Discipleship Lesson 1: Salvation
October 15, 2010 at 10:38 am | Posted in Discipleship Lessons, John, Salvation | 52 CommentsTags: 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 John 1, 1 John 2, 1 John 5, 1 Peter 5, 2 Corinthians 4, 2 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 6, Colossians 3, discipleship lessons, discipleship training, family of God, Genesis 5, Hebrews 12, Jesus Christ, John 1, John 14, John 3, John 6, John 8, love of God, Matthew 6, Matthew 7, Philippians 4, Proverbs 28, Psalm 46, Romans 5, Romans 6, Romans 7, Salvation
Discipleship Lesson 1 is on salvation.
SALVATION
I. The two spiritual families
A. The devil’s family
The way to get into the devil’s family is simply by being physically born. Every human being comes into the world as a member of the devil’s family, since we have been conceived in sin and born in corruption. Not everyone likes to use the terminology of being a “child of the devil.” I am not implying that the devil creates human beings. He is a created being himself and lacks the power to create a living soul. It is also correct to say that we are born into this world as sons of Adam, and to say that we are born as children of wrath and children of disobedience. But all unsaved people are slaves to sin, and therefore slaves to Satan.
In one sense, the “children of the devil” are those who believe they are religious, but base their attempts at righteousness on a lie.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:44
You enter the devil’s family by birth through your physical forefather, Adam.
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
Genesis 5:3
Adam’s image and likeness after the commission of sin and the “fall” in the Garden of Eden, is that of a fallen sinner.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 5:12
We inherited our sin nature from our “father,” Adam. Therefore, we are sentenced to die. We have to be “born again” because, up until then, we’ve only been born once – physically. We are dead spiritually before salvation.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
I Corinthians 15:22
B. God’s family
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:12-13
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3
As a result of your new birth, you have inherited eternal life.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 6:47
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 3:36
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
I John 5:12
II. There should be a “family resemblance.”
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
I Corinthians 6:19
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
II Corinthians 6:14-18
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
II Corinthians 5:17-18
III. There is a “Father – son” relationship.
A. Fathers discipline and forgive their children; children love their fathers and desire to be forgiven when they have offended them.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
I John 2:1
B. Fathers protect their children spiritually.
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 6:18
C. Fathers provide for their children.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
D. Fathers protect their children physically.
[To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
E. Fathers teach their children.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26
F. Fathers care about their children.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
I Peter 5:7
G. Fathers love to give gifts to their children.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matthew 7:11
IV. A saved person will still sin.
A. God commands His children not to sin.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Colossians 3:5-10
Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
II Corinthians 4:14-18
B. God has broken sin’s power over His children.
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 7:25
C. God chastens His children in love.
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Hebrews 12:5-11
D. God forgives His children when they confess their sins to Him.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I John 1:6-10
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
V. Questions
A. How does someone enter God’s family?
By receiving Jesus as his Savior and being born again.
B. Find three verses that promise you eternal life.
John 6:47; John 3:36; I John 5:12
C. After salvation, God deals with you as:
a. a sinner
b. a son
c. a partner
Answer: a son
D. True or false?
1. Everyone must earn his or her way to Heaven. (F)
2. Sin must be confessed to a Christian leader in order to be forgiven. (F)
3. Each person can choose his or her own path to Heaven. (F)
VI. Memory verses
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 5:12
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:9
Next time: Discipleship Lesson 2: Everlasting Security
The Last but Not the Least – Part 1
August 9, 2010 at 1:53 pm | Posted in Bible Studies, Jeremiah, Philippians | 40 CommentsTags: 1 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 10, contentment, covetousness, Ephesians 5, Exodus 20, generosity, Jeremiah 2, Jesus Christ, John 4, Mark 7, Philippians 2, Philippians 4, Romans 1
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:11-13
To covet is to have a sinful desire directed toward what someone else has. Is it a sin? Yes (“Thou shalt not covet“), but let’s be honest – how many of us have coveted at least once this past week? Most, if not all.
If you are not covetous, what are you? What is the opposite? To not be covetous is to be content. It is to be satisfied with what God has given you and done for you.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11 (emphasis added)
In the Old Testament, priests and Jewish scholars, and those serious about obeying God, bound the Word of God on their arms, on their foreheads, on their chests. It might be good for us to put Philippians 4:11 on our refrigerators, on the dashboards of our cars, on your coffeemakers, on our bathroom mirrors, on our alarm clocks, on the covers of our Bibles.
What is the opposite of contentment? It’s covetousness. Covetousness is a sin. It’s not one of the 10 Suggestions; it’s one of the 10 Commandments. It’s number 10. It comes after commandments like, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Most people won’t voluntarily admit it if they commit adultery – or murder – but if you ask a group of people, “Come on, how many of you have coveted this week?” most will be willing to raise their hands. We consider covetousness to be, not only the last of the 10 Commandments, but also the least – thus the title of this message: “The Last but Not the Least.”
Is it really that bad to covet? Let’s look at a few places in the Bible and see how God looks at the “little” sin of covetousness:
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Mark 7:21-23 (emphasis added)
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Romans 1:28-31 (emphasis added)
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Ephesians 5:3 (emphasis added)
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
I Corinthians 5:11 (emphasis added)
How does God classify the sin of covetousness? He classifies it along with murder and fornication and theft and extortion and adultery and all the worse types of behaviors that sinful man can dream up in his sinful heart. “Thou shalt not covet” is not the 10th Commandment because it’s the 10th in importance. It’s the 10th Commandment because it is the sin that leads men to break all the nine other ones. It’s the last, but not the least.
“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Treat it as a command. BE content. We’ve been led astray by psychology. We’ve been taught to think we have no control over our feelings or our emotions. So we say, I either am content, or I’m not – I can’t just make myself ‘be’ content.”
But we can:
… bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
II Corinthians 10:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:5
“Let” in that verse means “make” or “cause.”
Being content brings generosity.
Jesus Christ had the right to act like God – to take control and enjoy everything He owned. But He took on the form of a Servant and He was content. There is a freedom that comes with wanting good things for others, and not for ourselves. Children think they will be happy if they win the fight they are having over who will get the front seat of the van, or who will get to use a toy over the exclusion of his brother or sister, but that type of squabbling really enslaves them and makes them miserable. The world says that if you do not covet – that if you don’t make sure you get what’s coming to you – you won’t get anything good. But as Christians, we don’t want “what we have coming to us,” anyway. We don’t want what we deserve. God gave His Son for me. How freeing it is to remember that, and to try to be like Him – to get excited about giving instead of getting. There are bumper stickers that say, “He who dies with the most toys wins,” but that’s not true. Life is not a race to see how much we can get. It’s a race to see how much we can give. It’s not, “He who gets the most, wins.” It’s, “He who gives the most, wins.”
Life is for living, not for making.
Life is for giving, not for taking.
(Couplet I made up, which proves I stink at writing poetry, but which helps me to remember a Bible principle)
Being content brings generosity, but being covetous brings greed.
How many sermons have you heard about supposed solutions for the problem of how “empty” we are? I said earlier that Christ Jesus took on the form of a Servant, and was more of a giver than a taker – and yet, according to Scripture, He was not empty. Up until the days when He was preparing to go to the Cross, He was full. He was constantly full. I’m not one of those “prosperity” preachers, but from what I can see in Scripture, the Lord wants us to be continually full. We are to be like Christ. Why are we so empty, and always trying to get more things, and always wanting more and better? Why are we not full? It’s not because we don’t have enough. It’s because we have too much: too much vanity.
Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
Jeremiah 2:5
The Lord is telling these people that their fathers became vain because they walked after vanity. Jesus was never empty because He never walked after emptiness. His meat was to do the will of His Father (John 4:31-34). When I am vain – when I am empty – it’s because I’ve been walking after vanity – after emptiness. When I am walking after the things of God, I am content – I am full. And when I am full, I not only have the ability to bless others, but I am reminded to be grateful to God. This point will be developed more in Part 2.
Careless Love – Part 1
April 7, 2010 at 8:52 am | Posted in Bible Studies, Philippians | 6 CommentsTags: Bride of Christ, God's presence, lions, Philippians 4, roller skating, Song of Solomon 4, the Good Shepherd, trust in God, victorious Christian living, Victory in Jesus
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Philippians 4:10
God providentially placed a desire in the heart of the believers in the church of Philippi to meet the needs of the Apostle Paul. Paul is telling them, “You have always loved me. You have been ‘careful’ (full of care) for me. It’s just that, until now, you cared, but you lacked the opportunity.” This reminds me of how, many times, in our love for God, we are not full of care.
We say we don’t have the opportunity, but is the problem really that we don’t have the concern? “Careful” is the Bible word for “worried.” What is causing you to worry right now? That you don’t have enough time to do the things in your schedule? Or that you are not taking time to get alone with the Lord? I am afraid that, as 21st Century believers, we are careless with God’s love.
That may be because we don’t fully realize how much He loves us. Song of Solomon is thought by some to be only a book about the relationship or the love between a man and a woman, a husband and a wife. But God created this love, and all His creations contain lessons about Him. All His creations contain lessons about His relationship to His people, about the relationship between Christ and His Church.
Song of Solomon is a book of poetry in which different voices speak in the first person. This is the king speaking to his bride, and it is also our King’s message of love to us:
Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
Song of Solomon 4:8
First of all, it’s a call to come down from the high places – from the monuments and edifices we’ve built in our lives to draw us away from time with God. These include not only the material hobbies and pleasures and pursuits of this world, but even the “good” things we do, such as our devotion time, our church time, our ministry time. It is as if God is saying, “’Come down’ and spend time with Me.”
When is the last time you completely shut out all distractions and went somewhere no one could see you – and where you truly determined to seek God’s presence?
“Come down from your high places.” This will be necessary for me to have the power of God abide on my life – to teach, to witness, to love, to pray, with the power of the Holy Spirit. I can say all the right things, go to all the right places, but without the power of God abiding upon me personally, I will live a defeated life.
I can’t explain why God would love me – the way a lovesick king longs for time alone with his bride – but His Word says He does.
Second, Song of Solomon 4:8 is a warning that our “high places” are not only keeping us from spending time alone with God, but also that they are dangerous places.
Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
Song of Solomon 4:8
These mountains of Lebanon looked like mighty strongholds, but they were really the mountains of leopards. There were lions’ dens. How dangerous it is to get too far from God’s Word and God’s will!
Lions are out to devour. Our enemy, the devil, is not afraid of the sheep. He is only afraid of the Shepherd.
Furthermore, God wants us to stay near him. If we are truly His children, He will rescue us if we cry out, but what scars will we bear from being attacked? “Stay near Me,” God says. “Come away from Lebanon, the high mountains where the lions’ dens are.”
Once, I was at a skating rink where we were having a children’s church activity, and one of the children went missing. Her mother was terrified. Several of us began searching, and I happened to find the little girl, upstairs, in a dark room where parents could watch television. She was reluctant to come with me, so I wanted to pick her up because the quicker I could show her frantic mother she was safe, the better. However, she kicked and screamed and howled for me to put her down all the way down the stairs. How often God wants to hold us in His arms, but we don’t want to be carried – we want to get down and play. Lord, help us to trust in You and Your loving arms which carry us away from danger even when we think we’re having fun.
Brain “Washing” Produces “Clean” Living (Part 2)
March 9, 2010 at 12:39 pm | Posted in Bible Studies, Philippians | 10 CommentsTags: 2 Chronicles 32, 2 Corinthians 5, angels, brainwashed Christians, Curtis Hutson, dog fights, fallen angels, Genesis 3, God of peace, lies of Satan, Nehemiah 4, peace of God, Philippians 4, Proverbs 23, Psalm 119, Romans 8, Roosevelt, thought life, Y2K
Continuing from Part 1, Philippians 4:8 tells us exactly what sorts of things are good to think about.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
But what about the thoughts that are not good – the fiery darts of Satan? How do we keep them from coming in? First we need to know about our enemy, and take him seriously. There is a story about Teddy Roosevelt, who thought that his dog was a good fighter. However, the dog was once attacked by another dog and soundly beaten. When challenged on whether the President’s dog could no longer be classified as a good fighter, President Roosevelt replied, “No, he’s still a good fighter – he’s just a poor judge of dogs!” As Christians we should know that Christ’s love for us will give us the ultimate victory over any enemy.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
We should never underestimate our enemies, but, once we are able to recognize them, we can be confident.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
II Corinthians 5:10
When we think about the seemingly limitless assault on our thought lives, and wonder how we can out-think so many enemies, we must remember that even statistics are on our side. King Hezekiah told his soldiers when he saw the multitude of Sennacherib’s army against them:
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
II Chronicles 32:7
After all, only a third of the angels fell from Heaven. That means there are still two-thirds on our side as ministering spirits. I’m not great at math, but, by my count, two-thirds is at least twice as much as one-third!
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Things we should think about:
1. What is true. There is no point worrying about what we don’t know or what we can’t control. Some of us remember the “Y2K” hysteria when supposedly all of our technology was going to fail, causing chaos, when computers would be unable to recognize the year “2000.” It turned out not to be such a big deal. Worrying about something when there is no indication it will come to pass probably means the devil is lying to you. He is a liar, he’s the father of lies, and he was a liar from the beginning.
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:1
2. What is honest and just. Some things are unworthy of a Christian’s energy, even of his thought energy. Scheming to work out things on our own, instead of trusting God to take care of them, is dishonest, and it causes a bad report. Don’t even think on it!
3. Whatever possesses virtue and praise. Some things are morally neither right nor wrong. They are amoral. But they have no “virtue” – they don’t motivate anyone to do good. Leisure activities may be technically without sin – but will they become a source of time consumption? Where is the virtue? It is not immoral to think about fashion, and to think about how we are going to dress. The issue is not what’s wrong with that. The issue is what is right with that? Where’s the virtue in it? Does it possess the potential for praise?
We are going to spend time talking to other people. When we think about what we’re going to say ( and it is important to think about it!) we need to think of something we can praise them for, not something that will tear them down.
When I think of Sis. Susie, do I think, “Oh no, here comes old big-mouth?” If so, then I’ll have to lie to her to be nice to her face. What I need to do is think, “She might be talkative, but she really is a friendly person.” That will produce praise.
Our testimony is affected more by what we do than what we think, but it is so important to “wash our brain” – to clean up our thinking. Because right thinking produces right living. “Brain washing” results in “clean living.”
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:9
To live right we must learn, but we also must “receive.” Learning is when it enters the brain – when something becomes a stored fact. But “receiving” is when we accept it and make it a part of our life. Hearing the Word of God produces faith – and living the Word of God is the evidence that we have that faith. If I know the God of peace, I should also know the peace of God.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Psalm 119:165
Only God knows your heart, but if you’re easily offended then you’re not acting like someone who’s truly a Christian. In Nehemiah they had all kinds of opposition – traitors within and intimidators without. I know that the real key is that they had God on their side when they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days, but look at the type of people God used to do this great work.
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Nehemiah 4:6
Their thinking was right, so their living was right, and therefore their working was right. Our thoughts control our actions – and our actions reveal our thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 warns to beware of the evil ruler: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
Is your brain washed? Is your life clean? You can’t have a clean mind or a clean life until you have a clean heart – until the Lord Jesus Christ has created in you a new heart.
Brain “Washing” Produces “Clean” Living (Part 1)
February 25, 2010 at 10:15 am | Posted in Bible Studies, Philippians | 21 CommentsTags: Acts 26, Apostle Paul, brainwashed Christians, Colossians 3, Festus, King Agrippa, Philippians 2, Philippians 4, Romans 12, Vance Havner
Right thinking produces right living.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
The mind controls the body. They can’t be separated. The Apostle Paul before King Agrippa:
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
Acts 26:24-25, emphasis added
In our modern vernacular we say, “He’s beside himself,” when someone has lost his temper. In ancient times many people believed that a person’s mind or consciousness could come out of his body, causing him not to be in control of his tongue anymore. Paul wasn’t “beside himself” – he was “in control of himself.”
The Bible tells us to present our…
… bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:1-2
Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice is a process of learning to think the right way: “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Too many Christians today are hoping to be transformed by the removing of their minds. So we have “Christian” relaxation techniques, tantric yoga, the power of positive thinking. Everyone wants to feel fresh and renewed – but the only way for a Christian to “think right” is to think like Christ.
The way to think like Christ is to let Him control your mind. Some will say, “I can’t do that – nobody can know the mind of God…”
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:5
That verse is not just speaking symbolically. Its primary reference is to having the attitude of a servant, but we must not set aside the plain literal truth of the Bible. As Vance Havner used to say, “I hope you’re not up there on Mount Olympus in the stratospheric heights looking down your nose in lofty condescension at us mere mortals who believe it just like it reads in the Book.” You can have the mind of Christ in you when it comes to what kinds of things you’re going to think about.
What are some examples? How do I know what sorts of things will be right to think about?
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2
We naturally think about what we desire to have. Desire Godly things and your mind will begin to think upon them. Desire worldly things and your mind will begin to devise ways to get them.
Philippians 4:8 tells us exactly what sorts of things are good to think about. We’ll look at those next time, and we will also examine how to keep out thoughts that are not good – the fiery darts of Satan.
Big Words of the Christian Life: Adoption (Part 2)
February 10, 2010 at 11:05 am | Posted in big words of the Christian life | 3 CommentsTags: 1 Peter 3, Biblical adoption, doctrine of Adoption, freedom from fear, heirs of grace, Philippians 4, Romans 8, Spirit of Adoption, spiritual hunger, spiritual junk food
We are using an acrostic to go through the privileges and responsibilities of several of the blessings of the Biblical doctrine of Adoption. Adoption is the act of God by which He grants believers an adult standing in His family. Last time we looked at assurance and direction. Now we turn to ownership.
A.ssurance
D.irection
O.wnership
P.
T.
S.
Adoption involves our inheritance in Jesus.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:17 (emphasis added)
If babies or young children inherit property under our modern day legal system, they inherit in title only. They cannot access their inheritance. However, adult children immediately inherit from their parents in full: use and ownership.
Privilege: Great wealth
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Responsibility: We must use that wealth to grow. We must grow in grace, wisdom, and mercy. We get our riches, through adoption, immediately, because we must draw on our riches to nourish ourselves spiritually.
A.ssurance
D.irection
O.wnership
P.resence (of God)
The presence of God – the Spirit of Adoption – is better at sanctifying us than rule-keeping in our own will power. Babies or little children are always prone to fear, because, to them, so much is unknown.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:15 (emphasis added)
Small children, being helpless, are in bondage to fear.
Privilege: Freedom from fear
Responsibility: Not to make up our own rules and regulations that we trust to stave off fear
Adults are not as fearful of the unknown as children.
A.ssurance
D.irection
O.wnership
P.resence (of God)
T.alking
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:15 (emphasis added)
Babies can’t talk. Adult children of God can speak directly to God immediately through the Spirit.
Privilege: Speaking to God
Responsibility: Speaking for God
A.ssurance
D.irection
O.wnership
P.resence (of God)
T.alking
S.uffering
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:17 (emphasis added)
Babies aren’t “allowed” to suffer. God graciously allows suffering in His adult children to build character.
Privilege: Preparation for future glory
Responsibility: To suffer for the right reasons
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
I Peter 3:17
The Apostles, the early Christians, and faithful Christians throughout history have counted it a great blessing to be considered worthy to suffer for Christ.
Under the Biblical doctrine of Adoption it is important to understand the joys of adoption – how the privileges outweigh the responsibilities. God does not treat us as babies, as little children, or as second-class citizens. Therefore, we must remember not to act like we are babies or little kids. We must have a child-LIKE faith – not a childISH faith.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:2
If you have been adopted into the family of God, live in the Spirit.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 8:13
Live in the Spirit, and die to self by the Spirit. Little children beg for toys and candy; adult children ask for tools, weapons, and nourishment.
Food never tastes better than when you’re really hungry. If you are hungry right now, you need to ask God to fill up the emptiness in you with Himself. If you are a child of God, you need to empty out the junk food that is filling you up and keeping you from being hungry for God.
The Deep End 