LEADERS' JOURNAL 2022
Bible Chain Reference
GOSPEL
Why did Jesus have to die?
Because every man is born a sinner.
- Psalm 51:5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
- Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
- 1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Because of God’s character, He does not tolerate sin, and the punishment for sin is DEATH.
- Romans 1:18-21 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–His eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
- Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned–
- Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God’s earnest desire is for all sinners to be forgiven and saved.
- Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
- Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
- 1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
How can man be saved from this punishment?
Man cannot save himself from punishment.
- Psalm 49:7-8 No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him — the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough–
- Hebrews 10:4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
- Eph. 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– Jesus is THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION.
- Acts 4:10-12 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified but Whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
- 1 Tim. 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
- John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus is THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION
- Acts 4:10-12 “Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
- 1 Tim. 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
- John 4:16 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
God’s plan of saving mankind: Through faith in Jesus Christ’s DEATH AND RESSURECTION.
- 1 Cor.15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
- 1 Pet 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
- 1 Thes.4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.
What should I do now?
Believe that you NEED Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
- John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
- Rom. 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed.
Accept Jesus as YOUR PERSONAL Lord and Savior.
- Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Confess, repent of or TURN AWAY FROM your sins and RETURN TO God.
- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
- Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
Be WATER baptized.
- Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
- Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
What CHANGES will salvation bring to my life?
Blessings of Salvation
- Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits– who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
DRINKING
Is drinking alcoholic drinks such as wine or beer sinful?
- Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
What does God’s Word say about getting drunk?
- Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
- Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
- Romans 13:13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
What is the outcome for drunkards?
- Proverbs 21-:17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.
- Proverbs 23:21 For drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
- Proverbs 23:29-33 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? Those who liner over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things.
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
How should I treat a Christian who is a drunkard?
- 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
HEALING
It’s God’s will for us to be healed
Healing and salvation were provided at the same time
- Isa 53:3-5. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
- Ps 103:2-3. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits– who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
Jesus carried all our pains and our sicknesses
- Isa 53:3-5. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
- 1 Pet 2:24. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
God cares for the sick.
- Ps 41:1-3. Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his sick-bed and restore him from his bed of illness.
Sickness is not from God.
- John 10:10. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
God desires for us to be healed.
- Jer 33:6. “’Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
God is our Healer. - Exod 15:26. He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”
- Ps 107:20. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
How to Receive Healing?
Call the elders to anoint the sick with oil.
- James 5:14-15. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
By Prayer
- James 5:16. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
By laying on of hands
- Mark 6:5. He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
- Mark 16:17-18. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Pursue our healing by confessing our healing
- Matt 9:21-22 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
WOMEN IN MINISTRY
Does God only consider men to be His servants in the ministry?
- Acts 2:17-18 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
Who are Biblical examples of women in ministry?
- Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourine and dancing.
- Exodus 38:8 They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
- 2 Kings 22:14 Hilkiah the high priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to speak to the prophetess Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, the Second District.
- Judges 4:4-5 Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided.
- Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
- Luke 10:38 As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him.
- Luke 8:1-3 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
- Acts 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
- Romans 16:1-7 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Greet Mary who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who had been in prison with me. They were outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
- Romans 16:12-15 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who had been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.
- 2 Timothy 1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
- Acts 16:15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
- Acts 9:39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
What relationships exist between husbands and wives?
- Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.
- 1 Cor. 11:11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
- Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Ephesians 5:21-22 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
- 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV)
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. - Ephesians 5:25-33 (ESV)
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.