Memory verse
Philippians 2:12b-13, 3:13b-14, 1 Corinthians 10:13
KEY QUESTIONS:
1. What specific changes need to be made in your heart and in your life between now and when you stand before the Lord at the Judgment seat of Christ?
2. What is the Biblically-taught strategy to make those changes?
3. How will you implement that strategy in your own life? (i.e. what activities, disciplines, commitments do you need to incorporate into your life that will employ the Biblical strategy to change your heart/life?)
ULTIMATELY, WHAT HAPPENS TO CHRISTIANS?
1. God has a plan for your entire life. Ephesians 2:8-10.
2. God's plan does not stop until his goal is reached in our lives. Romans 8:28-30, Philippians 1:6.
3. Without discussing all of the events in detail, ultimately, Christians must all stand before Christ to have their lives evaluated by Him. All Christians go to heaven, but the rewards that Christians will enjoy forever in heaven (or eternally lose out on) do depend on how faithfully the Christian life has been lived. 2 Corinthians 5:6-11, Romans 14:10-13, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. See also: Matthew 5:1-12, 5:29-21, 25:14-30; Luke 14:11-14.
4. Rewards for faithful Christian living are in this life as well as the eternal life in heaven with Christ. Luke 18:28-30.
WHAT CHARACTERIZES A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN'S LIFE?
1. Romans 8:1-14 - There are two basic orientations of life:
1) to live for the sinful nature (what I want, what feels good to me) or
2) to live in obedience to what the Holy Spirit (God) wants. To live in obedience to God is life (characteristic of a saved person). Note verse 13 If you by the Spirit put to death (present tense) the deeds of the sinful nature, you will live. Those who are led by (obey) the Spirit of God are sons of God. Active struggle against sin and active pursuit of obedience are characteristic of the faithful Christian life. This shows the primary importance of daily Bible reading to know the will of God, since the Holy Spirit was the member of the triune God who gave us the Bible to know His will. 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
2. Ephesians 4:11-16, 22-24 - Verses 11-16 emphasize the importance of the teaching of God's local church in preparing God's people (the saints) for the work God has planned for them. Verses 22-24 emphasize the struggle going on inside a believer in Jesus Christ. As a believer you have two natures struggling inside you: 1) the old man (your unsaved heart), corrupt, deceitful and 2) the new man, created in you by God when you were saved, wanting to obey God and to be like Him. Your old self has been dealt a death blow at your salvation, but is still active. The faithful Christian life is characterized by stifling and starving the old man and by feeding and exercising the new man: struggling with sin and growing in righteousness.
ALL WELL AND GOOD TO SAY, BUT HOW CAN THIS BE DONE?
1. Ephesians 4:25-5:7 - Here the Replacement Principle is taught. The proper way to overcome sin is to replace that sin with its corresponding virtue. Instead of lying, tell the truth. Instead of stealing, work to give to others in need. Instead of gossip, say good, helpful things to other people. It is only when the sinful habit is replaced by its corresponding righteous way of life that real growth has taken place. See also: Colossians 3-4:6, Galatians 5:16-26. Dwell on God's promises - 2 Peter 1:3, 1 John 3:2-3.
2. 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:13-15 - God will keep you from trials you cannot handle but will always provide a way out. Remember God does not temp us to sin. When we sin we have only ourselves to blame.
3. 1 John 1:8-10 - There is forgiveness and cleansing for sin in the midst of the struggle. The blood of Christ continually cleanses the sin committed by real believers. Fellowship with God is restored through confession of the sin to God. This gives believers comfort and strength in the midst of their struggle with sin. Continually pray for help and wisdom - Philippians 4:6-8, Hebrews 4:15,16, James 1:5-8.
4. Philippians 3:13-14 - Don't dwell on the past.
STEPS TO TAKE IN BREAKING OLD BAD HABITS AND ESTABLISHING GOOD ONES
Understand the habit - its nature, frequency, circumstances.
Construct a Biblical alternative (a corresponding virtue).
Structure day-to-day activities and circumstances for the alternative.
Break the links in the chain of sin.
Get help (advise, encouragement) from others - Proverbs 15:22, 20:18.
Exercise the new habits to firmly establish them as your own.
Discipline is a growing process - Hebrews 12:1-11, Romans 5:3-5.
TWO IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF FAITHFUL (REWARDING) CHRISTIAN LIVING
1. Daily reading of God's word to keep from slipping into the world's perspective on life (like our old man). Christ's way of washing his future bride (the Church) is to wash believers through the word. The way to refresh and cleanse sin-stained hearts and minds is by daily reading His word. Ephesians 5:25-27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:11.
2. Using the Lord's Day as a time to break the daily routine, to spend time with other believers, to receive God's teaching through the local Church, to examine our lives and make needed corrections in our goals and activities, to find God's rich blessing. Isaiah 58:13-14.
Step One in living the Spirit filled life is recognizing and acting upon our new relationship to innate sin: that of death.
1. We are completely dead to the mastery of innate sin
Romans 6:1-11, 14, 18, 22, 8:2
Sin is no longer our master!
We are no longer its slaves!
2. We are to be progressively dying to the remaining power of innate sin.
Romans 6:12-13, 15, 16, 21, 23, 8:5-9,12-13.
3. We have God's guarantee that we will one day be made completely dead to the power and very presence of innate sin.
Romans 8:19-25.
1. Memory verses.
2. Breifly explain the Replacement Principle and how it can be applied to your life.
3. Briefly explain the memory verses in Phil. 2:12b-13, 3:13b-14.
4. What can we focus on to help us in our walk with God?