What is The Fruit of The Spirit?

THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

''But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law'' Galatians 5:22-23 (see also Romans 7:4; Ephesians 5:9; Philippians 1:11; Colossians 1:10; James 3:17).
All the fruits mentioned in this verse are NOT just the natural products of circumstances around us. Even when things are going wrong, the life of the Holy Spirit inside can well up in an overflowing expression of these fruits (see John 7:38-39).
1. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE
Love is the giving of yourself for the good of another. The greatest expression of love is found in the Lord. John 3: 16 says, ''For God so loved the world that he gave . '' The fruit of love is an expression through the Holy Spirit of God's own nature of love, and the quality of that love is described beautifully in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
''Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered . It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres'' (see also v.1-8; John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-21).
2. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS JOY
''If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love... I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete'' John 15:10-11.
The joy that comes from the Holy Spirit is not dependent on happy situations, but on the character of God. People in the world are searching for happiness, but the answer is found only in the supernatural joy of the Holy Spirit (see Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 16: 11; 132: 16; Isaiah 12:3; 35; 10; Romans 14:17; Philippians 4:4).
3. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS PEACE
Peace is that quality which everyone desires but only the child of God can truly experience. It is the peace of God Himself - ''the God of peace'' (Romans 15:33) - that has been given to us, and is designed to operate even in times of turmoil (see John 14:27).
''And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus'' Philippians 4:7 (see a”lso Colossians 3:15).
4. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS PATIENCE
" . . . being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience . . . '' Colossians 1:11.
Patience is that ability given by the Holy Spirit to wait with confidence for the result promised by God. It is not a passive emotion, but is in actual fact an expression of faith and of the inner strength that comes by the Spirit. The fruit of patience comes when we begin to see things the way God sees them (2 Peter 3:8-9; see also Ephesians 4:2).
5. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS KINDNESS
This fruit is expressed in the loving acceptance of those around us. An attitude of intolerance leads to broken relationship. The word "kindness" comes from the same root word that "kindred" comes from- and points to a quality of relationship similar to that found in a close-knit, loving family.
''Be kind and ,compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you'' Ephesians 4:32.
6. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS GOODNESS
''The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart . . . For out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks" Luke 6:45 (see also Ephesians 5:8-10).
Goodness, as a fruit of the Spirit, is that purity of heart which produces virtuous behaviour. The child of God has received, through the Holy Spirit, a new heart (Hebrews 8:10). The fruit of goodness in our daily dealings with people can be maintained by keeping our heart pure before God.
7. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS FAITHFULNESS
Faithfulness is one of the most important aspects to Christian life. It begins in our relationship with God, and then overflows into our relationship with others. God is absolutely faithful (Psalm 36:5; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:13), and it is His desire that through the Spirit that faithfulness will become a part of our character also.
''They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers'' Revelation 17:14.
8. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS GENTLENESS
The two men renowned most for the fruit of gentleness were the Lord Jesus and Moses (see Numbers 12:3; 1 Peter 2:21-23). Both were great deliverers - Moses for the nation of Israel, and Jesus for the whole world. This shows that gentleness is not weakness but CONTROLLED STRENGTH. The world's attitude toward strength is to aggressively defend yourself, but real strength is found in a gentle spirit - an attitude of being able to receive a wrong without fighting back and demanding your rights.
''Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls'' Matthew 11:29 (see also Psalm 37:11).
9. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS SELF-CONTROL
''Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who la"cks self-control'' Proverbs 25:28.
This is the crowning fruit of the Spirit because it is the evidence of a Spirit-controlled life. The Holy Spirit's ministry is to help us regain the control we lost to Satan and sin, so that we might live the way that God created us for.
''For those who are according to the flesh and controlled by its unholy desires, set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh. But those who are according to the Spirit and controlled by the desires of the Spirit, set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the Holy Spirit" Romans 8:5 (Amp) (see also Galatians 5:16-17;Titus 2:11-13).
"The righteous . . . planted in the house of the Lord . . . will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him'" Psalm 92:12-15.
''Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, l do not want you to be ignorant" 1 Corinthians 12:1.
The Apostle Paul placed a tremendous importance on the operation of ''spiritual gifts'' endowed by the Holy Spirit, and so we will be looking at this vital part of the Holy Spirit's ministry, through the individual believer, to the Church and to the world. Our first step is to see the gifts of the Spirit in their setting.

How Does The Holy Spirit Help Us?

THE HELP THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES

When we receive Jesus into our lives, the Holy Spirit comes and resides in our hearts as a guest - a guest who is with us forever (John 14:16-17), available to help us when we face difficulties. He fulfils this ministry in a number of ways:
1. The Holy testifies of our relationship with God
''Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us'' 1 John 3:24 (see also 4:13; Galatians 4:6).
When we were born into God's family as His sons, the Holy Spirit came and fused with our spirit in an everlasting relationship. Now the Holy Spirit ''testifies with our spirit" (Romans 8:16) concerning our new relationship with God. Even when we go through difficult times, we still have God's Spirit as a ''guarantee'' (Ephesians 1:14).
''This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything" 1 John 3:19-20.
2. The Holy Spirit teaches
''But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" John 14:26.
God has sent into our hearts His very own Spirit - the Spirit who ''knows everything'' (1 John 3:20; Hebrews 4:13) and who "searches all things, EVEN THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD'' (1 Corinthians 2:10). Thus the Holy Spirit helps us by teaching us - and in times of spiritual attack, He helps us recall parts of His own Word, making it alive to our hearts (see Luke 12:11-12; Nehemiah 9:20).
''This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit... ' 1 Corinthians 2:13 (read also verses 9-16; 1 John 2:27).
3. The Holy Spirit guides
''... because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God" Romans 8: 14.
As an expression of the Father's loving heart, the Holy Spirit is ever-present to help God's children follow the right path. The Book of Acts gives many accounts of, the direct guidances of the Holy Spirit (see 10:19-20;13:2; 16:6). Whenever we are faced with a decision that we can't handle by ourselves, we can ask for help from the Holy Spirit - for He is in us to express the mind of Christ so that we can fulfil the will of God.
''O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you . . . Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it' '' Isaiah 30: 19,21 (see also 42:16; 48:17).
4. The Holy Spirit helps us live a life pleasing to God
''So l say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature . . . Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit'' Galatians 5:16-17,25.
The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to live a righteous life. If we strive to do this in our own strength, we will fail - but with the Spirit's help, backed by the full legal work of the Cross, we have a God-given formula for success. This success is described as the ''fruit'' of the Holy Spirit's own character, and that fruit can begin to grow in our lives only when the Holy Spirit is allowed to express Himself.
''But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" Galatians 5:22-23.
5. The Holy Spirit helps us in prayer
''In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" Romans 8:26.
Because of our human limitations, we often don't know exactly how to pray, but the Holy Spirit knows exactly what needs to be expressed. When we lean on the Holy Spirit in prayer, we can have full confidence that our prayer will be answered - because we are in teamwork with God Himself!
"And the Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God's own will'' Romans 8:27 (TLB).
6. The Holy Spirit gives power to witness
''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth'' Acts 1:8.
The Holy Spirit is not only our power to live the Christian life, but is the power to tell others about the Good News of what God has done for us! God has given us a Commission (Matthew 28:18-19) that is far too big for us to fulfil in our own strength, but when we allow the Holy Spirit to demonstrate His power through us, we are enabled to fulfil the call.
'' . . . And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly . . . With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was with them all'' Acts 4: 31,33 (see also 1 Thessalonians 1:5).
7. The Holy Spirit gives life
''And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you'' Romans 8:11.
The Holy Spirit works on every level of our lives. He has brought life to our:
• SPIRIT
''Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit'' John 3:5-6.
• SOUL: MIND, EMOTIONS AND CHARACTER
''And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" 2 Corinthians 3:18.
And now the marvellous truth is that the Holy Spirit is also the agent for bringing life and dynamic power into our physical bodies. We can look to the Holy Spirit for physical strength when we have to face situations that would normally wear us down (see Ephesians 3:16; John 6:63).
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen'' Ephesians 3:20-21.
The Holy Spirit's work is not limited solely to the believer; He is also very much at work in the world, and His ministry is fulfilled in five ways:

Did Jesus Get Depressed?

You don't think of Jesus as having a bad day, do you? Nevertheless, I want to look in this study at what was quite probably one of the worst days of Jesus' life, and how he handled the challenge he was faced with.
Matthew 26:36-39
(36) Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
(37) And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
(38) Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
(39) And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].
Have you ever been so depressed that you wanted to die? That's how Jesus felt on this day. There is no record elsewhere in the gospels where he felt so bad that he told any of his disciples about it, but that's what he did here. And, he didn't bare his heart before all of his disciples; he went off with only Peter, James and John into the Garden of Gethsemane, where he sometimes went to pray, and let them know how he was feeling. He didn't try to put on a good, "spiritual looking" front for them. He was honest with them about how bad he was feeling.
Now here's something to think about: If Jesus was so depressed, what was he doing wrong that caused it? Was he focusing his mind on the wrong things? Was he failing to look at things from God's perspective? Was he failing to exercise proper control over his mind?
We know even as we ask this question that Jesus was doing nothing wrong. There was no sin or guilt in his life to pull him down. There was no shortcoming or failure in his walk with God that could have caused this. He was as fully committed to God as always, and as disciplined in his walk with God as he had ever been. And he was still so depressed that he wanted to die.
This lets us know that depression is not always the result of something you or I have done wrong. Depression can occur even when we are doing things right. If Jesus could get depressed in spite of his perfect walk with God, perhaps we should not be so quick to condemn ourselves or others when depression occurs.
Now being depressed is one thing; handling it the right way is another.
How did Jesus handle his depression? Did he seek for comfort at the bottom of a bottle? Did he look for recreational herbs to numb his mind? Did he gorge himself with food, or seek to forget his troubles in the arms of a woman? Did he seek out entertainments? Did he cut himself off from those around him? Did he curl up by himself somewhere and sleep for hours on end, unable to do anything?
How did Jesus handle his depression? He prayed. And he did something else that you never see him doing throughout the gospels: he asked three of his disciples to pray with him.
Can you imagine being Peter, James or John and having this weight dropped on you? It's hard enough that Jesus is depressed; it's another thing entirely to be asked to pray with him about his problem. The disciples had prayed for other people; they were not strangers to prayer. But praying for Jesus in a crisis situation was something entirely new -- and, no doubt, frightening -- to them.
What would you do in that situation? Wouldn't you be on your best prayer behavior? This would be the most important prayer you've ever prayed. The farthest thing from your mind would be taking a nap. Yet, when Jesus returned to them after going off a little way to pray, he found them all asleep.
Why was Jesus depressed? Verse 39 gives us a clue. Jesus knew what it was that God wanted him to do, but he didn't want to do it. There was a conflict here between the will of God and the will of Jesus. But rather than running off and doing his own will, Jesus went right to God in prayer.
What was the conflict? We don't have to guess about this. The Scriptures tell us.
Hebrews 5:7
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
To put it quite simply, Jesus did not want to die. The "cup" that he asked God to let pass from him was his death.
God's plan for the redemption of mankind was for Jesus, the one sinless man, to die in the place of sinful man, and for God to raise him from the dead. Now let's be frank for a moment and forget that we're talking about Jesus Christ. What kind of plan does this sound like to you? If God's plan was for you to die and for him to raise you from the dead, how excited would you be about the idea? Would you follow right along, no questions asked, because of your trust in God? Or would you have some serious questions about whether it was really God who was talking to you, or whether you had understood Him correctly?
Doesn't this sound suspiciously like the “Heaven's Gate” incident, where a group of misguided religious men and women gave up their lives in the hope that they would be resurrected on a spaceship somewhere? We think of people who act like that as crazy, and if they say that God told them to do it, we consider it a confirmation of our suspicions!
Jesus trusted God, and he had always done what God told him to do; but this went far beyond anything God had ever asked of him before. Jesus was just as determined as he ever was to obey God at all costs, but here he did something he had never done before: he asked God to change His will. He asked this not once, but three times. And he didn't ask calmly, dispassionately. He went before his Father with "strong crying and tears."
What was he praying so hard for? What was he agonizing about in the garden? He wanted God to save him from death. He wanted to obey God, but he didn't want to die. Jesus made it clear in his prayer that if there was no change in God's plan for him, he would carry out God's will; but he also prayed that if it were possible, "this cup" would pass from him.
Jesus was heard by God when he prayed, but he didn't get the answer that he prayed for. God did not change His will. Instead, Jesus "was heard in that he feared." What does this mean? Jesus' prayer was answered by his being given what he needed to carry out God's will willingly. The "fear" referred to here is obedience.
Hebrews 5:8-9
(8) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
(9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Philippians 2:8
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Once Jesus rose up from this intense time of prayer, there is no further hint of depression on his part. There is no sign of hesitation or unwillingness to carry out the assignment God had given him. Why is this? What had changed? What enabled Jesus to face the cruel, agonizing and shameful death of the cross without looking back?
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There's the answer. Jesus was able to endure the cross because of "the joy that was set before him." God's solution to Jesus' depression was to give him joy.
What was it that Jesus was joyful about? There was nothing in his immediate situation that called for joy; he still faced the suffering and humiliation of the cross. The answer is right here in the same verse: God had him look beyond the cross, not just to his resurrection, but to what he would be doing after his resurrection. Where is Jesus now? He is seated at God's right hand. That's what God set before him, and that was the source of the joy that kept him going unhesitatingly to the Cross.
The right hand of God is a position of authority and power. According to Psalm 16, it is also a place of joy.
Psalm 16:8-11
(8) I have set the Lord always before me: because [he is] at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
(9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
(10) For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
(11) Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fullness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 45:6-7
(6) Thy throne, O God, [is] for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom [is] a right sceptre.
(7) Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness:

How do You Build a Sermon?

Building a Sermon

STEP #1: "Structural Context"
This refers to the strategic question in inductive study. This keeps the immediate and book context in mind to ensure proper interpretation. Once you see the strategic purposes of the author, it should be relatively easy to adapt those purposes to your audience with appropriate modification.
EXAMPLE: Colossians was written to address spiritual fervor that uncritically accepts pluralistic and syncretistic spirituality. This has an obvious parallel in our own culture today.
You need this for your sake in preparation, not necessarily to give to your audience.
STEP #2: "Passage Outline"
This means a bare bones diagram of the thought development of the paragraph/passage.
Look especially for the main claim and how the other statements are related to it. (This is where the new inductive method is more helpful.)
EXAMPLE: In Col. 2:9-15, 2:9,10a is the main claim. Paul then unpacks this claim that we have been made complete in Christ in three ways: we have been freed from demonic bondage (2:10b,15), we have been released from bondage to our sin-natures (2:11,12), and we have been released from the guilt of our sins (2:13,14).
STEP #3: "Theses-Antitheses"
This section is for summarizing the theological truths in the passage, and for identifying contemporary opposites to those truths.
You should have theses in the "Theology" section of the old inductive method, and in the "Key theological concepts" of the new method.
In Col. 2:9-15, 2:10a is the main theological thesis, and the other statements serve to expound it.
You should have the antitheses in the "Contemporary Application" section of your inductive study. Here we are beginning to build the bridge between the biblical and contemporary worlds. Antitheses both help define the meaning of the thesis and reveal its significance/relevance.
In Col. 2:9-15, contemporary antitheses include: Jesus is only one of many avatars (2:9), Christian salvation is only a rudimentary form of spirituality (2:10a), all spirits are essentially benevolent (2:10b,15), our main problem is psychological guilt (2:13,14), humans are essentially good and capable of self-reform (2:11,12).
From the theses discerned in the text, select those theses that best apply to the needs of your audience.
You do not have to deal with everything in your passage. Especially in a ten-minute teaching, you can only develop one or at most two theses. (Try to develop the main one.)
Select those antitheses that are most relevant to your audience. For example, if your thesis is "Salvation is by grace apart from works," your antithesis could be "Salvation is by works apart from grace," or, "Salvation is by grace plus works." The second antithesis would be likely to be held by our audience or by people they know, whereas the first is implausible for most people.
In Col. 1:15-23, where the main claim is that Jesus is supreme over everything and everyone else in the universe (1:18b), an older antithesis would be "Christ is only a good man or great teacher." A more relevant antithesis would be "Christ is only one of many ways to God/salvation/spirituality."
The "Audience Analysis Worksheet" helps you to focus in on your own audience.
Check TV, BOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, MUSIC, INTERNET, DISCUSSIONS WITH NON-CHRISTIANS, etc. for suitable antitheses examples.
STEP #4: Developing a Burden (not on the worksheet)
"Burden" refers to your attitude toward the theses you are advancing. When you are personally convinced of the significance and practical importance of that truth for human life, you have a "burden." When you are burdened, you are emotionally wrought up about this issue because you see how important it is. This attitude is absolutely essential for effective biblical preaching.
"But if I say, 'I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,' his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." (Jer. 20:9)
STOTT: "So possess the truth that it possesses you."
A burdened preacher is like a charcoal briquette soaked with lighter fluid: "Light a match and watch me burn!"
D. M. Lloyd-Jones: "Preaching is theology coming through a man who is on fire."
NOTE: Good teachings have both "heat" and "light." "Heat" comes from burden and application; "light" comes from solid study and knowing what your audience does and does not understand. "Light" without heat is boring; "heat" without light is manipulation/intimidation. Know your tendency and check each teaching for your weakness. (MORE NEXT WEEK ON DELIVERY)
The burden for the teaching comes primarily from the "thesis/antithesis" section of the work sheet. The commonly or popularly expressed antitheses provide the "fortresses" in your audience's thinking that can be "destroyed" by the scriptural theses (see 2 Cor. 10:4,5; 6:7). This is why teachings without antitheses are usually boring.
J. W. Alexander: "Preaching is argument made red-hot."
PASTOR'S RESPONSE AT LEADERSHIP NETWORK RETREAT: "I’ve never heard of that before—it changes everything."
Especially in a relativistic culture, beware of getting backed away from this! Using antithesis in teachings also helps your people learn biblical discernment--a crucial aspect of the mind of Christ.
How to develop a "burden":
Prayerfully focus first on your own life: "How has God changed my life through understanding and following this truth? When did I first learn this truth? How did I first apply it? How did my life suffer because I was ignorant of it? How have I re-learned and re-applied it since? What has happened when I have chosen to respond to this truth? What has happened when I have refused to follow it?" Often, you will need to come under fresh conviction of the truth before you can become burdened to preach it.
"Get into the Word, get under the Word—then go forth with the Word!"
You may use some of this in your teaching—but not necessarily.
Next, prayerfully ask the same kinds of questions of specific people likely to be in your audience. Ask God for a vision of what could happen to them if they learn and follow this truth--and what will happen if they don’t.
Next, prayerfully think about how people in our culture have been damaged and deceived by the antitheses.
STEP #5: "Goal"
Your selection of theses and burden for those theses should yield a clear goal for your teaching. Unless you can state this goal in one or two concise phrases, you lack the clarity and focus needed for your teaching to be effective. If both Christians and non-Christians will be present, you should have a specific goal for each group.
Powerful teachings have one main theme! Don’t try to include everything you know. The fact that you know much more about the passage than what you teach will give you intangible authority ("ICE-BERG" PRINCIPLE: 10% ABOVE THE SURFACE; 90% BELOW). Ruthlessly edit, leaving only what illuminates and reinforces your main theme. This is the difference between ONE SHARP, FINELY HONED ARROW and MANY BLUNT & SCATTERED ARROWS.
STEP #6: "Major Points" & "Illustrations & Applications"
This is where you should spend most of your time--reflecting, adjusting, etc. This is also the creative part--there is no formula or recipe for creating your outline.
Arrange your material into a reasonable thought development in the "Major Points" section. Often the theses or antitheses are the main points. At other times, explanatory material may have to precede the statement of the theses or antitheses. This section should supply as many of the following as needed (not necessarily in this order):
DECLARE THE THESIS: Strive for a concise, interesting statement that defines the thesis.
JUSTIFY THE THESIS (if necessary)
Sometimes, you need to clarify the thesis because it is unclear in the text. This is a practical way of staying under the authority of the Word. Otherwise, your audience will be resistant to further persuasion--or you are asking them to take your word for it. You can do this by:
• defining key words in the text (apekdusis for "disarming" in Col. 2:11--see its usage that way in 2:15)
• pointing out the context (Col. 1:15a & 2:9 to show that "first-born" in 1:15b does not imply creaturehood)

What is a Chaplain?

Understanding The Call Of A Chaplain

A Chaplain is an ordained minister committed to the professional practice of pastoral care and/or counseling in healthcare facilities, correctional institutions, long term care units, rehabilitation centers, hospice, the military, hospitals and other specialized settings.

Pastoral Care & Counseling is a ministry to persons confined to these institutional settings. A pastor of a church practices pastoral care and counseling when he/she visits the sick in hospitals, nursing homes, jails and/or prisons.

Pastoral Care & Counseling knowledge and practice is gained through specialized education and training within these settings.

Chaplaincy is a component of the Department of Pastoral Care. Pastoral Counseling is the other component of a department of Pastoral Care in any denomination, healthcare or penal institution.

A Chaplain is a valuable resource within in these settings and has a unique role as religious leader, spiritual leader, and counselor. Chaplains reach out to personnel, patients and families to provide religious, emotional and moral support. He or she may also offer religious services, Bibles studies, pastoral counseling, crisis intervention and support.


For further information about Pastoral Care Training:

Chaplain Mark H. Stevens, M.Min
New Jersey Institute of Theological Studies
Pastoral Care Department
Suite 160
440A Whitehorse Pike
Atco, NJ 08004

How do I know If I am Called to Preach?

Called To Preach? Take The Test...
To Which Capacity Has God Called You?

A. The Gift of Prophecy - Proclaims the Truth
B. The Gift of Knowledge - Clarifies the Truth
C. The Gift of Wisdom - Applies the Truth
D. The Gift of Teaching - Imparts the Truth
E. The Gift of Exhortation - Inspires obedience to the Truth

#1: Do you find yourself with great desire to proclaim Christ and do you follow through in that desire? If so, God has gifted you with the gift of prophecy (not foretelling but forth-telling); 1 Corinthians. 14:1,4. You are not called to proclaim revelation, you are called to reiteration of God's Word. Simply put, God has called you to be a preacher in the capacity of pastoring, evangelism or missions.

#2: Do you find that you have the ability to observe biblical facts and make a correct conclusion? If so, God has gifted you with teaching. This gift can be applied to both public and private audiences. Likely, God has called you to be a pastor or a lay-teacher.

#3: Do you find that you have the ability to understand God's will and make application of it? If so, God has gifted you with the Word of Wisdom (1 Corinthians. 12:8a) This can be applied in the area of counseling.

#4: Do you find yourself with the desire and ability to strengthen and encourage believers to walk by faith? If so, God has given you the gift of exhortation (Romans 12:8). This is the ability to come alongside someone who needs building up. Barnabas was a great exhorter. If this is your habit, God has called you to be an evangelist and can be applied in the area of pastoring, evangelism, and/or missions

It is important to note that if God has called you to be a pastor, all of the above is in your possession. It is imperative that you allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate these gifts in you in order that you may be proved and approved for the pastorate or whatever capacity God is calling you to. This is where a sound biblical seminary education becomes essential. Let NJITS meet your Biblical Training needs. and begin the process to answering your call to preach with a sound biblical and affordable seminary education today.

http://abcpreachers.ning.com/video/what-is-the-gospel
__________________
NJITS Correspondence Bible School
The Cost $50.00 (Books Included)
Send Check or Money Order to:
Suite 160
440A White Horse Pike
Atco, NJ 08004
For more info….
Phone Number – 609-346-8343
E-mail – chaplainstevens@gmail.com
Web Page
http://askthechaplain.blogspot.com/

How Pornography Damages Men and Women

I have been a Christian since I was about 14 years old growing up in Richmond, Virginia. I remember walking up to the altar one Summer Sunday morning and giving the pastor my hand. I was baptized and became a part of the Body of Christ. It should have been a happy time, but it was the beginning of a war. I was raised in a single parent home in Bridgeport, Connecticut and we later moved to Richmond. I had some serious emotional problems that were hidden from everyone but my mother.

I have suffered from depression as far back as I can remember. I even had a doctor offer to prescribe medication for me when I was a teenager, but my mother refused to make me take it. Thoughts of suicide have haunted me every since I was about 12 years old. My father wasn’t there for me and that was a major contributor to my depression, but it really got worst after I got saved. Looking back I realize it was the enemy trying to cause me to end my life prematurely to abort my calling and mission for God.You see Satan tried to abort me even before I was born, I remember my mother telling me how her friends tried to convince her to abort and how she was tempted by couldn't do it.

My brother was in the Army during the Vietnam War and he had just got home from College before he got drafted. I was a loner and didn’t have many friends, I was a book worm and spent most of my time in the attic reading comic books and yes the Bible. One day I found a trunk in the attic that belonged to my brother, it was filled with pornography. To this day my mother never knew that stuff was in the house. I was right at the age of puberty so you can imagine the effect finding this stuff had on my young life. Needless to say I spent a lot of time in the attic.


The devil knows that our battle starts in the mind; our thoughts are our freedom or our bondage. If our minds are on the truth of the Word, then we walk in freedom and deliverance. The devil knows if we are led by our fleshly desire then we will be in bondage. Satan will provide all of the fuel our flesh needs to keep us in bondage. When I got saved the Holy Spirit convicted me about the pornography. The enemy would back away the more I embrace Jesus and His Word. (James 4:7); The moment I lapsed and stopped praying and studying the Word that is when the opportunities to sin became available.

I am almost 50 years old and I still have urges and compulsions to view pornography. The good news is I KNOW it is an area of weakness, so I avoid place and people that would make pornography available to me. When I was in the military it was very hard because pornography is SO accepted and available. I had to ask the First Sergeant to change roommates twice because they had porno in the room. I am not going to lie and say I was victorious every time. I fell on many occasions, I was frustrating and I was often ashamed about this bondage. I biggest key to victory is admitting you need help and that you can’t do it without God’s help.

What is really amazing is how today I work in a Psychiatric hospital and most of my patients and sex offenders. I believe God ordered my steps this way for a few reasons. Many of the men I deal with were molested as children; also many were exposed to sexual perversions in the homes they grew up in. My own struggles help me be more empathetic towards them and help me be patient when I minister to them.

My prayer is that this book will help you realize that you are NOT alone. Jesus died so we can be free from the powers of darkness. When I was a teenager I didn’t know that demons were subject to Jesus name. I never realized the full extent of the power of God over the devil and his imps. Today I know that pornography is my Kryptonite and I have to avoid it of I will fall. The devil knows what YOUR Kryptonite is, never forget that.

The biggest thing I had to deal with was GUILT, I always felt like a failure in God’s sight, there have been times I begged God to take me home because I grew weary of the struggle. Guilt will destroy a Christian unless they give the struggle over to Jesus Christ. He died on the cross so we could be free from the condemnation of the devil.
Guilt is one of Satan's biggest weapons against us. It tears us down, it makes us feel dirty, unworthy, robs of us of our faith and confidence in Christ Jesus. Jesus not only came to cleanse us from our sins, but also set us free from the guilt of our sins. If you want to live a life of spiritual victory, you need to have a conscience freed from the guilt of your past. 1 Timothy 3:9, "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."
Two kinds of guilt
There's two kinds of guilt in the Bible. There's Godly sorrow that leads a person to repentance (2 Cor 7:10), which is know as conviction and it comes from the Holy Spirit (John 16:8, "when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin..." - NASB). Once a person repents, the guilt lifts and they feel relieved and joyful that their sin(s) have been forgiven. Then there's another kind of guilt, and that's condemnation or accusations from the devil. Satan loves to torment God's people by reminding them of their pasts, and continually holding their sins before them even after their sins have been forgiven. This is condemnation and there is no good that comes out of it whatsoever. It tears us down, makes us feel dirty, unworthy and robs of us of our faith and confidence in Christ Jesus. It's a lie from the father of lies, and it needs to be ignored.
The difference between condemnation and conviction is explained in much more detail in the teaching Condemnation verses Conviction.
In this teaching, we will be dealing solely with the negative kind of guilt called condemnation.
Guilt is a door to the enemy
I have seen how guilt can be an open door to be tormented by evil spirits. False guilt is actually a symptom of unforgiveness in your heart that is directed at yourself. In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus tells us how important it is to forgive those who have wronged us, and how we can be turned over to the tormenters (evil spirits) if we are unforgiving. Collisions 3:13 tells us to be, "...forgiving one another..." The phrase 'one another' in NT Greek translates to the word Heautou, which includes THEMSELF! Bitterness, regardless who or what it's about, defiles a man (Hebrews 12:15). Spiritual defilement is what makes a person open to unclean spirits. It is very possible for a person to be harassed by evil spirits or come under their power, just because a person has refused to forgive them self.
How guilt is cultivated and nurtured
Guilt is cultivated when you continually allow yourself to dwell and think about how badly you've messed up, your pasts, the sins you've committed, etc. The enemy loves to remind us of our past failures, so he can keep us thinking about them. The problem is, if we allow ourselves to fall for this trap, it allows the enemy to build what they call a stronghold in our minds.
Your best bet is to learn what is going on, and stop Satan dead in his tracks. Learn the difference between condemnation and conviction, and stop listening to condemnation. Condemnation comes from the devil, and it's meant to build strongholds in your mind and weaken you spiritually.



Chaplain Mark H. Stevens, M.Min

How do I know If I am Called to Preach?

Called To Preach? Take The Test...
To Which Capacity Has God Called You?

A. The Gift of Prophecy - Proclaims the Truth
B. The Gift of Knowledge - Clarifies the Truth
C. The Gift of Wisdom - Applies the Truth
D. The Gift of Teaching - Imparts the Truth
E. The Gift of Exhortation - Inspires obedience to the Truth

#1: Do you find yourself with great desire to proclaim Christ and do you follow through in that desire? If so, God has gifted you with the gift of prophecy (not foretelling but forth-telling); 1 Corinthians. 14:1,4. You are not called to proclaim revelation, you are called to reiteration of God's Word. Simply put, God has called you to be a preacher in the capacity of pastoring, evangelism or missions.

#2: Do you find that you have the ability to observe biblical facts and make a correct conclusion? If so, God has gifted you with teaching. This gift can be applied to both public and private audiences. Likely, God has called you to be a pastor or a lay-teacher.

#3: Do you find that you have the ability to understand God's will and make application of it? If so, God has gifted you with the Word of Wisdom (1 Corinthians. 12:8a) This can be applied in the area of counseling.

#4: Do you find yourself with the desire and ability to strengthen and encourage believers to walk by faith? If so, God has given you the gift of exhortation (Romans 12:8). This is the ability to come alongside someone who needs building up. Barnabas was a great exhorter. If this is your habit, God has called you to be an evangelist and can be applied in the area of pastoring, evangelism, and/or missions

It is important to note that if God has called you to be a pastor, all of the above is in your possession. It is imperative that you allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate these gifts in you in order that you may be proved and approved for the pastorate or whatever capacity God is calling you to. This is where a sound biblical seminary education becomes essential. Let NJITS meet your Biblical Training needs. and begin the process to answering your call to preach with a sound biblical and affordable seminary education today.

http://abcpreachers.ning.com/video/what-is-the-gospel
__________________
NJITS Correspondence Bible School
The Cost $50.00 (Books Included)
Send Check or Money Order to:
Suite 160
440A White Horse Pike
Atco, NJ 08004
For more info….
Phone Number – 609-346-8343
E-mail – chaplainstevens@gmail.com
Web Page
http://askthechaplain.blogspot.com/

Please Explain The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer


Luke 11:1 (NIV) One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
The Lord's Example Prayer
• In this study we discuss insights into the prayer outline (in ALL CAPs) Jesus gives us. Rather than racing through this by rote, let us meditate on each element so that we might pray with understanding (1 Cor 14:15). As Larry Lea put it, the idea is to pray through the Lord's prayer "r-e-a-l s-l-o-w". To begin, spend five or ten minutes on each phrase, letting each steep and soak in. Let the Holy Spirit reveal other Scriptures (beyond these listed here to get you started) that apply to each phrase, and meditate on the meaning and application in your life each day.
Mat 6:9-13 (NIV) "THIS IS HOW YOU SHOULD PRAY: (Phi) "PRAY THEN LIKE THIS--
(KJV) OUR FATHER WHICH ART IN HEAVEN, (Phi) OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
Gal 4:6 (NIV) Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out "Abba, Father".
1 Pet 1:23 (NIV) For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Heb 12:5-7 (NKJ) And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
1 Pet 1:17 (NIV) Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
1 Jn 2:29-3:3 (Phi) You all know that God is really good. You may be just as sure that the man who leads a really good life is a true child of God. Consider the incredible love that the Father has shown us in allowing us to be called "children of God"--and that is not just what we are called, but what we ARE... This explains why the world will no more recognize us than it recognized Christ... Here, and now, my dear friends, we ARE God's children. We don't know what we shall become in the future. We only know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is! Everyone who has at heart a hope like this keeps himself pure, as Christ is pure.
Eph 3:14 (NIV) For this reason I kneel before the Father...
(KJV) HALLOWED BE THY NAME. (Phi) MAY YOUR NAME BE HONORED;
• Many find it useful to meditate on God's nature as revealed in adjectives associated with His name in Hebrew.
SHALOM Peace/Rest/Contentment Is 53:5, Hb 4:9-10, Jn 14:27, Plp 4:7, Cl 1:20-22

ZIDKENU Righteousness/Perfection 2 Cor 5:21, 1 Cor 1:30, Rom 1:17

M'KADDESH Sanctifies/Purifies 1 Cor 6:9-11, 1 Thes 5:23, Rom 8:29

SHEMA Is There Ex 3:13-15, Ez 48:35b, Ep 2:21-22, Hb 13:5b

ROPHE Heals 1 Pet 2:24, Rom 8:2, Gal 3:13, Col 2:13-14

YIRA Who Sees/Provides 2 Chr 16:9a, Gen 22:14, Ps 34:15-18

NISSI Banner/Captain Ex 17:15, Jn 12:32, Is 11:10, 2Co 2:14a, So 2:4

ROHI Shepherd/Companion/Friend Prov 18:24b, Ps 23, 1 Pet 2:25

YESHUA Jesus/Salvation Ex 15:2, Is 12:2, Mt 1:21, Ac 4:12, Pr 30:4

Prov 18:10 (NIV) The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe.
Rom 10:13 (NKJ) For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
(KJV) THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
Luke 17:21 (KJV) "...the kingdom of God is within you."
Rom 14:17 (NIV) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
John 4:34 (NIV) "My food", said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me..."
Mat 26:39,42 (NIV) "...Yet not as I will, but as you will... May your will be done."
Mark 3:35 (NAS) "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."
Eph 5:10,17 (NIV) ...find out what pleases the Lord... understand what the Lord's will is.
Mat 16:19 (Phi) "...whatever you forbid on earth will be what is forbidden in Heaven and whatever you permit on earth will be what is permitted in Heaven!"
• C.S. Lewis: "Thy will be done, by me now!"
(KJV) GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, (Phi) GIVE US EACH DAY THE BREAD WE NEED FOR THE DAY,
Prov 30:8 (NIV) Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Ex 16:14-20 (NIV) When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, "What is it?" ["Manna", in Hebrew] For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, "It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: 'Each one is to gather as much as he needs...' No-one is to keep any of it until morning." However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell.
John 6:32-35 (NAS) Jesus therefore said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." They said therefore to Him, "Lord, evermore give us this bread." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
Phil 4:6-7 (Phi) Don't worry about anything whatever; whenever you pray tell God every detail of your needs in thankful prayer, and the peace of God, which surpasses human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.
(KJV) AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS, AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS. (TEB) FORGIVE US THE WRONGS WE HAVE DONE, AS WE FORGIVE THE WRONGS OTHERS HAVE DONE US.
Luke 11:4 (NAS) And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
Luke 11:4 (Phi) And forgive us our failures, for we forgive everyone who fails us.
Mark 11:25 (NAS) "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.
Mat 6:14-15 (NIV) "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Eph 4:32 (NAS) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Col 3:13 (NKJ) ...bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
(KJV) AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL: (Phi) KEEP US CLEAR OF TEMPTATION, (Jer) BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE.
Luke 22:40 (NIV) ..."Pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
Eph 6:11-17 (NIV) Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes... Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
2 Thes 3:3 (NIV) But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
2 Tim 4:18 (NAS) The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
(KJV, only) FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM, AND THE POWER, AND THE GLORY, FOR EVER."
1 Chr 29:11 (NIV) "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
1 Cor 4:20 (NIV) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Eph 6:10 (NIV) Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ps 145:10-13 (NIV) All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you. They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations...
Isa 42:8 (NAS) I am the Lord, that is My name! I will not give My glory to another...
Benediction
Jude 1:20 (NIV) But you, dear friends, build yourself up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Eph 6:18 (Jer) Pray all the time, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all the saints.
Rom 8:26-27 (Phi) The Spirit... also helps us in our present limitations. For example, we do not know how to pray worthily, but his Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing longings which cannot find words. He who knows the heart's secrets understands the Spirit's intention as he prays according to God's will for those who love him.
Acts 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 6:4 (KJV) But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
1 Thes 5:17,19 (Phi) Never stop praying... Never damp the fire of the Spirit.
Deut 4:7 (NIV) ...The Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him...

Is The Apocrypha "Scripture"?

The Apocrypha consists of a set of books written between approximately 400 B.C. and the time of Christ. The word "apocrypha" (απόκρυφα) means "Hidden." These books consist of 1 and 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, the Rest of Esther, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, (also titled Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, The Letter of Jeremiah, Song of the Three Young Men, Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, The Additions to Daniel, The Prayer of Manasseh, and 1 and 2 Maccabees.

The Protestant Church rejects the apocrypha as being inspired, as do the Jews, but in 1546 the Roman Catholic Church officially declared some of the apocryphal books to belong to the canon of scripture. These are Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees Wisdom of Solomon Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus), and Baruch. The apocryphal books are written in Greek, not Hebrew (except for Ecclesiasticus, 1 Maccabees, a part of Judith, and Tobit), and contain some useful historical information.

Is the Apocrypha Scripture? Protestants deny its inspiration but the Roman Catholic Church affirms it. In order to ascertain whether it is or isn't, we need to look within its pages.

Not quoted in the New Testament
First of all, neither Jesus nor the apostles ever quoted from the Apocrypha. There are over 260 quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament, and not one of them is from these books. Nevertheless, a Roman Catholic might respond by saying that there are several Old Testament books that are not quoted in the New Testament, i.e., Joshua, Judges, Esther, etc. Does this mean that they aren't inspired either? But, these books had already been accepted into the canon by the Jews, where the Apocrypha had not. The Jews recognized the Old Testament canon and they did not include the Apocrypha in it. This is significant because of what Paul says:

"Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God," (Rom. 3:1-2).
Paul tells us that the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. This means that they are the ones who understood what inspired Scriptures were and they never accepted the Apocrypha.

Jesus' references the Old Testament: from Abel to Zechariah
Jesus referenced the Jewish Old Testament canon from the beginning to the end and did not include the Apocrypha in his reference. "From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation,’" (Luke 11:51).

"The traditional Jewish canon was divided into three sections (Law, Prophets, Writings), and an unusual feature of the last section was the listing of Chronicles out of historical order, placing it after Ezra-Nehemiah and making it the last book of the canon. In light of this, the words of Jesus in Luke 11:50-51 reflect the settled character of the Jewish canon (with its peculiar order) already in his day. Christ uses the expression "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah," which appears troublesome since Zechariah was not chronologically the last martyr mentioned in the Bible (cf. Jer. 26:20-23). However, Zechariah is the last martyr of which we read in the Old Testament according to Jewish canonical order (cf. II Chron. 24:20-22), which was apparently recognized by Jesus and his hearers."1
This means that the same Old Testament canon, according to the Jewish tradition, is arranged differently than how we have it in the Protestant Bible today. This was the arrangement to which Jesus was referring when he referenced Abel and Zechariah, the first and last people to have their blood shed -- as listed in the Old Testament Jewish canon. Obviously, Jesus knew of the Apocrypha and was not including it in his reference.

Jesus references the Old Testament: The Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms
Catholics sometimes respond by saying that the Old Testament is referred to in three parts: the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. It is these writings that are sometimes said to include the Apocrypha. But this designation is not found in the Bible. On the contrary, Jesus referenced the Old Testament and designated its three parts as the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, not as the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings.

"Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled," (Luke 24:44).
So we see that the designation offered by the Roman Catholics is not the same designation found in the Bible and their argument is invalid as their argument is incorrect. Nevertheless, even if it did say "writings" it would not include the Apocrypha for the above-mentioned reasons.

Church Fathers
Did the Church fathers recognized the Apocrypha as being Scripture? Roman Catholics strongly appeal to Church history but we don't find a unanimous consensus on the Apocrypha. Jerome (340-420) who translated the Latin Vulgate which is used by the RC church, rejected the Apocrypha since he believed that the Jews recognized and established the proper canon of the Old Testament. Remember, the Christian Church built upon that recognition. Also, Josephus the famous Jewish historian of the First Century never mentioned the Apocrypha as being part of the canon either. In addition, "Early church fathers like Origen, Cyril of Jerusalem, Athanasius, and the great Roman Catholic translator Jerome spoke out against the Apocrypha."2 So, we should not conclude that the Church fathers unanimously affirmed the Apocrypha. They didn't.

Why Did Judas Do It?

How Should the church Approach Homosexuality?

The Bible, as God's word, reveals God's moral character and it shapes the morality of the Christian. The Bible has much to say about homosexuality:

Lev. 18:22 , "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."
Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them."
1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,1 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God."
Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."
With such clear statements against homosexuality, it is difficult to see how different groups can say the Bible supports homosexuality. But they try by redefining love, marriage, sex, homosexuality, etc. in order to accomplish their goal. But the truth is that God created man and woman, not man and man, or woman and woman. Nevertheless, the Bible is a powerful book, and because it is the homosexuals often try and make the Bible agree with its agenda. But it doesn't work. The Bible does not support homosexuality, as we have seen from the scriptures above.

Unlike other sins, this sexual sin has a judgment administered by God Himself: He gives them over to their passions (Rom. 1:26-28). This means that their hearts are allowed to be hardened by their sins. As a result, they can no longer see the error of what they are doing. Without an awareness of their sinfulness, there will be no repentance. Without repentance, there will be no forgiveness. Without forgiveness, there is no salvation.

Should homosexuals be allowed to marry one another?
In this politically correct climate that relinquishes morality to the relativistic whims of society, stating that homosexuals should not marry is becoming unpopular. Should a woman be allowed to marry another woman? Should a man be allowed to marry another man? Should they be given legal protection and special rights to practice their homosexuality? No, they should not.

The Bible, of course, condemns homosexuality. It takes no leap of logic to discern that homosexual marriage is also condemned. But our society does not rely on the Bible for its moral truth. Instead, it relies on humanistic and relativistic morals upon which it builds its ethical structure.

Homosexuality is not natural. Just look at the male and female bodies. They are obviously designed to couple. The natural design is apparent. It is not natural to couple male with male and female with female. It would be like trying to fit two screws together or two nuts together and then say, "See, its natural for them to go together."

Homosexuals argue that homosexuality is natural since it occurs in the animal world. But this is problematic. It is true that this behavior occurs in the animal kingdom. But, it is also true that we see animals eating their prey alive and even their own young. We see savagery, cruelty, and extreme brutality. Yet, we do not condone such behavior in our own society. Proponents of the natural order argument should not pick-and-choose the situations that best fit their agendas. They should be consistent and not compare us to animals. We are not animals. We are made in God's image.

Where will it end?
Political protection of a sexual practice is ridiculous. I do not believe it is proper to pass laws stating that homosexuals have 'rights' to have sex with one another and then redefine marriage to include their views. If they can do that, then where will it end? What about pedophilia or bestiality? These are also sexual practices. Should they, too, be protected by law? If homosexuality is protected legally, why not those as well?

What should be the Christian's Response to the Homosexual?
Just because someone is a homosexual does not mean that we cannot love him (or her) or pray for him (her). Homosexuality is a sin and like any other sin, it needs to be dealt with in the only way possible. It needs to be laid at the cross and repented of.

Christians should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same they would any other person in sin. They should treat homosexuals with the same dignity as they would anyone else because, like or not, they are made in the image of God. However, this does not mean that Christians should approve of their sin. Not at all. Christians should not compromise their witness for a politically correct opinion that is shaped by guilt and fear.

In fact the following verses should be kept in mind when dealing with homosexuals.

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person," (Col. 4:5-6).
"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith," (1 Tim. 1:5).
You do not win people to the Lord by condemning them and calling them names. This is why God says to speak with wisdom, grace, and love. Let the love of Christ flow through you so that the homosexuals can see true love and turn to Christ instead of away from Him.