Category: Level: Intermediate

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Discernment Guidelines Release The Spirit – Part 1

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One of the questions I ask people before I give spiritual direction is whether they are open to supernatural ministry. This is because I sometimes invite God to give them impressions in a direction session. The most common response is something to the effect that they are cautious but open as long as there are discernment guidelines or wisdom applied to the situation. I suspect that the majority of Christians have this view, and it is a good one. Scripture is clear that discernment should be exercised in spiritual matters, not just spiritual gifts. Phil 1:9 states: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Thus, Paul desires that believers grow in discernment, presumably in every area of their spiritual life. I Cor. 2:14-15a further explains “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for Continue Reading →

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We Have A Spiritual Resurrection Now

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Resurrection is a big theme in Scripture. In several striking passages the Old Testament promises resurrection to the righteous. Isaiah 26:19 states, “your dead will live; their bodies will rise.” (NIV) Daniel 12:2 prophecies, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will wake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” See also. Isaiah 25:8; Dan. 12:3, 13; Hos. 13:14. Then in the New Testament, the resurrection of the body becomes the prominent hope for believers. I Corinthians 15 is the classic passage on our bodily resurrection. But is it possible that we have a spiritual resurrection now? There is something more about resurrection in the New Testament. Ephesians 2:6 states “[God] raised us up with him [Christ] and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (ESV) What an incredible statement! How is it that we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies? When Continue Reading →

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We Are Rejected By Our Society

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Pharoah’s daughter found the Jewish infant Moses and adopted him as her son. But when Moses grew up he chose to keep his Jewish identity rather than his Egyptian identity. Obviously, Moses’ life would have been much more prosperous and enjoyable if he had chosen to be related to the Pharaoh of Egypt. But something even better gripped his heart. He wanted to be part of the people of God. He was “choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (Heb. 11:25, ESV) This is where Moses’ story becomes our story and guides us to Christian living in an unchristian culture, where we are rejected by our society. Moses believed that belonging to God and fellowshiping with His people had to be superior to belonging to Pharaoh and his people. But this was a dangerous idea. The Jewish people were Continue Reading →

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Using Relationships In Evangelism – Part 2

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Last week we talked about using relationships in evangelism, especially with friends who are not saved. We explained that the nature of healthy relationships points to God and how he relates to us, as well as how he wants us to relate with others. Below is a discussion one might have with a seeker, using relationships in evangelism to them. You may be able to collect some ideas for the next discussion you have with a friend who will talk about the meaning of life, but who may not listen to a direct evangelistic message. Many seekers want to understand a relationship with God before they pursue following Jesus. Using relationships in evangelism is a non-threatening way to point someone toward Christ. “Think about someone you love very much and who also loves you. If you don’t have such a relationship think about the ideal relationship you would like to Continue Reading →

friendship handshake men

Using Relationships In Evangelism – Part 1

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I got into a debate online with someone who was complaining about God ordering the death of some people in the Old Testament. We went back and forth until finally I explained that the root reason for God’s judgment was that the people were destroying relationships. They had embraced a destructive culture, even to the point of sacrificing infants to their idols. The other person didn’t respond to my comment. What could he say? This is an example of discussing Christian principles of relationships in evangelism, showing that Jesus is the way to healthy relationships. Usually, when we think of apologetics in evangelism, we think of presenting evidence related to facts of the Christian faith. But sometimes apologetics relates to values or ideas that listeners already embrace. For example, when Paul evangelized Gentiles he did not use the same ideas that he used with Jews. When he spoke to Gentiles Continue Reading →