Podcast appearances and mentions of juan carlos ortiz

Title: “Why We Give Thanks” Part 2 Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 FCF: We often struggle evaluating whether or not we are elect of God. Prop: God's elect imitate Christ and provide an example to be imitated, we must be imitators worthy of imitation. Scripture Intro: CSB [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 1. In a moment we'll begin reading in verse 1 from the Christian Standard Bible. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Last week, we saw how Paul expressed his deepest thankfulness to God because he knows that the Thessalonians are elect of God by the way the gospel came to them. We discussed how disciple makers' praise the Lord when disciples prove to be genuine. And some of the tests for genuine disciples include how the gospel comes and if the cardinal Christian graces of faith, love and hope are present in their lives. Today, Paul will give us the second reason that he and his companions know that the Thessalonians are elect of God. Which dovetails nicely with their display of the Cardinal Christian graces too. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Loving Father, You sent Your Son to be the pioneer of our faith. He ran the race before us. He looked to His reward, being elevated as the God-Man above every man that all men might declare that He is the Lord of glory. To receive His reward He faithfully endured the cross and despised the shame. But He has now finished this race and has sat down at Your right hand. And He has sent The Spirit to be an Advocate for us. Father, I pray that You will send the Spirit today so that we may find joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ and follow Him as our example to the result that we may be examples to others. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] Normally I'd give you two or three quotes from two or three Christian authors. But today – I could not believe how fitting all three of these quotes were by one man named Juan Carlos Ortiz. He was a Pastor in Argentina who died in 2021. He wrote a book on Discipleship and these quotes show he knew the subject well. “Discipleship is more than getting to know what the teacher knows. It is getting to be what he is.” “A disciple is a person who learns to live the life his teacher lives.” “The making of a disciple means the creating of a duplicate.” Today, we will see firsthand what it means to be and make a disciple. Let's begin in verse 6. I.) God's elect imitate Christ and provide an example to be imitated, so we must joyfully receive the word in spite of severe affliction. (6-7) a. [Slide 3] 6 - and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord i. Paul begins a new sentence here. But because he begins with the word “and” we can connect it back to the original thought in verse 4. ii. He is still talking about the reason that he, Silas, and Timothy are constantly thanking the Lord for the Thessalonian church. iii. He has shared that they are thankful because they know that the Thessalonians are chosen of God. iv. The evangelists know this because of how the gospel came to them. v. But one other reason that Paul and his companions know they are elect of God, is that they became imitators of the evangelists and ultimately, of the Lord Jesus. vi. We've already seen hints of this when Paul says that they mention often in their prayers to God the Thessalonians display of the cardinal Christian graces. vii. But in what way have they become imitators? viii. Paul spells this out a little more clearly by telling us to what extent the Thessalonians became imitators of them. ix. This forms the two major points of this sermon. There were two ways the Thessalonians became imitators of the evangelists and the Lord. x. First… b. [Slide 4] when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. i. Paul, Silas, and Timothy, and every other Christian, faces or will face similar opposition to receiving the gospel of Jesus Christ. ii. Christ invites us to take up our cross and follow Him. To deny ourselves. He also says that as they hated Him, they will hate us. The life of a disciple of Christ is full of persecution and opposition. iii. This is what makes professions of faith so much less reliable in our culture. iv. Many people express professions of faith without having to consider what it might cost them to do so. When you couple this with preaching that never encourages a turning from sin and never requires growth in Christlikeness – you have a perfect recipe for people who claim to be Christians but look nothing like Christ and know nothing about suffering severe persecution with joy. v. But for the Thessalonians and for most Christians down through the ages and even for most Christians today globally – receiving the message of Jesus Christ comes with an immediate cost. Relationships, social standing, business opportunities, political pressure, ostracizing, and even murder are all common outcomes of people converting to Jesus Christ. vi. But one way we can know that we are elect of God is that despite the hardship taken up by entering the narrow gate, when we welcome the gospel of Christ with joy from the Spirit, we can know we are God's elect. vii. The effect of the gospel on the lives of the Thessalonians mirrored the effect the gospel had on the lives of the Evangelists. viii. They too are continuing to respond to God's Word with joy in spite of persecution. ix. Not an artificial joy and not human happiness. Instead, it is a trust and contentment rooted in the promises God has revealed in His Word. x. Such a trust and contentment is only borne of the Spirit in our hearts. It is, after all, part of the fruit of the Spirit. xi. And in this way, welcoming the gospel while enduring persecution, they are imitators of the evangelists and even Christ before them. Who despised the shame yet endured the cross, so that He would run the race before us. xii. But the evangelists are not simply thanking God that these Thessalonians are imitating them… xiii. They are thanking God because of the result of their imitation… c. [Slide 5] 7 - As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. i. The result of the Thessalonians imitating the evangelists is that they have become worthy of imitation themselves. ii. [Slide 6] They are now examples throughout the two provinces that make up the Balkan Peninsula. Macedonia which is the upper part on the map and Achaia which is the lower part. iii. [Slide 7] The word example has the idea of setting a pattern, a model, or a mold that something can be hammered into to achieve the exact same result. iv. Imitation begets imitation. v. This is the core of discipleship. vi. Do you want to know what making disciples looks like… really? 1. It isn't a 12 week study through a book called, “How to be a disciple of Christ.” 2. It isn't a 52 week systematic theology study. 3. It isn't going to seminary and getting a bible degree 4. It isn't a 12 step program of behavioral training. 5. It isn't a bunch of meetings in someone's office over coffee, just shooting the breeze. vii. It is you, imitating Christ, getting others to imitate you, and getting your imitators to encourage others to imitate them. viii. Go and make copies of yourself. ix. In many ways the items I listed that aren't making disciples… are much easier than what making disciples truly is. x. Why? xi. In order to make disciples, you must be a disciple that is being conformed to Christ. xii. So much so that you can say – in as much as I am like Jesus… imitate me. xiii. And let me tell you something, when you see others imitating you and causing others to imitate them as you imitate Christ… that confirms on your heart that they are elect of God and that is worthy of thanking the Lord. d. [Slide 8] Summary of the Point: Verses 6-10 operate like the second point of one sermon. This is why this is a part 2 sermon. Everything Paul has said in the first 5 verses contributes a good deal to the discussion here in the last half of the chapter. So, the evangelists are thankful for the Thessalonian church because they KNOW they are elect of God. The first reason being that the gospel came to them in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full conviction. But the second reason they know they are elect of God occupies the remainder of the text and forms the primary point Paul is making in this sermon. And it is simply this… God's elect imitate Christ and other spiritually mature believers and provide an example to be imitated. In this we find a chain of imitation. [Slide 9] Take a look at Hebrews 12:1-2. [Slide 10] Christ ran the race before us. He has finished the race and is the reward for us finishing as well. He is the pioneer and finisher of our faith. In some sense then, even if we are imitating those who are spiritually more mature than us, so long as they are running Christ's path, we are imitating Christ. We also then are providing an example, a model, a pattern for those behind us to follow. So, what is one way that Paul references in this text that we can imitate Christ, other mature believers, and provide an example for others to follow? In order to imitate Christ, we can, and indeed we must endure affliction while being constantly guided in the gospel reality He lived for us, And to do so with joy from the Holy Spirit. We also see this in Hebrews. Christ ran the race already so that He might attain the joy that was set before Him, enduring the cross, despising the shame. To be like Christ, in joy, we must endure on this gospel road through many afflictions. Transition: [Slide 11(blank) In what other ways can we imitate Christ and other spiritually mature Christians and so provide an example for others to follow? II.) God's elect imitate Christ and provide an example to be imitated, so we must zealously and accurately bear witness to the gospel. a. [Slide 12] 8 - For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. i. They received the Word with such joy, in spite of the pain it caused them, that these Thessalonians could not and would not contain it in themselves. ii. They needed to share this gospel truth with everyone. iii. This doesn't mean that the Thessalonians sent out a bunch of missionaries far and wide. iv. Instead, what Paul is referring to is that because of Thessalonica being such a hub for travel across the empire, that the Thessalonians zeal to share Christ with all who they could, led to the gospel going out from Thessalonica to places well beyond their reach. v. And they shared the gospel so zealously, and it spread so far that Paul says something next that is absolutely bonkers. b. [Slide 13] Therefore, we don't need to say anything, i. The gospel went to these places so effectively through the Thessalonians, that Paul, Silas, and Timothy really had no need to ride in and correct, expand on, or generally add to anything they had shared. ii. Can you imagine Paul giving us a similar report? I'm sure if the apostle Paul heard my sermons, or heard my sermons through your testimony, that he would not have the same words for me. iii. But for these Thessalonians… Paul says – we don't need to say anything more. iv. Why don't they need to say anything else? c. [Slide 14] 9 - for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: i. As the evangelists interacted with people from various places, who had been in contact with the Thessalonian believers, they found something quite interesting. ii. They found that they had accurately reported exactly what happened while the evangelists were in Thessalonica. iii. Meaning the Thessalonians gave their testimony, and did so not just zealously, but accurately too. iv. So, what was their testimony? d. [Slide 15] how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God i. They had abandoned their former life and all that it included. ii. Abandoning paganism, is not simply changing religions. It is not simply adding Jesus to what you already believed. And it certainly isn't a lateral move to get on a different side of the same mountain all leading to the same God. iii. For the Thessalonians to turn from their idolatry to the living and true God was to be rejected by their own culture. iv. Their friends, family, co-workers, neighbors – all of them, to various degrees, would be appalled by the Thessalonians rejection of worshipping in the temples, and not worshipping the Emperor. v. The Thessalonians bore witness to the fact that they had left their lives to follow Christ. They had forfeited everything they knew and took comfort in, to serve the one true and living God. vi. Although these idols may be real demonic entities with actual power… the Scriptures are very clear. Unlike Yahweh, they are neither true nor are they living. vii. So what does it mean that God is true and living? viii. [Slide 16] God being the true God works on a couple levels. 1. First, He is the only God. a. There is only One God, in the sense that there is no god equal to Him. b. He is in a category all His own. c. He is Holy. i. Holiness then, is God's governing attribute. ii. He is unlike everything else. iii. He is unique. iv. He is different. d. All other gods are false in the sense that compared to Yahweh, they are far closer in class, kind, and characteristics to humans and other spiritual entities than they are to Yahweh. e. Despite God being Spirit and there being spiritual entities like angels and demons – angels and demons are closer in similarity to humans… than they are in similarity to Yahweh. f. This is why God is the only TRUE God. 2. Second, He is the only truthful God. a. All other gods, whether they be spirits, men, or make believe, are liars. b. First, pretending to be a god, is itself an act of deceit. For no entity is a god except for Yahweh – see point 1. c. Second, all men and fallen angels are sinful, selfish, and predisposed to lie. d. Satan is called a liar from the beginning. e. But Yahweh says of Himself – I cannot lie. f. It isn't a question of volition or choice – it is a statement of inability. God cannot tell us something that is false. ix. [Slide 17] God being living also has two levels. 1. First, God is the only being who does not need any other being in order to exist. a. God is Self-Sufficient. He is independent. He needs nothing from His creation to exist. He needs nothing from His creation to function or be happy. b. God is the only being that exists that can continue to exist without other parts of creation. c. Without time, space, matter, light, warmth, energy – God exists. d. God eternally exists in three persons and thus has communion and fellowship with Himself. Therefore, God doesn't even need His creation for worship or fellowship or completion of some relational need. e. God is the only being… in this sense… that is living. 2. Second, all other gods, men, fallen angels, or make believe, will burn up. a. In the second death, all those who do not worship Yahweh and believe on His Christ will be cast into the second death. b. They will all die in eternal death together. c. In this sense then, all other would-be gods are dead gods. d. And therefore, they cannot grant life. x. [Slide 18] And so, the Thessalonians bore witness to the fact that they have completely rejected their dead and false gods to pursue the living and true God. xi. But that's not all they bore witness to… e. [Slide 19] 10 - and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead— Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. i. Part of the gospel witness is not just repentance, but it is also faith. ii. Faith to believe what God has said. iii. Faith to believe on Jesus as the deliverer. iv. Throughout the whole area people were hearing how the Thessalonians were believing on and hoping in a God-Man who died and was raised from the dead and is coming again to rescue them and all who believe in Him from the coming judgment. v. Paul, when speaking to gentiles, regularly spoke of the coming judgment of the one true and living God. vi. No such judgment exists in paganism. There is no final judgment where Zeus or Jupiter sit in judgment to determine the eternal consequences of each person. vii. But Yahweh had been telling His people about the Day of the Lord almost 800 years before Christ. viii. And a final judgment had been spoken of for even longer than that. ix. The fact that there is a coming day of God's wrath is expressed in the promise of God to Noah that he will not judge the earth again… with water. x. God's wrath has been spoken of for thousands of years – and like the ark was for Noah and his family, so Jesus is to His people. xi. The only true Ark is Christ. xii. He is the only hope to escape the wrath to come. He is the Savior. He is the rescuer. He is the Deliverer. xiii. And they waited. One thing that is abundantly true and emphasized in the hall of faith chapter of Hebrews 11, is that God's people have always been people who wait. xiv. God's people had been waiting on the seed that would crush the head of the serpent since Adam and Eve fell. God's people waited some 4000 years for that promise to come to pass. xv. But now God's people have been promised that the Son of David, the Son of Man, will come again riding on the clouds from heaven to consummate an eternal kingdom and destroy all His opposition. xvi. And God's people have been waiting for this to come to pass for nearly 2000 years. xvii. God's people have always been and continue to be a people… who wait. In hope and faith that God will keep His word. xviii. This was the Thessalonians' testimony. xix. And it was known far and wide. xx. And the evangelists are so thankful that this is so, because it confirms that they are elect of God. f. [Slide 19] Summary of the Point: Paul does not raise up any further points about how they know that these Thessalonians are elect. In fact, it is fairly clear here that this discussion continues the thought from verse 6. Therefore, we should see that Paul is expressing another way that they have become imitators of Christ and examples for others which proves they are God's elect. So, what is that way and what does it mean for us? They have become shining Christian examples both in their zealousness for sharing the gospel and their precision for relaying the truth accurately. So, in order to imitate Christ and those who are more spiritually mature and in order to provide an example for other believers to follow, we must zealously and accurately bear witness to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Conclusion: So, CBC, what basics have we learned today that corrects and informs our faith and shapes and guides our practices? Basics of Faith and Practice: [Slide 20] We have learned that one other way we can be assured that we are God's elect is by imitating Christ and other spiritually mature believers to the extent that we provide an example for others to follow. What are some ways that we can do this? Paul specifically references two ways that the Thessalonians were imitators worthy of imitating. First, they welcomed the message of God with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of many afflictions. We too should receive or welcome the message of the gospel with joy from the Holy Spirit – knowing full well that we will suffer many afflictions for the cause of Christ. Secondly, the Thessalonians are commended for zealously and accurately bearing witness to their reception of the gospel. So, in order to imitate Christ and provide an example for others, we too must zealously and accurately bear witness to our reception of the gospel. These are actually quite complex applications with many moving parts, so let us try to break them down into small chunks this morning. 1.) [Slide 21] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that at the core of being a disciple and making disciples, is imitation. a. What is key in this text that I think is quite different than most people think about discipleship, is that discipleship is primarily imitation. b. Many people attack Paul's words here and in other books where he says something to the effect of, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” c. The assumption is that this is said in a pious way indicating Paul thought he was Christlike. d. But my friends, if you are living as Christ lived, there is nothing arrogant about saying that you are worthy of imitation. And Paul isn't saying – live like me even when I don't live like Christ. e. There is a reason that the scriptures talk about the church being the body of Christ. It is because the church should be the embodiment of who Christ was on earth. We should accurately reflect the words He spoke and the actions He did. f. Indeed, this is exactly how the scriptures teach us to make disciples – it is by baptizing them and teaching them to observe all Christ commanded. Not in the sense of mere education but by demonstration. g. For whatever reason we have been duped to believe that discipleship only happens in an educational setting, much like school. We hear the word “teaching” and immediately picture sitting in chairs with a desk and looking at a teacher who goes over certain things that you must agree with. When you graduate you get a little certificate and voila, you are a disciple now. h. This is, of course, ridiculous. i. Being a disciple and making disciples is and ALWAYS HAS BEEN primarily… imitation. j. Watch me do this. Now do it with me. Now you do it while I watch. Now you do it and tell me how it went. Now you do it and take this person with you and let them observe you. k. That… in a nutshell is discipleship. And I'm convinced, it is at the heart of the expression, “do life together.” l. I think sometimes when we hear “do life together” it means we enter some kind of compound or closed society where we only interact with each other in common ways. But I think when we say “do life together.” Primarily this means a more hands on approach to making disciples. m. So rather than leaning into some quasi-educational definition of discipleship – we should instead affirm that being a disciple is all about imitating Christ and doing that by finding someone who is godly and imitating them as they imitate Christ. n. And making disciples should be seen the same way. We are not sitting someone down to teach them systematic theology, we aren't getting through a book course, or even having them go through a bible study with us – although that is certainly part of making disciples. o. Making disciples ultimately boils down to… Imitate me. Live like I live. Follow me. p. But this doesn't actually make it easier does it? q. Taking someone through a 12 week course is a lot easier than saying imitate me as I go toward Christ. r. Why? s. Because 1 of them ends in 12 weeks and you check a box and it is done. t. The other is a lifelong commitment. u. My friends, it would be best for us to see discipleship in this way. Imitation = discipleship. v. And because of that… 2.) [Slide 22] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must imitate Christ and other spiritually mature believers and be an example for others to imitate as well. a. The easiest way to do this if you are a parent… is to do this for your children. b. Model for them what it means to be people of the Word. How to respond in a Christlike way to trials, tribulations, difficulties, and temptations. What to give priority to and how to pray and study the scriptures. c. But this relationship is not exclusive to a parent and their child. d. Younger believers should seek out older and more mature believers to mimic. Older believers should seek out younger and more immature believers to be an example to. And generally speaking, the church as a whole should be a group of people all following Christ by following the person in front of them. e. We have both made this simpler than it is and more complicated than it is. f. Humans have a nasty habit of doing that don't they? g. We've made it simpler in the sense that we've reduced discipleship to pure education and we've made it more complicated than it is in that we assume that we must be perfect in order to begin discipling someone. h. Neither of these are true. i. Let's do a little exercise this morning. It may crumble and not demonstrate what I think it will – but let's take a chance. j. Raise your hands if someone, in your lifetime, has ever walked up to you and asked you if you would disciple them? k. For those of you who did raise your hands – did you experience the sinking feeling of not even knowing what that means or where to begin? Hmmmm… Hang on to that for a second. l. Ok. Raise your hands if someone has ever walked up to you and asked you if they could disciple you? m. As I suspected. Almost no hands. n. Now. Raise your hands if you can honestly say that you are at the maturity level you are at in your walk with Christ because you have observed and endeavored to imitate someone who you know is a godly Christian. o. [[I think this will illustrate that formal discipleship is rare but actual discipleship is common. If that is the case… proceed]] p. You see that? What can we deduce from this? I think we can deduce that we are really bad at formally discipling people… but by God's grace… we are still succeeding in actually discipling people. q. So what is the application? r. Live like Christ, imitate those you know are godly and invite people to observe and imitate your life. Live in such a way that your life is an open book and that people can ask or see anything they want of you… to the extent that you are ALWAYS teaching how to be like Jesus. s. I really think it is that simple… and also that difficult. 3.) [Slide 23] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that following Christ is costly. a. By far this is the hardest sell for Christians living in the west. b. It is abundantly difficult to convince Christians who drive to church every Sunday without fear, who openly display Christian paraphernalia on their person and on their vehicles, who do not face losing their jobs or being kicked out of their families for following Jesus, it is so difficult to convince American Christians that to follow Christ is costly. c. But I think the reason we saw a bunch of people start attending church after Charlie Kirk was murdered, was because for at least a moment… people started to feel that it could actually cost them something to follow Jesus. d. And it scared them. Scared them enough to attend… for a couple weeks. e. But as the dust settled and as people moved on, and as the country, almost unanimously denounced the act… people returned to their lives thinking that maybe – just maybe – it isn't quite time to panic yet. f. My friends – Christianity is by far the most persecuted religion in the world. Not 1000 years ago. Not 100 years ago. TODAY. g. And honestly the writing is on the wall for this country too. It is coming. h. We can do our best to stall it through legislation and political activity and indeed we should. i. But it won't be long before we are drastically outnumbered in our worldview. It won't be long before political and legal action won't help us because we won't have the votes. j. You say, Chris how do you know that? k. Scripture predicts it, history proves it, and culture demands it. l. In reality, following Christ always costs us something. We always suffer affliction against the devil and his angels. We always face opposition from the world, its principalities, and powers. m. In a way, following Christ is always costly. But to the vast majority of Christians through the ages – it has cost them so very much. n. And soon, it will cost us much too. o. So what hope is there? 4.) [Slide 24] Comfort: “What comfort can we find here?” or “What peace does the Lord promise us in light of this passage of scripture?” The gospel itself and the joy from the Spirit is our comfort despite many afflictions. a. Did you ever wonder why Jesus called the Spirit, The Comforter? b. The word is often translated, Advocate. c. An advocate pleads our cause, provides encouragement and help, and gives counsel. d. The Spirit of God indwells and continues to work in the hearts of believers delivering grace for help in times of need. e. And the gospel, the message of Christ's death, burial, resurrection, and future return to save us from the wrath to come, that is the greatest comfort and produces the greatest joy. f. Remember our sermon chorus? It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase. So, bravely run the race, till we see Christ. g. I love that because it is a little 3-point sermon. i. When we see Jesus' face, three things will happen. ii. Truth point – all the pain and sorrow in life will have been worth enduring. iii. Truth point – All the trials we face will seem insignificant. iv. Truth point – All the sorrows we've experienced will be erased forever. v. So, what do we do with those three points of truth? vi. Application – Bravely run the race until we see Christ. h. My friends, the joy set before Christ was to save His bride, to redeem a people for Himself. For that joy he endured the cross and despised the shame. i. The joy set before us… is to join Him where He is, and so shall we ever be with Him. j. The gospel is the vehicle to that joy. We are placed in Christ as we travel this road. k. When the gospel gets even more costly and when life's difficulties weigh us down – look to Jesus the pioneer and completer of our faith. l. Look to your joy. And realize that it is joy given by the Spirit of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. m. But until then – what else must we do to be imitators of Christ? 5.) [Slide 25] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must zealously and accurately share the gospel. a. The Thessalonians' story was known far and wide. b. People heard about the time that the evangelists spent with them. They also heard about how the Thessalonians bravely cast aside their former lives and believed on the living and true God and His Son. c. People heard about how they were hoping in His return to rescue them from the coming wrath of God. d. My friends – have people heard a similar report about our church? Have people heard a similar report about you? e. If not, perhaps this is so for one of two reasons. f. The first is that perhaps you have failed to imitate spiritually mature people and Christ and have not zealously and accurately relayed the gospel to others. g. Perhaps you have grown weak and fearful and allowed petty fears of men to keep you from sharing the gospel with others. h. Perhaps you have shrunk back and blended in, trying to appear to be like everyone else. i. My friends – if you are elect of God, you will never fit in. Not here. This world with devils filled threatens to undo us. And you want to make it your home? You want to slip into some quiet corner and go unnoticed. j. We have the right man on our side. A man of God's own choosing. Who is it? Christ Jesus It is He. And He will win the battle. k. Friends – when the victory horn rings, you do not continue to hide in a corner. You come out and celebrate and gain confidence over the forces that still oppose – for they oppose in vain. l. Jesus has won. The victory bell rolled when the stone was rolled away. m. Get out of your hiding place. It is not time to hide. It is time to stand. n. Bear witness to the glorious gospel that saved you and can save others. Announce it to all you meet. Share with them how Christ caused you to cast aside your sins and follow Him in faith. Share with them how you were wicked and He has made you righteous. Share with them how God has done this and no one else. o. But there is a second reason that perhaps you have failed to zealously and accurately share the gospel… p. Perhaps you don't have a story to tell. 6.) [Slide 26] Evangelism: “What about this text points us to Jesus Christ, the gospel, and how we are restored?” The gospel always requires a turning from sin and former masters and to the living and true God and His Son whom He raised as our deliverer from future wrath. a. Some have wondered if Paul's last statement in this chapter is some kind of creed, confession, or song. b. The reason people wonder this, is because it is such a concentrated description of what the gospel is and does. c. These Thessalonians bore witness that because of a Jewish man who died in Judea 20 years before… d. They were giving up their ancestral beliefs, turning on their family and friends, rejecting the state religion, forfeiting their business relationships and ostracizing themselves from their own culture. e. Why would they do that? f. Because the man who died in Judea was no mere man. He was God and man. All other gods, religions, and even forms of Christianity that do not include a rejection of sin and pursuit of Christ alone, must be cast aside. g. Full and complete devotion to the true and living God must occur. h. Belief in the death, burial, resurrection and future coming of Jesus as this God-Man is required. i. And all hope placed in Him and Him alone to save you from the judgment which He Himself will bring is… necessary. j. Maybe you've never heard the gospel. Maybe you've heard it a thousand times but today… the loop closed. You see it now. He has died for you. He has won. k. Maybe you've thought you've been a follower of this Jesus – but your story of the gospel coming to you doesn't include anything like this. l. My friends – I implore you. Come to Jesus. Turn from everything else. Come to Jesus and live. [Slide 27] Let me close with a prayer by the Reformer Elisabeth Cruciger a former Nun who began writing hymns of the Reformation. Lord Christ, God's only dear Son, you have sprung from the Father's heart from eternity, as we see in the Scriptures. Morning star, you gleam brighter than all stars in the sky. You were born of a pure virgin in the fullness of time. Your death has opened for us the gates of heaven and restored life to us. Lord Christ, let us adore you in love, increasing in the knowledge of you. Despite our earthly weakness, let us serve you in spirit and never cease in faith, that our hearts may taste your sweetness, and ever thirst for you. You who founded the whole world, and who, in your unbounded power and fatherly might reign over day and night—let our hearts pursue you and let us turn our minds to you, lest we stray. Lord, kill us with your goodness. Make us alive in your grace. While we still live on this earth, take away our old nature, and replace it with new life. And may our every thought, desire, and feeling cleave to you. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Benediction: Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, Let Him shield them all day long, Let the one the Lord loves rest between His shoulders. That you might be steadfast, immovable and knowing That your toil in the Lord is not in vain. Until we meet again, go in peace.

As we have seen in our current series, many Christians may fail to grow up in their lives and in their faith. One of the root problems of modern Christianity is what Juan Carlos Ortiz has described as ‘The permanent childhood of the believer'. The apostle Paul understood that the various leadership roles in the church were to equip and mature the church (Ephesians 4:11-13).   Over the past weeks we have looked at different areas where we need to grow up. Now we conclude this series focusing on some more key ways in which we all need to grow up. These final 3 points bring us to a total of 18 areas of maturity which we will have covered in this series, in keeping with 18 being the age when you are considered an adult in the eyes of the law. Whether you or your parents like it or whether you feel ready for it, there very quickly comes a point when you can be entrusted with many opportunities and responsibilities, so you had better grow up. So, let's see these further points on what it means to be a mature Christian.  1. A mature Christian will serve others (Mark 10:43-45; Philippians 2:3) 2. A mature Christian takes responsibility for his decisions (Romans 14:12) 3. A mature Christian understands the role of parents (3 John 4:4; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 Corinthians 13: 11) Apply  1. A mature Christian will serve others (Mark 10:43-45). Jesus taught in contradiction to the teaching of this world which says that you live to satisfy your desires and dreams. When we come to Jesus, we find we are to focus on how we can serve and help others. Immaturity - self-serving and self-indulgent: The "gimme, gimme, gimme" philosophy is more prevalent in the Western community than we would care to imagine. We pray "God bless me, my family, bless my church, my group, my leaders, my job. God help me through this problem, this crisis, God use me.” It's all me, me, me…Many Christians approach God like a genie who will fulfil your wishes. However, Jesus was very specific in saying that the ways of the Kingdom of God are different. He taught His disciples to be servants, to help others first, support those in need, and to build God's house first. Maturity - serves others: In contrast to this, a mature Christian does “...nothing out of selfish ambition, vain conceit, but in humility considers others to be better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). A mature Christian prays for and thinks about others first and tries to bless other people's families and groups. You look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others. We shouldn't be waiting for the other person to act first: mature Christians don't wait to be served but look for the opportunity to serve others. When was the last time you served someone close to you, like your family, your leader or your neighbour? You can make the way in the busyness of home life to surprise someone with an act of service: don't wait until Christmas to help in the house with the big clean up or to prepare a nice meal for your family, or until your leader's birthday to say some words of appreciation. Don't wait until you've been asked to do something: excel with your attitude of service and your desire to help. Take time to pray for others, to share a word of encouragement with others. Charles Spurgeon said: “Hard work will do almost everything; but in God's service it must not only be hard work, but hot work. The heart must be on fire" To serve as Jesus did, our hearts must be in fire for Him.  2. A mature Christian takes responsibility for his decisions. Immaturity - someone else makes the big decisions: A baby, infant, or even an adolescent will not make major decisions on housing, finance or holidays. Those decisions are made by others. Someone else pays the rent or the mortgage, someone else decides where to go on holiday, where to stay. They simply go along for the ride. Someone else pays for the ticket. Some people's idea of discipleship would lead to the same situation. Many Christians make their decisions, but come to the pastor when the consequences hit, saying “pray for me, help me.” We need to know that we can chose our own decisions and must accept the consequences of our decisions (Romans 14:12). E.g. Lot in the Bible chose to leave his uncle Abram, a man of God, to pursue worldly wealth by moving his tents to the well-watered plain near the city of Sodom. But in the end, he got into big trouble and very bad company and had to be rescued by Abram. Maturity - you make the big decisions: Maturity means that as you grow up you take responsibility. You make decisions, you take risks, you face challenges, you launch out into the deep. You pioneer new ventures, not just looking to others to do so. You believe God for finance, not believing that others will supply it for you. You launch out in praying for the sick, praying for miracles, starting to use the gifts of the spirit that God has given you, and discover the ways the Lord wants to use you. Sometimes we haven't unlocked the next level in our spiritual life because of the fear of making mistakes. Start to trust God and get launched today. You can get your answers from God on the major issues in your life. There is safety and wisdom in counsel, but you yourself must hear from God.   3. A mature Christian understands the role of parents Immaturity - limited understanding of parent's role: A child can know the love of their parents, but know very little about them as people: their hurts, hopes, motivations, battles and victories. Dad and Mum are simply just there as dad and mum, or not there as the case may be, but parents are people too. Children think of parents as bosses, annoying people, useful sometimes (for car rides and as a piggy bank). Sometimes children think of them as enemies, or people who don't understand them nor see the world as they do. Something similar often happens with Pastors and leaders. But no good parents wish for their children to do badly or to make big mistakes. Every parent's desire for their children is to do good and to prosper, to see fruit in every area of their lives. Good Pastors and leaders only want to see every disciple prosper (3 John 4:4; Colossians 1:9-10). Maturity - close relationship with parents: As children grow up, they should grow to appreciate how much the parents have loved and sacrificed for them. They will discover that their parents don't just want to rule them, but to have a relationship with them, not just to feed them but to have fellowship with them. When children grow out of adolescence, a healthy parent relationship will mean that you see your parents clearly for who they are and you can get to know them as people. A mature person would understand that what we are made for is not just to function for God, but to be friends with God. Man's chief aim is to know God and glorify Him forever. More than that, God wants to know us and have fellowship with us. A mature Christian's life is therefore not characterised by rules, but relationship. We will reflect a heart of our father. A mature Christian will reflect his father in heaven, and his life will be lived to the father's pleasure and glory.   So here we come then after all these weeks to reflect on how mature we really are. It's time as put childish ways behind us (1 Corinthians 13: 11). So, stop acting like a version of Peter Pan. Grow up! God does not want us individually or collectively to be insecure, divided, competitive, disobedient or unruly. God wants a fully grown up, matured family. People who have come to wholeness in their relationship with God and one another. Where there was weakness there will now be strength. Where there were temperamental tantrums, there will be self-control and kindness and gentleness. Where we were exclusive, we can become inclusive. Where we were gullible, we will become wise. Jesus showed He can take hold of a bunch of immature young disciples and make them into a powerful apostolic company. So too God is raising up a church family in every locality and nation which He intends to be fully matured. And you can play your part in building and in being an ever-increasing blessing.  

As we have seen in our current series, many Christians may fail to grow up in their lives and in their faith. One of the root problems of modern Christianity is what Juan Carlos Ortiz has described as ‘The permanent childhood of the believer'. The apostle Paul understood that the various leadership roles in the church were to equip and mature the church (Ephesians 4:11-13).   Over the past weeks we have looked at different areas where we need to grow up. Now we conclude this series focusing on some more key ways in which we all need to grow up. These final 3 points bring us to a total of 18 areas of maturity which we will have covered in this series, in keeping with 18 being the age when you are considered an adult in the eyes of the law. Whether you or your parents like it or whether you feel ready for it, there very quickly comes a point when you can be entrusted with many opportunities and responsibilities, so you had better grow up. So, let's see these further points on what it means to be a mature Christian.  1. A mature Christian will serve others (Mark 10:43-45; Philippians 2:3) 2. A mature Christian takes responsibility for his decisions (Romans 14:12) 3. A mature Christian understands the role of parents (3 John 4:4; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 Corinthians 13: 11) Apply  1. A mature Christian will serve others (Mark 10:43-45). Jesus taught in contradiction to the teaching of this world which says that you live to satisfy your desires and dreams. When we come to Jesus, we find we are to focus on how we can serve and help others. Immaturity - self-serving and self-indulgent: The "gimme, gimme, gimme" philosophy is more prevalent in the Western community than we would care to imagine. We pray "God bless me, my family, bless my church, my group, my leaders, my job. God help me through this problem, this crisis, God use me.” It's all me, me, me…Many Christians approach God like a genie who will fulfil your wishes. However, Jesus was very specific in saying that the ways of the Kingdom of God are different. He taught His disciples to be servants, to help others first, support those in need, and to build God's house first. Maturity - serves others: In contrast to this, a mature Christian does “...nothing out of selfish ambition, vain conceit, but in humility considers others to be better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). A mature Christian prays for and thinks about others first and tries to bless other people's families and groups. You look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others. We shouldn't be waiting for the other person to act first: mature Christians don't wait to be served but look for the opportunity to serve others. When was the last time you served someone close to you, like your family, your leader or your neighbour? You can make the way in the busyness of home life to surprise someone with an act of service: don't wait until Christmas to help in the house with the big clean up or to prepare a nice meal for your family, or until your leader's birthday to say some words of appreciation. Don't wait until you've been asked to do something: excel with your attitude of service and your desire to help. Take time to pray for others, to share a word of encouragement with others. Charles Spurgeon said: “Hard work will do almost everything; but in God's service it must not only be hard work, but hot work. The heart must be on fire" To serve as Jesus did, our hearts must be in fire for Him.  2. A mature Christian takes responsibility for his decisions. Immaturity - someone else makes the big decisions: A baby, infant, or even an adolescent will not make major decisions on housing, finance or holidays. Those decisions are made by others. Someone else pays the rent or the mortgage, someone else decides where to go on holiday, where to stay. They simply go along for the ride. Someone else pays for the ticket. Some people's idea of discipleship would lead to the same situation. Many Christians make their decisions, but come to the pastor when the consequences hit, saying “pray for me, help me.” We need to know that we can chose our own decisions and must accept the consequences of our decisions (Romans 14:12). E.g. Lot in the Bible chose to leave his uncle Abram, a man of God, to pursue worldly wealth by moving his tents to the well-watered plain near the city of Sodom. But in the end, he got into big trouble and very bad company and had to be rescued by Abram. Maturity - you make the big decisions: Maturity means that as you grow up you take responsibility. You make decisions, you take risks, you face challenges, you launch out into the deep. You pioneer new ventures, not just looking to others to do so. You believe God for finance, not believing that others will supply it for you. You launch out in praying for the sick, praying for miracles, starting to use the gifts of the spirit that God has given you, and discover the ways the Lord wants to use you. Sometimes we haven't unlocked the next level in our spiritual life because of the fear of making mistakes. Start to trust God and get launched today. You can get your answers from God on the major issues in your life. There is safety and wisdom in counsel, but you yourself must hear from God.   3. A mature Christian understands the role of parents Immaturity - limited understanding of parent's role: A child can know the love of their parents, but know very little about them as people: their hurts, hopes, motivations, battles and victories. Dad and Mum are simply just there as dad and mum, or not there as the case may be, but parents are people too. Children think of parents as bosses, annoying people, useful sometimes (for car rides and as a piggy bank). Sometimes children think of them as enemies, or people who don't understand them nor see the world as they do. Something similar often happens with Pastors and leaders. But no good parents wish for their children to do badly or to make big mistakes. Every parent's desire for their children is to do good and to prosper, to see fruit in every area of their lives. Good Pastors and leaders only want to see every disciple prosper (3 John 4:4; Colossians 1:9-10). Maturity - close relationship with parents: As children grow up, they should grow to appreciate how much the parents have loved and sacrificed for them. They will discover that their parents don't just want to rule them, but to have a relationship with them, not just to feed them but to have fellowship with them. When children grow out of adolescence, a healthy parent relationship will mean that you see your parents clearly for who they are and you can get to know them as people. A mature person would understand that what we are made for is not just to function for God, but to be friends with God. Man's chief aim is to know God and glorify Him forever. More than that, God wants to know us and have fellowship with us. A mature Christian's life is therefore not characterised by rules, but relationship. We will reflect a heart of our father. A mature Christian will reflect his father in heaven, and his life will be lived to the father's pleasure and glory.   So here we come then after all these weeks to reflect on how mature we really are. It's time as put childish ways behind us (1 Corinthians 13: 11). So, stop acting like a version of Peter Pan. Grow up! God does not want us individually or collectively to be insecure, divided, competitive, disobedient or unruly. God wants a fully grown up, matured family. People who have come to wholeness in their relationship with God and one another. Where there was weakness there will now be strength. Where there were temperamental tantrums, there will be self-control and kindness and gentleness. Where we were exclusive, we can become inclusive. Where we were gullible, we will become wise. Jesus showed He can take hold of a bunch of immature young disciples and make them into a powerful apostolic company. So too God is raising up a church family in every locality and nation which He intends to be fully matured. And you can play your part in building and in being an ever-increasing blessing.  

In this series, the Lord is preparing each one of us to mature so that we will be more like Christ and be mature enough to model the right character to new Christians. People need looking after, they need feeding, they need support. And they cannot gain that from us if we cannot even do these things ourselves.     You can be a Christian for decades and still be immature, still battling with unrepentance, insecurity, comparison, or pride. But God's desire is for you to grow, to become steady, humble, wise, and fruitful. If we stay spiritually immature, we miss out. But even more than that, the world around us misses out too. So how do we actually grow up in our faith? How do we leave behind childish ways and become the mature Christians God is calling us to be?  1. A grown-up Christian moves from competing with one another to working together (Genesis 4:5; Luke 22:24; Mark 9:33–34; Romans 12:10,12:15; James 1:2-4) 2. A grown-up Christian moves from living as if they know it all to receiving wisdom and instruction (Matthew 11:29; 1 Corinthians 12:21; 2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 1:1-3; Proverbs 12:15) 3. A grown up Christian goes from building cliques to opening their hearts to the whole body of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10; Ephesians 4:14-15) Apply  1. A grown-up Christian moves from competing with one another to working together.Immaturity - constantly compares themselves to others and competes: You see this behaviour clearly in young children, especially siblings arguing and fighting. When one succeeds, the other might feel pressure to catch up or sulk because they feel they don't measure up. These dynamics are often quiet, but they can run deep. We read about this spirit of competitiveness when Cain compared his offering to Abel's (Genesis 4:5). Rather than learning from his brother, he let jealousy consume him. Even Jesus' disciples weren't immune (Luke 22:24; Mark 9:33–34). Just like siblings, they were still caught up in status. This same immature spirit can creep into the church, e.g. “My church / denomination / life group / family is better / bigger / more committed…” An immature Christian is threatened by the success of others, feeling insecure when others are celebrated. They sulk when others receive what they've been praying for. They care too much about how they're perceived in comparison to others. If you're single and someone else enters a relationship, if someone else gets promoted while you're still applying, or waiting for fruit in your ministry while others seem to be thriving, do you celebrate them, silently compare, or does envy creep in? The enemy wants to sow bitterness, insecurity, and division, and to crush your faith by preying on the seed of competitiveness. Maturity - moves beyond comparison and competition: They value the work of others, don't get insecure when someone else succeeds, and are not ruled by emotion, but instead learn from others, and rejoice with them. They don't see their brothers and sisters as rivals, they see them as partners (Romans 12:10). Stop trying to outdo each other, and start trying to outlove one another. This is maturity: Choosing faith and joy over jealousy and despair (Romans 12:15; James 1:2-4). A mature Christian is secure in their calling. They are not driven by comparison or public approval, they are driven by God's purpose.  2. A grown-up Christian moves from living as if they know it all to receiving wisdom and instruction.  Immaturity - acts like they know it all, they've done it all, they've got it all: They know the Bible better than anyone else, they understand praise and worship more than anyone else, they've seen more miracles, and they think they have more insight into what's going on than anyone else. They love to talk, but don't love to listen. Before you even finish speaking, they've cut you off! When Jesus invites us to learn from Him, He is calling us to a lifetime of humility and growth (Matthew 11:29). True maturity means remaining a learner for life. We can never take the ‘L plates' off as Christians. Yet many live contrary to this. They prefer to rely on their own knowledge, taking matters into their own hands and convincing themselves they've got it all figured out. Many Christians are building their lives ignoring instruction, ignoring the word of God, ignoring spiritual wisdom, confident they know better. Immature Christians have read the Bible, heard the sermons, attended the conferences, and now they believe no one can teach them anything new. They become uncorrectable, unteachable, the “spiritual expert” in every room they walk into. This attitude is deadly to growth. Many Christians live as if they are the only part of the body that matters (1 Corinthians 12:21). Maturity – gets wisdom and instruction to learn how to build the best life: A mature Christian hungers to spend time studying the Bible, applying its truths to their life (2 Timothy 3:16). You may read the Word, but do you know the Word? You may have read or heard it before, but is it inscribed on your heart? We must desire to unlock more knowledge from His Word, which is alive and active (Psalm 1:1-3). A mature Christian is eager to learn. They stay teachable. They receive correction from the Word and from spiritual authorities. They do not choke on the words, “I was wrong” or “Please show/help me.” They don't rely on old stories or past experiences to validate their present faith. They walk in humility and stay open to growth (Proverbs 12:15). We need to humble ourselves to be trained and to ask for advice. Remain teachable, living as a lifelong learner of Christ.  3. A grown up Christian goes from building cliques to opening their hearts to the whole body of Christ.  Immaturity - builds cliques: This is the type of thing you see in playgrounds and in schools, but it is even more damaging when it shows up in the church. It makes the church smaller and colder. It creates walls instead of bridges. Paul confronted the Corinthians for this and rebuked them strongly, saying they were acting like infants in the faith (1 Corinthians 3:4). We must not attach ourselves to one personality or one group and quietly shut out others. Immature Christians become so focused on their own ideologies and traditions and rules that it divides them from others. They say, “These are my people,” and close the door behind them. But in doing so, they divide the body that God has made one. An immature Christian cares more about who they are socially compatible with, who they can invite round, and who they can do different social events with, rather than reaching out to all types of people, supporting and loving them just as Christ loved us. Maturity - opens their hearts to the whole body of Christ: A grown-up Christian not only loves those who are easy to love, they value unity across differences and celebrate what God is doing in other groups, streams, and networks. Juan Carlos Ortiz, in his book Disciple, says, “God has only two groups, those who love one another and those who don't.” This is the heart of maturity: loving widely, well, and beyond preference or comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10). We need to open our hearts to those we've kept at a distance. We must tear down the walls of cliques, favouritism, and exclusivity. We are called to love the whole church just as Christ loved us. We must not be the blockage when there are so many people who need to be part of the family.  Now is the time to put away childish things. Now is the time to grow up in love, in humility, in unity (Ephesians 4:14-15). No more competing. No more pretending. No more excluding. Stop trying to win every argument. Stop trying to prove yourself. You don't need to compare yourself to others, God has His own plan for your life. He wants you to live in harmony with your brothers and sisters. Learn to work together. Be humble and teachable: If we are to be fully mature in Christ, we must be open to training and correction, eager to learn from the word of God and our pastors, with humility, taking off the pride that resists God. Pray for a teachable spirit. That you will be a new vessel. That you will walk with the Lord, not dependent on logic or past experiences, but following his voice as he leads you. And be inclusive, breaking down exclusive groups that exclude others from joining in. Be open-hearted, living in brotherhood and partnership with those who are also in Christ. How much more can God do through us when we are more warm-hearted to others 

In this series, the Lord is preparing each one of us to mature so that we will be more like Christ and be mature enough to model the right character to new Christians. People need looking after, they need feeding, they need support. And they cannot gain that from us if we cannot even do these things ourselves.     You can be a Christian for decades and still be immature, still battling with unrepentance, insecurity, comparison, or pride. But God's desire is for you to grow, to become steady, humble, wise, and fruitful. If we stay spiritually immature, we miss out. But even more than that, the world around us misses out too. So how do we actually grow up in our faith? How do we leave behind childish ways and become the mature Christians God is calling us to be?  1. A grown-up Christian moves from competing with one another to working together (Genesis 4:5; Luke 22:24; Mark 9:33–34; Romans 12:10,12:15; James 1:2-4) 2. A grown-up Christian moves from living as if they know it all to receiving wisdom and instruction (Matthew 11:29; 1 Corinthians 12:21; 2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 1:1-3; Proverbs 12:15) 3. A grown up Christian goes from building cliques to opening their hearts to the whole body of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10; Ephesians 4:14-15) Apply  1. A grown-up Christian moves from competing with one another to working together.Immaturity - constantly compares themselves to others and competes: You see this behaviour clearly in young children, especially siblings arguing and fighting. When one succeeds, the other might feel pressure to catch up or sulk because they feel they don't measure up. These dynamics are often quiet, but they can run deep. We read about this spirit of competitiveness when Cain compared his offering to Abel's (Genesis 4:5). Rather than learning from his brother, he let jealousy consume him. Even Jesus' disciples weren't immune (Luke 22:24; Mark 9:33–34). Just like siblings, they were still caught up in status. This same immature spirit can creep into the church, e.g. “My church / denomination / life group / family is better / bigger / more committed…” An immature Christian is threatened by the success of others, feeling insecure when others are celebrated. They sulk when others receive what they've been praying for. They care too much about how they're perceived in comparison to others. If you're single and someone else enters a relationship, if someone else gets promoted while you're still applying, or waiting for fruit in your ministry while others seem to be thriving, do you celebrate them, silently compare, or does envy creep in? The enemy wants to sow bitterness, insecurity, and division, and to crush your faith by preying on the seed of competitiveness. Maturity - moves beyond comparison and competition: They value the work of others, don't get insecure when someone else succeeds, and are not ruled by emotion, but instead learn from others, and rejoice with them. They don't see their brothers and sisters as rivals, they see them as partners (Romans 12:10). Stop trying to outdo each other, and start trying to outlove one another. This is maturity: Choosing faith and joy over jealousy and despair (Romans 12:15; James 1:2-4). A mature Christian is secure in their calling. They are not driven by comparison or public approval, they are driven by God's purpose.  2. A grown-up Christian moves from living as if they know it all to receiving wisdom and instruction.  Immaturity - acts like they know it all, they've done it all, they've got it all: They know the Bible better than anyone else, they understand praise and worship more than anyone else, they've seen more miracles, and they think they have more insight into what's going on than anyone else. They love to talk, but don't love to listen. Before you even finish speaking, they've cut you off! When Jesus invites us to learn from Him, He is calling us to a lifetime of humility and growth (Matthew 11:29). True maturity means remaining a learner for life. We can never take the ‘L plates' off as Christians. Yet many live contrary to this. They prefer to rely on their own knowledge, taking matters into their own hands and convincing themselves they've got it all figured out. Many Christians are building their lives ignoring instruction, ignoring the word of God, ignoring spiritual wisdom, confident they know better. Immature Christians have read the Bible, heard the sermons, attended the conferences, and now they believe no one can teach them anything new. They become uncorrectable, unteachable, the “spiritual expert” in every room they walk into. This attitude is deadly to growth. Many Christians live as if they are the only part of the body that matters (1 Corinthians 12:21). Maturity – gets wisdom and instruction to learn how to build the best life: A mature Christian hungers to spend time studying the Bible, applying its truths to their life (2 Timothy 3:16). You may read the Word, but do you know the Word? You may have read or heard it before, but is it inscribed on your heart? We must desire to unlock more knowledge from His Word, which is alive and active (Psalm 1:1-3). A mature Christian is eager to learn. They stay teachable. They receive correction from the Word and from spiritual authorities. They do not choke on the words, “I was wrong” or “Please show/help me.” They don't rely on old stories or past experiences to validate their present faith. They walk in humility and stay open to growth (Proverbs 12:15). We need to humble ourselves to be trained and to ask for advice. Remain teachable, living as a lifelong learner of Christ.  3. A grown up Christian goes from building cliques to opening their hearts to the whole body of Christ.  Immaturity - builds cliques: This is the type of thing you see in playgrounds and in schools, but it is even more damaging when it shows up in the church. It makes the church smaller and colder. It creates walls instead of bridges. Paul confronted the Corinthians for this and rebuked them strongly, saying they were acting like infants in the faith (1 Corinthians 3:4). We must not attach ourselves to one personality or one group and quietly shut out others. Immature Christians become so focused on their own ideologies and traditions and rules that it divides them from others. They say, “These are my people,” and close the door behind them. But in doing so, they divide the body that God has made one. An immature Christian cares more about who they are socially compatible with, who they can invite round, and who they can do different social events with, rather than reaching out to all types of people, supporting and loving them just as Christ loved us. Maturity - opens their hearts to the whole body of Christ: A grown-up Christian not only loves those who are easy to love, they value unity across differences and celebrate what God is doing in other groups, streams, and networks. Juan Carlos Ortiz, in his book Disciple, says, “God has only two groups, those who love one another and those who don't.” This is the heart of maturity: loving widely, well, and beyond preference or comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10). We need to open our hearts to those we've kept at a distance. We must tear down the walls of cliques, favouritism, and exclusivity. We are called to love the whole church just as Christ loved us. We must not be the blockage when there are so many people who need to be part of the family.  Now is the time to put away childish things. Now is the time to grow up in love, in humility, in unity (Ephesians 4:14-15). No more competing. No more pretending. No more excluding. Stop trying to win every argument. Stop trying to prove yourself. You don't need to compare yourself to others, God has His own plan for your life. He wants you to live in harmony with your brothers and sisters. Learn to work together. Be humble and teachable: If we are to be fully mature in Christ, we must be open to training and correction, eager to learn from the word of God and our pastors, with humility, taking off the pride that resists God. Pray for a teachable spirit. That you will be a new vessel. That you will walk with the Lord, not dependent on logic or past experiences, but following his voice as he leads you. And be inclusive, breaking down exclusive groups that exclude others from joining in. Be open-hearted, living in brotherhood and partnership with those who are also in Christ. How much more can God do through us when we are more warm-hearted to others 

Everyone needs to grow up in life and as a Christian. Babies, both natural and newborn Christians, should be a great blessing. But it's not a blessing if they stay babies. They need to grow up strong and healthy. One of the root problems of modern Christianity is what Juan Carlos Ortiz has described as ‘The permanent childhood of the believer.'  The New Testament Epistles are full of exhortations to help us grow up in Christ, and the apostle Paul described this as the whole purpose of his ministry (Colossians 1:28). He understood that the various leadership roles in the church were to equip and mature the church (Ephesians 4:12-14; 1 Corinthians 13:11). Every Christian needs to grow up in our knowledge of God, in love, in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, in perseverance and in becoming more like Jesus. Of course, newly born-again Christians need a lot of care, attention, encouragement, protection, and direction. That's why we need mature disciples, both older and younger, to act like a spiritual mum and dad to help those new to faith. New believers often have a lot of questions as so much is so different to anything they have known before. They need established Christians to accept them, be patient with them and give all the answers that they can. We should never put heavy burdens and unrealistic expectations and goals on new Christians. But we can and should expect every true Christian to grow up from spiritual infancy. We see three practical areas where every Christian needs to move from immaturity to maturity:   1. We need to grow up from being unable to walk to be being able to stand strong (Ephesians 4:14; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:12-13; 1 John 2:14).  2. We need to grow up from being fed milk to be able to receive meat (1 Corinthians 3:1-2; Hebrews 5:12-14,6:1-3) 3. We need to grow up from being out of control to becoming self-controlled (Galatians 5:23; Titus 2:11-12; Psalm 34:12-13; James 3:5, James 1:26) Apply  1. We need to grow up from being unable to walk to be being able to stand strong. Immaturity - unable to walk: A baby can't hold themselves up. A toddler keeps falling over. Baby Christians too stumble over the same problems and temptations (Ephesians 4:14). Immature Christians are unstable and prone to falling over. A new immature Christian can be easily confused and disorientated. So we must train each Christian to know how to stand. Maturity - able to stand: It's amazing how quickly a baby learns to stand. It's equally wonderful to see new Christians rapidly becoming secure in their faith in Jesus. A mature Christian trusts in Christ not in themselves, is one who can resist the Devil and see him flee from you (James 4:7). A mature Christian has learned to stand their ground during trials and temptations (Ephesians 6:12-13). You know you are growing in your faith when you are no longer ruled by your feelings and circumstances. You no longer worry when people criticise you since they only have power over you if you accept their negativity. You don't panic when Satan sends noisy thunder and dramatic lightning your way. Why? Because You know how to find your refuge, your safe place, in the promises of God's word that He will never leave you or forsake you, and that the Lord will always hear your cry. You don't have to be old or a long-time Christian to develop an ability to stand strong in your confidence in Jesus who has conquered sin, Satan, death, and hell at the Cross (1 John 2:14).   2. We need to grow up from being fed milk to be able to receive meat Immaturity - must be fed milk: (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). Spiritual babies only want what they can easily digest. They only eat small portions of the word of God, only texts that make them feel good. Baby Christians want to be comforted not challenged, entertained rather than enlightened. They want only to receive the good promises of prosperity and good life without much of God's life and the challenges of denial, discipline, and discipleship. They don't want in depth Bible teaching (Hebrews 5:12,6:1-3). One of the key signs of an immature Christian is incomplete repentance. A Christian may keep getting into trouble because they have never truly, totally, and thoroughly repented with tears and a conviction that only Jesus can give the cleansing and forgiveness that they need. Maturity - able to nourish self on meat: (Hebrews 5:13-14). Being mature is understanding that God is righteous, and that we need to be made righteous through the blood of His son Jesus Christ and our faith in Christ alone. By ourselves we cannot live right as we should (Romans 3:10). A mature Christian, however, can discern the difference between good and evil. A mature Christian has a keen sense of what is right and wrong, not simply saying ‘well everyone has their own opinion'. A mature Christian is upright in their business dealings and in the way they treat others and is someone who seeks first Christ's kingdom and His righteousness. If you are living right, doing right, and are not living self-righteously but righteously through Christ, then you are for sure maturing in your faith.   3. We need to grow up from being out of control to becoming self-controlled Immaturity - little self-control: In real life babies are not noted for their self-control, especially regarding the bladder! They don't care. They are babies. And if they feel sick then they just go and throw up. Such behaviour, although clearly objectionable and messy, is considered permissible simply because babies do what babies do. But these are not endearing traits when babies grow older. Yet in the church, many Christians have never been potty trained. They just do what they want, say what they want to whom they want, when they want, and are not much bothered what mess they cause. There is little evidence of restraint in their lives. Lack of self-control may be seen in that they do not control their tongue, their temper, their passions, or their spending. This is nothing but immaturity. Maturity - modelling self-control: Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). A Spirit filled mature Christian is someone who has learnt to control his passions (Titus 2:11-12). To be a grown-up Christian you can't sleep around but must control your sexual appetites. To be a grown-up Christian you must rule your money, not spend it just by impulse. To be a grown-up Christian you can't lose your temper because someone or something displeases you. You must rule your actions and reactions. And not least to be a grown-up Christian you must control your mouth (Psalm 34:12-13). An uncontrolled tongue can cause great damage (James 3:5, James 1:26).   So having considered three practical areas where we need to grow up, we need to stand strong, learn to receive meat, and live self-controlled lives. So how are you doing and what do you need to change to become a grown-up Christian? Pray asking for the Lord's forgiveness and the help of the Holy Spirit. 

Everyone needs to grow up in life and as a Christian. Babies, both natural and newborn Christians, should be a great blessing. But it's not a blessing if they stay babies. They need to grow up strong and healthy. One of the root problems of modern Christianity is what Juan Carlos Ortiz has described as ‘The permanent childhood of the believer.'  The New Testament Epistles are full of exhortations to help us grow up in Christ, and the apostle Paul described this as the whole purpose of his ministry (Colossians 1:28). He understood that the various leadership roles in the church were to equip and mature the church (Ephesians 4:12-14; 1 Corinthians 13:11). Every Christian needs to grow up in our knowledge of God, in love, in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, in perseverance and in becoming more like Jesus. Of course, newly born-again Christians need a lot of care, attention, encouragement, protection, and direction. That's why we need mature disciples, both older and younger, to act like a spiritual mum and dad to help those new to faith. New believers often have a lot of questions as so much is so different to anything they have known before. They need established Christians to accept them, be patient with them and give all the answers that they can. We should never put heavy burdens and unrealistic expectations and goals on new Christians. But we can and should expect every true Christian to grow up from spiritual infancy. We see three practical areas where every Christian needs to move from immaturity to maturity:   1. We need to grow up from being unable to walk to be being able to stand strong (Ephesians 4:14; James 4:7; Ephesians 6:12-13; 1 John 2:14).  2. We need to grow up from being fed milk to be able to receive meat (1 Corinthians 3:1-2; Hebrews 5:12-14,6:1-3) 3. We need to grow up from being out of control to becoming self-controlled (Galatians 5:23; Titus 2:11-12; Psalm 34:12-13; James 3:5, James 1:26) Apply  1. We need to grow up from being unable to walk to be being able to stand strong. Immaturity - unable to walk: A baby can't hold themselves up. A toddler keeps falling over. Baby Christians too stumble over the same problems and temptations (Ephesians 4:14). Immature Christians are unstable and prone to falling over. A new immature Christian can be easily confused and disorientated. So we must train each Christian to know how to stand. Maturity - able to stand: It's amazing how quickly a baby learns to stand. It's equally wonderful to see new Christians rapidly becoming secure in their faith in Jesus. A mature Christian trusts in Christ not in themselves, is one who can resist the Devil and see him flee from you (James 4:7). A mature Christian has learned to stand their ground during trials and temptations (Ephesians 6:12-13). You know you are growing in your faith when you are no longer ruled by your feelings and circumstances. You no longer worry when people criticise you since they only have power over you if you accept their negativity. You don't panic when Satan sends noisy thunder and dramatic lightning your way. Why? Because You know how to find your refuge, your safe place, in the promises of God's word that He will never leave you or forsake you, and that the Lord will always hear your cry. You don't have to be old or a long-time Christian to develop an ability to stand strong in your confidence in Jesus who has conquered sin, Satan, death, and hell at the Cross (1 John 2:14).   2. We need to grow up from being fed milk to be able to receive meat Immaturity - must be fed milk: (1 Corinthians 3:1-2). Spiritual babies only want what they can easily digest. They only eat small portions of the word of God, only texts that make them feel good. Baby Christians want to be comforted not challenged, entertained rather than enlightened. They want only to receive the good promises of prosperity and good life without much of God's life and the challenges of denial, discipline, and discipleship. They don't want in depth Bible teaching (Hebrews 5:12,6:1-3). One of the key signs of an immature Christian is incomplete repentance. A Christian may keep getting into trouble because they have never truly, totally, and thoroughly repented with tears and a conviction that only Jesus can give the cleansing and forgiveness that they need. Maturity - able to nourish self on meat: (Hebrews 5:13-14). Being mature is understanding that God is righteous, and that we need to be made righteous through the blood of His son Jesus Christ and our faith in Christ alone. By ourselves we cannot live right as we should (Romans 3:10). A mature Christian, however, can discern the difference between good and evil. A mature Christian has a keen sense of what is right and wrong, not simply saying ‘well everyone has their own opinion'. A mature Christian is upright in their business dealings and in the way they treat others and is someone who seeks first Christ's kingdom and His righteousness. If you are living right, doing right, and are not living self-righteously but righteously through Christ, then you are for sure maturing in your faith.   3. We need to grow up from being out of control to becoming self-controlled Immaturity - little self-control: In real life babies are not noted for their self-control, especially regarding the bladder! They don't care. They are babies. And if they feel sick then they just go and throw up. Such behaviour, although clearly objectionable and messy, is considered permissible simply because babies do what babies do. But these are not endearing traits when babies grow older. Yet in the church, many Christians have never been potty trained. They just do what they want, say what they want to whom they want, when they want, and are not much bothered what mess they cause. There is little evidence of restraint in their lives. Lack of self-control may be seen in that they do not control their tongue, their temper, their passions, or their spending. This is nothing but immaturity. Maturity - modelling self-control: Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). A Spirit filled mature Christian is someone who has learnt to control his passions (Titus 2:11-12). To be a grown-up Christian you can't sleep around but must control your sexual appetites. To be a grown-up Christian you must rule your money, not spend it just by impulse. To be a grown-up Christian you can't lose your temper because someone or something displeases you. You must rule your actions and reactions. And not least to be a grown-up Christian you must control your mouth (Psalm 34:12-13). An uncontrolled tongue can cause great damage (James 3:5, James 1:26).   So having considered three practical areas where we need to grow up, we need to stand strong, learn to receive meat, and live self-controlled lives. So how are you doing and what do you need to change to become a grown-up Christian? Pray asking for the Lord's forgiveness and the help of the Holy Spirit. 

Everyone needs to grow up in life and as a Christian. Babies, both natural and newborn Christians, should be a great blessing. But it's not a blessing if they stay babies. They need to grow up strong and healthy. As Christians we rejoice that God's son humbly came to earth as a vulnerable baby, but it was only when Jesus grew up that He could fulfil the great purpose of His life. Even at an early age the Bible records the growth of Jesus (Luke 2:52). God is the God of growth (Isaiah 9:7; Genesis 1:27-28). The parable of the mustard seed shared by Jesus speaks of exponential growth in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:31-32).  In the Christian church both, locally and universally, God wants the church to multiply numerically, but He also wants every Christian to grow up in their faith, in their character, in their ministry and in every stage of life (Psalm 92:12-14). Our new series focusses on how we can develop from spiritual infancy into mature and fruitful disciples of Jesus and how in turn we can train others also to become grown up disciples.   One of the root problems of modern Christianity is what Juan Carlos Ortiz in his classic book “Disciple” (see also Warren Wiersbe "Be Mature" and Arthur Wallis "On To Maturity"). Sadly, today there are Christians who seem to have stopped growing in their Christian lives. Despite years of teaching, fellowship, prayer, conferences and meetings, they remain childish in the way they talk, think, act and react. What they want is to be constantly pampered, spoon fed, consoled, cosseted, and cleaned up when they have made a mess. What they need however, as opposed to what they want, is not prayer or deliverance or counselling but simply this: they need to grow up!   This issue of spiritual maturity is nothing new. The Epistles are full of exhortations to help us grow up in Christ (Colossians 1:28). Paul aimed for more than the maturity of individual believers: He wanted to see the entire church mature. He understood that the various leadership roles in the church were to equip and mature the church (Ephesians 4:12-14). Over the coming weeks we will be looking at some of the practical ways that God intends for us to mature both individually and collectively, but first we see some major areas we need to grow in:   1. Grow in our understanding of God (Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Peter 3:18) 2. Grow in love (John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 4:15-16; Ephesians 4:2,31-32; 1 Thessalonians 3:12) 3. Grow in the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18 4. Grow in perseverance (James 1:2-4; 2 Peter 1:5-8) 5. Grow in Christ likeness (Exodus 34:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18) Apply  1. Grow in our understanding of God (Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Peter 3:18). As new Christians we may know very little about God. But as we read His Word and experience His grace, we learn so much more about God. We grow in our understanding of the righteous and loving character of God; we discover that God is for us and not against us; we learn that we don't have to be shaped by the storms and circumstances of life but that we can rest secure that God is faithful to all His promises and that He works everything for the good of those who love Him; and we become more aware that Jesus is not just a figure of history but a living reality who we can know as our saviour from sin, our best friend, our greatest guardian and guide. And as we grow in our knowledge of God, we lose our fear and grow in faith. That's what God wants for every Christian. We are not to stay as infants with little understanding but to continually grow in our knowledge of our good and great God.  2. Grow in love. Love is the central message of Christianity. God is love and He so loved the world that He gave His only son Jesus to save us from sin and destruction. Today He wants to show His love through His body on earth. The church is called to model love in a world of hate. Sadly, many times people have been turned off church because they have encountered nastiness, judgmentalism and harshness in the church. However, Jesus told His disciples that they needed to work through their differences and work at loving one another (John 13:35). Love is not just an emotion (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Paul certainly believed in the importance of spiritual gifts like prophecies and the necessity of helping the poor, but he said that without love, he would gain nothing. As Christians we all have a responsibility to speak with love and build the church up with love (Ephesians 4:15-16). What does this mean in practice? See Ephesians 4:2,31-32. We each have to move on from being a me centred baby to being a grown-up carer for others (1 Thessalonians 3:12).  3. Grow in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus real to us and equips us to serve God. On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles received the powerful anointing of the Holy spirit but that was just a beginning. The book of Acts of the Apostles shows how they grew in their anointing of the Holy spirit as they boldly preached the gospel and saw miracles of healing and deliverance. It is not sufficient just to start out in Christian life and ministry with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, being continually filled (Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18). The Greek verb tense used indicates a present continuous action, rather than a one-time event. So are we growing in our fellowship with the Holy Spirit? Are we exercising spiritual gifts with more authority? Is there a noticeable increase of the anointing of the Holy spirit in our lives and on our ministries? Every day we must value the anointing of the Holy Spirit, not grieving the Spirit by our words and actions so that God can increasingly move in power through us.   4. Grow in perseverance (James 1:2-4). Few people like to go through tough times, yet it is in such seasons that we are forced to choose whether to grow up in our faith or give up. Trials, where we learn to depend on God and not on ourselves or our emotions, help us to develop in our spiritual maturity. When we persevere and remain steadfast in the face of strong winds we learn, as an old hymn says, to ‘trust in Jesus and to take Him at His word.' We develop an inner spiritual and emotional toughness and an ability to endure in all situations. Instead of crying like babies in distress, we become confident that the Lord will give us peace and grace for every situation (2 Peter 1:5-8).  5. Grow in Christ likeness (Exodus 34:29). The more we spent time developing our relationship with the Lord through worship, prayer, knowing God's word and seeking to live holy lives, the more we will become like the Lord. There will come a greater transparency, a greater serenity, a greater beauty. People will literally be able to see and sense more of Jesus in us (2 Corinthians 3:18). So how are you doing in your Christian development? How much are you growing in your knowledge of God, in love, in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, in perseverance and in becoming more like Jesus? Well don't be worried or discouraged. God who has begun a good work in you plans to bring it to completion. You too can become a far more mature and fruitful Christian than you may have ever imagined. 

Everyone needs to grow up in life and as a Christian. Babies, both natural and newborn Christians, should be a great blessing. But it's not a blessing if they stay babies. They need to grow up strong and healthy. As Christians we rejoice that God's son humbly came to earth as a vulnerable baby, but it was only when Jesus grew up that He could fulfil the great purpose of His life. Even at an early age the Bible records the growth of Jesus (Luke 2:52). God is the God of growth (Isaiah 9:7; Genesis 1:27-28). The parable of the mustard seed shared by Jesus speaks of exponential growth in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:31-32).  In the Christian church both, locally and universally, God wants the church to multiply numerically, but He also wants every Christian to grow up in their faith, in their character, in their ministry and in every stage of life (Psalm 92:12-14). Our new series focusses on how we can develop from spiritual infancy into mature and fruitful disciples of Jesus and how in turn we can train others also to become grown up disciples.   One of the root problems of modern Christianity is what Juan Carlos Ortiz in his classic book “Disciple” (see also Warren Wiersbe "Be Mature" and Arthur Wallis "On To Maturity"). Sadly, today there are Christians who seem to have stopped growing in their Christian lives. Despite years of teaching, fellowship, prayer, conferences and meetings, they remain childish in the way they talk, think, act and react. What they want is to be constantly pampered, spoon fed, consoled, cosseted, and cleaned up when they have made a mess. What they need however, as opposed to what they want, is not prayer or deliverance or counselling but simply this: they need to grow up!   This issue of spiritual maturity is nothing new. The Epistles are full of exhortations to help us grow up in Christ (Colossians 1:28). Paul aimed for more than the maturity of individual believers: He wanted to see the entire church mature. He understood that the various leadership roles in the church were to equip and mature the church (Ephesians 4:12-14). Over the coming weeks we will be looking at some of the practical ways that God intends for us to mature both individually and collectively, but first we see some major areas we need to grow in:   1. Grow in our understanding of God (Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Peter 3:18) 2. Grow in love (John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 4:15-16; Ephesians 4:2,31-32; 1 Thessalonians 3:12) 3. Grow in the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18 4. Grow in perseverance (James 1:2-4; 2 Peter 1:5-8) 5. Grow in Christ likeness (Exodus 34:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18) Apply  1. Grow in our understanding of God (Colossians 1:9-10; 2 Peter 3:18). As new Christians we may know very little about God. But as we read His Word and experience His grace, we learn so much more about God. We grow in our understanding of the righteous and loving character of God; we discover that God is for us and not against us; we learn that we don't have to be shaped by the storms and circumstances of life but that we can rest secure that God is faithful to all His promises and that He works everything for the good of those who love Him; and we become more aware that Jesus is not just a figure of history but a living reality who we can know as our saviour from sin, our best friend, our greatest guardian and guide. And as we grow in our knowledge of God, we lose our fear and grow in faith. That's what God wants for every Christian. We are not to stay as infants with little understanding but to continually grow in our knowledge of our good and great God.  2. Grow in love. Love is the central message of Christianity. God is love and He so loved the world that He gave His only son Jesus to save us from sin and destruction. Today He wants to show His love through His body on earth. The church is called to model love in a world of hate. Sadly, many times people have been turned off church because they have encountered nastiness, judgmentalism and harshness in the church. However, Jesus told His disciples that they needed to work through their differences and work at loving one another (John 13:35). Love is not just an emotion (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Paul certainly believed in the importance of spiritual gifts like prophecies and the necessity of helping the poor, but he said that without love, he would gain nothing. As Christians we all have a responsibility to speak with love and build the church up with love (Ephesians 4:15-16). What does this mean in practice? See Ephesians 4:2,31-32. We each have to move on from being a me centred baby to being a grown-up carer for others (1 Thessalonians 3:12).  3. Grow in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus real to us and equips us to serve God. On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles received the powerful anointing of the Holy spirit but that was just a beginning. The book of Acts of the Apostles shows how they grew in their anointing of the Holy spirit as they boldly preached the gospel and saw miracles of healing and deliverance. It is not sufficient just to start out in Christian life and ministry with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, being continually filled (Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18). The Greek verb tense used indicates a present continuous action, rather than a one-time event. So are we growing in our fellowship with the Holy Spirit? Are we exercising spiritual gifts with more authority? Is there a noticeable increase of the anointing of the Holy spirit in our lives and on our ministries? Every day we must value the anointing of the Holy Spirit, not grieving the Spirit by our words and actions so that God can increasingly move in power through us.   4. Grow in perseverance (James 1:2-4). Few people like to go through tough times, yet it is in such seasons that we are forced to choose whether to grow up in our faith or give up. Trials, where we learn to depend on God and not on ourselves or our emotions, help us to develop in our spiritual maturity. When we persevere and remain steadfast in the face of strong winds we learn, as an old hymn says, to ‘trust in Jesus and to take Him at His word.' We develop an inner spiritual and emotional toughness and an ability to endure in all situations. Instead of crying like babies in distress, we become confident that the Lord will give us peace and grace for every situation (2 Peter 1:5-8).  5. Grow in Christ likeness (Exodus 34:29). The more we spent time developing our relationship with the Lord through worship, prayer, knowing God's word and seeking to live holy lives, the more we will become like the Lord. There will come a greater transparency, a greater serenity, a greater beauty. People will literally be able to see and sense more of Jesus in us (2 Corinthians 3:18). So how are you doing in your Christian development? How much are you growing in your knowledge of God, in love, in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, in perseverance and in becoming more like Jesus? Well don't be worried or discouraged. God who has begun a good work in you plans to bring it to completion. You too can become a far more mature and fruitful Christian than you may have ever imagined. 

Ephesians 2:1-10 Who We Were (vv. 1-3) Our path Our prince Our partners Our practice What God Did (vv. 4-7) He raised us because of His love He saved us by His grace He exalted us for His glory What We Are Now (vv. 8-10) Saved by His grace Sculpted for His glory More To Consider Watching a trapeze show is breathtaking. We wonder at the dexterity and timing. We gasp at near-misses. In most cases, there is a net underneath. When they fall, they jump up and bounce back to the trapeze. In Christ, we live on the trapeze. The whole world should be able to watch and say, "Look how they live, how they love one another. Look how well the husbands treat their wives. And aren't they the best workers in the factories and offices, the best neighbors, the best students?" That is to live on the trapeze, being a show to the world. What happens when we slip? The net is surely there. The blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, has provided forgiveness for ALL our trespasses. Both the net and the ability to stay on the trapeze are works of God's grace. Of course, we cannot be continually sleeping on the net., If that is the case, I doubt whether that person is a trapezist. Juan Carlos Ortiz.Start Charles Spurgeon and Joseph Parker both had churches in London in the 19th century. On one occasion, Parker commented on the poor condition of children admitted to Spurgeon's orphanage. It was reported to Spurgeon however, that Parker had criticized the orphanage itself. Spurgeon blasted Parker the next week from the pulpit. The attack was printed in the newspapers and became the talk of the town. People flocked to Parker's church the next Sunday to hear his rebuttal. "I understand Dr. Spurgeon is not in his pulpit today, and this is the Sunday they use to take an offering for the orphanage. I suggest we take a love offering here instead." The crowd was delighted. The ushers had to empty the collection plates 3 times. Later that week there was a knock at Parker's study. It was Spurgeon. "You know Parker, you have practiced grace on me. You have given me not what I deserved, you have given me what I needed. Moody Monthly, December, 1983, p. 81.Strat

How Towers and Data Centers can Capitalize on 5G Expansion, iconectiv Podcast, “Many tower and data center operators don't have a complete understanding of their asset portfolios,” says Juan Carlos Ortiz, Principal for Corporate Business Development As the demand for seamless 5G wireless coverage grows, tower and data center operators are in prime position to capitalize on its expansion, but many of them aren't fully realizing these opportunities. In this podcast, Juan Carlos Ortiz, Principal for Corporate Business Development at iconectiv, explains how tower and data center operators can take full advantage of the opportunities arising from 5G expansion. “Many tower and data center operators don't have a complete understanding of their asset portfolios,” Ortiz said. “There is a standard nomenclature that service providers and their business partners have been using for decades to describe critical network resources in a consistent, descriptive and meaningful way, and that mechanism is called Common Language.” About iconectiv iconectiv provides services to secure digital identity, numerous data exchanges, registries, and other information as a service offerings. These address numbering intelligence, Know Your Customer (KYC), Know Your Business (KYB), fraud prevention, as well as network and operations management for the global communications industry. It provides numbering services in more than a dozen countries, including serving as the Local Number Portability Administrator (LNPA) for the United States. As a trusted partner of the communications ecosystem, iconectiv is dedicated to keeping people connected, businesses running and commerce flowing. This includes making sure incoming and outgoing phone calls and messages are verified and identified, and that communications service providers can trust the information in their systems and networks. www.iconectiv.com

Juan Carlos Ortiz became president and CEO at DDB Latina in 2008 with the vision to unite multicultural marketing across continents through a cultural approach to creativity. Under his leadership, South and Central American marketing efforts were united with Miami, Hispanic North America and Spain. The multi-continental effort hasn't been without its challenges. Specifically, incorporating nuances between markets under a universal focal point. But Ortiz has faced it head on. To create a universal standard, DDB Latina has developed a creativity benchmark called the “Bullseye system” in which work from local agencies is continuously evaluated and developed by a council of chief creative officers. DDB Latina generated 51% of creative results for the global agency at Cannes in 2021. That number climbed to 59% in 2022. In this episode, Ortiz chats about this strategy and how the approach has flipped DDB Latina's business. He also shares how the agency is attracting and retaining talent and his predictions for new creative trends. Listen to this episode and subscribe to Campaign Chemistry wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us on twitter: @CampaignLiveUS www.campaignlive.com

En este episodio, Juan Carlos Ortiz relata su trayectoria profesional y decisiones que moldearon su vida. También comparte sus experiencias como escritor y reflexiona sobre su historia personas y características que le han llevado al éxito.

Última noche en Cannes 2022. Esa noche compartimos mesa con Juan Carlos Ortiz, Presidente y CEO de DDB Latina y Juani Martinez de Adlatina.Esa noche hablamos de la importancia de los criterios a la hora de votar por la cantidad de categorías y sub categorías. Entre ellas Glass, que busca crear un impacto positivo en la igualdad de género, y de la cual celebramos que Ogilvy Honduras ganó ese Grand Prix.Compartimos también con Juan Carlos la alegría del éxito de DDB latina. Hablamos del ejemplo del exitazo Latino en los Effies de EEUU.Platicamos acerca de los factores sociales que impulsan éxito a una campaña. Dimos saltos en el impacto post-pandemia de la digitalización, el ecommerce y la tecnología y de cómo nuestra industria está replanteando el futuro económico de este territorio con la creatividad y la innovación.Patrocinado por Oriental Films, Habitant, Primo, Stink y Humano.Visítanos en https://www.elmartinez.net/ y suscríbete en Spotify, Apple Podcasts o donde lo estés oyendo ahora. Síguenos en FB o IG @ElMartinezPodcast. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hoy, queriendo recordar un poco la vida de Juan Carlos Ortiz (QEPD) retrocedemos el tiempo al año 2004 para escuchar de su propia voz, como es que las mujeres prefieren a los hombres. Conéctate conmigo ahora mismo! https://www.youtube.com/realtejeda https://www.tiktok.com/@realsergiotejeda https://www.instagram.com/real_tejeda https://twitter.com/Real_Tejeda https://www.facebook.com/SergioTejedaReal realtejedashow@gmail.com

Hoy repasamos la actuación de la Selección Valenciana en los Campeonatos de España Sub16 y Sub19 de fútbol sala de la mano de sus dos máximos responsables técnicos, Sergio Calduch y Patxi Aguilar. Además, descubrimos al Athletic Massamagrell con Juan Carlos Ortiz (director deportivo), Nacho López (responsable sección femenina), Javier Fuentes (responsable sección masculina), Sergi Fernández (responsable metodología) y Salvador Lacasa (vicepresidente).

Él es uno de los creativos colombianos más reconocidos a nivel mundial. Después de haber ganado el primer león de Oro en film para Colombia hoy es Presidente y CEO de DDB Latina que ha sido Network del Año en el ranking Crema de Adlatina en los últimos dos años por sus premios a nivel internacional.Esa noche platicamos de una aventura que pocos conocen, de cuando estuvo haciendo un documental en plena selva cuando estudiaba cine.Luego hablamos de “Cortos”, el libro que escribió en su blackberry a más de diez mil pies de altura en todos los aviones que tomaba en una etapa de su vida.Pasamos por la competencia entre las consultoras y las agencias de big data versus creatividad.Hablamos de la importancia de la cultura en una compañía que le da la esencia de lo que es.No podíamos dejar de conversar sobre la transformación colombiana que es un ejemplo para toda la región.Y no solo de Colombia sino como Latinoamérica está dejando huella.Terminamos hablando de la ley del cosmos que es un concepto que parece esotérico y elevado pero que realmente es mucho más aterrizado y terrenal de lo que pensamos. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Una fórmula para ser creativoSer creativo es uno objetivo que casi todos buscamos. Ser creativo no solo nos hace sentir más útiles e importantes, sino que nos ayuda a lograr los mejores resultados en lo que emprendemos. En este episodio una fórmula para ser creativo.Una fórmula para ser creativo (no es la única, pero deberías dominarla)Un camino interesante para ser creativo. Antes de compartírtelo te voy a hacer la siguiente pregunta, piensa por un momento ¿Qué es lo más creativo que has hecho en tu vida?Ya, ¿se te vino algo a la cabeza? ¡Seguro que has hecho algo creativo!Yo siento que he hecho algunas cosas creativas. Unas que al final de cuentas funcionaban muy bien, otras que no caminaron porque falto proceso, falto disciplina, faltaron algunas condiciones, pero que fueron creativas en su momento.Te hago la pregunta porque todos alguna vez en la vida hemos hecho algo creativo en nuestro trabajo, en alguna situación particular personal que nos haya ocurrido, por ejemplo, en unas vacaciones, para solucionar un problema que se presento y que no esperábamos.O por ejemplo en una fiesta tuvimos una iniciativa para una actividad que nadie esperaba y resulto de lo más divertido y muy creativa; todos hemos hecho algo creativo en la vida.Y constantemente aparecen teorías de como fomentar la creatividad, como estimularla. De hecho, uno de los primeros episodios de Mil Palabras tuvo que ver con la creatividad.Les voy a poner el link en las notas del show, porque en ese episodio hablamos con Juan Carlos Ortiz. Quizás el publicista colombiano más reconocido en todo el mundo, el que más lejos ha llegado, no solamente por su posición actual como CEO de una de las agencias más grandes del mundo, sino porque Juan fue el primer colombiano en ganar un premio Cannes de la publicidad.Así que les voy a dejar el link para que consulten ese podcast que está buenísimo de verdad.Juan presenta un lado muy interesante de la creatividad en esa entrevista y es que cuando asociamos dos conceptos, aparentemente disimiles, los juntamos y le damos una dirección con un solo propósito, algo nuevo puede pasar.La creatividad no es totalmente original, no es algo que creamos de la nada. O si, lo creamos de la nada, pero partiendo de cosas ya existentes.Les pongo dos ejemplos muy rápidos. Los bancos antes de la era digital adoptaron un modelo donde la gente pasaba en su carro, una persona lo atendía por un citófono y la persona podía hacer una transacción, consignar, sacar dinero sin bajarse de su carro.¿Los bancos de donde sacaron esta idea? De los drive thrue o servicios de entrega de comida de los restaurantes de comida rápida; es una asociación de conceptos simplemente.Pero hay otra fórmula para ser creativo que te comparto en este episodioRecuerda por favor escucharnos y suscribirte en la plataforma que más te guste:Apple PodcastSpotifyGoogle PodcastPara participar, escríbeme tus comentarios a santiagorios@milpalabras.com.coRecursos recomendados en este PodcastRegístrate en el Webinar donde te explicaré cómo crear un primer episodio de Podcast que suene muy bien y en el que sepas qué decir y cómo decirloEpisodio sobre con creatividad con Juan Carlos Ortiz, el primer colombiano en ganar un premio Cannes de la publicidadPost en twitter sobre este proceso creativohttps://twitter.com/Julian/status/1402356373648601089Suscríbete al Podcast de Mil Palabras enwww.milpalabras.comDescarga GRATIS el ebook “Cómo Crear un Podcast Corporativo”https://milpalabras.com.co/guiapodcast/Quizás quieras escuchar el episodio anteriorhttps://www.milpalabras.com/2021/06/26/122-comunicacion-interna-vs-comunicacion-externa/

In this episode of our Secrets and Lies series we've delved into the archive to bring you incredible stories of secrets hidden in music. Advertising executive Juan Carlos Ortiz grew up in Colombia, a country which has suffered decades of armed conflict and has long been among the major producers of illegal drugs. Juan Carlos ran an award-winning campaign against the addictive qualities of cocaine, and made powerful enemies of FARC guerillas who relied on the drugs trade. A few years later, Juan Carlos was asked to get a secret message to hostages being held by FARC rebels in the middle of a jungle. And he chose music as his disguise. Ata Kak's musical career would never have got off the ground had it not been for the help of a little white lie. But when the Ghanaian musician released his first record in 1994, things stalled again - he sold only a handful of copies. The story would have ended there had it not been for an American student who made a chance discovery at a market stall in Ghana several years later. Salim Gauwloos became famous dancing with Madonna on her iconic Blond Ambition tour. Madonna used the tour to promote freedom of sexuality and sexual health. All of this made a young Salim feel extremely uncomfortable. The reason he was so anxious was that he was harbouring a secret. Do you have a story about how a secret or lie changed a life? It could be something that happened to you or someone close to you, or it could just be an amazing story you heard. If so, we'd love to hear about it. Record a short voice memo or write an e-mail and send it to us at outlook@bbc.com. If your story is about someone you know, just make sure they're ok with you telling us about it. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Fiona Woods Original story producers: Thomas Harding-Assinder, Alice Bloch and Saskia Edwards Music: Joel Cox

In this episode of our Secrets and Lies series we've delved into the archive to bring you incredible stories of secrets hidden in music. Advertising executive Juan Carlos Ortiz grew up in Colombia, a country which has suffered decades of armed conflict and has long been among the major producers of illegal drugs. Juan Carlos ran an award-winning campaign against the addictive qualities of cocaine, and made powerful enemies of FARC guerillas who relied on the drugs trade. A few years later, Juan Carlos was asked to get a secret message to hostages being held by FARC rebels in the middle of a jungle. And he chose music as his disguise. Ata Kak's musical career would never have got off the ground had it not been for the help of a little white lie. But when the Ghanaian musician released his first record in 1994, things stalled again - he sold only a handful of copies. The story would have ended there had it not been for an American student who made a chance discovery at a market stall in Ghana several years later. Salim Gauwloos became famous dancing with Madonna on her iconic Blond Ambition tour. Madonna used the tour to promote freedom of sexuality and sexual health. All of this made a young Salim feel extremely uncomfortable. The reason he was so anxious was that he was harbouring a secret. Do you have a story about how a secret or lie changed a life? It could be something that happened to you or someone close to you, or it could just be an amazing story you heard. If so, we'd love to hear about it. Record a short voice memo or write an e-mail and send it to us at outlook@bbc.com. If your story is about someone you know, just make sure they're ok with you telling us about it. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Fiona Woods Original story producers: Thomas Harding-Assinder, Alice Bloch and Saskia Edwards Music: Joel Cox

Juan Carlos Ortiz is a portrait photographer, currently based in Tokyo, Japan. Juan Carlos is originally from a small town up high on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, and he has found himself living and working all over the world, including in Italy, France, Belgium, Australia and the UK. His qualifications at the School […] The post S1 E1: Juan Carlos Ortiz – Photographer appeared first on Five Rooms Podcast.

The best way to learn is through experiences. This is precisely the reason for creating this space. To share best practices, experiences, and advice of smart people that during my life I had the pleasure to work with. I hope you enjoy it and bring value to your life! Ricardo De La Blanca

Bullitt Group junto con Caterpillar ofrecen al mercado una serie de teléfonos que incorporan la tecnología de medición térmica de Flir, la empresa más importante de cámaras térmicas del mundo. La aplicabilidad de esta característica en la actual coyuntura provocada por el coronavirus “son muy importantes”, destaca el VP de Ventas para Latinoamérica de Bullitt Group, Juan Carlos Ortiz, durante el programa #PRODUprimetime conducido por el editor en jefe de PRODU, Ríchard Izarra. Radio PRODU se encuentra en RadioPRODU.com

Para hablar de creatividad, una de las personas más indicadas es Juan Carlos Ortiz. Él es un colombiano reconocido en el mundo por su trabajo en la publicidad. Ortiz ha trabajado en empresas como Leo Burnett, Procter & Gamble y DDB Latina. Juan Carlos dirigió campañas publicitarias para muchos clientes nacionales y globales. Pero su campaña publicitaria para la Presidencia de la República (como cliente) de 1998, lo convirtió en el primer colombiano en ganarse un León de Oro en el Festival de Publicidad de Cannes. Si quieres ver la campaña publicitaria da click aquí https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hktiJ1Q_eKk Juan Carlos se acostumbró a ganar. En 2017, él junto a DDB Latina, obtuvieron 33 Leones en Cannes. Por supuesto el estar en la publicidad, una industria curiosa e inquieta, y el haber ganado muchos premios, hace de Juan Carlos una autoridad en el tema de creatividad. Es de esto que nos va a hablar en este podcast. Pero antes algunos conceptos importantes sobre creatividad. La creatividad en las personas Según Wikipedia, la creatividad se define como “la capacidad de generar nuevas ideas o conceptos, de nuevas asociaciones entre ideas y conceptos conocidos, que habitualmente producen soluciones originales”. Las personas creativas están dispuestas a aprender, a enfrentarse a nuevos retos y a concentrarse en la solución de problemas, entre otros. Así lo indica Mitch Ditkoff, CEO de “Idea Champions”. Al final, estas son las características que tienen la clase de personas que ayudan a las empresas a cumplir sus objetivos. La creatividad en el trabajo Existen empresas como Redbull o Google que crearon un ambiente laboral que le permite a sus colaboradores ser más creativos. Éstas diseñaron espacios donde las personas pueden salirse de lo cotidiano. De esta forma, los colaboradores pueden estimular sus sentidos e impulsar la productividad. La creatividad en la vida La creatividad no solamente está presente en la industria publicitaria o en las empresas. De eso es un convencido Juan Carlos Ortiz, quien en este podcast nos hablará sobre cómo fomentar la creatividad en todos los aspectos de la vida. Además, nos contará: • ¿Cómo define la creatividad? • ¿Por qué la creatividad es un factor esencial en las relaciones humanas? • ¿Las personas nacen o se hacen creativas? • ¿Cómo fomentar la innovación y crear ideas atractivas? • La diferencia entre innovación y creatividad • Una palabra que es tendencia en los modelos de negocios y procesos de creatividad que define las empresas de hoy • ¿Qué papel juega el lenguaje y la tecnología en el relacionamiento entre marcas y personas? • ¿Cómo la inteligencia artificial puede llegar a ser creativa? • ¿Qué es lo más creativo que ha visto en su vida? • ¿Qué es lo más creativo que ha hecho en su carrera profesional? Recursos recomendados Cortos- Juan Carlos Ortiz: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Juan-Carlos-Ortiz/dp/9587420241 “Caspa” (Dandruff) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hktiJ1Q_eKk Skittles "The Portrait" w: Steven Tyler. Super Bowl 50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A8iZFaqKLc Tag Words- Budweiser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwwA45XkHH4 Davivienda del Viejito Mamiita https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8liXRR9b0_E Linkedin Juan Carlos Ortiz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-carlos-ort%C3%ADz-45284115/ Twitter Juan Carlos Ortiz: https://twitter.com/juancarlosortiz?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Instagram Juan Carlos Ortiz: https://www.instagram.com/juancarortiz/?hl=es Revista Pym: https://revistapym.com.co/comunicacion/juan-carlos-ortiz-DDB Wilkipedia: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatividad Las2Orillas: https://www.las2orillas.co/juan-carlos-ortiz-el-talentoso-publicista-detras-de-la-imagen-de-ivan-duque/ Semana: https://www.semana.com/gente/articulo/la-creatividad-potenciada-de-juan-carlos-ortiz/407842-3 Recuerda por favor escucharnos y suscribirte en la plataforma de tu elección. ¿Quieres compartir alguna idea? Escríbeme a santiagorios(ARROBA)milpalabras

What is it my friends, that God is calling you to surrender in your life? In this podcast, Frank sites a beautiful parable from his good friend, Juan Carlos Ortiz, which reminds us that our Father wants to give us all of Himself.

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El ex presidente de la Bolsa de Valores de Colombia y ex superintendente financiero no se guarda secretos en esta charla con Gloria Valencia. Afirma que una cosa fue el mercado bursátil antes de InterBolsa y uno después de su caída. Confiesa los callos que pisó en el mercado de valores y cuenta detalles de cómo, a comienzos de este siglo, se fusionaron las tres bolsas de valores que dieron origen a la BVC. Además relata episodios como la expulsión de Juan Carlos Ortiz del mercado. Y de paso evoca su amor por la guitarra y los boleros y su interés por el sacerdocio.

La editorial Rosarista analiza el nuevo libro 'Drogas, bandidos y diplomáticos: Formulación de políticas públicas hacia Colombia', de la autora Winifred Tate, a través de una entrevista exclusiva.Conduce Luis Izquierdo junto a Juan Carlos Ortiz, Diego Garzón, Hans Dieter, Tatiana Morales

Tomás Jaramillo, Juan Carlos Ortiz y Ricardo Emilio Martínez, implicados en el descalabro del Fondo Premium, aceptaron su responsabilidad parcial en... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Message given by Juan Carlos Ortiz in 1980's

Message by Juan Carlos Ortiz in 1980's

En este episodio hablamos del trabajo de los ciegos, el lema "Comparto luego existo", y "la Tecnología sin contenido no es nada", el encuentro de Juan Carlos con Seve Jobs, y el concepto de la vida como una constante lucha contra la gravedad. Oye el episodio 1 en: http://bit.ly/JCOpodcast1 El libro "Cortos" de Juan Carlos Ortiz se puede conseguir en https://itunes.apple.com/co/book/cortos/id411650739?mt=11&uo=4&at=10lK6y

Primero de dos episodios con Juan Carlos Ortíz, presidente de la compañía de publicidad DDB. Oye también el episodio 2 en http://bit.ly/JCOpodcast2 Aquí hablamos sobre el libro Cortos/Shorts, Selfies y Autógrafos digitales, Blackberry e iPhone, Juan Valdéz, la línea completa de la publicidad, el equipo de fútbol Santafé, el Hall de la fama de la publicidad, y de su nombramiento como presidente de la categoría outdoor en el festival de creatividad de Cannes. Y por supuesto, también del efecto cardumen. El libro "Cortos" de Juan Carlos Ortiz se puede conseguir en https://itunes.apple.com/co/book/cortos/id411650739?mt=11&uo=4&at=10lK6y

Ortiz reparará a víctimas de Fondo Premium con 15% de acciones de Millonarios: El presidente de Millonarios y accionista de Interbolsa, Juan Carlos Ortiz,... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Este Comunicador Social de 29 años, ciego de nacimiento, relató en los micrófonos de En BLU Jeans cómo sale adelante una persona con esta discapacidad. “Vivir... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Juan Carlos began his career as pastor and evangelist at the surprising age of sixteen in Argentina. His dynamic and vibrant messages were so effective that a seminary granted him a special exemption and accepted this underage student with God’s fingerprint on his life into their school. By age twenty-three, Juan Carlos was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ at crusades throughout Argentina and, today, many of South America’s largest churches credit their spiritual roots to Juan Carlos. He founded five churches and was pastor of the largest evangelical church in Buenos Aires from 1966 to 1978. Dr. Ortiz has ministered in conventions, congresses, universities, seminaries and churches in five continents. He has taught in a Bible College -- Instituto Biblico de la Plata -- in Argentina, and at present is a professor at the Fuqua School of Communications, which operates on the campus of the Crystal Cathedral, in Garden Grove, California. He is also Pastor of the Hispanic Ministry at the Crystal Cathedral.

Juan Carlos began his career as pastor and evangelist at the surprising age of sixteen in Argentina. His dynamic and vibrant messages were so effective that a seminary granted him a special exemption and accepted this underage student with God’s fingerprint on his life into their school. By age twenty-three, Juan Carlos was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ at crusades throughout Argentina and, today, many of South America’s largest churches credit their spiritual roots to Juan Carlos. He founded five churches and was pastor of the largest evangelical church in Buenos Aires from 1966 to 1978. Dr. Ortiz has ministered in conventions, congresses, universities, seminaries and churches in five continents. He has taught in a Bible College -- Instituto Biblico de la Plata -- in Argentina, and at present is a professor at the Fuqua School of Communications, which operates on the campus of the Crystal Cathedral, in Garden Grove, California. He is also Pastor of the Hispanic Ministry at the Crystal Cathedral.

Juan Carlos Ortiz said, "In Argentina we sometimes use this baptismal formula: 'I kill you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and I make you born into the Kingdom of God to serve Him and to please Him.' It's different, but it works much better." In this sermon we start to counter our problem with forgiveness by returning to the foundational call of Christ.

Message by Juan Carlos Ortiz given during the 1980's. Psalm 150.

Message by Juan Carlos Ortiz given in 1980's.

Message by Juan Carlos Ortiz given March 20, 1982.

Message by Juan Carlos Ortiz given in the 1980's.

Message from Juan Carlos Ortiz from the 1980's. "Why do you call me Lord, and not do what I say?"

Juan Carlos Ortiz message given March 19, 1982. James 4:3.

Message by Juan Carlos Ortiz - 1980's. Matthew 7:24.

Message by Juan Carlos Ortiz from March 20, 1982.