Life Institute Guiding Verse
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Life flows as branches are connected to the vine. All growth, fruit bearing and every effort rely on this prerequisite of connection.
Instructions for The Christian Worker (2 Timothy 2)
1. Source of Strength
v.1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. – We are to find strength for work in the grace of Christ Jesus. This is the same grace which saved us.
- “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
- Not only are we saved by the grace of God–we also serve the Lord and live the Christian life by the grace of God.
2. The Work
v. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
3. How to deal with Suffering in Serving Christ – 3 models
- v.4 “the soldier” seeks to please his commanding officer
- v.5 “the athlete” seeks the victor’s crown
- v.6 “the hardworking farmer” seeks to be first in receiving a share of the crops
4. Remember the Gospel!
- v.8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel.
5. Remind people
- v.14a Keep reminding God’s people of these things.
6. Attitudes of the worker
- v. 15a Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
- v.16a Avoid godless chatter,
- v.22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
The Church Local and Universal
1. The Universal Church
Composed by believers throughout the World.
- 1 Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- 1 Cor 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing] her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
2. The Local Church
a. Christians in a geographical area that work and worship together as a congregation of God’s people.
- Why does HCF or any other local church emphasize on membership?
The purpose of membership is to encourage commitment and accountability. On the other side, membership discourages the “come as you are attitude.” Commitment and accountability makes possible for the member personal growth which would be impossible for the church hopping christian. Church growth would also be possible when the church closes this virtual back door. The church is also able to accomplish its purpose when attendees commit to be members.
- What do members agree on?
Committing to membership, members agree on the church’s theology, structure, vision, discipline, giving, and serving.
- When can a person apply for membership?
When a person has built a relationship with Jesus Christ and expressed commitment to Him and the local church.
- Church Centric or Christ Centric Membership
Membership should be Christ Centric instead of church centric. The purpose of joining a church is the growth of the Christian in his/her relationship with Christ.
The Articles/Tenets of the Faith
1. The Bible - Inspired, Infallible, Authoritative
Mt 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Hebrew 4:12-13 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
2. One True God with 3 persons
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
3. Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
John 10:30 I and my Father are one.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
4. The Blessed Hope
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
5. Fall & Sinfulness of Man
Gen. 3:1-10 The fall of Man
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
6. Regeneration of the Holy Spirit
Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
John 3:3-5 Born of the Spirit
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
7. Divine Healing
Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
8. Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:5,8 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence….But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
