How did a woman gain the respect of a male-dominated culture like that of Israel around 1100 BC?  How did she come to be the greatest leader of her generation, one who brought rest to her people for forty years?  She did it the same way any man or woman would go about doing it today.  Let us look at the word R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

1. Gaining the respect of others always begins with having respect for yourself.
   
2. Deborah was a person of respect, people from all of Israel came to her to settle their disputes.
   

1. Few people would have expected Deborah to change the way the Israelites lived, yet that's what she did.
   
2. People that want to exceed expectations will go the extra mile.
   

1. Deborah called upon Barak to lead the army.  Barak was from the Northern tribe and Deborah was from the Southern tribe.
   
2. Barak asked Deborah to accompany him on the campaign.
   
3. Deborah didn't waiver in her belief that God had called them to fight their enemies.
   
4. She went the extra mile.
   

1. Deborah didn't try to take credit for Israel's victory (Judges 5:9).
   
2. She was willing to show respect and maturity for the other people who participated in the victory.
   

1. Deborah was already a success before she asked the people to fight.
   
2. Christians cannot help others to experience success unless they have themselves been successful.
   

1. Deborah gave the people the resources they needed.
   
2. She gave them the Word of the Lord that they would win.
   

1. She gave Barak the battle plan.
   
2. She supplied him with troops.
   
3. She accompanied him to Mount Tabor.
   
4. She told him when to engage in battle.
   

A careful study of the growth of the early church, as recorded in the Book of Acts, reveals one outstanding fact:  the supernatural power of God was at work in miraculous proportions.  Armed and anointed by the Holy Spirit, they launched a militant assault on the kingdom of satan.  Darkness was dispelled, demons were defeated, diseases were healed, prisoners of sin were delivered, and the church was established.  There is no way these early believers could have succeeded with such glorious triumph without supernatural anointing upon their lives.  They were clothed with power from on high and relied completely on the Holy Spirit.

1. Jesus considered it a matter of top priority for His disciples to receive the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).
   
2. They were not to get sidetracked on theological issues (Acts 1:6-7).
   
3. Jesus restated to them the far-reaching implications of the Great Commission (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20).
   

1. Obedience to Christ.
   
   1. Acts 1:12-13.
      
   2. The disciples did exactly what Jesus asked.
      
2. Worship, with Prayer and Supplication.
   
   1. Luke 24:52-53.
      
   2. When the church has spiritual worship, the presence of the Lord is there.
      
3. In one accord.
   
   1. We must be in harmony both with God and His people.
      
   2. Acts 2:1-4.
      
   3. After Pentecost, the people continued daily with "one accord" in worship to God and in fellowship with each other.
      
   4. The astounding results of this unity brought about excellent conditions for church growth (Acts 2:47).
      
   5. A church that obeys God, worships, and works in harmony is a very impressive church.
      

Although Barnabas's most famous protege' was Paul, he empowered a lot of others as well.  A pattern of empowerment was evident in his life.  Christians who desire to lead others in living for Christ never stop looking for opportunities to lead people to a higher level.  They thrive on winning souls and helping nurture young Christians.  The Ministry of Empowerment becomes an everyday event for them, they love teaching and mentoring others.  We need tonight to take a closer look at just how and what Barnabas did in trying to empower people.

1. The first mention of Barnabas in Scripture describes an event that was characteristic of his true nature, giving (Acts 4:36-37).
   

1. When Barnabas encountered people who were doing well, he encouraged them to do even better.
   
2. He never allowed jealousy to hinder or control his actions.
   

1. Most Christians approach people in one of two ways:
   
   1. They test people's worthiness, then empower them.
      
   2. They empower people first, then discover their worth.
      
2. Even when John Mark deserted Barnabas and Paul, he still believed in Mark, and later encouraged Paul to believe also (II Timothy 4:11).
   

1. Barnabas help appoint leaders in new churches (Acts 14:23).
   
2. Encouragement empowers people and builds momentum.
   
3. If you can learn to believe in people and live a lifestyle of encouragement, you will help others achieve more, and people will always welcome your help.
   

Most Christians believe that evangelism is important.  The real question, however, is the importance of evangelism for you.  It is necessary for you to be a personal witness to the saving power of Jesus Christ.  Can you do something else for Christ and for the church while others witness?

1. The Apostle Paul expressed his feelings about being a personal witness in an unusual way.
   
   1. Romans 1:13-15 - his desire.
      
2. Paul felt that he owed the people of Rome a debt.
   
3. Should we feel the same way as Paul?
   
4. There are some common misunderstandings:
   
   1. You get salvation the old-fashioned way- you earn it. Do more good than bad and you will be okay.
      
   2. All religions are the same. The important thing is to believe in a higher power.
      
   3. God loves us so much that He could never let anyone go to hell.
      
5. We need to practice what Christ said through Paul in Romans 10:17.
   

1. Think of the names of two persons you know who have not been born again.  If they became Christians today, how would their lives be affected?
   
   1. ______________________________________________________
      
   2. ______________________________________________________
      
2. How would their families be affected?
   
   1. ______________________________________________________
      
   2. ______________________________________________________
      
3. Are the potential changes worth the effort it would take to share the Gospel with them?  yes ___ no___
   
4. Do you think that God will judge Christians for their failure to tell others about salvation?  yes ___ no___
   
5. What do you think God means in Ezekiel 3:16-19?
   
   ______________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________
   
6. Please summarize why it is important for you to witness?
   
   ______________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________
   ______________________________________________________
   

Through the years, using a Bible or a New Testament to explain the plan of salvation has been one of the most popular and effective methods of witnessing.  The Roman Road method forms the outline needed to show an unsaved person why and how they are to receive Christ as their savior.

1. It is said by veteran soul-winners, that the New Testament is the very best tool to use in witnessing.
   
2. You will need one that you can carry with you at all times.
   
3. You will mark it and make brief notes that will help in showing a lost person the road to travel.
   
4. When you mark out the plan of salvation in your Bible, you are inviting the Holy Spirit to use your Bible to win souls.
   
5. Marking the Roman Road in your Bible can help you lead persons to Christ in two ways.
   
   1. Noting a plan of salvation on the pages of the Bible makes it easier for you and you do not have to remember so many verses.  You underline the key verses and write notes in the margin.  All references are clearly visible to lead someone to Christ.
      
   2. Marking the verses makes it easier for the lost person to follow and understand your presentation of the Gospel.  The markings focus the attention of the unbeliever on the relevant truths about salvation.  It also makes it easier to keep the conversation focused on what the Bible says about salvation.
      
6. Some like to choose a New Testament that is very inexpensive in order that they may present the marked Bible to the new convert.
   
7. Some like' to consider purchasing a contemporary translation, since it can be more easily understood by lost persons who lack Bible knowledge.
   

1. When the Holy Spirit led Paul the Apostle to write the letter we call Romans, one of his purposes seems to have been to provide a thorough discussion of salvation.
   
2. Over the years, Christians who have been successful in witnessing have found several verses in Romans to be a simple summary of the plan of salvation.
   

1. Write in the title page of your Bible the question,
   
           CAN PEOPLE IN TODAY'S WORLD HAVE HOPE?
   
   Under the question write the following phrase:
   
           See Romans 1:16, page____
   
   
2. When you find Romans 1:16, underline the verse.  In the index write the following:
   
           God's power can make us secure.   Romans 2:4, page____
   
   
3. Find Romans 2:4 and underline the verse.  In the margin write:
   
           God's power results in change.   Romans 3:23, page____
   
   
4. Find Romans 3:23 and underline the verse.  In the margin write:
   
           Sin makes change necessary.   Romans 5:8, page____
   
   
5. Find Romans 5:8 and underline the verse.  In the margin write:
   
           God still loves us.   Romans 6:23, page____
   
   
6. Find Romans 6:23 and underline the verse.  In the margin write:
   
           Sin earns death, but God gives life.   Romans 10:9,10-13, page___
   
   
7. Find Romans 10:9.10-13 and underline the verses.  In the margin write:
   
           Confess, repent, believe, call.
   
   Turn to the last page of your New Testament and write this simple:
   
   Prayer Of Salvation
   Dear God, I know that Jesus is your Son and that He died for my sin and was raised from the dead.  I have sinned and I confess with my mouth that I need forgiveness.  I now ask Jesus to forgive me.  I realize that I must change the direction of my life and acknowledge Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.  I will turn away from sin and ask you Lord to lead me in my future.  Thank you for forgiving me and giving me eternal life.

1. Romans 1:16  God's power can make us secure.
   Many people today live without hope.  They have no resources to strengthen them and guide them through their struggles in life.  According to Romans 1:16, the focus of the Christian faith is God's power to help us in whatever problems we face.  Through Jesus Christ a power great enough to bring salvation and deliverance is available.  This power is not just for a particular race or background.  It is available to any person who believes.
   
   
2. Roman 2:4  God's Power results in change.
   Through God's power, people can change.  The Biblical word for change is repentance.  This means allowing God to change the direction of our lives.
   
   
3. Romans 3:23  Sin makes change necessary.
   Why do people need to change?  According to the Bible, every man and woman has a problem.  The problem can be described in many ways, but the most common Biblical word is sin.  One meaning of sin is to fall short of the mark God has set.  The Bible teaches that God has a standard for us.  That standard is perfection (Matthew 5:48).  The Lord expects each person to live a life of perfect obedience to Him.
   
   
4. Romans 5:8  God still loves us.
   Some people think that our failure to meet God's standard or to hit God's mark means that God is our enemy.  But the message of Jesus is that in spite of our sin, God still loves us.  Even though it meant the death of His Son for us, He still wants to love and redeem us from sin (John 3:16).
   
   
5. Roman 6:23  Sin earns death, but God gives life.
   Sin would not be a problem if it did not have serious consequences.  According to the Bible, the consequences of sin are too serious to overlook.  Although God is not our enemy, He is our judge.  In Romans 6:23, we learn that the "Wages of sin is death".  Whenever we sin, we earn the wages of death. Christ took our guilt of sin to the cross in our place (I Peter 3:18).  By our works we earn death, but by His grace we can receive eternal life.
   
   
6. Romans 10:9-10,13  Confess, repent, believe, call.
   These four words summarize what someone must do to receive God's free gift and be saved.  In acknowledging Jesus as Lord, we recognize His rightful authority over us.  We must confess with our mouth and believe that He has become the Lord of our lives.
   
   
7. Romans 8:16-17,38-39  We now have hope.
   When we are saved, God adopts us as His children, and His Holy Spirit assures us that we are part of His family.  Because Christ has defeated the principalities and powers of this earth, we need not fear human and superhuman enemies.  Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus.  Believers can live with hope because they are children of God and are secure in His love.
   
   
8. Romans 12:1-2  Faith = live for God.
   When you become a Christian, you begin to live your life for God.  The goal for believers is to live less like an unsaved person and more like Jesus.  He will transform the new Christian's life and make it more like Him (Philippians 1:6; 2:13).  You don't have to be religiously inclined to become a faithful Christian.