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CHARACTERISTICS OF A BELIEVER

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Romans 12:1-21

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”  21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NKJV

As Christians, we have a code of conduct to follow. God expects a certain standard of behavior from us that is different from the way we conducted ourselves when we were in the world. This passage in God’s Word gives us some practical guidelines that we need to follow concerning our Christian conduct.

Verse 6 says that we all have gifts that differ according to the grace that is given to us. Grace is God’s ability given to us – not indiscriminately – but according to His divine purpose and plan. Verse 8 says that the person who gives should give with simplicity and singleness (without strings attached and without an ulterior motive). We should give with sincerity (without dissimulation or self-seeking). Dissimulation is deception, dishonesty or pretense.  Self-seeking means that a person only gives in order to benefit themselves and not others. The Lord wants us to give in order that we would be a blessing to someone else. When we give it should be generously, liberally and bountifully.

Verse 10 says that we should be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love and that we should honor and give preference to one another.

Verse 11 says that we should not be slothful in business. We should be fervent in spirit – never lagging in zeal and earnest endeavor. We must be diligent as we serve the Lord – everything we do for Him should be done well and to the best of our ability. Verse 16 says that we should be of the same mind toward one another. We should not set our minds on high things, but we should condescend to men of low estate – we should associate with the humble. We must treat everyone the same way – not looking down on any person as being beneath us. We must not be haughty, snobbish, high-minded or exclusive, but we should readily adjust ourselves to people and things and be prepared to give ourselves to humble tasks. We should never overestimate ourselves or be wise in our own opinion.

Verse 20 says that if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this, you will heap coals of fire on his head.  This verse is not referring to your hungry and thirsty friend, but your hungry and thirsty enemy! In the flesh, we want to fight back against our enemy, but God has a better way. He says that when you fight back, you will be overcome by evil, but when you respond with love and kindness, then you overcome evil with good. We should hate that which is evil; be patient in tribulation; bless those who persecute us and not curse them; avenge not ourselves; repay no one evil for evil; overcome evil with good; and live at peace with all men.

God does not tell us to do these things to torment us, but to bring us into a place of blessing and victory. God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path – let us take God’s Word and apply it in our daily lives.

The Blessing of Godly Offspring

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”  Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV

Of the five commands God gave man before the fall – a) be fruitful; b) multiply; c) replenish the earth; d) exercise dominion and do not give it to another; e) do not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil – the first three all have to do with reproducing and bearing children. God is the One who instituted marriage and a stable, healthy marriage creates the best environment for raising children. It has been said that the best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother, because if a man makes a real commitment to his wife and his marriage, at the same time, he is also making a commitment to his children. This is a God-given responsibility that we should take very seriously.

And this you do with double guilt; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears [shed by your unoffending wives, divorced by you that you might take heathen wives], and with [your own] weeping and crying out because the Lord does not regard your offering any more or accept it with favor at your hand. 14 Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows]. 15 And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth. 16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].  Malachi 2:13-16 AMP

In this passage, God again puts the responsibility on the husbands to treat their wives honorably and not to abandon them for other women. It is not acceptable before God, for a man to selfishly use women for his own sexual gratification – whether before marriage or during his marriage. It is not acceptable for a husband to cheat on his wife. It is not acceptable for a husband to dump one wife for another, simply because he isn’t getting what he wants – or because a better model comes along. Wives are not like cars or houses – you don’t get rid of the one you have so you can have another better, younger, prettier model! It is the man’s responsibility to please his wife and spend his life doing that. If men took this commitment seriously, I’m sure they would be much more careful, and prayerful in their selection of a marriage mate!

Marriage is not just a formality sealed with a signature on a piece of paper. It is not a disposable institution. Marriage is a covenant promise witnessed by God, Himself. Right here, God tells us why He made the two – husband and wife – one flesh. He did it because He sought godly offspring from their union! For the sake of our future offspring, we should count the cost before we say, “I do”, and when we do say, “I do”, we need to commit to the marriage and also commit to live a godly life, so that we can raise godly offspring, according to the purpose and plan of God for our lives. The rewards of fidelity are a strong marriage and healthy, happy children!

Drink waters out of your own cistern [of a pure marriage relationship], and fresh running waters out of your own well. 16 Should your offspring be dispersed abroad as water brooks in the streets? 17 [Confine yourself to your own wife] let your children be for you alone, and not the children of strangers with you. 18 Let your fountain [of human life] be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity], and rejoice in the wife of your youth.  Proverbs 5:15-18 AMP

God has a plan for good – for hope and a future for you. The devil also has a plan – to destroy lives – and many people sadly find themselves experiencing much less than God’s best in their marriage and family. Many homes are broken and split apart and can’t be repaired, and it is the children who suffer the most. Because most people today do not exercise sexual restraint, there are many children who are born into single parent households. This makes them more vulnerable to poverty, neglect and abuse than children from intact families, living with their own biological parents. Some children are disadvantaged because a parent has died, but so many more are vulnerable because of poor or selfish choices their parents have made. Children are born into single parent homes for many reasons – by a planned or an unplanned pregnancy, or because the father is irresponsible, abusive or neglectful, or simply because people are having sexual relations with people whom they don’t love or who don’t love or care about them. The ones who suffer are the children. It’s time to stop all selfish behavior and for parents – or potential parents – to think about the consequences of their actions and to make responsible, unselfish choices. We are not evolved animals who follow their animal instincts – we are made in the image of God and are fully capable of conquering our fleshly desires and walking a pure, godly life!

God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.  Psalms 68:6 AMP

There is good news! No matter what our situation or how we got there, thank God, He has promised to be both Husband and Father to us and to meet every need we might have. If we humble ourselves and look to Him and trust in Him, He will restore us and protect and provide for us and bless our families.

 

The Word of the Lord Endures Forever

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.  Psalms 138:2 KJV

 

God exalts His Word above His own Name! Jesus is the Name above all names. The Word is exalted above the Name of Jesus. Sinners have no respect for the Word of God and, unfortunately, today there are many Christians – even preachers – who do not have the respect for the Word of God that it deserves.


He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.  Proverbs 13:13 NKJV

Through the generations, whenever people have had no Word or no access to the Word, there has been spiritual darkness and every form of bondage. On the other hand, when people are able to access the Word of God – spiritual awakening and freedom ensues. The Protestant Reformation was sparked by the Bible being translated into the languages of the people. Today we have no lack of Bibles in every translation, but people today don’t seem to be interested in opening it and reading it. They have too many other distractions and entertainments vying for their attention. The devil doesn’t want us to get into the Word or to get it into us, because the Word of God is what defeats him every time!

 

God’s Word is forever settled and will never pass away:

 

Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.  Psalms 119:89 KJV

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.  Matthew 24:35 KJV

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.  1 Peter 1:23-25 KJV

 

Jesus IS the Word:

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.  John 1:1-3 KJV

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  John 1:14 KJV

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  Revelation 19:13 KJV

 

The Word created the universe:

 

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  Psalms 33:6 KJV

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.  Hebrews 11:3 KJV

 

The Word is powerful:

 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 KJV

 

The Word is trustworthy and proven:

 

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life.  Psalms 119:89-93 NKJV

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.  Psalms 18:30 NKJV

 

The Word is Truth:

 

For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth.  Psalms 33:4 NKJV

The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.  Psalms 119:160 NKJV

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.  Psalms 119:160 KJV

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalms 119:105 KJV

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  John 17:17 KJV

 

The Word is pure:

 

Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.  Psalms 119:140 KJV

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.  Proverbs 30:5 KJV

 

The Word is righteous:

 

My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.  Psalms 119:172 KJV

 

The Word is life:

 

This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life.  Psalms 119:50 AMP

 

 

The Word heals:

 

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.  Psalms 107:20 NKJV

 

God keeps His Word:


He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.  Psalms 105:8 KJV

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11 KJV

Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.  Jeremiah 1:12 KJV

For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.  Ezekiel 12:25 KJV

 

Seven Benefits of Salvation

That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: 74 To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, 77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people

By the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; 79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”  Luke 1:71-79 NKJV

1.     Through Jesus we have deliverance from enemies (Luke 1:71,74; 1 John 5:18)

1 John 5:18 NKJV – We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

2.     Through Jesus we receive mercy from God (Luke 1:72; Titus 3:4-5; Ephesians 2:4-9)

Titus 3:4-6 NKJV – But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior

Ephesians 2:4-9 NKJV – But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

3.     Through Jesus we are justified by faith (Luke 1:72-73; Galatians 3:6-15)

Galatians 3:6-9 NKJV – Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”  7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”  9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

4.     Through Jesus we have peace with God (Luke 1:74; Romans 5:1-11; Ephesians 2:14-18)

Romans 5:1-2 NKJV – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:8-9 NKJV – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Ephesians 2:14-18 NKJV – For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

5.     Through Jesus we have holiness and righteousness (Luke 1:75; Ephesians 4:24; Titus 2:11-12)

Ephesians 4:24 NKJV – And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Titus 2:11-12 NKJV – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.

6.     Through Jesus we are reconciled to God (Luke 1:77; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Colossians 1:20)

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NKJV – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Colossians 1:20 NKJV – And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

7.     Through Jesus we have light and guidance (Luke 1:79; 1 John 1:7; John 16:7-14)

1 John 1:7 NKJV – But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

John 16:12-14 NKJV – I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

The Power of God Unto Salvation

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  Romans 1:16 NKJV

You need never to be ashamed of the Truth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Truth. The Gospel is also the POWER –the dunamis – to save, heal and deliver. It shines like a light through the darkness, defeating the work of the enemy and bringing truth, freedom and deliverance wherever it is proclaimed! The Greek word “dunamis” means: power; mighty work; strength; miracle; might; virtue; mighty; force (literally or figuratively); miraculous power; inherent power. When we preach the truth of the Gospel, mighty power is released to do miracles. Mark 16:20 says that when you preach the Gospel, the Lord will work with you and confirm the Word with signs following!

The Holy Spirit gives us the power or the boldness to be a witness for Jesus Christ. There is power in the Gospel and power in you by the Holy Spirit – more than enough power to get the job done. When you have the power in you and when you have the power in your mouth through the preaching of the Gospel, you need not be afraid or ashamed to boldly proclaim it! It’s not by your efforts, but by God’s power as you simply obey and speak. When you boldly preach the Gospel, supernatural things begin to happen.

 

The Gospel Is God’s Power:

  1. To produce the new birth:

Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.  1 Peter 1:23 NKJV

 

  1. To bring salvation:

…the gospel of Christ… is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  Romans 1:16

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.  Ephesians 1:13 NKJV

 

  1. To reveal and impart righteousness:

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”  Romans 1:17 NKJV

 

  1. To impart grace:

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  Acts 20:24 NKJV

 

  1. To establish people in the faith:

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.  Romans 16:25-26 NKJV

 

  1. To generate faith:

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Romans 10:17 NKJV

 

  1. To set free:

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:31-36 NKJV

 

  1. To nourish spiritual life and growth:

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.  1 Peter 2:2 NKJV

 

  1. To cleanse the church:

That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.  Ephesians 5:26NKJV

 

  1. To search lives and hearts and expose the hidden things:

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV

 

  1. To make men heirs and partakers of Christ:

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the Gospel.  Ephesians 3:6 NKJV

 

  1. To impart immortality:

But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.  2 Timothy 1:10 NKJV

 

  1. To bring peace:

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”  Romans 10:14-15 NKJV

 

  1. To be a powerful weapon against darkness and the lies of the enemy:

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians6:17 NKJV

 

  1. To give fullness of blessings:

But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.  Romans 15:29 NKJV

Our Spiritual DNA

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

 

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  Mark 16:15-18 NKJV

 

The initials, DNA, stand for deoxyribonucleic acid – the molecule that contains the genetic code of organisms. DNA is inherited by children from their biological parents. This is why they share traits with their parents such as skin, hair, and eye color. DNA is what makes us who and what we are. Our spiritual DNA comes from God, at the New Birth. 

 

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NKJV

 

The life of God in us made us a new creature – one who follows in the footsteps of his/her Heavenly Father, not merely in the footsteps of our earthly parents. We have been given His nature and He commissions us to GO with the Great Commission in our heart – and also to bear good fruit.

 

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.  4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.  7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.  John 15:1-8 NKJV

 

By bearing fruit, we prove that we are His disciples.  A very important property of DNA is that it can replicate itself, or make exact copies of itself. Just as we pass our DNA, inherited from our parents, to our children; so we are to pass along our spiritual DNA, inherited from Father God, to others. This can only happen when our spiritual DNA shows in our lives. Your disciples will be just like you.  We must be what we want others to be – more like Jesus. Always point people to Jesus and let them see Him in you.  

 

“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.  45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  Luke 6:43-45 NKJV

 

When we preach the Gospel with power, great things will happen – increase and multiplication will take place. The Kingdom of God will advance and light will dispel the darkness. Our DNA at The River – as the Church – must be to obey the Great Commission. It is impossible for one man to do everything, so everyone must do something. Each one, reach one. Each one, teach one. Make them to be disciples – to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.

 

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.  James 1:21-25 NKJV

 

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?  47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”  Luke 6:46-49 NKJV

 

EACH ONE, REACH ONE. 

EACH ONE, TEACH ONE.

WIN THE LOST AT ANY COST!

Find Empty Vessels and Make Disciples

Foundation Scripture:

Mark 3:14-15 (Amplified): 14 And He appointed twelve [disciples],so that they would be with Him [for instruction] and so that He could send them out to preach [the gospel as apostles—that is, as His special messengers, personally chosen representatives], 15 and to have authority and power to cast out demons.

  1. Establish Godly Relationships
  2. Jesus demonstrated the need for discipleship – building Godlyrelationships.
  3. The 12 disciples lives were powerfully impacted, spendingtime with Jesus.
  4. Every believer needs to establish a relationship with Godlyleaders whom God sets in authority.
  • Jesus and His disciples
  • Moses and Joshua
  • Elijah and Elisha
  • Paul and Timothy

Ephesians 4:11-12 (Amplified): 11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct], 12 [and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church].

  1. Godly relationships bring increase and multiplication.

Acts 6:1-7 (Amplified): 6 Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the Twelve called the disciples together and said, “It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food. 3 Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6 They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service]. 7 And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].

Also, see John 15:1-7 (Amplified).

  1. Jesus trained His disciples to train others….
  2. Matthew 28:19-20 (Amplified): 19 Go therefore and makedisciples of all the nations [help the people to learn ofMe, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing themin the name of the Father and of the Son and of the HolySpirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

Each one reach one.

Each one teach one.

Make disciples.

Multiply.

Win the lost at any cost.

  1. We are preparing people for eternity.

Proverbs 11:30 (Amplified): 30 The fruit of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures human lives [for God, as a fisher of men—he gathers and receives them for eternity].

  1. Each one reach one; go after the one.

Luke 15:4 (Amplified): 4 What man of you, if he has a hundred sheep and should lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness (desert) and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?

Also, see John 1:40-45 (Amplified).

  1. Each one teach one; make disciples.

Matthew 28:19-20 (Amplified): 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

  1. Multiply.

Acts 6:7 (Amplified): 7 And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.

  1. Win the lost at any cost.

Acts 5:14 (Amplified): 14 More and more there were being added to the Lord those who believed [those who acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him joined and gathered with them], crowds both of men and of women.

  1. The miracle of multiplication, making disciples, lies in findingthe empty vessels.

2 Kings 4:3-6 (NIV): 3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

BE FAITHFUL – USE IT AND GIVE IT

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come. 14 For it is like a man who was about to take a long journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his property. 15 To one he gave five talents [probably about $5,000], to another two, to another one–to each in proportion to his own personal ability. Then he departed and left the country. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he gained five talents more. 17 And likewise he who had received the two talents–he also gained two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, Master, you entrusted to me five talents; see, here I have gained five talents more. 21 His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you entrusted two talents to me; here I have gained two talents more. 23 His master said to him,Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. 24 He who had received one talent also came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a harsh and hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you had not winnowed [the grain]. 25 So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is your own.26 But his master answered him, You wicked and lazy and idle servant! Did you indeed know that I reap where I have not sowed and gather [grain] where I have not winnowed? 27 Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will be furnished richly so that he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away. 30 And throw the good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.  Matthew 25:13-30 AMP

According to Jesus, when we use what we have been given, then we are being faithful. Some people think that they are actually taking good care of something if they keep it to themselves, if they keep it hidden away, and if they don’t use it – but the Bible says that they are unfaithful. God says that you are being faithful only when you use and multiply what you have been given. In this parable, the servants were given property – money – to administrate. We can see from the Word that God expects us to be faithful with everything that has been given into our charge, whether it is money, knowledge, or abilities. He expects us to do something with them and multiply them.

The Lord does not automatically start you off with five talents – He will give you one at first. Then it is up to you – what you do with your one talent determines whether or not you are given any more after that. People who are lazy with the things which have been given to them are not given any more. Some of these same people are unjustifiably jealous of others who have more than they do. This is because they have not taken responsibility for their own poor choices and actions nor have they realized that faithfulness brings more blessing, more responsibility and more authority, but unfaithfulness will cause them to lose the little they do have.

He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithfulin the [case of] unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another [whether God or man], who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]? 13 No servant is able to serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches, or anything in which you trust and on which you rely).  Luke 16:10-13 AMP

When you are faithful with money and worldly things, then God can trust you with His Spirit and with the anointing. Being faithful means that we are not paralyzed by fear. Being faithful means not hoarding, but rather being generous and giving it away. So faithfulness has to do with both usingand giving what we have been given. In this way we will be pleasing to our Master.

Not Ashamed of The Gospel

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him). 22 For while Jews [demandingly] ask for signs and miracles and Greeks pursue philosophy and wisdom, 23 We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense. 24 But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.  1 Corinthians 1:21-24 AMP

The world, with all its earthly wisdom, is not wise enough to recognize and know God. As in Paul’s day, there are some people who are never satisfied no matter what they see – they always want more proof than what they have already seen before they believe. Then there are people who are educated beyond their intellect; they are so smart they are stupid; they have already decided that if they can’t see it, hear it, feel it, taste it, or smell it, it does not exist. These kinds of people regularly resist and oppose the work of God in the earth. If you are truly a believer, you know that the Spirit realm is very real and that the preaching of the gospel is not foolishness, but it is the power of God and the wisdom of God. It has the power to radically and positively transform lives

It is human nature to want approval, to want others to like us and accept us. The devil tries to get us to back off of the power of God and the word of God by caring too much about other people’s opinion. It doesn’t take much to stop some people. They are so afraid of man’s disapproval that sometimes they won’t even admit to being a Christian. Jesus said that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.  Mark 8:38 NKJV

If God is real to you, if you are full of His word and you know His power, then you can be bold to proclaim the gospel to everyone no matter who they are or what they believe.

Both to Greeks and to barbarians (to the cultured and to the uncultured), both to the wise and the foolish, I have an obligation to discharge and a duty to perform and a debt to pay. 15 So, for my part, I am willing and eagerly ready to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, 17 For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.  Romans 1:14-17 AMP

Before Paul had an encounter with the power and presence of God on the road to Damascus, he was a proud Pharisee called Saul. He was ruthless in the defense of his beliefs, leading the movement to destroy all Christians and eradicate Christianity. He was there when Stephen was martyred and stoned to death. After Jesus appeared to Paul and he was saved, set free and filled with the Holy Spirit, he was bold to proclaim the gospel and lift up the Name of Jesus. He had experienced the power of God and he knew that it was real. Now he became the one who was persecuted, harassed and tortured for his faith in God. Jesus had done so much for him, heaven was so real to him, and he was going to obey the call of God on his life no matter what the cost.

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. He knew the power of the gospel; that it is real; that God always confirms His word with signs and wonders following. He felt the call of God to preach boldly and unashamed to all people, no matter what their viewpoint, no matter whether they received it or not. He knew that it was not his reputation on the line, but God’s. He knew that it was not his job to make people believe – they had to make that choice for themselves – but his responsibility was to preach and demonstrate the gospel and give people the opportunity to believe and receive. He could not afford to be ashamed of the gospel because people’s lives depended on it – their eternity depended on him enduring the lies, the persecution, the beatings, the hardships, and even the threat of death – so that they could hear the gospel and be saved from their sins.

The people of the world are waiting for the people of God to stand up boldly for the sake of the gospel and bring salvation, healing and deliverance to a lost and dying world!

YOU FOLLOW ME

When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do–with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs. 16 Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. 18 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go. 19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me! 20 But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following–the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You? 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man? 22 Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me! 23 So word went out among the brethren that this disciple was not going to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not going to die, but, If I want him to stay (survive, live) till I come, what is that to you? 24 It is this same disciple who is bearing witness to these things and who has recorded (written) them; and we [well] know that his testimony is true. John 21:15-24 AMP

After Jesus was raised from the dead, He visited with His disciples for many days, teaching them, instructing them from the scriptures, unveiling the Old Covenant to them and revealing the New. At one point, He held a conversation with Peter, personally. He asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Twice, Jesus used the Greek word agape, which means a reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father, and Peter replied, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Peter used the Greek word phileo, which means a deep, instinctive, personal affection, as for a close friend. The third time Jesus asked, “Peter, do you love (phileo) Me with a deep, instinctive, personal affection, as for a close friend?” and Peter answered Him in the same way.

Peter was upset that Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you phileo Me?” rather than, “Do you agape Me?” He probably felt bad that He could not honestly say to Jesus at that time, “I love you – I agape You – with a reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father.” Of course, on the Day of Pentecost, everything changed for Peter. Where once he denied the Lord out of fear for his own safety, now he publicly stood up and boldly preached Jesus in front of thousands of people. As God did a work in Peter’s life and changed his heart, Peter did learn to love – agape – Jesus. He loved Him so much that he was prepared to die for Him and indeed he did.

But while Jesus was still speaking to him, on this day, Peter felt uncomfortable, self-conscious and singled out. Jesus had told Peter how he would die – as a martyr. And after all this, Jesus said to him, “Follow Me!” instead of Peter just saying, “Yes Lord,” he tried to turn the spotlight off of himself onto someone else – John. He asked Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus answered him, “If I want him to stay until I come, what is that to you? What concern is it of yours? You follow Me!” Jesus was not saying that John would live until He came again – He was telling Peter that whatever He had called John to do was between Him and John. Peter needed to be concerned with what God had called him to do and not with what God had called John or anyone else to do.

This goes for every one of us. To whom much is given, much is required and much is expected. We have absolutely no business judging someone else or having an opinion on what they are called to do, whether small or great. Some people are called to do more than you and some to do less – that is between God and them. You need to find out what God has called you to do and what He expects of you. Forget about anyone else and concern yourself with pleasing Him! You follow Him!