Sunday, August 01, 2010

Christian Life 101



In football, we often hear the players or coaches declaring they have to get “back to the basics”. We know what they’re talking about – they’ve tried all the high-powered strategies and they’re not winning, so when all else fails, get back to the basics.


Well we need to do that as Christians too. This study seeks to provide a foundation for someone coming to know Christ as Savior, and have some of the "big picture" that will help them know where to start, and where they're going.  No amount of fancy programs and plans is going to make us successful Christians. It’s the basics that count. So we start here: What is this great salvation all about?


When we come to know Christ, it's the result of our hearing the truth of God's Word proclaimed to us in one way or another.  We go through some thinking processes, we exercise our heart, we consider the reality of the basic facts about God's gift of salvation provided by Christ's death and resurrection.  And we believe!  We are a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17)!  So, once you are born again, you begin "walking" the Christian life.  And as you go along, you occasionally will find yourself thinking back over the process of your coming to place your faith in Christ.  Here are some things for you to consider, as you develop your faith in Christ. 




Settle these basics in your thinking so you don't need to come back and figure them out again...
  1. Three primary axioms about the One True God:
    • God Is - He is eternal, He is holy, He is the same yesterday, today and forever
    • God Is Who He says He Is - He spoke the worlds into existence, He is Sovereign, He
    • God does what He says He will do
  2. Real life is more than what I see on earth.
    • I'm designed to be in fellowship with God. Created in His image, we are by nature inclined to want fellowship with others, and especially with our Creator.
    • Real life is much more than just this earthly existence
  3. The Bible is our authority for absolute truth --  Period!  The only authority - the absolute authority - the error free authority.  There's a lot to think about there, but we need to be working through the fact that the Bible truly is the inspired Word of God.  The Bible is a remarkable book, a rich treasure of wisdom, but best of all, it is our Creator's communication to us so that we can know about Him and know Him!



 


Saturday, March 06, 2010

Galatians 5 - The Fruit of the Spirit

Setting the Plumbline
  • How well do you know the fruit? It’s sort of like the books of the Bible – really an important basic!
  • OK, so you know the list – so how well do you show the fruit?! Obviously that’s where God wants us. 
  • Let’s commit to know these important truths and making them a priority in our life!

A Portrait of Christ


Godward…

• Love – Greek, “agape”, self-sacrificing affection, commitment to others; the benchmark set in 1 Cor.13; the command, Eph.5:2; 1 Jn 3:14; 4:7; accomplished by the Holy Spirit - Rom 5:8; Jn 11:33-35; 15:13; 1 Jn 3:14-17

• Joy – Greek, “chara”, compare to “charisma”; deep-seated gladness regardless of circumstances; Phil 4:4; An exhilarated heart, spirit, based on knowing lasting Truth, not dependent on circumstances

• Peace - inner quietness and repose regardless of circumstances; Tranquility of mind, harmony; Rom 5:1, peace with God, of God; Rom 8:28-29; Jn 14:27; Phil 4:6-7; the Hebrew greeting “Shalom” שׁלם

Manword…


  • Patience – forbearance even under provocation; tolerance, longsuffering “in the midst”, calm in the storm, courageous endurance; Hebrew “hesed”, loyal love, mercy, Psalm 136:1
  • Kindness – benevolence and graciousness; sensitivity, concern for/with others, give consideration to others rather than yourself; Matt 11:28-29
  • Goodness – constructive action reaching out to others; Moral excellence, the outward action of inner quality
Inward…


    • Faithfulness – reliability, trustworthy; trustworthy, another perspective: full of faith! Lamentations 3:22; 1 Cor 4:1-2
    • Gentleness – consideration of others, respect of authority, Meekness humility, submitted to, Col 3:1
    • Self-control – discipline with purpose and goal, ability to master oneself, Discipline, restraint; only perfect holiness possesses perfect control… 1 Cor 9:25 (7:9)
Walk in the Spirit, be Fruitful


• Remember that Christ expects us to be fruitful! If we are truly one of His, the Holy Spirit does indwell us, and He will produce fruit, that is, the likeness of Christ in us – 2 Peter 1:8


• Also, this godly fruitfulness can’t be “conjured up” – we must “walk in”, “yield to” the Holy Spirit. We must be teachable and guidable.


• There is no law against these evidences of godliness – all men agree on these virtues


• These capacities, even the “bent” towards them, are in God’s design for man – but disabled by sin nature!


• Gal. 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit” - the right environment for the fruit to grow – the Fruit is the result of a long “organic” process – not sudden, not forced, not manufactured


• We live in a world drawn to spectacle – we instead are drawn to holiness, reverence, adoration









Study for the Week


1. Identify some ways in your life that show your support and care for others?


2. Read Galatians 6 - think of ways that this passage guides us in ministering to others.


3. In this final practical section of Galatians (ch.5-6), what would you say is the most important thing you have learned to apply in your life?