Bible Study - Authentic (2) - Sharing CHRIST - Matthew 28 and 2 Corinthians 5 - April 21, 2024

 

Bible Study – Authentic (2) – Sharing CHRIST – April 21, 2024

We are to invite others into a relationship with CHRIST.

Our focus scriptures are Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

Let’s read Matthew 28:18-20:

 ¹⁸ Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of^[e] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,^[f] I am with you always,^[g] to the end of the age.”

JESUS came near because HE wanted them to hear every word that HE uttered. HIS message is the same today for all who know HIM. Don’t hide the Good News but share it as GOD gives us opportunity.

GOD’S redemptive plan had been accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of JESUS. JESUS had conquered the penalty of sin, which is eternal death, by the shedding of HIS blood. Now all who place their faith in JESUS are Spiritually born into GOD’S eternal family, never to be unborn. That part has been Finished!!!

The temple, the sanctified body had not been prepared to be occupied by GOD’S Holy Spirit. That would take place at Pentecost when JESUS sent the Holy Spirit to occupy the human body of all who place their faith in JESUS. The visible confirmation is captured in Acts 2:1- When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. ³ They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. ⁴ Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Those in Jerusalem heard the sound and saw the flames. Why? GOD wanted to get the attention of those in Jerusalem. Wind is powerful and useful when directed. When grain was thrashed, the grain, the edible part of the grain would be separated from the chaff/straw. The grain was tossed into the air as the wind blew and the edible grain would be separated for the straw or non-edible.

Notice that this sound came down from Heaven to distinguish it from ordinary wind.

Think about what was happening an established religious system was being changed from observing the Law to GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS. A major change in the way the Jews and the world would worship was taking place. The Apostle Peter was the barrier of the Good News of GOD’S Grace through faith in JESUS.

This Good News is the same today through faith in JESUS THE CHRIST.

Three-thousand people became Spirit-born Christians during this time and spread throughout the land as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

When the Holy Spirit comes upon a person who has placed his/her faith in JESUS that moment can be manifested in many ways. Speaking in some known language or a special prayer language. Caution, which will be repeated later “¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he (GOD) wills.” Never forget GOD is the distributor of Spiritual Gifts.

What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit? In 2 Corinthians 5:5: ⁵ He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

The Holy Spirit is given to true believers as their assurance and guarantee of salvation. When the Hoy Spirit comes into a person’s life, HE brings Spiritual Gifts from GOD to be used as that person grows Spiritually and obediently serves GOD upon earth.

What are some of the Spiritual Gifts? Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12 to see a few. There are about 29 or more Spiritual gifts listed in GOD’S Word.

Diversity of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts:^[a] brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. ⁷ A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: ⁸ to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, ⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues,^[b] to another, interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he (GOD) wills. (This is a vital statement. Spiritual Gifts are distributed to each person as HE Wills.)

Unity Yet Diversity in the Body

¹² For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Indeed, the body is not one part but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. ¹⁹ And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body. ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. ²³ And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, ²⁴ which our respectable parts do not need.

Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, ²⁵ so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. ²⁶ So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, leading, various kinds of tongues.^[d] 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

We have to be careful and not get caught up in the Gifts and overlook the Giver. The key is to wait upon GOD to give you the gift, HE desires for you. You can desire a gift, but GOD gives a gift to be used for HIS purpose. We now move on to reconciliation.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:16-19:

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹⁶ From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective.^[b] Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective,^[c] yet now we no longer know him in this way. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he/she is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has^[d] come! ¹⁸ Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. ¹⁹ That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

What is Spiritual reconciliation?  Spiritual reconciliation helps ensure Spiritual integrity and transparency. How? JESUS paid for all of our sins in full, therefore no person is prevented from coming to GOD to seek reconciliation through Faith in JESUS.

As Christians, we have been given the gift of reconciliation.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of God.

If you are a born-again Christian, did you know that you are GOD’S Ambassador and represent GOD and JESUS to others?

This is an awesome responsibility. GOD’S redemptive plan is for those who know the truth, present the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS to others. How does a Christian know who is in need of salvation? Ask GOD to reveal them to you and when HE does trust that HE will give you the words to say.

I recall the first time I witnessed to a person. It was on a plane headed to New York. I was scared but I knew that GOD had ordained this time. We had small talk and before I knew it, I was into my testimony. As I got close to the end of my testimony, I didn’t know what to expect, but to my surprise the person said, “I have been thinking about such things lately.” Yes, I felt relief. It opened up a friendly conversation.

We must trust GOD to open and prepare the way as we go into the world. Ask GOD to give you the opportunity to present GOD’S plan of salvation through faith in JESUS. It is simple. JESUS willingly left HIS home in Heaven to come to earth to live a 100% human life. To be tempted in all ways humans are tempted to sin. JESUS was perfectly capable of sinning, but he chose not to sin. Why? Because he had to remain sinless in order to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD to pay in full for the sins of mankind.

Once a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her and asks JESUS to come into that person’s life or heart a miracle takes place, quicker than the twinkle of the eye. That person is Spiritually born into the Family of GOD, never to be unborn.

Then what? That is when a person begins eternal life and is taught by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

As a Spirit-born person, GOD gives you not only eternal life but Spiritual Gifts for you to use as you obediently serve GOD and JESUS upon earth.

These gifts benefit you and others as needed.

Blessings!!!