JOURNEY TO

“A Better Life”

Let's Get SpiritualStudy and stay in the word

Journey to “A better life”

TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS “JOURNEY”

“U” MUST BE SPIRITUALLY PREPARED

For A Better LifeOh, do not pray for easy lives! Pray to be stronger Vessels! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks! Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. But you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come in you by the grace of God.

TRIVIA QUESTIONWhat Hebrew king’s head was mounted in the temple of the

Philistine fish-god?

TRIVIA answerWhat Hebrew king worshipped

the stars?

“Manasseh”2 Chron. 33:3 “For He [Manasseh] built again

the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars of Baalim, and made groves, and worship- ped all the host of heaven, and served them”According to Deut. 17:2-7 this was a capital offense

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

The gifts left by the savior are for "winners”

As Winners He Expects His Soldiers To Be Prepared For The Fight!!!

A gift is something used by the person!!!?

Don’t disappoint Christ ,and allow your gift to fade away

and become useless

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

Remember: I am your servant; make good use of me!!

Of the below “19”; you’re in there somewhere…Find yours…..and use it!!!Eph. 4:11 “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some

to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers”

1 Cor. 12:8-10 “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another proph ecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of ton- gues, and still to another the interpretation of tongues”

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

Rom. 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesy- ing, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully”

1 Pet. 4:9-11 “Offer hospitality to one another with out grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administrating God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very word of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ…

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkA. Instruction (Eph. 4:11-12)

Eph. 4:11a “It was He who gave some...” 1. Usher in your help…Act 1:8a“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”You must welcome in His Holy Spirit in order for the power to activate your gift!!

a) Evangelize your neighborhood(apostle/missionary) 2 Cor. 5:20a “We are

therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us…”Often, you know everyone where you live & work. It should be easier because of this

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkA. Instruction 1. Usher in your help…

b) Building them up—The People (Prophets)1 Cor. 14:3 “But everyone that prophesies speaks to

men for their _________________________ , _________________________ and _________”

c) All are commanded to share (evangelist)1 Pet. 3:15b “…Always be prepared to give an answer

to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have”

d) Personal contact; 2 fold (pastors/ teachers)

A pastor/teacher is dedicated to a particular flock or church. Never-the-less they must instruct us in the way of salvation and maturity in Christ

Strengthening/edificationEncouragement/exhortation comfort

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkB. Involvement (Eph. 4:12-15a)

Eph. 4:12 “…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up or mature”Pastors fulfilling their spiritual gifts by training the people to go out and do the “Work of the Church” (ministry) winning soulstake this to heart: no church can be what God wants it to be unless the pastor equips or trains the members to do the ministry of the church

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkB. Involvement

1. Why He wants involvement…Eph. 4:13“To reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”God gives gifts to church leaders to equip the church for ministry so she will be a mature mobilized army

a) The “Grown-up Christian” MatureRom. 8:29 “For those God foreknew He also

predestined to be conformed to the like- ness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers”As we mature we are more and more Christ like

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkB. Involvement 1. Why He wants involvement…

b) No longer sucking milk…Eph. 4:14 “We will no longer be infants, tossed

back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and crafti- ness of men in their deceitful scheming”

2. Leading them to maturity…Eph. 4:15a “Speaking the truth in love…”

a) Who benefits more? Ask yourself???>For whose benefit am I saying this?>Is it so I can appear smarter to put them down?>Is it so I can get it off my chest?>Or am I doing it for the other person’s benefit?

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkB. Involvement

2. Leading them to maturity…(Caution from) Pro. 12:18 “Reckless words pierce

like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing”The easier the tone or delivery, the better the reception by the personC. Empowerment (Eph. 4:15b-24)

1. The growing process…Eph. 4:15b,16 “…we will in all things grow up into Him

who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself in love, as each part does its work”

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkC. Empowerment 1. The growing process…

a) Cloaked in darkness…2 Cor. 4:4 “The god of this age has blinded the

minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”They believed not; because of the satanic influence

b) Out of control indulgences—The Cure!! Pro. 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is

a disgrace to any people”This lends itself to 2 Chronicles 7:14

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkC. Empowerment 1. The growing process…

c) A real understanding…1 Jn. 5:20 “We know also that the Son of God has

come and has given us under- standing, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true—even in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life”It was His coming in the flesh and demon- strating, as well as saying, what God wanted for His people is why we have un- derstanding. From this we are able to know the true God because of us allow- ing Him to reside with in us

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

I. How To Make It WorkC. Empowerment 2. Become tailor made…Eph. 4:23“To be made new in the attitude of your minds”This is a constant and continuing action

a) “Transformer”—Rise of the SpiritualRom. 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the

pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and per- fect will”The Word tells us how to live and the Holy Spirit empowers us to do it

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

You cannot have a “DVD” ministry with an “eight (8) track

mentality!!

The church of the living God must be relevant for such a

time as this!!!

Speak to what is right in front of the people

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

—OFF & ON— Off..An intolerance of people that just want

put the time in for God’s purpose ...I have no right to be-little them, and often finding myself doing it. God has His time for them; Who am I!!??

ON…A more approachable personality… Present myself as a reachable person, show to the masses my human and vulnerable side…..

—I began right now—

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

THE PHRASE THAT PAYS!!!!!!!!!!

MY FAITH WILL NEVER RISE ABOVETHE LEVEL OF MY

CONFESSION

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

B.elievers I.nformation

B.efore L.eaving

E.arth

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

WHAT IT SAYSThis is my Bible, I am who my Bible say I am, I can do what my Bible say I can do. I have what my Bible say I have, my Bible teaches my spirit, my spirit teaches my mind, and my mind teaches my body. My Bible is full of promises and command- ments, my Bible has good and bad examp- les. How do I know my Bible is true? By comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual things. I study my Bible to show myself approved, rightly dividing the Word of God.

Journey to “A Better Life”How To Grow Spiritually

Next Week!!!!

The new you