Why Do We Preach And Teach Christ Jesus?

What Is The Purpose And Value Of Preaching Today?

Written by Kevin A. Hall (03.39.17)

Preaching the word of God is our priority. Preaching redeems. Preaching sets free! Jesus modeled this during the time of His ministry and expected the same from the ones He “sent”. The following biblical texts makes it very clear:
Jesus said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” (Mark. 1:38)  - It was Jesus’ priority. It must be ours.

Mark 1:39  And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons  – People benefit when we preach.

Mark 6:12  They went out and preached that men should repent  – The ultimate benefit.

Mark 16:15  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”

Mark 16:20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them – God continues His work through us

Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed"? “How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher”?

The Message of the Resurrection - Dr Myles Munroe

Dr Myles Munroe speaking on the Importance and Benefits of Easter

How Do You View The Leadership Of Your Church?

What does leadership look like in your church? How about your leadership style?

Written by Kevin.A. Hall (03.26.17)

I conducted a study of the leadership styles of our early New Testament church leaders as well as the ministry of Jesus. This was an intensive study, covering the books of Ephesians, Acts and The Gospel of Mark. I was encouraged, yet convinced that there is much work to do in many of our churches. Along with the study, I reviewed the Nine Marks of a Healthy Church Model. Please see link below. So, how does your church match up to the example of the early New Testament church? How is your leadership style in view of the example set by Jesus and the Apostle Paul?

Jesus – Biblical Leadership

Jesus was mission minded. He was connected to the source from the beginning, always modelling what He expected. He kept up with a routine – Went regularly to the synagogue; prayed quite often, most times alone and in remote places; He relied upon the Father (the ultimate expression of leadership – You see me, you see the Father); He was a man of authority – He spoke the Word of God; He cared about injustice – Jesus confronted those taking advantage of the less fortunate and the weak (we see this in his care for children, the poor, widows, women and sinners). Jesus confronted sin and hypocrisy – Wherever He saw it, He addressed the issue head on, rebuking when necessary. Jesus considered sin and hypocrisy the likes of ‘leaven’, affecting everyone and everything it touched. Jesus was compassionate – He cared about the physical needs of the people. We see this in His acts of healing, providing food, working miracles and casting out demons. His work ethic was unquestioned – He got up early and worked till late; yet He was sure to encourage His disciples to rest.

Not Satisfied? Are You Looking Back?

Not Satisfied? Find Yourself Looking Back?

Written by Kevin A. Hall (03/21/17)

"We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted”.

The children of Israel got me thinking. How many times do we look back and wished for things we left behind? Friends, Positions, Way of life, Level of Devotion?

The Israelite nation had been under bondage for years. Maybe you too know what it means to have been bound. Your source of bondage could by physical or emotional. In their case, the Egyptian government made them slaves out of fear. They cried out to their God. He answered their prayer. Their salvation came in the form of Moses. One day, God visited Moses in the desert. Sometimes it takes a desert experience to occur before God will show up. He said “Moses, I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows” (Ex. 3:7)

You can’t tell me that God doesn’t care about His people. Please note that God’s sovereignty dictates that He does not respond to every injustice. Sometimes our pain is the result of our decisions. I think of King David who (1) Saw the woman (2) Called for the woman (3) Entered into a relationship with the woman (4) Covered it up by setting up her husband (4) Issuing a command to kill the husband…. There was a consequence for his actions. 

A Successful Strategy We All Should Adopt (Kingdom Living)

Successful Strategies Every Church Should Employ - 

We Are The Church - That's You And Me

A quick study of 2 Timothy written by the Apostle Paul:

·         Believers are encouraged to pray without ceasing (2:3)

·         Parent and guardians should teach their children about God (2:5)

·         A leader should always encourage others to “keep the faith, don’t get stagnant” (2:6)

·         Christians should hold dear the Gospel; be good stewards (2:13-14)

·         We should always pray God’s blessings upon those who support missionary endeavors (2:18)

·         We should make every effort to support our missionaries – seek them out (2: 17)

·         Paul encouraged Timothy not to get lazy (2:6)

·         The minister of God constantly “reminds and give charge” the people (2:14)

·         Christians should not waste their time on “idle babblings”. We should “rightly divide” so that we can eradicate the cancer of false teaching (2:17)

·         Christians should not practice evil (2:19)

Want To Know Your Spiritual Gift? What Has God Called Me To Do?

I recommend this excellent resource.

Take the following assessment (about 15 minutes) to determine your spiritual gifts. A whole new world will open up to you when you know your “calling in life”. The adventure begins!

Visit :    https://gifts.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi?intro=1

image from strongtowerbiblechurch.com

Blessings!

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: