4 Lesson: Chapter 3 Forgotten God TAKE-AWAY

At the beginning of the lesson, I smeared black on my face and looked in a mirror to say, "Oh, that needs to be taken care of....but I just don't have enough time."

REVIEW

We are trying to know God better and to learn how to allow Him to work in us and through us. We realize that in order to do this we must empty ourselves and be open to the transforming power of the Spirit. This stripping away of fleshly obsessions is called “circumcision” of the heart” and it can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit in a submissive heart that does not seek the praise of people, but from God alone (Romans 2:29).

Revelation Lesson 3 (listen online) discusses the problems in the churches of Asia. These were representative of churches that sold out to Satan, who were lukewarm or asleep, who had forgotten their first love, and who no longer glorified Christ. They were not on the front lines of spiritual warfare. They never left the pews to join the battle. Francis Chan compares this situation to suiting out for football and never running the plays. The churches had been seduced by SATAN to “fit in” to their popular culture.

 

In Revelation, Christ stands at the door and knocks for the Church to let Him back in because they have grown blind, deaf, and cold of heart. Our lesson in Revelation speaks about trying to live in both Babylon and in the New Jerusalem –or being sold out to “Babylruselem.”  What does that term mean to you?

·         Denying the Creation Story
·         Mocking the definition of Biblical Marriage
·         Mocking the Power of God and the Identity of Christ (using His name in vain)
·         Having ears but do not hear, asleep, and lack of passion for Christ
·         Compromising how we act, look, speak, think, and dress – Mimicking popular culture instead of our Savior because our view of Christ is perverted

o   Being seduced by fashion magazines to wear worldly clothing instead of honoring Christ

o   Being seduced to talk and think like the world, (i.e. watching the latest Kardashian episode so we can stay up with the latest gossip..so we have something (other than the Light) to speak about with our friends. Who is pregnant? With whom? Who is dating who? Promoting the habit of gossip and worldly thoughts.  Using language that does not glorify Christ. (i.e. OMG, “pissed off”, “fricken”)

o   “Trying to get as close as you can to sin without getting stained”

·         Ungracious, unforgiving, unloving, impatient, shameless, lovers of self
·         “Instead of injecting the Light of Christ into the world we are reflecting the world”
·         Indulge in all the distractions the world can throw our way so we do not take time to contemplate in silence on the Word of God.
·         Pretending we don’t need to be involved with the Spirit in the sanctification “process”, but have arrived (definition of hypocrisy) because we go to church, sit in a pew, and do some “churchy” activities. “We want just enough of Jesus to keep us out of hell, but not enough to keep us out of the world” Mark 4:19

OUR CALLING:

 1 Thessalonians 5:5  We are to be the light shining in the darkness.

Ephesians 5:8-15  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

 

 

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Contemplate:
·         Am I a part of a church that has Christ’s vision?

·         Am I in LOVE with Jesus? Do I choose Him over popular culture?

·         Am I willing to stand up to Babylon?

·         Am I willing to bear the scars of my battles with Satan on this earth so that I can gain reward for those who have suffered with Jesus?

 

1 Peter 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

 

 

 

 

Revelation 4 Lesson (listen online) : In this lesson we see the majesty of Heaven and the Throne of God. What is the theme of this lesson? EVERYTHING is UNDER the throne of the Almighty God. Am I living to show that I am under the throne of God? . Who is on the throne of your heart? Who is in charge of my life?

 

 
If you have any problem keeping the majesty of God, His Holiness, and the “big picture” in your mind, you will need to keep this lesson in your MP3 player (or listen online) at all times.

GIVING GOD the GLORY in ALL Things
 

Jeremiah 13:16 "Give glory to the Lord your God, Before He brings darkness And before your feet stumble On the dusky mountains, And while you are hoping for light He makes it into deep darkness, And turns it into gloom.

We have discussed what a temple is and how it praises and gives glory to the one for whom it was built. We still struggle with giving Christ the glory in all things. We are told to "acknowledge Him in ALL our ways", but our pride and self-importance keep us from being perfected in this.

 

 

So what's the big deal? Do I really need to give God the glory in EVERYTHING?

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
• Philippians 2:11 "and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
• 1 Timothy 1:17 "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."
• Jude 1:25 "to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
• Revelation 1:6 "and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
• Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

BIBLICAL PREMIERE EXAMPLES

Let's take a few minutes to explore the nature of God. When God sets up a path for man to follow, He is extremely serious. In fact, He uses "Premiere Examples" in the Scriptures to teach us how serious He is.

What are some of the PREMIERE EXAMPLES that God has given us? Here are just a few:

(1)  Sin of Adam & Eve - kicked out of their paradise home. As others sin, they were not kicked out of their homes.

 (2)  Sin of Cain against Able - mark on the forehead, as others killed they were not given a mark.

 

 (3)  Sin of Achan, stealing the treasure of the King, stoned (Joshua 7:25), as others stole, all of Israel was not set against them to be stoned. In fact, David stole a wife and God did not have him stoned.

 

 (4)  Act 5 - Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and were struck dead. Others who lie to the Holy Spirit are not immediate struck dead.

These are Premiere examples that God gives us to "get His point" across to folks are who are hard of hearing.

 

(5) In Matthew 12:22-23 we have another Premiere Example. Let's read it together.

 “And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, ‘It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.’ And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”  

 Apparently Herod had a talent of great oration - speaking in public. People admired this talent, but "Because he gave not God the glory", he was immediately struck dead.  How serious is God about His people acknowledging Him in all their ways?

 Hebrews 13:15 - 16, 21 "confess and praise Him with our lives and lips....by doing good works and by communicating the glory of Christ (communion= "koinonia" giving glory to Christ).

   2 Cor 11:30 – “boast in my weakness so that Christ might be shown powerful and gain the glory.”

 

If we boast in anything besides the Cross of Christ, it would be in our own individual weaknesses so that the world can see God’s glory.  

I am struggling with this. I want to be Spirit-led and learn to glorify Christ and Him only…reserving the words like “Holy”, “Awesome”, “Almighty” for God and God only. If the Spirit resides in me, then even my speech will be transformed.  

 MAKING TRANSFORMATION A PRIORITY

"Right Ritual DOES NOT equal Right Relationship! Right Theology DOES NOT equal Right Relationship." (Jason Reeves) But wrong theology gets us into even more trouble. So tonight we will be talking about Theology 101 of the Holy Spirit (Chapter 3). We want to focus on the issues that “shape our faith and behavior” all else are meaningless arguments (2 Timothy 2:23: "Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.")

CHAPTER 3 NOTES

There are three personalities that have ALL the characteristics of Elohem. They appear in Scripture as separate but united persons in purpose, power, and position. When speaking of the Holy Spirit we recognize that He is a person (not an it), He is God, He is eternal and holy, He searches our hearts, He prays for us, He can be grieved, He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. Here is how he is manifested in our lives (Handouts:  50 Things the Spirit Does and  Balloons):

·         He helps us bear witness of Christ

·         He teaches, reminds, and can place on our hearts the desire to do the Will of God

·         He pricks the heart – convicts of sin

 

·         He empowers the believer

·         He draws people to the Gospel

·         He works through “sanctification” – the perfecting of the saints (the putting off and putting on) (2 Cor 3:18; Gal 5:22-25)

 

·         He creates an intimate relationship between the Father and His children

·         He brings us life, freedom, hope (All the Spiritual Blessing in Christ – Eph 1)

 

·         He ALWAYS glorifies Christ and allows the worshipper to present an offering of praise before the Throne of God.

 

·         If we submit to His leading He will bring the fruit of the Spirit into our lives

 

 WITNESSING for CHRIST

Hebrews 13:15  "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."

 

 Witnessing for Christ should NOT come from obligation or guilt, but from the overflow of a Spirit-led heart, from the love of Christ and His Kingdom and from the love of mankind. From the overflow of our heart we reveal the joy of our salvation.

 If we have been TATTOOED by God (2 Cor 3:3, Matthew 12:34 out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks), we will not forsake the glorification of Christ in our lives.

 

What can “come into the Heart?”

• John 13:2 - the Devil

• Act 7:23 - "it came into his heart" – Moses became a leader (elder)

• Act 7:39 - "it came into their hearts to return to Eygpt" (temptation)
•  2 Cor 8:16 - "But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness on your behalf in the heart of Titus"
• Gal 4:6 - "Holy Spirit comes into our hearts to cry Abba Father"

• 2 Thess 3:5 – The LORD DIRECTS the heart

• Hebrews 8:10; 10:16 - God's law put it in our minds and He WRITES it on our hearts – writing is a process! This is the process of sanctification – continually interpreting the Word for our individual lives and placing it on our hearts.

TATTOOED by HOLY SPIRIT

2 Corinthians 3:3 "You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. "

Bubble Gum Fake Tattoos –

 

Mark 4: "⁹ Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

¹⁰ When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹ He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹² so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’^[

 

¹³ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? ¹⁴ The farmer sows the word. ¹⁵ Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. ¹⁶ Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸ Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰ Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

If we have been tattooed by the Spirit, we will bear fruit! (2 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 7:4; Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 1:5-8)

There is a “fake” tattoo which the Bible warns us about. In Matthew 13:15, we see that we can just as easily have a “bubble gum” tattoo. A fake tattoo is easily washed off, allowing the Devil to steal it from our hearts.

The opposite of being tattooed by God is seen in Mark 7:6, “These people honor me with your lips but your hearts are far from me.”

Jude 1:12 "These people are blemishes … They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind..without fruit and uprooted—twice dead."

 

LOOKING IN A MIRROR

Are we looking in a mirror and then forgetting what we saw. Are we crying over a well-formed and presented message, and then walking away to live as we please?

 IS MY FACE STILL in NEED of attention?

 

MAKING DISCIPLES

What comes into your mind and heart when you read this passage. Matthew 28:18-20 Most Americans believe this is the job of the “Clergy”, “Staff”, paid folk in the pulpit. If you were on a desert island and knew no other tradition and you read these words what would you think?

MULTIPLY (Watch Online)  Or Multiply Series on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6aqT7MOXo0

 

Are we looking in a mirror and then forgetting what we saw? Are we crying over a well-delivered message, and then walking away to live as we please?

James 1:22-26   "²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
 

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

 

Question: Why are my lips moving?
To promote myself and my interests? To share the Good News? To Glorify God? To reflect the Light to the world?

BTW: Do I still have a mess on my face? Are there things in my life I need to give up to be Spirit-led?

PLAY CHAPTER 3 VIDEO

TAKE-AWAY from this Video? (10 minutes) Planning, suited up, but never really getting in the game and run the play. Hiding out and putting under a bushel the Light of Life.

Fisherman story.

“I will make you fishers of men”

Several years ago I ran across this story and am recreating it for you from memory. I have never forgotten it, so I hope you will also remember it for a long time.

Once upon a time there was sincere, dedicated fisherman who could go about catching all kinds of fish in great quantities. He had studied each species and knew exactly how to approach them so that they always came straight to his bait. He became famous for his great fishing abilities. After a while other fishermen wanted to know his techniques for catching fish so they hired him to do workshops on catching fish. Soon all his time was dedicated to going throughout the country teaching other fishermen how to catch fish.

Eventually, admirers, of this expert, decided that they should build a great hall in his honor so that he could deliver all his training sessions in a beautiful setting. Fishermen from all over the world came to this great hall to listen to the fascinating stories and to admire his success. A whole society grew up around the fishing stories. All the members of the society would come once a week to hear about fishing, how to catch fish, how to use the correct bait, how to test the water, how to wait for the correct time of day, and how to cast their rods in the right directions.

After many years, the society had grown to great numbers. They met for special conventions, BBQs, and to hear the stories about the good old days. Each member purchased the recommended lures and rods and reels and kept them in perfect condition in wood grained cabinets with glass fronts and special lighting. 

There is only one sad comment to this story. None of these members ever actually went out and caught any fish. Even the expert had changed his priority from catching fish to merely talking about catching fish.

You are spiritual enough to understand the analogy of this story.

 

3: Forgotten God - Take-Away from Chapter 2

Take-Away Chapter 2 Forgotten God

(1) Watch Francis Chan videos: (Sausage and Gambling in Vegas)

Sausage: It is obvious that we often actually do not want to hear what the Spirit is trying to tell us. We all have internal filters that keep us from truly hearing what the "Spirit says to the Church" and to us individually. We read, "Unless a man take up his cross and follow me, he cannot be my disciple" and still too often we seek a comfortable religion and even to be accepted by the world.

Gambling in Vegas video described how we often lose our enthusiasm for Christ as we grow older and acquire status, possessions, family, and careers. It didn't hurt us to be “all in” for Christ when we are young and the stakes are low and we have nothing (Mark 12:43), but as we grow rich with worldly possessions, status, family and careers, it begins to seriously pain us to give everything over to the Spirit of God.

(2) Despising Prophecies: We will use the definition of "prophecy" to mean "speaking forth for God", being given a word of wisdom or admonishment (Colossians 1:28) from a brother or sister in Christ, or even hearing a nudge from the Spirit in or hearts (Galatians 4:6) as we “wait on the Lord”. 

If the Spirit is alive in the church, then He will daily have, moment-by-moment messages for us….. if you are walking in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Sometimes these messages are a result of studying God's Word and then reflection. Or they might occure when we experience (gnosis) a creative thought in our minds or a pressing on our hearts (Acts 2:37), or sometimes they might be the result of a word of admonishment from a brother or sister in Christ (Colossians 3:16). God wants us to be tender-hearted enough to really hear the message and not be "buffed-up" with so much pride that our hearts are hardened.

The same sun that melts butter …hardens clay. God's word will either melt and mold our hearts or harden them making us "stiff-necked" people. We WILL be changed by the Word, this is God's Promise. "My word will not return to me void" (Isaiah 55:11) In other words, His Word WILL change the world. In what way is up to us. How are our hearts being changed? In what condition is my heart?

Pride is the one area of our lives that restrains the Spirit. Paul says, "I count ALL things lost" for the sake of the Gospel. He took pride in nothing except the Cross. We talk about what we take pride in. If we are Spirit-led, then from the overflow of your heart, our mouths speak (Romans 15:13) by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Question: Why are my lips moving?

(3) The Forgotten God: "If the Holy Spirit left your church would anyone notice?"

If we depend on the talents and funds that we already have, we will have an unremarkable church that has been built and sustained by the hands of men. Anyone can build a church, offer exciting activities, and draw a crowd.

However, if we give our lives over to God and depend on the Holy Spirit while giving God the glory in ALL things, we will experience a fellowship that can do the impossible (Ephesians 3:20).

(4) Francis Chan has a video online Stephanie shared and I would like to share with you. To summarize, he takes $2 and wads them up then throws them into the audience. Of course, being Americans, the folks in the audience duck and the money falls on the floor...no one picks them up. Yet in other countries this would be a day's wage.

We are rich if we have complained of cellular service being bad. We are rich if we complain of gas prices for our cars. We are rich if we complain that there is nothing on television tonight. We are rich if we send our steak back to be cooked more. We are rich if we turn on the air conditioner. We are rich if we can't figure out what outfit to wear. If we have hot water we are rich!

Yet the word of God tells us that it is almost impossible for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Do you hear what the Spirit is saying to the church?  If you are dismissing or justifying this statement in your mind...please watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBhqrtMqrv8&feature=player_embedded

(5) While we are in prayer this week, let us offer up a prayer of agreement to not only pray for those who are physically ill, but for those that are spiritually and emotionally ill. Pray for those who have fallen to lust after the world and its approval. Pray for those who are lukewarm, that God’s Spirit will light a fire in their hearts. Let us agree to consider ourselves and brethren in the Kingdom and pray for hearts to be melted, molded, and transformed by the Spirit of the Living God.

Homework (Better Known as Renewing the Spirit in our Hearts):

(1)         Listen to Revelation 3 and 4

(2)         Read Chapter 3 in the book -- A great lesson!

(3)         Meet with your study buddies at least twice and formulate some "Take-Aways" from what you are learning

(4)         Decide the answer to "With what and where should a Christian be tattooed?”

(5)         Keep memorizing Romans 12:1-2

(6)         Pray without Ceasing

 I am praying for us all!

2: Lesson - Forgotten God

TAKE-AWAYS from Chapter 1:

A friend came to me to say his daughter was floundering in a college math class. I told him that the only way I made it through college and advanced degrees was by having “study buddies”. He passed this on to his daughter and she is now passing her math class. If it takes study buddies to pass a college math class, it is no surprise that it takes “study buddies” to make it through the Christian Walk (Acts 2:42; Acts 5:42; Titus 2:3; Matthew 28:19-20).  Have we really restored New Testament Christianity?

You know we all have 24 hours in a day. The way we choose to spend those hours proclaims our level of commitment to either the things of this world or to the Kingdom. Please take a little of the time God has blessed you with and converse, communicate, and collaborate with your study buddies. You may include me in any of the questions, concerns and conversations (joy@arpisd.org ) that you are having. I would love to be included!

In the last words of our Savior as His feet arose from the earth into the Heavens, He gave us this one thing to make our priority:

AS YOU GO into the entire world, MAKE DISCIPLES, baptizing them and MENTORING them in all that I have commanded you. Share the Good News.

(1)   Are we making the Kingdom a priority in all our decisions? “Seek ye first the Kingdom and His righteousness”.
 

Let’s be honest here, we are being called by God to “make disciples” but our cell phones are too busy to receive His call. The acceptable American life style is to “give our kids all the benefits we didn’t have growing up”. But do they really benefit from all the activities we place them in when we neglect our First Love? Who OWNS time? Who gives us time? Whose time is it anyway? Have we stolen from God?  

The biggest regret you will have as a parent is not preparing your child to serve the Living God and to make His Kingdom the Priority of their Life-style. Within the next decade our nation will no longer have a Christian majority. (remember this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6-3X5hIFXYU ) Our children will either endure the persecution and alienation or they will meld into the popular culture. What are we preparing them to do?

Here is how you can answer that question honestly! Make a journal of your days’ activities. Make it for one week. Add up time you spend in purely worldly pursuits and time you have prioritized your Heavenly calling. “Wake up!”

Three songs and a prayer does not make a Spirit-led Christian!

How consumed is our time, money, energy, mind, actions... with things that do not remotely bring glory to God and will not bring us praise from our Savior on that Last Day? Are we being seduced by Babylon?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86dsfBbZfWs Consumed by the red line

Too often we have taken our focus off our Heavenly Calling and placed it on our earthly possessions, pursuits, and perceived position in society. We have craved acceptance by the world instead of what is acceptable to God. Do we have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches? Rev 3:22?

Too often we have drained the Blood out of the Gospel. We have taken the Cross out of Christianity. We have covered our lives with comfort and shoved out the pursuit of righteousness for the pursuit of entertainment, popularity, fame, finances, fitting-in, and even being praised by the world. John 12:40-46

Concentrate on the inconsistencies of who we are versus who we should be if we are indeed Spirit-led.

We get caught up the "rat race", keeping up with the Jones, and latest fads and fashion, instead of falling in love with Jesus and accepting His sacrificial life-style. Are we too comfortable?
WATCH Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA_uwWPE6lQ Balance Beam

 
Too often we have become Americanized instead of Spiritualized. We talk about our rights, our freedoms, and our politics more than we talk about our Savior.

If anyone was ever abused it would have been Christ and the 1st Century Christians...yet what do you learn from their examples? Do we even LEARN from their examples?

(2) Are we consumed by a search for righteousness? Don't give me homework in Bible class because I have too much to do. Do you have too much to do? or do we choose to have other things to do?

(3) Are we willing to get alone with God's Word and Wait on The Lord to fill us with His Will? Jesus went into the wilderness 40 days to become filled with God's will for the next phase of His life. Jesus often went away from the business of life to meditate and pray. Are we in less need of this than Christ?

(4) How consumed are we by our time, money, energy, mind, and actions... with things that do not remotely bring glory to God and will not bring us praise from our Savior on that Last Day? Are we being seduced by Babylon?

 (5) Are we decidedly more Spirit-filled today than a year ago? Are we making self-sacrificing choices more in tune with the will of God then we did a year ago?

(6) Is "transformation" on the front burner of your hearts?

(7) What did Paul mean when he said, "I have determined to know among you only Christ and Him crucified"?

(8) Does every action of our life have a spiritual priority? Terry Rush said," When my son asked me if he could go to the prom, I asked him why he was going? If he was going to share and glorify Christ, then yes, go. If he was going to mimic the world, then no."

(9) Are we a temple of the Holy Spirit? Why was it advantageous for Jesus to leave and send the Holy Spirit? John 16:14. John 17: Jesus had to be glorified by His suffering -- crucifixion, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God. Once He was glorified the Spirit came to glorify Christ --testify in our hearts. If we are spirit-filled, what is our purpose?

• 1 Corinthians 6:20
• Romans 15:6;
• 1 Peter 4:16;

(10) Is there an inconsistency with what Scripture teaches and our walk with God?

Unfortunately, not only do we not suffer as Christians (yet), we don't even want to become a little tiny bit uncomfortable. If you have ears hear what the Spirit says to the church (Rev 3:22) –“Wake up!”

 

Approx 37 times God warns us to hear what the Spirit says to the church...to the CHURCH! Because many of us are ASLEEP.

• 1 Cor 15:24
• Rom 13:11
• Eph 5:14

Hearing, in our case as Christians, means to get out of our head knowledge and get His Spirit into our Heart knowledge.

 – “Gnosis” - Experiential Knowledge --to know intimately from experience...not just from reading, studying, or even meditating but to know from perceiving His actions on our hearts and in our lives.

--Likewise, “kenosis” is the Greek term meaning "self-emptying". This is what Jesus came to do…to empty himself, his own will and to become entirely receptive to the will of God. Phil 2:6-7. If we are His disciples, His followers, this is the life we are called to.

Are we serious about this Christian walk of self-emptying or are we "playing" church? Are we selling out to Babylon?

When I was a little kid, I remember going out in my garden where there was a stone pillar and pretending to preach to the flowers. I use to bang my fists on the stone pillar and shout unknown words and phrases I had learned from listening to my dad. I was "playing" church. I no more understood what I was saying or what it meant than the flowers did. I was mimicking what I had seen from others...not what I knew to be true. Are we mimicking the “lukewarmness” around us or building an intimate, experiential relationship with the Holy Spirit?

(11) Being a temple of God means what? What do you do in a temple? You praise the one for whom the temple was built. But we spend too much of our time praising each other…praising human talents instead of the one who gave the talents.

It does take EFFORT to live Spirit-led. "I press on" Paul says. "Make every effort to make your election sure" ... EVERY EFFORT!

We often find that our biggest effort is getting everyone dressed and fed and in the car on a Sunday morning...that's our every effort….not at all what Christ had in mind.

(12) Does the Spirit make a difference in my life? If the Spirit left my life today, would I even notice?

Are we a caterpillar or a butterfly? Have you been transformed (“metamorphosis”) Romans 12:1-2? Are we a new creation? Are we different than the world? Have we taken to heart the Will of God as a dedicated disciple of Christ?

(13) Are we comparing ourselves to lukewarm Christians and feeling pretty good about our walk with the Lord?

(14) Are we on the path to blessing or a path to death? Which city are we a citizen of… Babylon or Jerusalem?

(15) Is our picture of Jesus too puny? It is the task of the church to witness how big Jesus is....how high and lifted up He is!  Do we see the greater reality? Are our eyes on Jesus 24/7? Are our ears open to His Spirit?

HOMEWORK (Better Known as Kingdom Preparation)

(1) Read and discuss with Study Buddies Chapter 2 of Forgotten God.

(2) Listen to Revelation Lesson 2. Be ready to compare the two lessons and to discuss how they are related. 

(3) MUST Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Deuca-kXtnI The Holy Spirit’s Power and our Effort.

 

(4) Be ready to explain “why we need homework”.  Memorize Romans 12:1-2

(5) Bring to class some of your discussion thoughts, questions, ideas, videos you found, and finally, “Wake UP!” as the Spirit leads you into a deeper relationship.

Lesson (1) Introduction and Chapter 1: Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan

Resources

• Buy Book Online
• Forgotten God Website

Videos:

UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP with the FATHER: Because each one of us is different in the eyes of God, each one of us has a different way of responding to the Spirit. Though obedience to God's Will is the way we humble ourselves to God, God has a special purpose for each one of us. THEREFORE, it is not our place to judge each other. We will all bear the fruit of the Spirit in our individual and unique walk with God.

It is important as we walk with the Spirit through this study that we NOT become guilt-ridden, but instead, that we gain an internal perspective of what it means to personally yeild to the Spirit of God. This study is all about our unique relationship with the Father.

Part 1 of 5 Video (Click Here) 

Clean Your Room Video:

Additional Questions:

Recommended Discussion Questions Chapters 1-3

 

Prayer: May God open the eyes of our hearts and minds to His teaching about the Holy Spirit and may He fill us with the fruit of the Spirit to overflowing so that every moment of our lives glorify Him.

Romans 12:1-2: 12 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.


STUDY BUDDIES: 
The early church met daily from house to house teaching and sharing with each other the Will of God. If we want to grow to more and more like the early church, then we should learn to share daily with each other. You will have the opportunity to find 2 more folks to work with as Study Buddies. You should decide how best you wish to communicate with each other (phone, text, Facebook, email, having lunch together or Wednesday evening meals). These forms of communication should become ways for you to express your Spirit-filled lives instead of ego-centric, narcissistic platforms that merely promote “self”.

You are challenged to communicate at least twice a week on several of the following:

(1) Investigate a term, idea, or Scripture and discuss it in detail. Be ready to share what you have discussed in class. (Acts 2:42-47)
(2) Create at least one reflection and question for next week's class.
(3) Challenge each other with a real-world application about something that you have read. Be willing to share your experiences. (James 2:14-24)

READ: Introduction and Chapter 1: 

MEDITATION CHAPTER: Ephesians 5  "ARE YOU ASLEEP?"

REFLECTIONS:
You may not be able to answer the following questions completely at this point, so we will continue to ask the same questions over and over as we work through this study. As you learn more about the Holy Spirit, we are hoping that your answers will change or at least become more explicit. These questions are not to make us feel guilty. We ask these questions to help us become the "transformed" people of God.

Questions for your consideration:

(1) What is the benchmark of a Spirit-lead church? What evidence might you be looking for?

Suggested Reading: Galatians 5:13-26

(2) How do most Christians rectify the discrepancy between what they see in Scripture and what they see in their own Christian walk?

Suggested Reading: Matthew 5:20; Matthew 7:5; Matthew 23:13-23 and Romans 12:1-2

(3) Why is the Holy Spirit vital to our lives today?

Suggested Reading: Ephesians 1:17-19; Ephesians 3:16-20

(4) What is wrong with the statement: "I want to find a healthy balance between extremes"?

Suggested Reading: Revelation 3:16

(5) What are the "dangers" of opening our hearts and lives to His presence and actions more fully than we have ever done before?

Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:17; John 18:36; Philippians 3:13-15

(6) Can you give some illustrations of where you have "cut and pasted" verses together which might need to be re-evaluated?

Suggested Reading: 1 Corinthians 14:40; John 4:23

(7) Why is application of God's Word vital? How do Spirit-led Christians respond to God's Word?

Suggested Reading: Matthew 18:4; Micah 6:8

(8) In today's world we have come to judge almost everything by our material, consumeristic standards. We judge our success by what "we" have accomplished. We teach our children to judge themselves by the sports "they" can play, the grades "they" make, the talents "they" possess, and by the entertainment "they" have been privileged to participate in. How would a Spirit-led family do this differently?

Suggested Reading: Acts 2:46-47; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 4:17; John 15:5; James 1; Colossians 3:23-24; John 5:30;  Philippians 2:3  


(9) Why do you think people who have once been involved in a church, leave not only the congregation, but God altogether?

Suggested Reading: Romans 8; Hebrews 3:7-8

(10) I used to say that "selfishness" (self-centeredness) was the root of all the problems in the world...that that statement did not give hope or a solution. A better way of putting this would be to say that  the "lack of submitting to the Holy Spirit" is the root of all problems. How is this demonstrated in our churches? In our lives?

Suggested Reading: Ephesians 5:14-18; Romans 13:14

(11) Submitting to the Holy Spirit includes examining our cultural biases. Are you willing to examine every aspect of your faith? Every assumption and cultural norm that you have accepted as being the Will of God? Give examples of assumptions you have made in the past.


(12) Why did Jesus send "another Counselor"?

Suggested Reading: John 14:16; John 16: 8-9, 14;

(13) If the Counselor exists in our hearts, what supernatural traits should we exhibit on a daily basis?

Suggested Reading: Galatians 5:22-23

For Discussion Read:

1 Corintians 2:12-15
¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,


TAKE-AWAY:  We will either be God-filled and transformed by submission to the Holy Spirit now or we will get our own way. We can either have a relationship with God now or not. Christ will not coerce us into surrendering and on the last day, He will get out of the way and let us reap the reward that is devoid of Him.

Rising Above! Seeking Truth in Context

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth (May the Holy Spirit enlighten our hearts with His Truth)

Let's speak truth and clarify how to determine it in Biblical context. To correctly divide the word of truth one must read in CONTEXT.

 

 

The following rules should be applied (as we do everywhere else) so that we know:

(1) When the letter was written (what was the historical envelope, what was happening, what covenant was it written in, etc)

(2) Who was it written to? (Those who were already Christians? Those who had never heard of the Gospel? Those who were being persecuted? Those who had fallen away from the truth? )

(3) For what purpose was it written? (To encourage the churches in times of persecution? To inform non-Christians of a new covenant? To defend Christianity in a time of "falling away"?) 

(4) Who wrote it? (who was the likely author? In what genre was it written? - apocalyptic, personal letter, historical account)

(5) What does it say to me today? (How can I apply what was written to my life?)

Romans 10 is most often used out of context! 

The book of Romans was written to the "saints" in Rome, Christians who were tempted to fall into becoming "closet Christians" because of the persecution of the church. There was a temptation to stoop to tie shoes at the statue of Caesar so as appear to be worshipping him while keeping a clear "conscience".

 

Christians were hiding in caves for worship and were not confessing Christ openly with their lips for fear of death. The book of Romans was written for the purpose of REMINDING THEM ("or do you not know" Romans 6) to "continue" to confess Christ openly ...even to the point of death (unto their ultimate salvation).

 

Romans 10, in context then, was written to those faltering in the faith, not to bring the unsaved to Christ. Romans 6 reminds everyone how these Christians were brought INTO CHRIST.

To learn how the "unchurched" gained salvation we need to turn to the historical accounts in Acts because the rest of the letters in the New Testament were written to the saints. In Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, 18:8, 19, 22:16, we see how those who heard the Gospel responded and how God added them to those numbered among the saved.

Rightly dividing the word helps us to eliminate erroneous interpretations. You would not ask your congregation to lie on their side for 40 days and eat wheat, barley, and beans (Ezekiel 4) because you have some decorum about how to divide Scripture...but too often when we get to Matthew we just forget to follow contextual rules.

Simple rules:

The Old Testament reveals Christ in EXPECTATION. We should see shadows of Christ in what we read The Old Testament was written to bring us to Christ.

The Gospels reveal Christ as INCARNATION. We should recognize that in the 4 gospels everyone is still living under the Old Law. The new covenant did not take effect until the death of the testator (Hebrews 9:16) Jesus’ teachings were to prepare us for the New Covenant as a bridge to the new Will of God.

 

In the Book of Acts we see Christ in PROCLAMATION. It contains the first GOSPEL sermon (Acts 2) which declared the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Christ to the Throne of glory (Definition of the Gospel 1 Cor 15:1-5). It also contains the first responses to the Gospel (how sinners responded to the Gospel Message: Acts 2, 8, 9, 22:16). When sinners responded, it was God that added them to the church, to be numbered among the saved (Acts 2:47).

The Letters (Romans - Jude) were all written to Christians, saints, brethren, those who were IN CHRIST. The letters had the purpose of keep Christians growing into the image of Christ, keeping them in the doctrine and to REMIND them how to continue in the faith, to grow in love and the fruits of the Spirit, to get along, and to avoid falling away.

The book of Revelation is Christ in REVELATION. Its purpose was to bless those who read it (Revelation 1:3) because of the persecution they would SOON suffer (Revelation 1:3) and to give them a glimpse of the final victory IN CHRIST.

Where should we look to find the acceptable way to claim the gift of salvation? Find the Scriptures where those who accepted the gospel went on their way rejoicing (Acts 8:38-40)! -- The book of Acts.

Since Christ came to be our example..we could also look in one more place...and that would be at Jesus' own baptism. He was our EXAMPLE. Although he did not need salvation, he was baptized to please God and to show us the way. 6 things happened in Luke 3 at the baptism of Jesus.

(1) Jesus went down into the water (immersed)

(2) He was praying. He prayed for God's blessings

(3) As He came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended on Him

(4) God announced Jesus as His Son

(5) God was well pleased

(6) Jesus began His mission, His work, His dedicated life to the ministry of God.

 

6 Events Take Place at Our Salvation

As a penitent believer in Christ we accept the gift of salvation by:

(1) Submitting to God by burying our old self -Going down into the water to die to self (Romans 6)

(2) Going down into the water in the faith that God is Working in our Baptism (Col 2:12-14). What work does God do in baptism?

(3) Going down into the water "Calling on the Name of The Lord". What do we call on God to do? His work!

What work does God do in baptism?

(4) God pours out His Spirit into our hearts, gives us all the spiritual blessings IN CHRIST (Eph 1:3) which includes making us holy and blameless, free from sin, giving us the spirit of wisdom, an inheritance, a new name, new family, new church, new mission, new hope, new joy, and new peace. God does ALL the work in baptism while we SUBMIT to His will. Baptism is NOT a work of man, it is God at work for us as we die to self and are raised up to walk in newness of life (Romans 6) Baptism puts us INTO CHRIST (Galatians3:26-27) where all spiritual blessings are given.

(5) God is well pleased and calls us His child

(6) God gives us a new purpose, new mission (of reconciliation 2 Corinthians 5:18), and new path to follow.

 

We have no statement in the New Testament that states "we should pray a sinner's prayer" except during baptism (Acts 22:16). I Peter 3:15 tells SAINTS to "sanctify Christ as Lord of your hearts". This is a call to those who needed a reminder. Watch: http://youtu.be/5Is8QnxviOI

In Romans, Paul tells Christians, to "confess Christ with their mouths" not just in their hearts during a time when they could be thrown into prison, their children thrown to the lions, or their bodies tortured. Paul reminds them ...there is no excuse....there are no closet Christians.

 

Please take time to READ and RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word by observing WHO it was written to, WHEN, and WHY.

See how you can call on God (Acts 22:14-16)

See how being IN CHRIST is the only place where we receive spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3)

 

See how we can be thankful in all things because we are IN CHRIST (Phil 4:4-13)

 

See how we are placed INTO CHRIST (Galatians 3:26-27)

 

See how the Holy Spirit gives honor and glory to Christ for every spiritual blessing.  Next to every mention of a spiritual blessing in your New Testament is a prepositional phrase giving honor to Christ. (in Him, through Him, by Him, in Christ, in the Beloved, etc.)

 

Practice finding these spiritual blessing by circling them in Ephesians the first chapter. When you are IN CHRIST you receive all of these and none of these are found outside of Christ. If you need help refer to this website.

http://joyofbiblelearning.blogspot.com/2010/08/spiritual-blessings-in-christ-ephesians.html

May the Spirit of the Living God Enlighten your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.