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St. Paul School of Leadership & Discipleship Lesson 81 - part 8 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" The St. Paul School WHERE JUDGMENT BEGINS (PART 8)
INTRODUCTION We will now complete our study of where and how God's judgment has begun at the house of God-Christ's church. The Acts of the Apostles (Book of Acts) could more accurately be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God was in charge in changing lives, giving orders, setting priorities, making corrections, applying discipline, bestowing gifts and abilities, choosing leaders, and a lot more. It is obvious to honest hearts that the evangelical church today resembles the Book of Acts in name only-experiencing little of the Holy Spirit's real presence, power, passion and purpose. But it is also obvious that God is calling these same honest hearts to repentance, confession and passion to hear directly from heaven so that His will shall be done on earth. TEN AREAS I'm seeing at least ten areas where pastors and congregants are having their hearts and minds corrected and changed by the Holy Spirit. They are praying that Christ's prayer "that they all may be one" will be answered. And they are working with a new burden to introduce Jesus to family, friends, neighbors, country and world. May you and I also accept our Father's loving chastisement and judgment and embrace His heart and will with all our might. Study these ten points and let the Holy Spirit adjust your life to His plan. You'll be eternally glad you did. Here is a review of the first eight areas where God is challenging the church.
If you missed these studies, they can all be found on our Shalom website (given at the close of this lesson). Here are two final points where our awesome God is already bringing about big changes in the Church.
In my early missionary days we had a saying "winning is just the beginning". The big task was to follow up the new believer until he or she became a true disciple of Christ. That took time and labor-lots of it-just like in human childbirth where a woman may labor nine months to give birth, but both father and mother will labor some 18 years to raise that son or daughter. In the early church, new believers grew up fast. Three or six months after conversion, some would be appointed deacons and even elders. Of course, persecution proved a powerful fertilizer to mature spiritual plants quickly. How different today, when believers of one, two or more years are often still called "new babes in Christ" and not expected to know or do much. So they stay content on the milk bottle and never move on to strong meat (see Hebrews 5:12-14). But what if the new Christian was told: "Now it is time to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). That will mean daily devotions-starting now-as you "desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). "I'll also help you begin to memorize important scriptures-maybe 50 basic verses that you will need to learn quickly in order to defeat your enemy the devil. That's why the Bible says 'Thy word have I hid I my heart that I might not sin against thee' (Psalm 119:11). "And remember, while it's our pastor's job to nourish our spiritual lives, it's our job to tell others about Jesus and bring them to church. That's why Jesus said 'You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you... that you should go and bring forth fruit' (John 15:16). So here are some good gospel tracts you can give to others. Let's work on giving your testimony short and sweet." Just these simple action steps would transform masses of spiritual babies warming pews into fresh disciples warming shoes as they move from the four walls of the church to touch with the love of Jesus their families, friends and neighbors.
This point is for any of us in places of spiritual leadership. Satan's tactics have not changed in some 6,000 years. That's because his strategies always work on the heart that is not wedded and submitted to the Holy Spirit. You can first see the enemy's three-fold attack in the garden of Eden. Both Eve and Adam surrendered to the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. When the devil tried those same attacks on Jesus, he was smashed by our Lord's "It is written" superior fire power of the Word of God. Now the Lord wants His pulpits made holy so that His pews are holy. While He appoints and anoints apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, the only title we are to covet is "servant of all" (see Mark 10:43-45). No more nonsense like "Don't address me unless you use the word 'apostle'". No more stealing adulation and glory that is due only to God. No more using our office of leadership to control others as "lords" rather than being examples of humility and godliness to our flocks (see 1 Peter 5:1-4)). And no more phony promises of "prosperity" while living in mansions paid for by the gullible and vulnerable. I could go on-but I have covered all aspects in my book "The Pauline Pattern of Servant Leadership". The book is only in English. You can check it out-and other books-on our website. Study well these ten points on God shaking up His church. Then as days grow darker, you won't just be hanging on for survival, but instead you will be an instrument of the Holy Spirit to bring revival.
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