learning to be the church

SEMBRADOS EN BUENA TIERRA

PLANTED IN GOOD SOIL

Learning to

Be the Church

By Heriberto and Elsa Hermosillo

Semilla De Mostaza



To all our semillosos that had the patience to wait for God to define His project. We thank each and every one of you

from the bottom of our heart and hope that this material will edify your lives and the lives of many others.

Heriberto and Elsa Hermosillo

Semilla De Mostaza



How is Planted in Good Soil implemented?

Planted in Good Soil is a very versatile tool that is useful to people that have been in church for a long time or to people who are new in the Lord, to pastors, and leaders, but also to the congregation, youth, and children. It can be used in the privacy of your homes, or like study material for small groups and Sunday school. Planted in Good Soil is a transforming

material that facilitates the believer to strengthen his or her personal relationship with God, and that way become a blessing to the body of Christ. These series are useful as an evangelism tool, and because this discipleship is very practical, it is a great gift for our friends and loved relatives who do not know the Lord.

Planted in Good Soil is made up of 5 series that are each presented through DVD, audio-CD, and a workbook that reinforces the main points. In order to have a more effective execution, we suggest examining it, a class per week, in the following order:

1. Learning to Be a Disciple 2. Learning to Pray 3. Building a Happy Home 4. The Secret to Healthy Finances 5. Learning to Be the Church

Each one of the 5 series contains 7 classes whose length varies from 15 to 30 minutes in either DVD or audio. Planted in Good Soil is useful to share in small groups, whether it is in your home or in Sunday school, because a complete session can be given in an hour or less. This material is also available in its childrens version. This provides an opportunity for youngsters and adults to take their class while children are also being taught, creating and opportunity for everybody to grow unanimous like a family. If this material is studied in small groups or in Sunday school, an instructor is needed to show the DVD and at the end lead the groups discussion of the written material and any doubts that may arise. To have success in the implementation of this course, we suggest that the leaders that guide the groups session consider the following three aspects:

Integrity:

The Lord calls His followers to be an example of Christ to others (Titus 2:7-8, Proverbs 28:18). We need to ask God to help us have personal lives that are coherent with what we are teaching others.

Interest: As subordinates of Christs Kingdom, we are members of the heavenly family. The Lord calls us to love and take care of His Church by developing a genuine interest for those people that He has left to our charge (John 21:15-17).

Focus:

The Word of God is so vast in its counsel that in order to apply it to our lives, we need to focus in one section at a time and receive the promises God has for us (Acts 4:32, 20:32). For this reason we recommend to study the same class throughout the week, in the group session and individually, and apply the learned concepts

presented in the series Learning to Be a Disciple (Listen carefully, go over what you have learned, scrutinize it, meditate it, memorize it, etc.).

The most effective method for its execution consists of the following:

Start by watching the DVD Go over the main concepts in the workbook Listen to the classes in the CD throughout the rest of the week

After this, it is recommended that each person that goes to class have their material to review, so that they may understand and treasure the Word of God in their minds and their hearts.


Preparation for the instructors of small groups, cell groups, and Sunday school

1. Familiarize with the equipment that you will use to show the class (TV, DVD, remote, lighting,

etc.). 2. Study the class beforehand, meditate on it and carefully observe the workbook, answering the

questions and writing notes. 3. When preparing the class, use your imagination so that the students can physically visualize the

main idea. A visual aid will always stay in the minds of your disciples and may help them apply the concept to their lives.

4. Have ready a formatted sheet where the people who are taking the course can write their information so you can keep in contact with them.

5. Start the class with prayer. 6. If it is the first class from the unit, mention the names of the classes that will be studied, being

careful not to go into details so that the focus may be the theme of that day. 7. If it is not the first class, have a short review of the previous class and restate the verse to

memorize from the same. 8. Show the DVD 9. Once you have watched and heard the DVD, encourage the students to participate by

commenting on the most important aspects of the lesson. 10. Along with the group, answer the questions from the workbook. 11. Mention and repeat 3 to 4 times the verse to memorize along with the group so that it may stay in

their minds and so that you may encourage them to memorize it. 12. Have a time from 5 to 10 minutes open for comments or questions that the students may have,

being careful not to go into another topic. 13. End the class with prayer asking Jesus to help you put into practice what you have learned. 14. Give the students homework after each class; it does not have to be written, but at least have one

that is so that you may count it towards their final evaluation. 15. Students evaluation:

Prepare a written exam for the end of each series to evaluate the learning of the 7 lessons. You can get an idea from the questions that each lesson has at the end or use the exams that we have in our website: www.sembradosenbuenatierra.com.

It is important that the verses to memorize are included in the exam. You can leave

words out of a verse so that the students can write them or a blank space so the students can write where the verse is located. At the end of the 7 classes, ask your students to tell you individually the 7 verses by memory and add the results toward their evaluation. Everybody can memorize the Word (children and adults); make a strong emphasis of how important is to memorize the Word of God.

Consider assistance to the 7 lessons, punctuality, participation, and homework.

At the end of each series, give a certificate to the students who obtained an average of 90

or more. You can give a prize to the students that got the best grades and in that way encourage all the students.


Index

1. {A Dependent Church. God works when we are still} 8

2. {A Unanimous Church. God works in agreement} 11

3. {An Ordered Church. God works in unity} 14

4. {A Witnessing Church. God works in boldness} 19

5. {An Evangelizing Church. God works in His covenant} 22

6. {A Discipling Church. God works in knowledge} 24

7. {A Church with Authority. God works in obedience} 27


Introduction Welcome to the series: Learning to be the church In the next weeks we will discover the principles that the Lord has left for us in His Word to establish us as the body of Christ and to learn to be

the church.


1 A Dependent Church

God works when we are still

We live in a time when many people seek to carry out the great commission (Mt. 28:18-10) and the great commandment (Jn. 13:34-35) through many innovative structures. We should not forget that the Scripture, (especially the book of Acts) backed up by the Holy Spirit and tested through centuries, is the best source of information to teach us the unchangeable principles of Gods plan and strategy to be His church. We need to understand that the Church is not an organization, but a living organism, which is made up of different members and whose head is Christ (1 Cor. 12:12).

Objective: To understand that the Church must depend on Gods power and on His Word, for God works in stillness.

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32

Verse to memorize:

The Word of God teaches us in 1 Corinthians 3:14, that the churchs success lies in its commitment to form disciples (Jn. 8:31-32), (Mt. 28:18-20).

The only effective way to be and make disciples is to persist in Gods Word, permitting His Word to act in us and through us.

Before going to the cross, our Lord Jesus Christ prayed to the Father for His disciples (Jn. 17:20-24), and asked: that all of them maybe one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. That they may love each other in a mature spiritual manner; so that the world may see the Glory of God through them and may have faith in Me. The desire of our Lord is that we may reflect Him, as He reflected God (Jn. 1:12,18)(Col. 1:15)(Jn. 14:7-9) announcing Himself as the doorway that leads to the Father.

Mathew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." John 13:34-35 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 17:20-24 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me

The task that the Lord has appointed to the Church is to reflect to the world the image of the invisible God. Understanding that He is NOT interested in us going to church, instead He wants us to be the Church.

The result of our dependence on Gods power and on the Word of His Grace will be: fellowship with our brothers and sisters (1 John 1:6).

In order to live the wonderful life that our brothers and sisters of the first church had, it is essential that those who have a leadership position, as well as the most recent members, learn to depend on Gods power and the Word of His Grace: Like Leaders: We first have to learn to depend on God, and then teach our disciples to do so. As members: We need to fix our eyes on Christ, avoid to worship the leaders personality, learn to scrutinize the Word on our own, and have our own personal time with the Lord to receive guidance. The same way that our physical life needs three elements to develop, our spiritual life in this new nature (Jn. 3:3-8) also needs three elements:

1. The Word

of his Grace (sperm) (Luke 8:11)

2. The Power of the Spirit of God

(egg) (Jn. 14:17)(1 John 5:7-8)

3. The Fellowship with the Church

(uterus) (Mt. 18:20)(Heb. 10:24-25)

The Church is the uterus and it is here where spiritual life is created and developed with the objective of molding us to Christs image and to prepare us to do good works, which God has prepared for us in advance. Every member with an honest heart and right motives, must seek that Jesus Kingdom is established in their heart and in the hearts of the people who are under their care, taking into account each element that the Lord asked of Peter in the chapter of his rehabilitation (John 21:15-18):

1. Feed To feed is to direct people to quench their needs in the green pastures of the Scripture, building up their lives and aligning them to Gods will through their personal relationship with God, so that they may receive and transmit spiritual life (Acts 20:28).

where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. John 14:7-9 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 1 John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. John 3:3-8 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

2. Take care Every person that takes on a leadership role in the body of Christ must serve and model

a relationship of dependency in Gods power and Word of grace with:

Integrity:

A life coherent with what the Word of God says, and a life sustained with a daily and permanent fellowship with God (Titus 2:7-8) (Phil. 3:17).

Interest:

(Jn 12:26).

To perform their function by building over Jesus foundation the Kingdom of Christ in the lives of their brothers, through a genuine service, through prayer, and through the provision of the spiritual nourishment of the Word of God

A dependent church learns to: 1. Depend in God through a personal relationship with His Word This will bring into our lives: guidance, rest, revelation of His will, and fellowship with the body of Christ. An example of a personal relationship is found in Mr. 14:3-9 in the life of Mary of Bethany. What was the difference between Mary of Bethany and the other disciples? In Luke 10:38-42 we find that instead of worrying and getting upset like her sister Martha, Mary chose what was better, and that which will be not taken away from her. Mary chose to sit at the Lords feet and listen attentively to His words. This in turn produced an understanding, which would later take her to prepare Jesus body for His burial, honoring His sacrifice beforehand. In contrast, Jacob and John were looking for a position (Mt. 20:20-22); Thomas wanted to see and touch (Jn. 20:25). They forgot that faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). 2. Depend in Gods powerWhen Jesus ascended to the Father, He left in His place the Holy Spirit so that He would be able to be with us everyday until the end of the world. Lets examine its wonderful functions:

revealed through the Holy Spirit

Will help

Function:

us to live in truth, living and being with us, encouraging us at all times (John 14:17)

Helper

(Acts 18:9-10, 23:11)

Luke 8:11 This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. John 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

1 John 5:7-8 For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

Mathew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Will teach

Function:

us by reminding us and helping us to discern Scripture and Jesus teachings in order to understand them (John 14:17).

Teacher

(Acts 1:16)

Will testify

Function:

to our heart of the presence and purpose of the Lord Jesus in our lives, it will equip us to be witnesses. (Romans 8:16) (John 15:26) (Luke 12:12)

Witness

(Acts 1:8)

Will show us our need

Function: to

to be forgiven for our sin through Jesus sacrifice, in order to declare us innocent in the Day of Judgment (John 16:28).

reprove

(Acts 2:38)

Will guide us

Function:

through every situation and will let us know of every detail that it hears from the Son, with the purpose of reflecting Jesus through our lives all the time (John 16:13).

Guide

(Acts 8:29, 9:11-15)

3. Depend on God through fellowship with the church

.

The church will complete the work of the Word and the Holy Spirit by allowing us to put into action what we have learned. It will also give us the opportunity to let the invisible God be known (Mt. 18:20) (Heb. 10:24-25). Our personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, and through His Word, will take us to be added as members of the body of Christ, where God will finish our identity rehabilitation as children of God.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one anotherand all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Titus 2:7-8 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.


2 A Unanimous Church

God works in agreement

From the days of the tower of Babel until now, men have tried to unite in different alliances, whether politic like the UN, economic like globalization, or religious like ecumenicist. All these attempts have failed because they have looked to venerate man as the center of the universe, which in turn propitiates egoism (Rom. 1:21-23). Nevertheless, there is a Godly sense of unanimity found in the Scripture: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6).

Discover, understand, and apply the principles that made the Church from the book of Acts a unanimous and united Church; indispensable factors that contributed to impact the world of that time and to reach Gods purpose.

Objective:

All the believers were one in heart and in mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:32-33).

Verse to memorize:

People from different backgrounds like fishermen, tax collectors, doctors, men, distinguished women, governors, and many more, lived the powerful experience of being a unanimous church when they were reached by the power of God and by the Word of His grace. Lets start our study by understanding what the word unanimous means.

Romans 1:21-23 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

UNANIMOUS: #3661 ohmodsumadn: in common agreement.

#3674 jums: same #2372 dsums: eagerness A unanimous church is a church that develops the same way of thinking; that has a defined objective; that plans a strategy with which everybody is in agreement, in order to reach the same purpose. Acts 4:32 mentions two key concepts that influenced the first Church to be a unanimous Church. The Word says that they were one in heart and mind, meaning, of the same belief and of the same thought. This should be the desire of the Church because this unanimity, as the great commandment says (Jn. 13:34-35), will allow us to reach the objective of visibly revealing the glory of the invisible God, and send out the effects of His love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace to every person. We should not confuse unanimity with uniformity. God created each one of us different and unique, and the church, as an organism made up by different members, reflects characteristics designed by God to make His Word reach every person all the way to the end of the world. Unanimous means of a common agreement; not only by being together, but by carrying out our roles in order to reach the same goal, despite our individual differences. God moves in agreement through a unanimous body that develops a same way of thinking and of feeling (Mt. 18:19). Lets observe the way unanimity was demonstrated in the first Church in the book of Acts:

1. Being togetherWhen the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Acts 2:1

in one place.

To live a powerful Christianity, like in the first church, it is necessary to have a relationship with our brothers and sisters, and a sense of belonging that will take us to cling on one leadership and one vision.

Acts 4:32-33 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Mathew 18:19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

2. Persevering in prayer These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brethren. Acts 1:14

and supplication.

When we intercede in prayer, we need to be in agreement. The Lord has given us the power to bind and loose; but this power works only in agreement (Mt 18:18-20).

3. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. Acts 8:6

Listen attentively to the Word of God

The Church is made up by members with different opinions and different characteristics. Therefore, it is important that by listening attentively to the Word of God, we unify

our opinions acknowledging the Bible as our only rule of faith, conduct, and as the utmost authority over the body of Christ.

4. Developing the same mind and the All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32

same heart.

It is important to understand that being together; praying in agreement, and scrutinizing deeply the Scripture, God will reveal to each church the specific strategy to follow; the how, when, and where, that applies to that particular place and to that moment in which the strategy has been given to carry out what has been commended. For example, in our church we discover, share, meditate, and live the treasures of the Bible in an ordered way. Week by week, from the Sunday service, the leadership capacitating meeting, the cell groups or home groups, the children ministry, the youth, to the family devotionals; everybody meditates about the same passages with the same focus each week. In this way, the Lord talks to us about the same things, working in our hearts little by little and developing a unified mind and heart.

5. Acts 4:23-24, 29-30 Letting His Word be known with boldness

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. Sovereign Lord, they said, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.

Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Mathew 18:18-20 "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. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Acts 8:6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out our hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus

When we are together, pray with one accord, scrutinize the Word of God, and develop the same mind and heart; our lifes objective will be centered around reflecting Gods image and with great boldness let His Word be known. God, on the other hand, will extend his hand backing up the good news that glorifies our Lord Jesus. The result of our dependency on the power of God and the Word of His grace will be a unified heart and mind, and the desire to look for and maintain the unity of the body of Christ. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)

Lets reflect more about these concepts by scrutinizing Psalms 133:

When we are unanimous:

It is good and pleasant to be with our brothers It is like medicine that reaches to all members God sends blessings and eternal life

Agreement >> Blessing >> Eternal Life

Ephesians 4:2-3 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

3 An Ordered Church

God works in unity

In order for an orchestra to be successful, indispensable expert musicians are essential. These musicians must not only be virtuoso performers, but they must fully understand what the word concert means. Each one of them must know to what section he belongs to: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Not only that, he must know how to read his sheet music to know exactly when he must play, when to be quiet, and specially know how to follow the directors instruction who will tell him how, when, where, and in what way he must participate in the concert. In the same way, the body of Christ must work as if in a concert, knowing the part they must play, following the directors instruction in this worship concert to exalt the redeeming works, of He, whose name is above all names: Jesus.

Hand over our lives to glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ by carrying out our purpose, joined and united as members of His body.

Objective:

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

Verse to memorize:

The body of Christ needs to work jointly, or concerted. What does the word concerted mean?

CONCERTED: Sunarmologeo (Strong # 4883) To render close-jointed together, organize compactly, be fitly framed (joined) together.

As a church, our purpose is to reflect the invisible God. In order to do this, we need to learn to unite closely by working in a coordinated and organized manner, backed up by the principles that the Word of God shows us.

One of these principles is grace.

Ephesians 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Ephesians 4:7-10 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) Ephesians 4:11-16 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. Acts 13:28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.

What does the word grace mean?

GRACE: Charis (Strong #5485) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues.

Grace is not only the undeserved and unreachable gift of eternal life that one can receive, but the element that works in us so Christ can be manifested in our lives.

Through grace we receive our role

in the body of Christ; whether it is in ministries, gifts or works of the Spirit that Ephesians 4:1 urges us to fulfill:

Recognizing that what we received is a gift and not the result of our own ability or intellect.

Being humble and gentle

Understanding that our role is one of many in the body of Christ and that it is limited in its reach. The purpose of each of the roles is to participate towards the churchs edification and not to compete or compare ourselves with others, but to exalt the name of the one who gave His life for us, Jesus.

Diversity

To carry out our role to the service and benefit of the body of Christ.

Diligence

Keeping the unity of the Spirit through:

The bond of peace Understanding that the only way to establish this bond is by reconciling with God through Jesus, and then bringing that reconciliation to each area of our lives. One body Where the most important thing is that the head, in other words Jesus, who stands out while we carry out the task that has been given to us. One Spirit, one hope, one Lord The Holy Spirit that we received is an advance of eternal life, which the Lord Jesus won for us, that gives us the hope that one day we will see Him face to face.

Acts 13:1-3 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. 1 Corinthians 14:1-3 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. Acts 21:9-11 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' " Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. Acts 8:12-15 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that

Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to One faith, one baptism One faith that is the obedience to Gods will, revealed to us through His Word, which helps us to unify our opinions. One baptism where we voluntarily yield our rights, giving up our old self to death and resurrecting to a new life where we no longer live, but where Christ lives in us.

Lets identify the mysteries and gifts through which God equips His body for ministry:

1. The head of the body: ChristJesus purified us from our sins through himself; His death on the cross made Him the head of the body; Christ gives different

(Ephesians 4:7-10)

roles to its members in order to give them all the necessary elements to carry out their purpose, emphasizing that we all have to work together

.

2. The vital organs of the body: Ministries (Ephesians 4:11-16)

These functions are carried out by the people that have received a calling

in order to serve Him fulltime; therefore they have the responsibility to be in charge of the churchs leadership.

The five organs or ministries in charge of equipping, discipling, preparing, habilitating, and purifying are:

1. Apostles According to the Scripture, they are planters of churches. In the primitive church, the apostle Peter in his apostolic function starts evangelizing among the Jews in Acts 2, in Acts 8 among the Samaritans, and in Acts 10 and 11 among the gentiles. The apostle Paul in his apostolic function is sent by God to establish the local churches among the gentiles (Acts 9:15) in all the world known in that time, from Antioch of Syria to Rome (Acts 13-28), and was recognized to be part of the ministry by the church in Acts 13:1-3. 2. Prophets The prophet of the New Testament is an instrument inspired by God to minister the church, proclaiming Gods revelation; interpreting the plan of salvation, and putting into action the truth of the gospel to edify, encourage, and comfort the believers. (1 Cor. 14:1-3) (Acts 21:9-11, 15:32).

them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,

3. Evangelists They are missionaries whose duty is to preach the gospel, especially among the people who do not know Him. In Acts 8:12-15 and Acts 21:8 we can see Philip as an example and we can remember that his ministry started by serving tables to the Greek widows. This experience in turn, served him to develop Christs character that every person who serves God must have. The requisites that Philip had to fulfill in order to be called to the service of the Lord were: have a good testimony, be filled with the Holy Spirit and with wisdom (put knowledge into practice). 4. Pastors Local congregations ministers that through the preaching of the Word, and the model of it in their lives, and they minister to Gods flock. Pastors also have the responsibility to pray for their members (Acts 20:17, 28, John 21:15-17). 5. Teachers People who serve in local congregations, who teach children, youth and/or adults by sharing the Word and being a living example of it.

The purpose of these official five ministries is to equip the members of the body, and through the proper instruction reach spiritual maturity and fulfill their roles, which at the same time will allow the work of the ministry (which is given to all) to take place.

It is crucial that each member performs his function so that the growth of the body of Christ may not be withered. As we can see in Ephesians 4:14, the consequences of the lack of understanding of the former principles has as a result immature believers, infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

The Lord asks us that by speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head (Ephesians 4:15). In other words, in each area of service, and in each function of be body, we are to be submissive to the head who is Christ, and held together by its ligaments in order to help us not to gossip, criticize or step on each other; but rather pray for each other and understand that we need to carry out our roles with humility. Our functions are limited, diverse, and should seek to exalt Christ and not ourselves.

Acts 21:8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. Acts 20:17,28 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. John 21:15-17 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

The arms of the body (gifts) The gifts are special abilities that God gives to a person so that they may be voluntarily given to the service of Christ, and that under the authority of God they may be used for the edification of the body.

(Romans 12:4-11)

These gifts are irreversible and are given to reach out to every person, like through the arms of God:

1. Prophecy (declare the Word) 2. Service (demonstrate the Word) 3. Teaching (defines the Word) 4. Exhortation (demands the Word) 5. Distributes freely 6. Presides with diligence 7. Mercy with joy

The legs of the body (functions)From verse 7 to 10, a list of functions is given to us. These

(1 Cor. 12:6-10)

functions are carried out by some members of the body under special circumstances in which the Holy Spirit gives to each one, just as He determines (v. 11), when He wants, in the manner that He wants, always for the benefit

of the body of Christ and not for our own boastfulness.

1. Message of wisdom 2. Message of knowledge 3. Faith 4. Gifts of healing 5. Miraculous powers 6. Prophecy 7. Distinguishing between spirits 8. Speaking in different kinds of tongues 9. Interpretation of tongues (glosa and dialects)

We have the privilege of being called to carry out our function like an orchestra in a grand symphony that proclaims the Good News, one that is united to exalt and glorify the name of our Lord, not only audibly but visibly too. We must help each other so that His Kingdom is established in us and through us, revealing the Good News to the world.

Romans 12:4-11 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:6-11 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

4 A Witnessing Church God works in boldness

If we take a look at the Scripture we will find that the men of God paid a high price in order to give testimony of their faith. Announcing the coming of the Messiah and the Good News, they put their lives at risk many times. Nowadays a few people have that privilege. Nevertheless the Scripture says that the ones that have been granted to believe in Him will have to suffer, in one way or another, to let the name of Jesus be known (Phil. 1:29). This is a truth rarely preached in our times, however the Lord said in Mathew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Joyful and blissful are the ones who are willing to pay the price of announcing He who said I am the light of the world, in a world that is in darkness, because the Lord will back us up to fulfill this task: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:7-8)

Understand that it has not only been granted to us to believe in Him, but to suffer for Him. (Phil. 1:29)

Objective:

strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, they said. (Acts 14:22)

Verse to Memorize:

Throughout the past lessons we have seen that as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ we must:

1. Depend on the daily fellowship with God (John 6:63) 2. Keep the unity with the body of Christ (John 17:23) 3. Carry out the role that has been assigned to us through the

Lord and the Church (Eph. 4:16)

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him Acts 14:22 Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 17:23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Mathew 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Acts 9:3-6 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The goal of the full understanding of these principles is that we may be a church prepared to fulfill our functions as the body of Christ and to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). Witness: Martus = Martyr (Strong #3144) The word witness or martyr was first accepted in the primitive church, leaving us an example that would help us understand that anything of value in the Kingdom goes hand in hand with sacrifice (Mt. 10:39) because faith increases and develops through tribulation. This is one of the reasons why Jesus asks us to be baptized; so that we understand and give public testimony that we believe in Him. We are to tell the world that we are willing to die to ourselves and hand over our lives to Him, to live through Him and for Him. Lets look at seven aspects of a witnessing life: 1. The calling When the deity and the Name of Jesus are revealed to our lives, our purpose will also be revealed to us.

of a witness (Acts 9:3-6, 15-16)

a) Who are you, Lord? (Verse 5) b) What will you have me do? (Verse 6) Accepting Christs sacrifice in our place not only covers our sins but also gives us a new responsibility to which we have to obey. 2. A witness provisionOur task as witnesses can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why we need to learn to depend on the Lord, and ask Him for boldness so that in submission to the body of Christ, to which we belong to, we can announce the Gospel.

(Acts 4:23-31)

3. The honorable price

It is true that following Christ means to undergo confrontations, mockery, threats, or that we have to get away from people or situations that do not glorify God; but paying this price will always be a joy worth suffering and will constitute us as His disciples.

of being a witness (Acts 5:40-41)

(Luke 14:26-27) 4. A witness commitmentJesus said to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. Every man must submit to the governing authorities (Rom. 13:1-2) as long as they do not oppose to the fulfilling of the Great Commission (Mathew 28: 18-20) because it

(Acts 4:19-20, 5:29).

Acts 9:15-16 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." Acts 4:23-31 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: " 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 5:40-41 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

is necessary to obey God before men speaking about what we have seen and heard through our new life in Christ. 5. A witness joyThe joy of a witness will be to look like his Lord and to inspire people around him to know God through his life. There is no greater privilege that a witness can have in this world, that to be acknowledged to have been with Jesus.

(John 15:20, Acts 4:13)

6. A witness resultWhen a witness speaks with boldness, backed up by the Holy Spirit and supporting his message on the Scripture, even in times of tribulation the result will be: people who receive the Word of God and understand that the conversion is not about a change of behavior but a change of purpose for their lives.

(Acts 2:37-38, 4:4)

After his first missionary trip, the apostle Paul comes back to the cities where he had had numerous tribulations to announce the Gospel with the purpose of giving the disciples a message of encouragement by telling them: We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). 7. A witness companion

We can be sure that the Lord will be with us always until the end of the world, every time that in obedience we are His witnesses. The companion of a witness is the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 5:32) (Mt. 28:18-20) (John 12:26-27) (Pr. 1:23).

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7)

Acts 4:19-20 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." Acts 5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! John 15:20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 2:37-38 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.

5 An Evangelizing Church God works in His covenant

Due to ignorance about the Scripture and the propagation of the deceiving humanism, we frequently mistake the Churchs mission, which is to announce the Gospel and Christs grace, with social service, charity works, political and economical negotiations, etc. Nevertheless, if the Church focuses in fulfilling its mission with an eternal perspective, it will impact the society, the economy, and policy more efficiently than if it focuses in solving temporal problems with strategies of reconciliation among humans and leaves behind the real problem of men: sin.

Understand that the Church was bought with the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in order to carry the message of the Good News and the reconciliation with God through faith in the sacrifice of His Son.

Objective:

We are therefore Christs ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christs behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Co. 5:20)

Verse to Memorize:

The ministry to which the Church of Christ has been called for is the ministry of reconciliation (2 Co. 5:18), which consists in preaching the Good News of the Gospel: Gospel: Euangelion (Strong #2097)= announce good news Eu= good, Aggelos= message, news. To have an effect on the world, the same way the primitive church did, the proclamation of the Gospel must include the principles used by Peter in his first speech, after he received the Holy Spirit. These principles are found in Acts 2:14-39:

1. The support of the Church and the Scriptures

(Acts 2:14-21)

The Churchs support Then Peter stood up with the Eleven Peter did not act by himself, but with the support of the church to which he belonged. They were in one accord, unanimous, with the same way of feeling and thinking.

Acts 2:14-39 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.' "Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this

Support in Scripture

Peter quoted the Word of God, not his own opinions because faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). People need to hear the Word of God because it is like the rain and snow which make faith bud, flourish and yield in our hearts, it does not return empty but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent (Isaiah 55:10-11). Jesus himself throughout His ministry quoted the Word with power in various situations He was in, and we must follow His example and do the same.

2. Why Jesus?

(Acts 2:22-35)

a. Approved by God Jesus was the approved sacrifice by God to pay for our sins. He was the only one tested in everything, but without sin. Delivered by the Father Jesus was delivered unto death by the pre-knowledge of God because there was no other offering that was enough to pay for our sins. Death did not find Him unexpectedly; He willingly gave His life for us. Raised up on a cross Jesus reveals Nicodemus the meaning of the prophecy told by Moses when He says, Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15) It was necessary that the snake be lifted on a wooden beam to symbolize the terrible price that would have to be paid for our sins in the raising of Jesus on the cross. Resurrected Jesus was resurrected by His Father to confirm that He was the promised Messiah in Isaiah 9:6-7: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Exalted The Father exalted Jesus because He made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a

day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, " 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far offfor all whom the Lord our God will call." Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-11)

3. Our guilt and the Reign of Christ

(Acts 2:36-39)

The guilt of men It is necessary that we are confronted with our sin to understand our need of repentance. The need to receive the reign of Christ The repentance, to which the Lord calls us, is not a change of behavior but of purpose. Through this purpose we receive Christs reign over our lives, giving up voluntarily all our rights, desires, and dreams to Him and in return we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which capacitates us to be witnesses.

An evangelizing church cannot oversee the points that we have seen if it wants to have an effect on its surroundings, in the same way the first church did. We are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and it is important that we carry out the task that has been commended to us: the ministry of reconciliation.

6 A Discipling Church God works in knowledge

The Great Commission to which the Lord sent us in Mathew 28:18-20 consists not only in evangelizing, but in teaching all of Gods guidance and teaching the disciples to obey everything God has commanded us, knowing that the Lord promised to be with us always

as long as we are carrying out our task.

Each member of the body needs to be thoroughly prepared so that Gods work may be carried out in his life and through his life. For this to happen it is indispensable that the disciple and the person who disciples receive all of Gods guidance found in the Word of God in order to restore each area of their lives, so that they may make decisions that will allow them to reach Gods purpose for them. In John 17:3 the Lord reveals us that the eternal life depends in that we know Him, in John 10:10 He promises us life to the full, which will be the result of knowing Him, receiving Him and allowing that His Word becomes alive in our daily life. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:9-11)

Recognize the importance of letting Gods complete plan be known, understanding that the Bible, as the makers manual, will restore each area of our lives.

Objective:

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Col. 1:9)

Verse to Memorize

Mathew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:41-42 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Acts 20:27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Acts 14:21-22 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. Acts 19:8-10 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Lets analyze the instructions that the Lord left us in the Great Commission of Mathew 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples

1. Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Baptism is the public and voluntary renunciation of our rights and of our life to the will of God.

2. Teaching them to obey everything I have

commanded you Once we have received what Jesus did for us by forgiving our sins (Gospel), now it is necessary that His work in us

transform each area of our life (discipleship), which will only be able to be carried out by being supported on the Word of God.

The Great Commission has to be carried out in all nations, teaching them everything, with the confidence that the Lord will be with us everyday we do that. Our brothers of the first church, under Peters leadership, fulfilled this task in Acts 2:41-42 where we observe that those who received His Word, (1) were baptized and were added to the church and (2) persevered in the apostles teaching.

The commitment of the person who disciples.

Is to instruct his disciples in the Word of God: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) The apostle Paul clearly understood this responsibility and for this reason he returned to the places where, with great persecution, he had announced the Gospel, to confirm the disciples in the Word making sure not to hesitate to proclaim to them the whole will of God (Acts 20:27) even when this meant to put his life at risk. In Acts 14:21-22 we can observe that a verb sequence that helps us understand the complete task to which we are called:

Preached all the Good News Make disciples Return to strengthen and encourage them

Acts 20:31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years. I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Paul had such passion to make true disciples that when at the synagogue some refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul left them, took the disciples with him, and for two years had discussions with them (Acts 19:8-10). This was the beginning of the growth of those who would become the first leaders of the Church constituted by Paul, who completed their training in three years (Acts 20:31). It is interesting that it was a similar amount of time that the Lord

Jesus took to prepare His disciples. This tells us that becoming and making disciples takes time. We need to be patient and make sure that those to which we assign roles of leadership are developing the three required characteristics that marked Pauls ministry:

1.

Being an example of not only knowledge but also of wisdom, putting into action the principles of the Word in their lives (Acts 20:18-20, 24, 33-35).

Integrity

2.

Caring about the spiritual needs of their disciples, investing their resources, time, and effort to instruct them in all of Gods will (Acts 20:27-31, 36).

Interest

3.

Lead them to know and personally depend on the power of God and the Word of His Grace, and not in the leaders personality (Acts 20:20-21, 24, 27, 32).

Focus

Acts 20:18-20 When they arrived, he said to them: "You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given methe task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:33-35 I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

2. A disciples commitment The ordered process of the verbs mentioned in Acts 2:41-42 teaches us the normal and healthy development in the life of a disciple:

Accepted his message Were baptized Were added to the church Devoted themselves to the apostles teaching To the fellowship To the prayer

Two elements, that every person who wants to be a disciple must consider, stand out:

To remain firmly in the Word. Be willing to undergo many tribulations.

Acts 20:27-31 For I have not hesitated to

proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears

7 A Church with Authority God works in obedience

The Lord has given the church the ability to represent Him in the world, carry the message of Gods reconciliation with men through the death and resurrection of Jesus, for which He has invested authority to the Church. The Church has to carry out the authority that God has entrusted it in order to fulfill the Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20) and the Great Commandment (John 13:34). For this purpose it is important that each member of the body learns to live under authority and also to execute it because God works in obedience.

Learn that one cannot live in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ without being under the authority given by God.

Objective:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. (Rom. 13:1-2)

Verse to Memorize:

Authority: exusia (Strong #1849) = ability, privilege, delegated influence, right, jurisdiction, power. Jesus carried out the redemption of our sins under the authority of the Father: This command

I received from my Father. (John 10:18b)

Jesus gave them this answer: I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing

, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:19)

We can find a clear example in Jesus to learn how to submit ourselves to authority, how to implement it and how to recognize it.

Mathew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." John 13:34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.

Lets study some passages that can help us identify these principles.

I. How to submit to authority

1. In voluntary submission: Who, being in very nature Godmade himself nothing (Phil. 2: 5-7)

Humans need to live under authority throughout all their life. Only those who are willing to live under authority will learn to properly implement it. Jesus gave us an example when being in the same position of authority like the Father; He voluntarily made himself nothing and submitted himself taking the nature of a servant. 2. With suffering: to death (Phil. 2:8-9)

Jesus was obedient

There will be times that by submitting to authority we will suffer, but the Lord will allow it with the purpose of forming us to the image of His Son. Remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

to death, and death on the cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

3. In obedience: learned obedience (Heb. 5:7-9)

Through His sacrifice and his submission to the Father, Jesus in his days as man learned obedience, becoming the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

The Word encourages us to have the same attitude that Jesus had by voluntarily submitting ourselves under Gods authority even when this takes us to suffer. By doing this we will learn obedience, which will bring blessing into our lives and the lives of those around us.

When a person resists authority he brings upon himself condemnation. We conclude that we submit to authority:

1. Voluntarily 2. With suffering 3. In obedience

Philippians 2:5-9 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, Hebrews 5:7-9 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

II. How authority is implemented

The Lord chose the last supper with His disciples as the precise moment to teach them, by being an example, how they should implement the authority soon to be delegated to them as the Church. This teaching is found in John 13:1-17.

1. Knowledge: knew (John 13:1) It is necessary to know that the purpose of the children of God is to be made unto Christs image and that this image multiplies by making disciples. This will strengthen us and keep us focused, even in difficult circumstances. 2. Commitment: loved them unto the end (John 13:1) It is our commitment to do everything within our reach to lead our disciples to develop a personal relationship with God. We need to teach them to depend on the Lord, love them with a committed love, not an emotional love. Give them the opportunity to repent and hand over their lives to Christs reign, the way Jesus did it, even when He knew that Peter would deny Him and giving Judas the opportunity to repent, until the end. It is important to understand that a committed love is not giving the people what they want, but what they need. 3. Teaching: Unless I wash you (John 13:8) In order for the disciples to recognize the authority of their leader, the leader has to take the responsibility of continuously washing them with the Word of God, and share with them the vision and mission that he has received, which will in turn generate respect and recognition of his authority. This same concept appears in Ephesians 5 in regard to marriage, where the husband is encouraged to exercise his authority being the spiritual leader of his house, continuously washing his wife with the Word of God, so as to present her to himself without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. To have part with the Teacher in His kingdom it is needed that we are washed with His Word. Finally, it is necessary for the disciple to have a teachable attitude, in order to be transformed to the image of Christ. John 13:1-17

John 13:1-17 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

4. Service: when he had (John 13:12)

Before our disciples recognize the authority in us it is needed that we have served them, that we have demonstrated a true interest in the transformation of their lives, and that we have supported them in the process. In these verses it is emphasized that only after Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, He took on His function of authority by putting His clothes back on.

We conclude that authority is exercised with: 1. Knowledge 2. Commitment 3. Teaching of the Word 4. Service

III. Recognizing Authority (John 13:13-17)

Once Jesus, knowing His purpose, finished the commitment of loving His disciples until the end, teach them the Word and serve them, He then has the authority over them as Teacher and Lord. In the same way if we put these things into practice (John 13:17), we will be recognized in the role of authority delegated to us, whether it be as a Pastor, teacher, coordinator, worship leader, etc and you will be so! From the things mentioned we learn that authority is not imposed, nor demanded, but recognized by the body of Christ. In Acts 15 we find that the church recognized Paul and Barnabas. There are also cases of some people who tried to impose it. Who are these some? (Acts 15:1). Unknown people that without any authority delegated to them by the Holy Spirit or the Church, instead of being a blessing, edification and joy to the body of Christ (like Paul and Barnabas), infiltrate the Church agitating the brothers, dividing the people and looking for their own glory and not the Lords (Gal. 4:17). The some are characterized by not submitting to the authority and demand it or impose it. Contrary to them, Paul and Barnabas submitted to the counsel of the brothers, submitted to the apostles authority and to the elderly above them, go to the Church in Jerusalem to look for counsel and

Acts 15:1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."

are received by the Church (Acts 15:2), while the some are excluded from the meeting. In this passage we observe that the true leaders, in which we can find Peter, Barnabas, and Paul, not only give testimony of their faith but also look for the unity of the body of Christ. In response, the assembly became silent, recognizing their authority (Acts 15:12). Jacob, who presides over the counsel, guided by the Holy Spirit and recognized by the Church, determines what has to be done, which is approved by the apostles and the elderly, giving as a result a unanimous church (Acts 15:19-22). We conclude that authority is recognized:

1. By having applied the principles of:

Knowledge, Commitment Teaching Service

2. By being integrated to the body of Christ. 3. By seeking for unity and unanimity. 4. Being submitted to authority.

Dear brothers, we have finished this series praying that these principles restore the Church the Lord has entrusted in our hands, and that we may be leaders that have a clear concept of what service means by guiding people to the freedom of the Word of God. We must understand that the Lord is not interested in us going to church, but in us being the Church.

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)

Acts 15:12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. Acts 15:19-22 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath. Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers.

Credits

Concept and development: Heriberto and Elsa Hermosillo

Material version written by:

Elsa Hermosillo

Production Coordination: Mariana Diaz Gonzalez

MDG Producciones [email protected] / [email protected]

Graphic Design:

Rodrigo Galindo Breton www.rgbdesign.com.mx

Audio and Video Production:

Francisco Alonso FM Imagen Radial

[email protected]

Post-production and DVD design: Rogelio Ortega Barrera

[email protected]

www.sembradosenbuenatierra.com Tel (956) 971-0724 (899) 925-7104

Email: [email protected]

PLANTED IN GOOD SOILLearning toBy Heriberto and Elsa HermosilloPLANTED IN GOOD SOILHeriberto and Elsa Hermosillo

SemillaDe MostazaPLANTED IN GOOD SOIL

How is Planted in Good Soil implemented?Preparation for the instructors of small groups, cell groups, and Sunday schoolIndexIntroduction

Learning to be the church1 A Dependent ChurchGod works when we are still

1. Feed2. Take careUIntegrity: UA life coherent with what the Word of God says, and a life sustained with a daily and permanent fellowship with God (Titus 2:7-8) (Phil. 3:17).When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Acts 2:1All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32Acts 4:23-24, 29-30

When we are together, pray with one accord, scrutinize the Word of God, and develop the same mind and heart; our lifes objective will be centered around reflecting Gods image and with great boldness let His Word be known. God, on the other hand, wil...

God works in His covenantGod works in knowledgeUVerse to MemorizeTherefore go and make disciples

God works in obedienceUObjective:UVerse to Memorize:UI. How to submit to authorityUII. How authority is implementedUIII. Recognizing Authority (John 13:13-17)

learning to be the church

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