Having Relationship Issues? This is a must Read!

Structuring My Relationships under God’s Divine Order

Written by Kevin A. Hall (03.18.17)

The world and the devil fights against God’s Kingdom Order. If you are having trouble with your marriage, with your children, with the people in your church, with the boss, with your co-workers then this applies to you.

Consider this. Is my life structured under God’s Kingdom Order?

As a Pastor, Bishop, Teacher, are you teaching this to your people? The main responsibility of the Elder/Bishop/Pastor is to be a faithful overseer (shepherd), guarding the flock, teaching them the Word of God (encouraging godliness) and protecting that which is under their care by “confronting and rebuking sin” while guarding against error. How do we know it’s error? Does it line up with God’s Word? Not man’s word. Not just what the preacher says… Check to see if he or she is speaking truth!  How about at home? Are you living under God's Kingdom Order?

The Good News Is... The Bible has provided us with some advice to live a fulfilled life.

Qualities of a Sound Church. It also defines a Healthy Family (Titus 2)

Men:

·         We should be SOBER (not given to strong drink) – Don’t be a drunkard. You Ruin Your life!

·         We should be REVERENT – Dignified, sensible, honoring God

·         We should SOUND in LOVE, FAITH & PATIENCE – Healthy and strong in these areas (Go to church. Be a leader. Be patient with our wives and kids. We do not lay hands on our own blood.

·         We should remain CHASTE if we are unmarried – NO FORNICATION! NO CHEATING!

Would You Like To Know What God Has Called You To Do?

What Has God Called You To Do?  Do You Really Want To Know?

Written by Kevin. A. Hall (03.16.17)

Have you ever wondered what your purpose in life is? When I was younger, people would often call me preacher. You know, when people call you something long enough you begin to believe it. As I look back over my young years I remember being conscious about some task I should do for God, but not sure what it was. As I grew older I recognized that churches were built on personalities. One of the churches I attended, if a young man wasn’t as expressive as the Pastor good luck being used. Then there were all these rules in church – Don’t wear shorts, don’t wear short sleeve shirts, don’t wear a beard, don’t go to the movies, don’t go to the beach, don’t mix with the sinner, don’t get involved in sports, don’t work in certain places! What is a brother supposed to do with his life? I won’t even touch the subject of what women go through in the church. Church can be brutal to women! For some, doing work in church is the result of playing politics. For some it's based on "Who you know and Who you are related to". Thankfully, in many cases God appointed his faithful servant.

Still, how do you know what to do with your life? Should it be based on what people have "confirmed"? Is it just me "seeking after the greater gifts"?

Do you still believe in the Call of God ?

Does God Still “Call” Men and Women?

Written by Kevin A. Hall (11.28.2016)

The missionary call still exists. In fact, it comes in varied forms to different people. I would describe the “call” as God prodding a person to complete a specific duty or task for him. This call comes in many ways, as God Himself is unpredictable. One would say that a “call” is personalized by God, even though it may be fulfilling the same task or duty as another would. Moreau (160) better describes it as “guidance” from God. For some people, this prodding to do may come in the form of a dream, a revelation, a vision, “an undeniable tug on the heart to be involved in a certain part of the world or with a certain people or in a certain type of role”. It is a feeling that is almost impossible to let go; once that will not dissipate until the act is fulfilled; one in which the individual finds fulfillment when engaging in the act/duty.

There are 4 types of calls seen in scripture:

How BIG Is My Faith?

How Big Is My Faith?

Written by Kevin A. Hall (03.15.17)

Lazarus is dead!

With that Jesus heads out to Bethany, hometown to His friends. Word got out to Martha that Jesus was approaching. She goes out to meet Him. When they meet up Martha says “ Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask”. Then Jesus said to her “Your brother will rise again”. She responds “I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day” (Jn. 11:20-23).

This scene begs me to consider my faith. Big faith or little faith? Kind of what happens when we face a situation and go to God in prayer. Yes we know He is all powerful and well able. Yes we know He can, but does our language really line up with the reality of God (God, You are all powerful, You are omniscient, You are good, Nothing is impossible for You). It seems to me that Martha believed it, hence the reason she said “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask”. But does she fall back into doubt with her next statement “I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day”? Is that what we do when we pray? Do we go to God believing, but then resign to “It’s what it is…Whatever your will is Lord…We know you can”. It looks like Martha believed God can but ….

The Man Jesus Would Not Speak To

The Man Jesus Would Not Speak To

Written by Kevin A. Hall (02.18.2017)

Jesus before Herod Antipas (Luke 23: 6-9 NLT)

“Oh, is he a Galilean?” Pilate asked. When they said that he was, Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas, because Galilee was under Herod’s jurisdiction, and Herod happened to be in Jerusalem at the time.

Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. 

The key text here is verse 9 -  And he questioned Him^]at some length; but He answered him nothing.

Context: Jesus has been through the ringer. Pilate surely wants nothing to do with this. Being the master politician he seeks a way out. “Wait a minute? This Jesus is not from my jurisdiction, is he?” Jesus is found to be from Herod’s jurisdiction. Them two (Herod and Pilate) were in no way friends, but here’s a chance to appease Herod. So, Pilate sends Jesus off to Herod as a gift.

Going back a bit. Mark 6.

Jesus send His disciples out in pairs. They were casting out demons and healing people. Herod heard about this. He heard that this was Jesus’ men. The people were saying that John the Baptist’s spirit was raised from the dead – Jesus’ source of power and influence. Herod had reason to be concerned.  Herod was a super superstitious man whose wife was wearing the pants. Herod actually enjoyed listening to John (vs. 20). John confronted Herod about marrying his brother’s wife - Herodias. On account of this John was arrested. Herodias cooked up a plot which caused John to be beheaded. John raised from the dead in the form of Jesus? Worried? Scared? Concerned?

John Macarthur | How to deal with “Transgendered” people

Christian Ethics in the Workplace - Do I live two lives?

Ethics in the Workplace

Written By Kevin Hall (10.16.2016)

How is a Christian to conduct themselves in the marketplace? What’s our approach to ethical challenges?

This issue is very important as it speaks to colliding worldviews that influence how we live out our day to day lives. Ethics in the workplace is of particular interest to me as I have struggled with this issue for years. I was a supervisor in different capacities over the past 15 years and in every role to which I was assigned, my Christian worldview dictated my actions. It influenced how aggressive I was in conducting business, the criteria for becoming a part of my team, employee/employer relationships, customer/business relationships, the efficiency of the operations, rewards and motivations, accountability and performance reviews, diversity in the workplace, music in the workplace, religion on the workplace and the list goes on.

One thing that was obvious was that I operated on a different level than my peers. In fact, at one point my boss alluded that my “Christian religion” is what was preventing me from being as demanding as I should be on my employees. He wondered then if I could “play the game”. It was obvious that I was not fighting as the others were (unfairly) doing. Rae (342) mentions that one of the ways this is achieved by many professionals is to employ the strategy of “Dual Morality” – dealing with the ethical challenges in the workplace by creating two separate worlds to operate in. This is a strategy where each sphere has its own set of rules and guidelines to follow. One set of moral rules for the workplace and another set in private life.

"He Reigns" sang by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

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Guarding My Mouth - Following in the Apostle Paul's Footsteps

The Apostle Paul’s attitude before Felix (Acts 24:10ff). What can we learn from Paul here?

Written by Kevin A. Hall (07.21.2016)

If there is one thing I would say of Paul, it is that he had confidence; a confidence wrapped up in Christ. He had already settled his faith – “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” [Phil. 1:21]. This is a man who had been down this road before. This is a man who had seen God work on his behalf before. Not to mention assurance given to him by the Lord himself a short time before telling him to “Take courage”

Acts 23:11 - But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also."

Reese puts it well “There might be delay and suffering, but in the end he would reach the goal at Rome” (Reese, 823). Here is a man whose total reliance was upon God. Jesus had already prophesied to his followers “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:11-12). So Paul, without any witnesses, without time to prepare, pulling on his skills as a former prosecutor, defends himself honorably. Unlike the opposing side “Paul’s tone was one of frankness and truthfulness, not of lying flattery and distorted facts” (Reese, 842). There was no need to play their game. I also did not hear hints of hate and upset for the treatment he received in his voice. God knows I need some help there.

Why Did The Twelve Men Need To Get Re-Baptized?

Baptism & the Holy Spirit – The Twelve Men

Written by Kevin A. Hall  (07.16.2016)

Consider the situation in Acts 19:1-7 (NASB)

It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. ² He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. ⁷ There were in all about twelve men.

 What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and baptism?

I’ll begin first with an early start to baptism. John the Baptist comes on the scene and says to the people “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near” (Mat. 3:2). His base was the region around Jordan and his sole focus was to prepare the way for the Messiah. He preached the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Under the Law of Moses, forgiveness of sins was obtained through sacrifices. Under John, baptism dealt with “sin rather than conformity to religious ritual” (Moore, 70). The Jews believed that their “heritage assured them a position with God”. John’s position was a justification through a relationship with God.  As a result, there was a shift – the people “were baptized by him {John} in the Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mat. 3:6). He declared that this baptism with repentance produces a “fruit” – a change in lifestyle motivated by something on the inside. That motivation was in the person of Christ.    

A Ministry Opportunity We Should All Wish For - The Apostle Paul & The Twelve

Paul at Ephesus – Winning Ministry (Not complete in Christ)

 Written by Kevin A. Hall (07.16.2016)

Acts 19: 1 – 7 (NASB)

 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 There were in all about twelve men.

These 12 men were in the same position as Apollos – they did not have the full truth. They knew only of the baptism of John (Acts 18:25). So Paul asks “Whether they believed in the Spirit, whose operations on the minds of men, for conviction, for conversion and comfort they were acquainted with?” Also, extra ordinary gifts were imparted to the Apostles and Disciples after Christ’s ascension… did they participate in these gifts? Therefore, the question “Have you the seal of the truth of Christ’s doctrine in you”? (M.H.)

What happens when we receive Christ? Let’s look at a few related texts:

This lake is all ours. Just need a boat now

Study the Scriptures like the Bereans

THE BEREANS

 Written by Kevin A. Hall (07.02.2016)

Acts 17: 10 -15
 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

 Who were the Bereans? 

 The Apostle Paul and Silas preached to residents of a city called Berea in Macedonia, during the Apostle’s second Missionary Journey. It is here we find mention of this precious group of people. The admirable trait of the Bereans was that they committed DAILY to the examining/studying of the Scriptures for truths “to verify or disprove the message they heard” (LASB). They were eager to hear the Word and were very receptive to the missionaries. Marshall (280) puts it this way: “They were zealous to hear what Paul had to say, and so they met with him daily (and not merely on the Sabbath). Nor did they accept what he said thoughtlessly and uncritically, but they themselves examined the Scriptures to see whether the case which Paul developed from them was sound”. Can I say I have a dedicated approach to the study of God’s Word? Is His Word my daily bread?

This trait continues in many of our churches today, but sadly missing in many. Over the past few years I have developed an appreciation for verse by verse study of the Scripture. I have moved away from the hype of just “loud passionate preaching that appeals to emotions”. One Pastor from my youth jokes that every time he preaches, inevitably someone comes up to him and says “Pastor, that was a good message. Ask them what they learned and they cannot tell you.” He has adjusted his preaching style to become more practical. The practice of this Berean trait is mixed. More and more we appeal to emotions and discussions rather than a search for truth. I remember my younger years in youth ministry - if you did not master an emotional appeal to preaching, you were not used. Those who did I have watched them come and go. Makes me wonder about foundation.

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Why are some people healed and some are not?

Why are some people healed in response to prayer and some are not?

Written by Kevin A. Hall (03.2017)

Without a doubt, God heals. God incarnate at the onset of His earthly mission declared His Spiritual Kingdom to be present; a Kingdom in which He heals the brokenhearted, He releases those who are held captive, He gives sight to the blind and heals all manner of diseases (Luke4:18-20, Matthew 4:23-24). Wherever Jesus went there was demonstration of His divine power to control the elements of this physical world. The Psalmist David in praise to God reminds us to “Bless the Lord, not forget His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases…” (Psalm 103:2-3). The Apostle Peter declared to Arenas who was bedridden and paralyzed for 8 years “Arise, Jesus Christ heals you” (Acts 9:34). The death and resurrection of Christ defeated sin and death, providing salvation and healing for those in – Christ (Isaiah 53:5).

To this end, the New Testament Church is built upon this truth. A benefit of being a part of the family

of God is access to His power – the power to heal. In one of Jesus’ parting discourses He said “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well” (Mark 16:17-18). Jesus calls the church to be patient and persevering when praying for the sick/healing. In God’s Kingdom order He instructs those who are sick or weakened by their suffering to pray, as well as call for the elders of the church to not only pray, but to provide comfort, support and strength. Now, whether achieved through the efforts of the elders or the community of believers making intercession, or the effort of the one who is sick, it is “the prayer of faith” that will “raise the sick person up” (James 5:15). It is this kind of prayer that God will answer to which the sick will be healed. God is moved by faith. We saw Him respond to this kind of faith throughout the Gospel and this “kind of faith, the prayer of faith” is what He calls for when praying for the sick, or when we pray for ourselves.

So why is it that some prayers for healing are answered and others are not?

The Connection between Christ’s Resurrection and our Salvation

The Connection between Christ’s Resurrection and our Salvation

Written by Kevin A. Hall (03.2017)

Mankind was created in the image of God in a state of Original Grace. Sin entered the world and this demanded a response because God is Righteous. Righteousness being a part of His character/attribute “requires Him to judge people impartially in accordance to His law” (Cot. 76). True to Himself God provided a means of punishing sin as well as to provide for mankind’s salvation. We see this in His response in the garden of Eden in Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Over time and generations, God worked that plan until the appointed time of the Incarnation (Matthew 1: 18;24-25). Jesus the Son of God would satisfy God’s wrath for sin as He came in answer to God’s promise as the Savior of the world – "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."(Matthew 1:21).

Because of God’s agape love for His creation, we see His love unfold throughout time “in mercy, patience and grace and forgiveness towards sinners” (Cot. 92). His absolute hatred for sin required a penalty. It demanded retribution. Cottrell states “God’s wrath is a constantly burning indignation against all sin, and on specific occasions it bursts forth in acts of consuming judgment” (94). And so because of His rich mercy, because of His great love, while we were dead in our sins and trespasses, He made us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5). The absolute demonstration of His love for His creation, while we were still sinners “Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The incarnate Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world. God gave up His own Son to satisfy the penalty needed for sin. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). So Jesus Christ on the cross suffered and died for all of mankind’s sin. “He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9: 26b)

At His death, through His sacrifice, Jesus became the “the embodiment of sin”. He became the curse delivered in Genesis 3:15. He became a curse for mankind (Galatians 3:13). For a moment, as He was nailed to the cross, His Father forsook Him as He took on the curse, the sin of the whole world. Then before He gave up His Spirit to the Father and died, He declared “It is finished!” (John 19:30). This was absolutely necessary: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” (Luke 24:7). Jesus would not be defeated by death. The Apostle Peter spoke to this issue retelling King David’s prophecy “For you will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will you allow Your Holy One to see corruption” (Acts 2:27).

The Son of Man would rise from the dead (resurrect) and provide salvation for all who believe. The prophet John said of Jesus “Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1::29). So Jesus was crucified on the cross and died, effecting the required judgment on sin. Now, “No sin a believer can commit – past, present or future can be held against him, since the penalty was paid by Christ and righteousness was imputed to the believer. And no sin will ever reverse this divine legal decision” (Macarthur, 1706). Why? Because the death of Christ has freed us! “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).

So how is all this connected to resurrection and salvation? Well, Resurrection is “the cornerstone of the Christian faith” (Moore, 657). It is through Christ’ resurrection that we can obtain our faith, our salvation. “For since by man (Adam)came death, by Man (Christ) also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). This same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the very same power that grants the believer the gift of salvation (Grace) and the power to live a fruit-filled life. His resurrection has “raised us up together, and made us sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:8). Sinful man could not save himself. Christ had to provide a means for that. “For by Grace we are saved through faith…it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:9). The way to Christ, the way to salvation is only through Jesus. The Apostle Paul declared “that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved…” (Romans 10:9-10)

Therefore, in Romans 5:10 the Apostle Paul looks back at the grand story of God’s creation and declares “For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life”. The believer can be assured that the penalty of sin has been satisfied, making him or her no longer aliens, but part of God’s family. This does not mean “once saved, always saved” through reconciliation. “The child of God continues to be justified, as long as he remains in Christ. Christ died, He rose from the dead, He sent His Holy Spirit to empower believers to live in this present world with the promise of eternal life; and in the meantime, “repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in Jesus name to all nations” (Luke 24:47).

References:

1.       Moore, M. The Chronological Life of Christ. United States of America: College Press Publishing (2011)

2.       Macarthur, J. The Macarthur Study Bible. United States of America: Thomas Nelson Publishing (1997)

3.      Cottrell, J. The Faith Once For All. The United States of America: College Press (2002)

Salvation & Assurance - Does Being Good Save Me?

Does Being Good Save Me?

Written by Kevin A. Hall (03.2017)

The question of the assurance of eternal security or salvation has been a much-debated topic for centuries. Many have taught the way to God is through good works or just being a good person. Eastern Pantheists claim that “Many roads lead to the One.” Hindus and Buddhists believe in an “Eight-fold Path”, following a set of practices and beliefs that grants union with the One. Many declare “There is no God”! Therefore, there is no moral law, no law giver, no judge, no standard, just life lived as each man sees fit. The only thing man is guilty of is guilt. The naturalist agenda suggests each person is “king and bishop of their own realm” (Sire, 110-112). In such a world, God and his laws are rejected and men seek to live life just being “good” -whatever “good” is.

In the Biblical account of a rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-30), this young man was sympathetic towards God and asks the question “What good thing shall I do to inherit eternal life?”. The Jews believed that the way to God was to keep the commandments/follow the Law of Moses. Under the old covenant this was the practice. When Jesus came to the earth, He set in place a new covenant which would provide salvation for mankind. This young man asked the perfect question that addresses whether we can obtain salvation through good works. The young man told Jesus “All these things (laws) I have kept; what am I still lacking?” In other words, the young man was saying “I have been doing good all my life…anything else?” To his question Jesus establishes the requirement – The way to God is not through good deeds, but rather by submitting one’s life to God, allowing Him to be Lord. Allowing Christ to be Lord means acknowledging Him as owner and ruler – total submission!

To this young man Jesus said “If you wish to be complete, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me”. From this we can see that there is a place for obeying the laws and doing good. But that is not all. The “follow Me, make Me Lord” was missing. Following the Lord guarantees the eternal treasures one seeks. The young ruler was devout, and religious and possibly blameless, but God was not his Lord. Outside of good things and law keeping Jesus declared, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). This young man’s challenge like all of us was “How did the other parts of his life line up in relation to God?” (Moore, 471)