The Three Step Plan

The Three Step Plan

Gtcotr/ss083103

Please go with me to The Book of Philemon

Point #52: (Sin) Admit it - Quit it - Forget it.

Key Scripture: Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV) He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

The book of Philemon tells a brief story about a runaway slave named Onesimus who was owned by a Christian man named Philemon.

To abuse, misuse, kidnap or capture, wrongfully imprison and enslave a person is wrong.

Slavery is not the focus of this story but it rather recognizes an individual’s responsibility to decide what is right or wrong without respect to circumstances, situations or positions in life.

We do not know what circumstances led to Onesimus becoming a slave of Philemon.

We can only imagine that it was according to law, either the law of Rome or the law of God.

Both allowed for individuals to voluntarily or by legal assignment, indenture their lives for specified periods of time to be the servant of another person. (Leviticus 25:39-55)

When the specified period of time had been served, the individual could elect to go free or bind themselves as a slave for life to the person for whom they worked. Once bound, one person would become the legal property of another person’s estate. (Exodus 21:1-11)

We do know that Onesimus ran away from his master, Philemon. Under 1^st Century Roman law, a slave who ran away from his master could face the death penalty.

Philemon was a resident of Colosse and a convert to Christianity. He most likely heard the gospel as a result of evangelistic efforts made by the church in Ephesus. (Acts 19:26) The Christian Church in Colosse met for worship in Philemon’s house.

We understand that Onesimus, while a legal slave of Philemon, took something of value from Philemon without permission and ran away. Onesimus made his way to Rome where he came into contact with the Apostle Paul who was imprisoned there.

Onesimus believed Paul’s witness concerning Christ, was converted to Christianity and served Paul faithfully.

Around 61AD, about 5 years after Paul had left Ephesus and about 3 years since he had been arrested in Jerusalem, Paul is moved to write a series of letters to some churches. From prison in Rome Paul writes a letter to the church in Ephesus, Philippians, Colossians and then a short personal letter to Philemon.

Although written for different reasons, addressing varying needs of each, these letters are strikingly similar in content.

(Compare Ephesians 5:19ff & Colossians 3:16ff)

Practical Christianity

Responsibilities of:

Individual; Husband; Father; Mother; Wife; Child; Employee; Employer; Prayer Warrior & Praise Junky; Prisoner & Master alike. What a comparative read!

(Compare Salutations from Colossians & Philemon)

The letter to Philemon was sent as a companion letter with the Epistle to the church at Colosse. It was carried by Tychicus who was accompanied by Onesimus.

(NKJV)

I. Philemon

1. Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,

2. To the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

3. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

5. hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,

6. that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

7. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8. Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,

9. yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you -- being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ --

10. I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,

11. who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

12. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

13. whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.

14. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

15. For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,

16. no longer as a slave but more than a slave -- a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.

18. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.

19. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay -- not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.

20. Yes, brother let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

21. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say.

22. But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

23. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

24. as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

25. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

II. Three Steps To Recovery

A. Step One - Confession Of Sin

Confession - Acceptance

Opens the door to forgiveness (Breaks The Hold)

Forgiveness by God (1 John 1:9)

Forgiveness from our own heart & conscious (1 John 3:21)

Forgiveness of others who have been affected (James 5:16)

B. Step Two - Repentance

Repentance - Change

Closes the door on future infractions (Destroys The Handle)

C. Step Three - Restitution

Restitution - Payment

Opens the door for restoration (Repairs The Damage)

III. Three Things We Should All Learn To Say

A. I’m sorry, I was wrong.

B. I won’t do that again.

C. What can I do to make it right?

Point #52 Revised: Admit it, Quit it, Fix it & Forget it.

“I’m sorry; I won’t do it again; Now what can I do to make it right?”

IV. Close

A. Forgive Me - not - Excuse Me

B. I Have Changed - not - I’m Sorry, But I Had My Reasons

C. If I Can Fix It, I Will - not - Thanks For Understanding

Three Great Truths Of Life

Three Great Truths Of Life

Gtcotr/ss082403

Turn to The Book Of James, Chapter Four

Point #154. God does not first seek our permission before He upsets our plans.

Key Scripture: Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

I. James 4

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

II. Three Great Truths Of Life

You really don’t have the foggiest idea what is going to happen next:

A. God Is In Control

Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Point #48. What may seem like a surprise to you is a plan to God.

* Just ask Joseph; David; The people in the upper room; those in the Jerusalem church when Stephen was martyred.

B. Life Is Short By Any Standard

James 4:14b For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Point #89. The only thing we will regret when we get to heaven is that we did not go sooner.

Point #46. When the moment comes that we draw our last breath on planet earth, we can confidently say, “My Greatest Day Is Yet Ahead.”

C. We Ought To Do What We Know To Do

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

It is wrong to know what you ought to do and not do it.

Point #137. It may be bad now but trust me, you can make it worse.

Point #191. The real test of life is what you do with what you have.

Point #201. The treasure of God’s blessing on your life is found in the field of God’s will for your life.

Isaiah 1 (vs. 16-17 say ‘cease to do evil, learn to do well’)

19 If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.

1. God Is In Control

2. Life Is Short By Any Standard

3. We Ought To Do What We Know To Do

Carrying The Burden

Carrying The Burden

Gtcotr/sn082403

Turn to Luke 19

Key Scripture: Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Note: Today I thought of David, a little boy, anointed to be king but currently shepherding only a few of his father’s sheep on the backside of the desert: He faced Goliath after choosing 5 smooth stones from a fresh water brook. He knew his cause was just and that Goliath was a wicked enemy.

Point #185. We are often tested and developed in the secret places of our lives before being used and exalted in the public places.

Point #199. Five Smooth Stones

1. A purpose you are proud of

2. Principles you can defend

3. Priorities that stand the test of time

4. People you are willing to die for

5. A Past that cannot haunt you

I. Luke 19

30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

33 And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?

34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

35 And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

36 And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

41 ¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

45 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

46 Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

47 And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

48 And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

II. Five Qualifications For Carrying The Burden

1. No Biting (The sound of the hammer in the sanctuary)

1 Kings 6:7

2. No Bucking (Shifting the burden or loosing the load)

3. No Kick (No giving in to aggravation)

4. No Balking (Stubborness)

5. No Running (Fleeing in fear or freedom)

Prayer 101 Continued - Binding & Loosing

Prayer 101 Continued

Binding & Loosing

Gtcotr/ws082003

Key Scripture: Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

I. Tonight: Some Common Prayers Of The Spirit-Filled Christian

A. The Prayer Of Binding & Loosing

Note: We use an exhortation by Jesus in Matthew as a basis for actively engaging in prayer against things. Although the principle and practice of praying in this manner is not strictly supported by the scripture most often quoted, to pray in efforts to promote some things while prohibiting others is a valid prayer attempt.

1. Matthew 16

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Note: Bind means prohibit

Loose means permit

Whatsoever - not - Whosoever

To lay down the law of acceptable and unacceptable practices

Directly speaks to ordinances, rites, traditions, ceremonies and activities within the church.

The things permitted should be with heaven’s approval and the things prohibited should be disallowed after heaven’s pattern.

The concept of prayer is never mentioned herein, but rather practice.

This does not strictly give instruction or authority to speak into the heavenlies and tear down the devil’s strongholds.

This scripture rather gives directive to earthly matters as is the case in Matthew 18

2. Matthew 18 (describe the discourse)

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven

Note: I mentioned earlier concerning tearing down strongholds. Let’s look at that scriptural reference for a moment to insure we have correct doctrine based upon the intent of that scripture.

2 Corinthians 10

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Note:

This speaks not to prayer but to a conscious bridling of our own thoughts, attitudes, imaginations and appetites.

At best a speaking to ourselves and not necessarily to God or others, unless that it be in the process of assisting us to curb our own lives.

The whole concept of prayer is ‘To God For Something’

Prayer is mentioned 306 times in the KJV

‘Pray for’ is a solid statement with many, many firm references

Pray for: you; me; us; them; the saints; the peace; the will

‘Pray against’ is not found

In the matter of binding and loosing -

3. We should look to heaven as our authority & guide

4. Can we then pray to bind the devil and his intended activities?

5. Yes! But best under the authority of other scriptures.

* Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power (authority) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (ability) of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

* James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

* 1 Peter 5:

8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

6. A part of resisting the devil is to have on the armor of God and posture ourselves for the battle. A part of our armory is prayer.

Ephesians 6

10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

In conclusion, I have found:

7. The best way to handle the devil is to:

First: Do not be ignorant of his purposes

2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Next: Give him no place to work in your life.

Eph 4

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

1 ¶ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love,

Then: Resist his every attempt, however minor, to lead me astray from God’s intent.

Beginners Discipleship

Beginners Discipleship

Gtcotr/ss081703

Turn To The Second Chapter Of Acts

Reading a recipe does not equal baking a cake!

Key Scripture: Acts 11:26c And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

The word disciple(s) means: student; learner; pupil.

It comes from a root word meaning:

To learn and be appraised by use and practice

What makes a modern day disciple differ from a modern day student:

A Disciple Believes In His Teacher

A Disciple Adopts His Teacher’s Philosophies

A Disciple Serves His Teacher’s Cause

A Disciple Imitates His Teacher’s Example

A Disciple Does Not Expect To Be Better Than His Teacher

Matthew 10:24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.

The Four Gospels - 224 Times

The Book Of Acts - 28 Times

The Epistles & The Book Of Revelation - 0

Conversely

The Word ‘Church’

The Four Gospels - 3 Times

The Book Of Acts - 24 Times

The Epistles & The Book Of Revelation - 89 Times

It was in the book of Acts that The disciples became the church and the church became the discipleship center for Christians.

Key Scripture: Acts 11:26c And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

The Great Commission

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore and ‘teach’ all nations …

Teach means to ‘make disciples of’

Immediately in the book of Acts, right after the great commission, the church is birthed and begins its task of making disciples of all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, continuing to Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world.

I. Beginning Discipleship

* Acts 2

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

II. Three Identifiable Characteristics Of A Beginner Disciple

A. 42 ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1. The Apostles’ Doctrine - The Word Of God

2. Fellowship & Breaking Of Bread - Church & Christian Friends

3. Prayers - Communication With God

B. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Prayer 101 Continued

Prayer 101 Continued

Gtcotr/ws081303

Key Concept: Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46

“My house shall be called a house of prayer.”

The goal of this series is to equip & motivate individuals and families in our church to pray skillfully, joyfully and constantly.

My dream in 1982.

Luke 11

1 ¶ And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven

I. Sunday we talked about: Getting The Address Correct

A. John 16

23 ¶ And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

B. Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

C. Neither Jesus, nor Peter or Paul or the early church prayed to angels, saints or demons, but rather to God.

1. Acts 12:5 Peter in prison - the church prayed to God

2. Matthew 26:53 Jesus said He could pray His Father to send 12 legions of angels to assist Him.

3. 2 Corinthians 12 Paul’s thorn in the flesh sent him to God

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee

D. We are called to:

1. Resist the devil & cast out demons

2. Rebuke evildoers & withdraw from them

3. Pull down strongholds in our own lives

4. Be led by the Holy Spirit

5. Obey the commands of Jesus & follow His example

6. Pray to God, praise, thank, bless and worship Him and Him alone.

7. Witness to everyone

II. Tonight: Some Common Prayers Of The Spirit-Filled Christian

A. The Prayer Of Binding & Loosing

1. Matthew 16

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

2. Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

3. Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

4. We should look to heaven as our guide & pattern rule book

B. The Prayer Of Agreement

1. Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

2. Ecclesiastes 4

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

3. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

C. Intercession

1. Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

2. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

3. Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

4. Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

* Satan interceded before God for Job’s life

* Zechariah 3

1 ¶ And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

5. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

6. 1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

7. Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

D. Petition

Our prayers are to be aimed at changing things in our lives and on earth.

If there are things which need to be dealt with or changed in the heavens to effect the changed needed on earth, then that is God’s business and call.

Take Daniel 10, Gabriel and the Prince of the kingdom of Persia

Take Revelation 12:7 & 20:1 Michael & his angels fight against the heavenly demons

III. The Prayers We Know Much Less About

The prayers prayed by Jesus to His Father God in private

What could They have been talking about?

What do Fathers and Sons discuss?

What do you talk to your Heavenly Father about?

Talking to God!

A prayerful conversation with the Creator of the universe.