|
The True Vine Evangelism Program Chapter Twelve:
Now Abideth Faith, Hope, and Love
Early in this program we talked about the messengers of God and his messages.
The question was asked: What do all these messengers have in common?
The answer is a burden. They all shared a burden for God’s heart and the things of God, but also for the people they were sent to. In order to be an effective Evangelist you must have a burden for God’s heart and the things of God and the people that you are sent to.
As it reads in 1Corinthians 13 we can do all things for the faith, but if they are not done in love, then they are nothing. In this chapter, our final chapter in this program, we will be studying what it means to have a burden of faith, hope, and love.
God’s word teaches us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves, if we are unable to do this, then everything we learned is nothing. Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
The Greatest Gift
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
What questions do you have after reading this? _________________________________________________________________________________ 273 Answer the following questions: What are the evidences of love? __________________________________________________________________________________ Is it enough to be an eloquent preacher? __________________________________________________________________________________ It is enough to have strong faith in God? __________________________________________________________________________________ Is it enough to do good deeds unto others? __________________________________________________________________________________ Of the three- faith, hope, and love which is greater? __________________________________________________________________________________
Read Galatians 6:1-10 Bear and Share the Burdens
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For each one shall bear his own load. Be Generous and Do Good
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
What questions do you have after reading this? _________________________________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions: What should you do if you find someone that is in sin? __________________________________________________________________________________ What should you do if you find someone that is going through a hard time? __________________________________________________________________________________ What should you, being taught in the word, do if you find one that is a teacher? Why? __________________________________________________________________________________ Will a person get exactly what they put in? __________________________________________________________________________________ Will those that are doing good get a reward in due season? __________________________________________________________________________________
Read Ephesians 5:1-20 Walk in Love
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. Walk in Light
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
9 (for the fruit of the Spiritis in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
14 Therefore He says: “ Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” Walk in Wisdom
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What questions do you have after reading this? _________________________________________________________________________________ Answer the following questions: Who has given us the example on how to walk in love? __________________________________________________________________________________ What did he do to show us? __________________________________________________________________________________ Is it love to hang around and have fellowship with those that do wrong? __________________________________________________________________________________ What does it mean to reprove someone? Is that love? __________________________________________________________________________________ Does God command us to be wise? __________________________________________________________________________________ How does God tell us to speak to ourselves and sing to the Lord? __________________________________________________________________________________ 279 Are we to give thanks always? __________________________________________________________________________________
Read Philippians 4:1-23
1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. Be United, Joyful, and in Prayer
2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Meditate on These Things
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians Generosity
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.
15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greeting and Blessing
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
What questions do you have after reading this? _________________________________________________________________________________ 282 Answer the following questions: When should you rejoice in the Lord? __________________________________________________________________________________ When you have request how should you handle it? __________________________________________________________________________________ What things should you be focused on? __________________________________________________________________________________ Is it possible to do all things through Christ? __________________________________________________________________________________ What happens when you have needs? __________________________________________________________________________________
Read 1Thessalonians 5:12-28 Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil. Blessing and Admonition
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
What questions do you have after reading this? __________________________________________________________________________________ Answer the following questions: Should you know and be aware of other Christians that are doing the work of God also? __________________________________________________________________________________ In your work for God who are the people you should Warn? Comfort? Support? __________________________________________________________________________________ 285 How much should you pray to God? __________________________________________________________________________________ As an Evangelist has God gave you a burden that is pressing on your heart? __________________________________________________________________________________
"Now then we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2Corinthians 5:20
Appointed by God to declare his will, Abraham Lincoln was instructed from his youth and separated from the traditional up-bringing that the ways of the world teach, instead he was taught by God. He was brought up by a poor family on the Western Frontier in a young nation that was growing into a World Power.
He was what the world would call, a Self-Made Man, but I would rather like to call him a God-Made Man that was separated and taught by God for a specific purpose in the world.
Like David, Abraham had a very small and humble beginning. David, as in King David also started in a humble way, he was separated as a Shepherd Boy and taught leadership by God. He learned leadership through the feeding of his Father's sheep.
1Samuel 17:15 Later David went on to be the King of all of Israel and the Ambassador of God's will for God's people. Abraham Lincoln, like David was taken from a small beginning and appointed the Ambassador for God's Will when he was elected to be the 16th President of the United States of America, and his mission had a great purpose, but the primary purpose was to bring God's heart regarding slavery and freedom to the American people. Like David and Abraham, we are all Ambassadors for God and we are called to bring God's Will to the people. You might be little and might also come from humble means, but God has a great purpose for you. We cannot allow ourselves to despise small beginnings. "For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth." Zechariah 4:10
Do not despise small beginnings because they may be the beginnings to the largest event and to the manifestation of God's plan in your life!
JESUS IS LORD AND KING AND HE LOVES US!
DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST! 2TIMOTHY 4:5 YOU ARE LOVED AND GREATLY NEEDED! ONE GOOD DECISION TRUMPS ALL THE BAD DECISIONS IN OUR LIFE! CHOOSE JESUS AND LIVE FOREVER! 289 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Please visit us at: www.souls-for-christ.com and send Cary your comments about this book. Thank you and God bless you! Souls For Christ Ministries Naples, Florida 34120
Email Cary at: word@souls-for-christ.com
Week One God's message to the world
Week Two His Messengers
Week Three The World's Condition
Week Four Jesus came to the earth
Week Five Spreading the word
Week Six (Part I) Salvation, What God has done
Week Six (Part II) Salvation, What man must do
Week Seven His Bride
Week Nine Equipping the Saints