Called by God to Deal with What’s Happening Around You

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, February 24, 2015

Series: Moving Forward

Reference Scripture:  Nehemiah 1:1-4

Focus Verses: Nehemiah 2:3  

 

Today’s Discussion:    “Called by God to Deal with What’s Happening Around You”

The lesson aim is to prove that believers are called to the work of the ministry. More importantly, there are a very few believers that have been chosen to go and rescue God’s people from the disparities of their surroundings.  (Reference: Matthew 22:14)

Interestingly, the church (ekklesia) is under a prophetic mandate to reclaim the backslider and rescue the lost.  The church was established by God to “go and teach the gospel of Jesus, and to make disciples for the kingdom of God.  However, we cannot accomplish this great task without first understanding “what’s required of me as a believer”. (Reference: Mark 8:34)   The church (ekklesia) must have a concern for all of God’s people that live and work in and around the “temple”.  Conversely, the church must be willing to show love and compassion for the lost and broken-hearted.

(References: Matthew 9:35 – Matthew 10:1)

Nehemiah’s claim to fame is centered on his willingness to answer the clarion call (an urgent call to action) to go and reclaim those that had been redeemed by God and rebuild the city that been claimed for God’s people.  Subsequently, Nehemiah dedicated and committed a season of his life to restoring the city and the inhabitants (a remnant) of Jerusalem for God.  What an awesome responsibility! (Reference: Ephesians 4:11-12) Nehemiah answered the clarion call to reclaim, rebuild and restore the things of God that had become broken.

So often we hear of the plight of God’s people, but are not moved to action.  For one to have a heart for God’s people, he/she must have a heart for God and a desire to walk in the will of God for their lives by living out their God-given purpose.

• Nehemiah’s Response: Nehemiah 1:4; 2:3 – “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven; (3) why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?”

• Nehemiah’s Request: Nehemiah 2:4-5 – “Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.”

Nehemiah’s call to duty is a blue print for the modern day church.  We are called to be disciples for Christ and then commissioned to go and make disciples of others.

"No Time to Play, There's Work to be Done"

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Series: The Power of Healing and Deliverance

Scripture Reference:  Matthew 10:1

Today’s Discussion:    “No Time to Play, There’s Work to be Done”

The lesson aim is to remind believers that our primary objective in life is to work in our God-given purpose.  More importantly, we must not forget that we have been sent by Jesus out into the vineyard to validate the authenticity of HIS kingship.  Apropos, how we conduct ourselves will have a positive or negative reflection on the one that has sent us. (References: St. John 13:35) 

The overall theme of this text is exposing the core principals of discipleship training.  Jesus has given these chosen men various instructions on what to do and say as HIS representatives.  HE has led them through various stages of spiritual growth by challenging their minds to think victoriously before seeing any evidence of cure or change.  (Reference: Hebrews 11:1)

Jesus equipped “them” with power to perform miracles. Interestingly enough, Jesus realized that the work of the kingdom would not be a cake walk, especially for these men he has just chosen to live the Kingdom agenda.  Through this example of divine providence the Lord implements a very critical component for fulfilling the kingdom assignment: Team Work   (Reference: Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:4-7)  The text also establishes a direct link between the disciples, Jesus and God, the Father. (Reference: St. John 15:7-8) Amazingly, the main focus for the church today can be determined from Matthew 10:1 – taking charge of our destiny”:

 

 – “he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”. (define the following terms using your bible dictionary)

 

Power -                 

 

 

Against –

 

Cast them out -  

 

Heal -   

 

Sickness –

 

Disease –

 

The real solutions for world problems can be answered and resolved by the church of Jesus Christ.  We have been instructed to follow God’s divine plan for change.

“2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ()KJV

 

I'm Determined to Wait on my Change!

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, February 04, 2015

Series: The Power of Healing and Deliverance

Scripture Reference:  Job 14:14

Today’s Discussion:    “I’m Determined to Wait on My Change”

The lesson aim is to reassure all that God will send relief.  More importantly, we are that of the household of faith must remain confident that God is still in control.  Because of this fact, we must not waver in our confidence, standing firm on our convictions. (References: Hebrews 10:34-37) 

The overall theme of this text is learning to overcome the hardships we face as believers in God. The writer documents a somber moment in the life of one of God’s greatest witnesses, Job. (Job 1:1)  All throughout this documentary of hope Job presents the realities of godly living.  He categorizes each stage of life through examples of faith.  Therefore, his display of faith propels him into the believer’s hall of fame. (Hebrews 11)  Job makes some very bold declarations that catapulted him above the attacks of his family and friends.  (Reference: Job 13:15)  In comparison the Apostle Paul makes similar declarations that solidify his place in the victor’s circle. (Reference: Romans 8:37; Philippians 4:11; II Timothy 4:7)

Job believed in his heart that the day would come when he would be changed.  He believed that change would come to pass by way of natural death or divine healing and deliverance.  Interestingly, Job’s faith is the strongest factor working for him during this season of uncertainty.  Thus, Job takes center stage along with countless others that overcame adversity, hardship, calamities, and persecution.

As a result of his faith Job taps into the divine providence of God and withdraws a revelation of divine healing. (Reference: Job 19:25-26; Ezekiel 37:1-4)  Adversely, Job’s question is not one of doubt.  He poses the question to his faithless friends and uses this opportunity to redirect their negative comments into a conversation of hope. Job also declares that God is the God of the living.  And that God’s power operates in and flows through people of faith.

Job 14:14 –“all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” KJV

The greatest challenge we face is overcoming impatience.  Job plants his feet in the cement of healing by taking a stance against his own fears and frustrations.

Final thought:  Do you have the spiritual capacity to wait on God?