Review of Week 5

We are shocked by our ignorance when His truth floods into our life.

Every time circumstances press in, say “Speak Lord” and you are on the right road.

What we have pre-Christ is a flimsy excuse for value. We need to allow redemption to affect EVERY part of our life. Hold on to nothing of self - redeem it for true value.

The good news of the gospel is that redemption is available for all. We must resist the urge to selfishly take our salvation and sanctification and abandon the call of God to be a part of the reconciliation of others.

Its easier for us (not Christ) to be justified than to be a disciple.

To be about kingdom business is to be the off scouring of all things. We dare not insist on certain conditions before being ‘separated to the gospel’.

What grips us? Does the Love of Christ have such a grip on us that we can not escape? Or are we gripped by another?

Feb 5 - SACRIFICE

Phil. 2:17 “...But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all...”

Do will really understand offerings and sacrifice? How does being poured out differ from simple sacrifice? [the offering is poured out (used up) on the sacrifice. It has a purpose and it is spent for that purpose - used up].

What is the fundamental nature of sacrifice that makes it difficult? [giving something that you currently have, and value].

Can God use you in this way? An offering to be used up?

Who wants to be an offering? [Present your bodies a living sacrifice ... which is your reasonable service Rom.12:1].

Phil. 4:12 “...I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need...”

Phil. 4:13 “...I can do all things through Him who strengthens me...”

Why do we quote Phil .4:13 without tying it to 4:12? [as O.C. says, we “want to choose the scenery of our own sacrifice”. Lord use me, and I’ll tell you where, and how, and when].

Feb 6 - WILLING

2 Tim.4:6 ”...For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come...”

Are we willing to be poured out as an offering?

What are the dangers of telling God you’re ready?

What internal changes need to occur to get us to ‘complaint free’ willingness? [it’s not about us]

Does God want to eliminate all your desires and affections? [just those inconsistent with His intentions]

How does each crisis assist in your sanctification?

Elijah and the prophets of Baal:

Who prepared the altar? [Elijah]

Who provided the fire? [God]

For your life to be poured out:

What is your part?

What is God’s?

What do you think happens when the fire comes? [ “the destruction of all that God has not started and every attachment that is not an attachment in God”]

Who does the destroying?

What is something God has destroyed as you laid it at the altar?

What is something that you tried to destroy unsuccessfully?

Feb 7 - DEJECTION

Luke 24:21 “...But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened...”

Road to Emmaus, talking to Jesus, but not recognizing him.

Details of life reflected on. Facts right. Inferences incorrect.

There is a natural disappointment when circumstances don’t unfold to our liking.

What is wrong with ‘spiritual dejection’?

It is a denial of the sovereignty of God.

It is an indication of an unhealthy spiritual state.

What are the sources of spiritual dejection?

I have satisfied a lust, and feel like a failure.

I have an unsatisfied lust, and I’m discontent.

Is it wrong to insist that God answer a prayer?

Who’s in charge of the world?

What about the parable of the unrighteous judge in Luke 18:1-8?

What is the purpose for prayer?

Not to tell God what He has to do.

Share with God. Getting His heart (not our answer).

Discover His intentions and expectations, and move ahead in His plan.

Is God involved in the every day things of life?

Dejection is a sign of sickness! Who is to blame?

Luke.24:16 “...But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him...”

We don’t see all and know all.

We trust God and walk in faith

We must learn that the deity of Christ is manifested in commonplace things.

Feb 8 - SANCTIFIED

1 Thes.5:23 “...Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ...”

What is sanctification?

Being set apart for His purposes.

Having God’s point of view.

Sharing in the life of Jesus.

What are the restriction and cultivation that happen in the process of sanctification?

Restriction (narrowing) of earthly concerns.

Cultivation (broadening) of heavenly concerns.

John 17:19 “...For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth...”

What prevents sanctification in your life? [resisting the Holy Spirit]

Is sanctification an external or internal event?

It can be an internal change with no immediate external change.

It can be an internal change with accompanying external change.

An external change (crisis,etc) can facilitate an internal change.

We yield, He sets our course.

How much does sanctification cost? Everything

1 Thes. 5:24 “...Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass...”

It’s God, not us who accomplishes it - but we can hinder him - just like we can hinder salvation.

Feb 9 - EXHAUSTION

Is.40:28 “...Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable...”

How does one become physically exhausted? [too much work without enough rest]

How does one become spiritually exhausted? [too much work without enough rest]

Both are a result of energy being expended to the point of having no more.

How is this good? [God expects us to expend energy on behalf of others].

How can this bad? [If we aren’t careful, we can move from exhaustion to dejection]

What happened to Elijah after the victory on Mt. Carmel? 1 Kings.19

How should one respond to exhaustion? [rest and refreshing]

Who refreshed Elijah? 1 Kings 19:5 ”...He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, "Arise, eat."

Who refreshed Christ? Matt. 4:11 “...Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him...”

Who refreshes you? Look for it!

Is “exhausting yourself for others until they learn to get their nourishment from God” really doing the work of angels?

Feb 10 - FOCUS

Is.40:26 “...Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing...”

Can you see God?

Exodus 33:20 “...But He said, "You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!..."

Psalms 66:5 “...Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men...”

John 3:3 “...Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God..."

John 11:40 “...Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?..."

Matthew 5:8 “...Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God...”

When do you see God? [When you’re looking for Him or when He shows Himself?]

Where do you see God? [Where is He? Everywhere]

What does it mean to have “your mind focused on the face of an idol”?

Upon what idols do people focus? [self, work, concepts, experiences]

What are the results of inappropriate focus? [blindness toward God. Darkness in life]

How can a person shift their focus back to God?

What is role does imagination have in our lives?

Gen.6:5 (KJV) “...And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually...”

Did someone imagine killing Jews before the concentration camps were organized?

Did someone imagine abortion for profit before it became a reality?

Eph. 3:20 “...Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,...”

Can you use your imagination here?

Imagination may be a difficult word because visualization to bring something to reality is a cultic practice.

“Intent of heart” may be easier to understand - evil or redeemed. Directed for self or God.

Feb 11 - TRUST

Is.26:3 “...The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You...” [Context: A righteous nation that trusts in God]

Describe what it’s like for a mind to be “stayed on God”.

What are some alternatives?

Mind occupied with finding pleasure.

Mind occupied with maintaining control.

Mind anxious about lack of control.

Idle mind.

2 Cor. 10:5 “...We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,...” [Context: Flesh vs. Spirit led life - weapons in spiritual warfare]

How can we move from impulsive thinking to redeemed thinking? Rom. 12:2 “...And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect...”

How does remembering the right things increase our affection for God?

How does remembering the wrong things damage our relationship?

We can’t be trapped in a see, touch, smell world of boredom and sullenness. The possibilities with God are endless. We must open the sails of our imagination and let the Holy Spirit blow.