Sanctification Part 3

Friday 9th November

Point 1 : Do as people do in order to influence them and win them for Christ but at the same time keep the godly standards

1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I become as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Paul worked hard to reach the lost and would try to find common ground with them and do things as they did in order to be able to witness to them. However, he kept the godly standard and in this way he influenced others, but they didn't influence him.
Jesus also sat with sinners, visited sinners in their homes and impacted their lives. But Jesus standard remained unchanged.


Point 2: Religion does not equal holiness. 

1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:23 (Our body and spirit are God's because He paid a price for us, so we should set ourselves apart to glorify Him)

We need to keep ourselves free from the things of this world.The church at Corinth was very carnal and the people were involved in doing things that were very sinful and ungodly. The standards of today's world are very ungodly too.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves.......... rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power, And from such people turn away.

This is a warning to watch out for religious godliness. Some times people go through religious motions and look 'holy' in what they are doing, however its empty and the power of Christ working in their lives is not there. Some people may be just so busy with false gods and idols that they have from people or things in this world. Some say we are our own god.

1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 6, Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1:13-16

God wants true godliness. A people who are truely set apart for Him to work in their lives by His Holy Spirit.


Point 3: Sanctification is a definite yet progressive work of grace, starting at the time of regeneration and continuing until we are with Jesus.

Hebrews 13:12
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.



Point 4: We were chosen for salvation, but only when we allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to walk in the truth and continue to be sanctified, then our name remains in the book of life.

2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

We are made holy by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives enabling us to walk in the truth. But we have to make the decision and commit to believing the truth for this work of sanctification to take place.

Point 5: The Holy Spirit is preparing the Church to be what God wants it to be - ready for Jesus return

1 Peter 1:1-2
Ephesians 5:25-27
God wants to sanctify and cleanse the church. When Jesus comes back for the church, He wants to present it to Himself, 'a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish'.

John 17:17 (Jesus praying for the believers - 'sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth'.)

The standard for the church is very high. But God has sent His Holy Spirit to prepare it for Himself. The importance of sanctification does not diminish over time, but everyone in the church must continue to follow the biblical standard of holiness and allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify them daily.

Sanctification Part 2

Friday 19th October

Started by comparing the christian walk with an athletes training and discipline (Hebrews 12)
Summary:

• an athlete throws off hindrances (E.g. will avoid staying up late, will avoid junk food, will avoid distractions...) - a christian also needs to throw off hindrances that pull them down (Heb 12:1)
• an athlete studies the best - a christian needs to study the life and character of Jesus (Heb 12:2)
• an athlete must accept correction from the coach - a christian is corrected by God who believes we can be better (Heb 12:5-8)
• an athlete bears short term pain to receive a long term reward (win a medal) - a christian must accept God's discipline which is short term pain to get the long term reward (Heb 12:10-11). God wants to reward us with being partakers of his holiness and having the fruit of righteousness

So as an athlete cannot live any way they like, in the same way a christian also can't live any way they like. Instead must be set apart and living to a higher standard.

Sometimes the spirit is willing to be set apart and obey but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41)

2 Corinthians 7:1 'Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.' 

It is a choice with deliberate action required to get rid of the filthy things, then we will see holiness in our lives.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

key points

• some things may be lawful but actually not helpful and not good for us, so we shouldn't participate in these things (v12) Also 1 Cor 10:23 - all things are lawful, not all things edify.
• we are called as Christians to be members of Christ and one in spirit. (v17)
• those involved in prostitution and become joined to a harlot become one body with the harlot (v15,16) God can't be in someone who is with a prostitute.
• the church of Corinth were called to flee fornication otherwise they are sinning against their own bodies (v18)
• as Christians, our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. It is not our own to do as we please (v19)
• WHY? because we were bought with a price (Jesus' blood) so we must glorify God in body and spirit. (v20)

 Think about things we do which may not hurt us but offend others. Leave such things alone. Separate ourselves for the Lord in all areas of our lives.

Sanctification Part 1

Friday 12th October,2018

Sanctification: What comes to mind?
Holiness, purity, being set apart for a purpose, being dedicated / consecrated to God, no compromise

1 Thessolonians 4:1-8

Key Points:

• God has called us out of uncleanness and into holiness.(v7)
• That means sexual sin like fornication (sex outside of marriage) is not allowed (v3)
• Even a wrong sexual desire (lust) is not allowed (v5)
• We must live in a way that pleases God (v1)

Sanctification refers to being holy. When a non believer chooses to repent and accept salvation, they are sanctified because they were called out of darkness into the light by God. Sanctification needs to be happening on a daily basis. Every day is a new start and God's will is for us to be sanctified. 

When people are living in sin such as fornication, they cannot hold leadership roles in the church. They cannot lay hands on people during prayer times (people don't want those involved in sexual sin imparting something on them during prayer). However, they need not be asked to leave the church because church is for everyone. (All are sinners) The reason to keep them from ministry roles is because there are boundaries and the church must uphold holiness as the standard. 

Leviticus 20:7-8 God spoke to Moses about holiness.

'Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you.'

1 Peter 1:13-16

In vs 15-16  it says 'But as he which hath called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy for I am holy,'

It's important that the standard of holiness is applied to all conversations (including the way we talk to ourselves), no matter whether we are at home, church or work. For some, we are the only Bible they will ever read. Others may not accept our standards, but we can at least let them know. We can keep these (God's) standards ourselves and let others know that certain things do not go well with us. God calls for holy living because He is a holy God.

In Hebrews 12:14, we are told that without holiness we cannot see the Lord. There's no sitting on the fence. Holiness is holiness. Anything else is uncleanliness. God's desire is for us to be holy in our homes, work places and church.

Baptism in The Holy Ghost (3)

Friday 21st September

Question: What is the significance of the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

Points covered in the last discussion:
1. It meant the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise of God in Joel 2:28-29 to pour out His Spirit upon all His people in the end times.
2. Since the last days of this age had begun everyone was now confronted with the decision to repent and believe in Christ.

New Points covered:

3. The disciples were 'endued with power from on high'

    Jesus said this would happen in Luke 24:49, it did happen in Acts 1:8 and the people noticed (Acts 4:13,33). 'Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.' Acts 4:13

Peter and John were totally different after the filling of the Holy Spirit compared to previously. Their boldness made them stand up and speak out in front of people who questioned them and even threatened them. Stephen is another example of someone who spoke boldly after being filled with the Holy Spirit. He was not intimidated by threats (Acts 6) , but instead he had the face of an angel.

See also Romans 15:19, John 16:8

1 Corinthians 14:!3-15, 18-19 and Romans 8:26 talk about speaking in tongues It's an 'unknown tongue' that we have not learned, but have been gifted with. If we pray with the spirit and then with understanding, we know what we said in tongues. Paul encouraged people to pray in tongues but with an interpretation so that the church may be edified.

4. Those who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit longed for others to be saved (Just as the Spirit longs for people of every nation to be saved). 

Romans 10:1 'Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.'

 Romans 9:1-3 Paul refers to a great heaviness (burden) in his heart that others would be saved.

Acts 2:28-40 Paul longed for others to be saved and urged them when he spoke

Acts 1:8 Having the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to be witnesses

5. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the disciples became ministers of the Spirit. They led others into the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:38-39 The promise is for all to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:17 Believers in Samaria received the Holy Spirit after the disciples prayed for them.

Acts 9:17-18, When Ananias prayed for Saul, he prayed that he would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:44-48 First time for the Gentiles to receive the Holy Spirit when Peter was preaching to Cornelius. They spoke with tongues too and then got baptised with water.

Acts 19:6-7 John the Baptist's disciples received the Holy Spirit and spoke with tongues after Paul laid hands on them.

The Holy Spirit enables us to do the work of the Lord. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for us today and being anointed by His power is essential for the ministry we are doing.

Baptism in the Holy Ghost (2)

Friday 7th September

Speaking in tongues:

1.
There are tongues of men (all the languages spoken on earth) and there are tongues of angels (those languages which are not spoken anywhere on earth and even the devil doesn't understand. My spirit communicating directly with God's spirit.)

1 Corinthians 13:1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

2.
At Pentecost, Acts 2:5-12, people from everywhere were gathered in Jerusalem, and were amazed when they heard the disciples speaking in tongues because they could pick out their own languages being spoken. Clearly the disciples had never studied or learnt these languages so it was considered a 'supernatural and Divine' event.


Question: What is the significance of the filling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?

1. It meant the beginning of the fulfillment of the promise of God in Joel - that God was going to pour out His Spirit upon all people in the end times. 

Joel 2:28-29
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

Acts 2:16-21 Peter proclaimed to the crowds that what they had seen and heard was what the prophet Joel had prophesied many years earlier.

Acts 1:4-5, Matthew 3:11, Luke 24:49, John 1:33 The disciples were asked to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit which is something more than the baptism in water they had seen already.  They would be filled with power from on high.

2. Since the last days of this age had begun (as the prophet Joel spoke of) , everyone was now confronted with the decision to repent and believe in Christ. 

Acts 2:17 (Peter referred to Joel's prophecy)
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Acts 3: 19-21
Repent ye therefore and be converted , that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets since the world began.

Matthew 3:1-2, Luke 13:3 Repentance was preached by John and Jesus.

Baptism in The Holy Ghost (1)

31st August




Acts 2:1-4
1. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled
the whole house where they were sitting. 3. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.


Question: What happened to the followers that first pentecost?

• they heard a sound like a rushing wind
• they saw tongues of fire on each of them
• each was filled with the Holy Spirit
• each spoke in another tongue

Question: What's the difference between being baptised with the Holy Spirit and
being filled with the Holy Spirit?

• Being baptised with the Holy Spirit is part of what happens when we get saved.
• Being filled with the Holy Spirit is part of being renewed. We can be filled multiple times, even daily, but we will only be baptised with the Holy Spirit once.
• Even people in the old testament times were filled with the Holy Spirit before anyone had actually been baptised with the Holy Spirit.

Question: What if you once spoke in tongues but then didn't speak in tongues after this?

1. If the gift of tongues has been given, God will not retract it.
2. We can ask for this gift to be renewed.
3. The gift of tongues needs to be used and practised.

Matthew 3:11 (NKJV) John talking
'I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'

John 14:16-17 (NKJV) Jesus talking
'And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him for he lives with you and will be in you. '


Jesus promised that the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is available to all believers even today.


Acts 1:4-8
Tells us that the Holy Spirit is a gift and that we will receive power when he comes on us.
This power will enable us to be witnesses.
The disciples were not given any dates or times for first receiving the Holy Spirit but just told to wait in Jerusalem, which they did.


Acts 2:38-39
Tells us to repent and be baptised and we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is a promise for 'you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call.'


Acts 10:44-48
In Acts 10 the Holy Spirit is poured out for the first time on the gentiles.


'The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said "Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptised with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.'

Water Baptism Part 1

15th June

Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching the to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

What is water baptism?
Water baptism is a commandment from Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Water baptism is for believers. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Water baptism is by full immersion. The greek word 'baptizo' means to immerse or overwhelm.
Water baptism is a symbol of a christian dying to the sinful self, burying this old life and gaining a new life just as Christ died, was buried and rose again. (Romans 6:4)
Water baptism is an outward testimony of what Christ has done for us on the inside.
(Colosians 2:11-12)
When we baptize, we baptize in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Ghost.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

In Acts 8, Philip comes across an Ethiopian man (a Eunuch) who was reading the scripture and not understanding it. The Eunuch invited Philip to explain the scripture to him. When they came to some water the Eunuch wanted to get baptized and because he chose to believe in Jesus Christ, Philip baptized him immediately. The Spirit then caught Philip away after the baptism.

Must we be baptized in water to be saved?
No.
The thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) admitted that he deserved his crucifixion, while Jesus had done nothing wrong. He believed in Jesus and asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus told him that he would be in paradise with Jesus that day. There was no time to be water baptized but yet he could still go to heaven.

In 1 John 1:8-9, it states that confessing our sins is what is what is needed to be forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. There is no mention of water baptism here.
Likewise in Romans 10:9-10, it states that we must confess with our mouth and believe with our heart and we can be saved. Again no mention of water baptism.

Why do some people believe in baptismal regeneration? 
Some people will argue that we need to be water baptised in order to be saved. They will use verses like Mark 16:15-16 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved' to prove their point.

Another verse is John 3:5 'Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' But in this example (see the context John 3:1-7) the water is not referring to water baptism but rather the physical birth from a mother's womb. We know this because Jesus talks about flesh giving birth to flesh and the Spirit giving birth to spirit (John 3:6). So Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus that being born again means that the Spirit has to impart something spiritual in us.

Acts 2:38 'Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.'
In this example Peter is referring to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, water baptism is again an external confession of an inward experience. Repentance leads to baptism and baptism showed in the Bible days that the Christians had received salvation.

Acts 22:16 'And now why tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and wash away they sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' 
Because this verse talks about being baptized and having your sins washed away, some would say that the water washes away your sin. However, only the Blood of Jesus can wash away our sins.
Acts 10:43 'through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.'


Conclusion:

It is only what Christ has done for us on the cross that can save us. It was never meant to be anything that we have done that can earn us salvation. And it was always meant to be a simple confession with our mouth and belief in our heart that allows us to receive the salvation which Christ has already paid for with His life. Christ broke himself that in our brokenness we can be restored, healed and forgiven.

The Ministry Part 5

8th June

Last week we discussed the first point
1. We need Ministers and people who are strong in faith like Abraham.

This week we discussed the second point

2. We need Ministers and people who are strong in conviction.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NKJV)
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.:
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
For a time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 

We can see that what Paul told Timothy is already happening. People are compromising the Word of God and allowing the world's standard to be acceptable when it is NOT. Even in churches many compromises are made and nonsense may be heard from church people who really should know better. Many choose to believe a lie, rather than the truth. So we must be careful to distinguish between compromises and The Word of God (sound doctrine). Then we won't get sucked into the lies.
We must also be ready to share God's Word when we are expecting to share and also when we are not expecting to share. We never know when the opportunities will pop up.

2 Thessolonians 2:8-12 (NKJV)
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The Antichrist will come prior to Jesus' second coming. We do not know if the Antichrist is already in the world or not, but he will be revealed later after the rapture. He is deceptive and many will believe his false signs and fake miracles. God is allowing the Antichrist to deceive people because they did not believe the truth in the first place.  We are also told that the Antichrist will be destroyed by the brightness of Jesus when He returns.

John 8:31-32 (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

The Truth is what makes us free, but we can only know the Truth if we abide in His WORD.

We need God to renew our convictions.
A. Convictions about sin and sinfulness 
     (Romans 6:23 - Sin brings death but the gift of God is eternal life)
     (Psalm 1:1 - Let us remove all sin from our lives and walk with the Lord in righteousness)

B. We need conviction about separation from all sin and every kind of wickedness. 
     (2 Corinthians 6:17 - Strive to be separate unto the Lord)

C. We need conviction and dedication to the Lord.
     (1 Chronicles 29:5  David challenged the people asking "Who is willing to consecrate his 
       service this day unto the Lord?)Note that David had already dedicated some of his personal 
       belongings including gold for the purposes of building the temple so he surely led by example)
      (Proverbs 23:26 - we must first dedicate our heart to the Lord before we can dedicate our                     resources, time, talents and other things)

We are not our own but were bought with a price so let's dedicate ourselves unto the Lord. Strengthen your convictions and serve the Lord with all your heart.

Conclusion of this chapter on The Ministry

We started this chapter with Ephesians 4:11-16 and focused on the different giftings and responsibilities in the church
(apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers for the edifying of the church).

Now consider verse 15-16: (NKJV)
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ - 
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body of the edifying of itself in love.

In the human body, bones come together at joints and the joints will provide a fluid to lubricate the place where the bones meet so as to reduce friction. If pressure is put on the joints, more fluid will be released to bring more lubrication in order to help manage the pressure.

The body of Christ functions in much the same way. Where members come together, there are joints. These joints are the communication, interaction and inter-ministry between members. In the above verse, we can see the joints supply which means its the sharing and praying that happens between members on Sunday or during prayer meetings, bible studies etc which supplies what is needed and helps bring the 'lubrication' which is needed even more when the pressure comes (enemy attacks etc)
When the joints supply, then the body of Christ works effectively and therefore the church is edified and able to grow.

We need to flow with The Holy Spirit and The Word of God (like the oil and water which makes up the fluid in our physical body's joint) so that the joints can really supply as God purposed them to.
In this way the church can keep moving closer to God's vision for churches:

Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: ...

The Ministry Part 4

25th May

1. We need ministers and people who are strong in faith like Abraham.

Romans 4:19-21
And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He (GOD) had promised He was also able to perform.

Abraham was PURSUING THE PROPHESY that God had given him that he would have a son and be the father of many nations. Rather than look at the obvious impossible physical circumstances, he chose to focus on the prophesy and that made his faith stronger which led to him giving glory to God. This then strengthened his faith further to the point that there was no doubt that God could and would do what He said He would.

A. WE NEED FAITH IN THE WORD OF GOD.

Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
In Jeremiah 5:21 and Ezekiel 12:2 it speaks about people being able to hear but not hearing and being able to see but not seeing. So there is another factor to consider and that is we must have our spiritual ears open and hear with our heart so that the word of God gets into the core of our being and takes our faith to another level.

B. WE NEED FAITH IN THE GOD OF THE WORD.

2 Timothy 1:!2
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 

Paul was in prison and possibly even with a death sentence over him when he wrote this encouragement to Timothy. However, he did not let his circumstances affect his faith. 
Instead he had complete confidence in who God is. 

  1. We need faith for salvation Acts 16:31
       Paul and Silas led the jailer to the Lord and they all trusted God for forgiveness of sin.

  2. We need faith that the Lord will take care of us. Psalm 37:23-24
       Our steps are ordered by the Lord and He is and will continue to be faithful in caring for us.

  3. We need faith that the Lord will provide  Philippians 4:19
       The Lord is our supply and He knows our every need. 
       He is interested in the big and small details of our lives.

  4. We need faith to serve the Lord no matter what happens  Joshua 24:15 
       Joshua made up his mind that regardless of what others did, he would serve the Lord.


      

The Ministry Part 3

18th May

MINISTER'S RESPONSIBILITY

3. The minister is responsible for feeding the flock. 

John 21:15 (NKJV)
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."
The minister is responsible for having a good meal prepared for the flock when they come into God's house.

4. The minister is responsible for protecting the flock

Acts 20:29-30 (NKJV)
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Pastors and Ministers must be alert to the false doctrines and cults in the world today. Ministers protect the flock by preaching the TRUTH. Paul warned that false teachings will come from people outside the church and also from people in the church (members). Satan is trying to distort the truth and will send whoever it takes to spread his lies.

John 8:32
Jesus said that we will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set us free.

Ministers cannot allow anybody (stranger or member) to teach any false doctrines in the church.
If any false teaching does arise, the minister needs to stop it by rebuking it and removing it before it continues further in the Body of Christ.

5. The minister's responsibility is to be faithful

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV)
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Paul worked on keeping himself right and faithful to the Lord and to the Word of God. Ministers have a responsibility to those they have ministered to, so they must be absolutely faithful and not coming under anyone's criticism for dishonoring the Word of God.

Philippians 1:27 (NKJV)
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love in spirit, in faith, in purity.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Paul instructed Timothy to focus on being an example to the believers and not be put off if people thought he was too young to preach. He told Timothy to take responsibility for being faithful and for studying the Word so that he might show that he is approved by God. Being called by God is serious and we must take the calling seriously.

Ephesians 4:11-13 is a reminder again of the work of the ministry.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 reminds us to be on guard and be firm in the faith.

The Ministry Part 2

May 11th

Titus 1:5-11 (NKJV)
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you -
6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children not accused of dissipation or
insubordination.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given
to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to
exhort and convict those who contradict.
10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the
circumcision,
11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

Paul and Titus had been working together on the island of Crete. However, Paul had to leave so Titus was given the job of appointing elders in every city. Paul knew this letter would be read out in the churches around Crete yet he did not lower the standard to make people happy. The standard for the Pastors and Church leaders is very high. Our holy God desires a holy church. In fact these qualities are good for all members of the church. Only by what Jesus has done for us, can we be living our life up to this standard. God is not only interested in the message but the journey of the messengers that God would be able to do a work in their lives and bring them to His desired standard. When the messengers are ready and go out with the Word then surely the harvest will come.

According to the list in Titus 1:5-11
We must be ....
1. blameless - upright at all times
2. the husband of one wife (wife of one husband) - being absolutely faithful stops trouble
3. managing the family well - bringing up our children in the Lord
4. self controlled / self disciplined
5. not self-willed - not stubborn as this is of the devil
6. not quick-tempered - avoid hurting others with a temper
7. not given to wine - Proverbs 20:1
8. not violent but gentle
9. free from the love of money - don't go after the things of this world
10. hospitable - welcome others into our homes and serve them well
11. love what is good
12. just
13. holy - God calls us to live holy lives as He is a holy God
14. holding fast to the faithful word which we have been taught and able to instruct others

Philippians 1:27 
Only let your  conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

God is calling us to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of the Lord. Our conduct shouldn't depend on whether the pastors are present or not, but we should be Christ like and Godly in all situations.

MINISTER'S RESPONSIBILITY

1. The minister is responsible for leading the flock. 
     Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit 
     has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 

      Christ is the Chief and the Great Shepherd. (Christ is the head of the body of Christ)
     The pastor is the under-shepherd and head of the flock (the believers)

      John 10:23 The sheep will and are to follow their shepherd. John 10:25 It is the shepherd to 
      lead the flock

2. The minister is responsible for correcting and comforting.
     2 Timothy 4: 1-5  talks about preaching the Word in season and out of season, correcting when needed and bringing the whole counsel of God because a time is coming when people will not want to listen to the whole Word but only the parts that are pleasing to them. The minister can not just preach Grace every week but must bring the whole counsel including judgement, curses or other parts which maybe people don't want to hear about.
     Hebrews 12:11-13 Rebuking must always be done in love so that people can be comforted and continue on for the Lord. Ephesians 4:11-13 where this unit started reminds us that equipping God's people, edifying the body of Christ and bringing everyone into unity of faith is what the ministers are responsible for so that the believers can measure up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

The Ministry Part 1

May 4th

Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV)

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. This topic connects to the previous topic on The Church. Again we see The Church is the body of Christ and Christ is the head. We can also see that every message and word spoken by the pastor, evangelist, prophet or apostle is important for equipping us to do the work of the Lord. Mark 16:15-18 God has commissioned us to go out and preach the gospel so that people believe and are baptized. And there will be signs that follow like casting out demons and speaking in new tongues. God's protection will be around us. If any harm comes (like snakes), they won't be able to hurt us ( Acts 28:5 Paul shook the poisonous snake off into the fire and people were amazed) but this is not an invitation to test God by taking up dangerous things.  1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NKJV) v22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. v23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker of it with you.  We can see Paul's total focus was to win the lost to Christ. He even tried to find common ground in order to share the gospel.  In Ephesians 4:11-16 the Lord explain to us that different giftings have been given out in the church.  1. Apostles: (greek word apostolos - strongs 652      = ambassador of the gospel, one who is sent forth by     the Lord. Usually leaving home to go to another place. 2. Prophet: (greek word prophetes - strongs 4396)     = one speaking forth a divine message from God     They need to be in continuous communication with God to      get the message from God. In the church those who spend       time with the Lord will have a word from God even though      they may not be prophets. 3. Evangalists: (greek word euaggelistes - strongs 2099)     = heralds of salvation who are not apostles. Basically all      of  us are evangalists as we take the message of salvation        into our families, workplaces and anywhere else we go. 4. Pastors: (greek word poiman - strongs 4166)     = A shepherd who tends and guides the Lord's flock.  5. Teacher: One who explains or brings God's truth. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul gives Timothy a warning about the last days: (NKJV) But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! Difficult times will come in the last days. There will be a fake godliness and behind the fake godliness will be lots of ungodliness that will grieve God. These people will miss out on the power that could bring them to true godliness. Satan is doing all he can to destroy and tear down the Church.

The Church Part 5

20 April, 2018

In the previous week, the discussion focused on the spiritual gifts.

In this last session, the question was What is the glory of the church? 

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8
And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so
until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, who the Lord
will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

This letter to the church of Thessalonians contains a strong message about the end times.
In chapter 2, a lawless one is described as rising in power and saying that he is God.
This will happen first before the day of the Lord's coming and all the believers will still be on earth and should be alert, knowing this lawless one or  'Antichrist' ( 1 John 4:3) will make all these claims.

After the 3.5 years of the lawless one claiming he is God and tried to fool everyone,
Jesus will overthrow him and destroy him (verse 8) with the brightness of His coming (the rapture)

The first time Jesus returns in the clouds is the rapture.
Matthew 24:30, Luke 17:34, 1 Corinthians 15:52,
Jesus will send angels to gather His people. 1 will be taken and the other left.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
17. ... we who are still alive ... will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

After the rapture the Holy Spirit will be taken away and there will be a 3.5 year period of tribulation and persecution before the second coming and final judgement of Satan. Note that it will be almost impossible for anyone to turn to the Lord during the persecution period because its the Holy Spirit who convicts us and births something of the spirit in us, but the Holy Spirit won't be present.

The glory of the church is that we are the bride that Jesus is coming back for. We will be taken up
to dwell with the Lord and don't need to endure the period of tribulation.

We should seek the presence of God in our lives.

As a church we must:

1. have a biblical foundation (God's Word). Keep checking that what we are hearing aligns with the Word of God.
2. preach the message of redemption (born of water and of spirit)
3. lift up Christ. Be careful not to lift up ministries, pastors, leaders or other things more than Christ.

What can we do to help the church which is the body of Christ?

1. Be regular in our attendance. Hebrews 10:25
    CH U R CH    You are present in the center of  church 😃
2. Be ready to be used by God. Make ourselves available.
3. Be reverent in our attention. Romans 12:2 be transformed by the renewing of your mind
4. Be Godly in conduct. God wants to see His character reflected in us. Resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7)

Titus 2:11-12 (NIV) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'NO' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled upright and godly lives in this present age...

5. As a church, strive to reach sinners with the gospel.

The Church Part 3

Friday 23rd March


Continuation of the discussion on The Church and its Members


Ephesians 4:11-12 New King James Version (NKJV)
¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,
and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ,

From this verse we can see there is a 5-fold ministry. These ministries are given to different
people and work together to build up and edify the people in the church, which is the body of Christ.

Last week we looked at the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12
In this study we continued from verse 9


⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same^[b] Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

In verse 9 above, faith and healing are listed together.
When the disciples were praying for people, there were a few times they got frustrated because the person didn't get healed or demons didn't leave.
When they approached Jesus about it, Jesus told them it was because of their 'little faith'
(Matthew 17:19-20) Faith as small as a mustard seed is enough to move mountains.
On another occasion Jesus was asleep on the boat and a storm came. 
The disciples rushed to wake up Jesus. Jesus calmed the storm and told them they 
had little faith. (Matthew 8:26) So faith must be present for healings / other miracles
to take place and without faith you can't please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Prophecy and Discerning Spirits
Prophecies are revelations from God to us. They may tell us what to do in that moment.
We must check that they line up with THE WORD OF GOD. If not then the prophecy is
not from God.

People with the gift of discernment know when there is a bad spirit around. 
Bad spirits can turn up in church and someone may appear to be doing well
But suddenly a lot of  things not aligned with God's Word may start coming out. 
We must test everything against God's Word and be spiritually on guard.
The enemy likes to come into our camp and cause confusion and deceit. 

Acts 16 has the story of Paul encountering a demon possessed girl. 

We must be wise in dealing with these instances. 
Also be aware of preachers who just say what is pleasing to the ear. 

In our church the vision is to WIN, BUILD and SEND. 
If our local church catches the vision, it changes attitudes. 
Jesus said in 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.

1 Corinthians 12:12 tells us that we are one body 
And one in Christ. 

The Church Part 2

16th March, 2018


In the previous study, we discussed the first 3 points:
1. The Church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
2. The Church is the body of Christ.
3. The Head of the Church is Jesus Christ.


In this study we discussed points 4, 5 and 6.




4. The Church is a constitution of true believers, born again of
    the Holy Spirit.
    John 3:6  'Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.'
   
   Discussion on why splits happen within churches: power, ego,
   difference in vision, lack of humility...... because of fleshly desires.


   But we cannot have one foot in the world and one foot in the Bible.
   Colossians 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17  and   1 Peter 4:2   remind us that
   the old person has been put to death, including all fleshly desires.
   In the ideal church, there is harmony, one vision (God's vision),
   people open to correction, humility.... God came to build a spiritual
   church.


   Our church's vision is to WIN, BUILD and SEND.




5. The believers are also born of the Word.
     1 Peter 1:22-23 (NKJV)

The Enduring Word

²² Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit^[a]
    in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
  ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through
     the word of God which lives and abides forever,^[b]








      We can see the Holy Spirit is coming in again. The true Church is born
       of the Word of God. What is of the flesh will die on day.
      The Word speaks to us, breaks lies, strongholds, .... and the Word
       remains forever.




6. The believers also live an overcoming life.
     Ephesians 5:27
     ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having
        spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and
        without blemish.
 
    To achieve this we must be overcomers in our walk with God.
    
     Revelations 21:27







The Church and The Members.
1 Corinthians 12:7-12
This passage talks about the spiritual gifts.
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one and is
for the benefit of everyone.




Interesting to note that wisdom and knowledge are together
What is the difference?
Knowledge is knowing but wisdom is knowing with understanding.
God can give one person knowledge and give a different person
the wisdom to understand that knowledge. Knowing alone could be
dangerous.
As a Church we should use these gifts to edify and build each other up.



Faith and healing are also put together.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (Faith is a gift from God)
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes
to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those
who diligently seek Him.


Each of us has been given a portion of faith. We can operate
in faith and build each other up in faith. We pray for healing in faith.




Miracles includes healing. Other miracles are...
changes in government policies, seeing unbelievers start believing,
being kept away from a car crash.....




We should desire these gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-12






























































   
   

The Church part 1

9 March 2018
Foundations of Living: The Church

Introduction: 
The word CHURCH can be found in the New Testament
only. The Greek word is EKKLESIA (1577) which means
'called out ones'. That means called out from their homes
to the gathering.

Ephesians 5:24-27

Matthew 16:18 (Jesus speaking)
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.

1 Peter 2:9
But ye (are) a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. 

So going to CHURCH on Sunday is not about going to a
place (building) but it is a gathering of the CALLED OUT 
ONES.

The bible always compares the church with a marriage.
To understand why check the Hebrew culture of marriage.
In the Hebrew culture the bride only needs to prepare
herself for her groom. But she must be ready not knowing
the exact time and absolutely spotless.
The groom must prepare the room before going to pick up
his bride. There will be a shout when the groom arrives.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/revelation/
related-topics/the-jewish-wedding-analogy.html

As the church, we are the bride of the King of Kings.
His is preparing rooms for us in Heaven and will
return to take us. We just need to be ready. The
trumpet will sound and we will gather in the air
(the rapture). John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

1. The Church is built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that
which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:20
..having been built on the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief
CORNERSTONE,.....
Church is not another business or programme.
Everything has to be centered around Jesus, the chief
cornerstone. The church must not replace Jesus with
their own doctrines.

2. The Church is the body of Christ. 
Romans 12:5
so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members of one another.
1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and members
individually.
and it goes on to refer to different members of
the church having different gifts (gift of teaching,
gift of helping, gift of healings...) and roles but
being one body.

3. Christ is the Head of The Church.
One body cannot have two heads.
Otherwise it will have 2 minds and
will malfunction.
Jesus never called anyone to be the head of the
church. We are the body and in subjection
to the head.
Ephesians 1:22-23
And He put all things under His feet, and
gave Him to be the head over all things
to the church, which is His body, the fullness
of Him who fills all in all.

Colossians 1:18
And He is the head of the body, the church,
who is the beginning, the firstborn from
the dead, that in all things He may have the
preeminence.


Note
Refer to the Jewish festivals including
the firstfruits.
After rising from the dead, Jesus presented
himself to God as the firstfruits. We are
following in his footsteps and will also
rise up from the dead.

1 Peter 3:18-20
This is the reference for the discussion on
what Jesus did in those 3 days between dying
and rising again. It mentions that He went to
preach to the spirits in prison

What is regeneration? (Part 2)

26 January, 2018

4. Regeneration involves a transition from the sinful old life to the new life
    of loving obedience to Jesus Christ.
     2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
                                    old things are passed away;
                                    behold all things are become new.
      Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the
                                lust of the flesh.
      Ephesians 4:23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of the mind; And that ye put on the new
                                      man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
      Collosians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
                                 image of him that created him:

      Romans 6:14-23 In this passage we see that when we yield ourselves to God, then sin
                                  shall not have dominion over us. That is sin has no authority or
                                   power over us and certainly shall not rule over us. But having
                                   an abundance of God's grace is no excuse to keep living the
                                   old sinful life. There is a
                                   transition from being a servant of sin to being freed from sin and
                                   becoming a servant of righteousness and moving toward holiness.
                                    When we are are servants of righteousness, we are not feeling
                                   bound and forced to follow particular religious acts, but rather
                                   we love to serve God and allow Him to make us righteous
                                   and become more like Him ( holiness)
                                   Although we will never be sinless, we will surely sin less as God
                                   works on our lives.

     1 John 2:29, 4:7, 3:9, 5:18. Those who are born of God (have been regenerated) do
                                                 live in righteousness, love one another and sin less.
                                                The wicked one has no power over them.

5. Those born of God cannot make sin a habit.
     1 John 5, 1 John 3:9 God's seed (of righteousness and holiness) remains in him
                        so he can't sin. This is going towards maturity.
     We depend on the Holy Spirit to keep up our relationship with God. 1 John 4:7-8
             says that 'He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.' So clearly
             there's a problem when one claims to follow God but doesn't know how to love.
             1 Corinthians 13 talks about doing all the right things but without love.
             This is empty. Regeneration makes us change from the inside out.

6. No matter what we confess with our lips, those who continue in sin
     show they are not yet regenerated but rather still under Satan's dominion.
      1 John 3:6-10
       We are not saved by works but works is a product of God's grace, righteousness and
       holiness in our lives. Righteous lives = loving life = children of God.
        Unrighteous life = unloving= children of the evil

   

What is regeneration?

19-1-2018

Regeneration- revival, putting life into something dead, being made new again,
                        having a second life. The opposite is degenerate.
John3:1-8 Jesus told Nicodemus: Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to spirit.

Regeneration is.....
1. the recreating of a spiritual life in a human heart by God's Holy Spirit.
     Romans 12:2 The world and The Word seem contrary.
                            God calls us to tithe but the world says this is wasting money.
                            God calls us to love our enemy but the world says revenge
                            is the way.
                            But by the renewing of the mind our thoughts can be transformed
                            to align with God's. Then our focus shifts from worldly things to
                            The Word of God.
                            As a result we begin to see and understand the spiritual things.
    Ephesians 4:23-24. Talks about putting off the old self and being renewed in the
                                    spirit of the mind
                                    So that we put on the new self which is created in righteousness
                                    and true holiness. This is God regenerating us.
    The spirit is connected to the mind - spiritual mind.
    (Don't miss out on Heaven by one foot)
     2 Peter 1:4 God allows us to be partakers of the divine nature and
                       we can escape the corruption in the world.
     Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness we have done, but according to His mercy
                     He saved us,
                     by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of The Holy Ghost; ....

Regeneration is...
2. necessary because all people by nature are sinful.
    Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
    Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:
                           who can know it?
    Romans 8:7-8 vs8 they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Shows the desperate
                            need for regeneration in our lives)
    1  Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for
                                    they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
                                    because they are spiritually discerned.
                                    (Things of the spiritual world don't make sense to the people of
                                   the world)
    Ephesians 2:3. Shows the need for regeneration

Regeneration is....
3. something which comes to those who repent of sin, turn to God and put their faith
     in Jesus alone.
      Matthew 3:1-2 John The Baptist was preaching a message of repentance in
                              preparation for Jesus
       Repentance = sorry in action. Don't do it again.
       Jesus forgave people and told them to go and sin NO MORE.
       It's not a feeling only but a turning around to God.
       John 1:6-13 vs 12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to
                                          become the sons of God, even to them that believe
                                           on his name; which were born, not of
                                          blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Salvation - regeneration

12th January, 2018

Salvation is a regeneration.
Why are people so excited to share their faith
when they first follow God?
They are overflowing with joy from their salvation.
They long to tell others of their new hope and
that living for God is so exciting - far better than the fun of sin.

We must understand our point of salvation.

Luke 7:36-39
Jesus went to the house of a Pharisee called Simon.
A sinful woman came to the house looking for Jesus.
She cried and wet Jesus' feet with her tears and wiped his feet with her hair.
Then she kissed his feet and poured perfume on them.
The Pharisee was talking to himself wondering how Jesus didn't know what kind of woman was touching him. He was judgemental
- is Jesus really from God?
- This woman is a sinner. (Worse than himself)

Luke 7:40-43
Jesus explains the situation to Simon.
He tells him about 2 men owing debts and neither could pay. One owed a lot and the other a little.
The moneylender cancelled the debts of both men.
Jesus asked Simon which man would love the moneylender more? Simon knew it must be the one who owed the most.

Luke 7:44-47
Jesus compares the woman to the Pharisee.
It was not the woman's home but she was doing so much for Jesus because she was in a desperate need of Salvation. The man felt he was more righteous and he didn't feel the same desperate need for salvation. So he didn't respond to Jesus with the same love, joy and appreciation as the sinful woman.
Jesus concluded with Simon:
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- for she loved much.
But he who has been forgiven little loves little.

Check also Luke 18:9-14
Some were sure of their righteousness and were looking down on others. In Jesus' parable ,
It was the tax collector, in his brokenness and humility, who went home justified.
It wasn't the self righteous Pharisees.

Isaiah 64:6
.. all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. (Without Jesus)

Salvation is about Jesus making us righteous - it is nothing that we have done.
Ephesians 2:8-9 no one can boast about what they have done - only what God has done for us.

How we approach God on a daily basis is really important.
Do we come humbly with an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness.
Or are we like the self righteous Pharisees - thinking we are better than others?

Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation....

When we remember how God has saved us, we can have a renewed joy.