February 5
One of the BIGGEST things mentioned in the Scripture is the Great Empowerment. It applies to people who have made the Great Decision in regards to the Great Coming and were prepared in the Great Education. Before becoming implicated in the Great Mission, they have a need to experiment the Great Empowerment. This great holy power is given to believers, who are born again, with the purpose of serving others, and for their own personal fulfillment and glory of God.
I. EMPOWERMENT FOR EVANGELISM
This empowerment is given with the scope of being able to efficiently communicate the Scripture to those who have not yet been saved: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Who will go into the world if not those who have been empowered by God? What will happen with the people of Jerusalem, Judea… if those who have been empowered do not go to them? Why have we received God’s empowerment if we refuse to use it according to the Master’s commandment? How will they go into the world without this empowerment?
II. EMPOWERMENT FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY
This empowerment is given in order to educate those who have been saved: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12). How will those who have been made holy be perfect if they are not exposed to this process of spiritual maturity? Why did the saved receive spiritual gifts of becoming apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, if they do not use their gifts for the growth of people who are just beginning their spiritual journey? What would have happened with Joshua, if Moses would not have witnessed to him? What would have happened with Elisha, if Elijah would not have witnessed to him? What would have happened with Titus, Timothy, if Paul had not been implicated in encouraging them to reach for spiritual perfection?
III. EMPOWERMENT FOR WORSHIP
This empowerment is given in order to celebrate the presence of God- worship through music, through prayer and through financial gifts.
IV. EMPOWERMENT FOR FELLOWSHIP
This empowerment is given to God’s families, for holy fellowship between those who have been made holy.
V. EMPOWERMENT FOR MINISTRY
This empowerment was given in order for God’s love to be manifested through his believers, to other individuals, to all of mankind. Are you a man that has been called to salvation by God? What did you answer? Are you a man called to educate? What level of instruction have you reached until now? Are you called to become empowered? What have you done with your newfound power until now?
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February 12
One of the BIGGEST things mentioned in the Scriptures is the Great Commandment. It is addressed towards people who have already made the Great Decision, in regards to the Great Calling, and they were instructed in the Great Education and authorized in the Great Empowerment. Embarking on the Great Mission, they have to prove the Great Commandments. The fulfillment of the Great Commandments cannot be realized except with the help of the Great Insurance. Why does the Bible command those who have been born again to love God and those around them? Because of a lack of love or a love for formality’s sake- “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first” (Revelations 2:4). How will those who have been born again be able to reach the standard of divine love?
1. Through the example of the Savior
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9). “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
2. Through the Savior’s Resources
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22).
What are the different types of love that a person experiences in their lifetime?
1. Love for oneself- egoism
2. Romantic love- intimacy
3. Love for one’s family- fellowship
4. Platonic love- camaraderie
5. Divine love- love
Why is the Great Commandment in fact made up of two separate commandments?
1. The first and greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
2. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
True love is the way in which mankind reports to God and his followers. In fact, the love of our peers is a visible manifestation of God’s love. “If somebody says: ‘Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen’” (1 John 4:20). The definition of Pharisaism is to pretend that you love God, while wishing harm on your peers.
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