Campus Blogs

I recently had the privilege to read some great stuff in the leadership genre. It was so good to me I thought I would give you a snap shot of what's available if you are looking for something to good to read for developing church leaders. Basic Christianity by John Stott, Downers grove Illinois This work by Dr. Stott is a call to biblical understanding of church leadership in the New Testament. God has chosen to use John Stott to bring to light areas of church leadership that we must pay close attention to. The significance of this work is that the author looks at servant leadership in the life of the Apostle Paul in Corinth. It is a reminder to us that God is at work in our weakness. We live in a day when leadership has gone astray in the local church. A call to biblical understanding and truth is needed to correct our pulpits. The Empowered leader by Calvin Miller, Nashville TN This text is a good look at the life of God’s Man, David the King of Israel. Dr. Miller captures key points in leadership for the pastor preacher to look at. This work will refresh and encourage you to do great things for God. Often time’s church leadership is hard to navigate, the significance of this work is that it gives you a biblical example to look at from one of God’s greatest men. The author believes that we can learn from David’s life lessons on how to serve God effectively. In our age net working, making mistakes, dealing with difficult people and things like delegation are all-important to the preacher and must happen in the life of our ministries. Dr. Miller helps us to look through the lenses of God’s man and see how he walked through the issues of leadership. Transforming Leadership by Leighton Ford, Downers grove Illinois Brother Leighton Ford does a book for all leaders in ministry in this work. This book is written to reach a crowd that desires to lead in ministry. Leighton’s background is in the Para-church movement, and I believe he writes to encourage another generation of Para-church babies. It comes off as another book on leadership, nothing that we haven’t already heard. One of the bright spots in this work is the fact that Leighton is an awesome leader with years upon years of experience. If anybody understands the dynamics of the task, he does. In addition to all of this, he is a devout Christian with a passion for Jesus. Pastoral ministry according to Paul, James W. Thompson, Grand Rapids Michigan The significance of this work is that the author looks at Pastoral leadership in the life of the Apostle Paul. The writer reveals Paul’s theology and his approach to servant leadership in the church. This work specifically applies to the local pastor and his assignment to preaching, teaching and leading a congregation. This is the kind of work that helps the practitioner to become a better theologian and yet remain a true shepherd. With this work we can see how Paul felt about the various churches and how he went about to serve them with his doctrine. Brothers we are not Professionals, John Piper, Nashville Tennessee Every Pastor in America needs to have a copy of this book. Dr. Piper addresses the greatest enemy to the work of pastoral ministry, “professionalism”. There is a subtle push today to make us CEO’s and presidents. John Piper in this work makes it known that God clearly called us to be shepherds, not professionals. This work helps the preacher with his leadership and calling. John Pipers ability to draw us back to the record in Acts, helps us to re-evaluate what the early Pastors did and how they relied on God for direction and instruction. They were true to doctrine and did nothing but what God wanted them to do. Revolution in Leadership, Reggie Mc Neal, Nashville Tennessee This book is written for the church leader that is tired of the status quo. It is a challenge to rethink leadership in the body. Reggie McNeal challenges us, not with new ideas and programs but with a fresh view of what made the early church so vibrant and relevant. It is clear that Mc Neal has a passion for the church and those called to leadership. The passion for leaders comes through in this book. His insights for church leaders and clear approach to scripture keeps you grounded in a biblical effort to know what God says about leadership. He attempts to bridge the gap between the first century and the 21rst century. Well I hope something intrigued you with this short tour of some great books. I was thoroughly blessed by the journey. Leadership in the North American Church of Christ today matters, so lets keep reading.          

Sermon Preached by Dr. Angulus Wilson Jn. 4:46-54 Every now and then in life, you are thrown a trial that seems to wipe you out! This life is filled with unwanted suffering and pain. This life is filled with heartache and heartbreak. Life has stuff like cancer, death, suffering and racism that has a way of taking the breath out of you. Life can sometime be cruel and a burden to carry that seems awful heavy. I believe it was Minister Moore that said life was also filled with storms that come to take you out. The question is asked often by the weary traveler of life, how do I survive the sufferings of this world without loosing my mind? I believe the answer is in the text this morning. For hidden within it is a case study of somebody who was a facing something that was bigger than him. This brother was in trouble, discouragement was all around, disappointment had him in a headlock, and despair had him in a chokehold. Note:

1. His Baby was in trouble and time was running out! The Nobel-man’s money could no longer help, and the crisis was real.
2. He was waiting for some divine help from somewhere but the help was slow to arrive.
4. Then he heard that Jesus was back in the city. When he heard what he heard about the Master he did something about what he heard. He moved out in desperation to ask Jesus to come and Save his Baby.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PRINCIPLES WE CAN LEARN FROM THE NOBEL-MAN THIS MORNING. Principal One: To keep from losing your mind, get to Jesus as fast as you can!   Vs. 47 when he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death.

• He came to the Master when He heard that he was in the area.
• He came believing that God could fix his case even though he never seen him do it before.
• He came hoping that God was able to do for Him what He had done for others.
• He came trusting that God would not turn him away.
• He came anticipating that Heaven was on his side.

Application: When the crisis of life has got you down:

1. Find out where the Master has gathered the crowd for worship and meet him there.
2. Come to see him with faith that He can do anything but fail.
3. Keep hoping and trusting that that God can do for you what He has done for others.
4. Keep your eyes on Jesus and keep believing that Heaven is on your side.

Principal Two To keep from losing your mind, keep your faith in God in the midst of the trial 49 The nobleman said to Him, "Sir, come down before my child dies!" 48 Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe."

• The nobleman knew that God could do anything but fail.
• The nobleman knew that Jesus had the power to fix his situation.
• The nobleman was willing to believe even-though it looked like God was not interested in his case.
• The Nobel-man was willing to stay there and pursue God in-spite of God not moving at the first request.

This man had a faith and assurance that was un-shakable. He saw God do it before and so when Jesus said the word, he moved on what he heard, and what he knew from the past experience. Application:

1. Sometime we have to have a previous experience with God in order to make it through our current right now trial.
2. Sometime you have to pull up the reserve faith, “that stuff “you have saved up from the last time he brought you through.
3. Sometime you have to pull up the miracle you saw a while back to remind you of just how faithful he is.

Note:

1. There is a timing that God has in every individual case. Sometimes he moves right away, and sometime he doesn’t move at all. But you must know that He is God even if he chooses to do nothing in your case.
2. Here we have a picture of the Nobel-man s fearless-faith! He was willing to hold on to hope and faith in-spite of what the outcome was
3. God was more than able to rescue his Son, and He was going to be an intercessor on behalf of his baby, who could not plead on behalf of himself!

Principal Three   To keep from losing your mind, walk in faith even though you can’t see it!  50 Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. The Nobel-man had enough faith to believe the Promises of God even though he never seen them happen before

• The Nobel-man had enough hope that Jesus was right when he was told that his baby was alive
• The Nobel-man had a ear to hear what God was saying to Him concerning His trial
• The Nobel-man had a desire to trust God, so he walked away in Obedience to the word that He heard

Note:

1. To walk in faith, is to believe and trust the word of God concerning your situation.
2. To walk in faith is to bring your cares to Jesus and trust what He has to say about the situation.
3. To walk in faith is to believe without a shadow of a doubt, that God has you in-spite of where you are and what it looks like.

Example:

• The Nobel-man didn’t see his baby well right away, yet he went to check on him by faith.
• The Nobel-man didn’t need for Jesus to come with him to the house, He took HIS word and walked by faith.
• The Nobel-man did not need a sign from the Lord, his word was good enough!

Application:

• I want to encourage you to stop looking for signs, and keep your eyes on the Word.
• If you got the Word of God, you don’t need a sign.
• Anybody will believe if you see a sign. Real faith is believing without seeing.
• Real faith says I know you can do it because your Word says that you can.
• If you got the promises of God, you got more than enough.
• If you got the Word, trust in it, believe in it, hold on to it and it will never let you down, You can keep from losing your mind.

Conclusion: By getting to Jesus with the Problem as quick as you can, You can keep from losing your mind. By Keeping your faith in God in the midst of the trial, You can keep from losing your mind. By Walking in Faith even though you can’t see it, If you will take your cues from the Nobel-man, you will see God more clearly in your life. If you will use His advice, you will enrich you’re your walk with God and Grow in His grace. The Bible is filled with people who walked by faith! God answers prayer according to faith.Because of faith God is in the rescue business! It is faith that catches the ear of God. When he sees it on display in the earth, He always rescues his children! Note: If you will take his example in the crisis, you will hear God speak, and see Him move.

For generations God has saved his own from life threatening situations

• Because of faith He saved Noah from a treacherous storm…….he’s in the rescue business
• Because of faith He saved Joseph from the calamities of life…….he’s in the rescue business
• Because of faith He saved David from a giant philistine……he’s in the rescue business
• Because of faith He saved Jonah from the depths of the deep…..he’s in the rescue business
• Because of faith He saved The Hebrew Boys from the wrath of Nebuchadnezzar…….he’s in the rescue business
• Because of faith He saved Daniel in the lion’s den he’s in the rescue business
• Jesus saw humanity in trouble- and came through 42 generations; he’s in the rescue business
• To build our faith He saved the disciples from the storm at sea…..he’s in the rescue business
• To build our faith He brought the dead back to life,
• To build our faith he gave sight to the blind,
• To build our faith he made the cripple walk,
• To build our faith he cured those with diseases…..he’s in the rescue business
• One Friday night he gave his life on The Cross to save you and me….he’s in the rescue business
• He died to set the captives free….he’s in the rescue business
• He took the sting out of death & victory over the grave….he’s in the rescue business
• He rose from the dead early Sunday morning with all power in his hands To build our faith he gave us test and opportunities
• To build our faith, he rescues us from the face of danger
• To build our faith, he gave us trials and tribulations

So hold on, don’t lose your mind, help is on the way!

By Angulus Wilson Ex.10:21-29 ²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be covered with a darkness so thick you can feel it.” ²² So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days. ²³ During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived. ²⁴ Finally, Pharaoh called for Moses. “Go and worship the Lord,” he said. “But leave your flocks and herds here. You may even take your little ones with you.” ²⁵ “No,” Moses said, “you must provide us with animals for sacrifices and burnt offerings to the Lord our God. ²⁶ All our livestock must go with us, too; not a hoof can be left behind. We must choose our sacrifices for the Lord our God from among these animals. And we won’t know how we are to worship the Lord until we get there.” ²⁷ But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart once more, and he would not let them go. ²⁸ “Get out of here!” Pharaoh shouted at Moses. “I’m warning you. Never come back to see me again! The day you see my face, you will die!” ²⁹ “Very well,” Moses replied. “I will never see your face again.” ^[1] Introduction: In a previous chapter you heard the story and calamity of Egypt. You heard that the rod of Moses was raised, and the locusts came. They were natives of the desert and were brought by an east wind into Egypt, where they came in an amazing way, destroying in a few days every green blade of grass in Egypt! We learned that all Men in Egypt were helpless against His Power. This was an invasion of a large but vicious army that eats everything in its way! Because of Pharaoh, Egypt has suffered from locusts. Pharaoh, fearing irretrievable ruin to his country, sent in haste for Moses, and confessing his sin, implored the intercession of Moses, who entreated the Lord, and a “mighty strong west wind took away the locusts.”^[2] But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart again, so he refused to let the people go. ^[3] Moses Lifts His Hands ²¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be covered with a darkness so thick you can feel it.” ²² So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days. Note:

1. Here we see the wrath of God fall on Egypt like it has never fell on her before! This is not an nat, frog, locust, hail, thunder or lightening, this is darkness!
2. Nothing can fight this fierce force of God that invades every inch of Pharaohs dominion.
3. God was about to do something phenomenal before the Egyptians, and something that we would read about in the 21rst century.

Note:

• Like the third and sixth plagues this ninth judgment came without warning.
• When Moses extended his hand (cf. 9:22; 10:12-13), the land was draped with a thick cloak of darkness … for three days, except in the land of Goshen.
• God was using Moses to demonstrate his power. Through the hands of Moses God was speaking and working.

Application:

• God’s plan is to use the man of God is to be used by God in the earth!
• God has need of the preacher and the preacher has need of God.
• Moses cannot do anything for God if God does not use him for his honor and glory!

A Man lifts his head ²³ During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived. ²⁴ Finally, Pharaoh called for Moses. “Go and worship the Lord,” he said. “But leave your flocks and herds here. You may even take your little ones with you.” Note: The Egyptians couldn’t see! Everywhere they went or stood darkness was there! The entire land! Light only comes from up above, but when they looked up, there was no light! Note:

• But God’s people had light!
• Gods people were not affected by Pharaohs sin
• God’s children were covered by God. There was light among them, but darkness everywhere else!

Textual Observation:

• The exact nature of the darkness is uncertain, but since Goshen was spared it could not have been an eclipse of the sun.
• Some interpret darkness that can be felt (10:21) to mean a massive sandstorm with its darkness and heat that would cause people to seek shelter.
• With the land bare from the loss of crops by hail and locusts, a sandstorm, possibly flowing from the south in March, would have been unusually fierce.

Note: It was dark of three days! 72 hours of midnight and prison. 72 hours of total depression! 72 hours of horror! 72 hours of fear! 72 hours of divine danger! 72 hours of penetrating pain! 72 hours of excruciating evil! This darkness was intolerable! It was made by God, sent by God, formed by God, developed by God, and then made THICK by God!

• This plague was aimed at one of the chief Egyptian deities, the sun god Re, of whom Pharaoh was a representation.
• Re was responsible for providing sunlight, warmth, and productivity. Other gods, including Horus, were associated with the sun. Nut, the goddess of the sky, would have been humiliated by this plague (as well as by the plagues of hail and locusts).

In his misery Pharaoh summoned Moses and said he was willing to let him leave with the people, but not with their flocks and herds. This was Pharaoh’s fourth attempted compromise (cf. 8:25, 28; 10:11). These animals, if retained, would help replenish Egypt’s loss of animal life in the fifth and seventh plagues. A Man with a Made up mind ²⁶ All our livestock must go with us, too; not a hoof can be left behind. We must choose our sacrifices for the Lord our God from among these animals. And we won’t know how we are to worship the Lord until we get there.” Note:

• Here we see the determined servant of God he is no longer taking stuff off of Pharaoh!
• He knows what God wants!
• He believes in what God is doing!
• He is convinced in the divine plan of God!
• He has seen God like He has never seen Him before!
• He is convinced that pharaoh is a fool, and that God is God!

Observation: Moses was uncompromising to the minutest degree (not a hoof is to be left behind). He insisted that the people had been called to worship and therefore they would not leave behind any animals of sacrifice. Application:

• We need some Moses type believers in the earth, who will stand up for God and become bold in the face of opposition!
• We need believers that will trust God, obey God and believe God for what He says He will do!

Conclusion: ²⁷ But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart once more, and he would not let them go.²⁸ “Get out of here!” Pharaoh shouted at Moses. “I’m warning you. Never come back to see me again! The day you see my face, you will die!” ²⁹ “Very well,” Moses replied. “I will never see your face again.” ^[4] Note:

• In belligerence Pharaoh ordered Moses … out of his presence.
• Moses calmly replied that he would never return before him again.
• In other words, if Moses saw Pharaoh again, it would be to announce unavoidable judgment or it would be at Pharaoh’s request to grant Moses and the Israelites permission to leave the land.^[5]

Observation: There will come a time when the believer needs to cut the fool off! Here we see that Moses is done with Pharaoh! After all that God has done to get his attention, he will not change! Question:

1. What has God’s word said to you in this devotional thought?
2. What will you do differently as a result of hearing this word?

^[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed.) (Ex 10:21–29). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. ^[2] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Ex 10:13). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. ^[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed.) (Ex 10:20). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. ^[4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed.) (Ex 10:21–29). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. ^[5] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Ex 10:21–29). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Making Bricks without Straw:“Wait on God until things get better.” Exodus 5:1-22 By Angulus Wilson Introduction: This text is very much about the opposition to the people of God when it comes to worshipping Him. Pharaoh does not want to let God’s people go that they may live lives of worship unto God! We can also discover a great deal about the people of God and their allegiance to the world. The people in these verses turn their complaints to Pharaoh as if he is their God. They have no desire to see YAHWEH about their troubles. They presume that the answer to their trouble is in the Government. God was at work in their trouble and waiting for them to turn to Him and to trust what He was doing in their lives. God had not forgotten them and was actively working in their situation. Today we get to learn what looks like to wait on God until things get better 5 Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’ ” ² But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” ³ Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” ⁴ But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” Note:

• Here we see that that God has a decree and Satan has objected and opposed to it being fulfilled
• There is always opposition when it comes to the children of God being free to worship Him

Application: Satan has a mentality that must not be overlooked. He despises worship for the believer, and will stop at nothing to keep you living a life of sacrifice and worship unto God. His task is to keep us laden down with burdens of sin, so that we will never be free to experience God like we were designed too. ⁵ And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens!” ⁶ The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, ⁷ “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. ⁸ But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ ⁹ Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.” ¹⁰ So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. ¹¹ Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’ ” ¹² So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. Note:

1. Here we discover that when the idea is near that the people must be freed to serve God, the opposition comes to make their burden heavier, and to lesson their opportunities to worship
2. Pharaoh increases their struggle and frustrates their chance’s to be free to serve God
3. Pharaoh refuses to let Gods people Go
4. The servants of pharaoh are under a command to make life horrible for the Hebrews, and to make them work 3 x’s as hard for their fleshly-ruler
5. Pharaoh has a plan and it is to make the people angry with God for suggesting that they be free to worship Him.

Application: The enemy of the believer is the world and the flesh. These task masters work for Satan to increase our burdens. The flesh always wants more stuff, more pleasure, more bondage and the world wants to keep us prisoner unto its thoughts, its ways, its culture and its traditions. These servants work hard to make sure we don’t get free to serve God. ¹³ The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw.” ¹⁴ And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?” Note:

• Here we see the cruelty of the task masters. They were brutal at the command of Pharaoh.
• They took liberty to abuse the children of God.

Application:

• Is there anybody here that has ever been beat up by the flesh?
• Won’t the world beat you down and mistreat you?
• Have you ever experienced discrimination, heartbreak, substance abuse, incarceration, rejection etc?

¹⁵ Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? ¹⁶ No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” ¹⁷ But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ ¹⁸ Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” ¹⁹ The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” Note:

• He we discover that Pharaoh has servants among Gods people, they are called foremen. They work for Pharaoh but they are from Gods flock.
• These are those children who love the preeminence among others.
• They enjoyed the power of oppressing their own people.
• However, when the decree came down from Pharaoh they too were forced now to have to submit and work to please the pseudo god.
• Here we discover that if one chooses to identify with the evil one, the evil one will eventually turn on you too.

²⁰ They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; ²¹ and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” ²² Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? ²³ For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.” ^[1] Note: Here we discover two things;

• Believers who are out of fellowship with God bring grief to their leaders instead of help.
• Moses certainly was discouraged, but he did what is always best—he took his problem to the Lord.

Application:

• Whatever you do don’t be a believer who lives under the decree of Satan for the pleasures of this world
• Don’t be a believer who gives grief to the one called to lead you out of bondage.

God encouraged Moses in chapter 6 by reminding him of His name (6:1–3), His covenant (6:4), His personal concern (6:5), and His faithful promises (6:6–8). God’s “I AM” and “I WILL” are enough to overcome the enemy! God has purpose in allowing Pharaoh to misbehave. Truth for today.—Moses learns by the things he suffers. This chapter ends on the difficult but important point of gaining God’s victory through defeat. To all intents it seems Moses’ first efforts have not only ended in miserable failure, but made the lot of his people wretchedly worse. But wait. Taking the longer look, God says in effect, “I will deliver the people in due course. This petty king shall not have the final say. Be patient. Our day will come.”^{[2] [1]} The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ex 5:1–23). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. ^[2] The teacher's Bible commentary. 1972 (F. H. Paschall & H. H. Hobbs, Ed.) (56–57). Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

 Introduction: Paul is closing out his letter to the church wants to say thank you for their undying service and support for him. Here he gives us a picture of humility and appreciation for the body. This is important for us to remember because as Paul was appreciative of the service and gifts of others we too ought to appreciate the gift of service from other Christians in the body. We can learn a great deal from Paul’s attitude and Spirit toward the church. It would do us good to imitate him in our relationships one with another. 10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

1. Paul’s Reflection

• True Service unto the Lord is always marked by service. When the body of Christ is compelled by the Lord to move on His behalf, it usually always involves a type of action.
• The Church in Philippi was a Church of Action. Paul here, remembers that they have always been concerned for him, and was always willing to support the ministry.
  1. This church was a giving church
  2. This church was a church of service
  3. This church was a church of generosity

All of these things ought to mark the believer as they walk together with other Christians through life. We should resemble this church. She had all of the qualities of a godly ministry. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

1. Paul’s Recognition

• Servants with grateful hearts work at recognizing humility. Paul is not asking for help here, but by remembering the church’s gifts he can recall how he has had to deal with many situations in life.
• Servants who are content with what they have, and who they are can live in any situation and see the Lord at work in spite of their circumstances.
• This verse implies that contentment is a learned behavior. It is both caught and taught. When one is content they have found the secret to happiness.
• Paul was in prison but yet able to find contentment in his situation. How was this so? Because of Jesus, he was able to endure what ever came his way.

Phil 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. III.       Paul’s Realization

• The secret here to the life of the Christian is to understand the life of contentment.
• The life of contentment is the life that is lived in the freedom from being possessed by possessions.
• The life of contentment can’t be ruled by possessions
• The life of contentment can’t be monopolized by circumstances, it supersedes this and any terrible conditions that I may find myself in.
  1. If you have never been in need, then you can not know what it means to not desire something, you can’t have. Paul say’s “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
  2. Every person has experienced this phenomenon at sometime or another in life. But here Paul says it is quite possible to be in a dangerous area in your life and still be content in Jesus.

Phil 4:13 [I can do all things]

• From the experience which Paul had in these various circumstances of life, he comes here to the general conclusion that he could "do all things." He could go through any trial, perform any duty, subdue his nature, and meet all the temptations of prosperity or adversity.
• His own experience with the changes of life had him arriving at this conclusion; and now he can easily express confidence that nothing that comes his way would be able to stop him.
• Paul was not boasting here but resting in the fact that he had learned how to view all things and to trust Christ through every situation.

[Through Christ which strengthened me] Note: Jesus does not only guide and direct the circumstances of our life, but he strengthens us in them and through them. The child of God can not go through anything that their Father in heaven does not allow. (1) As a child of God We need not sink under any trial, for there is one who can strengthen us. (Jesus is his name) (2) As a child of God We need not yield to temptation. There is one who is able to make a way for our escape. (Jesus is his name) (3) As a child of God We need not be harassed, and tortured with sinful thoughts and unholy desires. There is one who can destroy evil thoughts we don’t need. (Jesus is his name) (4) As a child of God We need not worry about what is to come. Trials, temptations, poverty, want, persecution, may await us, at every step of life, but Jesus Christ is able to strengthen us, and can bring us through.    

  Spiritual warfare and the world have been in existence since the fall of man. The early church leaders suffered at the hands of Satan and were brutally killed because of their faith. Historians capture these events so that modernity might not forget them. According to Scripture, the followers of Jesus and early church fathers endured spiritual warfare with the world. Satan, the prince and power of the air, convinced men that Christianity was evil and that it must be silenced on earth (Acts 7:12). Stephen The first church Martyr was Stephen in Acts 7:57–58. He was stoned to death because of his faith. Judaism tried to destroy the works of the church. World religion was at war with Christianity. Since that day, world governments and religions have attempted to wipe out the gospel. James James, the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John, was led to the place of martyrdom, and beheaded for his faith. Phillip the Apostle Phillip the Apostle labored diligently in Upper Asia and suffered martyrdom. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified (A.D. 54).[4] Matthew The fourth apostle to face martyrdom was Matthew. He was a toll-gatherer. History says he served the Lord in Ethiopia and was slain for the gospel in A.D. 60.[5] James the Less Another apostle and victim of spiritual warfare with the world was James the less. He was elected to oversee the churches in Jerusalem and was the author of the Epistle ascribed to James. At the age of ninety-four, the Jews stoned and beat him; finally, they dashed out his brains with a fuller’s club. This too was an act of spiritual warfare.[6] Matthias Matthias was killed for the sake of the gospel. Matthias took Judas the betrayer’s place as a disciple. His death was a stoning for his faith. These events took place in Jerusalem where he was beheaded.[7] Andrew Andrew was the younger brother of Peter, a follower of Jesus. According to Winston, he preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations, but on his arrival at Edessa, he was taken and crucified on a X shaped cross. He was killed for his faith and for following Christ.[8] Mark Mark, the writer of the Gospel of Mark was dragged to death, because he opposed the gods of Egypt.[9] Peter Church Historian, Jerome, says that Peter was crucified with his head being down and his feet upward, because he said, “I am unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.”[10] Paul Paul also suffered under Nero. The soldiers led Paul out of the city to the place of execution where after his prayers, gave his neck to the sword.[11] Jude Jude, the brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, because of his affection and obedience to Jesus Christ. His charge was that he was Christ’s disciple. This happened in A.D. 72.[12] Bartholomew Bartholomew, before his death, preached in several countries and translated the Gospel of Matthew into Indian language. Because of his ministry in India, he was cruelly beaten and then crucified by idolaters.[13] Thomas Thomas, called Didymus, preached the gospel in India where, exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred with a spear.[14] Luke Luke the evangelist who travelled with Paul supposedly was hung on an olive tree.   John John, the beloved disciple, was brother to James the Great, was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil, banished to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.[15]   Barnabas Barnabas, the son of encouragement and a faithful disciple was from Cyprus. He was killed in A.D. 73. He too suffered because of spiritual warfare and the world.[16] Conclusion These persecutions and deaths did not prevent the gospel from being spread across the world. The church did not cease but rather daily increased, deeply rooted in the doctrine of the apostles and the faith of Jesus Christ. These foundational years of spiritual warfare set the course of action for spiritual battle with the worlds satanic systems. Believers since that time have endured death, prison, physical torture, and other hostilities. Jesus forewarned believers that they would experience such warfare and persecution because of His Name (John 15:19). He informed them of the battle that was ahead of them; they all embraced the cross and endured spiritual warfare and persecution. ¹⁸ “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.^{[17]   [1]} The New King James Version. 1982 (Jn 15:18–19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. ^[2] The New King James Version. 1982 (Jn 15:18–19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. ^[3] The New King James Version. 1982 (Jn 15:18–19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. [4] Ibid., 3. [5] Ibid. [6] Ibid. [7] Ibid. [8] Ibid. [9] Ibid. [10] Ibid. [11] Ibid., 6. [12] Ibid., 7. [13] Ibid. [14] Ibid,. 9. [15] Ibid. [16] Ibid. ^[17] The New King James Version. 1982 (Jn 15:18–19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

 By Rick Warren If you were to come to my office, you’d find five full-length filing cabinets, lined up one after another. Each of them is full of files: Bible studies, ideas, sermons, messages, research, and such. One of the most important files I have is a yellow one labeled, “Warnings – Lessons to be Learned.” The file is full of fallen Christian leaders. Some of them I knew personally; some of them I didn’t know. But I review the file at the end of every year, just to warn myself. We are in a spiritual battle. That’s why that kind of stuff happens. If you don’t take the Christian life seriously, if you don’t take ministry seriously, the Devil’s going to. You may not mean business, but he does. The most often used analogy for Christians in the Bible is of soldiers. The words that are often used to describe the Christian life are war terms – fight, conquer, strive, battle, overcome, victory. We are living in enemy territory when we live in the world. Scripture makes it very clear. If you are in ministry, you are going to face opposition from the Devil. If you get up in the morning and you don’t face the Devil head on, right at the start of the day, it means you’re going in the same direction. He is opposed to everything you stand for. He hates anybody who’s sold out to Jesus Christ. He will do anything he can to defeat you. Question: So how do we fight this spiritual battle? Here are six essential steps.

1. Acknowledge the adversary. Realize Satan is real. Peter tells us, “Be alert, and be on watch. Your enemy the Devil roams around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him because you know that your fellow believers in all the world are going through the same kind of suffering.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Whenever you’re being spiritually attacked, just remember: Welcome to the club. It’s proof that you’re a believer. It’s proof that you’re making an impact. The more of an impact you’re making, the more the Devil is going to fight you. You never outgrow it. It just gets more intense.

2. Accept Jesus’ authority. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) The Bible says if you are a believer, you are given the authority of Christ in spiritual warfare. You have the right to fight back. You have the right to bind and to loose.
3. I put on the armor. The famous passage on armor is Ephesians 6:11-17: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes. Have the belt of truth buckled around your waste and the breastplate of righteousness and have your feet fitted with the Gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” You’ll notice six pieces of armor in the passage.

• Truth
• Righteousness
• Gospel of peace
• Faith
• Salvation
• The Word of God

Every piece of this armor is mental preparation for battle. That’s what the armor is all about. You need to put on truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God mentally before you do ministry – whether you’re preaching, leading a Bible study, leading worship, or counseling a grieving member of your community. Why? You expect that you are going to be attacked, so you need your armor on first.

4. Aim the artillery. Spiritual warfare takes place primarily in our thought life. When somebody is opposing you in your ministry, they’re not the real problem. The problem is the thoughts the Devil’s giving them to oppose you. The problem is not that person. The problem is what they’re acting on. You always act on what you think. They’re getting thoughts from the wrong source. There are only two sources for thoughts. When we get thoughts from God, we call it inspiration. When we get thoughts from the Devil, we call it temptation.

We have four weapons in these battles against evil thoughts.

1. The Truth. The truth, God’s Word, is our sword. It cuts through all the mustard. It gets right to the point. When you are in a conflict, the question you want to ask yourself is this: What does God say about this?
2. Humility. The more you humble yourself before God, the more power you will have in your life (James 4: 6-7). That’s just the way it works. As we minister to others, we need to continually acknowledge God’s hand in what we are doing. He’s the one who empowers our ministry. We’re simply his vessel. In humility, we find real and lasting power in ministry.
3. Faith. Without even talking to you in detail, I can tell you exactly what God is doing in your ministry. He’s doing what you expect him to do. Faith is a powerful, powerful tool. (1 John 5:4)  I don’t know why, but when I preach and I expect people to respond, they do.
4. Praise. Revelation 12:11-12 says, “They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony. Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you who inhabit them.” How did they overcome the Devil? By the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They were praising God. The Bible says when people praise God, “[he] inhabits the praises of his people.” 5. Call on the Holy Spirit. You need to say, “God, fill me with your Spirit as I’m about to do this.” Whether you’re preparing a message, preaching, counseling someone, training your leaders – whatever you’re doing – ask God to fill you with his Spirit.
5. Avoid all distractions. If you’re going to be effective in ministry – in battle – you’ve got to focus yourself. You know what’s important in life. There are so many things that want a piece of your time. The good can be the enemy of the best.

6. Avoid all distractions. If you’re going to be effective in ministry – in battle – you’ve got to focus yourself. You know what’s important in life. There are so many things that want a piece of your time. The good can be the enemy of the best.

I have one person to please and only one – the Lord Jesus Christ. And if I’m pleasing him, that’s what is going to count at the end of my life. Avoid the distractions. If you get distracted, the enemy is going to catch up with you.