THE HuD GROUP · your own leadership potential through the concept of Leadership HuDdles and coach...

THE HuD GROUP is a dynamic, international, Christian not-for-profit Movement focused on the development of holistic Emerging Leaders. We emphasize personal and interpersonal/public leadership. Founded in 2003 by Dr. Yaw Perbi, our mission is engage Hearts, enlighten Heads and empower Hands of Emerging Leaders for global impact and God's glory. The HuD Group and EQUIP became partners in pursuing the Million Leaders Mandate in February 2010. Through the concept of Leadership HuDdlesTM we envision a global network of 1,000,000 Certified Leadership Coaches in 100 countries in 10 years to adequately inspire, inform, empower, unify and multiply the Body of Christ to catalyze end time bible prophecy and close the Great Commission. For more information, please visit www.leadershiphuddles.org.

Email: [email protected]

PARTNER

EQUIP is a ministry founded by Dr. John C. Maxwell. Our mission is to equip

international Christian leaders to effectively serve the growing Body of Christ

around the world. For more information, please visit www.iEQUIP.org.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

† This study has numerous original and innovative components and is based on extensive research and bible study but is primarily based on and

formatted after Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life Book and Seminar Workbook.

† All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

† NLT—New Living Translation © 2007; ESV—English Standard Version © 2001; NASB—New American Standard Bible © 1995;

ISV—International Standard Version © 2008; GWT—God’s Word® Translation © 1995; KJV—King James Version; ASV—American Standard

Version; BBE—Bible in Basic English; Ph.—Phillips Translation; Msg.—The Message

A Word from Dr. Yaw Perbi Dear Emerging Leader,

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME!

It is with such joy that I write to you about this exciting opportunity to contemplate, cultivate and celebrate

your own leadership potential through the concept of Leadership HuDdles and coach others as well. This is

the prescribed pattern of leadership development in scripture (Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:2).

Why would I not be excited when in one generation, our generation, we have the singular opportunity to

close the Great Commission by enlightening ourselves on how to lead the Church of God more effectually

than ever?! Remember, “everything rises and falls on leadership” (John Maxwell).

The statistics are daunting: 85% of churches in the world are led by men and women who have no formal

training in theology or ministry yet if every Christian training institute in the world operated at 120%

capacity, less than 10% of the unequipped leaders would be trained! It is heart-rendering that there are

many more that come to faith in Christ—an average of 178,000 daily—than there are people to lead them!

Today, you're part of a great move of God to raise 1,000,000 Leadership Coaches like you in 100 countries

over the next 10 years, to be a solution rather than remain part of the problem! Congratulations! It is

indeed humbling for me and I trust that we would all embrace this leadership development process with

the long view (over the next three years, at least), truly learn and practise leadership, serve the Body of

Christ, impact the Marketplace and multiply ourselves wherever the LORD shall plant us.

This is a two-track journey, emphasizing both personal and inter-personal/public leadership. Don’t forget

that ‘private victory must necessarily precede public victory.’ During this process, we shall celebrate every milestone

we chalk, especially through annual certification and I trust that the global network of leaders you become

a part of will be instrumental in fulfilling your specific God-given assignment. Kindly make time to visit

www.leadershiphuddles.org for more information.

Thank you for agreeing to partner to empower ”the Whole Church to take the Whole Gospel to the Whole World”

until Christ comes!

Yours faithfully,

Dr. Yaw Perbi The HuD Global Leadership Team

INTRODUCTION

http://www.leadershiphuddles.org/

Table of Content: Book 1

Operation Purpose……………………………………………………………………..………..3 More than a Song………………………………………………………………………………16 Fellows in a Ship………………………………………………………………….……………27 Till I see Me in you…………………………………………………………………………….35 Saved to Serve; not Sit and Stare……………………………………………………………….46 Mission: Possible………………………………………………………………………………60 Copyright © 2010 by The HuD Group The HuD Group owns the copyright to this material. Its intended use is training of Leadership Coaches through Leadership HuDdlesTM around the world. The HuD Group has a formal partnership with John Maxwell’s EQUIP. Together we join hands with churches, organisations and individuals to contemplate, celebrate and cultivate leadership as a catalyst to close the Great Commission in this generation. These materials are not to be sold.

NOTEBOOK 1

LEADERSHIP HuDdlesTM

www.leadershiphuddles.org Notebook 1 ~ Lesson 1 ~ pg. 3

“Operation Purpose” (An introduction to God-given Purpose)

“WHY did I not die at birth? WHY did I not perish when I came from the womb?” Job 3:11, NKJV

PLACING PUZZLE PIECES

Purpose is:

1. My ______________________________(raison d‟être): Why I was born; why I am still alive; why I am here

on Earth. The greatest leader of all time, Jesus Christ, knew his raison d‟être:

“…Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the

world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37)

God has a purpose for every individual on Earth! Even for Pharaoh the obstinate leader, there was a

reason for his existence:

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed

in all the earth.” (Exodus 9:16)

2. God‟s ________________________________ and desire for my life: My Dexterous Divine Designer‟s

desired end in mind.

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and

I will do all that I please.” (Isaiah 46:10)

“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve

the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

3. God‟s ____________________or ____________________(thought out) course of action for my life.

In other places in the book of Isaiah, God makes the nature of his afore-planned, original intentions

known:

“Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass…” (Isaiah 37:26)

“The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.

This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. For the LORD Almighty

has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back.” (Isaiah 14:24, 26, 27)

Further exploration for the Eager Beaver (on Purpose as a planned course of action): Jeremiah 49:20.

4. “The ____________________ you were created to solve.” (Mike Murdock)

According to St. John‟s first epistle, what problem was Christ born to solve?

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil‟s work.” (1 John 3:8b)

5. What I have been _____________________________________________________________.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart… as a prophet to the nations.”

(Jeremiah 1:5)

6. My ____________________ or ____________________ chosen for me by God:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born… I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

(Jeremiah 1:5)

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“It‟s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task…” (Mark 13:34)

Even Cyrus, the ancient king of Persia, knew his God-given purpose: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me

all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah…” (2 Chronicles 36:23)

Purpose is the task attached to your name. For Jesus, his purpose/assignment to save mankind from sin and

his name were intricately linked. The angel that ministered to Joseph, convincing him to change his mind

about his contemplated divorce of Mary (his already-pregnant fiancée), said to him that „what is conceived in

her is from the Holy Spirit‟: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his

people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

The name „JESUS‟ is the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means “the LORD saves.”

7. My ____________________ (English) or my ____________________ (Latin).

What makes a person a Christian is that he has responded positively to a general calling by God:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

(Romans 8:28)

But there is also a specific calling to do something in particular for God and one‟s generation; that thing a

person was set part from birth to do/become, his vocation. For Apostle Paul, his calling was to preach, primarily to

non-Jews: “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that

I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man.” (Galatians 1:15)

8. What I should be able to conclude on my deathbed about, that: “_____ is finished!”

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

„It is finished‟ was said of David: “For when David had served God‟s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep…”

(Acts 13:36a) Apostle Paul said „it is finished‟ for himself: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have

kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) This is important in leading to the final definition of „Purpose‟ below.

9. The _______________ marked out and set before me by God.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so

easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

WHEN DREAMS AND PURPOSE COLLIDE

Most people have a dream, a mental picture of their future. Parents even have dreams for their children.

Another way of looking at Purpose is: ____________________ for me. Sometimes, dreams and Purpose

collide when the following get in the way:

1. __________ DESIRE—when you have wishes and aspirations that are not in tandem with God‟s

dream for your life. Jesus had to battle with this in the Garden of Gethsemane till he sweated blood!

Being fully human, three times he passionately prayed; for his own desire at the time collided with

God‟s purpose for his life.

*Quiz: Is there a difference between someone‟s job and someone‟s work?

Answer: Your job is what you‟re paid to do; your work is what you‟re called to do.

N O T E S



“Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba,

Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you

will.” (Mark 14:35,36)

2. _______________ _ DESIGN—God had a dream for a certain baby boy born to godly parents, a

specific assignment with a name attached to it: “JOHN” (Luke 1:13-17). But guess what? Society—

neighbours, friends and family—had other ideas. Not only did they want to name the infant

Zechariah after his father (and being a Levite he probably would have just gone on to become a priest

like his dad instead of the prophet of God he was born to be), they actually contested: “There is no one

among your relatives who has that name.” (Luke 1:61)

How many times haven‟t people felt compelled to pursue a family tradition of names, professions

(especially doctors, lawyers and pastors) etc.?

3. _______________ DELUSION—The devil can play on our sinful nature („flesh‟) to mislead us

from God‟s dream for our lives. Consider this: he is called as one of the few, only 12, handpicked

apostles of Jesus Christ. With the others he lives with and learns from Jesus, he is sent out to preach

and work miracles, he gets to be appointed treasurer of Jesus… and then he starts stealing from the

money bag, soon he sells both his future and his Master at the cheap price of 30 silver coins and

betrays both his Lord and his own apostolic calling with a kiss. Why? Satanic delusion: “As soon as

Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him…he went out. And it was night.” (John 13:27,30)

The Three Stumbling Blocks in two swipes

“…Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and that he must be killed and

on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never

happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in

mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

When Peter thought he was giving Jesus Christ good advice and „saving‟ him from death, the Lord

immediately noticed that the actual person trying to convince him from pursuing his God-given purpose was

only using Peter‟s vocal chords, it was the devil himself! He addresses the source of this Satanic Delusion

sharply: “Get behind me, Satan!”

Then he addresses the other two stumbling blocks en route to his God-given purpose—Self Desire and

Societal Design—in another swipe: “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Reflection: Are you pursuing your God-given purpose or have you been caught in Self(ish) Desire, Societal Design

or Satanic Delusion?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE ITSELF: 5 fast facts

1. Life is a _______________.

Life is a school! but one in which though you get promoted from time to time you never quite graduate

until you „pass into glory‟. God will test our character, faith, obedience, love etc. This is so definite that

the Apostle James writes about “when” we are tested; not “if!” and says to joyfully:

a. Embrace it down here (James 1:2-4) because it builds character in us, while we also…

N O T E S N O T E S



b. Anticipate the „graduation day‟ up there: “Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test,

they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, GWT)

Further Study for the Eager Beaver: The Israelites‟ journey from Egypt to Canaan is TYPICAL of life‟s

design (Deuteronomy 8:1-5)

2. Life is a _______________.

God will watch to see what you do with what he gave you.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much

more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48b, NIV)

3. Life is a ____________________________________.

It is a journey; we are en route... “I am here on earth just a little while.” (Psalm 119:19, TEV)

“So if you call God your Father, live your time as temporary residents on earth...” (1 Peter 1:17, GWT)

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don‟t make yourselves cozy in it. Don‟t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.”

(1 Peter 2:11, Msg.)

4. Life is a _____________________________.

1 Corinthians 13:8-12; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

NOW („Dress Rehearsal‟) THEN („Actual Performance‟)

Ephemeral, fluctuating and passing

resources and activities

All that matters and remains is love (love never fails,

constant; love never dies). God IS love.

Limited (eg. by language) Unlimited

Part and passing knowledge Complete and constant knowledge

Imperfection Perfection (imperfection disappears)

We are and behave like children We become mature (adults)

Poor sight Clear sight (as clearly as God sees)

Indirect knowledge of God Direct knowledge of God

We are destructible Indestructible

Earthly body is a temporary tent Heavenly body is an eternal building

Naked Clothed

Groan and burdened Satisfied, fulfilled, at rest

At home in the body;

away from the Lord

At home with the Lord;

away from the body

Live by faith „Faith shall be sight‟

The bottom line is that we were originally made for immortality. “Now it is God who has made us for this very

purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 5:5, NIV)

Everything we do on this terrestrial ball, from praise & worship to leadership is really just a dress rehearsal:

“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial

cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!” (1 Corinthians 6:2,3)

5. Life is ALL FOR GOD‟S _______________.

“For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory.” (Romans 11:36, LB)

We were created to bring God glory by ___________________________________________________.

“I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:4)

We get to share in this eternal glory in heaven, only if we fulfill God‟s purposes here on earth—“When the Head

Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honour.” (1 Peter 5:4, LB)

N O T E S



IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO KNOW…BUT IT IS A MUST! One of the most fundamental questions EVERY HUMAN asks is: “Why am I here?” Yet very few people

know the answer or ever discover it before they pass away! Philosophy Professor Hugh Moorhead of

Northeastern Illinois University wrote to 250 of the best-known philosophers, writers, scientists, intellectuals

and asked: “What is the meaning of life?” He had four kinds of responses:

o Clueless: I have NO IDEA! I simply don‟t know!

o Guesses: I THINK…, I suppose…, I guess…

o Inventions: Some had made up a purpose for themselves!

o Desperate Requests: Write back and tell me, please!

Many never get the right answer till they die; others get the wrong answer because we tend to start from the

WRONG PLACE: ____________________.

Rick Warren is succinct: “There are only two ways to discover your purpose in life”:

a. ______________________: But, “God doesn‟t play dice!” (Albert Einstein)

b. ______________________:

“That‟s why we have this Scripture text: No one‟s ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it—what God has arranged for those who love him. But you‟ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open for you.” (1 Corinthians 2:9,10 Msg.)

We have not been left on our own to try and figure things out! God wants you to discover his purpose and

plan for your life much more eagerly than you think you do! He promises to guide: “I will instruct you and teach

you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)

6 WAYS to discover my God-given purpose by REVELATION

1. Establish (and grow) a relationship with ______________________. (John 15:1,4,5)

“It‟s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.

Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of

the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” (Ephesians 1:11-12, Msg.)

“…he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and

his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:3,4)

2. Ask the ______________________(GOD): Nobody knows a product better than the manufacturer!

(Job 10:8-12)

Through prayer (and many times, fasting) we get to hear God‟s voice about His purpose for our lives. It

was in the midst of one such prayer and fasting meeting that God‟s purpose for Paul and Barnabas came to

the fore: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, „Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for

the work to which I have called.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

(Acts 13:2,3)

3. Search the _________________(B-I-B-L-E)! (Hebrews 10:7; Psalm 139:16)

4. Seek wise, godly, mature ____________________ (Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 24:6; 1 Timothy 1:18)

“Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22, KJV)

5. Be open to God‟s _____________________________________________________ of communicating.

Impressions (feelings, ideas) (Psalm 16:7)

Dreams (Genesis 37:5-11; Matthew 1:20)

Trances, Visions/Pictures (Acts 9:10, 10:1-20; 16:10)

Power encounter (Acts 9:1-8)

Prophecy (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11)

Angels (Matthew 2:19; Acts 12:7)

Audible voice (1 Samuel 3:4-14)

N O T E S



6. Keenly observe unique ____-____-____-____-____: this is the „common sense‟ approach.

“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out…” (Psalm 139:13, Msg.)

S_________________________

H_____________ (passions, desires, ambitions, dreams, thoughts, strong impressions)

A_____________________ (talents/natural gifts)

P_____________________ (temperament)

E_____________________ (skills, education, mistakes)

"Where your talents [SHAPE] and the needs of the world cross, there lies your calling." —Aristotle

6 FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS about my Life‟s Mission from the MANUFACTURER‟S MANUAL

1. LIFE IS NOT ABOUT ME _________________________________! St. Paul: “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)

King Solomon: “THE LORD HAS MADE _________________________________________________.” (Proverbs 16:4a)

2. _________________________________ It‟s all about OTHER PEOPLE. “The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)

3. I am _________________________________ I must find my Creator‟s intended Purpose (Job 3:11)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set your apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

4. I am ____________________ I shan‟t bow to the pressure (peer, family, society) to conform. “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.” (Psalm 139:13,15, NLT)

Choose to celebrate your uniqueness!

Did you know that NOBODY on earth has your finger prints?

Did you know that the number of DNA molecules combining to form you is 10 to the 2,400,000,000th power?

5. I am ____________________! I must let it go! “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.” (Psalm

139:14, NLT)

You possess 500 to 700 different skills and abilities.

Your brain can store 100 million facts yet the average person uses 2% of this potential.

6. I do not _____________________________ I must _________________ IT!

JESUS’ SUMMARY OF LIFE: † Matthew 22:34-40

ROADS SIGNS & ROAD BLOCKS Sometimes, rather than a clear revelation (through any of the six ways discussed above), we just „find ourselves‟ in seemingly „coincidental situations‟. Remember though that God is sovereign, „in his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). There are times when instead of „ordering your head‟ by revelation, he would just „order your steps‟ by circumstantial signs in the form of closed doors (Acts 16:7) or open doors (1 Corinthians 16:9).

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“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Psalm 139:16, NLT)

“For we are God‟s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Viktor Frankl, physician and celebrated survivor of the holocaust, categorically states that everyone has “a mission to discover; not

to invent.”

MY FIVE-FOLD GENERAL PURPOSES IN LIFE

PURPOSE THE “B” RENDITION

THE “C” RENDITION

THE “F” RENDITION/ HELPS TO…

THE “P” RENDITION

THE „DOUBLE LETTER‟ RENDITION

THE LOVE RENDITION

THE “GREAT COMMAND-MENT” RENDITION

1. WORSHIP Gen. 1:10,12, 18,21,25, 31

Revelation 4:11

The Centre of your life

Purpose to live for

Loving God

2. FELLOW-

SHIP Gen.2:18, 3:8 Ephesians 1:5

Belonging to God‟s family

Face life‟s problems

Formed for (God‟s) Family

To “baptize them into…”

3. DISCIPLE-

SHIP Gen. 1:26,27 Romans 8:29

The Character of your life

Principles to live by

Loving God‟s will and way

4. SERVICE Gen. 1:26,28

Gen. 2:15,19,20 Ephesians 2:10

Being of use to God‟s people

Find your talents

Shaped for Serving

“To love your neighbour as yourself;”

5. MISSIONS Gen. 3:15-19,

23,24 Matth. 28:18-20

The Communica-tion of your life

Profession to speak out

Loving God‟s world

© 2004 Yaw Perbi (Adapted from Rick Warren‟s book, The Purpose-Driven Life)

AND SO WHY BOTHER? Knowing your God-given purpose, crafting a mission statement based on it and living it out makes a world of difference:

1. Makes you live a ______________________________ life: you look out for unique capacity to contribute to others and live for

a purpose higher than self. (Mark 10:45)

2. It is the ____________________ by which you measure everything else. (John 17:4)

3. Your purpose defines ____________________ for you by clarifying what is important to you. Can you fathom that success for

Jesus meant a shameful death on a cross?! (John 19:30)

4. It inspires confidence by having the ___________________________________ of life answered.

Namely:

a. Who am I? (a question of Identity)

b. Where am I from? (a question of Heritage)

c. Why am I here? (a question of Purpose)

d. What can I do? (a question of Potential)

e. Where am I going? (a question of Destiny)



Jesus had these questions answered: Jesus had these questions answered: “…Even if I do bear witness about myself,

my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am

going.” Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to

God…” “Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born

and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.””

(John 8:14; 13:3; 18:37, ESV)

5. Clarifies your significant roles in life (Personal, Family, Work, Community).

6. Provides ____________________ in life. (Mark 1:38,39)

7. Provides the opportunity for the realization and execution of your unique nature (S-H-A-P-E) Find

right ____________________.

8. Gives ___________________ and ___________________ to your life. Compare this with Solomon‟s

initial conclusion that life is “vanity!”

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, NKJV)

a. Tried hard work but it was vanity [Ecclesiastes 1:3, 13-14; 2:11, 17-23]

b. Tried pleasure [Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, 10]

c. Tried scholarship/academia [Ecclesiastes 1:16-18; 2:12-16]

d. Tried possessions [Ecclesiastes 2:4-9]

e. Tried power (position and popularity) [Ecclesiastes 4:13-16]

9. Simplifies your life, especially decision-making—defines what you do and what you don‟t.

10. ____________________ your life—concentrate energy on what‟s important. (2 Timothy 4:5)

11. Telling the „________________________‟ from the „_______________________‟ is easier. Was it a

„good thing‟ for David to desire to build a magnificent temple for God‟s glory? Sure! Was it a „God

thing‟? No! (1 Chronicles 28:2,3)

12. You know who to ____________________. (Genesis 2:18)

Finally, and fortunately, King Solomon landed right: “Now all has been

heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his

commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

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PURPOSE-DRIVEN MARRIAGE MATTERS New International Version The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper SUITABLE for him.”

New Living Translation Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just RIGHT for him.”

English Standard Version Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper FIT for him.”

King James Bible And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help MEET for him.

Bible in Basic English And the Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be by himself: I will make one LIKE HIMSELF as a help to him.

Darby Bible Translation And Jehovah Elohim said, It is not good that Man should be alone; I will make him a helpmate, HIS LIKE.

http://niv.scripturetext.com/genesis/2.htm

http://nlt.scripturetext.com/genesis/2.htm

http://esv.scripturetext.com/genesis/2.htm

http://kingjbible.com/genesis/2.htm

http://basicenglishbible.com/genesis/2.htm

http://darbybible.com/genesis/2.htm



13. ___________________ your life (inspires and empowers) and results in tremendous

___________________. (Acts 13:36)

14. Aids you to align your _________________ and _________________ with your purpose. (Luke 4:43-44)

15. Provides a basis and framework for setting ____-____-____-____-____ goals

It is the “R” in „S-M-A-R-T‟

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

16. Helps in ____________________ the discipline and hardness of training and preparation with all the

trials, temptations, tribulations, trespasses, troubles and obstacles that come along. But for his dream,

Joseph could not have endured the pathetic path his life took: Pit Potiphar Prison Palace.

The ultimate example of this:“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set

before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Further Study for the Eager Beaver: What was Paul able to endure because of his understanding of

and keen sense of God-given purpose (Galatians 1:15-21; 2 Corinthians 11:24-28)

17. Prepares you for ____________________: Only an earthly legacy is short-sighted and short-lived.

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear

before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body,

whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5;9,10)

WE MUST G.E.T. PURPOSE

G_______________ (of purpose) matters:

God‟s purpose for you requires you to be in a particular place at a particular moment. He asked Elijah

to go to a place called „THERE.‟ [1 Kings 17:1-9]

““Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I

have ordered ravens to feed you THERE.” Sometime later the brook dried up…Then the word of the LORD came to

him: “Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay THERE. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you

with food.”” (v.4, 7-9)

Genesis 26:1-6, 12-14

At a time when there was famine in the land and the logical thing to do was to migrate to „greener

pastures,‟ (like his own father had done many years before under similar circumstances), God‟s purpose

for Isaac was to stay put. He heeded God‟s purpose for his life and consequently, really prospered:

“Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land which I shall tell you. Dwell in

this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform

the oath which I swore to Abraham your father… Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a

hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very

prosperous;” (v.2,3,12,13, NKJV)

E____________ nature (of purpose) matters:

“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and

authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Ephesians 3:11)

We ought not to frustrate ourselves—„kick against the pricks‟—by making our own plans and going on

pursuits that run counter to God‟s purpose for our lives because “Many are the plans in a man‟s heart, but it

is the LORD‟s purpose that prevails.” (Prov. 19:21)

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“The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,

the purposes of his heart through all generations.” (Psalm 33:10,11)

A classic case was Sincere Saul: “And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in

the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

(Acts 26:14, KJV)

T____________ (of purpose) matters:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, KJV)

SINCERELY WRONG Saul, before he became Paul, was sincere about what he perceived was a godly agenda; yet he was really running counter to his God-given purpose. “A large percentage of people in the first century were tillers of the soil. Oxen were used to work the soil. The prick or goad was a necessary device. The prick was usually a wooden shaft with a pointed spike (prick) at one end. The man working the ox would position the goad in such a way as to exert influence and control over the ox. You see, if the ox refused the command indicated by the farmer, the goad would be used to jab or prick the ox. Sometimes the ox would refuse this incentive by kicking out at the prick. As a result, the prick would be driven deeper into the flesh of the rebellious animal. The more the animal rebelled, the more the animal suffered. Hence, the statement to Saul: “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”” (www.biblequestions.org)

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10 WAYS TO LIVE A PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE Doing all you do on purpose for Purpose

1. Read and ponder on Purpose (especially by reading your Personal Mission Statement and

life goals regularly).

2. Plan, set goals, strategize and structure your life on Purpose.

3. Build relationships on Purpose (friends, family, mentors, mentees, staff).

4. Attend programmes and events on Purpose; form and/or join churches, fellowships,

clubs etc. on Purpose.

5. Educate (and develop yourself) on Purpose (both formally and informally); choose

careers on Purpose.

“Your investment in wisdom reveals your passion for your assignment.” (Mike Murdock)

6. Keep healthy on Purpose (eating right, exercising etc.).

7. Communicate on Purpose.

8. Budget on Purpose („put your money where your purpose is‟).

9. Calendar on Purpose (schedule your purposes or the urgent will take over!).

“Don‟t fool yourself. If you don‟t schedule your purposes on your calendar, they won‟t get emphasized.” (Rick Warren)

10. Evaluate on Purpose (after all, is your God-given purpose not the yardstick for success?!).

TOOL: PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT

“An inspiring and empowering document that in your own words affirms

your commitment to God‟s general purposes for your life and expresses your

specific personal sense of purpose and meaning in life, your values, desirable

character traits and role „goals‟, invariably painting a picture of the kind of

legacy you want to leave. (Yaw Perbi)

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5 PARTS OF YOUR PURPOSE STATEMENT

PART I: AFFIRMING THE GENERAL PURPOSES OF LIFE

Worship: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Fellowship: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Discipleship: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Service: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Missions: _______________________________________________________________________________________

PART II: EXPRESSING YOUR UNIQUE, SPECIFIC GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE (S-H-A-P-E)

Spiritual Gifts: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Heart (Passions, Desires): ___________________________________________________________________________

Abilities (Talents): _________________________________________________________________________________

Personality (Temperament): _________________________________________________________________________

Experiences (Skills, Education, Mistakes): ______________________________________________________________

PART III: VALUES _______________ _______________ _________________ ____________ _______________ _______________ _________________ ____________

PART IV: CHARACTER

To be acquired: ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

To be discarded: ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________

PART V: ROLE „GOALS‟ & WHAT WILL PEOPLE SAY? / THE LEGACY YOU WILL LEAVE

Family: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Work: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Church: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Friends: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Community (local, global): __________________________________________________________________________

ANSWERS

“Operation Purpose”

PLACING PUZZLE PIECES

Purpose is:

1. REASON FOR BEING

2. ORIGINAL INTENT 3. COUNSEL, PLANNED

4. PROBLEM 5. SET APART FROM BIRTH TO DO/BECOME

6. APPOINTMENT, ASSIGNMENT 7. CALLING, VOCATION

8. IT 9. RACE

WHEN DREAMS AND PURPOSE COLLIDE

GOD‟S DREAM

1. SELF 2. SOCIETAL

3. SATANIC

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE ITSELF: 5 fast facts

1. TEST 2. TRUST

3. TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT 4. DRESS REHEARSAL

5. GLORY FULFLLING OUR PURPOSE ON EARTH

IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO KNOW…

BUT IT IS A MUST!

OURSELVES

a. SPECULATION

b. REVELATION

6 WAYS to discover Purpose by REVELATION

1. JESUS CHRIST

2. MANUFACTURER

3. MANUAL

4. COUNSEL

5. MANY, VARIED, EVEN UNUSUAL WAYS

6. S-H-A-P-E SPIRITUAL GIFTS

HEART

ABILITIES

PERSONALITY

EXPERIENCES

6 FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS Life’s Mission

from the MANUFACTURER’S MANUAL

1. IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD

EVERYTHING FOR HIS OWN PURPOSES 2. LIFE IS NOT ABOUT ME

3. NOT AN ACCIDENT 4. UNIQUE

5. LOADED 6. WRITE THE SCRIPT, DISCOVER

GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO

MY FIVE-FOLD GENERAL PURPOSES

1. WORSHIP: Bringing God pleasure; Focus

on God; Planned for (God‟s) Pleasure; “To

love God with all your heart”

2. FELLOWSHIP: The Community of your

life; People to live with; Loving God‟s People

3. DISCIPLESHIP: Becoming like God;

Fortify your faith; Created for Christ-likeness;

To “teach them to do all things…”

4. SERVICE: The Contribution of your life;

Profession to pursue; Loving God‟s work

5. MISSIONS: Booming God‟s good news

(gospel) to mankind; Fulfill God‟s original

purpose; Made for Missions; To “Go and

preach the gospel”

AND SO WHY BOTHER?

SELF-TRANSCENDENT

STANDARD

SUCCESS

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS

Significant roles

DIRECTION

CAREER

MEANING, FULFILMENT

Simplifies

FOCUSES

„GOOD THINGS‟, „GOD THINGS‟

MARRY

MOTIVATES, IMPACT

ATTITUDE, BEHAVIOUR

S-M-A-R-T

ENDURING

ETERNITY

WE MUST G.E.T. PURPOSE

1. GEOGRAPHY

2. ETERNAL

3. TIMING



“More than a Song” (My Purpose to WORSHIP)

“…for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Revelation 4:11, KJV

I. WORSHIP __________________

What acts and pictures come to mind when you hear ‗Worship‘? You probably are right, for worship is all that:

songs, sanctuary services, sacristans, sacrifices… these ―acts of righteousness‖ that show respect and love

for God, ranging from singing through offerings of animals and incense to giving, prayer, fasting and

convocations constitute ‗worship.‘ So everyone thinks until…

II. WORSHIP __________________

We are shocked to the bone that of our fat burnt offerings and abundant blood sacrifices the LORD queries:

―Who has asked this of you?!‖ ―Why are you trampling my courts?‖ And spits in our faces: ―STOP bringing

meaningless offerings!‖ ―Your incense is detestable to me!‖ Of our many ‗holy convocations‘ he says, ―I

cannot bear your evil assemblies! My soul hates them!‖ ―They have become a burden to me; I am weary of

bearing them!‖ At least our prayers should be acceptable, we think, until our confidence is shattered with

these words: ―I will not listen even if you offer many prayers!‖ ―I will hide my eyes from you.‖

“Why this frenzy of sacrifices?” God‟s asking. “Don‟t you think I‟ve had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plumb

grain-fed calves? Don‟t you think I‟ve had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats? When you come before me,

who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, running here and there, doing this and that—all this sheer commotion

in the place provided for worship? Quit your worship charades. I can‟t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly

conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—meetings, meetings, meetings—I can‟t stand one more! Meetings for

this, meetings for that. I hate them! You‟ve worn me out! I‟m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right

on sinning. When you put up your next prayer-performance, I‟ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or

loud or often you pray I‟ll not be listening.” (Isaiah 1:11-15b, Msg.)

III. WORSHIP __________________

We believe worship is about sacrifice to God, going to church, tithes and offerings, Sunday and mid-week

services, all-night prayer meetings... and all that! WHY does God say, “Get lost!?”

“And you know why? Because you‟ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash

up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don‟t have to look at them any longer. Say no to

wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Got to bat for the

defenseless.” (Isaiah 1:15c-17, Msg.)

IV. WORSHIP __________________

BACK 2 BEGINNING: Genesis Chapter One

“He named the land “Earth,” and the water which had come together he named “Sea.” And God was pleased with what he

saw. Then he commanded, “Let the earth produce all kinds of plants, those that bear grain and those that bear fruit”—and it

was done. So the earth produced all kinds of plants, and God was pleased with what he saw.” (v. 10-12, GNB)

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“So God made the two larger lights, the sun to rule over the day and the moon to rule over the night; he also made the stars. He

placed the lights in the sky to shine on the earth, to rule over the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God

was pleased with what he saw.” (v. 16-18, GNB)

“So God created the great sea monsters, all kinds of creatures that live in the water, and all kinds of birds. And God was

pleased with what he saw.” “So God made them all, and he was pleased with what he saw.” (v. 21, 25 GNB)

The recurring theme in all of these verses is: ―_________________________________________________.‖

However on the sixth day, it is intriguing to note that God didn‘t quite say the same thing: “God looked at

everything he had made, and he was VERY pleased” (Genesis 1:31, GNB). Why? Not only because ―Now all was made,

every part was good, but all together very good‖ (Wesley) but also ―Now man was made, who was the chief of

the ways of God, the visible image of the Creator's glory‖ (Wesley). Of all living things, none brings God more

delight than man. Man‘s chief purpose, therefore, is __________________________________: WORSHIP.

Proof: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for YOUR

PLEASURE they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:11, AKJV)

We were indeed ‗planned for God‟s pleasure:‘ “The LORD takes PLEASURE in his people...”

(Psalm 149:4, TEV)

Even of the Old Testament rituals of burning sacrifices to God, what made these sacrifices ‗worship‘ was the

___________________ aroma to God (Exodus 29:41). So it is not these ―acts of righteousness‖ as a show of

respect and love for God per se—offerings of animals and incense, giving, prayer, fasting, assemblies and

singing—that matter; it is whether or not these are pleasing to God. Worship then is more than a serious

sacrifice or a sweet song.

Bringing pleasure to God is called ___________________.

FASTFORWARD 2 FUTURE:

Revelation 4:11

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and

were created.” (KJV)

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were

created and have their being.” (NIV)

“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you

created what you pleased.” (NLT)

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your

will they existed, and were created.” (NASB)

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power, because you created all things; they came into existence

and were created because of your will.” (ISV)

“It is right, our Lord and our God, for you to have glory and honour and power: because by you were all things made, and by your

desire they came into being.” (BBE)

“saying, “It is fitting, O our Lord and God, That we should ascribe unto Thee the glory and the honor and the power; For Thou

didst create all things, And because it was Thy will they came into existence, and were created.”” (WNT)

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and

because of your desire they existed, and were created!” (WEB)

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The various translations of Revelation 4:11 above interchange God‘s ―pleasure,‖ ―desire‖ and ―will‖ because God‟s will IS His

pleasure. As God‘s creation, how do we find out what His will (desire) is in order to bring Him pleasure? Answer: God‘s WORD (the

Bible). Living according to God‘s Word brings Him pleasure because His Word is His will.

So in the opening verses of his letter to the Church in Colossae, one of Apostle Paul‘s key prayer points was “asking God to fill you with the

knowledge of his WILL through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Why? “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and

may PLEASE HIM IN EVERY WAY.” (Colossians 1:9,10a)

WORSHIP: SINGING SANCTIMONIOUS SLOW SONGS… SERIOUSLY?

“I‟ll bring You more than a song for a song in itself is not what You have required.”

„The Heart of Worship‟ (When the Music Fades), by Matt Redman






THE LOVE RENDITION


WORSHIP

The Centre of your life

Purpose to live for

Loving God

© 2004 Yaw Perbi (Adapted from Rick Warren‘s book, The Purpose-Driven Life)

WHEN ARE WE TO WORSHIP? “Worship him continually.” (Psalm 105:4, TEV)

Worship is a L___________________ L___________________. Thought: For how long can you hold a musical note?! In any and every sphere of our lives, we must continually bring God pleasure: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the

glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) If there ever was someone whose very life and lifestyle brought God pleasure continually, even before he

‗did anything‘ (as in ministry) it was Jesus Christ. At his baptism, when he had not yet performed a single miracle, and he certainly

wasn‘t singing in the water, so said the Father of him:

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

The tense of the Greek verb used here is timeless i.e. God has always been and always will be ―well pleased‖ with his Son, Jesus Christ.

OPERATION PURSUE PLEASURE: Every Christian has an assigned mission: ―…FIND OUT what pleases the Lord.‖ (Ephesians 5:10)

Various ways of phrasing this pursuit (from other translations of the Bible) include:

Carefully determine (what pleases the Lord)

Try to discern (what pleases the Lord)

God‟s Pleasure = God‟s Will = God‟s Desire = God‟s Word

All true believers wholly ascribe their redemption and conversion, their present privileges and future hopes, to the eternal and most holy God. Thus raise the for-ever harmonious, thankful songs of the redeemed in heaven. Would we on earth do like them, let our praises be constant, not interrupted; united, not divided; thankful, not cold and formal; humble, not self-confident. (Matthew Henry)



Try to learn (what pleases the Lord)

Determine (what pleases the Lord)

Prove (what pleases the Lord)

Test by experience (what pleases the Lord)

Learn in your own experiences (what pleases the Lord)

HOW DO WE BRING GOD PLEASURE CONTINUALLY, PRACTICALLY? WE WORSHIP GOD whenever we...

1. ____________________ God supremely and people sacrificially.

After silencing the Sadducees, the Pharisees took their turn at testing Jesus: ―Teacher, which is the greatest

commandment in the Law?‖ they inquired. Wow! The Lord Jesus made it crystal clear that the greatest

commandment, the one thing that brings God the most pleasure, is LOVE. First, love of God with our all and

then love of our fellow man. ―All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments,‖ the Teacher

concluded (Matthew 22:34-40). A few years later, Paul will add his apostolic voice that even though steady faith,

unswerving hope and extravagant love all bring God pleasure, “the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

“I don‟t want your sacrifices—I want your heart. I don‟t want your offerings—I want you to know me.” (Hosea 6:6, LB)

“and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

(Ephesians 5:2)

2. ____________________ Him wholeheartedly.

What Jim Chew of Navigators calls, “Joyful obedience!” Obedience is more important to God than any

sacrifice we could ever make, ostensibly to please him. (1 Samuel 15:22)

Interestingly, according to Jesus Christ, loving God IS obeying God: “Those who accept my commandments and obey

them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each

of them.” (John 14:21, NLT)

God denounces Israel‘s misunderstanding of worship and announces his displeasure: “This is what the LORD

Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go ahead, add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! For when

I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices,

but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command

you, that it may go well with you.” (Jeremiah 7:21-23). Oh, that we would rather be like the Psalmist and say, “Just tell me

what to do and I will do it LORD. As long as I live I‟ll wholeheartedly obey.” (Psalm 119:33, LB) Obeying Him

wholeheartedly, THAT is worship!

3. ___________________ Him completely.

―God‘s greatest pleasure is to be believed; his greatest pain is to be doubted.‖ (Mike Murdock)

“It‟s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that

he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, Msg.)

The LORD did miracle after miracle on behalf of the Israelites en route to Canaan yet their attitude, actions

and utterances before any new challenge was like people with chronic amnesia, “They even spoke against God

himself, saying, “God can't give us food in the wilderness. Yes, he can strike a rock so water gushes out, but he can't give his people

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bread and meat.” When the LORD heard them, he was furious. The fire of his wrath burned against Jacob. Yes, his anger rose

against Israel, for they did not believe God or trust him to care for them.” (Psalm 78:19-22, NLT)

“But he takes pleasure...in those who trust in his constant love.” (Psalm 147:11, TEV)

4. ____________________ to Him absolutely.

Under the old covenant, worship of God was by offering animals as a ‗dead sacrifice.‘ Today, ultimate

worship is offering oneself as a ‗living sacrifice.‘ This is true worship and pleases God but ―the problem with

living sacrifices is that we often crawl off the altar.‖ (Rick Warren)

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this

is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

“You are not happy with any sacrifice. Otherwise, I would offer one [to you]. You are not pleased with burnt offerings. The

sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart.” (Psalm 51:16-17, GWT)

“Instead, give yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be

used for his righteous purposes.” (Romans 6:13, LB)

5. _________________________________ Him continually.

“Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.” (Psalm 135:3)

“Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” (Psalm 147:1)

“I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more

than a bull with its horns and hoofs.” (Psalm 69:30,31)

“In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, BBE)

6. ____________ our abilities faithfully and ____________________ our God-given assignments.

“I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do.” (John 17:4, Msg.)

In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the master‘s pleasure is plain: ―Well done, good and faithful

servant!‖ For the servant who did not faithfully use his capital and accomplish the master‘s desire, the latter

states his utter displeasure: ―You wicked, lazy servant!‖

7. ____________________ holistically i.e. in every department of our lives.

“The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 33:15, Msg.)

“Jehovah be magnified, Who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” (Psalm 35:27b, ASV)

“Beloved, concerning all things I desire thee to prosper, and to be in health, even as thy soul doth prosper.”

(3 John 1:2, YLT)

8. _______________ righteously—being right, thinking right, doing right and living right—in all spheres of life.

Indeed godliness has been defined by servants of God like John Wesley and Matthew Henry as ―inward

religion;‖ and the true or right worship of God. The ancient wealthy man Job brought such pleasure to God

by his righteous life that God actually boasted about him to the devil: “Have you noticed my friend Job? There‟s no

one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil.” (Job 1:8, Msg.) How about you?

“…he delights in those whose ways are blameless;” “he delights in men who are truthful.” (Proverbs 11:20b; 12:22b)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23, KJV)

“I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.”

(Jeremiah 9:24b) “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3)

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9. ___________________ steadily and ____________________ in our faith walk and faith works.

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every

good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have

great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the

saints in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:10-12)

10. ___________________ fervently for people, especially those in Authority.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in

authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior”

(1 Timothy 2:3)

11. _________________________ completely from sin and lead others to do so.

The above verse in the Apostle Paul's first letter to Timothy continues to express not only God‘s pleasure in the

saints interceding for those in authority but also in the result of that—the salvation of men: “This is good, and it

is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1

Timothy 2:3-4, ESV)

This is reiterated in many different ways in as many different places throughout the New Testament,

like 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not

wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Yet this dire desire of His goes way back into time,

even in the time of the prophet Ezekiel: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from

their ways and live...” (Ezekiel 33:11) In fact, when people have metamorphosed from sinners into saints, it is dear

to the LORD even when they die in him: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”

(Psalm 116:15)

12. ___________________ strongly with fellow Christians.

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

13. ___________________ generously and cheerfully.

We must give our time, talents, treasure (money), touch (physical gifts) and trophies (status/ achievements). Apostle Paul

minced no words when he described the giving of the Church in Philippi as “...a sweet-smelling aroma...well-

pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18, NKJV)

“But in the Writings it says, He who puts in only a small number of seeds, will get in the same; and he who puts them in from a

full hand, will have produce in full measure from them. Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; not giving with grief, or by

force: for God takes pleasure in a ready [cheerful] giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7, BBE)

14. ____________________ responsibly for own family.

“...and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.” (1 Timothy 5:4)

This explains why Jesus was so furious with the Pharisees who were letting people who failed to honour God in

this regard go scot free, with the lame excuse that what would‘ve been their responsibility towards their kin they

were offering it to God as worship (―Corban‖). Caring responsibly for our family IS worship!

“Do you ask, why are not more converted?

We do not pray enough.” John Wesley

N O T E S



WARNING: NOT ALL “WORSHIP”

REALLY BRINGS GOD PLEASURE!

“But you say, „If anyone tells his father or mother, “Whatever support you might have received from me is Corban,” (that is, an

offering to God) „you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.‟ You are destroying the word of God through your

tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other things like that.” (Mark 7:11-13, ISV)

This business of taking good care of one‘s family is so serious that it warrants one of the strongest statements

in scripture: “If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is

worse than an unbeliever” (I Timothy 5:8, RSV). How often haven‘t zealous Christians ‗sacrificed‘ their own families

in the name of ‗serving God‘?!

“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don‟t make a performance out of it. It might be good theatre, but

the God who made you won‟t be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don‟t call attention to yourself. You‟ve seen

them in action, I‟m sure—„playactors‟ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate

as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that‟s all they get. When you help someone out,

don‟t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love,

working behind the scenes, helps you out.

“And when you come before God, don‟t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular

show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here‟s what I want you to do: Find a quiet,

secluded place so you won‟t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus

will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They‟re full of formulas and programs and

advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don‟t fall for that nonsense. This is your father you‟re dealing

with, and he knows better than you what you need.” (Matthew 6:1-9, Msg.)

The Heart of Worship (When the Music Fades)

by Matt Redman, ©1999 Kingsway‘s Thankyou Music/ ASCAP/Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing

When the music fades

All is stripped away

And I simply come

Longing just to bring something that‘s of worth

That will bless Your heart

I‘ll bring You more than a song

For a song in itself

Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within

Through the way things appear

You‘re looking into my heart

I‘m coming back to the heart of worship

And it‘s all about You

All about You, Jesus

I‘m sorry, Lord, for the thing I‘ve made it

When it‘s all about You

All about You, Jesus.

N O T E S



“It‟s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That‟s

the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is

sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”

(John 4:23-24, Msg.)

GOD SEEKS God-Pleasers, true worshippers. For our worship to please God, it must be (5T‘s):

1. T____________________ (John 4:23)

Worship must go beyond the ‗flesh‘ and even soul, and engage our ‗very selves‘, our spirit.

Worship transcends geography—temple or tavern; sanctuary or street; mountain or moor; Jerusalem or Jakarta.

Anywhere and everywhere! Worship goes beyond buildings—in fact, it is our very bodies that are God‘s temple,

“therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Worship must go beyond occasional festivals and be daily; it must go beyond meeting place rituals to marketplace

righteousness.

2. T____________________ (John 4:23)

3. T____________________

“Let our lord now command your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillful player on the harp” (1 Samuel 16:16a, NASB)

4. T____________________

“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Further Exploration for the Eager Beaver: Study the meticulous, minute details regarding the beautiful and

glorious priestly garments skillfully woven by gifted artisans in Exodus 28.

5. T____________________

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name” (Psalm 103:1) plus ―…offer your bodies as living

sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans12:1)

TRANSCENDING & TRUTHFUL?

So is it church or charade, prayer or performance? Do you want to be a star or saint, celebrity or

Christian, justified or dignified? Is worship about God or games? Our worship is tainted and

tarnished by pretense.

‗Pretend,‘ according to Longman is:

―To imagine something is true as a game‖ – THOUGHTS

―Claim that something is true, especially something that cannot be shown to be true‖ – WORDS

―To behave as if something is true when in fact you know it is not – DEEDS

It is living a lie, hypocrisy, fraud! It is not being ____________________ in thoughts, words and actions in

two ways:

o ‗Out there‘ (world) and ‗in here‘ (church)

o ‗Out here‘ (body) and ‗in there‘ (heart, mind, soul)

N O T E S



INTEGRITY comes from the Latin integritas, meaning ―wholeness,‖ entireness,‖ ―completeness.‖ The root

word is INTEGER = ―untouched,‖ ―intact,‖ ―entire.‖ Author Warren Wiersbe is clear: ―A person with

integrity is not divided [duplicity] or merely pretending [hypocrisy].‖

In Matthew 23 Jesus used a few amazing metaphors and imageries like, ―You are like a cup or bowl that is

clean on the outside but dirty inside;‖ ―You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside

but on the inside are full of dead men‘s bones and everything unclean;‖ ―In the same way, on the outside you

appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.‖ He denounces

them by quoting a major prophet: “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people

honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain…” (Mark 7:6,7)

We KNOW all the right things in our worship of God and our service to Him but do we DO them? We SAY

all the right things in worship but do we MEAN them? Do you have integrity? Or are you a fraud? Are you

real or a counterfeit?

WARNING: PRETENCE IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE

1. FIRST: Lie to others ____________________ (1 John 1:7)

2. THEN: Lie to ourselves and believe it ___________________ (1 John 1:8)

3. THIRD: Lie to God and in so doing make God out to be a liar __________________ (1 John 1:10)

WHY DO WE PRETEND? (8 P‟s)

Praise of men (Matthew 6):

o ―To be seen‖ by men (v.1); ―to be honoured by men‖ (v.5); ―to show men‖ (v.16)

o People look left-right instead of up-down!!

People-pleasing, especially Pastor-pleasing.

Public-dependent behaviour (playing to the crowds)—acting one way if people are watching but

another when alone.

Present-dependent reward (on earth; and now!)

Peer pressure. Did you know that this was probably what started Ananias and Sapphira on their

road to lying and subsequent instant death? (See Acts 4:34—5:2)

Playing Church! ‗Everybody‘ is macho, as if all is well. Yet Jesus made it clear that he came for the

sick, not the well. Church should be a hospital for the sick in life and sick of life!

o Church or CHARADE—―a situation in which people pretend that something is true and

behave as if it were true, when everyone knows it is not really true?‖ (Longman)

Preachers‟ pretense—again, many ‗men of God‘ are not real; as if they have no struggles and

challenges. Yet even Jesus wept!

Petty knowledge (of God). Are men not aware that God cannot be fooled?

YOU CAN FOOL MEN; NOT GOD!

“The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.” (Proverbs 20:27)

“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind.” (Jeremiah 17:10)

“The Spirit searches all things…” (Romans 8:27)

“I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and

minds, and I will repay each of you according to you deeds.” (Revelation 2:23)

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7)

N O T E S



WORSHIP DEFILED IS ACCESS __________________!

“WHO may WORSHIP in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may ENTER your PRESENCE on your holy

hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or

harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the

LORD, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to

lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.” (Psalm 15:1-5, NLT)

Worship is primarily for God‘s benefit! True! But the blessing of true worship is His Presence. And really,

that is all you need in life because EVERY BLESSING—virtues, pleasures, provision, protection, guidance etc.

—comes with His presence!

“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy PLACE? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who

does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive BLESSING from the LORD and vindication from

God his Savior.” (Psalm 24:3-5)

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

(Psalm 16:11)

“To the man who PLEASES HIM, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of

gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God….” (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

But, “NO ONE who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”

(Psalm 101:7)

ONLY ONE THING MATTERS IN LIFE!

If you were to set only ONE GOAL in life it should be: To ____________________ God; that is worship!

“So we make it our GOAL to PLEASE him...” (2 Corinthians 5:9a)

If you should have only ONE ACTIVITY in life it should be: To find out what ____________________

God; that is worship!

“and FIND OUT what PLEASES the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10)

DECLARATION

I was PLANNED FOR GOD‟S _________________________.

ASSIGNMENT

WRITE a sentence or two stating your personal commitment to God‟s purpose of WORSHIP for your life:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

N O T E S

ANSWERS

“More than a Song”

I. DEFINED

II. DENOUNCED

III. DEFILED

IV. DESIRED GOD WAS PLEASED WITH WHAT HE SAW

TO BRING GOD PLEASURE PLEASING

WORSHIP

WORSHIP: SINGING SANCTIMONIOUS SONGS?

Bringing God pleasure; Focus on God; Planned for

(God’s) Pleasure; “To love God with all your heart”

WHEN ARE WE TO WORSHIP? LIFELONG LIFESTYLE

HOW DO WE BRING GOD PLEASURE

CONTINUALLY, PRACTICALLY? 1. LOVE 2. OBEY

3. TRUST 4. SURRENDER

5. PRAISE AND THANK 6. USE, COMPLETE

7. PROSPER 8. LIVE/WALK

9. GROW, MATURE 10. PRAY

11. TURN AWAY 12. UNITE

13. GIVE 14. CARE

GOD SEEKS God-Pleasers. For our worship to

please God, it must be (5T’s):

1. TRANSCENDING

2. TRUTHFUL

3. TALENTED

4. THOUGHTFUL/THOROUGH

5. TOTAL

TRANSCENDING & TRUTHFUL?

INTEGRATED

PRETENCE IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE

1. PRETENCE

2. DUPLICITY

3. APOSTASY

WHY WE PRETEND?

DENIED

ONLY ONE THING MATTERS IN LIFE!

PLEASE

PLEASES

DECLARATION

PLEASURE



“Fellows in a Ship” (My Purpose to FELLOWSHIP)

“His unchanging plan has always been to ADOPT us into his own FAMILY...” Ephesians 1:5, NLT

OF PEOPLE AND PORTS

The most natural reaction to a certain young man‟s answer was loud laughter. In his small youth group the

leader had asked, “What is fellowship?” There had been a long, uncomfortable silence as people searched the

crevices of their minds and others tried to string together „serious‟ definitions from theology greats. This

young man slowly slipped his right hand up and said, actually, more like asked, “Fellows in a ship?” And

really, inasmuch as this response sparked spontaneous laughter, it is a rather picturesque metaphor, come to

think of it. Fellowship is about sailing together or sinking together; it is about being with each other, about

company, about family.

The word fellowship in the New Testament is a translation from the Greek word “koinonia,” which means

association, community, communion, joint participation or intercourse. It means intimate sharing of life (and

all it entails) with God and people. You have not only been called to BELIEVE in Christ but also to

BELONG to his Body; inasmuch as “your relationship with God is PERSONAL it is not PRIVATE.”

(Rick Warren)

o Believing BIRTHS you into the family (of God)

o Belonging BERTHS you in (i.e. to moor a ship to its allotted place).

I. DIRE ________________ for Family

BACK 2 BEGINNING: Genesis Chapter Three

God has always wanted relationship (with us). Remember that back in the Garden of Eden He would stroll

into the garden in the cool of the day just to have fellowship with Adam and Eve. It‟s not just that God has

love, GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:8) and has always desired to lavish this love on us as „objects of His love‟. So

dire is this desire for us that the first question He asked when man sinned and hid from God was not “What

have you done?!” but “WHERE are you?!” (Genesis 3:8-10)

1. God has always fancied ____________________.

“From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become

like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers.” (Romans 8:29, LB)

“God is the one who made all things and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory,

so he made the One who leads people to salvation perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:10, NCV)

We were formed for God‟s family—that‟s one of the five (5) purposes God created us for! That‟s why you‟re here!

2. People are created by God for _______________________.

From the very beginning, nothing—not even how dark, formless, void and desolate the world was—would

make God utter a single negative statement. He kept declaring “let there be” and there was, it came to pass.

He would then step back, evaluate and say, “This is good!” He had been saying “this is good” so repeatedly

until all of a sudden God blurts a downbeat statement, that something was NOT good!

N O T E S



“And Jehovah Elohim said, “It is not good that Man should be alone…”” (Genesis 2:18, DBT)

Don‟t forget that if ever any man has had „all of God‟ to himself alone it was Adam! Oh what a wonderful,

intimate relationship he must have had with the Almighty himself. Yet his Creator reviews His creation and

says Adam is ALONE! Man was made for human relationship. Thousands of years later John Locke states:

“man is by nature a social animal.”

Even the „natural family‟ is God‟s idea (Colossians 3:18-21). “God sets the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6), or as the

English Standard Version and New American Standard Bible put it, “God settles the solitary in a home” and “God

makes a home for the lonely” respectively.

Many centuries ago, Emperor Frederick II, ruler of the Roman Empire in the 13th Century, is said to have

carried out a rather cruel experiment. He wanted to know what man‟s original language was—Hebrew, Greek

or Latin. He decided to isolate a few neonates from the sound of the human voice. His crude reasoning was

that they would eventually speak the natural tongue of man. Even wet nurses were sworn to absolute silence,

and they really restrained themselves to abide by the rule. The infants never heard a word from a human voice.

Within several months they all died.

3. God‟s family or household is called the ____________________.

“God‟s family is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15b, GWT)

a. The Church is a _______________; not a building or business.

b. The Church is an __________________; not an organization.

c. The Church is a _________________; not an institution or denomination.

4. Who you choose to associate with affects your ____________________.

“Those who make idols end up like them. So does everyone who trusts them.” (Psalm 115:8, GWT)

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20, KJV)

“Do not be mislead: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Your destiny is determined by your character, and your character is affected by those you choose to keep

company with. By spending quality time with God and people who love Him and follow His Word, you will

become wise yourself, make right decisions and prosper. By refusing this, you choose to be with rebels on a pit-

full path and slippery slope.

Further Exploration for the Eager Beaver: Psalm 1.

II. DEXTROUS _________________ of the Family

So God creates man in His own image and likeness, part of the reason being to have communion with him. But

by Genesis Chapter Three we—like the notorious Prodigal Son—rebel against Him, break His heart, hide from

Him and are sacked from home. Yet in the center of the curse is a cure (Genesis 3:15). All this while God had a

plan, an intricate arrangement to bring us back home:

“All honour to God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is his boundless mercy that has given us the privilege

of being born again so that we are now members of God‟s own family. Now we live in the hope of eternal life

because Christ rose again from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3, LB)

God has designed his household after the human ______________ and human __________ (Ephesians 5:22-32).

“This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:32)

N O T E S



Being a Divine Family, you will notice that throughout scripture metaphors like Father, Son, Mother, Birth, Children, Firstborn,

Brothers, Sisters, Adoption, Heir, Inheritance, Bride, Groom etc. are used for God‟s household and relationships within her. So is there

a strong anatomical metaphor: “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every

other part.” (1 Corinthians 12:25, Msg.)

HOW DO WE GET INTO GOD‟S FAMILY?

1. We become a part of God‟s family by ____________________________.

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…” (John 6:44)

2. And by courtesy of God‟s only Begotten __________, Jesus Christ, who is now our Big ___________________.

“God is the one who made all things and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory, so he made the One who leads people to

salvation perfect through suffering. Jesus, who makes people holy, and those who are made holy are from the same family. So he is not ashamed to

call them his brothers and sisters.” (Hebrews 2:10,11, NCV)

3. We get into God‟s family by being spiritually _________________________ by faith in Jesus Christ.

“All honor to God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is his boundless mercy that has given us the privilege of being

born again so that we are now members of God‟s own family. Now we live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose again from the dead.”

(1 Peter 1:3, LB)

Jesus Christ was actually the first person to use the term „born again‟ and categorically stated that there‟s NO ENTRY into H is family

without being „born again‟ into it . Just as one is physically born into a natural family; one must be spiritually born into this divine

family (John 3:3-7).

“You are all God's children by believing in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26, GWT)

4. a) Becoming a part of God‟s family is His DESIRE and DESIGN but it is our D____________________.

b) While every human being is God‟s C____________________, we‟re not all God‟s C____________________.

“He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (John 1:11-13, NLT)

III. DOUBLE ____________________ of this family

1. Relationship in this family is __________-dimensional:

a) Vertical: with ___________ the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit, and

b) Horizontal: with ______________________.

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and

with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3)

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14)

2. Experiencing life together in God‟s family is called _________________________.






THE LOVE RENDITION


FELLOW-SHIP

Belonging to God‟s family

Face life‟s problems

Formed for (God‟s) Family

To “baptize them into…”

© 2004 Yaw Perbi (Adapted from Rick Warren‟s book, The Purpose-Driven Life)



3. Each dimension affects ______________________ i.e. the vertical affects the horizontal (consider for example

Walter Trobisch's triangle model); the horizontal affects the vertical.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,

leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”

(Matthew 5:23-24, NLT)

“But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:15)

“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and

show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7, NASB)

4. Fellowship is what life is _______________________—a loving relationship with God and People, period!

Jesus Christ himself said so! (Matthew 22:34-40)

The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 24:40, NLT)

5. The divine family is considered by the Lord as even more ____________________ than the natural family.

“A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.”” (Mark 3:32-35)

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A „LONE RANGER‟ CHRISTIAN!

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some

people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT)

1. The Christian life is not just a matter of B____________________, but also B____________________.

Believing only B_______________ you into the family; Belonging B_______________ you in (as in

mooring a ship to its allotted place). Don‟t forget, we‟re FELLOWS in a SHIP—FELLOWSHIP!

Again, “while your relationship with God is P_______________; it is not P_______________.” (Rick Warren)

“Each of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together...” (Colossians 3:15, CEV)

“...and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5b) We are each others‟ property!

2. You can‟t say you love the _______________ (Christ) but you loathe the _______________ (Church)!

“The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.” (Ephesians 1:23, Msg.)

“And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.” (Colossians 1:18, Msg.)

“He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he

makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:16, GWT)

3. Your Christian life is only functional, meaningful and fruitful in _____________________ with others.

“In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other

way round. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part

of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we?” (Romans 12:4-5, Msg.)

4. Real fellowship is being ______________________ to each other as Jesus Christ is committed to us and we

to Him.

“We understand what love is when we realize that Christ gave his life for us. That means we must give our lives for other believers.”

(1 John 3:16, GWT)

Further Exploration for the Eager Beaver: What should be the elements/components of fellowship from

the early Church in Acts 2:42-47?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

N O T E S



IV. DEEP ____________________ of this Family

3 D‟s: Demands, Duties & Disputes

Every relationship comprises Rights (D_______________) and Responsibilities (D_______________)—and

they go both ways! That is why there are so many “one another” scriptures in the Bible—about 40 such in

the New International Version! Whenever there is a „road block‟ or dysfunction either way we have a Row

(D____________________).

A. DYNAMICS AS CHILDREN OF GOD—The King‟s Kids

DEMANDS (Our Rights)

1. Provision—Our Father who art in Heaven G_____________ our daily needs—“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Oh, that we‟ll come to Him every day with child-like faith! The problem with God‟s children is that they are

not all children! God’s greatest pleasure is to be believed; his greatest pain is to be doubted! (Mike Murdock)

2. Piloting—Our Father who art in Heaven G_______________ us—“Lead us not into temptation.”

3. Protection—Our Father who art in Heaven G_______________ us—“Deliver us from evil.”

DISPUTES (Our Rows)

4. Pardon—Our Father who art in Heaven G_______________ us—“Forgive us our trespasses.”

When we‟re wrong: “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But

if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from

all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just

and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:6-9)

The Father disciplines us. Every true father does:

“And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s

discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he

accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If

you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to

the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our

good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a

harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:5-11)

DUTIES (Responsibilities)

“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to

love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 10:12)

The first, foremost, greatest and all-encompassing commandment is to LOVE the Father (Matthew 22:34-40).

How?

o L ~ Listen and obey (John 14:21) ~ “walk in his ways.”

o O ~ Open your heart to Him (be affectionate, honest, real, sharing, connecting, available) ~ “love him.”

o V ~ Volunteer your Time, Talents, Treasure, Touch, Trophies for His use ~ “serve him.”

o E ~ Exalt Him (revere/fear, value, praise and thank, worship, bring Him pleasure) ~ “fear the LORD.”

N O T E S



B. DYNAMICS AS SIBLINGS—The King‟s Kin

RIGHTS, RESPONSBILITIES AND ROWS OF REAL FELLOWSHIP

1. Biblical family life is built on ______________________________.

“Dear friends let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)

“If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other... If we say we have no sin, we are fooling

ourselves.” (1 John 1:7-8, NCV)

Compare to the children of the devil, the other family: liars! “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry

out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies,

he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

2. Biblical family life is built on _________________________.

“For even the son of Man did not come to be served but to serve...” (Mark 10:45); “Your attitude must be the same as that of

Christ” (Philippians 2:5-8)

“In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God

opposes the proud but favors the humble.” So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift

you up in honor.” (1 Peter 5:5-6, NLT)

3. Biblical family life is built on ________________________.

“Finally...be courteous.” (1 Peter 3:8, KJV)

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

“…consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)


Ssshh! Some things are simply a “family affair!” (1 Corinthians 6:1-6) Keep them so!

Don‟t become like those who “get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they

become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.” (1 Timothy 5:13)

Gossip is when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution (Rick Warren). Watch out especially for „prayer

gossip!‟

“A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” (Proverbs 11:13, NLT)


“We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each

other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.” (Hebrews 10:25, GWT)

When you miss, we all miss (lose)!

6. Biblical family life is built on _________________________________.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

7. Biblical family is built on ____________________.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)

Unity in diversity, for we‟re not all the same…INTENTIONALLY! God‟s family is a rainbow!

Agree to disagree for the greater good and God‟s greater glory!

N O T E S



8. Biblical family is built on _________________________(mercy).

As God‟s children, but being human, there surely will be disagreements, disputes, „stepping on toes,‟ sibling

rivalry etc. … BE MERCIFUL!

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

(Ephesians 4:32, NLT)

“You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you

must forgive others.” (Colossians 3:13, NLT)

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be

tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

DECLARATION

I was FORMED FOR GOD‟S ____________________.

ASSIGNMENT

WRITE a sentence or two stating your personal commitment to God‟s purpose of FELLOWSHIP for your

life:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

N O T E S

“Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together.”

Romans 14:19, Ph

ANSWERS

“Fellows in a Ship”

I. DESIRE

1. FAMILY 2. RELATIONSHIP

3. CHURCH a. BODY

b. ORGANISM c. FAMILY

4. DESTINY

II. DESIGN

FAMILY

BODY

HOW DO WE GET INTO GOD‟S FAMILY?

1. GOD’S CALLING

2. SON, BROTHER 3. BORN AGAIN

4. a. DECISION b. CREATION, CHILDREN

III. DIMENSIONS 1. TWO

a. GOD b. ONE ANOTHER

2. FELLOWSHIP

The Community of your life, People to live with,

Loving God’s People 3. THE OTHER

4. ALL ABOUT 5. IMPORTANT

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A „LONE RANGER‟ CHRISTIAN!

1. BELIEVING, BELONGING BIRTHS, BERTHS

PERSONAL, PRIVATE 2. HEAD, BODY

3. CONNECTION 4. COMMITTED

IV. DYNAMICS DEMANDS, DUTIES, DISPUTE

1. GRANTS 2. GUIDES

3. GUARDS 4. GRACES

REAL FELLOWSHIP 1. HONESTY/AUTHENTICITY

2. HUMILITY 3. COURTESY

4. CONFIDENTIALITY 5. FREQUENCY

6. MUTUAL HELP 7. UNITY

8. MAGNANIMITY

DECLARATION

FAMILY



“Till I see Me in you” (My Purpose of DISCIPLESHIP)

“From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him... should become like his Son...”

Romans 8:29, LB

Inasmuch your purpose in life is to be part and parcel of God‟s family (Fellowship), as one blogger put it so

succinctly, “Church has its place but it cannot be substituted for one‟s personal response to the call of Jesus

Christ.” This is the call onto DISCIPLESHIP.

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, a retired United States Army General who, while he served as Commander

of U.S. Central Command, was Commander of the Coalition Forces in the 1991 Gulf War once „prophesied‟:

“To lead in the 21st century… you will be required to have both character and competence.” On the authority

of a 35-year military career, Schwarzkopf confesses that, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and

character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.” Management and Leadership guru Stephen

Covey laments that “90% of leadership failures are character failures.” The world is crying for people of

character—precisely what discipleship is all about.

“MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL”

While out in the country on a much-needed break from his nerve-racking job in the bustling metropolis, a

certain chap took the opportunity to visit a smelter. There the chief silversmith not only told him but

demonstrated to him the process of refining silver. Several times he wanted to intervene in the silversmith‟s

work, fearing that the precious piece of metal was rather being destroyed at such unbearable heat. To this, the

master craftsman replied: “I know at just what temperature to keep it.” (see 1 Corinthians 10:13)

Half-satisfied with this answer, the inquirer went on to ask further, “But Sir, do you sit, while the work of

refining is going on?” “Oh, yes,” replied the silversmith, “I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace,

for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.”

Before his departure—and this visit had not at all left him as refreshed as the rest of his holiday upcountry—

the city slicker stuttered one final question: “When do you know the process is complete, Sir?” “Why, that is

quite simple,” replied the silversmith: “When I can see my own image in the silver.”

God has designed discipleship for one end: to see His own image in us.

I. The ____________________ of DISCIPLESHIP

Images of discipleship are painted all over Christianity. In fact, it is the very perfect portrait of it. Christianity

is all about discipleship. Discipleship is both the means and end of the Christian faith. Consider our:

1. C____________________: It‟s all about following Christ Jesus; He then makes us into all He wants

us to be! “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you…” (Matthew 4:19)

2. C____________________ (the way we live): The Sanhedrin took note that these apparently

common men with uncommon courage, conviction and competence had been with Jesus—there was

something about their Master that had rubbed off them!

N O T E S

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_officer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Central_Command

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War



“Now when the Jewish leaders saw the boldness of Peter and John and found out that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and

realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, ISV)

3. C____________________ (characteristics): A tree is known by its fruit. Jesus chose us to bear fruit—love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (John 15:16; Galatians 5:22,23)

4. C____________________ (by name): The proper noun “Christian” was first bestowed on believers of Christ in the ancient

city of Antioch. These disciples of Jesus Christ were that Christ-like, so much like their Master, to warrant such a christening.

“…So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at

Antioch.” (Acts 11:26)

5. C____________________ (by mandate): Ours is to “…go make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Did you know that the words “disciple” and “discipline” are based on the same Latin root word “disciplinare,” which means to teach or

instruct; or if you like, to learn? Actually the word “pupil” is “discipulus” in Latin. Perhaps the best picture of discipleship is one that

Jesus himself painted—a yoke of oxen—he being the older, more experienced „ox‟ and we as amateurs learning from him.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because

I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””

(Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

The New Living Translation reads “Let me teach you” (above) where the New International Version says “Learn from me.” Jesus is the

Teacher, we are His students. He is the Good Shepherd, we are the sheep of His pasture; He leads in the „paths of righteousness‟ and

we follow.

II. The ____________________ of DISCIPLESHIP


God has always wanted us to look like Him! Once again, let‟s take a trip back to the beginning: “Then God said, “Let us make human

beings in our image, to be like us...” (Genesis 1:26, NLT)

Unfortunately by Genesis Chapter Three, man had sinned and no longer looked like God. Consequently to date, “For everyone has sinned;

we all fall short of God's glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23, NLT) So God FORMED us but sin DEFORMED us. Now Christ has come to

REFORM us and everyday TRANSFORM us. This is what discipleship is about. It is an everyday transformation as we spend time

with him, walk with him, follow him, serve Him and learn from him that we might become like Him AGAIN!

1. The path to becoming like God (Christ) is called _______________________. (Ephesians 4:24)

2. The GOAL of Discipleship—____________________________—is variously described in Christendom as “maturity,”

“perfection,” “fullness” (eg. “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”), “fruitfulness” etc. (Ephesians 4:13)






THE LOVE RENDITION


DISCIPLE-SHIP

The Character of your life

Principles to live by

Loving God‟s will and way

“Day by day dear LORD of these three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love

thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day.” (St. Richard of Chichester)



WHY LIKE JESUS CHRIST? But for Jesus Christ, we wouldn‟t know how God looked like or how He‟d live if He were one of us. So now

because of EMMANUEL (Jesus‟ name meaning „God with us‟), we know what God is like and can learn to

become like Him.

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with

God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was

created, and his life brought light to everyone.” “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of

unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.” (John 1:1-4,14, NLT)

“If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said,

“Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been

among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father'? Don't you

believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the

Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” (John 14:7-10)

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation… For

God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ.” (Colossians 1:15,19, NLT)

The challenge then is that whoever claims to be a Christian must _____________ like Christ.

“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6)

“In your lives you must think and act like Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5, NCV)

WHAT IS JESUS LIKE?

1. Christ-like character is summarized and described in “the Fruit of the ____________________.”

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT)

2. “God produces the Fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances where

you‟re tempted to express the ______________________________________.” (Rick Warren)

3. In order to bear this fruit, we must _______________ in God and ______________________ to Christ.

“Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.” (Isaiah 37:31)

“Continue in me, and let me continue in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself—that is, if it does not continue in

the vine—so neither can you if you do not continue in me.” (John 15:4, WNT)

4. God ____________________ fruit within a given time frame or season.

“Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on

it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, „I've waited three years, and there hasn't been a single fig!

Cut it down. It's just taking up space in the garden.‟ The gardener answered, „Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another

year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.‟””

(Luke 13:6-9, NLT)

III. The ____________________ of DISCIPLESHIP

Fruit-bearing is a PARTNERSHIP: God has His part and so do we. As patient as God is, He still really

gets hurt and upset when He‟s done (and keeps doing) His part and we don‟t! Listen to this Love Song:

N O T E S



“I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared

it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a

crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. “Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between me and my

vineyard. What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield

only bad? Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will

break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns will

grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it.” The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men

of Judah are the garden of his delight. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.”

(Isaiah 5:1-7)

1. Work __________ what God has worked ________. (see Philippians 2:1-16 below)

2. GOD does his ___________ _ that we may be ___________________ or ___________________

in His divine nature i.e. to become like Him. (see 2 Peter 1:3-11 below)

SCRIPTURE GOD‟S PART YOUR PART

Philippians 2:1-16

Encouragement, comfort, the Spirit‟s

fellowship (v.1). Sets us the example (v.6-

11). Works in us to will and to act

according to His good purpose (v.13).

Makes us children of God (like Him)

without fault and shining like stars.

Be in touch and in tune with other disciples

(v.2); put them first (v.3,4) like Jesus did.

Have the same attitude as Christ Jesus (v.5).

Obey, always follow His instructions,

continue to work hard to show the results

of your salvation with deep reverence and

fear (v.12). No complaining or grumbling,

no arguing or questioning (v.14). Be

blameless and pure, live clean, innocent

lives so no one can criticize you (v.15).

Hold firmly to the word of life (v.16).

2 Peter 1:3-11

Given us faith, His righteousness

(justification), abundant grace and peace

(v.1,2). Called us to glory and excellence; by

His divine power, given us everything we

need for life and godliness (v.3). Given us

His very great and precious promises (v.4).

Grow in the knowledge of God and of

Jesus Christ (v.2, 3). Make every effort to

add to your faith, goodness; and to

goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge,

self-control; and to self-control,

perseverance; and to perseverance (patient

endurance or steadfastness), godliness; and

to godliness, brotherly kindness (affection);

and to brotherly kindness, love (v.5-7).

Possess these in increasing measure;

be eager to make your calling and election

sure (v.10).

3. Becoming like Christ goes beyond I____________________ (trying to be like Jesus on the outside); it is

really a matter of I____________________ (letting Jesus be himself through you from the inside out).

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1)

“Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is

the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” (John 14:10)

N O T E S



N O T E S IV. The ____________________ of DISCIPLESHIP

HOW DOES IT ALL WORK OUT?

Discipleship takes TIME…and there are no short-cuts! It is such an exciting but prolonged and painful

process that St. Paul applies the metaphor of labour in childbirth to it: “My dear children, for whom I am again in the

pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” (Galatians 4:19). In the book of Hebrews, the writer as a disciple-

maker is simply frustrated with his people and their progress in this process:

“I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you‟ve picked up this bad habit of not listening. By

this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you

and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby‟s milk, when you should have been on

solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God‟s ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in

telling right from wrong.

“So come on, let‟s leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work

of art. Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and

turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping

us, we‟ll stay true to all that. But there‟s so much more. Let‟s get on with it!” (Hebrews 5:1-6:3, Msg.)

1. a. Conversion is a ____________________ event; Discipleship is a ____________________ process.

b. Converts are made in a D___________; Disciples are made D____________________.

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him [walk in him, walk with him, follow

him, live dependent on him]. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow

strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7, NLT)

c. _____________________ is „once upon a time;‟ ______________________ is a continual, daily affair.

“This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature,

just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.” (Ephesians 4:13, CEV)

“…become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” ( NIV)

“…unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (KJV)

“…mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” (NLT)

“…become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.” (GWT)

2. According to Rick Warren, Discipleship takes so long because:

a. We are __________________________________.

b. We have to ____________________ mindsets and habits that have been with us for years.

c. We are ____________________ to humble ourselves and face the truth of who we are.

3. Discipleship is D_________________ (Hebrews 12:5-11). Christ-like character is built on Christ-like

__________________.

“Sow a thought, and you reap an action; sow an action, and you reap a habit; sow a habit, and you reap a character; sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”

(Charles Reade)

IMPORTANT REGULAR GODLY ACTIONS/HABITS

*Regular Quiet Time *Regular Fellowship * Regular sharing/evangelism (Mark 1:35) (Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2-3) (Luke 4:43-44)

*Regular Retreats *Regular Service *Regular Journaling (Luke 5:16; Mark 6:31,32) (Mark 10:45) (Habakkuk 2:2)

*Regular Reading (Matthew 12:3,5; 21:6; Luke 4:16)



“The life of discipleship can only be maintained so long as nothing is allowed to come between Christ and ourselves, neither the law, nor personal piety, nor even the world. The disciple looks always only to his master, never to Christ AND the law, Christ

AND religion, Christ AND the world. Only by following Christ alone can he preserve a single eye.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

“We need reminders, symbols, stories, exhortations, study of the Word, time for contemplation and celebration. These things are indispensable supports. The error is to think of these things as the Christian life. When they become the escape from the more

difficult demands of Christian living, they are the corruption of discipleship.” (Brennan Manning)

“Discipline is not discipleship. In fact practicing the traditional Christian disciplines may hold within itself the possibility of becoming a substitute for authentic Christ-living and, at its worst, a type of futile self-salvation. Although a true disciple will

desire meditation, prayer and solitude, it does not work the other way around. A religiously disciplined person is not necessarily a disciple. But a disciple is always a spiritually disciplined person.‟‟ [Cynthia, Girl in a glass house blog]

“The requirements of Jesus ought to be uttered, plainly set forth, and heard: and I must understand that what is said is addressed solely to me--that I might learn not only to take refuge in „grace,‟ but to take refuge in such a way as to make use of „grace.‟”

(Soren Kierkegaard)

4. Discipleship should be in ____________________ transformational steps into Christ-likeness.

Apostle Paul describes this phenomenon as “ever increasing glory.”

“And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our

lives and we become like him!” (2 Corinthians 3:18, Msg.)

Perhaps we should be wearing tags like: “WORK IN PROGRESS” and “UNDER CONSTRUCTION.”

GOD‟S 3 „P‟ TOOLS of Discipleship and what our RESPONSES must be

1. P____________________ (Truth, the Word of God)

Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth: your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

“Now I‟m turning you over to God,” Paul says, “our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he

wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need…” (Acts 20:32, Msg.)

It is God‟s word that transforms us into more and more like Christ by the ______________________

________________________ (Romans 12:2).

Our Response: Hear, Read, Study, Memorise, Meditate, Confess, Practise, Teach/Share it

2. P_______________ (Ephesians 4:11-16; 6:1-9)

a. F____________________ Ministry: “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists,

and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God‟s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until

we all 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. Then we will no longer be infants…” (Ephesians 4:11-14)

b. F___________________: “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like

Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special

work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16, NLT)

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Heb. 10:24, NKJV)

c. F____________________: arguably the greatest Discipleship School on Earth!

Learning to OBEY (as a Child); to SUBMIT as unto the Lord Jesus (as a Wife), to LOVE as sacrificially as Christ

(as a Husband), to MODEL God the Father (as a Parent), to SERVE like a domestic slave etc.

(See also Colossians 3:18—4:1)

Our Response: Fellowship regularly; Use your gifts; Play your roles well (in your home & God‟s house)

3. P____________________ (4 „T‟ problems & 4 „R‟ responses)

a. T____________________: designed by GOD to draw us closer to him and build our character.

N O T E S



“For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let

men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” (Psalm 66:10-12)

Our Response R____________________ & R____________________

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be MATURE and COMPLETE…” (James 1:2-4)

b. T____________________: designed by the DEVIL to draw us away from God and destroy our character.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil… The tempter came to him…” (Matthew 4:1,3)

“And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never

tempts anyone else.” (James 1:13, NLT)

Our Response R____________________ Satan but R_______________ from Situation!

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (1 Peter 5:9); “...Flee!” (1 Timothy 6:11)

c. T____________________: hurts caused by the sins of OTHERS (offence)

Our Response R____________________ (forgive)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other...” (Ephesians 4:32)

d. T______________: usually, but not always, consequences of OUR OWN non-optimal, even sinful choices.

“But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at

this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.” (1 Corinthians 7:28)

“If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people‟s affairs. But it is no

shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!” (1 Peter 4:15-16, NLT)

“For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will

last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT)

Our Response R__________________ (if we have any hand in it!)

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30)

V. The _______________ of DISCIPLESHIP

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Discipleship _______________ what it costs and doesn‟t go on sale! Do you remember the earlier story

of the silversmith? Some other person who went to see a sculptor in the process of carving a horse out of a

piece of rock was amazed at the skill of the sculptor—that he actually knew what he was doing with this piece

of earth! He asked, “So how do you do this?” The dexterous craftsman shrugged his shoulders, smiled and

said, “I simply chip off whatever doesn‟t look like a horse!

Discipleship is not only long but a usually __________ process. Why does it hurt so bad? Because it

involves:

1. C____________________ our PAST, PRIDE, PRIORITIES, PARADIGMS, PLEASURES, and our very

PERSON! (Philippians 3:4-11; Galatians 2:20)

2. C___________________ away/off a.k.a. PRUNING (John 15:1,2) What, in your life, has the LORD cut off

recently? ___________________________________________________________________________

3. C____________________ away/off a.k.a. PUTTING OFF and PUTTING AWAY all the above „Ps‟.

Conversely we are to PUT ON the „new man.‟ (Ephesians 4:22-28, 31)

4. C______________________ with PARADOXES (Luke 14:25-33)

N O T E S



a. HATING what you LOVE:

i. The P______________ you love: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and

children, his brothers and sisters…he cannot be my disciple.” (v.26) See Matthew 10:37 for what this means.

ii. The P______________ you love the most—yourself: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate…yes, even

his own life—he cannot be my disciple.” (v.26) i.e. Time, Talents, Treasure, Touch, Trophies…Total!

“Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:33)

iii. The P____________________ you love: “…anyone who does not give up everything he has cannot be

my disciple.” (v.33)

b. LOVING what you HATE:

i. ____________________ yourself (compare with all the talk of dreaming big and being No.1).

ii. ____________________ your cross (please! Who wants to carry anything, let alone a cross?!)

“And anyone who does not carry his cross… cannot be my disciple.” (v.27)

iii. ____________________ (we‟ll rather take the lead and be in front!)

“And anyone who does not… follow me cannot be my disciple.” (v.27)

iv. ____________________ (we‟ll rather be waited on)

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” “…the greatest among you should be like the youngest,

and the one who rules like the one who serves…I am among you as one who serves.”

(Mark 9:35; Luke 22:26- 27)

There are many other paradoxes, including loving your enemies and praying for them! Huh! No wonder Jesus

says: don‟t rush into discipleship (following Him), SIT DOWN FIRST AND THINK ABOUT

IT…seriously! (Luke 14:28-32)

Point to Ponder: Would you pause and critically think over whether you really want to be a disciple of Christ?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

VI. The _______________ of DISCIPLESHIP

WHAT‟S IN IT FOR ME?

1. It is ____________________ to wonder and ask, “Hey, so what‟s in all this for me?” Don‟t you worry; it‟s

neither an irreverent nor irrelevant question. In fact, you‟re not the first to ponder in this direction.

“Peter answered him [Jesus], “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”” (Matthew 19:27)

2. A life of true discipleship is ______________________ both on E_________________, and in

E____________________, in Time and in Time without End.

3. There are T___________________ on Earth and T_________________ in Heaven for the well-discipled.

““Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the

sake of the Kingdom of God, will be REPAID MANY TIMES OVER in this life, and will have ETERNAL LIFE in

the world to come.”” (Luke 18:29-30, NLT)

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our

light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an ETERNAL GLORY that far outweighs them all. So we fix our

eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

N O T E S



“The more you grow like this, the more PRODUCTIVE and USEFUL you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus

Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are SHORTSIGHTED or BLIND, forgetting that they have been cleansed

from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen.

Do these things, and you will NEVER FALL away. Then God will give you a GRAND ENTRANCE into the eternal

Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8-11, NLT)

CHARACTER is the main product of discipleship. And although “you‟re not going to take your career into heaven,

you‟re going to take your character” (Rick Warren) even here on earth, no one should have to convince you about how

beneficial fine character is in every sphere of human endeavour! Can you list a few advantages of having good

character?

IT‟S WORTH IT! IT‟S WORTH IT! It is worth WHATEVER it costs; in fact, it is worth MORE THAN it costs!

A South African group sang a beautiful song with a chorus that says: “When I stand before the LORD, and hear

Him say “well done” I‟ll look back and say “Lord, it‟s been worthwhile!” Amen!

CONCLUSION: Oh! for a _________________ for DISCIPLESHIP

Discipleship is an exciting adventure! Yet none of it—picture, purpose, partnership, process, price, prize—

will happen if we are not willing. Don‟t forget that it is “the same heat that melts the butter that hardens the egg!”

Even more than being willing, we must have a consummate passion to become ALL God wants us to be, to

become like Christ.

Don‟t be a Disobedient Disciple (like King Saul); Deviant Disciple (like Jonah); Distant Disciple (like Peter);

Deceptive Disciple (like Ananias & Sapphira or Judas); but a DEDICATED DISCIPLE like Moses and Paul.

Moses wanted HIM, not HIS (in other words God Himself, not His stuff!). Moses wanted to know God‟s

WAYS not just his WORKS and God did satisfy this burning desire. (Exodus 33:18; 34:5-8; Psalm 103:7) As for Paul‟s

Passion for discipleship, let him speak for himself: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the

fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the

dead.” (Philippians 3:10)

It is true that “We‟re not yet what we are to become but we certainly are not what we used to be!” Perhaps we all should be

wearing tags saying, “STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION.” Be passionately committed to the picture,

purpose, partnership, process, price and prize of discipleship. Your daily Godly habits of Quiet Time, Bible

studies, prayer, attending Church (fellowship), sharing the gospel, building others up and your attitude towards

the tools and situations God brings your way will prove or disprove your dedication to discipleship.

SUMMARY—DISCIPLESHIP is all about __________ation. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is FORMED in you” (Galatians 4:19) This is the story:

God __________________ us Sin ___________________ us The World ___________________ us

Christ __________________ us God‟s Word __________________ us and _________________ us

through the Holy Spirit (He also uses people and circumstances—as discussed).

DECLARATION

I was CREATED FOR ____________________________.

N O T E S



ASSIGNMENT

WRITE a sentence or two stating your personal commitment to God‟s purpose of DISCIPLESHIP for your life:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EVALUATION OF CHRISTLIKENESS—“The FRUIT of the SPIRIT” Name: ________________________________

CHARACTER TRAIT/ FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

G R A D E

EXCELLENT! (9 or 10)/10

VERY GOOD (7 or 8)/10

AVERAGE (5 or 6)/10

POOR (3 or 4)/10

TERRIBLE! (1 or 2)/10

Love

Joy

Peace

Patience

Kindness

Goodness

Faithfulness

Gentleness

Self-control

Speech*

*An addition (from 1 Timothy 4:12, Colossians 4:6, James 1:26) to make up 100%

Total Score = [ ]/100 = ________% Interpretation: 90-100% Almost like Christ—move up still ! (to the next level of glory!)

50-60 Not bad at all—keep it up!

<50% Really have A LOT of work to be done on your character—sit up!

Wherever you are, whichever way you look at it you have only one choice, only one direction: ______!

ANSWERS

“Till I see Me in you”

I. PICTURE

1. CALLING 2. CULTURE 3. CHARACTER 4. CHRISTENING 5. COMMISSION

II. PURPOSE 1. DISCIPLESHIP 2. CHRIST-LIKENESS TABLE:

Becoming like God, Fortify your faith, Created for Christ-likeness, To “teach them to do all things…” WHY LIKE JESUS CHRIST? LIVE

WHAT IS JESUS LIKE?

1. SPIRIT 2. OPPOSITE QUALITY 3. TAKE ROOT, STAY CONNECTED 4. EXPECTS

III. PARTNERSHIP 1. OUT, IN 2. PART, PARTAKERS, PARTICIPATE 3. IMITATION, INHABITATION

IV. PROCESS 1. a. ONE-TIME, LIFE-LONG

b. DAY, DAILY c. JUSIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION

2. a. SLOW LEARNERS b. UNLEARN c. AFRAID

3. DISCIPLINE, HABITS 4. PROGRESSIVE

GOD‟S „3P‟ TOOLS & OUR RESPONSE 1. PULPIT

RENEWING OF OUR MINDS 2. PEOPLE

a. FIVE-FOLD b. FELLOWSHIP c. FAMILY

3. PROBLEMS a. TESTS

RELAX & REJOICE b. TEMPTATIONS

RESIST, RUN c. TRESPASSES

RELEASE d. TROUBLES

REPENT

V. PRICE COSTS PAINFUL

1. CRUCIFYING

2. CUTTING 3. CASTING 4. CONTENDING HATING WHAT YOU LOVE

i. PEOPLE ii. PERSON iii. POSSESSIONS

LOVING WHAT YOU HATE

i. DENYING ii. CARRYING iii. FOLLOWING iv. SERVING

VI. PRIZE

1. LEGITIMATE 2. REWARDING, EARTH, ETERNITY 3. TROPHIES, TREASURES CONCLUSION: PASSION

FORMation FORMS, DEFORMS, CONFORMS, REFORMS,

INFORMS, TRANSFORMS

DECLARATION

CHRIST-LIKENESS

EVALUATION—“Fruit of the Spirit”

UP



Saved to Serve; not Sit and Stare (My Purpose of SERVICE)

“...long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” Ephesians 2:10, LB

“SAVED SOUL, WASTED LIFE”

“Alan Redpath said that one moment of weakness cost him seven years of his Christian life—because he didn't

have just one beer. He had another one and another one until he was drunk. As a result of his compromise, he

became so discouraged and defeated by failure that he went right back to living the way he had been living

before he had put his faith in Christ. For seven years, no one could tell the difference between Alan and any of

the other workers in his office.

“At the end of those seven years, the “fanatic,” who had led him to Christ and had since moved

away, came back to visit. He spent about an hour with Alan, talking about how he was doing. Then as he left,

he turned, looked Alan in the eye, and said, “Alan, did you know that it is possible to have a saved soul

and yet live a wasted life?” Then he left.

“Alan played rugby, and he had a match out of town that night. As he rode the train to the match, he

related later that every time the wheels clacked on the tracks, it was as though he could hear those words: Saved

soul, wasted life. Saved soul, wasted life. When he got to the rugby match and the band came out on the field to play,

every beat of the drum seemed to say, Saved soul, wasted life. Saved soul, wasted life.

“It rang like a refrain in his mind. He knew he was a saved soul living a wasted life. He came back

home, got on his knees, and surrendered in prayer, saying, “Lord, I want to live for You. I repent of the waste

in my life.”

“That moment of surrender lasted all of his life. God redeemed his wastedness as he grew deeper and

deeper in his commitment to live a life worthy of Christ. He became one of the greatest Bible teachers of his

generation, passing the baton of truth to many who placed their faith in Jesus Christ.”

—Anne Graham Lotz, God's Story, pg. 147-148

You were born to serve and re-born to redeem and redirect that service. You were saved to serve—to do

good things that will make life worth living for someone in some place; not just to sit on pews, sing hallelujah

and wait for the rapture! You‟ve been custom-made for this: “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us

anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

I. ____________________ DIVINE SERVICE


God had service in mind when he made you! Let's take a journey back into time, to the very beginning of

time: “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of

the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground… God blessed them and said to

them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and

over every living creature that moves on the ground.”” (Genesis 1:26, 28)

1. Man was created to ____________________ (serve).

God did not put Adam in the Garden of Eden to only relax and enjoy its shade, beauty, flora and fauna: “The

LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15)

N O T E S



2. God‟s very ______________________________ to man was to work!

“God blessed them and said, "Be fertile, increase in number, fill the earth, and be its master. Rule the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals

that crawl on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28, GWT)

3. Work is NOT a _______________. Man was commissioned to work (in Genesis Chapter One) long before the curse regarding

arduous work when man sinned (in Genesis Chapter Three).

4. Man was re-created (“born again”) to ______________________ (work)—saved to serve; not to sit and stare!

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

5. We eat to ____________________ not just work to eat.

While it is true that “Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: „Those unwilling to work will not get to eat‟” (2 Thessalonians 3:10, NLT), in

the beginning man‟s commission to work came before the offering of resources—physical (Genesis 2:16) or human (Genesis 2:18, 20-25).

The first man‟s work included nomenclature, the tasking work of naming every animal on earth!

“Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would

name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the

beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.” (Genesis 2:19-20)

6. God made you to be a C____________________; not just a C____________________.” (Rick Warren)

7. “Service is the _______________ you pay for the ____________________________________ on earth.” (Helen Keller)

8. “Each of us has a mission to D____________________ not to D____________________.” (David Oyedepo)

9. You have a ________________ service you alone were born to deliver. Like Zig Ziglar puts it, “this is an awesome responsibility.”

“But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the

Gentiles, I did not consult any man…” (Galatians 1:15,16)

“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment.

Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone's task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.”

(Viktor Frankl)






THE LOVE RENDITION


SERVICE Being of use to God‟s people

Find your talents

Shaped for Serving

“To love your neighbour as yourself”

“Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Your eyes are the eyes through which Christ's compassion for the world is to look out;

yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good; and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.”

(Saint Teresa of Avila)

“To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill:

O may it all my powers engage To do my Master‟s will!”

(Charles Wesley, 1762)



II. ____________________ DUD SERVICE

„MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING‟

The average able-bodied person works—but for what? Many have been „caught‟ in the „spirit of the times‟ and

fallen prey to the deceitfulness of the so-called „Rat Race,‟ a vicious cycle of chasing money, status, power and

possessions. You may be serving in one way or the other alright but it‟s „dud service,‟ a misfiring, a fiasco if it

leaves you a failure in the eyes of the One who created you for the high calling of service. Lily Tomlin cleverly

said, “the trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you‟re still a rat.” According to Wikipedia,

“A rat race is a term used for an endless, self-defeating or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image

of the futile efforts of a lab rat trying to escape while running around a maze or in a wheel. In an

analogy to the modern city, many rats in a single maze expend a lot of effort running around, but

ultimately achieve nothing (meaningful) either collectively or individually.

“The rat race is a term often used to describe work, particularly excessive work; in general terms, if one

works too much, one is in the rat race. This terminology contains implications that many people see

work as a seemingly endless pursuit with little reward or purpose.”

In today‟s materialistic world, some even erroneously dare to say, “he who dies with the most toys wins.”

Have they never been told, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own”?

(Luke 12:15, NLT)

1. Your work is first and foremost to ____________________ in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”” (John 6:29)

This is because:

a. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb 11:6). In fact, all our good works without Christ,

“are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). “It is not works, but one work.” (Peoples New Testament)

b. “Men torment themselves in vain when they try to please God without faith.” (Geneva Study Bible)

c. It is “the work most pleasing to God, and the foundation of all others.” (John Wesley)

d. It is only when we‟re re-created in Christ Jesus that we can acceptably—both willingly and ably—do

the good works we were destined to do (Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12,13).

2. A saved soul has repented of “D_______________ works” but can still live a wasted life if he doesn‟t

repent of “D__________ works.”

“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from

dead works and of faith toward God.” (Hebrews 6:1, ESV)

3. God does not appreciate busyness about your purpose of work taking the place of your purpose of

_________________________.

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She

had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations

that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell

her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is

needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”” (Luke 10:38-42)

4. Do not work just for _____________________________ (food, clothing, housing, utilities, transport etc.).

God’s WORK = God’s WILL = God’s Pleasure John 6:38

N O T E S



“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the

Father has placed his seal of approval.” (John 6:27)

5. Your job is what you‟re _______________ to do; your work is what you‟re _____________ to do.” (Anon.)

Having said that, however, it is wise to keep your job (and excel in it) until you find your calling! You will notice

that everyone God called into specific service throughout the scriptures was already doing something else; be it

David the shepherd, Peter the fisherman, Matthew the tax collector or Elisha the farmer. Even Mary the

mother of Jesus, was already engaged!

6. Dud Service is designed by the world system to _________________ us, society to ___________________

us, and by the devil to ____________________ us from Divine Service.

7. Many personal dreams to ____________________________ have nothing to do with the service God has

purposed for our lives—these are „dud works‟ too!

“For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy

it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”

(Galatians 1:13,14)

Even Jesus did not come to „self-actualise,” but to accomplish his Father-given purpose: “Jesus gave them this

answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the

Father does the Son also does.” (John 5:19)

III. ____________________ DESIGNATED SERVICE

EXPLORING YOUR S-H-A-P-E

There is a designed and assigned service for you, only you! And you have a special and specific design, a unique

S-H-A-P-E to fulfill that God-given assignment. The shape (design) of any object gives you an idea what its

purpose is: the ink in a pen, the sharp edge of a knife, the bucket of a pick-up truck etc. When one doesn‟t

discover his S-H-A-P-E and find himself in his designated place of service, we have the tragic condition of a

“square peg in a round hole.” No wonder so many not only perform poorly but are actually frustrated at their

jobs (and end up frustrating and hurting others too!) such that research has conclusively established that most

heart attacks occur on Monday mornings, ostensibly because of all the dread associated with going to work!

Another phenomenon that not discerning one‟s S-H-A-P-E has caused is the Thank God It‟s Friday Syndrome.

People just can‟t wait for the working week to be over but when you‟ve found what you‟re SHAPED to do you

simply LOVE it because you‟re excellent at it and most productive, comfortable, natural, intuitive and fulfilled!

No wonder some have said, “There‟s nothing like doing what you love to do and being paid for it!” It‟s

awesome when your job is your calling! Another person put it this way: “Find your vocation and you wouldn‟t

have to work another day for the rest of your life!”

“The people I have SHAPED for myself will broadcast my praises.” (Isaiah 43:21, Msg.)

“Your hands made me and FORMED me” (Psalm 119:73a)

“Your hands SHAPED me and made me... Remember that you MOULDED me like clay…” (Job 10:8-9)

“You guided my conception and FORMED me in the womb.” (Job 10:10, NLT)

N O T E S



1. This is my S-H-A-P-E:

S_________________________

H________________________

A________________________

P________________________

E________________________

2. Using my S-H-A-P-E to serve others is called ____________________ (service, work).

3. Where my S-H-A-P-E and the needs of the world (or community) cross, there lies my _________________

(English) or ____________________ (Latin). That should be my ____________________.

4. Zooming in on S-H-A-P-E:

S—God, as He determines and apportions, gives every believer these ____________________ gifts to be

used in service.

“It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”

(1 Corinthians 12:11, NLT)

Some scholars have classified the list of nine Spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 into three categories:

i. Power gifts: Faith, healing, miracles

ii. Utterance gifts: tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy

iii. Revelation gifts: word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits

Further Exploration for the Eager Beaver: Romans 12:3-8

H—Your heart describes your desires, hopes, interests, dreams, ambitions and ____________________.

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.” (Proverbs 27:19, NLT)

“He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do.” (Psalm 33:15, NLT)

More often than not, your passion (what you really love and what you really hate to experience alike) is a clue

to your purpose in life. The kind of people who touch your heart the most or you feel most inclined towards

(eg. children, youth, the elderly, business professionals, sports men, teenage mothers etc.) usually is an

indication of who you have been called to reach. Whose pain do you feel? What problems make you cry? What

things excite you? And the places (city or village; country, continent) that appeal to you most should not be

flippantly ignored.

It is interesting to note that throughout the book of Nehemiah, not even once do we find that Nehemiah

explicitly hears God (unlike the Isaiah encounter in the sixth chapter of his book) asking him to go and build

the wall of Jerusalem. It was pure passion! When he heard the walls of the city were down, that his people

were in distress and the city in disgrace, that was enough to stir him up to action—from pain to penitential

prayer to permission from the king and using his position to procure the possessions and people for the

project: “When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of

heaven. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering

your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.”

(Nehemiah 1:4,11) It was a heart thing: “I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem”

(Nehemiah 2:12b).

N O T E S

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.”

(Frederick Buechner)



A—Abilities are the __________________ gifts God gives us at birth; also known as __________________.

“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” (Romans 12:6, NLT)

When the disobedient and deserted King Saul was being tormented by demons, his servants suggested that

music would help, but only one by a talented musician: “Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to

seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will

be well. So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.”” (1 Samuel 16:16-17, ESV)

“One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse's sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave

warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.””

(1 Samuel 16:18, NLT)

One would wonder, what is the difference between a spiritual gift and a talent? Many! But for our purposes we

would say that though both are from God, we get talents when we are _______________; and we receive

spiritual gifts when we are _________________________; talents are natural, spiritual gifts are supernatural.”

Warning: Inasmuch as it is an intellectually stimulating exercise, trying to distinguish spiritual gifts from talents,

let us be careful not to put too much emphasis on which is which because there can be a really thin line

between them! The most important thing is that we USE THEM in the service of God and mankind!

Further Exploration for the Eager Beaver: Were Bezalel and Oholiab‟s artistic abilities spiritual gifts or

talents? (Exodus 31:1-11)

P—Your personality here refers to your psycho-socio-emotional make-up or _________________________.

“God works through different people in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purpose through them all.”

(1 Corinthians 12:6, TEV)

Your personality will affect how and where you use your gifts, both spiritual and natural.

From the Old Testament, observe the personalities of Elijah and Moses: very different. What do you suppose

would happen if their ministries were swapped? Again, contrast the New Testament‟s Paul and Peter vis-a-vis

personality.

E—You have been shaped by _____________________ you‟ve been through in life: upbringing, education

(or the lack thereof), acquired skills, hurts, successes and failures etc.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his

purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled we will be able to give them the same

comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT)

IV. ____________________ DILIGENT SERVICE

SEE THE ANT! (Proverbs 6:6-11)

1. We must work ____________________ and ____________________.

To be diligent in service implies hard and smart work, careful and thorough work, conscientious and persistent

work.

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I

have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness…” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

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2. All such diligent work brings ____________________ (fruit/results—tangible and intangible).

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” (Proverbs 14:23)

3. It is ____________________ to be diligent in service.

“Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” (John 5:17)

4. We shan‟t always have the ________________________ we have at this very moment to work.

“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4)

Just like the ant can tell that summer is to gather for winter, we must be able to „discern the times‟ and know

what kind of service to render when (Luke 12:56; Ephesians 5:15-16).

For example, some kinds of service can only or best be done while we‟re young; others are only available to us

while on a school campus or when pursuing a particular profession. Jesus said these opportunities can be

described as „day,‟ but soon „night cometh.‟ And this could be anything from change of location to old age to

even death!

Charles Goodyear: an epitome of diligent service

An avid Bible student and faithful church member who had a “noble obsession,” Charles Goodyear believed

he had been called by God to solve a particular scientific problem: rubber to resist heat and hold its shape.

He began experiments in 1834—spent every penny on thousands of failed experiments; sold off

family furniture & dinnerware; went to jail several times for failure to pay debts; never gave up. Five years later

he discovered sulfur caused rubber to hold its shape, a process now well-known as vulcanization.

Yet still, the rest of his life was fraught with “trying to perfect the process while all the time mired in

lawsuits against those who falsely claimed they had invented the rubber-sulfur combination. He and his family

constantly faced financial ruin until he died in 1860.” (Zig Ziglar)

It wasn‟t until 38 years later (1898) that Frank and Charles Seiberling formed a rubber manufacturing

company in Ohio (USA) and named it Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in his honor as they used his

discovery.

5 STEPS TO DELIVERING DILIGENT SERVICE

Thorough, conscientious, meticulous hard work would involve your _______________ being: Spirit, Soul and

Soma; Head, Heart and Hands. These are Five Steps to delivering diligent service to God and mankind:

1. Dedicated D_____________________ to serve

One must be bent on knowing the Missioner and unraveling His calling for our lives. This has been quite

extensively captured under Discovering Divine Service, Dropping Dud Service and Discerning Designed Service.

2. Desperate D______________________ to serve

It was Martin Luther King Jnr. who said, “If a man has not found something he is willing to die for he is not

fit to live.” And he lived it! Back in the day his fellow Blacks could not vote or attend school with their white

counterparts in the USA. They couldn‟t even eat in the same restaurants, let alone use the same toilets!

Yet this young man, born on 15th January 1929, had a dream that one day his four little children will

“live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their

character.” So desperate was this desire that in the eleven years (1957-1968) that he lead the Civil Rights

Movement, among other things, he:

a. Traveled over 6,000,000 miles

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b. Gave over 2,500 speeches (including addressing a 250,000 audience at a Civil Rights march in

Washington to press for equal opportunity)

c. Lead a 381-day boycott of the transport system

d. Survived his home being bombed

e. Wrote extensively, with five books and numerous articles to his credit

f. Was arrested over 20 times

g. Was assaulted on at least four occasions (once stabbed by an „insane‟ woman while autographing a

book)

No wonder though he died at 39 he was still so „full of years,” having become the youngest recipient of the

Nobel Peace Prize in October 1964 and the United States reserving a national holiday in his honour in January

of every year.

3. Deep D____________________ to serve

How deep is your decision to serve your generation, no matter what it costs you? How focused are you? The

Chinese sure did get it right, that “If you chase to rabbits you will lose both.” Perhaps nothing epitomizes the

deep decision to serve a generation and win at that like Winston Churchill‟s first speech as British Prime

Minister during World War II:

“We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of

suffering. You ask what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land, air, with all our might and with all the

strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of

human crime. That is our policy. You ask, What is our aim? I answer in one word: Victory—victory at all costs, victory

in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”

4. Dogged D________________________ to serve

Mike Murdock hit the nail on the head when he wrote: “You will only have significant success with something that is an

obsession.” Again, “Your obsession with your assignment determines the success of your assignment.” How does your dogged

determination, as a vital step in diligently serving your generation, compare with the Apostle Paul‟s (2

Corinthians 11:23-28)?

a. “…I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely; and been exposed to

death again and again.” (v.23)

b. Five times received forty lashes minus one.

c. Three times beaten with rods.

d. Once stoned (and left for dead!).

e. Three times shipwrecked.

f. Spent a night and a day in the open sea.

g. “I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from

my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles, in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea;

and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known

hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else I face

the daily pressure of my concern for all the churches…” (v. 26-28)

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Mary Kay Ash: quintessence of diligent service

Twenty-five years of success in direct sales and now on her company‟s board but all that didn‟t matter to Mary

Kay Ash. Especially when as a woman her opinions did not really matter. This was in the 1950-60‟s. When

she decided to resign and cash out her $5,000 lifesavings „everybody‟ thought she was crazy, especially her

attorney and accountant! Well, she carried out her „threat,‟ began the process of incorporating her own

business and put her husband in charge of administration. Guess what? One week, just one week, before

opening up her cosmetic retail business her husband died of a heart attack! Talk of dogged determination,

Mary Kay Ash still launched her business on September 13, 1963. Today, the company is a global leader in

multilevel marketing, with its over $2 billion annual sales being powered by about 2 million independent

distributors worldwide!

5. Daring D___________________ to serve

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize [for which

God called you heavenward in Christ Jesus]. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a

crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I

do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave…”

(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Will you dare to discipline yourself, to make your body, mind, will and emotions obey you? To defer

gratification; doing what must be done even when you don‟t feel like it? Some call it, „self leadership.‟

Larry Bird: This American Basketball legend became an outstanding free-throw shooter by

practising 500 shots each morning before going to school.

Demosthenes: Became the greatest orator in ancient Greece by reciting verses with pebbles in his

mouth and speaking over the roar of the waves at the seashore—in spite of having been born with a

speech impairment!

How about you? Will you endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ Jesus? (2 Timothy 2:3)

ATTITUDES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF REAL SERVANTS

“But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

(2 Timothy 4:5, NLT)

1. God wants me to _______________ my S-H-A-P-E, _______________ my S-H-A-P-E,

______________ my S-H-A-P-E and _______________ the use of my S-H-A-P-E.

Do you have the RIGHT attitude towards your S-H-A-P-E?

“Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call

God into question? Clay doesn‟t talk back to the fingers that mould it, saying, “Why did you SHAPE me like this?”

(Romans 9:20, Msg.)

2. We must develop a ______________________________.

“Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life...”

(Matthew 20:27-28, LB)

3. While my S-H-A-P-E reveals my M____________________, my Servant Heart reveals my

M____________________ (fruit-bearing or Christ-likeness). While my Ministry is as a result of the

____________________ of the Spirit; my Maturity is a result of the ____________________ of the Spirit.

Ministry is about C____________________; maturity is about C____________________.

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4. This then is a real servant‟s H-E-A-R-T:

H—Real servants minister with H____________________. (Philippians 2:5-8) Indeed, real servants maintain a low profile.

“When Christ shows up on this earth, you‟ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.”

(Colossians 3:4, Msg.)

E—Real servants minister with E____________________.

“Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:14)

“If someone is eager to do good things for you, that's all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I'm with you.” (Galatians 4:18, NLT)

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

How do you measure in enthusiasm, excitement and zeal? Can you say like Jehu, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD”? (2 Kings

10:16) One of the scariest verses of scripture can be found in the first part of the tenth verse of Jeremiah 48: “A curse on him who is lax in

doing the LORD‟s work!” And there is actually one such worrying example in Deuteronomy 28:47,48: “Because you did not serve the LORD

your God with joy and gladness of heart… you shall serve your enemies…” (NKJV)

A—Real servants minister with A____________________ and A____________________.

“If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If

God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:7-8, NLT)

They don‟t just give, they give generously; the just don‟t lead, they govern diligently; they don‟t just show mercy, they do so cheerfully

etc. They don‟t just love, they really love. Excellence is their hallmark!

R—Real servants are R____________________ in ministry.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you

have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property,

who will give you property of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12)

“The master was full of praise. „Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many

more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!‟” (Matthew 25:21, NLT)

“He said, „Good servant! Great work! Because you‟ve been trustworthy in this small job, I‟m making you governor of ten towns.‟” (Luke 19:17, Msg)

T—Real servants minister in T____________________.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” (Colossians 3:23)

a. Total DEDICATION—“Serve wholeheartedly...” (Ephesians 6:7)

b. Total ALLEGIANCE—“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and

despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Luke 16:13, KJV)

c. Total FOCUS—“...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal...” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Real servants don‟t worry about what other servants are doing—they neither COMPLAIN, COMPARE, COPY, COMPETE nor

CRITICIZE.

“Do all things without complaining and disputing.” (Philippians 2:14, NKJV)

“That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do

with our lives. Each of us is an original.” (Galatians 5:26, Msg.)

“Who are you to criticize someone else‟s servant? The Lord will determine whether his servant has been successful.” (Romans 14:4, GWT)

5. Rick Warren‟s four reasons why competition between God‟s servants is illogical:

a. We are all _______________________________________.

b. Our goal is to make God look good, _______________________________.



c. We have all been given _______________________________.

d. We‟re all _______________________________.

Further Exploration for the Eager Beaver: What other attitudes towards our purpose of Service do you

glean from 1 Peter 4:10-11, Philippians 2:3-4, 17 and Colossians 3:17,23?

V. ____________________ FOR DEVOTED SERVICE

„MARK THAT MAN‟

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

(Proverbs 22:29, KJV)

SO WHAT‟S IN IT FOR ME? So you ask: “What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 2:22)

Well, there is NO SERVICE without pay. Absolutely none! For really, “ALL hard work brings a profit” (Proverbs

14:23). Call it what you may—the Law of Sowing and Reaping or the Law of Cause and Effect or The Law of the

Farm—as long as the earth remains there will be seed time and harvest time (Genesis 8:22). So sure is this

timeless, universal principle that the Apostle Paul could insist that anyone who would not work should not eat

(2 Thessalonians 3:10,12). Only that many times the reward does not come when and how we expect it.

“And if, as my representatives, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded.” (Matthew 10:42, Msg)

1. Even HEARTy service may be stressful or even painful at the time but it fades into oblivion when it is ____________________.

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with

the harvest.” (Psalm 126:5-6, NLT)

“For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will

last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT)

2. Service ____________________ is rewarding.

“My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.” “I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10b, 3:12)

a. Releases our potential. (Jeremiah 1:5-10)

b. Solves societal problems. (Isaiah 6:8)

c. Earns us our daily bread. (2 Thessalonians 3:10,12)

d. Builds our character. (2 Chronicles 15:7; 2 Timothy 4:5)

e. Makes us live out our God-like nature by acting in God‟s place. (Genesis 1:31-2:3)

f. Gives us a sense of contribution and thus joy, fulfilment and self-worth. (John 19:30)

3. Reward for service is as sure as the daily rising of the sun but may ____________________:

a. Material (1 Samuel 17:25) or Non-material (Proverbs 16:31)

b. Tangible or Intangible (Matthew 19:27-30)

c. Present (immediate) or Future (delayed) (Galatians 6:9-10; Esther 6:1-3,10,11)

d. Private or Public e. Individual or Communal f. Substantial or Little g. Personal or Trans-generational h. Human or Divine i. Ephemeral or Eternal (2 Peter 1:10,11)

“The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it but what he becomes by it.” —John Ruskin

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The God of all men determines each one‟s Pay _____________, Pay ___________, and Pay ____________.

Ours is just to do what He‟s called us to do and leave the results and rewards to him. In the Parable of the

Workers in the Vineyard the earlier labourers disputed with the landowner for being paid equal to those

labourers who were hired later. Almost sarcastically the Master retorts, “Don‟t I have the right to do what I want with

my own money?” (Matthew. 20:1-16)

Not long after narrating this parable, here comes Mrs. Zebedee, mother of James and John to ask a favour from

Jesus Christ: “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” These

Zebedee boys are even prepared to undergo the sufferings of Christ for this reward. Jesus reveals a timeless

truth about who‟s in charge of rewards: “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to

grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

(Matthew 20:20-23)

Stop looking into other people‟s affairs and comparing your pay type, pay time and pay size.

“I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will str etch

out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of

death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved

was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray

you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,

what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:18-22)

Earthly rewards for service may include fulfillment (Proverbs 13:4), wealth, status and recognition (including (inter)national awards), leadership (Proverbs 12:24) and legacy!

Eternal rewards will be handed out on the greatest pay day of all time! Success that registers in heaven!

4. Promises of reward ____________________! For example:

a. “For God is true, and will not put away from him the memory of your work and of your love for his name, in the help which you gave and still give to the saints.” (Hebrews 6:10, BBE)

b. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

c. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9,10)

d. “Serve willingly, as if you were serving the Lord and not merely people, because you know that everyone will receive a reward from the Lord for whatever good he has done, whether he is a slave or free.” (Ephesians 6:7-8, ISV)

e. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

f. “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7, ESV)

“FOR THIS REASON, I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you...” (1 Timothy 1:6, NASB)

DECLARATION

I was S-H-A-P-E-d FOR GOD‟S _______________________.

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ASSIGNMENT

(1) WRITE a sentence or two stating your personal commitment to God‟s purpose of SERVICE for your life:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(2) EXPRESSING YOUR UNIQUE, SPECIFIC GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE (S-H-A-P-E)

What is your S-H-A-P-E? What are your:

Spiritual Gifts: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Heartfelt Passions: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Abilities (Talents): __________________________________________________________________________________________

Personality (Temperament): ___________________________________________________________________________________

Experiences (Skills, Education, Mistakes etc.): _____________________________________________________________________

ANSWERS

Saved to Serve; not Sit and Stare

I. DISCOVERING

1. WORK 2. FIRST COMMAND 3. CURSE 4. SERVE 5. WORK 6. CONTRIBUTOR; CONSUMER 7. RENT; SPACE YOU OCCUPY 8. DISCOVER; DETERMINE 9. SPECIFIC TABLE:

The Contribution of your life; Profession to pursue; Loving God’s work.

II. DROPPING 1. BELIEVE 2. DEAD; DUD 3. FELLOWSHIP 4. LIVING EXPENSES 5. PAID; CALLED 6. TRAP; CONFORM; DETRACT 7. SELF-ACTUALISE

III. DISCERNING 1. SPIRITUAL GIFTS

HEART ABILITIES PERSONALITY EXPERIENCES 2. MINISTRY 3. CALLING; VOCATION; PROFESSION 4. SUPERNATURAL PASSIONS NATURAL; TALENTS. BORN; BORN AGAIN TEMPERAMENT

EVERYTHING

IV. DELIVERING 1. HARD; SMART 2. PROFIT 3. GOD-LIKE 4. OPPORTUNITIES

5 STEPS TO DELIVERING DILIGENT SERVICE

WHOLE 1. DECIPHERING 2. DESIRE 3. DECISION 4. DETERMINATION 5. DISCIPLINE

ATTITUDES & CHARACTERISTICS

1. ACCEPT; ENJOY; DEVELOP; MAXIMIZE 2. SERVANT HEART 3. MINISTRY; MATURITY GIFTS; FRUIT. CHARISMA; CHARACTER

4. HUMILITY EAGERNESS ADVERBS; ADJECTIVES RELIABLE TOTALITY 5. a. ON THE SAME TEAM b. NOT OURSELVES c. DIFFERENT ASSIGNMENTS d. UNIQUELY SHAPED

V. DECORATION 1. REWARDED 2. IN ITSELF 3. DIFFER TYPE, DAY, SIZE 4. ABOUND

DECLARATION

SERVICE



“Mission: Possible” (My Purpose of MISSIONS)

“In the same way that You gave Me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” John 17:18, Msg.

“MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE”

A secret agent is framed for the deaths of his espionage team. When unfortunately something goes horribly

wrong and the mission fails, leaving him as the lone survivor, he is on the run from government assassins as he

tries to uncover the shocking truths of this setup. With a good dose of intrigue, a whole lot of tension and

breath-taking stunts like hanging from the roof of a bullet train, Tom Cruise and co. keep silver screen-lovers

at the edge of their seats in arguably one of the most talked about movies of all time, Mission: Impossible.

Backtrack a couple of millennia ago, a former Jewish carpenter and his posse of 12 unschooled men

set out on an even more 'impossible' mission to change the world. After three years, he charges his disciples

(including future 'recruits') with the same mission as he departs: “...Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the

whole creation.” (Mark 16:15, ESV) A few years down the line, a marketplace mob drives latter subscribers to this

mission before their city authorities shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here

also.” (Acts 17:6, ESV)

Fast-forward to the present; it's your turn. You are a man on a mission, if you've enlisted in the army

of Jesus Christ. The mission hasn't changed but will it change the world? Especially when “we have shrunk Jesus

to the size where He can save our soul but now don't believe He can change the world”? Is this Mission: Impossible?

I. MISSION ____________________

BACK 2 BEGINNING: Genesis Chapter 3:1-24

So how did Missions come about? Well, the heavens and the earth were complete by the seventh day and God

took his rest from all his work. Shortly the All Things Bright and Beautiful symphony would abruptly end when

man messes things up. Adam and his wife's momentary disobedience (sin) perpetually introduces disease,

decay and death into the hitherto perfect world. Since then man has, in futility, programmed himself to Run

and Hide while his Creator is feverishly on a Search and Rescue mission.

MANKIND'S MESS...still

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom,

she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (v. 6)

After man sinned and died (spiritually),

1. His first attempt not to look so bad was to _________________________. (v.7)

2. Then he tried to ____________________ out of ____________________________________. (v.8)

3. Man was ____________________ of both the C____________________ of his soul and the

C____________________ of his sin. (v.10)

4. That was the beginning of the ____________________ failure to take responsibility for (in)actions.

(vs. 12, 13)

5. Soon ________________, 'the whole creation' (Romans 8:19-22 ) would suffer a devastating hit. (v.14-19)

And all this „drama‟ still unfolds today.

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GOD'S KIND MESSAGE...still

1. The LORD God's first call to sinful man in the sin-stained Garden of Eden was: “_______________ are you?” (v.9) And He's

still calling—not a voice of condemnation but of deep longing!

2. It doesn't mean He overlooks sin, for He still with a heartbreak asks, “____________________ is this you have done?” (v.13)

3. In the same cursing breath was a blessing, a prophetic ___________________ which would usher in Missions: “And I will put

enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (v.15)

Further Exploration for the Eager Beaver: Isaiah 7:14; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14,15

4. In the midst of the banishment, God took a unique prophetic ___________________ related to Missions: “The LORD God

made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” (v.21)

Symbolic of the 'Lamb of God' that would be slain for mankind 'while we were still sinners' and clothe mankind with His righteousness,

God took the INITIATIVE to kill an animal, shed its blood and clothe Adam and Eve with the skin.

This prophetic statement and action is continually re-iterated by the prophets of old in their foretelling and forthtelling. It is

__________________ today. God is still on a Search and Rescue mission—and that is what He still has you on earth for! And

not only is this Mission required for the salvation of the world, it is a requirement, a command and order, for every Christian soldier.

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the

Holy Scriptures regarding his Son...” (Romans 1:1-3a)

II. MISSION ____________________

In typical military fashion, the success of any mission impinges on a preliminary exploratory survey conducted to gain or collect

information. Let's scout this Gospel mission.

WHAT'S ON THE NEWS?

It is often said that for today's Media, Good News is No News. That is so different from the news Christians carry! “GOSPEL” means

G______________________________ or G_________________________.

“And now we are here to bring you this Good News. The promise was made to our ancestors, and God has now fulfilled it for us, their descendants, by

raising Jesus.” (Acts 3:32-33a, NLT)

WHAT'S THE NEWS GOT TO DO WITH ME?

1. Jesus says to you: “As the Father has sent me, I am _________________________.” (John 20:21)

“All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between us and himself and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace

we can have with him... So we have been sent to speak for Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:18,20a, NCV)

2. My MISSION is _____________________ I have been given to do. A Christian cannot go wrong with this kind of 'employment!'

“The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the LORD Jesus gave me—to tell people the Good News about God‟s

grace.” (Acts 20:24, NCV)

3. Fulfilling my mission is usually called E_________________________.






THE LOVE RENDITION


MISSIONS

The Communi-cation of your life

Profession to speak and live out

Loving God's world



III. MISSION ____________________

OF OMISSIONS AND HOLES

BUT THERE IS A BIG „BUT‟!

These ____________________ in Isaiah 6:8 and Romans 10:13-15 demand answers. Do you have answers?

1. ___________________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________________________________

GREAT (C)OMISSION The Great C____________________ has sadly become the “Great O____________________.”

In many places, the Body of Christ seems interested in anything and everything other than Missions. Proof? Our

Church ____________________ and _____________________ expose us!

(W)HOLE GOSPEL

For the most part there is a _______________ rather than the ________________ Gospel.

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that

captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD's favor has

come.” (Luke 4:18-19, NLT)

The Gospel, according to its Author and Main Character comprises:

1. P____________________ of the good news of salvation, first and foremost, to the poor.

2. P_______ for the sick and sorrowful—concern not just for their spiritual but physical condition also.

3. P___________________ of justice—victims of religious, political, social and/or economic injustice.

In The Hole in our Gospel World Vision U.S. President, Richard Stearns, shares the experience of Jim Wallis to

demonstrate just how serious this „hole business‟ is!

When my friend Jim Wallis was a seminary student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School outside of

Chicago, he and some of his classmates did a little experiment. They went through all sixty-six

books of the Bible and underlined every passage and verse that dealt with poverty, wealth, justice

and oppression. Then one of Jim‟s fellow students took a pair of scissors and physically cut every

one of those verses out of the Bible. The result was a volume in tatters that barely held together.

Beginning with the Mosaic books, through the books of history, the Psalms and Proverbs, and the

Major and Minor Prophets, to the four Gospels, the book of Acts, the Epistles and into Revelation,

so central were these themes to Scripture that the resulting Bible was in shambles. (According to The

Poverty and Justice Bible, there are almost two thousand verses in Scripture that deal with poverty and

justice). When Jim would speak on these issues, he would hold his ragged book in the air and

proclaim, “Brothers and sisters, this is our American Bible; it is full of holes. Each one of us might

as well take our Bibles, a pair of scissors, and begin cutting out all the scriptures we pay no attention

to, all the biblical texts that we just ignore.” Jim‟s Bible was literally full of holes.

[The Hole in our Gospel, p.24]

Way to go: “The WHOLE church, taking the WHOLE Gospel, to the WHOLE World.” (Lausanne Covenant)

N O T E S



IV. MISSION ____________________

FINDING OUR WAY BACK TO THE MISSION

REMINDER: WHY IS MY MISSION IMPORTANT?

1. It is commanded by ______________________ Himself! How important are the last words of a man?

This is an O___________________; not an O_______________. It is a core subject in Christianity 101; not

an elective!

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all

the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the

commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18-20, NLT)

2. That‟s WHY I have been ____________________.

““Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”” (Matthew 4:19)

““You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you

whatever you ask in my name.”” (John 15:16)

We have been S_______________ to S__________________________.

“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling

people to him...And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal

through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20, NLT)

What are the roles of an ambassador?

The greatest thing you can do for anyone is to share this good news with them!

3. It gives my life ___________________________________.

“Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really

live!” (Mark 8:35, LB)

“He is no fool who gives up what he CANNOT _________, to gain what he CANNOT _______.” (Jim Elliot)

“The best use of life is to invest it in that which __________________ it.” (William James)

4. God‟s ____________________________ for history‟s conclusion is connected to the completion of the

commission we‟ve been given.

“The Good News about God‟s kingdom will be preached in all the world, to every nation. Then the end will come.”

(Matthew 24:14, NCV)

5. Without my mission mankind will __________________ (1 Peter 3:8,9) and I shall be held

____________________. (Ezekiel 33:1-11)

“When I say to the wicked, „You will surely die,‟ you must warn them so they may live. If you don‟t speak out to warn the wicked

to stop their evil ways they will die in their sin. But I will hold you responsible for their death.” (Ezekiel 3:18-19, NCV)

6. Missions ties up ALL the ___________________________ of our lives together, in the sense that:

a. “MISSIONS exists because WORSHIP doesn‟t.” (see Romans 8:8)

b. The fruit of missions is a new DISCIPLE born (again) into a new spiritual FAMILY (Fellowship).

c. The purpose of the fruit of mission (the disciple) is to do GOOD WORKS (Service). (Ephesians 2:10)

Missions is:

i. Sharing with another person that there‟s no need to hide from God any longer—because God is SEARCHING for

him/her! (Genesis 3:9,10)

ii. Showing such a person what to say when God „comes into the garden‟ and asks: “Where are you?”

N O T E S



iii. Taking the one wearing improvised leaves to your Tailor to make him a more comfortable, more beautiful and

more durable custom-made leather jacket... FOR FREE! (Genesis 3:7,21)

iv. Holding the hand of another former „Edenite‟ back to the tree or life. (Genesis 3:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:8-11)

v. One beggar telling another hungry man where to find bread. (2 Kings 7:3-9)

vi. Being a witness in court (this world)—telling and testifying of what we have seen, heard, tasted and touched.

(Acts 4:20, 5:32; 1 John 1:1)

vii. Bearing fruit that will last. (John 15:8,16)

“We are not all E____________________ (Ephesians 4:11-12)

but we‟re all to be E_______________________.” To be well-balanced, every Christian needs a M___________________ in the Church and a M____________________ in the World.

“But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the

Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” (2 Timothy 4:5, NLT)

MY „3L‟ MISSION STRATEGIES:

1. My L__________

“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.” “But Paul and Barnabas

remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.” (Acts 8:4; 15:35, NLT)

The Greek word euangelizo is translated as „declare,‟ „preach unto‟ „bring or show good/glad tidings‟ etc.

What are we to say?

a. God‟s S___________________ (Romans 1:16; 1 Peter 1:25) eg. The Roman Road: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10

Backed by signs and wonders (Acts 4:29,30)

b. Our S_______________/personal testimony (John 4:28-30; Acts 22:1-21)

How are we to say it?

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,” “If I

preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my

reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.”

(1 Corinthians 2:4; 9:17-18)

2. My L______________________________ (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

“I pray that all of these people continue to have unity in the way that you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they

may be united with us so that the world will believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)

“In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your

godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.”

(1 Peter 3:1-2, NLT)

3. My L______________ (Acts 9:36-42)

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love

for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT)

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you

had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a

burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8,9)

N O T E S



To summarise: we go about our mission by both _________________________ and

_________________________.

i.e. the W_______________ (John 1:1) and the W_______________________________ (John 1:14).

These are 'two wings of the same bird.'

V. MISSION ____________________

IMPORTANT ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE TO FULFILL MISSION

Shift from E____________________ (Temporal) to E___________________ (Timeless) thinking.

“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

(2 Corinthians 4:18, NLT)

Remember that there is more to life than the ___________________________.

“Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.”

(1 Corinthians 7:31, Msg.)

Discern the difference between what is U_________________ and what is U_________________.

“Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us

down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wraps themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us

run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1, LB)

____________________ of whatever is keeping you from sharing the good news; and

____________________ use you as his instrument to reach the world.

STOP relying on S______________ and START depending on God‟s S________________. (Acts 1:8)

We have been tasked with C____________________ the gospel; not C____________________ people. That

is the job description of the Holy Spirit.

Do your _______________ and leave God with the _______________.

VI. MISSION ____________________

REAL STARDOM

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens,

and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

(Daniel 12:3)

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:4)

N O T E S

'GIVE UP YOUR SMALL AMBITIONS' Francis Xavier, a 16th century missionary to Japan (one of the first), wrote

back to fellow students back in Spain and at the University of Paris and

challenged them: “Give up your small ambitions and come East

to proclaim the glorious gospel of Christ.”



DECLARATION I was MADE FOR A ____________________.

ASSIGNMENT

WRITE a sentence or two stating your personal commitment to God‟s purpose of MISSIONS for your life: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ANSWERS

“Mission: Possible”

I. REQUIRED

MANKIND'S MESS

1. COVER UP

2. HIDE, GUILT AND SHAME

3. AFRAID, CREATOR, CONSEQUENCES

4. BLAME GAME

5. ALL NATURE

GOD'S KIND MESSAGE

1. WHERE

2. WHAT

3. STATEMENT

4. ACTION

REALITY

II. RECONNAISANCE

GLAD TIDINGS, GOOD NEWS

1. SENDING YOU

2. THE WORK

3. EVANGELISM

TABLE:

Booming/Beaming God's message to mankind;

Fulfill God's original purposes;

Made for Missions;

To “Go and preach the Gospel.”

III. RENEGED

QUESTIONS

1. “WHOM SHALL I SEND AND WHO WILL GO

FOR US?”

2. “HOW CAN THEY CALL ON THE ONE THEY

HAVE NOT BELIEVED IN?”

3. “HOW CAN THEY BELIEVE IN THE ONE OF

WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD?”

4. “HOW CAN THEY HEAR WITHOUT SOMEONE

PREACHING TO THEM?”

5. “HOW CAN THEY PREACH UNLESS THEY ARE

SENT?”

GREAT (C)OMISSION

COMISSION, OMISSION

PROGRAMMES, BUDGETS

(W)HOLE GOSPEL

HOLE, WHOLE

1. PROCLAMATION

2. PITY

3. PURSUANCE

IV. RE-ENGAGEMENT

1. JESUS CHRIST

OBLIGATION, OPTION

2. CALLED

SAVED, SAVE OTHERS

3. MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE

KEEP, LOSE

OUTLASTS

4. TIME TABLE

5. PERISH, RESPONSIBLE

6. FIVE PURPOSES

EVANGELISTS, EVANGELISTIC

MINISTRY, MISSION

MY 3 'L' MISSION STRATEGIES:

1. LIPS

a. SCRIPTURES

b. STORY

2. LIFE/LIFESTYLE

3. LOVE

Summary: PROCLAMATION, INCARNATION

WORD, WORD MADE FLESH

V. RESOLVE

1. EPHEMERAL, ETERNAL

2. HERE AND NOW

3. URGENT, ULTIMATE

4. LET GO, LET GOD

5. SELF, SPIRIT

COMMUNICATING, CONVERTING

BEST, REST

VI. REWARDS

DECLARATION

MISSION

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