Labouring With God

RCCG Worke's Training Manual

INTRODUCTION

God has a purpose to accomplish on earth. God has a work. Discovering God's work and becoming a partner with God is an exciting, yet sobering experience. The need for a continuous understanding of the work and the master plan; learning to sign out resources for the Kingdom work; checking with the Chief Architect and builder-Jesus our LORD, and learning fresh instructions as regards the work cannot be over emphasized in the lives of His privileged labourers.

The art of labouring with God, itself must be learned. No one actually becomes an expert in this art. When Moses thought he could add experience to this art, he lost his place in God's service. Those that brought in a strange fire, just to burn the usual incense were consumed from on high, with the fire in His presence. Those that switched offices, thinking anyone could do any of the works once he is familiar with the procedures were declared unwise and the ephod rent from their necks."Working for God" is much easier, than "Working with God", yet God does not approve men who just work for Him..... He must be the senior supervising partner in our works. Any work He cannot do with us is a useless work. Any place in ministry where Baba cannot stand with a man is a burial ground, no matter how men applaud it.

The entire training session is divided into three broad headings namely:

1. The Labourer's Qualification (Lesson 1-6)
   
2. Understanding the Master & the Master-plan (Lesson 7-9)
   
3. Labouring with God in the light of eternity (Lessons 10-11)
   

PART 1: LABOURER'S QUALIFICATION

LESSON 1: You must be born again.

Jn 3:3, 5-10; Amos 3:3, 2 Tim 2:19

This is too basic to be overlooked at any point. Consider and discuss carefully the crucial mark of the child of God. Note that it is not preaching nor giving. It is the question of sin. How do you stand in this matter, oh man of God? No child of the devil can serve God.

LESSON 2: You must be delivered from sin and every sinful habit.

Titus 2:14; Gal 5; 2 Tim 2:19-22; Judges 14:1-3; 16:1, 21; 1 Sam2:12-14.

Discuss 2 Tim 2:19-22
noting the following:

• The house of God (the church) is indeed a very great house with many vessels (Christians)
  
• Each must be purged and made pure and holy (whether for noble or ignoble use)
  
• Each vessel has a chance and potential to be used of God.
  
• The level of usage of each vessel depends on how each handles his life and presents himself.
  

LESSON 3: Examine other areas of further purging required of a vessel in order to be meet for the Master's use.

• Strife and vain glory- Phil 2:3
  
• Comparison and competition- 2 Cor. 10:12
  
• Taste and appetites- Rom 12:11
  
• Tribal consciousness- Gal 3: 27-28
  
• Idleness and pleasure- Matt 12:36; 1Tim 5:6
  
• Slothfulness- Prov. 18:9
  
• Self- Rom 8:5-8
  
• 
  

LESSON 4: Entrance unto and continuing in ministry is by God's grace and mercy

Gal 1:16-17; 1 Tim 1:11-14; Zech 4:6; Gen 6:8; Ex 33:12-17; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph 4:7-8

• How do we seek for His grace and mercy in ministry?
  

  James 4:6; Zech 12:10; Heb 4:16; 2 Chron. 20:4; 2 Sam 5:19-23
  

• What must grace and mercy achieve in us first before service?
  

  Gal 1:15-16; 1 Tim 1:16
  

  
  

  
  

LESSON 5: Conditions for Approval for Service

God's approval over your life is necessary if your service must be acceptable in His sight

2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 1:10-11; Luke 16:12

(b) Good character is a basic requirement for God's approval, not just charisma. God provides and imparts the charisma, but you must present the correct life.

1 Tim 3: 1-13; Tit 1:6-10; I Tim 1:19

Discuss these scriptures in details and discover what God looks for in the life a minister.

Is any of these lacking in your own life?

LESSON 6: Discipleship

Jesus has a mission. The MASTER has a focus. By the nature of what HE has set out to do, HE will not just commit HIMSELF to just anybody (Jn. 2:23-25) HE wants to be sure that you do not want just "to use Him and dump Him." Hence, His treatment of men before HE enters into a relationship with them sometimes looks harsh and unfriendly.

(a) ANDREW –Jn. 1:35-40

John introduced JESUS to men, Two disciples heard John and made a deliberate choice. They left their master of many years and followed JESUS. JESUS reacted by asking them: What seek ye? What do you want? What are you looking for? You must give a correct answer- why do you want to follow Him?

(b) GREAT MULTITUDES -Luke 14:26-33

Great multitude followed him yet he was not excited about such but rather turned and gave them a "straight -talk" are you prepared to forsake all you have and follow Him?

(c) Bread seekers –Jn. 6:22-27

What are you seeking JESUS for? What are you labouring for? Why do you want to labour with Him? Why do you want to make JESUS King over your life (look at Jn 6:16) Remember that God is all-knowing.

(d) THE TWELVE -Jn 6:60-69

Even though, the MASTER'S reaction seem strange to these men but this is the only way HE deals with men out of whose lives HE wants to make something. The MASTER is also asking you now: "Will you also go away?" (Please answer) The MASTER will never force you. Will you answer like Peter: LORD, to whom shall we go? (Not a location but a to whom, a person)

Look at Peter again: We believe and are sure...

Are you sure -convinced? Do you really believe that there is no one else?

PART 2: UNDERSTANDING THE MASTER AND THE MASTER PLAN

LESSON 7: Understanding Ministry

(Phil 2: 3-16)

1. Discuss what ministry means?
   

Differentiate between ministry and dominion.

Matt.20: 26-28; Ex 24:13; 1 Cor 1: 25, 27

Discuss the difference between Christ's way of leadership and how it happens in the world system

1. Whose servants are we?
   

What does it mean to be a servant?

Isa 61:6; Gal 5:13; Col 3:2-24; Luke 17:7-10; 12:42-43

LESSON 8: Learning the service.

(a) Jesus, the pattern servant. Matt. 20:28; Rom 8; 29; 1 Pet 2: 21; Matt 17: 9

(b) Follow Jesus: Matt l l: 29-30; Matt 4:19

Examine yourself and see how much you are like Jesus in the following areas.

1. In Character: Phil 2:5-11, 1 Pet 2:22-23 Discover how different your character is from Jesus.
   
2. In Zeal: Jn 2: 13-17; Mt. 4:19-21; Jn 4: 6-7, 34; Tit 2:14
   
3. Obedience: Heb 5:8; Jn 5:19, Matt 26:39, 42
   
4. In suffering: Mt. 8:20, Jn 15:12-13; 2 Tim 2:3
   
5. Praying: Mk 1:35, Mt. 14 :21-23, Eph 6:18, Phil 4:6
   
6. In following the leading of the Holy Spirit Jn 5:19; Mk1:35-38; Mt16:21 Rom 8-14
   
7. In giving God the glory: Jn 5: 30a, 11: 41-42, 1 Cor 10:31, Isa 42:8.
   
8. In handling "success", "failures", the "praise of men" Jn 8:54 Mt 14:21-23; 26:21-28 Rom 2:29, 1 Cor 4:5
   

   
   

LESSON 9: The Master Plan for service

1. The Scope of Service: the entire body of Christ.
   

Eph 4:3-4, 13; 1 Cor 3:3-5; 1 Cor 7:23, I Cor 3: 21-23, 1 Thess 2: 4

1. The Master plan:
   
   1. Ministers: God's gifts to the body.
      

   Eph 4:11, Num 8:19; 1 Cor 3:12, Mk 10:43-45; Col l:24-25: 1 Cor 12:28.
   

   Discuss these scriptures. How did they allow themselves to be used as gifts?
   

   1Cor 4:9-13 Note: that the concept of divine gifts and the oneness of the body goes hand in hand in scriptures. What does this
   mean to you? 1 Cor 12:4-28; Eph 4:3-11.
   

   1. Ministers: Prepare the saints
      Eph 4:1,11-12, Col 1:28-29, l Tim 4:6, 16 ; 2 Chr 35:2,6; Mk 3:14-15; what then must be the concentration of any minister?
      
   2. Saints: Doers of the work of ministry. Eph 4:11-12; 1 Thess 1:4-8; 2 Tim 2:2; Josh 1:1I; Mt.4:17-19. What is the wisdom of God in getting the bulk of the work of ministry to be accomplished? Note: Eph 3:10-11 as well.
      

PART 3: LABOURING WITH GOD IN THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY

LESSON 10: All works of ministry and motive of ministry shall be judged and exposed for what they really are.

1 Cor 3:13-15; 1 Cor 4:5; Rom 2:16.

Comment on this: Build not with combustibles: 2 Cor 4: 2, 5; 6:3-10; 7:.1-3.

As we discuss the contradiction occasioned by Ministry without the corresponding life (as outlined by the LORD JESUS in Mt 7:22-23) the picture and warnings of building on the foundation (Jesus) with wrong materials clearly comes out.

Main Text:
Mt. 7:22-23

"Prophesy in His Name; Devils cast out in His Name; many wonderful works done in His Name.

Mk 16:15-20

1. Discuss the power in His Name. Acts 3:16 and the use of the Name. Why will His Name ever work?
   

   Lk 10:17-22; Phil 2:9-11, Heb 1:2-4, 6-9, Col 1:16-12
   

2. Does the fact of the authority in His Name show a man's personal strength or holiness?
   

Acts 3:10-13, 16, Acts 4:10-12.

1. What is the common deception around men that God grants the mighty use of His Name?
   

Acts 3:11-12, Acts 10:25-26; Acts 14:11-15, 18, Acts 12:21-23, 1 Sam 18: 6-9, Num 20: 7-12

1. What great mistake can a man of God himself make nowadays as the result of ministry in the name and authority of Jesus?
   
   1. To rejoice in works done in His Name rather than relationship with Him.
      

Lk 10:17-20, Ex 33:12-18.

1. To accept human praise, coronation and awards for works of grace done in His Name, rather than ascribe the glory to God.
   

   Dan 4:22, 25, 29-31, Dan 5:22-23, Acts 12: 20-23; Isa 42:18 Jn I: 19-27, Jn 3:26-30 Jn 6:14-15, Acts 14:14-15,18. How and with what did the men of old who escaped this snare, prevail? What lessons do we learn for our lives today?
   

2. To eat and enrich one's
   self with the offering due to works done in His Name Num 22:7, 2 Pet 2:15-16, Jude 11; 2 Kings 5:15-27; 2 Cor2:17; 4:2, 1 Tim 6:5-11, Acts 20:33-35 Analyse Christ's
   instruction in Lk 17:7-10. What lesson must we
   pick from all these in this our pilgrimage?
   
3. To assume that we have a place in heaven because of works done in His Name and by His authority, Mt 7:22-23, Eph 2:8-10, 1 Cor 4:7.
   

LESSON 11: Final Point

Spiritual gifts are given to men as a divine favour from God. The Holy Spirit gives them to every Christian severally as He wills. They are given by mercy, not by merit. It is therefore possible for a man to manifest spiritual gifts when his life is not yet correct. Great works done in the name of Jesus are never given the true indication of a man's personal strength or holiness. To accept human praise, coronation, awards and rewards for works of grace done in His name rather than ascribe the glory to God is erroneous. Divine abilities, gifts of the Spirit and ministries extended to us by mercy are never to become our personal credentials before God. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord, even if
that man be the greatest of preachers or miracle workers that ever lived. To grow inwardly in conformity to the image of Christ as we grow in outward ministry is God's delight. Therefore, o man/woman of God, take heed unto your life, lest on that day, the Master says to you, "Honestly, I know you not, depart from me, you workers of iniquity"

May God help us in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Retreats

Definition:

The oxford advanced learners dictionary defined retreat as moving away from a place or an enemy because you are in danger or because you have been defeated. Alternatively as, escaping to a place that is quieter or safer.

A spiritual retreat means to come apart from day to day activities for the purpose of seeking the face of God. It means leaving the noises of everyday living so as to hear God more clearly and accurately. It is a time set apart to dwell in the presence of God, to wait upon him, commune with him, and receive instructions and guidance from him or to set a particular request before him, and generally to get closer to Him. Waiting on God implies coming into His presence to listen to, and do His bidding.

 
 

Examples: Jesus our example came into the world to show us the way back to God and we are enjoined to follow after his footsteps

Kinds of retreats:

1. Retreat at the command of God:

Ex 24:12-18; Lk 4:1-2

2. Retreat at will

Lk 6:12; Josh 7:6

a)        Personal or private retreats:

b)        Group or family retreats.

Mk 14:32-42; Gen. 32:22-31

Reasons for a retreat

1.        Retreat to seek guidance / revelation from God:

1 Kings 19:3-18; Josh 7:4-12; Daniel 2:16-19

2.        To seek the manifestation of God's promise:

1 kings 18:41-46

3.        To seek divine enablement concerning a project or God's intervention in an event:

2 Chro 20:2-19; Mt. 4:1-2

4.        To seek Gods will/ direction when making a choice:

Lk 6:12-13

5.        To seek God's active participation in an event/project:

Exo. 17:8-13

6.        Thanksgiving after a victory:

Mk 1:32-37

7.        To seek transformation/ change in life style or a situation.

Mk 9:1-4

8.        To rest, relax in Gods presence, alone with him.:

Mk 6:30-32

 
 

 
 

Attributes

1. Patience (Waiting in retreats)

Ex 24:16; Josh 7:6; Lk 2:25-32

2. Persistence in retreats

Ex 33:12-23; Isa 62:1,6-7; Luke 11:5-13; 18:1

3. Preparation (Preparing for a retreat.)

Job 11:13-15; Heb 10:22

Before fighting a war the men of this world would go to extreme lengths to prepare for the war, soldiers will be trained, equipments and machineries will be designed built and tested, plans will be made so as to be able to win the war.

There was a fellow who went for a retreat and the question God asked him was: last week you were to meet with the president of your country to present a particular matter to him, but before you did you made sure to prepare yourself, but today you came into my presence without any preparation. Go back and prepare yourself then come.

If we don't come prepared for meeting with God we could easily be side-tracked by other things and hence not achieve our aim for the retreat. We may also run into the danger of wasting the whole time doing what is not profitable

What is your aim or what do you want to achieve what are the things you want to ask for.

It would be a good idea to prepare your prayer points beforehand based on scripture which you know are God's will for you.

 
 

4. Timing (When to go for a retreat)

When God demands it

When situation demands it

When you feel like it

 
 

5.        Length (How long):

as long as you are lead to do or you are able to do. Acts 1:12

One minute,

A day

All night:         Luke 6:12

Life long:         Lk 2:36-38

Exodus 24:18; 32:1; 34:28

 
 

6. Location: (Where?)

Preferably a quiet place. The purpose of a retreat is to be alone with God or to be in the presence of God with a group of people, hence anyplace where this cannot be achieved is not suitable.

A friend's house, a B&B or hotel, your own house if possible can be used.

I have known people who have used the jungle, or the seaside beaches as a retreat centre.

John 7:53-8:2; Luke 22:39-40

7. Resources: What is needed?

What you need basically depends on the type of retreat and the location of the retreat. If you are using a friend's house and your retreat doesn't include fasting or it is a type that you break at intervals, you will do well to make provisions for your feeding. Don't be a burden on your host!

1 Sam 3:2-11

Notebook and writing materials,

Quiet place,

Hymn book,

Bible,

 
 

8.        Results;

Retreat is result oriented, planning and strict execution of plans, obedience to Gods will and commands will ensure a good result. What are the results we expect from a retreat:

Mk 9:1-4; Ex 34:29-35

 
 

 
 

After the retreat:

1.        God may have spoken to you or you may have decided on some course of action or the other, hopefully you would have it written down, Confirm this by recourse to the word of God, God will not ask anything of you that will contradict his word.

2.        You may also seek counsel of other more experienced/older believers who you know are spirit filled and working in the will of God.

3.         Decide to put into action the command of the lord and your decisions to obey.

Do you think that the battle is over? Be aware that the devil knowing that God has blessed us through the will seek to pull you down and steal away the blessings of God. He will fight as much as he can to do this.

1 Chro 14:8; 2 Chro 31:20 - 2 Chro 32:1

 
 

 
 

Further reading:

1.        Biblical prayer and fasting. By R.D. Flory

2.        The ministry of fasting. Zacharias Fomum