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

NAMES OF JESUS – ALMIGHTY GOD

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4 KJV

Jesus Christ is not just a man. Even when He walked on the earth, He was not merely a man. In the New Testament, He was referred to 88 times as the Son of Man and 47 times as the Son of God. He was God in the form of man – God clothed in human flesh – born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Most people just see the Man, Jesus – but He existed long before He was born into the earth as a baby in Bethlehem. He always was with God; He Himself IS God. He was there when all things were made and all things were made by Him; nothing was made without Him. In Revelation 1:8 AMP He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all).” Jesus has no beginning and He has no end. He is Lord and Ruler over heaven and earth, time, space and matter.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 AMP

Which [appearing] will be shown forth in His own proper time by the blessed, only Sovereign (Ruler), the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 1 Timothy 6:15 AMP

His birth, life, death and resurrection were prophesied and foretold over and over in the Old Testament – that He would be born a child, and yet still be God and Supreme Ruler. There was an appointed time for Him to come forth. When He walked on this earth, even though His coming was prophesied, no one really truly knew who He was or understood what He came to do. Now, after the fact, we celebrate who He is and what He has done for us! We see that He is not just a man, but He is truly Almighty God!

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 KJV

But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24 AMP

Even though Jesus is God, He humbled Himself to come down to the earth to be born a man and to die on the cross on our behalf. In Him dwells the fullness of God in the body of a man! In Him is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God; He is the head of all principalities and powers. With Him and in Him, we are perfectly complete. We need nothing more than Him.

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Revelation 15:3 KJV

They will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them; for He is Lord of lords and King of kings — and those with Him and on His side are chosen and called [elected] and loyal and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14 AMP

And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords. Revelation 19:16 AMP

There is no one mightier than He. He is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords – Almighty God!

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

Foundation Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:1-4

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

1 Peter 5:1-4 NKJV

I. The Crown of Glory.

• The Crown of Glory is awarded to pastors and elders, who have been faithful ministers of the Gospel.

• The Crown of Glory is for all those who are called of God, who have obeyed God in their calling and who have faithfully served His people.

• Ephesians 4:11-13 NKJV – And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

• God has called some people to be in full-time ministry. He has called others to serve in a “ministry of helps” capacity.

• 1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV – And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

II. Shepherds of the flock.

• 1 Peter 5:2 says that the people belong to God—they are His sheep; His flock—and do not belong to any man. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd and we are all under-shepherds, who answer directly to Him. When He comes, He will award the Crown of Glory to the shepherds who carried out their responsibilities diligently and in a spirit of love and truth.

• As ministers of the gospel, we are responsible to diligently tend the flock of God; nurturing, guarding and guiding them.

• Ministers must have a good attitude about their calling. The Lord wants you to do it willingly—not by coercion or constraint; not because you have to, or are forced to—do it because you want to do it; do it because you want to please God! That is how God wants it.

• Never minister to God’s people out of a money motive or because of any other selfish reason. Do not calculate what you can get out of it. The AMP says that we should not be dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits belonging to the office. What we should do is be spontaneous, be cheerful, and be eagerly happy to serve.

• Ministers are in a place of leadership, but 1 Peter 5:3 says that you should never use that authority to dominate others. Never be arrogant, dictatorial, or overbearing and do not bossily tell others what to do.

• Rather, be a good example to the flock; to the congregation. You can be both firm and kind, tenderly showing them the way. Be a pattern and model of Christian living. Live what you believe and practice what you preach!

III. Work Together to Build the Kingdom of God.

• Everyone has their part to do. Leaders are to lead in the Spirit of Christ and the flock is to respect and work with the leadership that the Lord has placed over them.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 AMP – Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. 13 And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].

• We do the work, but God is still in charge. He is the boss and He pays the wages!

• 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 AMP – I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase. 7 So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. 8 He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor. 9 For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building.

• Give it ALL you’ve got, but don’t try to do it in your own strength! Lean on the Lord—He will empower you with superhuman energy!

• Colossians 1:28-29 AMP – Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). 29 For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.

IV. The Reward of Your Labor.

• 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 AMP – But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

• Hebrews 6:10 AMP – For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name’s sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.

• 1 Peter 5:4 says that when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

• The Greek word for “crown” is stephanos, which is the crown awarded at the games. It was made of olive or laurel and soon faded. The Crown of Glory, which the Lord will give to His under-shepherds, is eternal and will outlast the ages.