Fw: Epistle for March 29, 2002
Posted by: freewayfoundation <freewayfoundation@...>
From: Freeway <[email protected]>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Thursday, March 28, 2002 10:28 AM
Subject: Epistle for March 29, 2002
e-pistle
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation March 29, 2002
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In This Issue:
Sermon: Hebrews 11
Bible Study: James 5
Administratively Speaking
Website
Vision & Destiny
"FAITH IS BELIEVIN' WHAT YOU KNOW AIN'T SO!", according to Puddin' head Wilson, one of Mark Twain's humorous characters. But the Faith Chapter (Hebrews 11) gives us a more reliable definition of faith.
An analysis of the first 13 verses reveals these affirmations about faith: faith is seeing the invisible, understanding the impossible, and embracing the future in the present. People of faith confess three truths:
1. GOD EXISTS . . .
I see the invisible, v. 6,
2. GOD CREATES BY SPEAKING . . .
I understand the impossible, v. 3,
3. GOD REWARDS . . .
I experience eternity in the "now," v. 6.
The familiar words of Hebrews 1:1, "Things hoped for . . . things not seen," summarize these ideas. Faith is the confidence that the future is an established reality now. Faith also is the conviction that the unseen spiritual world is reality now.
Joel 2:28 prophecies, "old men dream dreams; young men see visions." (Middle-aged men, I presume, do a little of both.) Proverbs 29:18 is translated: "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (KJV) or "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint," (NKJV). It is obvious, by either translation, that VISION IS VITAL!
A believer's true vision of destiny involves the entire soul created in God's image. It involves the mind (created by the Father) thinking about destiny. It involves the emotions (stirred by the Spirit) enthusiastic about destiny. It involves the will (committed to following the Son) marching toward destiny.
As ministers, our vision of God's destiny for us should be:
1. CLEARER THAN SIGHT . . .
spiritual insight,
2. TRUER THAN A DREAM . . .
future reality now,
3. DEEPER THAN AN IDEA . . .
a living concept, and
4. HIGHER THAN ASPIRATION . . .
a magnificent obsession!
The Angel of the Lord asked "Hagar, Sarah's maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?" (Genesis 16:8) Christians, also, need to examine these particulars of destiny involving the person, the purpose, and the plan. Who am I? Why was I created? What does God intend for me to accomplish?
A vision of destiny is both seeing and feeling. It is a perception and a passion. Think with me about who, what, when, where, why, how, and which of destiny.
1. Destiny is personal. Who can . . . should . . . will I become? (WHO)
2. Destiny is a plan. What does God intend for my life and ministry? (WHAT)
3. Destiny is a promise. In God's good time, He shall accomplish His purpose. (WHEN)
4. Destiny is a place (Destination). God leads us in specific directions to specific
destinations. (WHERE)
5. Destiny is a purpose. Fulfilling our destiny glorifies God and benefits mankind. (WHY)
6. Destiny is practical. God's "how to" instructions produce results. (HOW)
7. Destiny is particular. Many possible choices in life are "good" or "better,"
God's is "best." (WHICH)
Here are seven reasons "VISION IS VITAL" for your ministry and mine to be successful:
1. It gives purpose. We need a target at which to aim, a direction in which to move.
2. It establishes priorities. It keeps us from falling into complacency or being distracted
by less important activities.
3. It creates excitement. People want to know that we are not merely trying to pay bills and
survive . . . that we are doing something important in Jesus' name.
4. It attracts people. Folks want to be a part of something worthwhile; something vital;
something God-honoring.
5. It motivates commitment. When a ministry is committed to a God-given vision, and when
the leaders of that ministry are committed to accomplishing that vision, then people will catch
that spirit and commit themselves to helping turn the dream into a reality.
6. It defines success. The vision establishes goals that are attainable (We can do it!); that are
identifiable (Exactly what are we shooting for?); and measurable (How are we progressing
toward our objectives and are we on target time-wise?)
7. It fulfills destiny. God has a plan for each life and for each ministry. The vision is vital because
it keeps us moving toward the fulfillment of that purpose, that destiny.
Here are three questions that we as leaders must ask about our vision of destiny. Is this dream really God's vision? Is this method God's way? Is this timing God's moment?
Finally, my response to God's vision of destiny for me must be:
1. I CAN DO IT!
. . . the intellectual response, Philippians 4:13.
2. I MUST DO IT!
. . . the emotional response, John 9:4.
3. I WILL DO IT!
. . . the volitional response, Joshua 24:14.
4. I DO IT WITH GOD'S HELP!
. . . the activational response, Philippians 2:13
How to Minister Divine Healing
(James 5:13-18)
I. Concentration: on the personal, human situations under discussion
1. Suffering? . . . pray, v. 13.
2. Cheerful? . . . sing, v. 13.
3. Sick? . . . call for elders to pray, v. 14.
4. Sinful? . . . confess sins to one another (acountability group),
and to God, and be forgiven, vv. 15-16.
II. Meditation: on the proper exercise of prayer
1. The person who is suffering (physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or
spiritually) should pray for himself, v. 13.
2. The person who is sick (physically) should call for the elders of the church;
the elders should pray over the sick person, anointing him with oil
(symbolizing the Holy Spirit) in the name of the Lord,v. 14.
3. The elders should have faith that the Lord can and will heal the person
who is sick . . . that "the Lord will raise him up," v. 15.
4. The entire group of believers should confess their sins to one another (and
to God), so that their prayers may be heard and answered by God.
III. Revelation: on the benefits to be received from praying in faith
1. The divine healing of persons who are physically ill.
2. An increasing faith, as God miraculously manifests His power.
3. A moving of focus from the physical realm to the spiritual realm . . . from
healing of the body to healing of the soul (forgiveness and cleansing).
4. Encouragement to live a righteous life, so that our prayers might be fervent
and effective in all areas of daily living . . . even for rain to break a drought, vv. 16-18.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Pray for my own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing.
2. Take the initiative, when I become ill, to call the elders of the church,
even before I call the doctor.
3. Function as an elder: when requested to do so, anoint the sick with oil
and pray with faith for their recovery.
4. Always pray fervently (with my sins confessd and forgiven), believing that
God will answer miraculously . . . according to His soverign will and for
His own glory.
Administratively Speaking
by: Terry A. Coker
Do you find that the greatest landmind of ministry lays not buried with the tongue, but under the mound of paper stacked on your desk? It was the note Sister Leah gave you in the hallway between Sunday School and the Worship Service while you were explaining to the Deacon Chairman why no one went to the bookstore to buy communion bread for the Lord's Supper which was scheduled for the day. So you frantically waste precious study time searching through your pockets, desk drawers, Bibles, and stacks of other important papers on the desk. For the fear of looking unorgainzed we wouldn't dare call Sister Leah, would we?
Such is the trauma most of us face during the days between the only day of the week we work! How can this stress be remedied? Let's compile a list of suggestions and pick one that suits your style of work.
1. Place all notes given on Sunday in the front of your Bible to be tossed with the bulletin.
2. Place all notes given on Sunday in the inside pocket of the suitcoat.
3. Place all notes in pants pockets which were taken to the dry cleaner on Monday morning.
4. Place all notes in your wallet.
5. Transfer all notes to your day planner when received!
If you picked number five, then you have the best system according to numerous time management and paper organizer gurus. When you take the time to record the note in your planner, you reduce the risk of forgetting or losing the thrust of the message. A planner is a small investment toward the prevention of loosing those important reminders sprung on you in the busy flow of Sunday. They come in many sizes, colors, and with varied contents. Buy one that's accessable for you at all times, equipped with a pen or pencil. Stop immediatley to record what is given verbally or written. It only takes a few seconds. Seconds which turn into minutes when the note becomes lost! It's a great investment toward staying orgainzed in front of the congregation or Sister Leah!
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Wits and Wisecracks: Mark Twain says: "It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than
to open it and remove all doubt."
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PLEASE US THIS NEW ADDRESS TO CONTACT THE FREEWAY FOUNDATION.
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Our website is finally finished!!! I think except for a few touches, it is really finally complete!!!
If you haven't looked at it yet, please do so today. We are very happy with the results.
Give us your opinion!! We really want to know what you think. Did you find the resources
you were looking for and was it difficult? Was the resource you wanted on the website? Have
you taken advantage of this particular resource and has it helped you in your ministry?
If you have any teachers or school administrators in your congregation, have them take a look
at our FreeWay and Peacemaker Curriculum.
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