Essentials for the Lord’s Work As the four friends of the palsied man were the human instruments to bring him into contact with our Lord, so there are four essentials for the Lord’s work on the human side. 1. Prevailing Prayer—James 5:16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Fervency of supplication, like the greased slip beneath the vessel to be launched, causes our petitions to go easy to the throne of grace, and places us in the river of God’s purpose. Prayer is the hand of our need grasping the hand of God’s power, whilst He grasps our hand to accomplish His Divine salvation. Pray, brethren, pray, a ministry that is soaked with the oil of prayer must have in it an unction of power. 2. Powerful Faith. No ordinary faith will suffice if it is to accomplish effective work. One of the nine gifts of the Spirit is faith—1 Cor. 12:8–11; not the personal faith for our own salvation, but that which brings blessings to others. When Christ saw the faith of the four bearers, He said to the palsied man, “Thy sins be forgiven.” Faith that can command blessing from God always achieves conquests for Him. 3. Personal Love. Love, like God, is a trinity. The heart of love is sympathy, the hand of love is help, and the act of love is sacrifice. He who died for our sins will impart His Spirit which led Him thus to die. We need to be conformed to His death, denying ourselves self-ease and pleasure that we may know the power of His resurrection. The tenderness of Jesus must operate through us. We may organise much, but we need to agonise too. Organisation alone is like a factory of cold machinery. Let the machinery work with power. Love much, do much. It is love’s doing which makes duty performed a benediction—2 Cor. 5:14. 4. Persistent Effort. Continuance in well doing means doing a thing well. Individual effort is one of the secrets of success in Christian work. Going after some one person and gaining that one for Christ. The Divine order is ever when Christ finds Andrew and Philip and they each in turn find Peter and Nathaniel. Concentration of effort is the secret of success. Above all, follow Christ. His promise to make us “fishers of men” is preceded by His command to “Follow Me” (Matt. 4:19). DID YOU FIND THIS REFRESHER TO BE INTERESTING AND HELPFUL? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY Romans 1:26–27 For this reason God allowed their shameful passions to control them. Their women have exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. Likewise, their men have given up natural sexual relations with women and burn with lust for each other. Men commit indecent acts with men, so they experience among themselves the punishment they deserve for their perversion. Leviticus 18:22 Never have sexual intercourse with a man as with a woman. It is disgusting. Leviticus 20:13 When a man has sexual intercourse with another man as with a woman, both men are doing something disgusting and must be put to death. They deserve to die. THIS QUICK STUDY IS NOT MEANT TO HURT YOU OR OFFEND YOU; IT IS MEANT TO HELP YOU. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 Don’t you know that wicked people won’t inherit God’s kingdom? Stop deceiving yourselves! People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people will not inherit God’s kingdom. That’s what some of you were! But you have been washed and made holy, and you have received God’s approval in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com WE PREACH AND TEACH THE ENTIRE WORD OF GOD. PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
LIVE GODLY Romans 13:13–14 We should live decently, as people who live in the light of day. Wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, rivalry, and jealousy cannot be part of our lives. Instead, live like the Lord Jesus Christ did, and forget about satisfying the desires of your corrupt nature. Luke 21:36 Be alert at all times. Pray so that you have the power to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand in front of the Son of Man.” ALLOW THIS WORD OF GOD TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
HOPE IS OBTAINED THRU: FAITH Romans 5:1–2 Now that we have God’s approval by faith, we have peace with God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. Through Christ we can approach God and stand in his favor. So we brag because of our confidence that we will receive glory from God. THE GOSPEL Colossians 1:5 You have these because of the hope which is kept safe for you in heaven. Some time ago you heard about this hope in the Good News which is the message of truth. GRACE 2 Thessalonians 2:16 -17 God our Father loved us and by his kindnessgave us everlasting encouragement and good hope. Together with our Lord Jesus Christ, may he encourage and strengthen you to do and say everything that is good. PATIENCE AND COMFORT OF THE SCRIPTURES Romans 15:4 Everything written long ago was written to teach us so that we would have confidence through the endurance and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. LET US KEEP HOPE ALIVE. LET US STAY IN THE SCRIPTURES. LET US NEVER FORGET WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR US, IS DOING FOR US, AND WILL DO FOR US. GLOOORRRY!!! HALLELUJAH!!! Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
THE BIBLE TEACHES US ABOUT HOPE OUR HOPE IS IN GOD Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what am I waiting for? My hope is in you! WE MUST ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO PUT THEIR HOPE IN GOD Psalm 130:7 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, because with the LORD there is mercy and with him there is unlimited forgiveness. WE MUST PLACE OUR HOPE IN GOD’S PROMISES Acts 26:6–7 “I’m on trial now because I expect God to keep the promise that he made to our ancestors. Our twelve tribes expect this promise to be kept as they worship with intense devotion day and night. Your Majesty, the Jews are making accusations against me because I expect God to keep his promise. PLACE OUR HOPE IN THE MERCY OF GOD Psalm 33:18 The LORD’s eyes are on those who fear him, on those who wait with hope for his mercy Romans 15:13 May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I HOPE YOU RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK STUDY. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
GOD TEACHES US ABOUT HONOR Revelation 4:11 “Our Lord and God, you deserve to receive glory, honor, and power because you created everything. Everything came into existence and was created because of your will.” Leviticus 19:32 “Show respect to the elderly, and honor older people. In this way you show respect for your God. I am the LORD. Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live for a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Matthew 15:4 For example, God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother must be put to death.’ I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS QUICK REFRESHER. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
POWER COMES FROM GOD One reason why God saves men is “that he might make his mighty power to be known,” Psa. 106:8. The heavens are the work of His fingers, Psa. 8:3, but our salvation required the baring of the right arm of His power, Isa. 52:10; 53:1. Christ promised power to His followers in His last words before the ascension, Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8. The prayers of Paul exhibit a deep desire that believers might know this power, Eph. 3:16. It is seen not only in great works, but also in patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, Col. 1:11. God’s power was manifested in the preaching of the apostles, Col. 1:27–29; 1 Thess. 1:5. Power belonged to God in OT days, Psa. 62:11, was given to Jesus Christ, Matt. 28:18, and He passed it on to believers, Acts 1:8. Christians today receive power through feeding on the Word of God, Acts 6:4, 8, contr. Lev. 26:14, 37; and in answer to prayer and supplication, Gen. 32:28; Hos. 12:4; Phil. 3:10. God’s strength is given to those who wait upon Him, Isa. 40:29–31, in recognition of their own weakness, 2 Cor. 12:9. The remarkable revelation is given in Eph. 3:20 that God is able to do far more than we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. This is intended to be normal Christian experience, enabling believers to sing of it from day to day, Psa. 59:16. I HOPE YOU RECEIVED FROM THIS QUICK REFRESHER. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
WE MUST MAKE DECISIONS TO FOLLOW GOD. Joshua 24:14 “Fear the LORD, and serve him with integrity and faithfulness. Get rid of the gods your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve only the LORD. 2 Chronicles 15:12 They made an agreement with one another to dedicate their lives to serving the LORD God of their ancestors with all their heart and soul. Joshua 14:8 But my companions discouraged the people. However, I was completely loyal to the LORD my God. Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him, “Whoever starts to plow and looks back is not fit for God’s kingdom.” Deuteronomy 5:32 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you. Never stop living this way. ALLOW THESE VERSES TO BE A GUIDE UNTO YOUR LIFE. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
Essentials for the Lord’s Work As the four friends of the palsied man were the human instruments to bring him into contact with our Lord, so there are four essentials for the Lord’s work on the human side. 1. Prevailing Prayer—James 5:16. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Fervency of supplication, like the greased slip beneath the vessel to be launched, causes our petitions to go easy to the throne of grace, and places us in the river of God’s purpose. Prayer is the hand of our need grasping the hand of God’s power, whilst He grasps our hand to accomplish His Divine salvation. Pray, brethren, pray, a ministry that is soaked with the oil of prayer must have in it an unction of power. 2. Powerful Faith. No ordinary faith will suffice if it is to accomplish effective work. One of the nine gifts of the Spirit is faith—1 Cor. 12:8–11; not the personal faith for our own salvation, but that which brings blessings to others. When Christ saw the faith of the four bearers, He said to the palsied man, “Thy sins be forgiven.” Faith that can command blessing from God always achieves conquests for Him. 3. Personal Love. Love, like God, is a trinity. The heart of love is sympathy, the hand of love is help, and the act of love is sacrifice. He who died for our sins will impart His Spirit which led Him thus to die. We need to be conformed to His death, denying ourselves self-ease and pleasure that we may know the power of His resurrection. The tenderness of Jesus must operate through us. We may organise much, but we need to agonise too. Organisation alone is like a factory of cold machinery. Let the machinery work with power. Love much, do much. It is love’s doing which makes duty performed a benediction—2 Cor. 5:14. 4. Persistent Effort. Continuance in well doing means doing a thing well. Individual effort is one of the secrets of success in Christian work. Going after some one person and gaining that one for Christ. The Divine order is ever when Christ finds Andrew and Philip and they each in turn find Peter and Nathaniel. Concentration of effort is the secret of success. Above all, follow Christ. His promise to make us “fishers of men” is preceded by His command to “Follow Me” (Matt. 4:19). I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK STUDY BENEFICIAL. ARE YOU ENJOYING OUR QUICK STUDIES? Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
DELIVERANCE FROM CONDEMNATION Romans 8:1 So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned. Romans 8:2 The standards of the Spirit, who gives life through Christ Jesus, have set you free from the standards of sin and death. Very simply stated, the person who is in Christ is safe and secure from condemnation now and forever. He will not be judged as a sinner; he will not face condemnation. He is beyond condemnation; he shall never be condemned for sin; he shall never be separated from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (see Jn. 3:16; Ro. 8:33–39). (But remember: the believer is to be judged for his faithfulness to Christ. He will be judged for how responsible he is—for how well he uses his “spiritual gifts” for Christ—for how diligently he serves Christ in the work of God. The judgment of the believer will take place at the great judgment seat of Christ.) I HOPE YOU FOUND THIS QUICK REFRESHER TO BE HELPFUL. Everlastingsalvationchurchofgod.com PayPal.me/donatetochurch PASTOR ANDRA HIGGINBOTHAM
