HOW READETH THOU? PART III

“SHARING THE WORD OF GOD”

Dr. Kenneth W. Jones, Pastor, Practical Living Ministry

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1/13/2016

copyright@PLM TEACHINGS

Foundation Scriptures

Colossians 4:6 - Let your speech be alway with grace,

seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer

every man.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be

ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a

reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Luke 10:25,26: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and

tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal

life? 26 He (Jesus) said unto him, What is written in the law?

how readest thou?

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Teaching With Authority & Power

Matthew 7:28,29: And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these

sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught

them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew 7:28,29: When Jesus had finished these sayings [the Sermon on the

Mount], the crowds were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at

His teaching, 29 For He was teaching as One Who had [and was] authority, and

not as [did] the scribes. (Amplified Version)

Many Christians are not confident when it comes to sharing and

ministering the Word of God – Why is that?

Whenever God's Word is presented as it truly is, with its inherent

power, it will astonish people and set itself apart from the mere

opinions of man.1/13/2016copyright@PLM TEACHINGS

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Just as Jesus

We are saved, called of God to speak and share God’s

Word with authority, power, conviction, and love

Acts 4:13 - Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and

John, and perceived that they were unlearned and

ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of

them, that they had been with Jesus.

Boldness denotes “confidence in speaking”

In other words, in spite of danger and opposition, they

spoke their doctrines without any attempt to conceal or

disguise them.

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Now You May Say:

I’m not a Minister or Teacher of the Word

I thought that was left up to the Pastor and

church leadership

Did you know that you were anointed by God and

given authority to speak His Word?

2 Corinthians 1:21,22: Now he which stablisheth us with

you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath

also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our

hearts

When God anoints us, He endues us with the power of

the Holy Spirit to do ministry and speak His Word

Your salvation comes with a calling: “To make disciples”

So Why Are So Many Christians hesitant and avoid

sharing, teaching, or preaching the Word of God?1/13/2016copyright@PLM TEACHINGS

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Yeah, Why is That?

Why Do Christians feel uncomfortable

sharing the Word?

They lack confidence in their knowledge of the Word

They fear being rejected by those they share it with

They don’t feel “righteous” enough

They are waiting on perfection (* Note: you are

“perfected” through ministry)

They are trying not to be judgmental or offend

anyone

They feel it is not their responsibility

“What if they ask a question that I can’t answer?”

Do you have a reason?

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The Word of God

Sharing the Word Quote (Our Daily Bread):

The Bible: Know it in your head, stow it in your heart, show it in

your life, sow it in the world.

Psalms 119:130 - The entrance of thy words giveth light; it

giveth understanding unto the simple.

When light is introduced, it illuminates and brings clarity to what it

exposes

God’s Word is a lamp and light (Ps 119:105) providing

knowledge and direction to our soul and spirit

It gives understanding to the simple: The word of God is so clear and

light-giving that even the simple find understanding. It does not take

great intellect or mental powers to benefit from Gods word.

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S.H.A.R.E. the Word

S – Seek to Know Its Contents(2nd Tim 2:15)

H – Hold it in High Esteem (Value its teachings)

A – Admonish Others with its Teachings

R- Reveal Truths as provided to you by the Spirit

E – Encourage, Exhort, Educate, and Enlighten

2 Timothy 2:20,21: But in a great house there are not only vessels of

gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour,

and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from

these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the

master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

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Become a Vessel of God

Vessel – associated with receiving, containing and

transferring something such as blood vessels, or even ships

are known as vessels (Should be clean, usable, and “designed”

The vessel is not made already containing something, it is made empty.

In Acts 9:15 God refers to Paul as a "chosen vessel" unto Him, to bear

His name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. We,

too, are chosen vessels designed to be used and filled by God.

A vessel is of greater use if it remains open – meaning it can pour out

and be poured into. Too many Christians have become “closed”

vessels, not open to receive and never “pouring” out to others

Sometimes, it is good to know what has “put a lid” on people’s

lives

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Excellence of Speech?

1st Cor 12:1: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with

excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the

testimony of God. (vs 4-5) And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in

demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith

should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

People with itching ears look to great orators; people who desire

discipleship look to those who teach with authority, accuracy, and

power

Did not come with excellence of speech: Paul didn't come as

a philosopher or a salesman; he came as a witness (declaring

to you the testimony of God). (Guzik).

Are we experiencing more “salesmen” in the pulpit, portraying

Jesus as the Vendor and not the Victor?1/13/2016copyright@PLM TEACHINGS

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Teach, Preach, Demonstrate

Don’t obscure the message with a demonstration of skills, but

rather a demonstration of the Spirit. If a preacher is not careful, he

will get in the way of the gospel instead of being a servant of the

gospel. They can obscure Jesus by their preaching, either in the

presentation or the message.

But in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: Paul knew it is the man or

woman of God’s responsibility to teach and preach the Word, and it is the

Holy Spirit's job to demonstrate bringing about God’s anointing and power.

Paul's preaching may not have been impressive or persuasive on a human

level, but on a spiritual level it had power.

That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Preaching strategies centered on the wisdom of men - around emotion,

entertainment and human personality - may yield response, but not results for the

kingdom of God. (Guzik) 1/13/2016copyright@PLM TEACHINGS

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Entertaining or Engaging

Many people use slick, entertaining, or even

deceptive means to "lure" people into the

church, and justify it by saying, "we're drawing

them in and then winning them to Jesus." But

the principle stands: what you draw them with

is what you draw them to.

Keep in Mind:

If someone's faith is in the wisdom of men,

and not the power of God; if someone can be

persuaded into the kingdom by human

wisdom, they can also be persuaded out of

the kingdom by human wisdom (Guzik’s

Commentary)1/13/2016

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Scripture

1st Corinthians 2:9-13:

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have

entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for

them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit

searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man

which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the

Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit

which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to

us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom

teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual

things with spiritual. 1/13/2016copyright@PLM TEACHINGS

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Points of Emphasis

What we learn (receive) and what we speak is critical as

believers. The Spirit of God reveals to us those things that

God has chosen for us to know, receive, and impart

God’s Spirit teaches us and empowers us to share with others

Comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual – We receive divine

revelation of God’s Word by the Spirit that worketh in us

Carnally minded and Unsaved people cannot comprehend

the things of God – So why do Christians listen to them?

The precepts, principles, promises, and practices of God are

spiritually discerned

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It Begins With Knowing Him

Colossians 1:10 - That ye might walk worthy of the Lord

unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and

increasing in the knowledge of God;

Philippians 3:10 - That I may know him, and the power of

his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being

made conformable unto his death;

Knowing God brings us to a place of maturity in our walk, where we

are fruitful and becoming more like him each day

We cannot become more like Him unless we become more

knowledgeable of Him

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Types of Knowledge

Experiential knowledge is knowledge gained through experience, as

opposed to prior (before experience) knowledge: it can also be

contrasted both with propositional (textbook) knowledge, and with

practical knowledge.

knowledge by perception; experiential- I feel therefore its true;

Established knowledge- by law, history, or principle

Biblical/ Doctrinal Knowledge- by faith, study and spiritual

discernment

Acts 17:11 – the Bereans

Revealed Knowledge – Revealed by inspiration from God

Matthew 16:17 - And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon

Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is

in heaven.

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Lack of Knowledge?

I believe that very few people are perishing from a lack of

knowledge of the gospel or the Word of God, but rather a lack of

response to the gospel of Christ.

This “lack of knowledge” is intentional, meaning that individuals

and even churches, and movements purposely omit, modify, or

distort the gospel in order to suit their own ends and lifestyles.

As Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, he also increased in

favor, especially in relationship – thus this is why we are to be

ever increasing in the knowledge of God

Luke 2:52 - And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour

with God and man.

Colossians 1:10 - That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing,

being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

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Why the L.A.C.K. of Knowledge

Today?

L – Loose interpretation of the Word

A- Adverse (or Averse) to One’s Desired Way of

Life

C- Compromise and Complacency

K – Knowing Brings Accountability

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This Lack of Knowledge is

Intentional

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk

not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the

understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through

the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto

lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.“ Ephesians

4:17-19, KJV

We live in an age that is hostile to or cannot endure doctrine and

teaching. It seems that throughout the church the first thing sought

after is warm feelings and happy experiences.

Knowledge of Christ and His sacrifice for our sins makes us

accountable

Hebrews 10:26 - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the

knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 1/13/2016copyright@PLM TEACHINGS

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“If We Sin Willfully”

Willfully – hekousiōs - to sin wilfully as opposed to sins

committed inconsiderately, and from ignorance or from

weakness

Truth - what is true in things appertaining to God and the

duties of man, moral and religious truth; the work of

Christ

Sacrifice means “victim” – “could it be that you can no

longer consider yourself a victim to sin?”

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Other Aspects of Willful Ignorance

The world today and even God’s elect as stated in 1st Timothy 4:1 is

finding it difficult to endure sound doctrine and to keep the faith. We

see this in the following erroneous concepts

Emotions over principles – means never seeking resolution or a solution

to their lives, but to remain in the “emotions.” We see this is the current

array of Television dramas and reality shows. How we live is based upon

how we feel, not according to faith

Narrative over Truth – Truth is irrelevant if it doesn’t fit the thought for the

day; Encourages “Group think,” not doctrinal unity

Sensitivity to Issues, but insensitivity to sin – The world is misleading

many of the faith by pulling at their emotions to support inclusiveness and

immorality, even in the pulpit. (example: We may feel such sensitivity to

the plight of immoral people and yet support those who fund abortions)

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Example: Supporting One’s

Worldview

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The Gospel vs. Taylor Swift's 'Out of the Woods'

Article from crosswalk.com

• This song promotes self discovery: This is a common theme in our 21st century American culture: we are almost consumed at times with “finding ourselves.”

• As Christians, we likely have discussed humbling ourselves before God (James 4:10), giving Him the glory he deserves (Psalms 96:8), and recognizing that we are only made whole when we find ourselves in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17), but we seem to also often affirm the worldview Taylor Swift expresses in “Out of the Woods”--that our goal in this life, through the trials and the challenges, is one of self-discovery.

• Two competing worldviews: The gospel of knowing yourself and the Gospel of knowing Christ

• While this supports a good narrative, the truth is Galatians 2:20: • I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in

me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

How to Share God’s Word

Begin with your testimony

John 9:25 - He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know

not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

Don’t be afraid to attest of your love for the Lord

If someone is hurting, point them to Jesus

When conversing about your life and experiences, let them know that

the Bible is the authority in your life (Galatians 2:20)

Let your lifestyle also be your witness so that people will ask you (Matt

5:16)

Be patient with people, with meekness and temperance (2nd Tim 2:24-

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Try Not to act as a Pharisee. An unsaved or saved person will not be

drawn to someone who makes them feel condemned already or they

are not measuring up to God’s standards. 1/13/2016copyright@PLM TEACHINGS

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Scriptures

Romans 10:14,15: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how

shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a

preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of

them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good thing2 Corinthians 2:17 -

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the

sight of God speak we in Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:17 - For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling

God's Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and

the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the

Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God. (Amplified)

1st John 2:22: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that

denieth the Father and the Son.

Jude 1:17-19: But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by

the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will

be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.“ 19 These are the ones who cause divisions,

worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.

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Practical Living Ministry

Practical Living Ministry exists to assist individuals, groups, and

organizations to operate to their full God-given ability by sharing life

changing principles for spiritual growth and development.

If this message touched you, please let me hear from you.

If you would like to encourage us financially to keep sharing these kind of

messages, please go to our donation section on our website at

www.practicallivingministry.org

If you would like to contact Dr. Jones for a speaking engagement at your

church or event concerning biblical leadership, mentoring, and Christian

culture. Please contact Pastor Kenneth Jones at

kenjones@practicallivingministry.org

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