and obey Him from this day forward. Amen’. Congratulations, you are now part of the family of God. Pick up some free literature we have for you and meet me up here for a few minutes so we can talk.”

How could it be easier?

I heard a well-known and beloved pastor speak on being ‘saved by grace through faith in Christ’. He used the example of the thief on the cross, next to Jesus at His crucifixion. He mocked the idea that anyone need to know anything more than Jesus to be saved. But he neglected to emphasize the difficult conditions for the thief that brought him to his spiritual senses. He was at death’s door, hanging publicly on a crucifixion cross. It is true that he could have chosen to die and perish. But his circumstances were a world away from sitting in the comfortable church pew. He was clear in his mind that he was face-to-face with eternity as he made his choice. The fact that others saw him publicly make his choice meant nothing to him. His life and eternity were on the line.

It is absolutely true that one is ‘saved by God’s Grace through their faith in Jesus’, but the road to that truth, to that reality, is often paved with difficulties of trials and great tribulation. And the cost was, is and continues to be a supreme factor.

Jesus, the Son of God, God Himself, gave up His life so you could live free from the effects of sin, condemnation and shame.

The price of this salvation is that you surrender your life to Jesus, in return – no matter how shattered or how secure your life is, you must surrender all you know, all you have and all that you are to enter into this most sacred covenantal relationship with God – and to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

You must follow and obey Him, reaching and teaching others to do the same.

It can be a little more difficult to see your own mortality and the urgency of preparing for an eternity when you are sitting in a safe, comfortable church than having been tortured and left hanging on a pole, to die. And it is made even more questionable when the pastor urges you to ‘keep it a secret’.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

The Bible says, “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” – that is, the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach– because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous–being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.

“For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].” For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD [in prayer] WILL BE SAVED.”

Notice in each of the Biblical examples of salvation, all were public in nature; all were in difficult circumstances; each admitted their inability to save themselves; they repented of their current life and confessed and believed in Jesus.

The salvation of Zacchaeus

Jesus Christ entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man called Zacchaeus. He was a rich chief tax collector. And he wanted to see who Jesus was, but because of the crowd, he could not, for he was small in stature. So, Zacchaeus ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree (very public) to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So, he hurriedly came down and received him with joy. And when the Jews saw it, they all grumbled (gladly endured or ignored ridicule), “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to Jesus, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” (repented of his former life and paid a price) And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)

The salvation of the criminal on the cross

Two others, who were criminals, were led away (faced with the reality of death and eternity) to be put to death with Jesus. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there the Roman soldiers crucified Him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. One of the criminals who were on the cross railed at Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him and said, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; (confessed his sins, publicly) but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he also added, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom (called on Jesus).” And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:32-43)

The salvation of the jailor

While in prison, about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, such that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself (The jailer came face-to-face with his fate), supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (The jailer made his choice of either death or of life)” And they answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of God to him and to all who were in his house. And he took Paul and Silas the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and gave them food. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. (Acts 16:25-34)

The salvation of Sergius Paulus

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Paul went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they preached God’s word in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet called Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who invited Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the magician opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said to him, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.(he paid a price; made a choice) Then the proconsul believed in Jesus, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the word of God. (Acts 13:4-12)

The salvation of Saul of Tarsus (Paul)

Saul was a Judaizer who was hell-bent on persecuting the disciples of Jesus Christ. His passion was to keep the Mosaic law and make sure no other way of worship contends with it.

“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the high priest, and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.

As he traveled he approached Damascus (Very Public), and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; (Saul paid a price) so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.

Now in Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he answered, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul; for he is praying [there], and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him, so that he may regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, especially how much suffering and evil he has brought on Your saints (God’s people) at Jerusalem; and here [in Damascus] he has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call on Your name [confessing You as Savior].”

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a [deliberately] chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will make clear to him how much he must suffer and endure for My name’s sake.” So, Ananias left and entered the house, and he laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came [to Damascus], has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit [in order to proclaim Christ to both Jews and Gentiles]. (Saul repented of his old life) ” Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized; and he took some food and was strengthened.

Your experience may differ, you may escape the torture of a criminal’s crucifixion, the ignominy of climbing a tree in public to see Christ, or being struck blind by the Light of God, but the cost of such a great salvation is always the same:

Being saved is a public covenant with God.

Being saved requires coming to grips with sins and your mortality.

Being saved requires forsaking your old life and humble submission to God through faith in Jesus.

Being saved requires you confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, publicly.

Being saved requires that you follow Jesus in humble obedience.

(‘Slipping you hand up and right back down’ in secret, probably won’t get it done.)

Nothing in life or death which is cheap or easy carries any lasting value. And, there is nothing easy or cheap our God’s grace and offer of freedom through salvation which comes from your faith in Jesus’ Work on the cross, on your behalf.

God’s Salvation is the greatest Gift of all times. It is of inestimable value – and it is free to all who will accept it.

Let’s pray for one another as we go, and make disciples in Jesus Name, teaching them to do all He has taught us, and baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – AMEN!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

More reading: How Can I Get Into Heaven? “Drive-through salvation and spiritual fast foods won’t work!”

KEEPING “THE PLAIN THINGS, THE MAIN THINGS”

March 28, 2023April 5, 2023 ~ Michael Young, Sr. ~ Leave a comment

THE MAIN THING?

JESUS TEACHES and THE BIBLE TEACHES

To become a Christian, you must repent (change your ways of thinking).

To become a Christian, you must confess Jesus and be saved.

As a Christian, you must be a disciple of Jesus.

As a Christian, you must go and make disciples for Jesus.

As a Christian, you have a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit, and you are to use that gift to serve and build up the church.

Spiritual gifts, (charismata) are an endowment or extraordinary powers given by the Holy Spirit.

Two important Truths have been lost over time, and this loss is rendering God’s Church as less effective in Her mission and, is in fact, soiling His Bride:

Truth #1. Many in the Church have become grossly “self-serving”.

It is through Spiritual Gifts that God empowers and enables us to serve Him and to serve His Church, which is His Body. We are, as Christians, to serve the Lord and His Church.

Jesus, Himself, said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

That is our calling also. We are not here to be served, but we are here to serve.

Truth #2. You and I are The Body of Christ, that is, we are “The Church”.

We have become accustomed, over the last two millennia (beginning with Constantine) with the idea that we ‘go to church’, but that is impossible in God’s Kingdom and in His economy because we are The Church (see ‘The False Church Emerges’).

The Holy Spirit guides us, convict us, defends us and empowers us.

Jesus transformed the practice and attitude of ‘going to church’. He also teaches about not allowing external things to convict or to defend us. We are to depend on and call upon the Holy Spirit for those things. Jesus has told us that His laws are now written upon our hearts and in our consciences.

We must BE the Body of Christ, that is, The Church, and be striving to behave as such – or you must realize that you simply are not following Jesus.

No matter what we say we believe or tell others, if we are not at least trying to serve Him through our obedience, we are not His follower. Yes, you are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus and called to serve. But, we don’t GO to church – we ARE God’s church, alive, active and on the move!

With this in mind, one of the first things Jesus’ said to His disciples was, “Repent”, Then, we are to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded you.

These foregoing things are the ‘main things’ taught by Jesus. How often does your pastor teach and demonstrate these things?

The final question is how often do you do what Jesus and the Bible teaches? I know you must be a good person, a nice person, a Christian person, but are you doing what Jesus and the Bible teaches or what your denomination, preacher and church teaches, and are they one-and-the-same?

“OUR PASTOR TEACHES and OUR DENOMINATION TEACHES”

Your pastor probably teaches the Bible. There is a way to tell for certain. First, answer these questions:

Question #1: And when Jesus entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him…then, in Matthew 21:28-30, Jesus asks, “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”

Question #2: Are you practicing, (that is doing), what Jesus and the Bible teach or are you practicing the culture, doctrines and practices of your pastor and your denomination?

Question #3: Next, tell me how you and your church members practice what is taught in the Bible? For example, tell me about the ‘normal year’ in your church.

You go to services on Sunday (and/or another day or evening)?

You have Sunday school classes?

You have special holiday services?

You have mission trips for the laity?

You have special speakers (evangelists, etc.) or special singing groups at your church?

You visit those who visited your church?

You give offerings and tithes?

(Now, please, find each of the foregoing items in the Bible being taught as ‘The Main Things’ Jesus commanded us to be doing. If you cannot…….).

Question #4: Finally, what is/are your spiritual gift(s)? And, how, when and how often do you use them? (This is THE critical question in this process).

Not all of us have the spiritual gift of evangelism or teacher or that of a pastor, but we all have spiritual gifts, and we GO and make disciples, teaching them under the power and direction of the Holy Spirit through our spiritual gifts. We are enabled by the Holy Spirit through His spiritual gifts to us to fulfill our role in the Great Commission.

(If you do not know or do not have a Spiritual Gift………..?)

We, the Church, are fitted together through these Gifts to serve and go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded you.

Romans 12 1 Corinthians Corinthians 12 Ephesians 4

Prophecy             Word of wisdom           Apostle                  Apostle
Serving          Word of knowledge      Prophet                 Prophet
Teaching           Faith                                 Teacher                 Evangelist
Exhortation        Gifts of healing    Miracles                 Pastor
Giving                    Miracles               Kinds of healing Teacher
Overseer                Prophecy               Helps
Mercy               Distinguishing spirits Administration
Tongues         Tongues
Interpretation of tongues

(Again, we were not given these gifts to serve ourselves, but to serve God, His Church and complete His Mission.)

Each person uses his or her Spiritual Gift(s) to lead others to Christ, and to teach them what He has taught to you.

Now, in answer to the question “who did their father’s will, “They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”

Let’s pray for one another that we not be found lacking on that day.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Category: Spiritual Gifts

SPIRITUAL GIFTS – THE BOOKLET

EACH ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN SPIRITUAL GIFT

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

BALANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

GOING TO HELL? It may be easier than you think

KEEPING “THE PLAIN THINGS, THE MAIN THINGS”