12/09/09 DARKNESS AND LIGHT (a Bible Study session)

12/09/09 DARKNESS AND LIGHT (a Bible Study session)

Satan is * Darkness (Ac. 26:18) and * The Power of Darkness (Co. 1:13).

God sent Light to the World to Save us from Darkness (2 Co. 4:6).

* Jesus is the Light of the World (Jn. 8:12).

* Christians become The Light of the World (Mt. 5:14).

* Our Light should shine and Glorify Our Father in Heaven (Mt. 5:16).

SATAN IS DARKNESS
Acts 26:18
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Colossians 1:13
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

GOD SENT LIGHT
Isaiah 42:6-7
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Matthew 4:16
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

Luke 2:32
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

John 1:4-5
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

JESUS IS LIGHT
John 8:12
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 9:5
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 12:46
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on me should not abide in darkness.

BELIEVERS ARE CALLED TO LIGHT
1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

1 John 2:8-11
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not whither he goes, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

CHRISTIANS ARE LIGHT
Matthew 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Ephesians 5:8
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

12/11/09 ON BEING CONTENT

12/11/09 ON BEING CONTENT

BE CONTENT
I prefer a life without suffering and want, after all, that is what eternity is going to be like. Sure, I like to have easy access to the essentials of life, I enjoy the extras and luxuries. I like comfort.

I remember a false teacher telling Christians that, "Poverty is Sin." Sometimes poverty may come from personal sin, but not all poverty is the result of personal sin. It is OK for Christians to be physically sick or poor. Read the Bible. Health and wealth in this life is not the proof of faith. Sometimes notorious sinners have enjoyed great health and or wealth.

This is not an argument for defeated living or poverty or sickness. God often delivers from these things in this present evil world. However, deeply dedicated and faithful followers of Christ sometimes suffer significant struggles. In fact, the closer we are to Christ, the more trouble we may encounter, experience and endure.

Christians should be satisfied with food and clothing. It is not politically correct to be CONTENT with the basics of life. Society expects us to clamor and clamber for the things of this world. But shouldn't we be like Jesus, and not love the world or the things in the world? Biblical simplicity should be the norm, not the rare.

God's power and presence is often proved through present pressures, more than in the passing pleasures.

 
VERSES...
1 Timothy 6:8-11
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.

1 Peter 2:21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Acts 9:16-17
16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou came, hath sent me, that thou might receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Romans 8:17-18
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

1 Corinthians 4:11-12
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;
12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

2 Corinthians 1:5-7
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Philippians 3:10
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Philippians 4:11-12
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Hebrews 5:7-9
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Hebrews 13:3
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

1 Peter 2:21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 5:10
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

12/12/09 PSALM 119:1-16 INTRODUCES THE RECURRING MESSAGE OF 119

12/12/09 PSALM 119:1-16 INTRODUCES THE RECURRING MESSAGE OF 119

Without compromise, excuse, hesitation or contradiction, Psalm 119 constantly FLIES IN THE FACE OF SINNING RELIGION (as does all of Scripture).

I have posted Psalm 119:1-16 and then reiterated the intent of Psalm 119:1-16 in the following comment. There is nothing in the entire Psalm or Bible that disagrees with these verses.

The Passage...
Psalms 119:1-16
1  ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4  Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6  Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8  I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

The List...
This short list of verses represents a little over 10% of the Psalm. Yet, people constantly tell us we cannot be faithful, righteous, obedient, pure.

IF THESE VERSES DO NOT REFLECT YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP, EXPERIENCE, WALK WITH GOD, THEN IT IS TIME TO TRADE IN FAILING, SINNING RELIGION FOR VICTORIOUS SALVATION.

Remember, this is not a "to do" list for aspiring Christians; this is a "will do" list for delivered believers. 

vs.1
We can be (we are) undefiled.
We can (we do) walk in the way of the Lord

vs. 2
We can be (we are expected to be) keepers (observers, followers) of God's testimonies (God's revelation).

We are seekers of God with the whole heart. 

vs. 3
We do not commit iniquity (sin).

We do walk in God's way. 

vs. 4
We are commanded and expected to keep God's precepts diligently. 

vs. 5
We have the desire to keep God's statutes. 

vs. 6
We expect to keep God's commands and therefore we are not ashamed of our lives.

vs. 7
We expect to praise God with an upright heart.

vs. 8
We expect to keep God's statutes and we expect to be rejected by God if we refuse to keep His statutes.

vs. 9
We can and we do cleanse our way.

We can and we do heed (obey, keep, follow) God's word.

vs. 10
We do seek God with the whole heart.

God can keep us from wandering from His commandments.

vs. 11
God's word will keep us from sinning when we hide His word in our heart. 

vs 12
God will teach us His statutes.

vs 13
We will tell the judgments of God (give witness to His redemption). 

vs 14
We rejoice in the life, which is lived according to God's plan.

vs 15
We honor His word and meditate on it.

vs 16
We delight in God's commands and we can remember His word.

 

12/14/09 FOCUS ON THE PRIORITY

12/14/09 FOCUS ON THE PRIORITY

As our World Becomes Less Christ Friendly, Believers Must Learn to Prioritize & focus on Eternity.

VERSES...
1 Timothy 6:8-11
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.

1 Peter 2:21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Acts 9:16
16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Romans 8:17-18
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

1 Corinthians 4:11-12
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;
12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

2 Corinthians 1:5-7
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Philippians 3:10
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Philippians 4:11-12
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Hebrews 5:7-9
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Hebrews 13:3
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

1 Peter 2:21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 5:10
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

12/17/09 The GLORY OF GOD attending the INCARNATION.

12/17/09 The GLORY OF GOD attending the INCARNATION.

There have been many theories concerning the STAR OF BETHLEHEM (stars, constellations, meteors), but the Bible does not explain the “star.”

It could have been a combination of these, plus other manifestations. How did a “star” stand over a house? Regardless, it was a special, miraculous manifestation. How has God used RADIANCE in the past?

OLD TESTAMENT
I presented God's use of Radiance as a sign throughout the Bible. Let us consider God used RADIANCE as a manifestation of His glory and power from the Garden of Eden to the New Testament Church.

God Determined the Heavenly Lights (Sun, Moon and Stars) to be Signs (Ge 1:14).
God Gave the Rainbow (produced by light) as a Sign of God's mercy (Ge 9:13).
God Appeared as a Flame of Fire to Moses in the Burning Bush (Ex 3:2).
God Led Israel through the wilderness (40 years) in the Cloud and the Pillar of Fire (Ex 13:21).
God Shrouded Mt. Sinai in a Devouring Fire (Ex 24:17).
God Showed His Glory to Moses (Ex 33:22-23).
God Caused Moses Face to Shine (Ex 34:29).
God Covered the Tabernacle and Filled the Sanctuary with His Glory (Ex 40:34; Nu 9:16).
God Consumed the Acceptable Sacrifice with Fire (Le 9:24).
God Removed His Glory when the Philistines took away the Ark of the Covenant (1 Sa 4:21-22).
God Filled Solomon's Temple when the Ark was brought into it (1 Kg 8:11; 2 Ch 5:14).
God Filled Solomon's Temple after Solomon Dedicated the Temple (2 Ch. 7:1).

The Temple had two rooms, the Holy Place was illuminated by the lamp stand, the inner sanctum of the Holy of Holies was illuminated by the Glory of God's presence.

Before God allowed the Temple to be destroyed by the Babylonians, the Glory of God was removed from the Temple in stages...

* From the Holy of Holies to the Temple threshold (Eze 9:3)
* From the threshold to the Eastern Gate (Eze 10:18-19)
* From the Eastern Gate to the Mount of Olives until it Departed the City (Eze 11:23).

NEW TESTAMENT

TO THE SHEPHERDS...
LUKE 2:8-9
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

TO THE MAGI...
MATTHEW 2:1-2, 9-10
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Christ's earthly ministry, manifested God's glory.

HEBREWS 1:1-3
1 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

TO HIS DISCIPLES...
MATTHEW 17:2
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
LUKE 9:29
29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

AT HIS RESURRECTION...
MATTHEW 28:2-5
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

AT HIS ASCENSION...
ACT 1:9-10
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

AT PAUL'S CONVERSION...
ACTS 22:6
6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

Though we do not not know the exact nature of Star, we know that God led the Magi by a great light, that led them day and night.

BIBLE USES, "STAR" IN REFERENCE TO...
Celestial Bodies

Christ Himself

Human Beings

Angels

CELESTIAL BODIES...
GENESIS 1:16-18
And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

DEUTERONOMY 4:19
19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

ISAIAH 13:10
10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

AMOS 5:8
8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:

CHRIST HIMSELF...
2 PETER 1:19
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

REVELATION 2:28
28 And I will give him the morning star.

REVELATION 22:16
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

HUMAN BEINGS...
GENESIS 37:9-10
9 And he (Joseph) dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

NUMBERS 24:17
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

DANIEL 8:10
10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

JUDE 1:13
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

REVELATION 1:16, 20; 2:1
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

ANGELIC CREATURES (including demons)...
JUDGES 5:20
20 They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
(dlg note... This could refer to natural disaster and/or angels fighting in Israels behalf. Remember Judges 4:15).

JUDGES 4:15
15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

JOB 38:7
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

ISAIAH 14:12-13
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

REVELATION 9:1
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

REVELATION 12:3-4
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

I don't know that it is totally unthinkable that God sent a Star, a Messenger, an Angel to lead the Magi. If it was a Celestial Creature, it could have appeared as something other than an angel (cloud, fire, star). Just a thought.

 

12/21/09 GOD, THE GREAT GIVER

12/21/09 GOD, THE GREAT GIVER...

The Father gave His Son for us, and He has freely given us all things, including things that pertain to life and godliness and every good and perfect gift.

Jesus gave Himself and gives salvation, eternal life and the Holy Spirit to His followers.

Among other blessings, the Holy Spirit gives us gifts for ministry. The 4 essential gifts are Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist & Pastor-Teacher, which may be most important today.

GIFTS FROM THE FATHER...
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Matthew 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

GIFTS FROM THE SON...
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

GIFTS FROM THE SPIRIT...
Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

FOUR FOUNDATIONAL GIFTS...
APOSTLE... Though there are “sent ones” today, it was required for a person to have seen Jesus in the flesh in order to be a New Testament Apostle.

PROPHET... Though there are people who speak forth the word of God today, there is no new revelation being given, as to the Old and New Testament Prophets.

EVANGELIST... Though there are people who are specially gifted to evangelize, the fact is that all believers should be winning souls and all pastors should do the work of an evangelist.

PASTOR-TEACHER... Is the great need of the Church today. This Two Part Gift/Office of Pastor and Teacher is God's primary gift and office of equipping and leading the local church.

Shepherds with a cluster of gifts, including wisdom, knowledge, authority, leadership and the ability to preach and teach (publicly and privately) are rare and necessary gifts to local churches.