Kingdom Principles by MLDCommunications

KINGDOM PRINCIPLES “New Discipleship Class”

COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD 13 Grant Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07112 Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III, Pastor Elect Reverend J-Anthony Dargan, Course Designer

HIGH EXPECTATIONS Jot down questions and concerns that you may have regarding the Church, your life and what you would like addressed or answered in these sessions. We may not go down your list immediately and address all of your concerns at once, but we ask for your patience because we are confident that with Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help as we go through these sessions, most if not, all of your concerns and questions will be addressed and answered.

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KINGDOM PRINCIPLES

“New Discipleship Class” COURSE OVERVIEW Your Destiny Begins Here! The Course Mission Statement ......................... 4 Kingdom Principle #1: Who is God? How Can We Know Him ................... 5 Kingdom Principle #2: The Bible is Our Rule of Faith ............................... 9 Kingdom Principle #3: Battle Plan For Prayer .......................................... 14 Kingdom Principle #4: Church of God – It’s All in the Name Part One: The Origin & Purpose of The Church ..................................... 23 Part Two: The Growth & Character of The Church ................................ 28 Part Three: Who is The Church of God & What Are Our Beliefs............. 34 Kingdom Principle #5: The Ordinances- The Celebrations of Life Part One: The Ordinance of Baptism ...................................................... 39 Part Two: The Ordinance of Holy Communion & Foot Washing ............ 43 Part Two: The Ordinance of Infant Dedication & Marriage Ceremony .. 48 Kingdom Principle #6: Assurance – Confidence Within Part One: The Process of Justification & The Gifts of Adoption ........... 51 Part Two: The Dynamics of Spiritual Growth ......................................... 55 Part Three: The Dynamics of Spiritual Growth (continues) .................... 60 Kingdom Principle #7: Stewardship – Privilege Breeds Responsibility .... 65 Kingdom Principle #8: Sign Me Up! .......................................................... 69 Reference Materials ................................................................................... 79

Your Destiny Begins Here! THE COURSE MISSION STATEMENT This selection of spiritual material has been designed for use in the Community Church of God’s New Discipleship Course entitled, “Kingdom Principles”. The objective of the manual is not of new teaching or pure authorship, but of collective references from many great outstanding research materials (on the previous page, the list is not inclusive). The factors involved include economy, time and ultimately to provide you, the participant an opportunity of sharing the God given thoughts and discoveries of the various writers sprinkled by the coordinator’s experience. It’s God’s desire to • Facilitate, with The Holy Spirit’s Leadership, your on-going spiritual growth in Christ Jesus; • Provide you with insight on who we are, CCOG Newark and Church of God internationally; and • Implement, with The Holy Spirit’s Guidance, a new support structure in your life. All of these goals are accomplished by availing you to the invaluable Biblical knowledge that God provides about being a Christian, a true follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is our quest to be true to the Word of God in the implementation of the principles of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). “Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this— that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20 (TLB) It is my prayer along with Pastor Rufus that God blesses all who read and enroll in this course to go beyond the various writers and my own revelation. We pray that you not only give birth to un-chartered God-ordained dreams, but have the strength to carry the dreams to fruition. With much love and prayer, Reverend J-Anthony Dargan, Course Designer 4

Principle #1

Who Is God? How Can We Know God The Lord also told Moses to tell the people of Israel, “You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” Leviticus 19:2 (TLB)

Reference Materials 1.

The Holy Bible

Knowing God – J.I. Parker

Christian Bible Institute and Seminary

Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute

WHO IS GOD? - THE FACT The fact of God’s existence is so conspicuous, both through creation and through man’s conscience, that the Bible calls the atheist a “fool” (Psalm 14:1). Accordingly, the Bible never attempts to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence from the very beginning (Genesis 1:1). What the Bible does is reveal the nature, character, and work of God. 5

WHO IS GOD? - THE DEFINITION To start with, a good summary definition of God is “the Supreme Being; the Creator and Ruler of all that is; the Self-existent One who is perfect in power, goodness, and wisdom.” Thinking correctly about God is of utmost importance because a false idea about God is idolatry. Idolatry is “the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.” An idol is anything that replaces the one, true God.

THE BEST WAY WE CAN KNOW GOD, along with the EMPOWERMENT & GUIDANCE of the Holy Spirit is the WORD of God. We will cover in our next session, Principle #2: “Why We Study The Bible?” However, let me share with you two critical reasons why the Bible is essential.

Reason #1: The Bible is the only complete, comprehensive revelation of God to man. God reveals Himself in nature, through conscience, and the

BIBLE;

but

the

Bible

gives

the

only

complete

and

comprehensive revelation of God. Psalm 19:1-6, Roman 2:14 & Psalm 119: 105

Reason #2: The Bible is the access to The MIND and PLAN of God. WHO IS GOD? - HIS NATURE We know certain things to be true of God for one reason: in His mercy He has condescended to reveal some of His qualities to us. God is spirit, by nature intangible (John 4:24). God is One, but He exists as three Persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17).

God is

infinite (1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable (2 Samuel 7:22), and unchanging (Malachi 3:6).

God exists everywhere (Psalm 139:7-12), knows everything

(Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:28), and has all power and authority (Ephesians 1; Revelation 19:6).

WHO IS GOD? - HIS CHARACTER Here are some of God’s characteristics as revealed in the Bible: God is just (Acts 17:31), loving (Ephesians 2:4-5), truthful (John 14:6), and holy (1 John 1:5). God shows compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3), mercy (Romans 9:15), and grace (Romans 5:17). God judges sin (Psalm 5:5) but also offers forgiveness (Psalm 130:4).

WHO IS GOD? - HIS WORK We cannot understand God apart from His works, because what God does flows from who He is.

Here is an abbreviated list of God’s works, past,

present, and future: God created the world (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 42:5); He actively sustains the world (Colossians 1:17); He is executing His eternal plan (Ephesians 1:11) which involves the redemption of man from the curse of sin and death (Galatians 3:13-14); He draws people to Christ (John 6:44); He disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:6); and He will judge the world (Revelation 20:11-15).

WHO IS GOD? - A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM In the Person of the Son, God became incarnate (John 1:14). The Son of God became the Son of Man and is therefore the “bridge” between God and man (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5). It is only through the Son that we can have forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), reconciliation with God (John 15:15; Romans 5:10), and eternal salvation (2 Timothy 2:10). In Jesus Christ “all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). So, to really know who God is, all we have to do is look at Jesus. “Then one of the mighty angels flew over to the altar and with a pair of tongs picked out a burning coal. He touched my lips with it and said, “Now you are pronounced ‘not guilty’ because this coal has touched your lips. Your sins are all forgiven.” Isaiah 6:6-7

SPECIAL NOTE: Holiness will change the way you speak and act. Isaiah’s willingness to serve God proceeded from a grateful heart. Isaiah wanted to serve God, who had forgiven him. GOD IS PERSONAL – This characteristic of God sets Him apart from the socalled “gods” of other religions. GOD WANTS DEVOTION AND GOD IS NOT FAR AWAY.

Assignment What Is God Personally to You and in Your Life? Write your complete answer; at least one paragraph. Be prepared to share your answer.

Principle #2

The Bible is Our Rule of Faith “The Bible is our rule of faith and Christ alone is Lord. All we are equal in His sight when we obey His Word.” ---- THE CHURCH’S JUBILEE, THE HYMN ----

Reference Materials 1. The Holy Bible 2. Meet Us At the Cross, pgs 12-14 3. Christian Bible Institute and Seminary 4. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute 5. 80th Annual Camp Meeting of the National Association of the Church of God “96”

DEFINITION FOR SUCCESS There are two essential Greek words that describe Scripture, which is translated “Word” in the New Testament. LOGOS – refers to the written WORD, the total inspired WORD of GOD and to Jesus, Who is the Living WORD. The REVEALED WILL of God in its fullness. (Luke 8:11 - John 1:1 – Philippians 2:16 - 2 Timothy 2:15 – Hebrews 4:12 - I Peter 1:23 - I Peter 2:2) RHEMA – refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance” (THE “WORD HERE”); the prophetic spoken WORD of God; The WORD of God for the season. 9

A rhema is a verse of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction. The Holy Spirit illuminates particular Scriptures for application that are confirmed in our daily walk with the Lord. (Matthew 4:4 - Matthew 26:75 Luke 1:38 - Luke 2:29 - Luke 3:2 - Luke 5:5 - John 6:63 - John 15:7,8 - Acts 5:20 - Acts 11:16 - Romans 10:8–9, 17 - II Corinthians 13:1 - Ephesians 6:17 - Ephesians 5:25–26). Every word of God is inspired, and “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). “If ye abide in me, and my words [rhema] abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:7–8). Take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," (Ephesians 6:17);

NOTE: The Holy Spirit will bring to our remembrance various scriptures for use in time of need, however it is critical that we daily store in our mind and heart the scripture. Ask God daily as you read His Word (logos) to speak to you through His Word (rhema) and give you insight into it. These passages that stand out with significant meaning or application are the rhemas of Scripture and should become a part of your daily thoughts and actions. DOCTRINE - Teaching and sound doctrine is Bible teaching which is true to the Scripture. One of the most foundational Christian doctrines has to do with the Bible - the source of all other doctrines and we rest on the authority of the Bible.

“The Bible is access to the MIND & PLAN of God.” 10

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION Matthew 24:35 - “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” John 1:1 - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”

WHY SHOULD ONE STUDY THE BIBLE? A)

It is the only complete, comprehensive revelation of God to man. God reveals Himself in nature, through conscience, and the BIBLE, but the Bible is the only complete and comprehensive revelation of God. Psalm 19:1-6, Roman 2:14 & Psalm 119: 105

The Bible reveals the will, plan, and purposes of God for the human family. II Peter 3:9

It is of the utmost importance that we study the Bible, since it relates to our life and destiny. Psalm 119:9, Luke 13:2-3

NOTE: AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WHOLE BIBLE IS ESSENTIAL TO AN INTELLIGENT INTERPRETATION OF ANY PART. II Timothy 3:16-17

GOD’S WORD IS ABSOLUTE Read: II Timothy 3:16, Luke 21:33 and Matthew 5:18

Note: Our acceptance of the Bible as the Word of God does not mean that every passage or Scripture can be explained or understood (that’s where faith steps in). Nor does it mean that God has given His approval to every recorded statement (i.e. the lies of satan, etc.) BUT THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD VOUCHES FOR/GUARANTEES THE ACCURACY OF THE FACTS AND THE EVENTS. Psalm 92:5 & Isaiah 55:8 - 13. 11

â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE BIBLE --- A LIGHT FOR YOUR PATH . . .â&#x20AC;? A) To Victory

B) To Salvation

C) To Obedience & Faith

D) To Maturity in Christ

E) To Renewal & Service

F) To Comfort in Conflict

G) To Trust and Hope

H) To Godly Value

I) To Understanding and Wisdom

J) To Worship and Praise

All of the above translates into abundant life, prosperity, success, triumph vs. defeat and to have healing (physical, mental, and spiritual) in our lives.

Of course, as Christians, we defer to the Holy Bible, the Word of God, as the ultimate rule of faith and life.

We Believe... We believe the Bible to be the inspired and infallible written Word of God. We believe in and worship the triune God, one God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We believe that sin resulted in the fall of humanity and separation from God. We believe humanity is sinful by nature and by choice, and is in need of a Savior for redemption and restoration to fellowship with God. We believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, both fully God and fully human. We believe that His crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection is the ransom for sin that restored that fellowship.

We believe that He is

presently seated at the right hand of God the Father, with all power in His hands. 12

We further believe in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary as the only answer to humanity's sin problem.

We believe that

salvation is obtained by grace through faith. All who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead shall be saved. We believe that the Holy Spirit initiates the process of salvation and is active in the conviction, conversion, and regeneration of the believer. The Holy Spirit further performs a special work in the heart and life of the believer that is subsequent to and apart from the conversion experience through the process of sanctification, whereby the Holy Spirit cleanses and purifies the heart of the believer by removing the "old" or "Adamic" nature and fills the cleansed heart with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, enabling the believer to live a holy life free from sin. We also believe that the Holy Spirit gifts every believer with spiritual gifts for the purpose of furthering the Work and Kingdom of God. We believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ to ransom the Church and to judge the world. We believe in the new heaven and the new earth, and that God will judge and reward us according to our works.

THIS WE CONFESS. THIS WE BELIEVE.

Assignment WHAT WILL BE YOUR PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO BIBLE STUDY & SUNDAY SCHOOL? Write your complete answer; at least one paragraph. Be prepared to share your answer.

Principle #3 “BATTLE PLAN FOR PRAYER” Reference Materials 1. The Holy Bible 2. The Battle Plan For Prayer – Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick 3. The Movie: War Room – Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick 4. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute

THE LEGACY OF PRAYER Excerpt From: Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick, “The Battle Plan for Prayer” chapter 1, “The Legacy of Prayer”. Stephen & Alex are the creators, writers and directors of the following movies: FLYWHEEL, FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and WAR ROOM. None of those fine movies would have been made or the millions of lives that have been saved by these works would have been possible without an active and consistent prayer life.

“O You who hear prayer, to You all men come.” (Psalm 65:2) Prayer can accomplish what a willing God can accomplish. It is a beautiful, mysterious, and awe-inspiring gift. There is no greater privilege for anyone than being able to personally talk with and speak into the ears of Almighty God. There’s not an issue we’re facing that prayer cannot address because nothing is too difficult or impossible for God to handle. And there is no greater legacy we could embrace or leave behind us than one of faithfulness in prayer.

It should not surprise us, then, to discover that the greatest and most spiritually successful men and women in the Bible were always people of prayer. Abraham walked by faith but was guided by prayer, and the nations of the world have never been the same because of it. Isaac’s intercession on behalf of his barren wife resulted in the birth of Jacob, who became the father of the nation of Israel (Genesis 25:21). Moses spoke with God “as a man speaks to his friend,” receiving God’s guidance and revelation for his leadership decisions (Exodus 33:11). The world still has the Torah and the Ten Commandments as fruit of it. David talked to God “morning, noon, and night” (Psalm 55:17 HCSB) and wrote the longest book in your Bible because of it. The Psalms are filled with a plethora of passionate prayers set to song. Nehemiah’s intercessions resulted in Israel miraculously rebuilding the city walls of Jerusalem in incredible time. You can visit this city, as we have, and see a portion of Nehemiah’s wall still standing today. Daniel so cherished talking with God that he prioritized it three times a day and was willing to give up his life rather than give up his prayer time. From Joseph to Jeremiah, Hannah to Hosea, the Scriptures are replete with people who discovered God really does listen and respond to those who approach Him in faith. Elijah was basically a walking example of answered prayer and became an inspiration for New Testament believers (James 5:16– 18). Yet Jesus Christ remains the ultimate model and Master of prayer. At His birth, Jesus and His family were greeted in the temple by Anna, a widow who served God in prayer day and night. At the start of His public ministry, He rose up out of the water at His baptism, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended “while He was praying” (Luke 3:21–22). 15

Before choosing His disciples, Jesus spent all night in prayer to God. As they followed Him, they discovered His private habit was to rise early and pray before the sun rose (Mark 1:35). Even as His popularity was exploding, He would “often slip away to the wilderness and pray” (Luke 5:15–16). His first fully recorded sermon in the Scriptures explains the fundamentals of how to pray (Matt. 5–7). He taught and challenged His followers to “watch and pray” (Mark 14:38 NKJV) and to pray instead of giving up (Luke 18:1). He angrily threw the money changers out of the temple, shouting, “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matthew 21:13). He gifted the world with the greatest model prayer of all time (Matthew 6:9–13) and later prayed the most powerful high priestly prayer of all time (John 17). Before His betrayal and crucifixion, Jesus knelt alone in the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed so deeply and desperately that His sweat literally became drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Even while suffering in agony on the cross, He prayed out loud three times between His final breaths. Then after ascending into heaven, He sent His Spirit to fill believers and specifically call us to more effective prayer (Romans 8:15–16). Now as our High Priest, Jesus stands at the right hand of the Father and ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:23–28). Andrew Murray wrote, “Christ’s life and work, His suffering and death, were founded on prayer—total dependence upon God the Father, trust in God, receiving from God, and surrendering to God. Your redemption is brought into being by prayer and intercession. The life He lived for you and the life He lives in you is a life that delights to wait on God and receive from Him. To pray in His name is to pray as He prayed. Christ is our example because He is our Head, our Savior, and our Life. In virtue of His deity and of His Spirit, He can live in us. We can pray in His name because we abide in Him and He abides in us.”

The greatest Christian missionaries of all time were also men and women of prayer. Hudson Taylor had an unprecedented impact on China in the late 1800s, resulting from his establishment of the China Inland Mission. He started 125 schools and introduced untold thousands of people to faith in Christ. In a book written by his son and daughter-in-law, they reveal that Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret was that he obediently walked closely with God in prayer. Howard Taylor wrote of his father, “For forty years the sun never rose on China a single day that God didn’t find him on his knees.” In England, a humble man named George Müller led the Ashton Down Orphanage in Bristol and took care of more than ten thousand orphans throughout his life. He did so without ever asking anyone for money. He would pray in secret and then watch God provide in public. When he died, he’d recorded detailed accounts of more than fifty thousand documented answers to prayer in his journals. His example and teachings on prayer have blessed millions around the world. One of them was England’s great preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Thousands gathered each week to hear the powerful, expository messages of this “Prince of Preachers,” who taught and wrote extensively on the power of prayer. When visitors came through his New Park Street Church, he would often walk them to the basement prayer room where people were faithfully on their knees interceding to God for Spurgeon and their community. Spurgeon would declare, “Here is the powerhouse of this church.” In the United States, John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards helped usher in the Great Awakenings in the 1700s that radically changed the culture of America from rampant wickedness to a contagious pursuit of God. Their strategy included preaching God’s Word while calling and uniting believers together in sincere, extraordinary prayer.

And these examples are only a drop in the ocean of people through the years who have found and experienced God on their knees. We have each been given a rich legacy of the power and importance of prayer, both in Scripture and throughout Christian history. Every generation needs courageous believers who will trust God at His Word and pick up the baton of intercession, continuing the powerful legacy of faithfully standing in the gap and seeking His heart in prayer. Our hope is that every chapter of this book will enrich your relationship with the Lord and equip you to walk closer to Him while becoming a more committed and effective prayer warrior for His glory. No church program, religious event, political effort, or humanitarian cause can trump the awesome power of what God can do in response to the prayers of His people. What would happen if believers and churches today followed the great people of the Bible and in Christian history and began to pray powerfully and effectively? What if we decided to get right with God and begin humbly seeking His face in faith for revival and spiritual awakening like they did during the first and second great awakenings? What might God do through us? Through you?

ARE YOU READY TO PRAY FOR IT? Father, I come before You and thank You for the great legacy of prayer that has come before us. I ask You to pour out Your Holy Spirit on me and Your church. Draw me into a daily, more intimate walk with You. May prayer become as natural to me as breathing, and may You work through my prayers to help bring about Your kingdom and Your will in my heart, my home, and my generation. In Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; name, I pray, amen. 18

Assignment Make a commitment, starting TODAY, to three life-changing habits: Habit number one, READ the Bible each day. Let the Word of God mold you into a person of prayer. We encourage you to read through the Gospel of Luke during these seven weeks and be studying it through the lens of what you can learn from Jesus about prayer. You are also encouraged to look up and study verses in each chapter that you are unfamiliar with that spark your interest. Habit number two, PRAY every day. Prayer should be both scheduled and spontaneous. Choose a place and time when you can pray alone each day, preferably in the morning (Ps. 5:3). Write down specific needs and personal requests you’ll be targeting in prayer over the next few weeks, along with the following prayer: “Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name, asking that You draw me into a closer, more personal relationship with You. Cleanse me of my sins and prepare my heart to pray in a way that pleases You. Help me know You and love You more this week. Use all the circumstances of my life to make me more like Jesus, and teach me how to pray more strategically and effectively in Your name, according to Your will and Your Word. Use my faith, my obedience, and my prayers this week for the benefit of others, for my good, and for Your glory. Amen. May we each experience the amazing power of God in our generation as a testimony of His goodness for His glory!

My Scheduled Prayer Time ___:___ a.m./p.m. My Scheduled Prayer Place ________________________ My Prayer Targets 19

Develop a specific, personalized, ongoing prayer list using one or more of the following questions: • What are your top three biggest needs right now? • What are the top three things you are most stressed about? • What are three issues in your life that would take a miracle of God to resolve? • What is something good and honorable that, if God provided it, would greatly benefit you, your family, and others? • What is something you believe God may be leading you to do, but you need His clarity and direction on it? • “What is a need from someone you love that you’d like to start praying about?”

__________________________________________________________________________________

10. __________________________________________________________________________________ 11. __________________________________________________________________________________ 12. __________________________________________________________________________________ 13. __________________________________________________________________________________ 14. __________________________________________________________________________________ 15. __________________________________________________________________________________ 16. __________________________________________________________________________________ 17. __________________________________________________________________________________ 18. __________________________________________________________________________________ 19. __________________________________________________________________________________

In closing, keep this mind as you pray.

“The Meaning of the Crosshairs Symbol” (From “War Room”- The Movie) THE CROSS in the middle reminds us that successful prayer begins with a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and faith in His shed blood on the cross. (John 14:6, Ephesians 3:12; Colossians 1:15–20) THE VERTICAL LINES in the cross, as well as above and below it, remind us to stay vertically aligned with God and His Word in prayer. (John 14:13; 15:7; 1 John 5:14) THE HORIZONTAL LINES in the cross and on both sides remind us to stay right with others. This includes forgiving, apologizing, and also praying in agreement with others. (Matthew 5:23–24; 18:19–20; Mark 11:25) THE INNER CIRCLE means to maintain a pure heart in prayer. When you pray, you should keep no unconfessed sin or bitterness in your heart and you should approach God humbly, repentantly, submissively, and in faith. (Psalm 66:18; Mark 11:24; James 4:7–10) THE CROSSHAIRS remind us to aim our intercession and to pray specifically, strategically, and persistently. (Matthew 7:7–8; John 15:7; James 5:16) 22

Principle #4

Church of God –

It’s All in The Name”

REFERENCE MATERIALS 1. The Holy Bible 2. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute 3. Charles Naylor, “O Church of God,” Hymnal of the Church of God, (Anderson, Indiana: Warner Press, 1971), page 458 4. “Meetings at the Cross”, pages 7-10

PART ONE: “THE ORIGIN & PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH” DEFINITION FOR SUCCESS Church – Ecclesia (Greek), which means “the called out.” The members of the church are called out from old creation and out of darkness into the new creation into the light in Christ Jesus. Though they are in the world, they are not of the world. The Father has given them to the Son out of the world (John 17:6 11, 14 & 16). They are Christ’s body of believers.

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee. That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” I Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” I Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 23

Acts 2:41-42, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” O CHURCH OF GOD The church of God one body is, One Spirit dwells within; And all her members are redeemed, and triumph over sin. Divinely built, divinely ruled, to God she doth submit; His will her law, his truth her guide, her path is glory lit. God sets her members each in place, according to His will; Apostles, prophets, teachers all, His purpose to fulfill. SALVATION IS HER HOLY WALLS, THE CROSS HER SIGN OF POWER; HER CAPTAIN IS THE MIGHTY GOD, WHO GUARDS HER EVERY HOUR. In beauty stand. O Church of God. With righteousness arrayed; Put on thy strength and face thy foes, with courage undismayed. O Church of God! I love thy courts, thou mother of the free; Thou blessed home of all the saved, I dwell content in thee.

WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL CHURCH? A.

The Church is a “Called Out Body or Ecclesia.”

The Church is more than an organization. It is an organism. An organization is a body of persons enlisted together for united action. An organism is a body having life within itself, with mutually dependent parts, all functioning toward a common purpose. No dependent part is more important or valued more than the other. THE PURPOSE FOR THE CHURCH IS THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL TO ALL MEN.

The Rock upon which the Church is built is the LORD Jesus Christ, who is the “Chief Corner Stone.” (Ephesians 2:20, I Corinthians 3:11)

The Church has a Record of Service through the ages unequaled by any international organization.

Note: The Church is responsible for the founding of many benevolent services including orphanages, homes for senior citizens, youth programs, and etc. ranging, from the YMCA, YWCA, the Salvation Army, the Goodwill to the Red Cross. The education of the masses began with the Church.

TRUE, these movements have not all maintained their

original Christian standards, but they were started by men of God and have been used by God for good.

THE ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH The Church is a New Testament institution that had its birth with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but its conception was long before that. A.

The Church originated in the mind of God before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:1-14, 3:11) God’s plans are complete and His purposes definite.

God the father is the author of the SALVATION,

which the Church proclaims. Christians can do nothing to earn God’s grace. God Himself chose the members of the Church, predestined them to be conformed to the IMAGE of His Son, and accepted them in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-6).

The members of the Church are redeemed by the

Son of God. B.

Announced by Christ.

The first mention of the Church in the New

Testament is Jesus’ announcement at Cesarea Philippi. (Matthew 16:1220, 18:15-20, John 20:19-23, Ephesians 2:20 & I Corinthians 3:11) C.

The Church was inaugurated on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:4, 47) 25

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH A.

The Church is entrusted to carry the Gospel to the world and to be GOD’s witnesses of Salvation… (Mark 16:15)

The mystery “HID IN GOD” was the divine purpose to make of Jew and Gentile, a new creation, the Body of Christ, formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, in which the earthly distinction of Jew and Gentile would disappear. It was a mystery first revealed to Paul to record. It was concealed from angels and prophets. (Ephesians 3:1-11, Romans 16:25-26, I Corinthians 12:12-13 & Colossians 3:10-11) The unfolded mystery was that Christ should gather out a people, live in them, and work through them.

The Church is the Body of Christ (“Fellowship/Unity”). This Body of Christ has work to do on earth. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:12, 4:15-16, I Corinthians 12:12-27, Romans 12:4-5)

The Church is to be the Bride of Christ. (Revelations 19:7, 21:9, II Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 2:6-7) The membership of the Church must be completed before the Son of Man can come in His GLORY. The union between Christ and His Church is divine and will continue eternally.

THREE WAYS WE SPEAK OF THE “CHURCH OF GOD” A.

It is a biblical name used to describe the body of Christ. (I Corinthians 1:2, 10:32, 11:22, 15:9, II Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:13 and I Timothy 3:5) It is used in a universal sense to refer to all persons who believe on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and are thereby in the Church by God’s action as indicated in Acts 2:47.

The name “CHURCH OF GOD” is used to identify a particular movement within Protestant Christianity. When the name is used to designate our movement, it is written thus: Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). Without getting involved with detailed definitions, though our roots are out of the Protestant Christianity movement, we do not identify ourselves as Protestant. We like to think of ourselves as “PROCLAIMERS OF THE WORD OF GOD.” “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32.

TWO MESSAGES ARE GIVEN EMPHASIS BY “THE CHURCH OF GOD”: 1.

“Message of Unity” - John 17

“Message of Holiness” - Leviticus11:44 & Galatians 5:22 The “Message of Holiness” includes both personal piety and disciplined practical service within the church and to all peoples of the world. — Galatians 6:7-10

The name “CHURCH OF GOD” of is also used to identify particular Church of God within the International Church of God Ministries, Anderson, Indiana. For example this congregation is known as “The Community Church of God, Inc.”.

PARTICIPATION is not an option for Christianity. (Biblical, organizational or local) IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ONE’S SALVATION EXPERIENCE! Acts 2:41-46, Ephesians 5:19-21, Hebrew 10:25 and I John 3:11-15. 27

Principle #4

Church of God –

It’s All in The Name”

“The Bible is our rule of faith and Christ alone is Lord. All we are equal in His sight when we obey His Word.” ---- THE CHURCH’S JUBILEE, THE HYMN ---REFERENCE MATERIALS 1. The Holy Bible 2. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute 3. Charles Naylor, “O Church of God,” Hymnal of the Church of God, 4. (Anderson, Indiana: Warner Press, 1971), page 458 5. “Meetings at the Cross”, pages 7-10

PART TWO: “THE GROWTH & CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH” DEFINITION FOR SUCCESS Please review last session’s definition.

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” I Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” I Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

Acts 2:41-42, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Romans 12:1 – 5, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

GROWTH OF THE BIBLICAL CHURCH RELIES UPON: A.

THE MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST THE BIBLICAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH holds three fundamental beliefs: 1.

JESUS IS THE MESSIAH, unlike the Unification Church, who teaches that Sun Myung Moon, is the Second Coming of Christ fulfilling the mission that Jesus failed. (Acts 2:36; 5:31; 17:3) All the disciples gave witness that Jesus of Nazareth was the long expected Messiah of Israel, who died, rose again and is exalted at the Right Hand of God.

Each member of the Biblical Church is

expected to give exclusive personal loyalty, reverence and obedience to the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ as Savior.

JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD, unlike the Mormon, who teaches that His death on the cross does not provide full atonement for all sin, but does provide everyone with resurrection. (Acts 4:33; 13:33; 17:31) The resurrection proclaims not only proof of Christ’s deity BUT also as evidence that God has forever accepted Jesus’ atonement for sin and appointed Him to judge the world in righteousness.

JESUS WILL RETURN, unlike the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who teach that Jesus is not coming again; He “returned” invisibly in 1914 in spirit. (Acts 1:11; 15:16) The disciples believed and taught that Jesus ascended to heaven and will come back to earth and reign forever. This blessed hope supports the believers in the midst of great need, danger and persecution.

THE METHOD OF JESUS CHRIST (Acts 1:8, 22; 5:32; 10:39; 13:31) The method of the Church through which the world is to be won is the witnessing of its members. As the numbers were multiplied, the witnesses multiplied, for every member felt his responsibility for actively furthering the work. This universal testimony was a powerful influence in the rapid increase of the Church. However more importantly, the Church must build up its members by teaching them in a continual program of Christian education. The disciples literally obeyed the Lord’s Great Commission to go and teach. The word “teach” is found twice in our Lord’s farewell address and the instruction in teaching was, “to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

THE MOVEMENT (Acts 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 11:21; 14:1; 16:5; 17:4) Gibbon, an 18th century scholar, who was distinctly “antagonistic” (opposed/hostile) to Christianity wrote in “Decline and Fall of the Rome Empire” four distinct reasons “WHY CHRISTIANITY GREW SO RAPIDLY IN THE ANCIENT WORLD”: 1. Enthusiasm: The Christians believed and applied the teachings of Jesus, and refused to compromise with any pagan religion or secular. 2. Doctrine of Future Life: Christians have a hope of glory that cannot be understood by human intellect. The early Christians held this hope and shared it with certainty. 3. Miraculous Power: “With great power gave the apostles witness” (Acts

4:33).

Marvelous

miracles

worked

the

disciples

demonstrated the truth of their teaching. 4. Pure Morals: They would not compromise with pagan immoralities. They abandoned sins when they became Christians, lived exemplary lives and exhibited a standard of virtue unknown to the ancient world. The early Christians exhibited what Paul calls, “the mystery of godliness.” Their aim was to be like Christ in all areas of life.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BIBLICAL CHURCH “The Characteristics of any local church are the total of the characteristics of its members.” The early Christians were: A.

United (Acts 2:44; 4:32; Ephesians 4:1-7): The Christians united not only as a church, but also as a family and the Holy Spirit worked mightily as a result of their unity. Their mutual FAITH in the Messiah bound them together as a group.

Steadfast (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:14-16): They remained steadfast in their belief in God’s Word and the apostles’ teaching. They recognized their vital need for fellowship and remained steadfast in it. The members were quick to see their own failures and slow to criticize others. Christ was the substance of sermons and the center of worship. The early church realized the power in praying “with one accord”, together, in agreement and God’s faithfulness to answer.

Charitable (Acts 2:45; 4:34 & 35; Ephesians 4:28): The Christians gave spontaneously. Their love for Christ and their desire to spread the gospel were so great that they saw their material possessions as gifts from God to be used for Him. Their charity was a wonderful testimony of the LOVE of Christ in their lives. Those who looked on the scene could well comment, “See how those Christians live.”

Joyful (Acts 2:46 & 47; Ephesians 5:18-21): They continued “daily with one accord in the temple . . . with gladness and singleness of heart.” It was this singleness of heart that gave them JOY. They were not divided between Christ and the world, but being wholly the Lord’s, they rejoiced in the Lord and were full of His JOY.

Successful (Acts 2:41 & 47; 5:14; 6:7; 13:44; 16:5; 17:6; 18:8): The early church had favor with God and its members were added to the LORD and by the LORD. And when the LORD adds to the Church (not just names or numbers but strength), the members are united, steadfast, charitable, and joyful. As a result, their presence makes the Church successful.

QUALIFICATION 1. A personal experience and assurance of salvation. II Timothy 1:12; Roman 4:25; Acts 13:39 2. A pure life. This means complete separation to God; living in fellowship with the divine; separation from things that are contrary to His mind. I John 1:6-7; II Corinthians 6:17-18 3. A prayerful life. God reaches us through the Word; we reach Him through prayer. Ezekiel 12:17; John 2:1-10 4. A purposeful life. A life without purpose is like a ship without a compass. Be definite in your aim and be determined in purpose. Luke 2:49; John 4:4; I Corinthians 9:16 5. A persistence life. There is no discharge in this war; despite mistakes, discouragements, rebuffs and etc. YOU HAVE YOUR ASSIGNMENT!!! SO YOU MUST GO AND MUST SERVE!!! YOU’VE BEEN COMMISSIONED IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD BY THE KINGS HIMSELF!!! GET STARTED AND STICK TO THE ASSIGNMENT!!!

ASSIGNMENT Prayerfully consider the ministry of your local congregation and how you can better ASSIST the Pastor Rufus and the Church with the Lord’s vision & plan for the community.

As God speaks to your heart, write out the plan God has

given you. Write your complete answer; at least one paragraph. Be prepared to share your answer.

Principle #4

Church of God –

It’s All in The Name”

REFERENCE MATERIALS: 1. The Holy Bible 2. Church of God Ministries… Jesus is The Subject 2. Meet Us at the Cross 3. This We Believe...This We Proclaim 4. Church of God Doctrines 5. Let’s Get Acquainted with the Church of God

PART THREE: “WHO IS THE CHURCH OF GOD & WHAT ARE OUR BELIEFS” Before we talk about “What Does The Church Believe”, allow me to give some insights as to “Who We, The Church of God” are.

Our History The Church of God, with U.S. offices in Anderson, Indiana, began in 1881 as a movement emphasizing unity and holiness. Early leaders such as Daniel S. Warner and Mary Cole sought to forsake denominational hierarchies and formal creeds, trusting solely in the Holy Spirit as their overseer, and in the Bible as their statement of belief. These individuals saw themselves at the forefront of a movement to restore unity and holiness to God’s church. Their aim was not to establish another denomination but to promote primary allegiance to Jesus Christ and transcend denominational loyalties.

Since 1891, when the movement’s first missionary was sent to Mexico, the Church of God has continued to grow into a multinational community of faith. Average weekend attendance in the congregations of the United States and Canada totals approximately 250,000. There are approximately 2,300 congregations in the United States and Canada. Globally, the movement has work in eighty-nine countries and territories representing more than 7,300 churches and 875,000 believers. In 1996 and 1997, the General Assembly initiated a restructuring of the work of the national ministries of the Church of God in North America. The result was the formation of Church of God Ministries, Inc. Priorities for the work of this organization are identified by representatives selected from the grassroots church. As the Church of God begins each new chapter in its history, Jesus remains the subject, and the dynamic story of the Church of God continues to unfold. Check out Warner Press for resources on the history of the Church of God movement. Some helpful titles include the following: •

Saw

the

Church:

The

Life

the

Church

God

Told

Theologically by Merle D. Strege •

A Brief History of the Church of God Reformation Movement by John W. V. Smith

The Church of God Interpretive Center, established in 2013, offers visitors to Anderson, Indiana the opportunity to explore the ever-unfolding story of the Church of God movement. Complete with historical artifacts, photographs, multimedia presentations, and a hands-on exhibit, the Interpretive Center is open to visitors on Fridays, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (excluding holidays), or by appointment. 35

HERE ARE A FEW FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS…

WHAT RESTRICTIONS DO YOU PLACE ON MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD?

Diversity, within the scope of the teachings of Jesus

Christ, is expected. Conformity in all matters of doctrine and practice is not the goal of the Church of God or Community Church of God for its people. Our relatedness to each other (local, state, national and international) in the church does not depend on a strict and uniform doctrinal stance but on our commitment to Jesus Christ, bringing his spirit to bear on our personal lives and society. We see our bodies as “temples of the Holy Spirit” and therefore urge abstinence from some specific behavior such as the use of alcoholic beverages,

tobacco,

drugs

for

pleasure

psychological

escape,

and

indulgence in sexual immorality I Corinthians 6:15, Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts and members of Christ? So should I take part of Christ and join him to a prostitute? Never! I Corinthians 19-20, Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.

IS THE CHURCH OF GOD CHARISMATIC OR PENTECOSTAL? Yes! And no! We are charismatic if by that you mean persons and churches are empowered by the Spirit for the edification of the church and mission in the world. Yes, we are Pentecostal if by the term you mean the Holy Spirit was given to early church and continues to come, empower, and call the church to servant ministries.

No, if you mean by charismatic or Pentecostal an

emphasis on speaking in tongues as the sign of a spirit-filled life or the freedom of persons to speak in tongues at their own discretion in public worship. 36

DOES CHURCH OF GOD BELIEVE IN DIVINE HEALING? Yes, We believe that in a broader sense all healing is divine. Thus we encourage consultation with medical professionals on matters of physical health and with other professionals in matters of emotional and relational problems. We believe these professionals can be used by God to bring health to ill and injured persons. In addition to the healing that comes through natural processes and the informed use of medication and surgery, we believe that at times God directly intervenes in the life of individuals to initiate and complete healing. We put into practice James’ instructions to the young church: “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). In many congregations persons come forward following the sermon and request that the pastor anoint and pray for them. In some congregations people are given an opportunity to come forward before the pastoral prayer, to inform the pastor of their individual need (whether it be for physical, emotional, or relational healing), and be anointed for prayer. We do not demand of God or arrogantly instruct him about the way healing should take place. We submit our petition and await his gracious action in our lives and in the lives of those whom we love.

We do not believe that

everyone is healed in the way that we would expect and hope, or even that it is best for everyone to be healed. In praying for healing, we enter into a trust relationship with God; we trust that he will do the best thing for his Kingdom and our lives.

We believe he knows what is best, even though, for the

moment, we may not be able to comprehend it (Job 9:10; Psalm 145:3). 37

WHAT DO YOU TEACH ABOUT JESUS’ SECOND COMING? This much we know about the fact of his coming: 1.

It will be personal. (Acts 1:11; John 14:3)

It will be a bodily appearance. (Philippians 3:21)

It will be visible. (Revelations 1:17; Matthew 24:30)

It will be unexpected and sudden. (Matthew 24:32-51; Matthew 24:27; Luke 17:14.)

What happens when Christ comes the second time? 1.

There will be a general resurrection of the dead. (Acts 24:15).

All nations will be gathered before him. (Matthew 25:31-32; I Corinthians 15)

There will be the final judgment. (Acts 17:31; II Peter 2:9; Matthew 25:31-46)

The world will end. (II Peter 3:6-13)

The eternal order will begin: heaven and blessedness. (Revelation 21: 1ff) Read the entire Chapter 21 of the Book of Revelation.

ASSIGNMENT If you have any addition questions regarding “Who we are” and “What We Believe”, please feel free to setup an appointment with Pastor Rufus. He will be glad to sit with you.

Principle #5 The Ordinances

– The Celebration of Life

REFERENCE MATERIALS: 1. The Holy Bible 2. Church of God Ministries… Jesus is The Subject 2. Meet Us at the Cross, pgs. 14-15 3. Church of God Doctrines, pgs. 113-121 5. Christian Bible Institute and Seminary 6. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute

KEY DEFINITIONS FOR SUCCESS The word “BAPTIZE” is a Greek word

“BAPTIZO”

which

means

basically to dip, plunge or immerse. It is only a figure of the spiritual work, which God works in the heart. Literal water cannot cleanse the soul of man. The blood of Christ does!

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION Acts 2:38 - “And Peter replied, “Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit.” Romans 6:4 - “Your old sin-loving nature was buried with him by baptism when he died; and when God the Father, with glorious power, brought him back to life again, you were given his wonderful new life to enjoy.” 39

PART ONE Ordinances are worship and faith disciplines, which have specifically been ordained by Jesus in his instructions to his followers.

We believe the

ordinances are symbolic of something that is happening in the believer as a DIRECT ACT of God’s Spirit. reality.

The symbolic act witnesses to an inner

These symbols affirm and remind us of what God has done in

Christ. Important as these observances are, man’s salvation cannot be earned by the performance of these or any other rites. Salvation is a relationship between the inner heart of a person and God, and if that relationship is absent, no amount of rites and ceremonies will save that person. There are three ordinances ordained directly by Christ, which the Church of God observes. These are • “Baptism by immersion,” • “The LORD’s Supper” or “Communion” and • “Foot Washing.”

WHAT IS BAPTISM? It was instituted and commanded by the Risen Christ. Matthew 28:19-20 & Mark 16: 15-17 It was obeyed and practiced by the early church. Acts 2:38, 2:41, 8:30 – 38, 8:12, 9:18 & 22:16

WHO IS TO BE BAPTIZED? The passage scriptures cited above show that baptism was administered following repentance and faith in Christ. The spiritual experience of the new birth must alway precede baptism. 40

WHAT IS THE FORM OR MODE OF BAPTISM? Baptism normally can only be carried out by immersion. A Death, a Burial, a Resurrection could not be portrayed by sprinkling or pouring. The Christian life involves the whole person, and thus it is fitting that the ceremony that symbolizes a person’s entrance into life likewise involves the entire person. However, the church has granted exception to the form or mode depending upon the participant’s physical limitations and access to a pool or body of water. Read Romans 6:1-4, “Well then, shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep on showing us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not! Should we keep on sinning when we don’t have to? For sin’s power over us was broken when we became Christians and were baptized to become a part of Jesus Christ; through his death the power of your sinful nature was shattered. Your old sin-loving nature was buried with him by baptism when he died; and when God the Father, with glorious power, brought him back to life again, you were given his wonderful new life to enjoy.”

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE AND MEANING OF BAPTISM? A.

Again, Baptism is the sign and symbol of an inner spiritual work through repentance and faith in Christ. In this spiritual experience the person has died to sin, but has been raised to walk in the newness of life. In the act of “Baptism” the believer enacts this experience symbolically.

By the act of baptism in the presence of the congregation and other witnesses, the candidate testifies that Christ has actually done what the act symbolizes. 41

Baptism does not make me a member of the church. That takes place when one repents of sin and accepts Jesus into his life. However, it is a convert’s testimony of membership in God’s church by spiritual experience, public identity with the church and commitment to its ministry with the world.

WHAT FOLLOWS BAPTISM? A.

There should be growth in the Christian life. “Growing Christian are essentially Bible Christians.” I Peter 3:18 & II Peter 1:5-7

Open your life to and seek for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Read Acts 1:8-9

Your life following baptism should be a continuation of life of witnessing for Christ. Read the Book of Acts (especially Chap. 8) and see how the followers of Christ took advantage of every opportunity to tell the gospel story. “Let the holy life tell the gospel story, I am a child of God; How He fills the soul with His grace and glory”

Principle #5 The Ordinances

– The Celebration of Life

REFERENCE MATERIALS: 1.

The Holy Bible

Church of God Ministries… Jesus is The Subject

Meet Us at the Cross, pgs. 14-15

Church of God Doctrines, pgs. 113-121

Growing and Stretching in the Christian Life, pgs. 15-19, 32-33

Christian Bible Institute and Seminary

Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION I Corinthians 11:26 - “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come”. John 13:15 - “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you”. 43

PART TWO THE LORD’S SUPPER/HOLY COMMUNION Read I Corinthians 11:23-29. This memorial supper was instituted by Jesus on the night before his crucifixion. While celebrating the Passover with his disciples, He took bread and wine and gave it to them saying, “This is my body,” and “This is my blood” (Mark 14:22-24)

The passage in First Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul, shows that this supper was observed regularly in the New Testament church. The historic church, all through the centuries that followed, has continued this observance. The basic significance of the Lord’s Supper is in the symbols of the bread and the wine, which are representative of the body and blood of Christ, whose death on the cross was in atonement of man’s sin. While the symbols are bread and wine, Christ is always present with his people when they observe this supper. This presence of Christ becomes a source of strength to very believer who shares in this great act of worship.

“YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES” (I Corinthians 11:26). The supper keeps alive the memory of what happened to Christ as well as its significance.

It is also a reminder that Jesus will return as he told his

followers on a number of occasions.

THE SERVICE OF FOOT WASHING

Read John 13:1-17. John is the only one of the gospel telling of the foot washing, some would belittle it for that reason. On the other hand He never mentioned the Lord’s Supper. A carefully and fact seeking reading of both will reveal that though Judas was not present at the eating of the “LORD’s Supper,”(John 13:30), he was however present at the foot washing. 45

The symbolism of this service points to the servant character of the church, and also to the servant character of each individual Christian. Jesus himself provided the pattern of servant-hood in the life of continual service he lived while on earth. In the act of washing the feet of a brother, we acknowledge that we are servants of each other. At the same time we recall the words of Jesus, “If I then, your LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another’s feet.” While most denominations practice the taking of the LORD’s Supper, there are not many willing to wash one another’s feet. They try to reason it out as being unnecessary as only a Jewish custom, or the desire of Jesus to give the disciples a lesson in humility, which we can fulfill by any small act of charity to one in need. THE REASON THESE TEACHINGS ARE SO UNIVERSALLY UNACCEPTED IS THAT THERE ARE NOT MANY HUMBLE PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD.

An escape from this command is wanted and an EXCUSE can

always be found if desired. One may fake humility and wash feet, his heart not being right with God, but when one absolutely refuses, we can know humility and the willingness to follow Christ are absent. Had Jesus been only following a Jewish custom, Peter would have understood, and Jesus would not have said, “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” Had Jesus only wanted to give a lesson in humility, and that any act of charity would satisfy, He would not have said, “I have given you an EXAMPLE, that ye should do AS I HAVE DONE to you.” AS I HAVE DONE MEANT HE HAD WASHED THEIR FEET, AND NO AMOUNT OF REASONING WILL CHANGE IT. 46

Note also that He told Peter, “IF I wash thee not, THOU HAST NO PART WITH ME.” If we are too proud-hearted to follow HIS example, we, too shall hear Him say, “THOU hast no part with me.” He tells us, His followers that we are not greater than He, and if He was not too “good” to wash their feet, we are not too “good” to wash our brother’s feet. The Word says, “Let all things be done decently and in order” I Corinthians 14:40. That is why when we assemble together to wash feet, we use separate rooms for the brethren and the sisters, that none have occasion to speak evil of our service.

There is a spiritual lesson in the foot washing, and this it is: teach HUMILITY and SERVICE; not being high-minded, but humble; not being one who receives service, but as one who serves.

LIKE BAPTISM, WE UNDERSTAND THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF FOOTWASHING WITH ITS LESSON OF HUMILITY AND WE ARE OBEDIENT TO THE OBSERVANCE OF THE ORDINANCE…

“If I then your LORD, and

Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet... The servant is NOT greater than his lord; neither he that is SENT greater than he that sent him.”

“Serving one LORD, we serve each other in the fellowship of Christ, and together we go out to serve men and women in the world by bringing to them the good news of salvation”. 47

Principle #5 The Ordinances

– The Celebration of Life

REFERENCE MATERIALS: 1. The Holy Bible 2. Church of God Ministries… Jesus is The Subject 3. Meet Us at the Cross, pgs. 14-15 4. Church of God Doctrines, pgs. 113-121 5. Growing and Stretching in the Christian Life, pgs. 15-19, 32-33 6. Christian Bible Institute and Seminary 7. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION: Matthew 19:14 - But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and don’t prevent them. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Proverbs 18:22 - “The man who finds a wife finds a good thing; she is a blessing to him from the Lord.” Hebrews 13:4 - “Honor your marriage and its vows, and be pure; for God will surely punish all those who are immoral or commit adultery.” 48

PART THREE INFANT DEDICATION Infant not

Dedication considered

is an

ordinance, but it is very much consistent with the instructions of Jesus. Parents are encouraged to present themselves with their infants for a time of dedication in public worship, the act is reminiscent of the presentation of Samuel by his mother as told in the Old Testament and the presentation of Jesus by his parents as told in the New Testament. It is a time for the church and the parents to acknowledge the child as a gift from God, commit themselves to rear the child in awe and respect of God, and ask Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blessings upon the body, mind, and spirit of the child. Infant baptism is not practiced in the Church of God. Infant baptism is usually an act on the part of parents by which they believe saving grace is imparted by God to the child. Later in life the child is asked to confirm that decision by the parents after receiving instruction in the faith. We believe a child is innocent and is already in the grace of God. Later the child, in some stage of his or her growth and training, will come to a time and place when he or she responds to the conviction and leadership of the Holy Spirit and will have an opportunity to accept Christ as Savior. It is at that time the child, youth, or adult will be baptized as a witness to a personal commitment to Christ and discipleship. 49

MARRIAGE CEREMONY

We believe a wedding is a worship service of the church and should be entered into with discretion, wisdom, and recognition that marriage is a MARVELOUS

GIFT FROM GOD to both the couple and the families involved. We believe a marriage begins best with a wedding that is a worship experience and with both parties committed to Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives and home.

Principle #6 Growing Towards Spiritual Maturity

Assurance: Confidence Within

REFERENCE MATERIALS: 1. The Holy Bible 2. Church of God Ministries… Jesus is The Subject 3. Growing and Stretching in the Christian Life, pgs. 5-8 4. Christian Bible Institute and Seminary 5. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute

“He touched me, O He touched me, And O the joy that floods my soul; Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.” 51

DEFINITION FOR SUCESS Regeneration - is a new birth. It is a radical, immediate change, a new creation, a new mind, a new heart, a new spirit, and a new nature. It is an ACT of GOD; it begins and ends with GOD. Justification - is the judicial act of GOD whereby He justly declares righteous the guilty sinner, who believes on Jesus Christ as his personal LORD and Savior. The individual’s name is cleared in GOD’s eyes and is therefore, free from guilt and punishment. Righteousness of God - refers to Christ who in our behalf has met every demand of the Law and is by the act of GOD made unto us Righteousness. Imputation - is the act of GOD whereby He imputes righteousness to the individual in Christ, because Christ has borne his sin in vindication of the law. Adoption - is the taking voluntarily of a child of other parents to be one’s own child, bestowing on him all the advantages of a child by birth. GOD’s adoption of believers into His own family show His grace and gives believers a new status. The believer is not viewed as a slave or a servant but sons, possessing all the rights of children of GOD as well as the inheritance from the Father. Sanctification - is to be saved in the sense of complete conformity to Christ. Salvation - is a great inclusive word, gathering unto itself all of the redemptive acts and processes. Glorification - is the act of Christ whereby He shall change the believer’s vile body, see Philippians 3:21.

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION Romans 5:1 - “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 3:24 - “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Ephesians 2:6-7 - “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Isaiah 43:1 - “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob and Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”

PART ONE THE PROCESS OF JUSTIFICATION A)

The Forgiveness of Sin. Psalm 130:4, Micah 7:18-19, Acts 13:38-39, Romans 8:1, 33-34 & Colossians 2:13-14

The Application of Christ’s Righteousness.

I Corinthians 1:30 &

Philippians 3:9 C)

The First Two (A & B) Are Conditional Upon Faith.

Romans 4,

Romans 5:1 & Galatians 3:6

How marvelous is it that God, who intensely hates sin, can so greatly LOVE the sinner? “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.” John 3:16-17 (TLB) 53

Justification is far more than pardon. THE FORGIVEN SINNER RECEIVES MORE BENEFIT THAN EVEN A DISCHARGED CRIMINAL. The forgiven sinner receives salvation and security that includes peace, joy and eternal glory. THE GIFTS OF ADOPTION A)

Adoption Gives a GODLY Nature. (Galatians 4:6) All who are adopted into the FAMILY of GOD partake of His nature, for He will have all his children to resemble Him.

Adoption Gives Equal Rights to all sons. (Galatians 4:7 & Romans 8:17) All GOD’s children are heirs. In some countries, the children do not share their father’s estate equally unless he so wills, but the eldest son is the heir. In the FAMILY of GOD all the children are declared jointheirs with CHRIST, the first-born.

Adoption Gives Fellowship. (II Corinthians 6:17-18) Adoption involves the fellowship of the Father and child. Adoption is an eternal agreement; only as Christians separate themselves from sin, setting their affections on things above, can they know the fellowship of Father and child.

Principle #6 Growing Towards Spiritual Maturity

Assurance: Confidence Within

REFERENCE MATERIALS: 1. The Holy Bible 2. Christian Bible Institute and Seminary 3. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute

GROWING................................................................. Because maturity is a lifelong process TOWARDS.......................................................Because our vision must be fixed on CHRIST SPIRITUAL .................................... Because inward transformation determines our growth MATURITY ................................... Because fulfillment of the Great Commission is our task

PART TWO: “THE DYNAMICS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH” Do Now Worksheet We learn and grow by… (May use a separate paper)

DEFINITION FOR SUCCESS Fellowship, Greek “Koinonia” – express the common partnership between believers because of their close relationship with Jesus CHRIST. 55

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION I Corinthians 13:11, “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. “ II Peter 1:3, “For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!”

The purpose of this lesson is to help you to discover the principles of spiritual growth and commit themselves to utilize the resources that God has provided for their growth. Growth happens when we diligently respond to God’s grace.

EIGHT PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH Each principle helps us unravel/solve GOD’S mystery of transforming sinful, rebellious people into godly, passionate lovers of His Son, Jesus CHRIST. These principles can be used to help us understand how GOD is working in our lives personally and enabling us to design more intentional learning strategies with our co-workers in CHRIST.

1. GOD IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL SPIRITUAL GROWTH. Isaiah 61:11, I Corinthians 3:4 -9, 15:10, Galatians 3:3, Ephesians 1:4 & Philippians 1:6 IMPORTANT NOTE: GOD’S plan is not to only save us (as important as that transformational experience is) but to continue to nurture us into His likeness. His role, as our GARDENER is not finished when the seed takes root. Rather, His role in our spiritual development has just begun. The HOLY SPIRIT works as a supernatural catalyst throughout our life. He first brings us into a personal relationship with Jesus and then molds us into His likeness. “He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the DAY of CHRIST Jesus”. – Philippians 1:6 56

2. EFFORT, DILIGENCE, AND DISCIPLINE ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR GROWTH.

Question… If GOD is responsible for our growth, can we

simply bask in the GLORY of His grace, waiting for Him to propel us into His orbit of holiness and bliss? While GOD supplies the resources and enablement for our growth, WE MUST SUPPLY THE EFFORT. If we, the PEOPLE of GOD are to grow toward maturity in CHRIST, we must demonstrate our passion to grow by obedient action. II Peter 1:1 – 11, I Corinthians 9:24 – 27, Romans 8:13, I Timothy 4:7 – 8 & Philippians 2:12 – 13

“THE GREATER THE SACRIFICE THE GREATER THE BLESSING. GOD DOESN’T NEED THE MONEY, HE NEEDS YOUR OBEDIENCE.” 3. SPIRITUAL GROWTH POTENTIAL MAY NOT BE EASY TO SEE AT FIRST. GOD’S criteria for success are different than our own. As we evaluate our lives, we must be careful not to underestimate what GOD can do in and through us (or in and through others). GOD is not confined only to the brightest and the best. Rather, He chooses people who have a heart to follow Him, regardless of their natural abilities and talents. GOD sees tremendous growth potential in every believer, who has a heart for Him.

Samuel 16:7, I Corinthians 1:26 – 29 & Matthew 13:31 – 32

SELAH MOMENT: One of my favorite hymn is “A LIVING SACRIFICE” written by Lucena C. Byrum (1921)/Henry C. Clausen (1922)

I love the Christ, the Son of God, who died that I might live; I would my gratitude express, a gift unto Him give. Refrain: MY GIFT IS SMALL, IT IS MY ALL, ACCEPT IT, LORD, I PRAY; LET SELF BE SLAIN, LET JESUS REIGN WITHIN MY HEART ALWAY. 57

I fail to find a sacrifice, or fitting gift to bring; Earth’s treasures have too little worth to offer to my King. No gift, however grand or great, could pay the debt I owe; I bring myself, my life, my all, a living gift bestow. My members all I gladly yield for service, Lord, to Thee; To bear the blessed gospel light, that others Christ may see. 4.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH DEPENDS ON AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.

Growth in the Christian life requires an “on-going”

intimacy in one’s relationship with CHRIST. In John 15:1-17 Jesus describes at least five benefits of staying closely connected: 1.

FRUITFULNESS (v. 2 – 5, 8 & 18). Also, see Galatians 5:22 – 23. These are exhibited primarily through our character and its outflow into the lives of others. Evidence of this fruit is directly related to our goal of maturity in CHRIST. As a Christian matures, increasingly more fruit should be exhibited.

SECURITY (v. 4). What a promise! In an age when relationships are becoming less and less secure, CHRIST gives us a way to enjoy absolute security.

ANSWERED PRAYER (v. 7). The best way to explain this benefit is to recall your relationship with a close friend. The closer two people are to each other, the more sensitive they tend to be to each other’s needs. As we get closer to the LORD, the more our thoughts and desires become His, and the more His will is accomplished through our

prayers

Abraham…

and

us.

Remember

GOD’S

relationship

with

JOY (v. 11). JOY is more than simple happiness based on circumstances; it is related to a supernatural, inner peace that brings emotional satisfaction even in the midst of the most distressing circumstances. It reflects a deep satisfaction based on a person’s assurance of GOD in one’s life.

FRIENDSHIP with Jesus (v. 14 - 15). With this level of friendship with Jesus, he enables His disciples to discern GOD’S WORD with more clarity and insight. The former sting of legalism and false guilt is replaced with a sense of freedom and partnership. Friends of Jesus enjoy all the rich blessings of intimacy with the KING of kings and LORD of lords. Again think of Abraham…

GROWTH IS PRIMARILY AN INSIDE-OUT PROCESS.

Biblical content,

experience and relationships helps us grow only as we interact, and respond from the heart under the illumination of the HOLY Spirit. Principles of growth are learned only as we wrestle to integrate them into the core of our being. In Mark 4:1 – 20, the different soils represent the different conditions of the human heart as it relates to their receptivity of the GOSPEL message (or the “seed). Jesus’ main purpose in telling this parable is to explain the dynamics of how and why spiritual growth occurs differently among people. How growth occurs, or whether or not it occurs at all, depends to a great degree on the condition of the heart. When one’s heart is soft and receptive to spiritual things, the ability to understand and assimilate the WORD is heightened. Spiritual growth begins in the heart and moves to outward expressions of growth.

Principle #6 Growing Towards Spiritual Maturity

Assurance: Confidence Within REFERENCE MATERIALS: 1. The Holy Bible 2. Christian Bible Institute and Seminary 3. Evangelistic Christian Bible Institute

GROWING.................................................................. Because maturity is a lifelong process TOWARDS........................................................ Because our vision must be fixed on CHRIST SPIRITUAL ......................................Because inward transformation determines our growth MATURITY .....................................Because fulfillment of the Great Commission is our task

PART THREE: “THE DYNAMICS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH” (CONTINUES) EIGHT PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH 1.

GOD IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

EFFORT, DILIGENCE, AND DISCIPLINE ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR GROWTH.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH POTENTIAL MAY NOT BE EASY TO SEE AT FIRST.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH DEPENDS ON AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.

GROWTH IS PRIMARILY AN INSIDE-OUT PROCESS.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH RELATES TO EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES. What begins inside the person eventually affects every aspect of life: family, friendship, leisure, business, etc. GOD’S desire is that every person loves Him with their whole being: body, mind, and spirit (Deuteronomy 6:5). Spiritual growth also relates to all aspects of personal development. Spiritual growth and maturity is expressed in both one’s belief and action. The WORD of GOD is very clear and direct; growing in CHRIST involves every aspect of our personhood and life. Luke 2:52, Zechariah 7:9 – 10, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 3:8, Matthew 22:34 – 40 & Romans 12:1 – 2

GROWTH HAPPENS MOST NATURALLY WITHIN A CLOSE SOCIAL CONTEXT. It is no surprise that close knit families and churches are nurturing nests for strong, growing Christians.

Healthy local Churches provide a

community where people of all ages, walk of life, ethnicity, and vocations learn together to love GOD and other persons.

People

develop best when they feel a part of a close, caring and committed group. People also learn best when they wrestle together with the issues that are of immediate concern. The early Church realized the only way they could fulfill the GREAT Commission and infiltrate a pagan world was by being unified as the FAMILY of GOD. Fellowship and community were strategic factors in the growth of the early Church. Analyzing Ephesians 4:11 – 16 from an educator’s prospective helps us realize people learn and grow when: • They are trained by experienced, older mentors; • They are involved in a close, caring group; • Their peers encourage them; • They interact with significant other people; • They use what they are learning on a daily basis; • And, when they see significance in what they are learning and doing in the lives of others. Deuteronomy 6:6 – 9 & Acts 2:42 – 47

SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OCCURS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF FRUSTRATION, SUFFERING, OR CHALLENGE.

Simple reflection on the history of

Christianity shows that persecution has made the Church stronger and more resilient. Learning theorists point us to the only way some living organisms actually grow (or change) is by encountering an obstacle big enough to make rethink the way they previously dealt with things. When faced with such challenges, the organism experiences initial frustration and discouragement. Yet, through a process of trial and error and evaluating options, the organism will eventually either overcome the obstacle or be controlled by the obstacle. Based on the assumption that all living organisms learn in similar ways, it is easy to apply this principle to people. In Hebrews 5:8 -9, we learn that suffering is to be seen as an opportunity to learn obedience. GOD uses suffering and persecution in our lives to challenge us to higher levels of spiritual thinking and living. Seen

this

light;

suffering

moves

closer

our

goal

CHRISTLIKENESS. Suffering and persecution challenge the reason why we follow the LORD. II Thessalonians 1:3-4, Romans 8:18–27, Philippians 1:29, Philippians 3:10–11 & James 1:12.

Closing Thought from 1 John 2: 1-17, 24-25 (TLB) My little children, I am telling you this so that you will stay away from sin. But if you sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good and who pleases God completely. 2 He is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s. 62

The Test of Knowing Him 3 And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? 4 Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. 5 But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. 6 Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did. 7 Dear brothers, I am not writing out a new rule for you to obey, for it is an old one you have always had, right from the start. You have heard it all before. 8 Yet it is always new, and works for you just as it did for Christ; and as we obey this commandment, to love one another, the darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in. 9 Anyone who says he is walking in the light of Christ but dislikes his fellow man is still in darkness. 10 But whoever loves his fellow man is “walking in the light” and can see his way without stumbling around in darkness and sin. 11 For he who dislikes his brother is wandering in spiritual darkness and doesn’t know where he is going, for the darkness has made him blind so that he cannot see the way.

Their Spiritual State 12 I am writing these things to all of you, my little children, because your sins have been forgiven in the name of Jesus our Savior. 13 I am saying these things to you older men because you really know Christ, the one who has been alive from the beginning. And you young men, I am talking to you because you have won your battle with Satan. And I am writing to you younger boys and girls because you, too, have learned to know God our Father. 63

14 And so I say to you fathers who know the eternal God, and to you young men who are strong with God’s Word in your hearts, and have won your struggle against Satan:

Do Not Love the World 15 Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; 16 for all these worldly things, these evil desires—the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance— these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. 17 And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever.

Let Truth Abide in You 24 So keep on believing what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will always be in close fellowship with both God the Father and his Son. 25 And he himself has promised us this: eternal life.

ASSIGNMENT Pray to God regarding your spiritual growth and development. Be obedient to His leading for his plan for your life.

Principle #7 STEWARDSHIP: Privilege Breeds Responsibility Reference Materials: 1. The Holy Bible 2. Growing and Stretching in the Christian Life, pgs 44-47 3. The Treasure Principle 3. Hymnal of the Church of God

KEY VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION: Psalm 24:1-2 - “The earth belongs to God! Everything in all the world is his! 2 He is the one who pushed the oceans back to let dry land appear.” I Peter 4:10 - “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.”

KEY DEFINITIONS FOR SUCCESS Steward - a person employed to manage another’s property.

To discover what the Bible says about stewardship, we start with the very first verse: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). As the Creator, God has absolute rights of ownership over all things, and to miss starting here is like misaligning the top button on our shirt or blouse—nothing else will ever line up. Nothing else in the Bible, including the doctrine of stewardship, will make any sense or have any true relevance if we miss the fact that God is the Creator and has full rights of ownership. It is through our ability to fully grasp this and imbed it in our hearts that the doctrine of stewardship is understood.

The biblical doctrine of stewardship defines a man’s relationship to God. It identifies God as owner and man as manager. God makes man His co-worker in administering all aspects of our life. The apostle Paul explains it best by saying, “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building” (I Corinthians 3:9). Starting with this concept, we are then able to accurately view and correctly value not only our possessions, but, more importantly, human life itself. In essence, stewardship defines our purpose in this world as assigned to us by God Himself. It is our divinely given opportunity to join with God in His worldwide and eternal redemptive movement (Matthew 28:19-20). Stewardship is not God taking something from us; it is His method of bestowing His richest gifts upon His people. The Apostle Paul emphasized throughout his writing that once we’re called and placed into the body of Jesus Christ, the stewardship that is required of us is not a result of our own power or abilities. The strength, inspiration and growth in the management of our lives must come from God through the Holy Spirit in us; otherwise, our labor is in vain and the growth in stewardship is self-righteous, human growth. Accordingly, we must always remember the sole source of our strength in pleasing God: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)… and “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (I Corinthians 15:10). More often than not, when we think of good stewardship, we think of how we manage our finances and our faithfulness in paying God’s tithes and offerings. But as we’re beginning to see, it’s much more than that. In fact, it’s more than just the management of our time, our possessions, our environment, or our health. Stewardship is our obedient witness to God’s sovereignty. It’s what motivates the follower of Christ to move into action, doing deeds that manifest his belief in Him. Paul’s stewardship involved proclaiming that which was entrusted to him—the gospel truth.

Stewardship defines our practical obedience in the administration of everything under our control, everything entrusted to us. It is the consecration of one’s self and possessions to God's service. Stewardship acknowledges in practice that we do not have the right of control over ourselves or our property—God has that control.

It means as stewards of God we are

managers of that which belongs to God, and we are under His constant authority as we administer His affairs. Faithful stewardship means that we fully acknowledge we are not our own but belong to Christ, the Lord, who gave Himself for us. The ultimate question, then, is this: AM I THE LORD OF MY LIFE, or IS CHRIST

THE LORD OF MY LIFE? In essence, stewardship expresses our total obedience to God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“I am thine, O LORD, I have heard thy voice, And it told thy love to me; But I long to rise, in the arm of faith And be closer drawn to thee”.

IMPORTANT KEY Stewardship is the responsible use of all of our resources, recognizing that all good gifts come from God. It has implications for the use of our abilities, the use of time, and the way we earn and spend our money.

Christian

stewardship includes the common and accepted practice of giving the first ten percent of one’s income directly to the church for mission and ministries. We believe tithing is taught in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:8-10) and the principle and practice is sustained in New Testament teachings (Matthew 23:23; I Corinthians 16:2; and II Corinthians 8:1-5). It is the foundation for more complete financial stewardship. 67

Many persons of the Church of God are tithers. It is not looked upon as a means by which one manipulates God in order to obtain material success. It is a spiritual discipline, which is a reward in itself. Many Christians not only give the first ten percent of their income (tithe) to the church, but also give additional offerings to help build church facilities and make Faith Promise Commitments to various missions and causes all around the world.

STUDY PROJECT Suppose you were called on to serve as a judge in a court of life. What would you want to find out and how might you rule in the following cases? Case 1: A man is charged with not living as though God was really the owner of everything in the world and everything this man possesses. He is comfortably well off but not wealthy. He goes to church regularly. He serves on the board of his church but generally does not carry any other responsibilities there. He gives a substantial amount to the church but some complain that it is not a tithe. Case 2: A woman is charged with not caring for her environment in a way consistent with current energy and conservation needs. She is careful not to waste food. She puts out a feeder for the birds. She does keep her house heated in the upper seventies in winter. She does not always plan carefully and drives her car on several extra errands to the shopping center each week. Case 3: A youth is charge with not making the most of his high school education. He does not study well. He spends much time “goofing off.” He is not focusing on any particular career preparation. He goes regularly to church but does not engage in youth activities.

“THE CLOSER WE GET TO GOD, THE MORE WE REALIZE WHAT WE HAVE AND THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BELONGS TO 68

HIM.”

Principle #8 “I’m in! Sign Me Up!

Reference Materials: 1. The Holy Bible 2. Community Church of God

Hopefully by now, you understand and appreciate the wonderful work/miracle that God has performed in your life and yes, with great gifts, all of us, including you are charged to be active and get involved. Community Church of God along with your Pastor has an incredible work before them and it will take of us working together with The Lord’s help to get the task done. If you had so yet, make time this week and talk with God regarding your active involvement in The Lord’s work in Community Church of God and beyond. Talk with Pastor Rufus and prayerfully consider what the Lord is commanding you to do. Here’s an outline of Community Church of God’s schedule and structure as presently constituted…

COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD

Come Worship and Praise God With Us. 13 Grant Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07112 Mail: PO Box 5062, Hillside, New Jersey 07205 Church Office: (973) 824-2888

Email: ccognwk13@msn.com

“I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 69

2016 CHURCH THEME: Matthew 25:45 (NLT) “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

(Inseparable!!!) Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III, Pastor Elect Associate Pastors Reverend Ezekiel Hull Reverend John Armour

WORSHIP SCHEDULE Sunday School 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Sunday Morning Praise & Worship 11:00 AM Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 7:30 PM On-Line Conference Call: 1-774-220-4000 Access Code: 3828745#

Pastoral Counseling Available By Appointment Church (973) 824-2888 Personal Praise, Worship & Discipleship 24/7

COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD - A Cell Church Ministry OUR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE IF WE BELIEVE purpose is the reason why all things were made and IF WE BELIEVE purpose is the original intent for the creation and IF WE BELIEVE we are going to be fully effective as a people of God, then the achievement of God’s purpose for our Church should be the ultimate concern for our assembly. WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD, the Body of Christ who worship God in the spirit. For you have been chosen by God Himself, you are priest of the King, you are holy and pure, and you are God’s very own, all this is so you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. (I Peter 2:9b)

OUR MISSION STATEMENT We are a great body of Christ indwelled believers, committed to the fulfilling of the Great Commission and Commandments. He told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And then 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 world.” (Matthew 28:18-20 LB) 1. To uplift Jesus through WORSHIP 2. To demonstrate God’s love through MINISTRY 3. To reach the lost through FELLOWSHIP 4. To evangelize the COMMUNITY 5. To educate God’s people through DISCIPLESHIP The whole world has yet to see what God can do through a Christian congregation that is wholly committed to God’s purpose and Christ’s plan for the building of His Church. 71

CHURCH MINISTRIES BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Joyce F. McCall, Administrative Assistant/Secretary Marlene Dunkley, Assistant Secretary

Board of Trustees Lewis J. McCall, Chairman (Members: Paul L. Johnson Sr., Ezekiel Hull, Herbert Hollingsworth, Joyce F. McCall and Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III)

Finance Committee Lewis J. McCall, Treasurer

Paul L. Johnson, Sr. Financial Secretary

Joyce F. McCall, Recording Trustee Secretary

Teller Committee (People that assist with counting in the absence of the finance committee members) Herbert Hollingsworth, Marlene Dunkley & Joyce F. McCall

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS Evangelism and Missions Committee (coming)

SANCTUARY COMMITTEE (Responsible for preparing & enhancing the sanctuary for special celebrations: i.e. Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Anniversary, etc.)

Floral Committee Joyce F. McCall, Marcia Archer & Marlene Dunkley

Altar Committee/Deacon & Deaconess Ikhisha McCall, Chairperson Ruth McCall Herbert Hollingsworth & Rhoda Hollingsworth (in training) Reverend Ezekiel Hull & Reverend John Armour, Ministry Support

Church Greeters/Hospitality Marlene Dunkley, Rhoda Hollingsworth & Joyce F. McCall

Helping Hands Ministry (Pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aide) Joyce F. McCall, President

Ruth McCall, Secretary

Usher Board Joyce F. McCall, President

Lewis J. McCall, Vice President

Rhoda Hollingsworth, Secretary & Treasurer Paul L. Johnson, Sr., Herbert Hollingsworth, Maia Archer, Jaylen Cashwell, Amaya Armour, Ciara Stewart & Amani Armour

CWC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Christian Women Connection Ikhisha McCall, President Marlene Dunkley, Secretary

Renee Johnson, Vice President Rhoda Hollingsworth, Treasurer

Joyce F. McCall, Advisor

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Children’s Ministry Elizabeth Hull & Taliah McCall Sunday School Denise Armour, Superintendent Marlene Dunkley, Secretary Youth/Young Adult Ministry Scholarship Committee Chinue Hull Felder & Courtney Johnson Vacation Bible School Ministry Denise Armour, Lead Teachers

MUSIC AND CHOIRS Children’s Ministry Elizabeth Hull & Taliah McCall Dance Ministry Taliah McCall Senior Choir Renee Johnson, President Men’s Choir Paul L. Johnson, Sr. Youth/Young Adult Ministry Music Team Reverend Rufus D. McCall, III & Renee Johnson 74

CHURCH COUNCIL Benevolence Committee (Consist of members from the Deacon & Deaconess and Ushers along with Marlene Dunkley) Visitation Team Missionary Outreach Promoter for West Middlesex Elizabeth Hull (Because of her zeal we used to collect on the 3rd Sunday for the ministry) State of NJ Administration Coordinator for West Middlesex and Anderson Joyce F. McCall

Your responsibility as a disciple of Jesus Christ is to be active, get involved, and commit to the following: Christian Fellowship Colossians 3:16 (TLB), “Remember what Christ taught, and let his words enrich your lives and make you wise; teach them to each other and sing them out in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord with thankful hearts.”

Training for the work of ministry Ephesians 4:12 (TLB), “Why is it that he gives us these special abilities to do certain things best? It is that God’s people will be equipped to do better work for him, building up the Church, the body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity.”

To make the Lord and His work first in your life Matthew 6:32-33 (TLB), “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.”

YOU CAN SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE CHURCH WITH YOUR… Time Hebrews 10:25 (TLB), “Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.” Prayer II Chronicles 7:14 (TLB), “Then if my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.” Tithes & Offerings II Malachi 3:8-11 (TLB), ““Will a man rob God? Surely not! And yet you have robbed me. “‘What do you mean? When did we ever rob you?’ “You have robbed me of the tithes and offerings due me. And so the awesome curse of God is cursing you, for your whole nation has been robbing me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in my Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in!

“Try it! Let me prove it to you! Your crops will be large, for I will guard them from insects and plagues. Your grapes won’t shrivel away before they ripen,” says the Lord Almighty.” I Corinthians 16:2 (TLB), “On every Lord’s Day each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.” Talent and Gifts Romans 12:4-8 (TLB), “Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can—as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful. If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it. If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. Those who offer comfort to the sorrowing should do so with Christian cheer.” I Corinthians 12:27-31 (TLB), “Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. Here is a list of some of the parts he has placed in his Church, which is his body:

Apostles, Prophets—those who preach God’s Word, Teachers, Those who do miracles, Those who have the gift of healing; Those who can help others, Those who can get others to work together, Those who speak in languages they have never learned. Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a preacher? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? Can everyone heal the sick? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in languages we’ve never learned? Can just anyone understand and translate what those are saying who have that gift of foreign speech? No, but try your best to have the more important of these gifts. First, however, let me tell you about something else that is better than any of them!”

The one ingredient that most needed and required throughout the Church and in your life is “LOVE” because without “LOVE” the gifts are hollow.

WE HAVE TO BE TOGETHER TO DO IT TOGETHER!!! “To God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen! (Ephesians 3:21) You can show God’s glory by joining The FAMILY of God. The Bible says that one day there will be a new heaven and new earth. The only thing that’s going to last for eternity is God’s family.

REFERENCE MATERIALS 1.

THE HOLY BIBLE

CHURCH OF GOD MINISTRIES… JESUS IS THE SUBJECT

EVANGELISTIC CHRISTIAN BIBLE INSTITUTE

GROWING & STRETCHING IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE BOARD OF CHURCH EXTENSION & HOME MISSIONS

LET’S GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE CHURCH OF GOD EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE COG

MEET US AT THE CROSS - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE CHURCH OF GOD

THIS WE BELIEVE...THIS WE PROCLAIM - EARL L. MARTIN

CHURCH OF GOD DOCTRINES - CECIL C. CARVER

KNOWING GOD – J.I. PARKER

10. THE TREASURE PRINCIPLE – RANDY ALCON 11. 80TH ANNUAL CAMP MEETING

OF THE

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

OF THE

COG

“96” 12. THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE INSTITUTE AND SEMINARY - BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY 13. THE BATTLE PLAN FOR PRAYER – STEPHEN KENDRICK & ALEX KENDRICK 14. THE MOVIE: WAR ROOM – STEPHEN KENDRICK & ALEX KENDRICK 15. COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GOD - NEWARK, NEW JERSEY