I - II - III - IV from the book: "God Knows You’re Human" by Terry Virgo Working with God When you know that God has initiated a relationship, you can also expect His help. You do not have to make the disciple over-dependent on you. You become a fellow labourer with God in producing another disciple of the Lord Jesus. ‘Who do people say the Son of man is?’ Jesus asked His disciples ( Matthew 16:13 ). Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ ( Matthew 16:16 ). On hearing this, Jesus said to Peter, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven’ ( Matthew 16:17 ). Jesus was the discipler, but Peter found out something that Jesus had never told him. He received a revelation from God. Similarly, when your disciple finds out things you did not tell him, don’t become offended but rejoice that God is working alongside you. Ultimately your goal is to help the new believer hear and obe...
Apostolic Instructions on Prayer, and the technical meaning of "Christ". First of all, then, I urge 1 that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone 2 , for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life 3 in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For 5 there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself — a ransom for all 6 , a testimony at the proper time. ... I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument... 7 1Tim 2:1-6,8 (Holman C.S.B.) Notes 1 "I emphatically tell you.." It's not a command but a strong suggestion with apostolic authority. 2 "for everyone" means everyone. The next verses explain the social layers and ...
This study provides a useful overview of the presence of Gd, doing so independently of today’s rather biased movements. {The next 2 paragraphs are fragments} 2. The Bible emphasizes God’s manifest presence, not only his omnipresence There is a difference between saying “God is everywhere,” and saying “God is here.” The former is the default category for most Christians. We talk about God’s presence being inescapable and that he is “everywhere present” (Ps 139:5-12; 1 Kings 8:27). But it seems Scripture is more concerned with his presence manifest in relationship and redemption . And though these divine realities are certainly not at odds, the biblical story does turn on God’s being manifest with his people in Eden, the tabernacle/temple, the incarnation of Christ, and the new heaven and new earth. 3. The story of Scripture begins and ends with the presence of God In the book of Genesis, Eden is the first couple’s home but, more importantly, it is God’s sanctuary—the garden temple...