April, 2018 | Rodney Howard Browne

Foundation Scripture:
Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. Philippians 3:12-14 AMPC

Even though the Apostle Paul wrote nearly two-thirds of the New Testament, he was humble, teachable, and knew that there was more to receive from the Lord.
Paul once was one of the greatest persecutors of the early church. He declared, “But one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.
Paul understood that he was forgiven and was crucified with Christ. The enemy always tries to get you to look to your past to hold you in bondage. Paul knew to look forward with excitement towards the goal to win the heavenly prize. God does not consult your past to determine your future.
Twice, within three verses, Paul said, “I press on.
Definition of press on: to continue moving forward in a forceful or steady way.

1. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:38-39 KJV
Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
The scripture tells us that if we draw back, the Lord has no pleasure in us. Drawing back is giving up, quitting, or yielding to a lie of the devil.
What are some things that cause Christians to draw back? Sin, offense, fear, persecution, compromise, wrong associations, money, etc.
Some may say, “I’m just putting up with this; there’s no sense in trying.” NO! Don’t draw back. Say, “I press on!
Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” One way to stay in the fire of God and to not draw back is to use your faith and continually win souls. Everyone needs to hear the Gospel. Will you tell them?

2. Blind Bartimaeus did not draw back. He pressed on. And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.Mark 10:46 KJV
Bartimaeus was doing what he always did. He was begging for money.
A great crowd of people suddenly showed up. What are the chances that a blind person, with no one to help him, would ever get noticed?
Have you ever felt like him? Do you feel that you don’t fit in or belong? Are you not sure how you will get ahead? People will always let you down, but Jesus will never let you down. Do not draw back. Say, “I press on.”

3. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. Mark 10:47 KJV
People were talking about Jesus. He heard of the miracles, signs, and wonders. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
He had no one to introduce him to Jesus.
He began to cry out. He was hungry and desperate for a miracle.
If you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled.

4. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. Mark 10:48 KJV
Hold your peace? A spirit of religion says to sit down and shut up. Religion says that you’re not important. Religion and tradition are only interested in promoting themselves.
Religion always puts things off to the future.
A spirit of religion and tradition will stop the flow of the anointing.
Why did no one help him get to Jesus? Would you have?
Bartimaeus could have been offended. He could have withdrawn himself and given up when rebuked.
What would you have done? What are you currently yielding to? Situations and circumstances? The evening news? Friends and family? Opinions of others? Doubt and unbelief? Faith or fear? What are you yielding to? The Word of God or? The answer to that question is exactly what you are making room for in your own life.
Bartimaeus did not give up; he did not draw back. He cried louder, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” He chose to press on!

5. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. Mark 10:49 KJV
Jesus saw his faith in action. Bartimaeus was hungry and desperate for Jesus and would not draw back. He pressed on! It’s amazing what happened next – Jesus stood still.
Everything that you need from Jesus can be received now as long as you stay hungry, thirsty, and desperate for Jesus. Press on.
If you look at religion and Jesus, you see two totally different pictures. Religion is rigid, argumentative, self-seeking, and judgmental. Jesus is loving, caring, and compassionate. He has His arms open wide. He is ready to accept you just as you are, and He will change you from the inside out.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. Do not draw back. Say, “I press on.

6. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. Mark 10:50 KJV
His garment represented blindness. Today, people use a red-tipped cane.
Casting away his garment was an act of faith. Ultimately, he was casting his cares upon the Lord and trusting that he would receive his miracle immediately.
You need to cast away everything that is holding you back. Some examples could be fear, doubt, insecurity, sickness, and lack.
Cast all your cares on the One Who can help you. His name is Jesus.
Rise up, walk in faith, and receive your miracle today.

7. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. Mark 10:51 KJV
Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” How would you like Jesus to ask you that?
It was Bartimaeus’ continuous, fervent, bold, faith, faith that did not draw back, that caused him to press on to receive his miracle!

8. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. Mark 10:52 KJV
Bartimaeus is not blind anymore because he did not draw back. He pressed in to Jesus. Against all odds, he experienced his own personal miracle and followed Jesus. That’s revival.
A spirit of revival activated in your heart will cause you to fall in love with Jesus all over again and will make you what you’re meant to be!
As you run your heavenly race, the ultimate and supreme prize is hearing our Lord and Savior say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…

Say, “I press on; I press on.”

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

The mission of the local church is: Preaching and teaching; Making disciples; Fellowship; Worship; Missions and evangelism; Maturity of the believer; Ministry in the home; Ministry to material needs.

Preaching and teaching:

In Mark 16:15, Mark records that Jesus commanded the Church to preach the Gospel and in Matthew’s account, He emphasizes the teaching mission of the church (Matthew 28:19-20).

We can see in the book of Acts that the Church did what Jesus told them to do – to both preach and teach:
• Acts 5:42 NKJV – And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
• Acts 2:42 Kenneth S. Wuest – And they were giving constant attention to the teaching of the apostles and to that which they held in common with them, and to the breaking of the bread and to the gatherings where prayers to God were offered.
• Acts 11:25-26 NKJV – Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
• Acts 15:35 NKJV – Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
• Acts 18:11 NKJV – And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
• Acts 20:20-21 NKJV – How I kept back nothing that was helpful, buts proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Acts 28:30-31 NKJV – Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Preach means to herald; to proclaim; to publish. Preaching serves to both recruit and motivate the hearer. Through preaching, new babes are born into the family of God. Teach means to disciple, to instruct; to impart skill, knowledge or comprehension to. Teaching is the maturing ministry of the Church. Through teaching, the babes grow up and are matured from drinking milk to eating strong meat.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NKJV

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV

Making disciples:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 KJV

The Greek word translated “teach” is matheteuo, from mathetes, which means “disciple.” The Church is commanded by Jesus to teach – or disciple – all nations. Discipling involves teaching, but is more than just teaching – it is setting and leading by example. You can tell someone how to do it, but showing them is so much more effective. People learn a little by what you say, more by what you do and the most by who you are! Those who merely teach, have pupils, but those who disciple, make followers.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-8 NKJV

The Church must teach God’s word, live God’s word and demonstrate God’s word. This requires that they personally submit themselves to the Word and the Spirit and allow God to do a work in them and through them. Always point people to God and His word, not to yourself; lift Jesus up; glorify the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Disciple by word and deed:
• 1 Timothy 4:12 AMP – Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 AMP – Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).
• Ephesians 5:1 AMP – Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
• Philippians 3:17 AMP – Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you.

The local church will be strong when its members – under a Spirit-filled ministry – learn from one another, grow together and strengthen one another.