What is Impossible with Man is Possible with God (Luke 18:27)
Resource: Absolute Surrender: Chapter 5
Man cannot do ANYTHING to gain salvation except trust in the power of God and accept the free gift of grace in obedience and submission.
Fallen man is helpless until he bows down and acknowledges the working of God which is able to transfer him from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light. When we accept our utter helplessness and God's utter helpfulness which He offers through His Beloved Son, we begin our journey of faith.
We must understand that our Faith is based on the work of God and not the work of man. Our baptism into Christ (Romans 6:3-11; Galatians 3:26-27) which begins our spiritual walk is also not a work of man, but a work of God (Colossians 2:12). So then, why do we think we have any work to accomplished that is not the work of God? Is there anything worthy accomplished without the power of God? Do you know that God is working in you to do His will in His way? (Philippians 2:13)
How do we begin this journey with God?
Let's look at Christ's example in Luke 3:21-22. Jesus was perfect and certainly did not need to be baptized, but He did so to fulfill "all righteousness" as an example for us. His entire life on earth was to give us a path to follow. What do we learn about His example in baptism?
5 events took place. Please note each:
21 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,
22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
(1) Jesus was baptized
(2) Jesus was praying
(3) Heaven Opened and the Holy Spirit Descended
(4) Heaven claimed Him as "Son"
(5) God was well-pleased.
When we go into baptism (immersion in water), we are to call on the name of the Lord (praying) as commanded in Acts 22:16. What are we praying for?
While we submit to baptism, we call on God, in faith, to give us all spiritual blessings that are found in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3) and to send us the Holy Spirit, (Acts 2:38) who will enlighten us (1 Corinthians 2:10-13) and empower us to live Holy unto God (Ephesians 1:13-18). God, then, claims us as his "child". We become "sons" of God (Romans 8:14). God is well pleased with us when we submit to Him in baptism and faith according to His Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:21; Colossians 1:19-23).
It is in baptism that we contact the blood of Christ which has the power to reconcile us to God, IF we continue firmly in the faith without wavering (Colossians 1:22-23) away from the Gospel of our Salvation.
The exact 5 STEPS take place in our baptism as took place in Christ's baptism.
(1) We are buried in water (Romans 6:3-11) as we
(2) call on God (pray) to do His work in baptism (Acts 22:16).
(3) The Holy Spirit descends on us (Acts 2:38).
(4) We become sons of God (Romans 8:16-17, 1 John 3:1-2) and (5) When we are raised up as Christ was raised from the dead (Colossians 3:1-3), God sees the blood of Christ covering (hiding) us and is well pleased.
We have a "new self" (Colossians 3:10) and are transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His Beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). We need only to SUBMIT. We submit in baptism to the blood of the Lamb. We submit in our Christian walk to the Lordship of Jesus Christ (1 John 1:7).
God grants us power in the inner man through His Spirit to strengthen us as we walk in Him (Ephesians 3:16). Salvation is wholly a work of God and not a work of man. Growing more and more in our salvation is also a work of God and not a work of man.
Once we have the Holy Spirit as our guide, we have the opportunity to claim the Almightiness of God by giving glory to Him in all things. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path".
12 Mediations to Realize a Victorious Life
(1) My God is not small. I acknowledge His Power & Majesty throughout my day (Isaiah 57:15; Proverbs 3:6).
(2) My Lord is not dead. I accept His Kingdom and Lordship. He reigns (Revelation 19:6)
(3) I am not alone. The Holy Spirit lives in me and in His church (1 Corinthians 6:19).
(4) My life is not mine. Submission, as a slave of Christ, ensures my inheritance (Colossians 3:24).
(5) My mind is dedicated to being renewed daily. The Christian life is one of growth by partaking of the Bread of Life (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23).
(6) My heart is overflowing. Joy, love, mercy, peace are fruits of the Spirit which God has placed in my heart (Philemon 1:7; Galatians 5:22).
(7) The cross of Christ is my Salvation. I deny self and cricify the flesh daily (Matthew 16:24). My battle is against my flesh.
(8) My lips praise Him all through the day. I give witness to His glory among the nations (2 Samuel 22:50).
(9) My hands are not too busy to serve. I reserve quality time to serve the Lord (Exodus 23:19; Numbers 18:13; Revelation 14:4).
(10) My mission is to expand the Kingdom. I am to share the Light with those in darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Corinthians 5:18; Ephesians 5:14; Matthew 5:14). If Christ shines in our hearts, we will reflect that to the world.
(11) I am Holy Clothed (hidden) by the Power of God (Galations 3:27; Revelation 3:5).
(12) I wait on God only (Psalms 25:5; 40:1; 62:5; 69:6; Isaiah 30:18; 64:4; Hosea 12:6; Micah 7:7; Jude 1:21)
If it is God who works and wills in us, what can we do but to wait on Him (1 Corinthians 12:11). He works all things! His is the victory. If we are to have a victorious life, we will need to wait on Him. In the quietness of prayer, wait on God. In the renewing of your mind, wait on God. In the filling of your heart with fruits of the Spirit, wait on God. Give God quality time to express Himself to you.
Our relationship with God must include waiting with expectancy. Expect His compassion, mercy, grace, and power. Praise Him in expectancy.
Homework:
Write in your journal on the topic: "Wait on God only".
Read - Absolute Surrender: Chapter 6
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Lesson 6: If Only You Believed
“What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”~unknown
If only you had as much faith as a mustard seed
If only you had as much faith as a mustard seed
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
2 Thessalonians 2:13: But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith (pistis/belief) in the truth.
A major part of being sanctified by the Spirit is being filled with faith. How does one exhibit faith?
Reference: Absolute Surrender, Chapter 4 by Andrew Murray
Why do you think Peter betrayed Christ?
In what way is Peter's betrayal comparable to modern situations?
Often we say we believe in God, but live as if we do not believe it.
What does it mean to believe?
Strong's Lexicon: http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html
What do we say with our actions?
Do we sing His praises on Sunday and then deny His power on Monday?
Last week we were to find additional passages that
Consider the life of John the Baptist (Born to Die)
What was he born to do? Luke 1:17, 76
Did he do what he was born to do? Was he considered a great success? Luke 7:28
When he completed his calling what happened to him? Matthew 14:10
Consider the life of Jeremiah (Born to Cry) Jeremiah 4:23-28
Consider the life of Ezekiel (Born to lay on his side) Ezekiel 4:4
What has God called you to become? Matthew 5:14; John 8:14
What does it mean to pass out of death into life? If we truly appreciated this translation from death to life, how should we express ourselves?
What is self-life and how can it fill us so much that the power of God cannot work in us as mightily as God is willing that it should?
We are going to study Romans 10 and its historical envelope.
We need to know:
(1) Who wrote it? Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1)
(2) When was it written? Written the same time as 1 Corinthians 15:26 - 16:1-2 or ~ AD 58 during the time of Nero's persecution of the church . Nero reigned from 37AD to 68AD.
(3) To whom was it written? To those who have been "called as saints", Christians. (Romans 1:6-7)
(4) For what purpose was it written? Even though the Roman church had faith proclaimed throughout the world (Romans 1:8), they still had problems they needed to overcome. Some of these problems involved peer pressure from the heathen world in which they lived. Paul wanted them to "not be ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16)
(5) What does it say to me? Reflect
Study Romans 10: 8-15 ... The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
If Paul knew that when Christians said these words alloud, "I believe Jesus Christ is Dominus Deus", this would bring death to them, why did he require a confession with the lips?
Why could faith not come by "seeing someone who does righteous acts"?
If faith comes by hearing, then someone must be speaking. If someone is speaking, then someone could be heard. If someone was heard, then someone could be sentenced to death.
Was Christianity successful in Rome? Did Christianity spread because Christians remained silent?
Are Christians more silent today than during Nero and other Caesar's reigns?
Watch Video:
What is your goal? What consumes your time?
God's purpose;
• God wants you to enjoy life Eccl 5:18
• God sees your posibilities--saw Peters possibilties
• God calls us to a higher purpose--to overcome sin and to live in Him--as a solution to our sin problem
Meditation: My purpose
• what are we going to become?-- Joshua 24:15 choose who will serve
• be willing to pay the price--Luke 14:23--willing "to go" into the hedges
• willing to lose our lives--must be a priority for God's way
• be willing to accept the responsibility
Watch Video: Tamara
Proclaiming the Lord Among the Nations.
HOMEWORK:
(1) Memorize: Phil 4:4-5
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. "
(2) Listen to 100% Natural Evanglism #2
(3) Read Chapter 5 Absolute Surrender
(4) Look up: http://truediscipleship.org/priority/priority15.htm Spiritual Blessings.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Lesson 5: The Joy of My Salvation
“…it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
~David Steindl-Rast-----------------------------------------------------------
The definition of Hell is given to us in 2 Thessalonians 1:9:
"These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,"
Being in the presence of the Lord, then is the opposite of Hell! Being in His glorious power is the opposite of Hell! Who would not want to be in the presence of the Lord? Buy there are those who do not understand what is available to them when in the Lord's presence.
Because the Lord is all truth, all light, all knowledge, all wisdom, all patience, all kindness, all forgiving, all comforting, and all loving, to be away from those attributes would truly be Hell. Yet, we can be in the presence of God while we still live upon this earth! However, we often take that for granted or shun the devotional time to remind ourselves of the blessings of His presence.
Andrew Murray (Absolute Surrender, p 32): "But, oh! we are far more occupied with our work than we are with prayer. We believe more in speaking to men than we believe in speaking to God....if in our ordinary Christian work there were more prayer, there would be more blessings in our own inner life. If we felt and proved and testified to the world that our only strength lay in keeping every minute in contact with Christ, every minute allowing God to work in us -- if that were our spirit, would not, by the grace of God, our lives be holier? Would not they be more abundantly fruitful?"
(p 33) "What a wonderful blessing comes when the Holy Spirit is allowed to lead and direct..." our lives.
How can we be led by the Spirit, if we do not "attend" to His voice?
LAST WEEK: We read a little about how to discipline ourselves so that we might grow spiritually in the Lord. Paul disciplined himself daily ( 1 Corinthians 9:27) If Paul had to discipline his body daily, how much more do we need this?
Growing spiritually allows us to appraise spiritual blessings. Being too busy to meditate, pray, journal, or study the Will of God takes us farther away from discerning His presence in our lives.
TIME: Every one who has ever lived has had the same amount of time in a day. Yet, somehow, we have been fooled in modern times into believing that our time is more precious and more valuable than in earlier centuries. We think we are "out of" time because we busy ourselves with activities that are not under the Lordship of Christ. What does Christ demand of my time each day? If I am a slave of Christ, then what schedule does He desire for my time?
LET's TAKE TIME for REFLECTION:
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night
Psalm 4:4 Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psalm 27:4 One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,To behold the beauty of the LORDAnd to meditate in His temple.
Psalm 63:6 When I remember You on my bed,I meditate on You in the night watches,
Psalm 77:6 I will remember my song in the night;I will meditate with my heart,And my spirit ponders:
Psalm 77:12 I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.
Psalm 119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways.
Psalm 119:23 Even though princes sit and talk against me,Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Psalm 119:148 My eyes anticipate the night watches,That I may meditate on Your word.
Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old;I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands.
Psalm 145:5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Meditation, Reflection, Examination require time, energy, and prioritizing our lives to "attend" to God's voice. Fasting is said to be naturally linked to mediatation and prayer. Discuss why you think this is or is not the case.
And what good comes from such meditations? These mediatations change our ability to not only grow in the Lord, but change our perspective on life and how we live it.
Have we lost the Joy of our Salvation? Let's examine ourselves.
Do I rejoice always? What does the lack of true thankfulness and true conversion look like?
Deut 28:47-50 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. The LORD will bring a nation against you from far away, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand, a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young.”
What does true conversion look like?
Ps 51:10-13; 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
What does it take to "restore" the joy?
Having Joy in God's Salvation results in what action on our part?
Ps 13:5-6; 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Do you think this "singing" was done only in an assembly? How do we "sing" praises of those we
admire?
Are our songs of praises accompanied by our hearts? Eph 5:19
Ps 9:14; that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation.
Ps 35:9: Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.
The result of true Joy in our Salvation through Jesus Christ is ongoing Praise and a williness to share our conviction.
Understanding the depth of His love will help us to understand the imperitiveness of our calling.
Our calling in a general and literal sense is to praise and glorify God in word, deed, and all that we do.
Will it be any different in Heaven? Revelations 19:1-9:
After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER."
3And a second time they said, "Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER."
4And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, "Amen Hallelujah!"
5And a voice came from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great."
6Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
Marriage of the Lamb
7"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
8It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb '" And he said to me, "These are true words of God."
Nobody Goes to Heaven who doesn't Want to! How do you know if we want to go there? What relationship do we have with "praise" and "joy" and "honoring our God" now?
How do we love the Lord with all our STRENGTH, Mind, and Soul? Mark 12:30-33. Is this a part-time job?
Paul found a reason to Pray, Prioritize, and Praise:
Eph 3: 16-21"that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Paul demonstrates here that if we understand the love of Christ and make a priority of being filled up to all the fullness of God, the result is praise!
Reflect on: What has Christ done for me? What is Christ doing for me? What will Christ do for me?
Am I able to do anything for myself?
What Blessings do we have in Christ that we can mediate on to bring Joy back into our lives?
Let us consider Ephesians Chapter 1 GO TO: http://joyofbiblelearning.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-blessings-in-christ-ephesians.html
Monday, April 4, 2011
Lesson 4: Addendum to the Will of God
We begin our lesson with a Reflection: Discuss your thoughts on the Handout - "Evidence of Surrender" (Brokenness)
Meditate:
In 1 Corinthians 11:27-31, Paul tells us to examine ourselves, to judge ourselves, before we eat and drink of the Lord's Supper. How long do you think it takes to examine yourself in order to be ready to take the Lord's Supper? 30 seconds? 30 minutes?
Our Example: Before Jews partook of the Passover, they had a "Preparation Day". (Luke 22:7-9; Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Exodus 12:15) Does the Lord's Supper represent a "better" covenant than the Passover meal? (Hebrews 7:22) If our promises are better, or covenant is better, or blessings are better, then should we not be more thankful, more prepared and more meditative about our relationship to our Lord than the children of Israel to their covenant?
Application: Should Saturday night be the night we decide to stay out late at the movies? Should our week be filled with over exertion and worldly activities so that we are too tired to worship on Sunday? Is worship really that important on Sunday? Should we listen to Rock & Roll music filled with suggestive lyrics on the way to worship? How long and in what manner should we "prepare" for the Lord's Supper? There is no law on this subject. There is only thoughtful contemplation for the spiritual Christian.
THOUGHTFUL CONTEMPLATION: Psalms 27:14; Psalms 33:20; Psalm 37:7-9; 37:34; Psalm 40:1; Psalm 130:5-6; Isa 25:9; Isa 40:31; Lamentations 3:25; Micah 7:7; Jude 1:21)
The opposite of "waiting on the Lord" is "having ears, but do not hear" and "eyes that do not see". (Psalm 135:17; Isa 42:20; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Mark 8:18; Romans 11:8)
Question: How will you KNOW the Will of the Lord for your life?
Understanding the Will of the Lord: Read Ephesians 4:30-5:17
Question: What does it mean to be "led by the Spirit?" (Romans 8:14 vs 2 Peter 3:17)
Homework: Read http://www.directionjournal.org/article/?502 (Christian Discipline Handout)
Write in your Journals something about this article that you will be willing to share in class next week.
Meditate:
In 1 Corinthians 11:27-31, Paul tells us to examine ourselves, to judge ourselves, before we eat and drink of the Lord's Supper. How long do you think it takes to examine yourself in order to be ready to take the Lord's Supper? 30 seconds? 30 minutes?
Our Example: Before Jews partook of the Passover, they had a "Preparation Day". (Luke 22:7-9; Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16; Exodus 12:15) Does the Lord's Supper represent a "better" covenant than the Passover meal? (Hebrews 7:22) If our promises are better, or covenant is better, or blessings are better, then should we not be more thankful, more prepared and more meditative about our relationship to our Lord than the children of Israel to their covenant?
Application: Should Saturday night be the night we decide to stay out late at the movies? Should our week be filled with over exertion and worldly activities so that we are too tired to worship on Sunday? Is worship really that important on Sunday? Should we listen to Rock & Roll music filled with suggestive lyrics on the way to worship? How long and in what manner should we "prepare" for the Lord's Supper? There is no law on this subject. There is only thoughtful contemplation for the spiritual Christian.
THOUGHTFUL CONTEMPLATION: Psalms 27:14; Psalms 33:20; Psalm 37:7-9; 37:34; Psalm 40:1; Psalm 130:5-6; Isa 25:9; Isa 40:31; Lamentations 3:25; Micah 7:7; Jude 1:21)
The opposite of "waiting on the Lord" is "having ears, but do not hear" and "eyes that do not see". (Psalm 135:17; Isa 42:20; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Mark 8:18; Romans 11:8)
Question: How will you KNOW the Will of the Lord for your life?
Understanding the Will of the Lord: Read Ephesians 4:30-5:17
Question: What does it mean to be "led by the Spirit?" (Romans 8:14 vs 2 Peter 3:17)
Homework: Read http://www.directionjournal.org/article/?502 (Christian Discipline Handout)
Write in your Journals something about this article that you will be willing to share in class next week.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Lesson 4: The WILL of GOD
POWERPOINT: http://joyfullearning.org/Lessons/Lesson4/BeingFilled.ppt
In 1 Corinthians chapers 1 & 2, Paul describes three kinds of men: (1) Natural Man, (2) Spiritual Man, and (3) Carnal Man (1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:1, Galatians 6:1)
---Are all Christians spiritual? (1 Corinthians 3:1) What term is used to refer to non-spiritual Christians?
---Does going through spiritual activities make you spiritual? (1 Corinthians 10:1-5)
---What is the difference between Ritual and Relationship?
---What does it mean to be "spiritual"? (2 Corinthians 4:18-5:1)
A Spiritual Person is shaped by their convictions, by that which is ETERNAL, (Eph 6: 10-12) and to that which they are ATTUNED to such as unseen realities. (I KNOW whom I have believed")
A Spiritual Person connects their material lives with their spiritual convictions. The hallmarks of a spiritual person are strength and knowledge (dunamis & epignosis) to rise above temptation and to act on their convictions.
As spiritul beings we must trust in the Power of God to fill us as we SURRENDER & SUBMIT to the WILL of GOD.
A metaphor for the spiritual heart is a two-chambered room. One of those rooms is a throne room and one is a crucifixion chamber. You are either on the Cross and Christ is on the Throne OR You are on the Throne and Christ is on the Cross in your spiritual heart.
(*) Surrender and Submit: Take up your cross daily and follow Him. The mercy of the cross and the grace given us through Jesus Christ demands that we slay ourselves daily, to become SLAVES to the will of God.
What "rights" do SLAVES have?
Do Americans VALUE humility and/or independence? Watch excerp from The Last of the Mohicans.
WILL OF GOD
To be in the right relationship with God we must understand His WILL. As followers of Christ, we believe the Scriptures enlighten us through the Spirit, mediataion, and prayer. Revealed clearly in the Scriptures are explainations of the different aspects of the Will of God. Below are some examples for our considertation.
We often use the term "providencial" to describe the Will of God. But this term is only used one time in the New Testament and not in reference to God.
Under what circumstances is it used? (Acts 24:1-3) Is "providence" ever used in reference to the Will or Power of God? Then why do some use it to describe how God "works" in our lives?
--Why not use the phrase "provision or supply of the Spirit of Christ" (Philippians 1:19-21)? To acknowledge that the Spirit of Christ actively and continually provides for us according to the will of God.
FOR OUR MEDITATION: TRANSLATED, TRANSFORMED, &; TRANSCENDED
FOR OUR HOMEWORK: http://joyfullearning.org/Lessons/Lesson4/BROKENNESS.pdf (Contributed by Ruth Ann Morgan)
The Evidence of Brokenness: Read and Reflect on these pages. They will help you determine APPLICATION for what we have been talking about.
In 1 Corinthians chapers 1 & 2, Paul describes three kinds of men: (1) Natural Man, (2) Spiritual Man, and (3) Carnal Man (1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:1, Galatians 6:1)
---Are all Christians spiritual? (1 Corinthians 3:1) What term is used to refer to non-spiritual Christians?
---Does going through spiritual activities make you spiritual? (1 Corinthians 10:1-5)
---What is the difference between Ritual and Relationship?
---What does it mean to be "spiritual"? (2 Corinthians 4:18-5:1)
A Spiritual Person is shaped by their convictions, by that which is ETERNAL, (Eph 6: 10-12) and to that which they are ATTUNED to such as unseen realities. (I KNOW whom I have believed")
A Spiritual Person connects their material lives with their spiritual convictions. The hallmarks of a spiritual person are strength and knowledge (dunamis & epignosis) to rise above temptation and to act on their convictions.
As spiritul beings we must trust in the Power of God to fill us as we SURRENDER & SUBMIT to the WILL of GOD.
A metaphor for the spiritual heart is a two-chambered room. One of those rooms is a throne room and one is a crucifixion chamber. You are either on the Cross and Christ is on the Throne OR You are on the Throne and Christ is on the Cross in your spiritual heart.
(*) Surrender and Submit: Take up your cross daily and follow Him. The mercy of the cross and the grace given us through Jesus Christ demands that we slay ourselves daily, to become SLAVES to the will of God.
What "rights" do SLAVES have?
Do Americans VALUE humility and/or independence? Watch excerp from The Last of the Mohicans.
WILL OF GOD
To be in the right relationship with God we must understand His WILL. As followers of Christ, we believe the Scriptures enlighten us through the Spirit, mediataion, and prayer. Revealed clearly in the Scriptures are explainations of the different aspects of the Will of God. Below are some examples for our considertation.
- God has a Sovereign Will (Ultimate Will): Rev 5:13, Dan 4:3; 7:14, and Ephesians 1:21 describe the Sovereign Will of God. The Ultimate Will of God will judge the world and all the Hosts of Heaven.
- God has a Cosmic Will, a will for the stars in the sky, man, and the birds of the air. Isaiah 34:4 This is the will that PROVIDES (Provisional Will) natural law, order, and holds the Universe in its place.
- God has a Universal Will, a will that delivered His Son into the hands of blasphemers to die so that all men might be saved. It is God's Universal Will that desires that all men come to know Him and be saved through His Son's sacrifice and resurrection. Acts 17:30; Matthew 18:14; 2 Peter 3:9.
- God has a Permissive Will, a will that allows every soul to have a choice about who they will serve. God did not make us robots. He gave us ONE RIGHT, the right to choose. Joshua 24:15
- God has an Active (Interactive) Will that intercedes, allows God to change His mind and answers prayers delivered in the name of His Son. Jonah 3:10; John 14:13
We often use the term "providencial" to describe the Will of God. But this term is only used one time in the New Testament and not in reference to God.
Under what circumstances is it used? (Acts 24:1-3) Is "providence" ever used in reference to the Will or Power of God? Then why do some use it to describe how God "works" in our lives?
--Why not use the phrase "provision or supply of the Spirit of Christ" (Philippians 1:19-21)? To acknowledge that the Spirit of Christ actively and continually provides for us according to the will of God.
FOR OUR MEDITATION: TRANSLATED, TRANSFORMED, &; TRANSCENDED
FOR OUR HOMEWORK: http://joyfullearning.org/Lessons/Lesson4/BROKENNESS.pdf (Contributed by Ruth Ann Morgan)
The Evidence of Brokenness: Read and Reflect on these pages. They will help you determine APPLICATION for what we have been talking about.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Lesson 3: Definition of Sanctification
Definition of Sanctification – Perfecting of the Saints
Antonym: 2 Timothy 3:7, “Ever learning never able to come to the knowledge (epinosis) of the truth.”
--gnosis: to know, the “act” of knowing (experiential)
--epignosis: fully acquainted – full relationship (strengthened or intensified form of knowledge) knowledge of the Devine.
-------
Number of reverences in NAS:
Romans - 3
Ephesians - 2
Philippians-1
Colossians-4
1 Timothy-1
2 Timothy-2
Titus -1
Philemon-1
Hebrews-1
2 Peter-4
Process: Renewing of the Mind - building a personal relationship with our Lord by relying on the Power of God (John 1:12) to fill us (Romans 15:13) , mold us, & refine us for His glory (1 Peter 1:7).
Process: involves meditation (1 Corinthians 11:28), reflection, sensitivity to God’s will, circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29), a pealing away (Col 2:11) of the flesh (Phil 3:3), yearning to reshape our lives and attitudes (Phil 2 All), we will be productive (2 Peter 1:5) for Christ.
Process: Metamorphosis – Romans 12:1-2
MEDITATE This Week on the glorious implication of infinite grace (2Cor 8:9) multiplied by infinite peace (Php 4:7-note). The product surely includes eternal fullness of joy (Jn 15:11), abundant life (Jn 10:10) and an ever flowing river of "living water" (Jn 7:38).
CHALLENGE: What will you do differently this week because of who and what you KNOW about Sanctification and the Power of God?
Handouts: http://joyfullearning.org/
Antonym: 2 Timothy 3:7, “Ever learning never able to come to the knowledge (epinosis) of the truth.”
--gnosis: to know, the “act” of knowing (experiential)
--epignosis: fully acquainted – full relationship (strengthened or intensified form of knowledge) knowledge of the Devine.
-------
Number of reverences in NAS:
Romans - 3
Ephesians - 2
Philippians-1
Colossians-4
1 Timothy-1
2 Timothy-2
Titus -1
Philemon-1
Hebrews-1
2 Peter-4
Process: Renewing of the Mind - building a personal relationship with our Lord by relying on the Power of God (John 1:12) to fill us (Romans 15:13) , mold us, & refine us for His glory (1 Peter 1:7).
Process: involves meditation (1 Corinthians 11:28), reflection, sensitivity to God’s will, circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29), a pealing away (Col 2:11) of the flesh (Phil 3:3), yearning to reshape our lives and attitudes (Phil 2 All), we will be productive (2 Peter 1:5) for Christ.
Process: Metamorphosis – Romans 12:1-2
MEDITATE This Week on the glorious implication of infinite grace (2Cor 8:9) multiplied by infinite peace (Php 4:7-note). The product surely includes eternal fullness of joy (Jn 15:11), abundant life (Jn 10:10) and an ever flowing river of "living water" (Jn 7:38).
CHALLENGE: What will you do differently this week because of who and what you KNOW about Sanctification and the Power of God?
Handouts: http://joyfullearning.org/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)