Randy Bell
4 May 2016

Kingdom Life Principles, StraightTalk Articles

The Power Of Encouragement: How to Strengthen Believers

Guidelines For Maturing Believers – The Power of Encouragement

It is important that every believer actively participates in church gatherings by giving Biblical testimonies, making public confessions or sharing public exhortations reinforcing truth as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:24,25. Also to “…exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” Hebrews 3:13.

Remember, exhortation is “encouragement, entreaty to serve and please God” [Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary].

Joining together only for worship is a mistake, the scripture says we need to desperately and passionately plead with each other to stay on course and not give up in our obedience to Christ.

You can be deceived and tricked by the enemy like Adam and Eve, so listen to each others’ warnings. Football coaches take their jobs seriously and push their players to excel and stay focused on the game. Players that are leaders sound a lot like the coach. So, for the sake of eternity, we need to be even more motivated to focus and stay on the narrow road for the name of Jesus.

Here are seven principles to guide your ministry toward your fellow Christian.

1. An Exhortation Must be Based in Scripture by Giving Clear and Precise Steps of Action
“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification:” [1 Thessalonians 4:1-3].

  • Clearly explain the truth of Christ’s teachings, then the steps [commandments] of how to “walk and please God.” Do not just share the emotions of an experience, specify scriptural principles instead.
  • Describe how all things, yes even what seems negative or hard, work together for good to conform us to Christ’s character.
  • Urge and encourage everyone to keep on taking the steps until full maturity is achieved

2. An Exhortation Must Assist Christians in Applying Scripture to Their Daily Lives
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is  the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” 1 Thessalonians 4: 3-8.

  • This means you must base your exhortation on clearly understood interpretation of scripture. Do not stretch a scripture passage to fit your story.
  • Explain how to apply biblical principles to practical daily experiences.
  • Describe situations that allow them to learn specific character qualities.
  • Be careful, do not describe experiences or use examples that other believers would question, react to or be offended.

3. An Exhortation Must Encourage Other Believers to Full Spiritual Maturity
“But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that  you may lack nothing” [1 Thessalonians 4:9-12].

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24- 25)

“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:3, 12-13).

  • Remember full maturity is when a person’s focus has turned from selfishness to agape [genuine] love [See STEP 7 in the Spiritual Growth Website].
  • Explain that maturity takes time and persistence, encourage them to not allow failure to define them.
  • Describe how to follow God’s wisdom and ways by using stories from people in the Bible.
  • Do not allow yourself to be discouraged if your exhortations do not seem to be helping people, they are!
  • Like a child growing up, a Christian’s spiritual growth takes a lot of time and encouragement.

4. An Exhortation Must Explain Truth With Clear Logical Reasoning
“…holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain” Titus 1:9-11.

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer everyman”  (Colossians 4:6).

  • Explain God’s purposes clearly, soundly, and precisely.
  • Clarify the truth until it becomes reasonable to them.
  • Do not discuss unsettled matters.
  • Talking negatively about people or groups is wrong.

5. An Exhortation Must Bring Harmony Not Discord So That Spiritual Maturity Can Develop
“Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, (being of one accord, of one mind”  (Philippians 2:2).

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 12-13).

  • Avoid words and expressions that are offensive or inappropriate.
  • Word your exhortation to avoid putting others in a bad light.
  • Do not use names without permission.

6. An Exhortation Must Demonstrate Humility – Not a Superior Attitude
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12). “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12).

  • Your audience needs to feel encouraged, not crushed when you exhort them in a manner
  • Make sure you are not pointing fingers at anyone, use some of your own life only to explain past failure and Biblical steps to victory.
  • Do not make excuses for past failures.

7. An Exhortation must be Specific and to the Point – Not Rambling
“Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter (any) thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let they words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). “Make known his deeds among the people…Talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:1-2)

  • Be sure the Holy Spirit, not your human will or selfish desires, prompts your sharing.
  • Spend enough time choosing words that communicate the clearest message.
  • Determine who present will actually benefit from what you want to say.
  • If you use personal stories,  give the short version, and emphasize what the Lord taught you.

Remember my friend…
    Always speak loud enough so that all can plainly hear
    Your message has influence on the lives of others so choose your words wisely
    Your goal is to confirm the truth of God’s Word and encourage others
    Be concise and as brief as possible out of deference for others

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Randy Bell
4 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

How To Read And Understand The Bible

I’ve noticed a real error of many Christians, a habit of when they come to a portion of scripture they do not like, they decide they can ignore and trivialize that teaching of God by saying it is not literal, not for today or simply proclaim in their self-expertise that it is an allegory.

This, of course, gives them complete freedom from obeying it and they can create a new meaning that fits their fancy. No one does this with the newspaper, but they probably should, since many are being proved to lie and spew out political and social propaganda.

But God’s Word is the historic revelation from the all-knowing God, and He demands that you accept it as literal fact. Paul warns Christians to take the Bible seriously. “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved [tested by trial], a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing—rightly handling and skillfully teaching—the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible

The Bible is God’s Word. Not an interpretation of what some zealous men think God says, but His very Words! The Bible is not a religious piece of literature, but a direct revelation from the mouth of the Living God. It is a supernatural book!

The Scripture itself claims this in 2 Tim. 3:16: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”

The only God is all-powerful and able to communicate with man. He not only is able, He has through His written Word, the Holy Bible. To understand the Bible is to understand what God wants a man to know at this time. To understand the Bible is to comprehend God’s will and direction for the purpose of becoming a faithful friend and child of God.

Therefore, it is imperative that we read the Bible the same way we read a newspaper, history book or a math book. This is the only valid way to understand God and His Word. We must study it at face value, literally accepting all the natural and normal sense of the text.

Obviously, we must analyze it to discover what it’s expressions and terms meant to the original audience. For example, in Matthew 6:12 Jesus says “forgive us our debts” which today we would think means “Forget about our financial debts.” But He means sin.

Discover the Authors Intended Meaning

mind211“The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it’s not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God’s Word.” [2 Peter 1:20-21 (MSG)]

This must be clear, the Bible has only one meaning, but many applications. The meaning is not up to our interpretations, of what we each think it means to us. The author, God, had a specific meaning the moment He inspired human authors to pen the words and our duty is to discover that interpretation. Never substitute what you think it should say!

Instead, investigate the context of every scripture and make sure you do not masquerade your pet theology as truth or develop your spiritual whims by replacing the obvious literal meaning with supposed deeper hidden meaning, as all cults and false teachers do by using their books to explain away what God says.

And you cannot turn the Bible into an allegory and therefore release yourself from the literal commands and statements of the Bible to make the Word say anything you want. You must understand the ancient cultural context in many cases to understand what is written. But, you cannot bind it to the culture of those ancient days it was written and therefore free yourself to disobey its “archaic moral values or commands.” God is timeless.

Be clear on one more thing, the Bible does not have contradictions. If a contradiction appears to you, continue to analyze all possibilities using other portions of scripture to help you understand God’s Word. 

Remember the Bible is written in Hebrew and Greek, not English or any other modern language. There are not direct equivalent words for every ancient Greek or Hebrew text. Bias and choices are made by the Bible translators and to find the answers you will need a good concordance.

You will find supposed contradictions melt away with a deeper search to understand the Word. Psalm 119:160 warns, “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” Find the sum of all the passages that deal with an issue before you claim to understand what God is saying.

Always Allow Scripture to Interpret Itself

mind211In our day, we have found that media can manipulate anyone’s words with small sound bites. Just a few words out of its context can make an enemy sound like a real idiot. But, when a further inspection is done to really find out what the person said in the full speech or written article a whole new light of meaning emerges. It is the same with scripture.

Always allow God to define what he means, the Bible is a great dictionary of itself. You must find the meaning of words and ideas inside it. Always compare the portion you are trying to understand with other passages of similar content or themes.

“A text without a context is no more than a pretext” is a famous axiom. This demands that we find the point and direction of the entire book of the Bible being studied. Then, focusing on the context of the specific portion being examined with knowing who is being spoken to, the historical backdrop, and the immediate circumstances will help you see the true meaning of what God is teaching.

Proof-texting builds an interpretation on the superficial reading of the passage and then taken out of context to an absurd conclusion never intended by God.

Define Figures of Speech

mind211According to the book, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student, a figure of speech is “any deviation either in thought or expression, from the ordinary and simple method of speaking…” and it is a “form of speech artfully varied from common usage.” [Instit. Orat. IX, I. 11, cited by Edward P. J. Corbett, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student (New York: Oxford Press, 1971), page 640] Such an expression whether it is a simile, metaphor or an idiom is always used to artfully visualize a thought or idea.

A simile is easy to recognize and very useful. Rev. 1:14 is a simple example: “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;…” The comparison of simile helps John describe what he really saw, “white like wool, as white as snow” but His hair was not really wool; “His eyes like…fire” but not really a flame but very bright and glowing which helps all his readers understand the glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus.

The metaphor also compares, but with an implication, not using connecting words [like, as]. A good example is Rev. 12:4 “His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.” A physical dragon did not stand before Mary when she gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem.

The context must be used to find the figure of speech’s meaning. Or a comparison of other scriptures. We find the definition given in verse 9, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Satan tried to devour the child, through Herod who sent soldiers to kill every baby in town, the literal fact behind this metaphor.

Idioms are used even today as expressions of comparison but distorting the literal words to intensify the point. When Jesus confronted Paul for the first time, found in Acts 26:14, Paul describes the incident like this, “And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ “ Notice the words Christ used were not literal, but an expression of Paul’s resistance to God’s will, like an ox kicking against the prodding of a farmer when using the beast to plow a field.

Another type of Biblical figure of speech is a substitution, where a writer replaces the normal word for a meaningful substitute to increase the impact of the statement. The Jews thought God so sacred to mistakenly even speak His name was sinful. Therefore, they would substitute the word heaven for God. They meant God but said heaven.

The Bible also uses a form of parallelism to amplify and clarify its message. This is common in poetic forms such as Psalms and Proverbs. Psalm 2:4 states:

“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision.”

As you think about it, both lines say the same thought, and both amplify and expand that idea for greater impact. Like a poem, the Hebrew lines tend to have a flow not translatable into foreign languages.

God Wrote The Bible For Everyone to Understand

heart2112 Cor. 1:13 “For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end …”

God wrote the Bible for everyone to understand, not just scholars and preachers. This is why face value, basic reading is the only way an average Christian would understand God’s will.

For example, Biblical leaders and authors never gave any reason to think a secret, hidden meaning exists that only the Watchtower Society, or The Mormon Movement, or The Roman Catholic Institution would have the real answers exclusive to their secret knowledge.

Give the Bible to a person who does not know God, put them on a deserted island, and they will be able to understand God’s plan for mankind, God’s opinion on man’s sinful rebellion, and God’s solution and salvation for mankind. And I guarantee you, he will not believe any of these exclusive, separate religious ideas preached by cults or practices privately kept by some religious denominations.

Instead, the plain and simple reading of the Bible leads to plain and supernatural salvation through the sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Mark 13:22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

Seek the Lord to turn from your sin, receive forgiveness and follow Jesus. “Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.” 2 Timothy 2:7 (NLT)

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Randy Bell
4 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

Is Communion More Than Just A Ritual?

Communion

The Communion Table is designed to cause each Christian to regularly examine themselves and clear their conscience of wrongs.

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. [Acts 2:42-47 NKJV]

Our communion or breaking of bread together is a practice that our Lord established but in our day the true reason and purpose has almost been forgotten. First, we must remember that Jesus presented communion as a blood covenant. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” [1 Corinthians 10:16,17].

The symbolism of the blood covenant was very clear to the first disciples, God made a blood covenant with Abraham. Such a covenant contains lifelong obligations and commitments. Therefore it is serious business with God.

So the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship are foundational for church health and growth. God uses the Lord’s Table as the key to ensuring the purity and power of the church.

Paul writes, “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”

“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

“For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world” [1 Corinthians 11:25-32].

We are called to see how serious this event is for our spiritual cleansing. Just like the liver of the body removes impurities and keeps a person healthy, the Communion Table is also designed to cause each Christian to thoroughly examine themselves and clear their conscience of wrongs. If these sinful impure practices are not removed the body of Christ becomes weak and sick. In fact, we will face God’s judgment!

Obviously, from reading this explanation from the Bible, sin is a medical cause of some physical disease. For example, many medical textbooks now agree with the Bible and state that fear and anxiety are a primary cause of coronary artery disease, angina, and heart attacks. The scripture states people will be dying from heart disease, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear” [Luke 21:26].

But on the other hand, many have found out as they truly deal with their sin, they are receiving physical healing also. This makes sense because Proverbs warns, “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but he who confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy” [Proverbs 28:13].

This is why “…not discerning the Lord’s body” is suddenly very significant! It is the stated reason for many Christians becoming sick and dying prematurely.

You need to understand that the body of Christ does not just mean His human body. Here it is clearly speaking of the church, the “body of Christ.” “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” [1 Corinthians 12:27].

Since we are connected, what one member does effects the whole body. “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!” [1 Corinthians 6:16]. Our sin infects the whole body of Christ. We offend the entire body and will be judged for it.

Paul continues to warn us about what we do with our bodies by saying “…each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” [1 Corinthians 3:13-17].

As you see, our bodies are called God’s temple, and if you do not keep it pure God reserves the right to destroy it.

Therefore, if the church is to prosper through God’s blessings, it must regularly examine itself and clear up all past offenses between its members. That means each of us must get real with God and confess and repent of any known sin.

Now small churches need to have communion more frequently because the possibility of hurts and offenses is accelerated by their close associations. Misunderstandings easily happen. Remember “a whisperer separates the best of friends” [Proverbs 16:28]. “And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases” [Proverbs 26:20].

And also remember this, the early church met very frequently for “breaking of bread” because it was vital to spiritual growth and keeping God’s hand of blessing.

Maintaining a clear conscience is a powerful weapon to protect us from spiritual disaster, so we find Paul also says, “…having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck,” [1 Timothy 1:19]. If our church expects a powerful time of prayer and miraculous answers, we must have effective, purifying times of communion.

Is your church shipwrecked? Are you shipwrecked? What does it mean to be spiritually shipwrecked? If our churches expect a powerful time of prayer and miraculous answers, we must have effective, purifying times of communion.

1/ This is why I suggest churches follow the pattern of Acts 2:42 when they worship and have the teaching of scripture first, then the saints can be convicted and purified by the Word of God.

2/ Then everyone can respond with confessions, repentance, and obedience. When the Christians affirm the Word by testifying of God’s grace in their lives, confessing their faults publicly to one another, and exhorting one another they are prepared for the Lord’s Table. They have followed Paul’s direction to take Communion with a serious mind and clear consciences.

3/ So then everyone has cleared and purified hearts and they enjoy communion with God. This always causes rejoicing, and praise automatically rises from a pure heart releasing powerful worship.

4/ If then the church concludes with group intercession, crying to God with clean hands and pure hearts, the family of God finds amazing answers to their prayer.

So I hope you see that the close social union of church membership demands constant times of spiritual examination. Sin is subtle and the enemy loves to see believers defeated, powerless, and unable to have their prayers answered.

As we fellowship and exhort one another we inflame one another to obedience and purity. When the body of Christ is clean, it is healthy. A healthy church bears much fruit, and so greatly glorifies God!

Then God empowers His church to fulfill its mission and together with one voice proclaim the Good News of Christ and His kingdom.

The common distribution of our spiritual gifts pours out God’s love throughout our church and community.

And the deep communication of our loving exhortations, confessions, and testimonies matures the saints around us.

Never, never, forget that Communion is not a mundane ritual. And forever remember your duty to keep your blood covenant with the Lord Jesus, to fully obey His commands and wholeheartedly serve only Him.

Paul exhorts you to“…keep yourself pure” [1 Timothy 5:22].

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4 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

Learn To Love Through Giving

Guidelines For Immature Believers: Learn To Love By Giving

The Old Testament law demanded that the people love God and one another. The law required the people to give a minimum 10% for tithes and then additional offerings to be brought to the Temple.

But today God demands the Christian to love SO MUCH MORE THAN THE LAW that they give sacrificially until it hurts. Jesus said to give up everything and give him 100%! This is all that stewardship means, becoming the business manager, or bank manager of God’s property. “Your” stuff is not yours to squander, and just flip God a dime whenever you feel like it. Grace is not a license to be greedy, irresponsible and/or selfish. Grace means to give more.

“You have heard… but I say…” Christ taught his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, that what the Law required was not enough, but asked them “what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” This teaching is essential!

Even C.S. Lewis gets to the heart of the matter when he says, “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our charitable expenditure excludes them.”

But at least the Law forces people to give a minimum of 10%, which is far less than love would ever do. And the sad truth is the majority of today’s American Christians refuse to even give what God commanded Israel to give.

The basics and minimums of the law are fundamental standards of education for the immature Christian… “Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for.” [Gal 3:23-24 (MSG)]

Let me be clear, it is anti-Christian to use the Bible to disobey the law of God. If you do not tithe you break the law. Grace fulfills the law, PLUS MUCH MORE, it does not break it. If you give more than 10% you have fulfilled the law through love. And I repeat, Jesus never allowed His followers to break the Law, but fulfill it. “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[Gal 5:14 (NKJV)]

Do this really, and there is no discussion!

The Apostle Paul writes that we are to bring our love gifts to the local church. The local church is responsible for orphans, widows, needy Christians, pastor wages, outreach, training up disciples, building and facilities, etc. God gives loving Christians GREATER DEMANDS THAN the Jews ever were required by law. Let’s read the scripture below…

cropped-evangelism.jpg1/ This is just the weekly requirement for Christians to bring their gifts to the local church to give on Sunday for the needy brothers of the faith. We are told to so love fellow Christians that we need to give “as generously as we can,” bring it to the pastors, and allow them to spend it as they are led by God.

“On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you [personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in proportion to what he is given], so that no collections will need to be taken after I come.” [1 Cor 16:2 (AMP)]

“Every Sunday each of you make an offering and put it in safekeeping. Be as generous as you can.” [1 Cor 16:2 (MSG)]

“And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale 35 to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need.” [Acts 4:34-35 (MSG)]

Can you say your love for God and your fellow Christian is so real that you sacrifice this much when you give your offering on Sunday?

cropped-evangelism.jpg2/ This is the weekly requirement for Christians to bring their money to the local church to give on Sunday so the local church can take care of widows and orphans. “Take care of widows who are destitute.” [1 Tim 5:3 (MSG)]

“During this time, as the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds, hard feelings developed among the Greek-speaking believers—”Hellenists”—toward the Hebrew-speaking believers because their widows were being discriminated against in the daily food lines.” [Acts 6:1 (MSG)]

“External religious worship [ religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.” [James 1:27 (AMP)]

Can you say that your love for widows and orphans is so real that you sacrifice this much when you give your offering on Sunday?

evangelism3/ This is just the weekly requirement to support the pastors financially. The wages for the pastor are to be double what the average wage is in the local church.This means the pastor is to be paid double what you think you deserve or need for your family, and God clearly says he deserves it. Most pastors will not demand this, nor even ask for it. Do not listen to their protests, just pay him what God’s Word has set for his salary.

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” [1 Tim 5:17-18 (NKJV)]

“Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 Scripture tells us, “Don’t muzzle a working ox,” and, “A worker deserves his pay.” [1 Tim 5:17-18 (MSG)]

Can you say your love for your God and His pastor is so real that you sacrifice this much when you give your offering on Sunday?

cropped-evangelism.jpg4/ This is the weekly requirement to reach the thousands of lost people in your community that are going straight to hell! There is a great cost for the church buildings, electric bill, heating, repairs, etc. so that a powerful presence of a worship and work center is kept up to gather, train and reach out to the lost. And it’s cost is as much or more money than your homes and castles. Who will pay the bills if you let others do it? How nice is the church property? Who will repair and maintain the needed cost if you do not? Is your castle nice, but God’s facilities shabby? Do you love your stuff more than God’s reputation?

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matt 28:19-20 (NKJV)]

Can you say your love for your neighbors is so real that you sacrifice this much when you give your offering on Sunday?

“You already have what you want! You’ve already become rich! You’ve become kings without us! I wish you really were kings so that we could be kings with you. 9 As I see it, God has placed us apostles last in line, like people condemned to die. We have become a spectacle for people and angels to look at. 10 We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. 11 To this moment, we are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, and homeless. 12 We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it. 13 When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people.14 I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed but to instruct you as my dear children. 15 You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don’t have many {spiritual} fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus. 16 So I encourage you to imitate me. [1 Cor 4:8-16 (GW)]

Can you say your love for God is so real that you sacrifice this much as you live your life?

evangelism

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