2024 THEME – “EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT”
MEN’S WEEKEND 2024
Friday, Saturday & Sunday | September 20, 21 & 22, 2024
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Romans 8:14
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK !!!
What is the Character of the Holy ?
The character of the Holy Spirit, as understood in Christian theology, is multifaceted and deeply intertwined with the attributes of God, reflecting holiness, love, truth, and other divine qualities. Here are some key aspects of the Holy Spirit’s character:
- Holiness:
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- The Holy Spirit is inherently holy, which is central to His nature and His name—often referred to as the Holy Spirit. Holiness involves purity, moral perfection, and separation from sin.
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- Love:
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- The Holy Spirit embodies God's love, extending it to believers and enabling them to live out this love in their relationships. This is evident in the way the Spirit nurtures, comforts, and cares for believers.
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- Truth:
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- The Holy Spirit is called the "Spirit of truth" in the Bible (John 16:13). He guides believers into all truth, providing wisdom, discernment, and understanding of God’s word and His will.
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- Wisdom:
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- The Spirit imparts wisdom to believers, helping them make decisions that align with God’s desires and commands. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but is also practical, affecting everyday life decisions.
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- Power:
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- The Holy Spirit is characterized by power. This power enables believers to witness, overcome sin, perform acts of service, and endure trials. It is also through the Spirit’s power that spiritual gifts are given to the church.
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- Compassion:
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- The Holy Spirit demonstrates compassion by being sensitive to the struggles and sufferings of believers. He acts as a Comforter who provides encouragement and strength during difficult times.
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- Patience:
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- The Holy Spirit exhibits patience, working within the often slow and messy process of human growth and spiritual development. He patiently shapes and molds believers’ character over time.
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- Faithfulness:
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- The Holy Spirit is faithful, fulfilling all promises made by God in the Scriptures and reliably working in the lives of believers according to God’s eternal purposes.
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- Gentleness:
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- Even in His convicting role, where the Holy Spirit confronts sin, there is a gentleness to His approach, not seeking to condemn but to bring about repentance and renewal.
These attributes highlight that the Holy Spirit is not merely a force or a power but possesses a distinct personality and engages personally with believers. The Holy Spirit’s character is crucial for understanding His role in salvation, sanctification, and daily guidance for those who follow Christ.
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Reflecting God's Spirit ?
Reflecting God's Spirit in Christian theology is about embodying the characteristics and qualities of the Holy Spirit in one's daily life. This concept involves several key aspects, which draw on the understanding of the Holy Spirit's work in believers. Here’s what reflecting God’s Spirit often entails:
Living out the Fruit of the Spirit: The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Reflecting God's Spirit means exhibiting these qualities in your interactions with others and in your personal conduct.
Demonstrating Christ-like Love: Love is often emphasized as the most significant evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence in a believer's life. This love is sacrificial, unconditional, and active, mirroring the love of Christ for humanity.
Being a Source of Comfort and Support: Just as the Holy Spirit is a comforter, reflecting God's Spirit involves being a source of comfort and encouragement to others, offering empathy and support during their times of need.
Empowering and Encouraging the Community: The Holy Spirit empowers believers with various spiritual gifts. Reflecting God’s Spirit means using these gifts not for personal gain but to serve and build up the community, whether it be a local church, a neighborhood, or another group setting.
Promoting Peace and Reconciliation: The Holy Spirit fosters unity and peace among believers. Those who reflect the Spirit actively work towards reconciliation and harmony in their relationships and communities, bridging gaps and healing divisions.
Guiding Others in Truth: The Spirit is also a guide into all truth. Reflecting God's Spirit involves a commitment to truth, both in upholding it in one’s life and in guiding others with integrity and wisdom.
Practicing Humility and Servanthood: The Holy Spirit enables believers to serve others humbly, following the example of Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve. This involves prioritizing the needs of others and serving without seeking recognition or reward.
Being Responsive to the Spirit’s Leading: Living a life reflective of God’s Spirit also means being open and responsive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, whether this means making changes in one’s life, undertaking new ministries, or altering one’s path to align more closely with God’s will.
Reflecting the Holy Spirit is ultimately about a transformative process that impacts both the individual believer and their broader community, showcasing the love and power of God through human actions and relationships.
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What is the Work of the Holy Spirit ?
The work of the Holy Spirit is a central theme in Christian theology and encompasses various roles and activities according to Christian beliefs. Here are some of the key aspects of what the Holy Spirit is believed to do:
Conviction of Sin: The Holy Spirit is thought to work in the hearts of individuals to make them aware of their sin and their need for God’s salvation. This involves convicting people of their wrongdoings and leading them to repentance.
Regeneration and Renewal: Often referred to as being "born again," the Holy Spirit is believed to regenerate believers, giving them a new life in Christ. This is a spiritual transformation that results in a new identity and a new creation in Jesus.
Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit resides in believers, providing constant guidance and presence. This indwelling is thought to empower Christians to live in a way that honors God and embodies the teachings of Jesus.
Guidance and Teaching: The Holy Spirit is seen as a teacher and guide, helping believers to understand and interpret the Bible, leading them in their decisions, and helping them to discern the truth in various situations.
Comfort and Assurance: As the "Comforter" or "Helper" (terms used in the New Testament), the Holy Spirit offers reassurance, comfort, and peace to believers, especially during times of trouble, doubt, or suffering.
Empowerment for Service: The Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts on believers. These gifts, which can include things like teaching, healing, prophecy, and administration, are intended to build up the church and serve the community.
Intercession: The Holy Spirit also intercedes for believers in times when they might not know what to pray for, expressing the believers’ concerns to God with profound empathy and understanding.
Fostering Unity and Fellowship:
The Holy Spirit is believed to work within the church to foster unity, love, and fellowship among its members, binding them together in their shared faith and mission.
These aspects underscore the Holy Spirit's role as vital and dynamic, actively involved in both the life of individual believers and the community of the church. The teachings about the Holy Spirit can vary between different Christian denominations but are generally seen as essential to understanding Christian life and faith.
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What is the Work of the Holy Spirit ?
The work of the Holy Spirit is a central concept within Christian theology. The Holy Spirit is seen as one of the three persons of the Holy Trinity, along with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. The Holy Spirit is believed to have various roles and functions in the lives of believers and in the world as a whole.
One of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit is to empower and guide believers. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit dwells within them, helping them to live out their faith and follow the teachings of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is often seen as the source of spiritual gifts and abilities, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, and others, which believers can use to serve others and spread the message of the Gospel.
The Holy Spirit is also believed to convict people of sin and lead them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Christians rely on the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of individuals, drawing them towards God and helping them to understand and accept the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is seen as a source of comfort and strength for believers in times of struggle, suffering, and adversity. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit can provide peace, guidance, and assurance when facing challenges and difficulties, helping them to persevere and trust in God's plan for their lives.
In addition to its work in the lives of believers, the Holy Spirit is also believed to be active in the world, working to bring about God's purposes and bringing about transformation and renewal. Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, convicting people of sin, inspiring acts of justice and mercy, and bringing about reconciliation and healing.
Overall, the work of the Holy Spirit is seen as essential to the Christian faith, as it is believed to be the presence and power of God at work in the world, guiding, empowering, and transforming believers and the world around them.
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Scriptures in the Holy Bible about reflecting God's Spirit in our ?
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There are several passages in the Bible that speak about reflecting God’s Spirit in our lives, emphasizing how believers are to embody the character and work of the Holy Spirit. Here are some key scriptures that highlight this concept:
Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruit of the Spirit)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Ephesians 5:1-2 (Imitating Christ)
"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (Variety of Spiritual Gifts)
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."
2 Corinthians 3:18 (Being Transformed into His Image)
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
1 Peter 4:10-11 (Serving Others)
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."
Matthew 5:16 (Let Your Light Shine)
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Romans 8:14 (Led by the Spirit)
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."
These scriptures collectively encourage believers to reflect God’s Spirit through their actions, character, and interactions with others. They underscore the importance of living in a manner that not only follows the teachings of Jesus but also actively demonstrates the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
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from Laymen’s Sunday September 19, 2021 (photo by Denise Burton)
VISION STATEMENT:
To develop and strengthen the characteristics of Christ in the men and young men of TBC.
MISSION STATEMENT: To serve God through support of the Mission and Vision of The Twelfth Baptist Church with the unique callings that God has given to men.
Increase our knowledge of and strengthen our relationship with God that we may have the power through the Holy Spirit to stand and act in His righteousness as males created in His image.
SCRIPTURE:
- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
- A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. (Ps 68:5)
- And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (Genesis 2:15)
GOALS:
- Help young men see Christ as the way the truth and the light in today’s secular world.
- Help fathers and all men understand and model the roles, responsibilities and relationships exhibited between God the Father and God the Son and apply them to our lives.
- Support each other with prayer, biblical principles, and fellowship.
BIBLE DAILY READINGS – Daily Reading List
ZOOM MEETING SCHEDULE
WEEKLY GATHERINGS:
- Weekly Monday Evening Bible Fellowship, Meetings On Zoom
Zoom Meeting ID: 825 0472 8789 – Passcode: 160
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82504728789?pwd=UEUxVTlySmxFbUR3WVVjdGlpcm1OZz09 - Weekly Men’s Powerhouse Group Meetings,
Various Monday Evenings 7:00pm-9:00pm
Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 825 0472 8789 – Passcode: 160
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82504728789?pwd=UEUxVTlySmxFbUR3WVVjdGlpcm1OZz09
MONTHLY BUSINESS MEETING , (2nd Saturday of each month)
- Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85759691052
Meeting ID: 857 5969 1052
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP OFFICERS:
- President – Sidney H. Burton, Jr.
- Vice President – Anthony Lopez, III
- Secretary – Warren Montgomery
- Assistant Secretary -Markel Crockton
- Treasurer – Darryl Simpson
ICONs of the Bible – https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/2-cornelius-lewis