|
 |
The Bible - Its
Practical Applications for Life
|
|
|
|
Before
beginning this lesson let's briefly review
the studies we've already had.
The important points to keep in mind
are:
1. Man's sin separates
him from God.
2. Sin carries a penalty of spiritual death.
3. Spiritual death is the eternal separation
of man from God.
4. God provided a unique plan for man to
again know and have fellowship with God.
5. God's plan is centered in the Person of
Jesus Christ.
6. Christ came to earth to die on behalf of
all men.
7. He is man's substitute.
8. What Christ accomplished on the cross of
Calvary may be appropriated to the heart
and life of every person.
9. This appropriation is accomplished by
faith.
We
now know the entire theme of the Bible is
"buying man back," or redemption. Man has
sinned, and in so doing, has severed
relationship with God he so desperately
needs. In order to redeem man, God had to
pay the price of redemption. That price was
death, and it was paid in full by God's own
Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The redeemed
ones are those who have accepted Christ as
the personal substitute for themselves. The
question we try to answer in this lesson is,
now that we are redeemed, how are we to
live? |
| |
|
|
I. YOU ARE NOW SPIRITUALLY ALIVE |
A.
YOU WERE SPIRITUALLY DEAD
(Ephesians 2:1).
B. BY FAITH YOU ARE
SPIRITUALLY ALIVE
1. When you invited Christ into your life to
be your Saviour, the power of God began to
flow and you came alive spiritually (Ephesians
2:1).
2. The Bible says you were born again (John
3:3-7).
3. You are a new creation (11 Corinthians
5:17).
4. You have a new nature (Ephesians 4:23, 24).
|
|
II. YOU ARE TO GROW AND MATURE |
A. YOU BEGIN AS BABES
The Bible compares new
Christians with human babies. Infants in Christ
have to feed on things that are easily digested
(I Peter 2:2).
B. NOT TO REMAIN BABES
However, we are not to
remain as babies. We are to grow, become strong,
and mature in the faith (Hebrews 6:1-2).
C. COMMANDED TO GROW
God expects us to grow,
and demands us to do so (H Peter 3:18).
D. INDICATION OF GROWTH
1. Spiritual knowledge
will increase (H Peter 3:18).
2. There will be a delight
in spiritual things (Philippians 3:7).
3. Personal faith will be
strengthened and enlarged (Galatians 2:20).
4. The fruit of the Spirit
will be manifested (Galatians 5:22, 23).
|
|
Ill. GROWTH AND YOUR TWO NATURES |
Every
Christian has two natures - the old and the new.
Everyone is born with the old nature - that
tendency to sin and interest in things material
and temporal. Even when we become Christian the
old nature constantly tries to take control of our
life. But a Christian also has a new nature which
he receives the moment Christ is accepted into his
life. Now both natures want to be in control. When
the old nature is in control. it's called
carnality. When the new nature is in control, it's
called spirituality.
A. CARNALITY
1. Old nature is in
control (Romans 7:14).
2. Act like babes (I Corinthians 3:1).
3. Ignore the Word (Hebrews 5:11).
4. Commit sins (Galatians 5:19-21).
5. Broken fellowship with the Lord (I John
3:1, 2, 6).
B. SPIRITUALITY
1. Walking according to the Spirit
(Galatians 5:16)
2. Discerning spiritual
things (I Corinthians 2:15).
3. Filled with the Holy
Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
C. ONE NATURE WILL
CONTROL
1. The nature you feed and
cater to will be the one that dominates your life
(Romans 8:8, 9).
2. The two natures will
battle for control (Romans 7:12-24). |
|
IV. MEANS OF GROWTH |
A. MISTAKEN NOTIONS ABOUT MEANS OF GROWTH
1. Time just by itself is
no index of growth.
2. Knowledge alone does
not mean growth. It must be spiritual knowledge.
3. Service can become
mechanical with no stimulus for growth if it is
done out of duty or wrong motive.
4. Feelings change with
people and do not indicate growth. Growth is not
gauged by the inward comfort and joy we feel,
but rather by the substantial qualities of
faith, obedience, love, and humility.
B. POSITIVE MEANS OF GROWTH
1. Gifted Men (Ephesians
4:11-12).
2. The Word of God (I
Peter 2:2).
3. The Church (I Timothy
3:15).
4. Service (Acts 1:8).
|
|
V. THE CONDUCT OF A GROWING CHRISTIAN |
A. THE PRINCIPLE OF
LOVE
We
should desire to please our Lord not from
legalistic pressure, but because we love Him.
Since we know how much He loves us, we should
try to live our lives as He would have us live
(I John 3:1, 2; 4:19, 20).
B. PRINCIPLE OF FREEDOM
If
the Scriptures are not explicit about some
activity, we are not authorized to criticize
or condemn another brother (Romans 14:3),
C. PRINCIPLE OF
CONVICTION
We
are not to copy the convictions of other
Christians without making sure those convictions
are ours. Often the convictions of a mature
Christian were arrived at after going through
difficult stages of development. All Christians
are in different stages of growth. Allow the
Holy Spirit to teach and direct you to form
valid convictions. When the Holy Spirit brings
actions, habits, and thoughts to mind that need
corrections, it's imperative to bring our life
into conformity. Those willing to be of the
Spirit will be directed by Him day by day. Never
be critical of those behind you in spiritual
development or envious of those who are ahead of
you.
D. PRINCIPLE OF SACRIFICE
There
should never be anything so great and
overpowering in my life that I cannot willingly
lay it aside for the benefit of others (I
Corinthians 8:9-13).
|
|
VI. MISCONDUCT OF A CHRISTIAN |
We
are God's children. He loved us and will not
forsake us. We have this assurance, even if we
wander from Him (John 10:28-30). If we are truly
born again we are in the family of God. However,
our Heavenly Father will punish children who are
rebellious and disobedient, in the same way a
loving father punishes his children.
A.
DISCIPLINE A MARK OF LOVE (Hebrews
12:6).
B. DISCIPLINE
CERTAIN
1. David
sinned and God punished him. His prayer of
repentance is found in Psalm 51.
2. The church at Corinth had many Christians
who were living ungodly lives. God brought
discipline upon them. "For this cause, many
are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep"
(I Corinthians11:30).
3. Some Christians will not listen to the
loving call of the Lord to return to a place
of fellowship and usefulness. God may use His
ultimate form of earthly discipline (I John
5:16).
|
|
VII. THE VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE |
A.
POWER COMES FROM GOD (I JOHN 5:4).
Remember we have no power
in and of ourselves to gain victory over sin. We
receive that power from God.
B. VICTORY COMES THRU THE
INDWELLING CHRIST
Victory comes when we
realize that our help comes from Christ, who is
living within every believer.
1. Colossians 1:27
2. Colossians 3:3,4
3. Philippians 1:21
4. I John 4:4
5. Galatians 2:20
|
