The Church At Newark

MARCH 2018

Online Christian Magazine

UNDERSTANDING EXODUS

BIBLICAL CHURCH GROWTH

SHOULD CHRISTIAN CHRISTIANS INVEST LIVING TO GET RICH? PASTOR JAMES JOHNSON

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Mass Shootings: Is there a solution? Yes! With the nations attention turned to the murders of young lives the congress, presidents, and the NRA debate what will it take to to end the horrible violence or mass shootings in America.

No other country has these issues on a scale that America does; but then again no other country has nearly as many guns on the streets of their nation that American does.

Simple solution. No guns‌ no gun deaths; however this will nvever happen. More regulations, age restrictions, armed teachers, and better monitoring of purchases may help but probably not enough. The church must do our part, too.

Minds must be transformed, If we who are the called, the elect, the people of God, will but be even the more dilligent in our calling and assignments; witnessing to the lost, showing the compassion of Christ to those whom we come across who are hurting, spending time with those whom we know are loney, and mentoring a young person who has a need for a godly adult in their lives, this will greatly impact our nation for the good of the Kingdom and also save lives in the process. - Pastor Rick

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IN THIS ISSUE

Pastor James Johnson Ministry - Biblical church growth Life - How We shoudl live Get Understanding: The Book of Exodus Finance - Investing for wealth Politics - Trump: President for Life!

Relationships - Does he love you enough?

Health - Should Christians go to doctors?

Pastor James Johnson Founder of Tree of Life Ministries, Inc. Pastor James Johnson is the founding pastor of The Tree Of Life Ministries, Inc. He is the second oldest of six sons born to Mr. Benjamin F. Johnson Jr. and Mrs. Aree Little Johnson. Big brother of two lovely sisters whom he love dearly. Born on March 13, 1950 in Cheraw, S.C., Pastor Johnson and his brothers were raised by their grandparents, the late Rev. Benjamin F. Johnson Sr., a Baptist church Pastor and Preacher and Mrs. Hattie Lucas Johnson a devout worshiper of God. Both grandparents instilled values of wisdom, knowledge, sense of family, moral conduct and devout service to God. Pastor Johnson came to Newark, N.J. at the age of fourteen, a few months before his fifteenth birthday in 1965. He attended and graduated from West Side High School in the city of Newark, N.J. Now being raised by his mother, Mrs. Aree Johnson and she carrying the financial burden of raising her children, Pastor Johnson was awarded a State Scholarship from the State of New Jersey in 1968 which enabled him to attend Montclair State College.

Prior to college, Pastor Johnson met his soon to be wife, Burnell Green also a graduate of West Side High School in Newark, N.J. This marriage produced two sons, James Dewitt Johnson Jr. and

Pastor Johnson licesening Evangelist Jean Perrington & Minister Curtis Mincey

Jason Darnell Johnson. Pastor Johnson's relationship with The Green Family, brothers and sisters in-laws has more than helped to shape him into the person we see today.

Pastor Johnson's mother in-law, the late Helen Green was a devout Evangelist for Christ. Evangelist Green never cease praying for Pastor Johnson and all her family.

Prophet, Elder James Johnson by Pastor Regina V. Gilliam and Bishop Gerald Gilliam( Prophet). The doors of Goodwill True Vine are open as well as the hearts of those that fellowship there with Pastor Gilliam whenever he visits.

Now ordained as Elder, God used Pastor Johnson to help Dr. Mercury Thomas after the death of his father Bishop Johnny Thomas. In 2003-2004, he fellowshipped and worked with Dr. Thomas in refurbishment of St. John Missionary Church so the doors of that church was re-opened. The Gethsemane Primitive Baptist Church occupied the building and he served as a co-pastor with Dr. Thomas as pastor.

Born Again under the leadership of the late Bishop Jeff Banks of Revival Temple Holiness church in Newark, N.J., Pastor Johnson was converted in July 1991. Hearing and answering the call of The Lamb Is Soon To Come, he surrendered all to the Lord Jesus Christ. Three years of Deacon-ship, five years of personal security and armor-bearer with Bishop Banks resulted in the licensing of Pastor Johnson in September 1996. Bishop Banks and the Revival Temple family found him to be of great faith, loyalty, dedication and determination in the things of God pertaining to the church.

In 2005 the word of the Lord came to Pastor Johnson saying, it time out for you saying or telling people you're helping to build other Ministries. It now time for you to go forward in your ministry. I called you to Pastor. Under the prayerful guidance of Elder Benjamin Reynolds (A senior elder with much wisdom) the Tree of Life Ministries was founded.

After the death of Bishop Banks, Pastor Johnson, now a license minister, worked with Elder Barbara Harris in starting The Shine For Jesus Ministry. Pastor Harris and The Shine For Jesus church family is near and dear to Pastor Johnson's heart and always will be for life. Pastor Johnson also worked with his Nigerian brother Rev. Joshua Kest in starting his ministry upon coming to New Jersey from New York, Royal Word Assembly which is affiliated with World Evangelism Network.

The Tree of Life Ministries, Inc. was founded in Pastor Johnson’s living room with family and friends. The naming of the Ministry was a collaboration between Pastor Johnson and Dr. Stephaine Arrington of Mt. Pocono, Pa. under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit.

The Tree of Life Ministries, Inc. is founded on this mantra The Focus is on Christ Jesus- It's not about you but it's about Christ Jesus. In the garden there is a tree that is good for the healing of the saints, It is The Tree of Life.

Upon fellowshipping and working with the late Bishop Gerald Gilliam of Goodwill True Vine Mission Headquarters, Inc,.on March 18, 2001, Pastor Johnson was ordained 7

MINISTRY What does the Bible say about church growth?

MINISTRY

Although the Bible does not specifically address church growth, the principle of church growth is the understanding that Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). Paul confirmed that the church has its foundation in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Jesus Christ is also the head of the church (Ephesians 1:18-23) and the church’s life (John 10:10). Having said that, it should be remembered that “growth” can be a relative term. There are different kinds of growth, some of which have nothing to do with numbers.

A church can be alive and growing even 8

though the number of members/ attendees is not changing. If those in the church are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, submitting to His will for their lives, both individually and corporately, that is a church that is experiencing true growth. At the same time, a church can be adding to its rolls weekly, have huge numbers, and still be spiritually stagnant.

Growth of any kind follows a typical pattern. As with a growing organism, the local church has those who plant the seed (evangelists), those who water the seed (pastor/teachers), and

others who use their spiritual gifts for the growth of those in the local church.

But note that it is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7). Those who plant and those who water will each receive their own reward according to their labor (1 Corinthians 3:8).

There has to be a balance between planting and watering for a local church to grow, which means that in a healthy church each person must know what his/ her spiritual gift is so that he/she can best function within the body of Christ. If the planting and watering get out of balance, the church will not prosper as God intended. Of course, there has to be daily dependence upon and obedience to the Holy Spirit so His power can be released in those who plant and water in order for God's increase to come.

Finally, the description of a living and growing church is found in Acts 2:42-47 where the believers “devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” They were serving one another and reaching out to those who needed to know the Lord, for the Lord “added to their number daily those who were being saved.” When these things are present, the church will experience spiritual growth, whether or not there is numerical increase. gotquestions.org 9

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MINISTRY LIFE

How are we to live our lives in light of Christ's return?

LIFE

We believe that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, that is, His return could occur at any moment. We, with the apostle Paul, look for “the blessed hope— the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Knowing that the Lord could come back today, some are tempted to stop what they are doing and just “wait” for Him. However, there is a big difference between knowing that Jesus could return today and knowing that He will return today. Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour” (Matthew 24:36). The time of His coming is something God has not revealed to anyone, and so, until He calls us to Himself, we should continue serving Him. In Jesus’ parable of the ten talents, the departing king instructs his servants to “occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13 KJV).

The return of Christ is always presented in Scripture as a great motivation to action, not as a reason to cease from action. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul wraps 12

up his teaching on the rapture by saying, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul concludes a lesson on Christ’s coming with these words: “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” To retreat and “hold the fort” was never Jesus’ intention for us. Instead, we work while we can. “Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).

idea that Jesus could return within their lifetime; what if they had ceased from their labors and just “waited”?

They would have been in disobedience to Christ’s command to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15), and the gospel would not have been spread. The apostles understood that Jesus’ imminent return meant they must busy themselves with God’s work. They lived life to the fullest, as if every day were their last. We, too, should view The apostles lived and served with the every day as a gift and use it to glorify

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MINISTRY FINANCE

Should a Christian invest money and try to get rich?

FINANCE

There are those who oppose investment in the stock market, saying that buying stocks is the equivalent of gambling. The argument goes that, since stocks are bought in the hope (not guarantee) that they will increase in value, it is a form of gambling.

There are differences, however, between gambling at a casino or buying lottery tickets, and buying stock. Gamblers risk money, which they know they will probably lose, in the hopes of making money quickly.

Wise investors buy partial ownership in a company in the hopes of making money over time, which can be a sound way to plan for the future.

gambling. Anything that requires "luck" above wise decision-making and longterm planning should be avoided. Most long-term investments return a profit over time, making them much more like buying bonds or certificates of deposit than rolling dice in a casino.

There are many who use investments to secure retirement, education for their children, and inheritance for their families.

The Bible offers quite a few examples of growing wealth through legitimate means. Some are similar to investing— spending money now to make money later. God’s intentions for how we should manage our wealth are found in The difference really comes down to many Scriptures. The following are a intent. Some types of investing, such few examples. as day-trading, are very much like 18

Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” This speaks against the “get-rich-quick” mentality.

Looking at investment as a long-term plan for the future is good planning, but trying to make a fortune overnight is not.

Second Corinthians 9:6 says, “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.” The context is actually speaking about investing in our relationship with God, but it demonstrates how one must often sacrifice now to gain in the future.

Similarly, Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

Much of the Bible’s teaching about wealth is a warning against putting trust in wealth rather than in the Lord (e.g., 1 Timothy 6:17-18) or to the detriment of those who depend on us (e.g., Ecclesiastes 5:13-14). As long as we honor our commitments to God and our families with our money, and maintain a spirit of generosity and thankfulness, investing is an option Christians can consider.

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POLITICS

US President Donald Trump with China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

POLITICS TRUMP: President for Life!!!

Chinese President Xi Jinping is changing the country’s constitution to allow him to stay in power indefinitely. American President Donald Trump joked on Saturday he might do the same.

In closed-door remarks at his Mar-a-Lago golf club on Saturday, Trump praised the Chinese president’s recent power grab and said he wouldn’t mind trying it himself, according to CNN, which managed to obtain a recording. “He’s now president for life. President for life. No, he’s great,” Trump said. “And look, he was able to do that. I think it’s great. Maybe we’ll have to give that a shot someday.”

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RELATIONSHIPS MINISTRY

RELATIONSHIPS What do you say when someone asks about your relationship? Do you find yourself trying to “come up” with an appropriate answer?

Do you have to actually think about it before you answer?

These are signs that your relationship is not what you hoped it would to be. If a man does not tell you who you are to him and what your relationship to him is, then he doesn’t love you enough.

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MINISTRY HEALTH

Should Christians go to doctors?

HEALTH

There are some Christians who believe that seeking medical attention is demonstrating a lack of faith in God. In the Word-Faith movement, consulting a doctor is often considered a lack of faith that will actually prevent God from healing you. In groups such as Christian Science, seeking the help of physicians is sometimes viewed as a barrier to using the spiritual energy God has given us to heal ourselves. The logic of these viewpoints is sorely lacking. If your car is damaged, do you take it to a mechanic or wait for God to perform a miracle and heal your car? If the plumbing in your house bursts, do you wait for God to plug the leak, or do you call a plumber? God is just as capable of repairing a car or fixing the plumbing as He is of healing our bodies. The fact that God can and does perform miracles of healing does not mean we should always expect a miracle instead of seeking the help of individuals who possess the knowledge and skill to assist us.

Physicians are referred to about a dozen times in the Bible. The only verse that could be taken out of context to teach that one should not go to physicians would be 2 Chronicles 16:12. “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was 28

afflicted with a disease in his feet.

Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.” The issue was not that Asa consulted physicians, but that “he did not seek help from the LORD.” Even when visiting a doctor, our ultimate faith is to be in God, not the doctor.

1) Physicians are not God and should not be viewed as such. They can sometimes help, but there will be other times when all they will accomplish is the removal of money.

There are many verses that speak of using “medical treatments” such as applying bandages (Isaiah 1:6), oil (James 5:14), oil and wine (Luke 10:34), leaves (Ezekiel 47:12), wine (1 Timothy 5:23), and salves, particularly the “balm of Gilead” (Jeremiah 8:22).

Also, Luke, the author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke, is referred to by Paul as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14).

3) God's intervention in any physical difficulty should be sought (James 4:2; 5:13). He does not promise that He will answer the way we will always want (Isaiah 55:8-9), but we have the assurance that all He does will be done in love and thus in our best interest (Psalm 145:8-9).

Mark 5:25-30 relates the story of a woman who had trouble with continual bleeding, a problem that physicians could not heal even though she had been to many of them and had spent all of her money. Coming to Jesus, she thought that if she but touched the hem of His garment, she would be healed; she did touch His hem, and she was healed. Jesus, in answering the Pharisees as to why He spent time with sinners, said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12).

From these verses one might sift out the following principles:

2) Seeking physicians and using “earthly” remedies are not condemned in Scripture. In fact, medical treatments are viewed favorably.

So, should Christians go to doctors?

God created us as intelligent beings and gave us the ability to create medicines and learn how to repair our bodies. There is nothing wrong with applying this knowledge and ability towards physical healing. Doctors can be viewed as God’s gift to us, a means through which God brings healing and recovery. At the same time, our ultimate faith and trust is to be in God, not in doctors or medicine. As with all difficult decisions, we should seek God who promises to give us wisdom when we ask for it (James 1:5).

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