Category: Level: Intermediate

Leader minister preacher How Do You Value Supernatural Ministry?

How Do You Value Supernatural Ministry?

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Several years ago there was a minister who was a very popular speaker at Pentecostal and charismatic conferences. He was known for his unusual supernatural gifting and older leaders were giving him a lot of support in his ministry. He even went on a high profile speaking tour and many testified to miracles through his ministry. But after a couple years it was revealed that he was having trouble in his marriage, since he was pursuing another woman. Apparently, there had been problems in his marriage for years. His ministry practically dissolved. This makes me wonder how other ministers decided to help promote this person to such a high profile ministry. Why did they think this person was mature enough to be given such influence? Did anyone do personal discipling for him? And why does this keep happening over and over again? In one of the more shocking pronouncements on Continue Reading →

discipleship model

You Have A Modeling Career

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“Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Phil. 3:17 (NIV) At first this statement by Paul might seem too audacious. Why would he tell the Philippians to imitate him instead of telling them to imitate Christ? He does talk about imitating Christ in other places so why would he direct the Philippians to focus on Paul? Is he being prideful? Is he too focused on himself? Is he misleading the Philippians? I don’t think he has any of these faults. I think Paul understood the power and importance of modeling for spiritual growth. It is easy for us to say that we aren’t the one that others should look to for an example. But really, if we are saying that Jesus changes lives and makes them good then shouldn’t Continue Reading →

spiritual growth, resurrection

What Is The Prize That We Press On Towards?

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“One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. Phil 3:13-15 NIV) For a long time the meaning of this passage was foggy to me. What is the goal Paul is talking about? And what is the prize, and is it different from the goal? The answers were important to me because Paul said it was “One thing I do” which meant it was central to Paul’s life. Also, Paul says those “who are mature” should have the same view as Paul! But how can I have the same view as Paul if I don’t know what the prize is that Paul is pressing on towards? If we are going to Continue Reading →

cross suffering

Christlikeness requires “Cross-likeness”

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In Philippians Paul ties our spiritual growth in with essential spiritual truths. Last week we looked at the way in which Jesus’ resurrection was the beginning of new creation. This week we look at closer union with Jesus’ cross and resurrection. In Phil. 2:1 Paul instructs the Philippians: “if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ” then please be one with each other. Paul considers Christians to be united with Christ. Then in Phil. 3:10-11 Paul talks about his spiritual growth: “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” (NIV) Notice that Paul is expanding on his union with Christ. He wants to experience more union with Christ. Specifically, he wants to experience Jesus’ “resurrection from the dead” for himself, which has not Continue Reading →

gong

“Without Love You Ain’t Nothing” – Larry Norman

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“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” I Cor. 13:1-2 (NIV) The title of this post is from a Larry Norman (Christian music pioneer) song of the 1970’s, and he was echoing the words from I Cor. 13:2. He sang them because these are some of the most important words in Christianity. This passage shocks us with the surprising truth that even if someone has great spiritual gifts they are nothing without love! In fact, they are a nuisance, like a noisy gong. They are not a true disciple. What is surprising is that God would give spiritual gifts Continue Reading →