 Okay, welcome back after the break. Just before we went for a break, we were looking at the point about handling spiritual ones with caution. We are in chapter three where we are talking about people. Okay, so we will find these kind of spiritual, super spiritual people in our team who don't want to listen to the leader who want to do whatever they sense they want to do. But they will say that God spoke to us. This is what God is leading me to do. But for such people, we need to avoid entrusting them with responsibility. They cannot be trusted because they do not align themselves with the vision, the direction with what we are leading or guiding with God's guidance. But if a person is really spiritual, they will not impress people by saying that God spoke to me and so on. But we will just see to their life of humility and submission. Their life and the fruit, what their lives manifest will always be in accordance with the spirit and the spirit's leading. The next one is when as a leader or a ministry ensure that you are basically raising up other leaders to continue the work because we are not going to be there forever for eternity in that role in position. We will move out. God can move us to a different place. God can also lead us to a different ministry or we can move on to glory. But if you are not going to raise up leaders who will continue the work, then whatever we have labored in the Lord can come to a full stop or will be sad that no one is there to take on with it and run with it. And we see Paul the Apostle, along with doing his own business and also writing epistles, raising up churches, ministering to people, going to places, being an apostle, being a pioneer, going wherever people have gone and ministering the gospel to the Gentiles. We also see him investing in the lives of people, training a lot of people to carry on the work and then he trains them and he gives them different roles and responsibilities. So we see that in Acts chapter 16 verse 1 to 3, we read that Paul found a young man in Lystra called Timothy and he made Timothy part of his team, he nurtured Timothy, helped him to grow in the faith and brought him to a position where he saw him fit enough to minister who could do the work of the ministry because Timothy had also grown in his walk of the Lord in his faith and walk with God. And we've also seen how Paul was ministering and then Paul leaves him at Ephesus, one of the major port cities, one of the major places where there's so many churches, you know, there as a young man, a great responsibility to oversee the churches at Ephesus. He also wanted somebody who was able, somebody trustworthy, somebody who could help in, you know, correcting all of the issues that were there and he leaves Timothy. We also see that he raises up Titus, you know, how he builds up Aquila and Priscilla and then they go over to the church at Rome and continue ministering there. This is the runaway slave of Philemon, how he leads him to the Lord, how he trains him up. And then we see later on, you know, Onesimus becomes, you know, people commented to say it becomes a bishop of the churches at Ephesus. So, you know, see how Paul raises up leaders in every epistle that he writes, whether it is in his greetings or whether it is in his, you know, the closing words of this letter. We mentioned so many different people. So just basically talking that, you know, Paul is not working as a man who thinks it is I me myself, but, you know, alongside with other workers and he always calls them as his co-workers, co-labors, co-prisoners in the Lord. And so the same way we need to raise up people because, you know, if you want to build up a building, you know, a large house or a big building will have many pillars. So in a church, if you want to raise up a big church, a big organization, it has to have many leaders, many pillars who are leaders. Okay. And at APC, we know that, you know, we have this byline that says, you know, every believer is a minister. So when people come in, we encourage them to serve. We take them from being new believers to becoming disciples to become ministers to then becoming to come into places of leadership. You know, so we create opportunities in our church where people can minister, which we can serve, and also places where they can be nurtured to grow into leadership positions and responsibilities. Now, when we elevate people to leadership responsibilities and positions, make sure that it's, you know, not basically or purely based on skill, talents and charisma, but they have to have a godly life example, right heart attitudes, you know, good people relationships, whether they're aligned to the vision and the mission of the church. These are some important things that we need to look at, even as we give them small responsibilities and roles. And when we see them fit in these areas, then we give them major roles and leadership responsibilities. Okay. And, you know, times when people want to step out, they want to leave release them. And, you know, God will bring in people to fill in that post and also as a leader create opportunities for more people to minister to serve to volunteer in various areas where they can build up. And they can also sense their calling. They will hear their vision. They're calling their purpose for their own personal lives. Now, as a leader when or a ministry team or a volunteer team or as a leader of a church or a mission organization, you know, when there are times when people will come and give you some feedback about some team member or some leader whom you have given responsibility to. Then, you know, before you take action, you know, here, two or three other witnesses, and if it's when you double check, it's verified to proceed to correct that person correct that person in private encourage them to change to correct in those areas. Be patient with them, encourage them, give them sufficient time to change. But if they're still not changing, then again, you know, go on to correct them, you know, help them out. But if they're still not willing, then you need to take some remedial action. But in case where there is a moral failure of the part of the person or there is some compromise in godly standards, then the corrections are more serious. And, you know, you need to do what needs to be done, you know, in correcting the person, helping that person. But do it in a loving, gentle way so that the sin of the person is corrected and the person does not feel condemned. Otherwise, he will break away from the church or even from his walk with God. Okay. Don't let inaction or negligence berth epsilon's. We know that David was a good king. He had a heart for God. He was a man who was known as a man after God's own heart, but he was not a very good father for his own children. We see that Absalom had a sister called Tamar and Ammon, who was the half brother, you know, violated Tamar and then did not want to marry her, sent her way after he violated her. And this was something that was heartbreaking for Absalom because Tamar was a sister and she had to live the rest of her life just like that and just imagine the pain that Absalom went through. And we see that David did not do anything about the situation. He did not take any corrective measures. Absalom waited for two whole years, but nothing was done. And finally he made a decision, took matters in his own hands and he killed Ammon. And what happened after that was he fled and he was in hiding for three whole years. We see that David mourned for the loss of his son Ammon and we also see that he longed to meet Absalom, to see Absalom, for Absalom to come back, but he did not do anything about it. So five years had gone past. David did not do anything about it. And then it was Joab, you know, who was the commander in David's army, who speaks to David and tells him to bring back Absalom. So David says, okay, then Absalom comes to Jerusalem, but it's two years after he comes back that David still does not meet his son Absalom. And Absalom is wanting to meet his father, but David does not meet him. And then finally, you know, Absalom convinces Joab to get an appointment with David. So it is, you know, finally seven years passed by, you know, before Absalom meets his father, David, but we see that David did not do anything to heal those wounds. And what happened, you know, it led to Absalom being a rebel, revolting against his own father, David. And, you know, he wins the hearts of the people of Israel. And, you know, so David had to flee from Jerusalem because he almost lost his throne to his own son. But, you know, if David would have taken the steps to correct things, you know, Absalom would not have come to the state to this condition, you know, where he had to wait seven years and finally it led to him being a rebel. Okay. So, following this principle in our own lives, you know, if we find people in our own team having problems, issues, don't ignore it. Have a heart to heart talk with them, try to listen to them, try to find out what is troubling them, bothering them, you know, then help them to see things. Give them clarity, help them to understand things, resolve the issues. But if they are still not willing to resolve, they're still not willing to learn, still not willing to give up their own, you know, strong things, then we basically lovingly release them to, you know, move out of the ministry team, do something else where they are more comfortable. Otherwise, we will birth Absalom who will become a rebel and, you know, it will bring about division, discord and finally breaking up with the entire ministry or even the church. Okay. Don't be partakers in other people's sin. You know, there are people who will try to tell you to do things which is not God honoring or pleasing, but we need to make a decision. Pastor gives us an example here. One Sunday after church service, there's a young man who said he got, you know, he had applied in one of the Bible colleges in America to study, and he wanted a letter of recommendation, and he's telling pastor to write in that letter, you know, that he was a church staff and he was serving in the areas. Some of the areas he mentioned to pastors at least like these areas, you know, where I served, and I was a church staff and this man had not served in those areas. He was not even a church staff. And pastor just simply told him, sorry, no, he can't do that. And the person, you know, left and was not seen in any of the church services after that, you know, the times when people will ask us as a church to write letters because, you know, they want admission to different places, like recommendation for jobs, things like that. Or maybe, you know, people come to you for recommendations or statements, referral checks for employment or for marriage proposals. In such cases, you know, pastor says, you know, usually just practice, you know, stating the actual facts. What is the truth? Just mentioned that, you know, don't state anything that is just going to, you know, negate those facts, which can be a lie. Say what is the fact, say what is the truth. And, you know, there's nothing else you can do about it. The next thing is saying no is not a sin. You know, there are times when people will call you to preach different places. People will invite you for different occasions, birthday parties and other invitations for wedding anniversaries and things of that. You know, sometimes it's not a sin to say no, just keeping in mind what God has called you to do, what God is wanting you to do. Also, keeping in mind your health, your family, there's only so much you can do. So the times when we can just politely just say no, don't feel guilty about it because as a leader, you can't please everybody. You can't be there at all times at all places. There are things that you need to do, which God has called it to do and also keep mind and be mindful of the fact that, you know, you're accountable to God for your own life, your own family, your own health. And so it's okay to say no at times. The last thing is don't stoop down the level of your accusers. Two references here, Romans chapter 12, where Paul is saying do not repay anyone evil for evil. And he says have regard for good things in the sight of all men. And it says if it is possible as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men. It says do not overcome, do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Okay. And then Titus chapter 3 verse 10 says Paul writing to Titus says born a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. So, you know, there are times when, you know, people treat you unjustly, things that are unfair. You want to retaliate, you want to, you know, speak up, you want to fight back. And there's an example that Pastor Gibbs here is one of a senior man who was in the ministry for 17 years. And part of that ministry he was doing accounting and the finance department. And suddenly after 17 years for ministering that place one fine day they just suddenly asked him to leave his job. They did not give him any valid reason. It was very painful. He was very tempted to retaliate, to question because he felt what was done to him was injustice. But then like David, you know, looked to God for strength. He, this man also looked to God for strength. And God told him, you know, don't stoop down to the level of your accusers or to your brethren. Don't become like them. Don't operate in the same level. They are operating, they are operating out of and God told him to live above that. Okay. Yes, the wrong that was done was big, but you know, God is telling him, you know, be bigger than that, you know, live above what they are doing. So what this man Jim told Pastor is, you know, whatever you face with people never go down to the level of doing wrong. Always live up there where God wants you to live. Okay. So when we are serving, you know, whether we're in leadership positions or we're not in leadership positions, we face a lot of accusations, accusations, criticisms that we gossip rumors that will be spoken about us. We cannot control everything that people say, you know, we cannot keep going and listening and talking about it is unnecessary. Waste of time and energy. But, you know, what we need to do is like we just read in the scripture passages to not repay anyone evil for evil. But you know, just be good, be nice to everyone. And we know that God is listening to their conversations. He's going to handle that he's going to deal with it. You know, you just live above all those who are offending you so that you can continue to pursue what God has called you to do and where God is leading you to do and you will not be wasting your time and energy. Okay. So this is chapter three all about people, how to relate to people, how to help people out in ministry, any questions anyone has. Please unmute your mics. And you can speak even online students. All of us are online all students are online so all of you please unmute your mics. Go ahead and ask your questions please I hope all of you are there and following. Yes. Are all of you there? Yes. No. Any questions? No. Okay. Okay. Thank you. We'll move on to chapter four conduct. Okay. So in this chapter we are going to basically be addressing some key issues regarding our conduct, our lives, our lifestyle. Okay. Paul says, you know, imitate me as I imitate Christ. That's a very strong phrase to say. You know, he's saying, imitate me. That means his lives are an exemplary life, you know, set his life in such perfect order, you know, the way that he's lived. His life has been so transparent that people can point out to anything and he's nobody is able to accuse him, find fault with him. And he's saying, you know, imitate me just as I imitate Christ. And, you know, the same way we need to set an example. We need to set a Godly standard, even as each one of us are called as a royal priesthood or holy nation. We are to set an example in the way that we live and we see that Paul himself challenged people to follow his own example. And he tells Young Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 12. He says, don't let anyone look down on you because you are young or don't let anyone despise you because you're young. Even young people, we have many young people here in our class, but, you know, set an example to believe us in conduct in life, sorry, in conduct in love, in spirit, in faith, and in truth. And he's saying, set an example in speech, the way we talk, not just the way we talk, you know, what are the things that we are even talking about? Are we always discussing about people, gossiping about people? Are we talking always negative things? You know, the next thing, set an example in your conduct, how you live, basically how you manage your time, your energy, your finances, the money that God has entrusted to you, the relationships that God has given to you in love, says how we love people, how we care for them, in the spirit, you know, in matters regarding to the heart, you know, why we are doing what we are doing, what are our motives, our attitudes behind what we are doing. In faith, you know, with total trust and dependence on our Lord, you know, doing what he's asked us to do following his word, and in purity, which means, you know, living our life in utter holiness and godliness in every aspect of our life, in every area of our life, in every day to day things that we are involved in and we are engaged in. So even in little things, you know, where we usually don't consider it or goes unnoticed, those are little things where we can open the door to the evil one. So even the little things we need to practice holiness and godliness. Okay. So here Paul is writing in Philippians chapter three, he says, Brethren, join in following my example and note those who so walk as you have us for a pattern. So he's saying, you know, just follow my example. And he's saying, you know, just the way that I'm living, the way I'm walking, I'm reading my attitude, you know, it's like a pattern that you can just follow, follow my pattern. And he says, the things that you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, these two and the God of peace will be with you. So look at Paul, you know, he's saying in every area of life, it's been so transparent, so open, so godly, every area will be transformed by the holiness and godly and living in utter godliness. And he's able to say in all of those areas, whatever you saw, heard, you see me do, you receive from me, you learn from me, just follow that as a pattern in life. And that is what we also need to move towards, that in every area of our life, you know, we are living in holiness and godliness. You know, our life, for example, speaks the loudest. We've already spoken about it, you know, we can be great teachers, teachers, great worship leaders, we can sing well, we can play good musical instruments, we can be very skilled at that, we can be great prayer warriors. But, you know, it's our attitudes, it's the way we speak, the way we live, it's the way we do things is what is going to stick in the minds of people. People will forget the songs we have sung, people will forget, you know, what we prayed for, people will forget the messages that we have preached, but they will not forget what they have, how they have seen us live, what they have seen us do. That will be remembered for a lifetime, so our actions speaks louder than our words, okay. The example you'll give it is about Cain and Abel, you know, Abel did what was acceptable in the eyes of God, and scripture says that though he is dead, you know, he still speaks. That means what he has done, the memory of him is still there, we still speak about him even though it's like thousands of years past, so we see that, you know, what sacrifice Abel bought, he bought the best for God. You know, he bought the fact of offerings, the one that please God's heart, but we know that Cain just bought something, you know, his motive, his attitude was not right in what he was giving to God. So, even after thousands of years Abel, we're still speaking about Abel's example and so, you know, even though we are long dead and gone, you know, our life will speak volumes. What people have seen us do, say us do, is what they will speak about, okay. The next thing is work hard. You know, sometimes we think that, you know, God has given us gifts, he's given us grace, and we're very happy about it, but that is very good. But we need to, you know, use those gifts and grace, and basically God has given that to us to build his kingdom, to edify his body, to extend his kingdom here on earth. So, you know, if you want to be fruitful in God's kingdom, then we need to be willing to work hard. We need to stretch beyond what is easy and comfortable. We need to make sacrifices. We need to go the extra mile, okay. Look at Paul the Apostle himself. He was such a learned man. He knew the Old Testament so well. He received, you know, the silent years of Paul's life, the 17 year silent years, the years that he spent in Arabia, two years where he received immense revelations that we read in his episodes. You know, he could have taken life so easy. He could have just trained people, he could have just sat and he would have told people, do this, do that. But we see, in spite of the dangers that he was facing from the Jews, we see that he was traveling to different places, going, being a pioneer and apostle, going to places, the unreached places where the gospel was not preached, ministering to the Gentiles, fighting, building up leaders, so many things that he did which he did not have to do because he was basically a learned man, educated man. He was a Pharisee, you know, from the tribe of Benjamin and all of those things. He had great credentials, a well-to-do man, but we see him laboring hard for the Lord, you know, stretching beyond what was easy and comfortable. We see in rights and quarantines that the hardships that he faced, he made sacrifices, he was willing to go the extra mile. He labored for the Lord and he says that, you know, he says that labored more abundantly than all the other apostles. And this could be the reason why God so powerfully and greatly used him and we see, you know, God expanding his ministry. So if you want to God to use you mightily and greatly, then you need to be willing to work hard to stretch beyond what is easy and comfortable. It's not going to be easy, it's going to be difficult, it's going to be painful, but it's worth it for the kingdom of God, okay? And it's important in whatever God has called us to give your 100%. You know, even as you are students now, give your 100% into, you know, learning everything that is being taught to you, everything that is being, you know, given to you, the revelations, the truths, please spend time. Give your 100% in going back and spending time and just studying and going through everything so that, you know, you could be equipped to be a minister of God. But God is going to look at how sincere you are and how you're using your time, even as you are a Bible college student, whether you're using your time, you know, in a worthwhile way, whether you are using the time to study, to read this word, to go back on the notes, to learn, to equip yourself so that you can be one who is trained, who correctly divides the world of truth. And when God sees you're sincere in studying, because this season is a season where God has called you to study. It's not a season where you've come here to learn, you know, things just like, you know, doing other things, but it's a time where you are here, the season to study his word, to know more about him, to build yourself up and acquaint yourself in the Word of God, the truths, the revelations, the doctrines. And, you know, depending on how faithful you are in the season, God will move you into the next season. So, in this season, give your 100% to God. Next thing is walk humbly. Matthew chapter 5 verse 5 and 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 6. Can somebody read that please? Those two verses in that under the point, walk humbly. Anyone? Quickly. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 1 Peter 5 verse 6. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time. Thank you so much. So here we see that, you know, who are blessed the meek and what the meek are those who are humble, you know, they shall inherit the earth. You know, when we humble ourselves, you know, under God's mighty hand, he will exalt us. So, you know, the key in Christian ministry or to being a minister of God or, you know, all of us are a royal priesthood and God will plant us in different places. You know, whether in the business field or being a teacher or, you know, in different vocations, humility is what God is looking for. We know that Jesus himself humbled himself, you know, Philippians chapter 2, we read that, you know, who gave him gave up everything of the attributes of God and humbled himself and took upon himself the role of a servant of being a man. You know, he emptied himself of being God and took and humbled himself of being. He emptied himself of being God and humbled himself of being a man. He took upon the role of being a servant and, you know, he walked in submission to the will of God, to the word of God and, you know, to doing what God the Father had sent him to do. And, you know, God is looking for humility in our lives as well. You know, we need to have humility where we are walking in submission to God and not, you know, when we are humbled before God, it will translate in us being humbled before man. But if you're not humbled before man, if you're not willing to listen to, you know, authorities, those God whose God has placed leadership position above us, if you're not humbled enough to submit to them, to listen to them, then this is a person who's not even able to humble themselves before God. Because if we're able to humble ourselves before God, we will humble ourselves before man. Because John says, if you know, one John says, we cannot love our brothers who we see, how can we love God who we cannot see? The same principle applies here in humility as well. Okay, so Romans 12 verse 3 says, you know, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to, but think of yourself in sober judgment. You know, so we need to be humble enough to relate with all kinds of people, rich, poor, whether intellectual, whether simple people, people who are mature in the faith, whether people who are weak in the faith, you know, at the same time, whether you are a mature believer, mature leader, you just stand alongside with other believers the same level, you know, no matter whether you are a leader, a great pastor, a 90th person, you know, just stand the same level as others, don't, you know, seek places of importance, you know, always want to be recognized and applauded in public. If you're not recognized, if you're not applauded for something that you've done, then you get very disappointed and we see people are very disappointed. They leave the team, they don't, they stop volunteering in church, they stop coming to church and they, you know, start the church hopping from place to place. So, you know, it's important that, you know, you humble yourselves that you're not looking for all of these things. And even if these things don't come your way, you know, you're just saying, God, I'm doing all this for your glory, for your kingdom's sake, so your kingdom can be built up. So whether I receive recognition or not applause or not, whether I'm recognized or not, God, I'm doing this for your glory's sake. I'm doing it for the extension of your kingdom. What I'm doing, I want people to be built up. I want people to know you. I want people to experience you. I want people to experience your joy, your peace, your intervention, your healing, your deliverance, God, that is my agenda so people can experience you. Not that people will know me, but people will experience you and you will receive all the glory and honor. So we have to walk in such a manner where we're walking in humility. So, humility does not engage in self-promotion. It's satisfied to wait for God to bring exaltation. Okay. When God exalts us, you know, that is when no one can do anything about it. And God is one who raises up and exalts us. And humility is a true strength. It is a place where God releases even more grace. So you want to move mightily in the gift of the Spirit. You want to be used mightily by God. You want to flow in the mighty anointing of God. We need to come to a place of humility. And that is where Jesus was. And that is why we see Jesus had the anointing without measure because he was willing to submit himself to God the Father. He humbled himself, took upon himself the role of being a servant, of being a man, and humbled himself to doing what the will of the Father was. Okay. The next thing is we need to pursue peace. Like we said earlier, in our Romans chapter, can somebody read that please? Three references there quickly. Second Timothy 2, Romans 12 and Hebrews 12, 14. Can somebody read that? Second Timothy 2, verse 23 and 24. But avoid foolish and ignore disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And the servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach patience. Romans 12 verse 18. If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Hebrews 12 verse 14. Pursue peace with all people and holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Thank you, Rin. So here we see that Paul is telling Timothy, the church at Rome, the right of Hebrews is telling us, don't quarrel, don't get into unnecessary foolish disputes that will just end up in strife and division, says the Lord's servant must not quarrel. Okay, so here we don't just think about Lord's servant as a pastor, apostle, prophet, mystery, but all of us are priests. Yes, this is also talking about pastors and those in leadership responsibilities, but all of us together as who are called the priests of God, that is our calling. We must not quarrel, we must be gentle with everyone, we must be patient, able to teach. And Paul is very beautifully writing the church at Rome because he knows the situation. The Christians at Rome, they're going to so much of persecution, the way they're being treated. He's saying as far as possible, as much as it depends on you, says live peaceably with all men. It's difficult to live peaceably with all men, but as far as possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably. As pursue peace with all people and holiness without which no one will see the Lord. So don't avoid getting into arguments, contention, strife, keep yourself strife-free. Strife basically opens a door for all kinds of evil and also ways to time and energy. And if you are somebody who is always quarreling, fighting with others, you are behaving out of your carnal nature and you are not as ministers of God because it says here in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, verse 3, Paul is writing the church at Corinth, he's saying you are still carnal for where there is enemy stripe and divisions among you. Are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? So those people who are engaging in fighting and quarreling and back-piting and gossiping, they're actually not doing the spirit of God, they're doing it out of their own carnal nature and we see that this kind of nature eventually brings about division and a breakdown. When someone accuses you, criticizes you, provokes you, harms or tries to hurt you, ask yourself is it worth the time to just talk back, argue, try to defend yourself because sometimes it's not worth it, sometimes we do not clarify the misunderstanding but if it's your mistake to apologize, try to bring about peace and if the person is not trying to purse your peace then there's nothing that you can do, you've responded in the right way, do what it takes to promote peace and if they're not willing just let go because they are accountable to God for their own actions. An example given here is about Nehemiah, Nehemiah who went to build the wall of Jerusalem, it was not easy, San Valet, Tobiah, Grisham and the Arabs were trying to stop the work, they mocked him, they made fun of them and came to an extent where on one hand people were holding to their bow and arrow, on the other hand they were holding on to their instruments in which they were building the wall and we see that continuously San Valet and the other men sent word to Nehemiah, we read this in Nehemiah chapter 6 verses 1-4 they sent messengers saying that why don't you leave your work and come down here, we want to discuss things with you, come let us meet together in the villages on the plain of Ono but Nehemiah knew that they were trying to harm him so he said how can I leave all the work that I'm doing and come down because if I leave the work you know the work will stop so he did not go and four times this messengers came but he answered the same thing all the four times because he knew that going there was a waste of time, he was also going to lose his job and these people were not for peace, they were just there to stop the work so what he did was he continued to focus on what God has called him to do, the building the walls and he continued doing that and he completed the work and so the same thing we need to do, focus on what God has called us to do, settle matters quickly as far as possible, do things peacefully and keep going on with the work that God has entrusted to you. After chapter 5 verse 9 said, let's say that the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God. The next thing is you know the conduct that we need to imbibe in our lives is be teachable, you know if any 1 Corinthians 8 verse 2 says if anyone thinks that he knows anything he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. So you know all of us have to keep learning, so let's be teachable, open to correction, open to feedback, suggestions, take what is right, you know don't think that we are the only people who are called by God to be pastors and leaders and ministry leaders and all of that so we are in a position where we know everything, you know we don't need correction, we don't need improvement, we all do need that and it's good to hear people's feedback so that we can improve, that we can learn and we can get better in what we are doing. We need to understand that God can even use children to speak to us a word in a season in our lives so regardless of who we are, what we have done, what we've accomplished with the Lord we need to be teachable, we need to heed instructions and rebuke and correct ourselves. The next one is as far as possible keep your word or do not promise it. Psalms chapter 15 verse 4 says keep your word even when it costs you. There are times when we make promises to people and people are expecting us to follow up to do things what we promised them we will do but if we don't keep up our promise people will lose their trust in us they'll feel hurt, they'll feel let down, they'll feel disappointed, they can even leave the church and go away so you know as far as possible keep your promise, if you can't keep it don't make a promise if you forget to say I'm sorry I forgot I'll follow up with it I'll get back to you in a day or two or whatever or if you could not do it just say hey I'm busy I couldn't do it but I have not forgotten about it just give me some more time and I'll help you with this. So look at what Paul says in 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 17 Can somebody read that please? 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 17 is in italics Can somebody read that please? 2 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 17 Therefore when I was planning this did I do it lightly or the things I plan do I plan according to the flesh that with me there should be yes yes and no no? Thank you so you know Paul is saying that when he says yes when he says no it's not according to his flesh but it's just you know the leading of the Holy Spirit when we make promises to people learn to keep those promises you know but sometimes we're not perfect you know we don't keep it just apologize and learn from it Look at what Jesus taught us in Matthew chapter 5 verse 37 1 Corinthians says let your yes be yes and your no be no for whatever is more than this these is from the evil one The next two points or as few points is respect other people's time be punctual always you know if you're saying Bible study started 630 started 630 any meeting you're having started 630 all of the person one or two people will come honor their time they've made the effort to come on time they'll honor them you know but if you are not keeping time first of all you're lying to people secondly you're doing justice to people who have made the effort to come on time thirdly we're inculcating the wrong habit by starting late it just gives people room next time say okay it's okay you know they'll wait for us 5-10 minutes to start late so it doesn't matter but if you start on time we're teaching people the importance of time when people can go to time for a movie or for the airport or to the railway station to catch the bus or train or flight you know when it comes to God we need to have that same sense of punctuality and the same sense of honoring God with even our time okay there are sometimes when you know we start late because it's raining or the weather is bad or whatever we can or there is something with you know the systems that are not working you know we can just start at those times a little one or two minutes late or five minutes late people understand but you know as far as possible you know honor people's time when they give you an appointment start on time be there on time be ahead of time because you're just honoring God even with your time when you do that okay we will do the next three points in the next class anyone has any questions before we close anyone has any questions no questions okay there are no questions so we'll end class I'll see you next Friday all of you have a good weekend and a good week ahead God bless you and see you next week thank you Arilla thank you everyone for joining class thank you ma'am thank you thank you Anand thank you for the in-person students sorry I couldn't