THE JOURNEY PART #7

Church Government

THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH IS COMPOSED OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE BORN AGAIN.

THROUGH THE NEW BIRTH, WE ARE UNITED TOGETHER IN THE BODY OF CHRIST.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE LORD AND HEAD OF THE CHURCH, AND HAS PROVIDED LEADERSHIP FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH THROUGH THE MINISTRY GIFTS, WHICH ONLY HE CAN GIVE.

EVERY LOCAL CHURCH HAS THE RIGHT, UNDER CHRIST, TO DECIDE AND GOVERN ITS OWN AFFAIRS.

(John 3:3; Eph. 1:22, 4:8)

John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God

Eph. 1:22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all

Eph. 4:8
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

THE JOURNEY PART #8

#8 / PART #1 He Will Come Back / Resurection Of The Dead And Belivers (Acts 1:11, 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Rev. 20:6)

Acts 1:11
Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

THE PREMILLENIAL SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST IS TWO-PART IN NATURE;

HE WILL COME IN THE AIR TO RESURRECT THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD AND CATCH AWAY THE LIVING SAINTS;
1 Thess. 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

HE WILL THEN COME TO THE EARTH TO ESTABLISH HIS PHYSICAL KINGDOM, AND BEGIN HIS THOUSAND YEAR REIGN.
Rev. 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

PART #2 Resurection Of The Dead And Belivers (Heb. 9:27; Rev. 19:20)

THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD IS FOR TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE.
Heb. 9:27
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

FIRST THE UNBELIEVER TO JUDGMENT AND ETERNAL PUNISHMENT.
Rev. 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

SECOND THE BELIEVER TO EVERLASTING JOY WITH THE LORD.
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

THE JOURNEY PART #6

#6 - Live By Faith In Every Area Of LIfe

WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

THE WORD TELLS US THAT THE JUST (THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS) SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.
Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:11
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

JESUS NOT ONLY PROVIDED SALVATION, BUT HEALING AND PROSPERITY AS WELL FOR OUR SPIRITUAL, SOULISH AND PHYSICAL MAN.
Isa. 53:4-5
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

WE ARE REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW – POVERTY, SICKNESS, OPPRESSION AND ANY OTHER THING THAT PREVENTS US FROM FULFILLING HIS PLAN.
Galatians 3:13
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

James 5:14-15
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.


OUR LIVES CAN BE PROSPEROUS AND HEALTHY IN EVERY REALM AS WE WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THIS REDEMPTION BY FAITH IN GOD’S WORD.
Matt.8:17
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isahia the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

THE JOURNEY PART #5

5-The Ministry Of The Holy Ghost (Matt. 3:11; John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8, 2:4, 2:38-39, 19:1-7)

EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, WITH SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE INITIAL PHYSICAL EVIDENCE.
Acts 19:1-7 (Paul baptizing (in the Holy Ghost) those who had already been baptized with water.)
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

DURING THIS AGE, HE INDWELLS, INSTRUCTS AND EMPOWERS THE BELIEVER FOR GODLY LIVING AND SERVICE.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea, in Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth

THE HOLY GHOST IS A GIFT FROM THE FATHER.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

THE PRESENT DAY MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO COMFORT AND GUIDE THE BELIEVER.
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY GHOST

1- ALL SHOULD BE FILLED AND SPEAKING.

2- HE INSTRUCTS AND EMPOWERS US.

3- HE COMFORTS AND GUIDES US.

THE JOURNEY PART #4

Baptism & Communion Are Important But They Do Not Get You To Heaven

-WATER BAPTISM AND COMMUNION ARE ORDINANCES TO BE OBSERVED BY THE CHURCH DURING THE PRESENT AGE.

-THEY ARE NOT, HOWEVER, TO BE CONFUSED WITH OR REGARDED AS A MEANS OF SALVATION.

-THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS RESURRECTION PROVIDE THE ONLY GROUNDS FOR JUSTIFICATION AND SALVATION.

Baptism-
-Acts 10:17 Peter has a vision. -Acts 10:24 Peter goes to Caesarea. -Acts 10:34 Peter preaches Jesus to them and they not only get saved but filled with the Holy Ghost.

-Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Communion-
-1cor 11:27 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. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.

-1cor11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25In 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." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

THE JOURNEY PART #3

THE JOURNEY

3-1-Jesus Is The Way To God and We Are Created In His Image

JESUS CHRIST IS THE UNION OF GOD AND MAN.

HE IS TRUE GOD AND TRUE MAN, CONCEIVED OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY.

HE LIVED A SINLESS LIFE AND DIED ON THE CROSS AS A SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF ALL MEN.

HE AROSE BODILY FROM THE DEAD, ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND IS PRESENTLY SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER AS OUR HIGH PRIEST AND ADVOCATE

John 11:25-26 - Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

3-2-We Are Created In His Image

MAN WAS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, BUT FELL INTO SIN, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS SPIRITUAL DEATH AND SEPARATION FROM GOD.

Romans 3:10 - As it is written, There is none righteous no, not one.

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

ONLY THROUGH REGENERATION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN SALVATION AND SPIRITUAL LIFE BE OBTAINED.

Romans 5:8 - But God commandeth His love toward us. In that, while we were sinners, Chris died for us.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THIS PROCESS OF REGENERATION, REFERRED TO AS BEING “BORN AGAIN” IN THE WORD, TAKES PLACE THROUGH A COMBINATION OF FAITH AND CONFESSION.

AS A PERSON MAKES THE DECISION TO BELIEVE IN THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST AND CONFESSES WITH HIS MOUTH THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS IN HIS LIFE, A MIRACLE OF REGENERATION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TAKES PLACE.

Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

A NEW CHRISTIAN IS BORN INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

FOR HIM, OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY AND ALL THINGS ARE NEW!

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Jesus Is The Way To God and We Are Created In His Image.

THE JOURNEY PART #2

THE JOURNEY

2-THERE IS ONE GOD, THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS.

THERE IS ONE GOD, THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, WHO IS INFINITELY PERFECT AND ETERNALLY EXISTENT IN THREE PEOPLE; THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

- Father, Son, and Holy Ghost make up the Godhead.
1 John 5:7
For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.

- He is perfect.
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

- He is the creator of all things.
Isaiah 40:28
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

- There is One God
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

- Have no other Gods.
Ephesians 4:6
one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

THE JOURNEY PART #1

THE JOURNEY

1-The Bible is Gods Word Front To Back
(2 Tim. 3:13; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:21)

-THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS ARE THE INSPIRED, INFALLIBLE AND AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD.

2 Tim. 3:13
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
-How do we keep ourselves from being deceived?

1 Thess. 2:13
because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

-When we keep the word of God as THE INSPIRED, INFALLIBLE AND AUTHORITATIVE we keep ourselves from being deceived.

-GODS WORD IS WHERE THE POWER COMES FROM.

-IN THE WORD, WE FIND THE REVELATION OF GOD’S ETERNAL AND UNCHANGING WILL FOR MAN OF ALL AGES.

2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

-THE WORD IS THE DIVINE AND FINAL AUTHORITY FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

1- Keeps us from deception.
2- Gives us power and authority.
3- Shows us Gods eternal and unchanging plan.
4- Divinely inspired.