And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. .......................Matthew 28: 18-20 |
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Mobilize Christians to fulfill
the ‘Great Commission’
Locally and Globally”
Minimum Christian
Spiritual and
Moral Disciplines
Encouraging and
Equipping Christians
Encouraging and Mobilizing
Christians to Reach the
World for Jesus Christ
Locally and Globally
Acts 6:4 ....but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
Jude 1: 20 – 21 Matthew 17: 20, 21 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there; and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
2 Timothy 3: 14 – 17 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them and that from childhood you have known the Holy Schriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
1 Peter 4: 15 – 17 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the
John 15: 9 - 17 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. |
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Minimum Christian Spiritual and Moral Disciplines
Minimum Christian Spiritual Disciplines
As Christians our most important responsibility is to have a solid relationship with Jesus Christ. The Minimum Christian Spiritual Disciplines reflects the basic minimum Christian lifestyle that every Christian needs to live so that we can live in this dark world as Christ desires us to live. Not following these Minimum Christian Spiritual Disciplines does not mean you are not a Christian, however they will help you to live as Christ calls you to live. They are to help you live the best Christian life you can.
The Minimum Christian Spiritual Disciplines should be maintained at a level of 90% compliancy unless one is unable. The 90% compliancy allows for short interruptions of a discipline to be missed periodically but not for a habit of skipping them. These disciplines are not meant to be a set of compulsory regulations meant to be followed by the letter of the law but a set of suggested Minimum Christian Spiritual Disciplines that one chooses to live out so as to have a more intimate life with Jesus Christ. These are only the minimum suggested Spiritual Disciplines that we should all be living.
We should be in the Word more, Pray more, Fast more, Worship more and Minister more.
Personal
Corporate
Combined
( P+C does not equal Combined on purpose for your spiritual flexability)Prayer and Intersession
Numbers 14: 17 - 213 hours per week
1 hour per week
5 hours per week
Bible Study and Bible Meditation
2 Timothy 3: 16 - 172½ hours per week
4 hours per week
Praise and Worship
Psalm 1501 hour per week
1 hour per week
4 hours per week
Prayer & Fasting
Luke 2: 36 – 38
Matthew 17: 20 - 22At least 1 day per month
*Ministry
Acts 6: 48 hours per month of non-paid ministry
*Ministry is considered to be anything that a Christian does for the direct purpose to: testify of Christ; witness for Jesus Christ and glorify God. It is not just preaching but can includes: preaching, teaching, evangelism, serving food, singing, construction projects, ministerial administration and helping others in a variety of ways.
There is exceptions for non-compliance of corporate and some spirituals disciplines:
Examples:
Unable to read Bible or meet with other Christians because you are in prison in Iran (or any other country where Christianity is illegal) for preaching the gospel.
You are ministering in an area that there are no believers there yet so that you may not be able to do any corporate disciplines.
Medically unable to fast (must really be unable to fast).
These are only the minimum spiritual disciplines. We believe that Christian missionaries and ministers should be living out more than these. We believe that our relationship with Christ will be more abundant and greatly enhanced if we surpass all of the minimum spiritual disciplines. If a disciple of Christ has a loving intimate and fruitful relationship with Christ our Bride Groom we will have a lifestyle that will easily surpass the above disciplines without even trying.
Spiritual disciplines are the heartbeat and lifeline of every Christian. We as Christian leaders must rise to the highest standards to make sure that we are doing what Christ has called us to. This way we can be obedient to Christ in ministry to HIS Body.
Christian Moral Character
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ & have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5: 16 - 26
Be a good leader; blameless, hospitable, at peace with everyone when possible, proven faithful to God
Romans 12: 9 -21
1 Timothy 3: 1 - 13Good family life
Ephesians 5: 22 - 33 Colossians 3:21
No pornography or extra marital affairs
Matthew 5: 27 – 32
*Limited alcoholic and drug consumption
Ephesians 5: 15 - 21
No criminal activity
Romans 13: 1
1 Peter 2: 13*Alcoholic consumption should be limited to no more than1 alcoholic drink (no strong drink, Proverbs 20: 1) per day for no more than 2 days in a 1 week period of time at the most, prefferably non. Scripture lets us know that it is a good thing not to drink any alcohol at all (Luke 1: 15) as seen in the life of John the Baptist and then the only alcoholic drink should be limited to wine for health reasons (1 Timothy 5: 23) which is not even really applicable for today because of our medicines. We also are not to drink alcohol or take any drug that is mind altering drugs (Sorcery = Pharmacia = drunkenness or mind altering, Galatians 5: 20). Christians are also called to be sober at all times and live a self-controlled lifestyle (1 Peter 5: 8; Titus 1: 7 – 9). Christians are not be a stumbling block for those who may not be able to control their alcoholic consumption (1 Corinthians 8: 8 – 10; Romans 14: 21). The best example and role model is for a Christian leader is not to drink any alcohol at all. We allow minimal alcoholic consumption because of the controversy about some alcoholic usage, however we prefer no use and if used it should not be used in public (only 1 drink per day and no more than 2 days in a week) other than for communion if your denomination requires it (if not grape juice is best).
As the spiritual and moral disciplines are self regulated and the only ones to know 100% of a Christians obedience are you and God (and God can not be fooled). One way to help you live out these spiritual and moral disciplines is to have some kind of accountably set up between you and a friend or minister. This will help with encouraging, equipping and mobilizing you and our future missionaries and ministers with the best possible chance getting started right and then maintain our accountability on an ongoing basis. This way everyone can be assured that we Christians will remain fruitful and obedient ministers of Jesus Christ for the long term.
We look forward to hearing how this has helped you with your relationship with Jesus Christ, other brothers and sisters in Christ as well as those who do not know Christ. This will help us bring back an assurance of trust and integrity in the eyes of the world and members of the body of Christ for our Christian leaders and missionaries who valiantly serve in the Body of Christ. As we all take our part in glorifying God in our lives we can bring hope and life to a lost and dieing world through Christ’s blood and love.
