Why are there sooooo many different views and denominations on Biblical teaching?
Watch this video and see what "you" are missing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY&feature=player_embedded Monkey Business Movie
What did you miss? What denomination do you belong to? The "See Monkey" or the "Not See Monkey" denomination? Missing information that is available to us is a form of "selective attention". Our attention deficit is due to pre-existing filters that we carry with us where ever we go. If we are looking for one thing, we often miss something else. This is how we often study the Bible. We often are looking to prove one point and completely miss what God is trying to tell us.
This week we will begin praying that God will reveal to us the truth that He wants us, personally, to know and that we will see that truth the way He wants us to see it.
Tradition, seminary teaching, following Calvinism or Luther or any other man, following popular doctrines, what has always been taught….these are all filters to God’s truths. WE ALL HAVE FILTERS! We must pray that God’s Spirit works in us to remove our filters.
When we approach God's word we approach it with filters on. Filters from previous experiences or traditions, or what we have always been taught. Everyone is blind to some Biblical truth and only by living in the Spirit can those blinders be removed.
Stephen became a martyr for Christ. Saul heard the same message and despised Stephen – holding his cloak while his friends murdered him. Same message – different response. Same message – different understanding. Only the Spirit brings unity. Only the Spirit interprets spiritual things. (1 Corinthians 2)
We need help in removing our filters. Others need help in removing their filters.
How might we help ourselves see beyond filters? How might we help others? What methods might we use to effectively point out what others might be missing?
SUGGESTION: Personally marked Bible with Scriptures clearly highlighted with the promise of salvation.
CHAPTER 4: KNOWING GOD (Not a Fan):
Turn to 2 Thess 1:7, and list the two kinds of people at judgment that are in specific trouble. These are those who:
(1)
(2)
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SECTION 1
FIRST: Let’s deal with the first set of folks. We don’t want to be counted in this group, so how do we come to KNOW God?
There are many folks who claim to KNOW God, but live as if He does not exist. If we truly believed in the Power of Jesus’ Blood, we would live in a more joyous celebration. Jesus blood cleanses (continuously), sanctifies, and brings victory and life, joy and reconciliation with God, the Father.
How do I acknowledge that I believe in the Power of God?
Romans 1:16 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—“
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
We acknowledge God and His power by believing in the Gospel. No one has an excuse. If we reject God, then we certainly cannot accept the Gospel and Christ. Rejecting God and His power will place one on the wrong side of the fence at judgment. Rejecting God will also affect our everyday living.
Romans 1: 21f
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
We can claim to know God, but then live as if we do not. If we do not glorify Him or give thanks to Him among the nations (not just in our closets), we are living futile lives.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
WHO DO YOU WORSHIP? HOW CAN YOU TELL? The thing we worship, we spend time, energy, money, and conversation on. Look in your check book to find out what you worship. Where do you sacrifice yourself (go out of your way to accomplish or purchase)?
Romans 1:26f
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts….
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
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When we live a life of futility, without hope and deep abiding joy, we live in darkness and God removes His wisdom and Spirit so that we become darkened in our hearts. We can attend a church-based service and still be filled with greed, deceit, and a futile mind.
Romans 2:5 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
If you do NOT KNOW God, then you made the decision not to know Him because of the hardness of your heart.
HOW DO WE KNOW GOD? We learn to trust and rely on God by humbling ourselves, our desires, and our time to spend time with Him. That is how all relationships are built. The deepest relationships are built during extended inter-personal communication and sharing: during times of struggle such a war, crisis, or stress or great joy such as at the birth of child, getting a new job, getting engaged. When you share great challenges & joy with someone, you become closer as you rely on each other for strength and support. This is how we come to know God by sacrificing our time and energy to meet with Him, to surrender to Him by Practicing His Presence.
All areas of our lives should reflect a Godly Presence. I have read some Facebook postings that make me want to say – “Oops, His Presence has slipped away!”
“Knowing Jesus” is understanding the power of the cross and where that has placed us in the Universe.
All of a sudden, “Their eyes were opened and they KNEW Him” – Luke 24:31. This verse reminds us that we can be in the presence of Jesus and not know it.
Who does Jesus reveal Himself to? We will find in the next few chapters of Idleman’s book, that Jesus reveals Himself to those who have given up everything for Him.
He says, “Deny yourself, and take up your cross and follow Me.” And “Low I am with you always”. To KNOW Jesus, we will soon learn, means to DIE to self – Absolute Surrender.
A Follower (Disciple) Hungers for God and is hyper sensitive to His Presence. A Follower waits on God, has faith and trusts in God, gives glory to God and is anxious about nothing.
A Follower understands the Nature of God. A Follower understands through the Spirit living within them what makes God happy? And what makes Him angry?
What makes God happy? What makes Him angry?
A Follower understands the mission of God and imitates it. What is God’s mission? How do you imitate it?
A Follower gives God first place and the ONLY place in relationship to others. A Follower knows where to go to get comfort. They know who they have to yield to in order to gain the Spiritual Blessings of peace, joy, comfort, hope, righteousness….
What Spiritual Blessings did you find this week?
List those here:
Did you get excited when you realized what blessings you received IF you are in Christ? Did you share with others your Blessings?
If we win the lottery would we not call friends to tell them? You have gained more than silver and gold. Have you shared your joy with those outside of the Lord?
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Jesus took fishermen to the sea to teach them about the Gospel. He said, “I will make you fishers of men”. We are not fishermen so I truly do not believe Jesus would take me to the sea to teach me about "making disciples". Where DO you think Jesus would take us if He were to visit us and teach us about making disciples?
EXCITEMENT FOR CHRIST
Did you raise your hands at a concert or ball game this week? Did these superficial events claim more honor than praise to God this week? Did you share a ball game score on Facebook this week? Did you share a word of Praise to God on Facebook?
If I truly KNOW God, then I will not be able to hold my enthusiasm for Him. Terry Rush wrote a book “Afraid God Works, Afraid He Doesn’t” I recommed it.
We like to hold an image of God in our mind that we can handle and go about our regular self absorbed lives. But commitment to Christ requires a different type of standard. He must occupy our heart, mind, and soul….and not just some of the time----Not just during a “tacked on Sunday service at the end of a hectic week”. It’s all or nothing. Its complete abandonment or don’t bother. It’s believing He works and expecting it!
It may make us feel good to attend a service on Sunday…but it doesn’t impress God. Total Self Sacrifice is all that Christ accepts. Let’s re-read Romans 12:1-2.
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
HE WANTS OUR BODIES AND OUR MINDS!
Now let’s read 1 Peter 2:5 5 "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices*** acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. "
** sacrifice = victim
He WANTs ALL OF YOU. You are the Spiritual Sacrifice (victim) that God requires.
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“We must remember that, although the Bible is very precious and reading it is very blessed and necessary, Bible reading and prayer, in themselves, are not fellowship with Jesus. Therefore, commit to fellowship with Him each day in unity of Spirit and purpose. Commit to having the “mind and attitude” of Christ. Commit to being totally transformed by His Spirit. Commit to total abandonment in His service.”
NEXT WEEK WE WILL COVER SECTION 2: BEING KNOWN BY GOD (Obeying the Gospel) versus Following Rules (Chapter 5 in Not a Fan).
HOMEWORK:
Meditation: In Prayer & Praise what should be done?
“We must remember that, although the Bible is very precious and reading it is very blessed and necessary, Bible reading and prayer, in themselves, are not fellowship with Jesus. Commit to fellowship with Him each day in unity of Spirit and purpose. Commit to having the “mind and attitude” of Christ. Commit to being totally transformed by His Spirit. Commit to total abandonment in His service.”
In Prayer & Praise what should be done?
PS 28:2
PS 63:4
PS 123:1
PS 134: 2
Lam 2:10, 3:41
Ex 9:29, 17:22-12
Isa 40:26
Dan 4:34
1 Tim 2:8
Application:
(1) Begin practicing your Witness – your story so that you too can share how you were given freedom in Christ. No one can tell your story for you. We are working towards loosening our lips to glorify Christ. We are working towards:
-----Making sure that all children’s classes that you teach that you give the “So What!” Relate the story to Christ.
-----Teaching young children that lifting hands is appropriate in both prayer and praise. Teach them that prayer can happen with eyes open and even while driving down the street. Practice telling your story to your children or a friend. A Witness is what you have seen, heard, and realize in Jesus Christ.
-----Learning to speak about what Christ has done in our lives:
Acts 4:20 "As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 "However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—
1 John 1:1 "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life."
Things we need to do:
(1) Create an invitation that speaks to young folks.
(2) Create an invitation for this book “Not a Fan” to give as a gift.
(3) Learn how to share our stories in an easy and natural manner. Our tradition has been to be an “audience” where as some other fellowships have had a tradition of sharing their witness. We need to develop that tradition among our fellowship.
(4) Perhaps you would be interested in offering marked Bibles to those who are new in Christ or those who are seeking Christ.
(5) If you would like to mark a Bible you can get the Scriptures to mark at: http://joyfullearning.org/FAN/vvsal.doc
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