LIGHT – The principle of openness, disclosure, and brining things to the light

The following is a first look into the topic of being open.  It is really important to share this biblical teaching when someone wants to keep their sin hidden.  The first passage shows this tendency to hide is the very nature of sin.  It works within to deceive our hearts, and like the second passage indicates, to ultimately choke out God's word.  We're not going to ever arrive at a place where we can claim to be without sin.  Also as 1John 1 indicates, that would be calling God a liar.  Instead, we live humbly before God, always needing to confess and shine light on our sin.  Scary the place when sin goes unconfessed and there is no need to get open.

 

John 3

a)     Vs.1-2 Nicodemus is a leader within the Pharisees and comes to Jesus at night

b)     Vs.3-15 Jesus proceeds to take the conversation to the topic of the salvation process, although Nicodemus leaves it open-ended.

c)      Vs.16-21 Jesus is Savior, not condemner; however, our response determines whether we receive the condemnation of our sin or the justification of His grace

a.      What does this passage say about light and darkness?

                                                              i.       Note the concept of "practicing" mentioned here is the same as mentioned in Galatians 5:21 and the proceeding passages—so we're talking about a life-style of persisting to sin, not an individual instance of sin.

b.     How does Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night bring to view a sort of play on words?

c.      How does the verdict in verses 19-21 implicate "believing in Jesus"?

                                                             i.       Living by the truth is coming into the light, whereas one hates the light when avoiding the exposure of their sin—personified into hating Jesus!

 

1John 1:5—1John 2:11

a)     The logical flow of this passage its language is quite clear in any translation—

a.      What does it look like to walk in the darkness…walk in the light?

b.     What is the promise for someone who is born again who walks in the light ( i.e. confesses their sin)? 

                                                              i.       Purification from all sin, from all unrighteousness, which is being continually cleansed (sanctified) by the blood of Jesus.

c.      On the other hand, what is the promise for the person who claims to be okay without living an open life ( i.e. talking about a once born again disciple of Jesus who deliberately sins after a knowledge of the truth)?

                                                              i.       Deception—lying to self, other, and most importantly to God

                                                            ii.       No fellowship with God

                                                          iii.       Not living by the truth, truth is not in us, and His word has no place in our lives

 

2Corinthians 7:8-13

What is more characteristic from this description of what godly sorrow produces?

                                            i.      Caring more how it makes you look?

                                          ii.      Caring more about how it makes the other person you committed sin with look?

                                        iii.      Or caring most how it looks in God's eyes?

Humility Lesson, Part 1

Humility is what God wants me to focus on lately.  I recently prayed for God to help me see my heart and what I need to change to be better used by Him.   At our recent Men's Retreat in Prescott, I attended a group discussion on the topic of humility.  The theme of the retreat was Mighty Man of God, based off the book by Sam Laing.  On page 22 of chapter two, Laing points out from Jesus' words in John 5:30, "If Jesus, who was the son of God, said he could do nothing apart from God, how much greater is our need!"   Mike Rock (our guest speaker at the retreat) powerfully preached about the awesomeness of Jesus to embody perfect humility.  Philippians 2:5-6 has been the most convicting: "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage."   Even more convicting to me personally: so often I am more like Satan, who was created to praise God and contends for equality with God.  Since it is so central to the character of Christ and other great Biblical leaders, humility is obviously a key characteristic for anyone to become a mighty man.   Not only to become but to stay a mighty man!

We discussed humility "defined as having a sense of need" (Laing, p.21).  Three particular needs develop our humility: 1. The need for God, 2. The need to be open, and 3. The need to serve.  Just as humility is a must characteristic of someone who is godly, the opposite—pride, is the biggest contender against godliness.  Not flesh and blood, but the spiritual battle lines are clearly perceived, pride against humility or humility against pride!   It is always our choice who we will serve.  Are we convinced they are as opposite as good and evil?  I am convinced, and consequently resolved to wage war against Satan by going after the above areas.   I am challenged to act on what God has revealed to me lately because the Bible clearly shows a pragmatic element to believing in Christ.  James finds reason to state it emphatically, "just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (James 2:26 HCSB).   So regardless of what the left or right wing views within Christian theology say, the promise of spiritual life comes through a responsibility on our part.   This life is received and maintained by reliance on the Holy Spirit by specific putting to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13).  Perhaps time and significant progress will reveal other ways of perceiving my deepest needs, but perceiving and meeting them is always a matter of humility to God.

The next lesson will be on the opposing nature of pride and humility.

Motivation for Studying the Bible with People

Introduction—

I would like to take this time to share with you a lesson that will lead us into what our Campus Ministry will center on.   Of course we center on God and worshiping Him.  However, I'm speaking in the practical sense, such as how we spend our times together during the Mid-weeks and the standard operating procedure of our ministry.   For starters, it is also important during the college years to make good on the opportunity to train spiritually.  On that point, I want to introduce the topic of tonight's lesson: Motivation for Studying the Bible with People.  The way I see it, worshipping God and training spiritually go together.   God is training us to be made into the likeness of Jesus, and acknowledging His awesome work of this process will lead to our greater willingness to train spiritually for God.  I want to roll-out an idea to get all of us digging into our Bibles.  I would like the students to lead a conversion study series during our Midweek devotional time for the rest of the Semester.

The leadership of the Phoenix Valley Church of Christ developed a study series that is pretty much familiar to the Christians within the church.   For now we've decided to call it the Studies of Salvation (SOS) – the whole series is a guide and tool that we wanted to make as basic and as effective as possible.   It is a challenging project because you realize there are so many other necessary studies for any unique situation.  We are definitely in support of having supplemental studies, which does not mean unimportant.

 

Question for this study: Why would you study the Bible with people? Why should we all learn how to share God's word in an effective way?

 

Main Points:

·                    7 Outstanding Reasons Why to Study the Bible with People

1. God wants all people to be saved!
• 1Timothy 2:3-4
• Ref. John 3 – He sent His Son to be the Savior of the world!
• Ref. Titus 2:11-14 – God's grace appears—seen, felt, understood, life-changing.   And God's grace is our only hope!
• Ref. 2Peter 3:9 – He does not want anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance!   Jesus is mentioned laying out the two options "Repent or perish" in Luke 13—spiritually not physically.
2. Saved people are told to walk in the steps of Jesus
• 1John 2:3-6
• How did Jesus walk?  What was His main aim in life?
• It is very apparent that Jesus was about His Father's business to save the world!
3. People are not right with God, and will go to hell if they perish apart from a relationship with Him.
• Matthew 7:13-14
• Jesus talks about two options, which one are people more apt to take?
• That is the truth from God's own mouth, and I think our lives can reflect an unwillingness to accept this tough truth!
4. Jesus, our Lord commands it!
• Matthew 28:18-20
• Mark 16:16
• Acts 1:8
• It is a matter of being obedient to Christ! (Lordship)
5. The example of those who first responded to the new covenant gospel message.
• Acts 17 – Paul's custom was to preach to nonbelievers
• Acts 8:4 – All the disciples were scattered, and how did they respond?
6. Do you really love people?  However, a failure to help people who are spiritually lost is a failure to love.
• 1John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
• What would you think of a person who has the cure to cancer or AIDS and keeps it from everyone in order to make a profit or for whatever reason?
• That person would probably be put in jail.
• We're not talking about physical death but spiritual, eternal death. 
• We should be most sorry to God if we've been lazy or uncaring about people's spiritual needs.  
• We have the answer to bring people into a spiritual life!  Therefore, we should have an intense eagerness to share it with those who are spiritually perishing.

 

7. The Holy Spirit works in and through you
• 2Corinthians 5:11--6:2 we are God's fellow workers in the ministry of reconciliation.
• Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
• 1Corinthians 2:12 the Spirit is given so that we may understand what God has freely given.
• Try to fathom how "The Spirit helps us in our weaknesses," and you will be humbled for ever being insecure: Romans 8:9-11; 26-27.
• There are so many other verses to look at to persuade us of the power we have living in us--one greater than the world ( 1John 4:4)--which gives us more reason to believe and not doubt that it is our calling to spread the gospel.

 

Conclusion:

• I personally see a special need for me to constantly study the Bible with people in order to keep my spiritual heart fresh.
1. Maybe you've gone a long time, even years, without helping someone discover a relationship with God ( i.e. studying the Bible with someone)?
2. I am convinced that there is a correlation between our relationship with God and our relationship with other people.
• Matthew 22:36-40 there is a reason all of God's law hinges on two commandments.
• When you are actively seeking to help people find a relationship with God, you will use His word, the very thing that brought you to faith.   Then you see the power of God, the Holy Spirit convicting, and His word judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12-13).  You will see God work the miracle of hearts and minds changing.   Then you will appreciate God so much more!
• It doesn't take Satan long to ebb away at our hearts when we're not involved with God on the level of helping people come to know Him.
• Over the last seven years of being a Christian, I've had times where I've struggle to believe I was useful to God.   The issue is none other than faithlessness!  It is a big one that needs to be rebuked by God's word!  I'll admit that I've doubted God in my thoughts and general attitude, and maybe even doubted by uttering faithless words! 
• I now realize the spiritual battle a little better.   It is really quite simple.  We can either waver in disbelief, doubting God's ability to work or we can look toward seeing the effectiveness of God's word!
• Does it really make any sense to doubt the effectiveness of a tool when you haven't used it?   Similarly, you got to go out and study the Bible with people, communicating God's word, and helping people come to the faith, in order to judge its effectiveness.

 

In the Lord—Rejoicing

Philippians 4

Introduction—

§         Thank all of them for coming out to our Philippians Bible class—Chapter 4—Grateful to share this study with you this morning.

§         This chapter has been one I've referred back to often over my walk with God

§         I've actually been discipled to Christ from this chapter lately

§         Dave Michael, a friend of the Fergusons in Boston, recently preached a lesson from Philippians 4,

o        where he recounts one of the most challenging years I've ever heard of a disciple having and all that he learned about God—Supernatural Joy.

§         I've also been looking for laughter anywhere I can find it—"Frank impersonation show"

§         Joke leading into topic:

o        Mortal: "What is a million years like to you?"

o        God: "Like one second."

o        Mortal: "What is a million dollars like to you?"

o        God: "Like one penny."

o        Mortal: "Can I have a penny?"

o        God: "One second…"

§         Yeah, I think God is funny because He invented laughter and joy!

§         As we read Philippians 4, mainly focus on your "being in the Lord…rejoicing"

§         Read the whole chapter starting with 3:21

o        The exact statement "In the Lord" is mentioned 4 times, and 9 times if you include other wording of the concept.

o        Verse 22 gives evidence that Paul was probably on house arrest (Acts 28:30-31)

 

Main Points—

1.       Stand Firm in the Lord

·         Being "in the Lord" is where we stand firm

·         Transformation into the likeness of Christ happens in the Lord—we are being molded like clay into the shape and form of Jesus' character; we are being refined in fire to have a pure heart and faith like Jesus!

·         Stand firm because you are in the Lord!

·         You stand firm because you are becoming more like Jesus!

·         It is so exciting!  It makes me just REJOICE!

2.       Agree in the Lord

·         Paul addresses them as "dearly loved"; They were his crown, the picture of this concept is an object of honor presented at a banquet; He considers them his joy!

·         What gets your blood moving?  What do you think about?   What causes your greatest thrill?  Watching sports, movies, school, vacations, toys?

·         For Paul, it was people who were his greatest thrill and got his blood moving the most!

·         Does that test your heart? 

·         Keep in mind that these people were not Paul's physical family

o        They were once strangers Paul got to know and showed them Christ

o        It is natural to love your family or those you are closely associated to, but to love strangers is supernatural love.

·         There is a church study here—we see the kind of depth, concern, longing, and camaraderie that takes place in the Lord!

·         Imagine the disciples gathering around to hear this letter

o        How would you feel if you were one of the two here being singled out?

o        Sometimes it is obvious to everyone and sometimes not, but God always knows.

o        They were not in any sort of doghouse, rather he recognized them as special and important to him and them.

·         We can all relate because we do develop issues with one another

·         Plan to be reconciled when you have something against someone (Matthew 18)

·         And when you know someone has something against you (Matthew 5:23)

·         It is like Christ to do something about a situation of disunity in the body of Christ.

·         We may disagree on matters of opinion, but when we talk things through we can at least have unity with one another.

3.       Rejoice in the Lord (restate vs.4-7)

·         Rejoice can also be translated "celebrate"

·         This area of the world knew how to celebrate because they threw many parties surrounding their pagan worship.

o        They knew what he meant—like we know what it means to celebrate, party, have a great time—we need to celebrate in our relationship with God!

o        Some may be tempted to think, "you just don't understand my situation by saying 'rejoice' because life just doesn't allow me to rejoice!"

o        Paul wrote this while thinking of them—he was restricted and challenged when he wrote this.

o        The One we rejoice in is unchanging!

o        We experience joys and pleasures in this life.   A lot of times we are fighting for those temporary joys, thrills of life.

·         Supernatural joy comes when we rejoice in the Lord—we celebrate our relationships with God!

4.       Guarded in the Lord

·         Why are we talking about guarding in Philippians 4?

o        Because you will get wounded as a Christian

o        Satan's goal is to attack our minds and hearts and destroy our faith

o        I've discovered this exceedingly more over the last year serving in the paid ministry

·         Why the minds and hearts?

§         One of those expressions, like we see in the greatest commandment that means your whole being.

§         Also, the mind and heart is where we get the most messed up.

·        What does it mean the peace of God will guard your heart and mind?

o       Jesus saying, in John 14:27, "Peace I give to you," talking about the inner peace His salvation brings—peace with God because your sins are no longer counted against you.

o       His peace—connecting with your salvation—guards your heart and your mind!

o       We know He is really talking about the Holy Spirit, and studying the awesome way He transforms us will all the more convince you of that.

5.     Content in the Lord

·        Getting in touch with your presence in the Lord causes you to grow more content not less

·        These disciples excelled in their free will offerings, particularly supporting the work of advancing the gospel even when others weren't

·        In the Lord—you do believe you can do all things!

·        Because being in the Lord is not about how much money we have or don't have—it is all an opportunity to trust in God.

·        That doesn't mean it will be easy, chipper when bad things happen.

o       There is the "hunger and want" expressed here—we will have transitions (jobs and family situations)

o       We're in the Lord and it is an opportunity to trust in Him

o       Thank you Lord!  We have you to walk with through this journey.

Conclusion—

§         Thanks for focusing on God's word together with me this morning!

§         Philippians 4 is such a great book that will stick with us in our walk with God.

§         Just two practicals as we close:

o        Grow to see the significance of your position in the Lord

o        Grow to see the specifics mentioned here

§         Standing firm in the Lord

§         Agreeing with one another in the Lord

§         Rejoicing in the Lord

§         Guarding of your soul in the Lord

§         Real Contentment in the Lord

 

Plan to Memorize the book of James

Date				Chapter and Verse	Date				Chapter and Verse
Nov. 11	thru	13		James 1:1	Jul. 1	thru	3		James 4:7
Nov. 14	thru	16		James 1:2	Jul. 4	thru	6		James 4:8
Nov. 17	thru	19		James 1:3	Jul. 7	thru	9		James 4:9
Nov. 20	thru	22		James 1:4	Jul. 10	thru	12		James 4:10
Nov. 23	thru	25		James 1:5	Jul. 13	thru	15		James 4:11
Nov. 26	thru	28		James 1:6	Jul. 16	thru	18		James 4:12
Nov. 29	thru	Dec. 1		James 1:7	Jul. 19	thru	21		James 4:13
Dec. 2	thru	4		James 1:8	Jul. 22	thru	24		James 4:14
Dec. 5	thru	7		James 1:9	Jul. 25	thru	27		James 4:15
Dec. 8	thru	10		James 1:10	Jul. 28	thru	31		James 4:16
Dec. 11	thru	13		James 1:11	Aug. 1	thru	3		James 4:17
Dec. 14	thru	16		James 1:12	Aug. 4	thru	6		James 5:1
Dec. 17	thru	19		James 1:13	Aug. 7	thru	9		James 5:2
Dec. 20	thru	22		James 1:14	Aug. 10	thru	12		James 5:3
Dec. 23	thru	25		James 1:15	Aug. 13	thru	15		James 5:4
Dec. 26	thru	28		James 1:16	Aug. 16	thru	18		James 5:5
Dec. 29	thru	31		James 1:17	Aug. 19	thru	21		James 5:6
Jan. 1	thru	4		James 1:18	Aug. 22	thru	24		James 5:7
Jan. 5	thru	7		James 1:19	Aug. 25	thru	27		James 5:8
Jan. 8	thru	10		James 1:20	Aug. 28	thru	31		James 5:9
Jan. 11	thru	13		James 1:21	Sept. 1	thru	3		James 5:10
Jan. 14	thru	16		James 1:22	Sept. 4	thru	6		James 5:11
Jan. 17	thru	19		James 1:23	Sept. 7	thru	9		James 5:12
Jan. 20	thru	22		James 1:24	Sept. 10	thru	12		James 5:13
Jan. 23	thru	25		James 1:25	Sept. 13	thru	15		James 5:14
Jan. 26	thru	28		James 1:26	Sept. 16	thru	18		James 5:15
Jan. 29	thru	31		James 1:27	Sept. 19	thru	21		James 5:16
Feb. 1	thru	3		James 2:1	Sept. 22	thru	24		James 5:17
Feb. 4	thru	6		James 2:2	Sept. 25	thru	27		James 5:18
Feb. 7	thru	9		James 2:3	Sept. 28	thru	30		James 5:19-20
Feb. 10	thru	12		James 2:4
Feb. 13	thru	15		James 2:5
Feb. 16	thru	18		James 2:6
Feb. 19	thru	21		James 2:7
Feb. 22	thru	24		James 2:8
Feb. 25	thru	27		James 2:9
Feb. 28	thru	Mar. 1		James 2:10
Mar. 2	thru	4		James 2:11
Mar. 5	thru	7		James 2:12
Mar. 8	thru	10		James 2:13
Mar. 11	thru	13		James 2:14
Mar. 14	thru	16		James 2:15
Mar. 17	thru	19		James 2:16
Mar. 20	thru	22		James 2:17
Mar. 23	thru	25		James 2:18
Mar. 26	thru	28		James 2:19
Mar. 29	thru	31		James 2:20
Apr. 1	thru	3		James 2:21
Apr. 4	thru	6		James 2:22
Apr. 7	thru	9		James 2:23
Apr. 10	thru	12		James 2:24
Apr. 13	thru	15		James 2:25
Apr. 16	thru	18		James 2:26
Apr. 19	thru	21		James 3:1
Apr. 22	thru	24		James 3:2
Apr. 25	thru	27		James 3:3
Apr. 28	thru	30		James 3:4
May. 1	thru	3		James 3:5
May. 4	thru	6		James 3:6
May. 7	thru	9		James 3:7
May. 10	thru	12		James 3:8
May. 13	thru	15		James 3:9
May. 16	thru	18		James 3:10
May. 19	thru	21		James 3:11
May. 22	thru	24		James 3:12
May. 25	thru	27		James 3:13
May. 28	thru	31		James 3:14
Jun. 1	thru	3		James 3:15
Jun. 4	thru	6		James 3:16
Jun. 7	thru	9		James 3:17
Jun. 10	thru	12		James 3:18
Jun. 13	thru	15		James 4:1
Jun. 16	thru	18		James 4:2
Jun. 19	thru	21		James 4:3
Jun. 22	thru	24		James 4:4
Jun. 25	thru	27		James 4:5
Jun. 28	thru	30		James 4:6