Review of Week 37:

CAPTIVE THOUGHTS: Controlling input leads to thoughts, which lead to actions, which lead to habits, which lead to a lifestyle. Our thoughts need to be taken captive to the obedience of Christ.

TRAINING CAMP: It takes some training to move from our comfort to God’s purposes.

DO THE WASH: We need to fix our attitudes, pick up our towels, and do what needs to be done.

CONFUSION: True faith allows us to be steady, trusting, and loving even in the most confusing circumstances.

SURRENDER: When true surrender occurs, all the rest is just fleshing out what’s already been accomplished.

SIMPLICITY: We need eyes and ears. We need to see and hear the Father. We need to trust and obey, not understand and obey.

RENOUNCE: We must refuse to own deceit and falsehood.

Sept 16 - PIOUS BLETHER

Matthew 6:6 "...But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you...”

Context:

This scripture comes from the great teaching of Jesus on the mountain.

He started in Matthew 5 with the be-attitudes and by the time He ended (Matt.7) the people were astonished, for He taught them as one having authority.

Matt.6:6 is in the middle of all this, in a section where Jesus teaches to live for God, not to be seen by men.

- charitable deeds

- praying

- fasting

- laying up treasures

All of these things He expects us to do, but when we do them, there are right and wrong ways.

Evaluate Matthew 6:6 several words at a time:

1. When you pray:

- You are expected to pray (not if).

- What follows relates to your praying.

2. Go into your room:

- Jesus was specifically speaking against hypocrites who loved to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners.

- Resist the temptation to pray to be seen by men.

3. Close your door:

- Keep the world out. Keep you in.

- How often do we close the door to the rest of the world?

4. Pray to your Father who is in secret:

- Is God omnipresent? Why in secret?

- You’ve turned away from the world to take your place before God

5. Your Father will reward you:

- There’s a valuable return on your obedience.

Does it matter whether people know you’re praying?

Can you conduct your life as a disciple without definite times of secret prayer?

What did Oswald mean by saying “God doesn’t hear us because we are earnest, but only on the ground of Redemption?”

Did the Israelites have access to the Holy of Holies through sincerity?

Hebrews 9:6-9 “...Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,..”

Do you have access to God through sincerity?

Hebrews 9:13-14 “...For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?...”

Hebrews 4:14-16 “...Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need...”

Access to God is only through the blood of Jesus.

Mercy is received and grace is found at the throne.

What is pious blether?

Pious: earnestly compliant in the observance of religion, devout.

Blether: the Scottish variation of blather, which is idle or foolish and irrelevant talk.

When is prayer pious blether (earnestly compliant foolish and irrelevant talk)?

Draw near and receive help in time of need.

Sept 17 - TEMPTATION

1 Corinthians 10:13 “...No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it...”

Have you ever been tempted? Do you think you’ll ever be tempted again?

How long do you have to be a Christian before you are no longer tempted?

How good do you have to be before you are no longer tempted?

Is temptation sin?

- When David looked down and saw Bathsheba bathing, was that sin? [The 1st look was free, but it was temptation.]

- When Joseph, in Potiphar’s house was seductively approached by Potiphar’s wife, was that sin? [for Joseph it was merely a temptation]

Do you feel like you have to face temptations that others don’t?

1 Cor. 10:13 “...No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man...”

Do you feel you can’t resist temptation?

1 Cor. 10:13 “...God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,...”

God won’t allow a temptation that is too much for you.

Is there any temptation from which you can’t escape?

1 Cor. 10:13 “...with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it...”

2 Peter 2:9 “...the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,...”

- There’s always a way of escape!

- What was David’s way of escape? The first look at Bathsheba was temptation. David could have simply gone back inside.

- What was Joseph’s way of escape? He ran and then spent the next 2 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. If Joseph would have thought that one through, instead of obeying immediately what he knew to be true, he might have avoided prison, but his obedience, though costly, kept him usable.

Is there a way to avoid temptation? [Sometimes yes]

- Remember the words of Jesus near the end of His ministry.

- He was finishing the work the Father had sent Him to do.

- He was agonizing in the Garden and overcoming by surrendering His will to the Father.

- He asked His disciples to “watch and pray”, to join Him in the work of God.

Matthew 26:41 “...Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak..."

Join Him, or enter into temptation.

Why do people give in to temptation?

- They are deceived and therefore have difficulty discerning right from wrong.

- They yield to personal preference.

- They accept alternatives that seem more satisfying than God’s created reality.

Jesus offers truth. The devil offers alternatives.

- It isn’t that Jesus offers white and the devil offers black.

- Jesus offers white and the devil says you can get white another way. Then you’re surprised when you end up with black.

Temptation is an offer to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.

Ex. 1: I have a legitimate need for money to pay my bills.

- I can do the hard work to earn an honest wage.

- I can be tempted to try an illegitimate shortcut (embezzle from my employer, rob a bank, steal from the tithe money)

Ex. 2: I have a legitimate need for companionship.

- I can do the hard work of building and nourishing the relationship with my spouse.

- I can be tempted to have an illegitimate relationship with someone else.

How does a person’s internal disposition relate to their external temptations?

- Some of us share the same dispositions, the same weaknesses, and therefore the same temptations, but not all are tempted in the same way.

If we are alive, we will face temptations. We must recognize, and use, the way of escape.

Sept 18 - TEMPTATION

Hebrews 4:15 “...For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin...”

Temptation has two components:

- inner desires.

- outer enticement.

James 1:14-15 ”...But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death...”

When inner desires respond to outer enticement, sin is spawned.

Has anyone ever experienced this?

Have you ever felt discouraged by this process working in you?

Is there any hope? [God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear and He provides a way of escape.]

1. Outer enticement

How do we attempt to keep from sinning by controlling outer enticement?

- Staying away from sports illustrated swimsuit editions ...and grocery store check out lines (sexual temptations),

- Grand buffets (gluttony),

- Gossip groups (gossip),

- Bars / parties (revelry/drunkenness),

- Fear / negativity (newspapers).

What is the problem with focusing only on eliminating outer enticements?

- Isolation. Separationist mentality.

- A narrowness that removes us from places Christ was not afraid to walk.

It may be necessary to some extent, but it isn’t the final answer.

Inner desires always find a way of expression, because they are a living part of us. Putting a lid on them may seem to have them under control, but when they finally find expression, they will shock us with their power.

2. Inner desires

How can we change inner desires?

- Going into our rooms, shutting the door, and meeting God.

- Romans 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...”

What is the problem with trying to eliminate inner desires?

- Like parenting a strong willed child.

- If we crush a person’s will we’ve done them a disservice. The will needs to be alive and well, but lined up with God’s will.

- If we eliminate desire, if we crush it, we’ve done a disservice. Desires need to be alive and well, but lined up with God’s desire.

In general, religion attempts to control outer enticement, but Jesus redeems inner desire. True Christianity is an inside job.

As our inner desires are conformed to God’s, are we outwardly enticed by the same things?

Oswald makes the point that our temptations change when we are born again. Explain how the devil, as Oswald says, doesn’t tempt us to sin, but to shift our point of view.

- without overt sin or blatantly selfish desires, we can abandon the intentions of God for our lives and embrace something else.

Hebrews 4:15-16 “...For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need....”

- We need mercy and grace to help in time of need.

- We must boldly come now. He understands every temptation that has a stranglehold on us.

Don’t get all religious by focusing on controlling outer enticements. Get relational. Get personal with Jesus about your inmost desires.

Sept.19 - STAND BY JESUS

Luke 22:28 “...You are those who have stood by Me in My trials;...”

Context:

Discussions arose about who was the greatest.

Jesus emphasized the concept of servant leadership.

He acknowledged that the disciples had stood by Him in his trials.

He promised they would “...sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel...”

Peirasmos - Greek word that can be translated trials or temptations

Does standing by Jesus mean we stick close to Him so:

- He takes care of me.

- He meets my needs.

- He helps me through temptations.

In Chapter 6 of John’s gospel account:

- Jesus fed the five thousand.

- He walked on water to meet His disciples in their boat.

- The crowd got in boats and reconvened at Capernaum.

- Jesus accused them of following Him for the wrong reasons.

- John 6:53 “...So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves...”

- John 6:63 “...It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life...”

- John 6:65-66 “...And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore...”

Remember talking about ‘curiosity turned to challenge’?

- Many will come to Christ out of curiosity.

- When we spend some time with Him, He starts to challenge us.

- If we view life only from a fleshly perspective: God takes care of me, He meets my needs, He helps me through temptations; will we continue with Christ?

Does walking with Jesus require us to face things we’d rather not face?

Jesus faced temptations at the beginning of His ministry (Matt.4:1-11):

- stones to bread: physical food more important than God’s Word.

- throw self down: test how much God loves you.

- worship Satan: worship other than God for selfish gain.

Jesus faced temptation at the end of His ministry (Matt.26:36-46):

- avoid the tough stuff: avoid God’s will if the price is too high.

Are we willing to stand by Jesus in the type of temptations He faced?

Are we selfish Christians? Do we really know what God is doing? Do we care?

Sept 20 - PERFECT

Matthew 5:48 ”...Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect...”

What would happen if we were to place this verse on the mirror in our bathroom so we could see it every day?

- might cause an increased awareness of God’s expectations.

- might lead to becoming very self-righteous and self-centered.

- might lead to discouragement because of regular failure.

- might eventually be ignored due to familiarity.

What do we do we when see a therefore? [find out what it’s there for]

What is in chapter 5 of Matthew’s gospel account?

v.1-12 start out with the BE-ATTITUDES - the blessings upon those who live counter to the world’s culture, counter to the natural.

v.13-16 we’re reminded that God’s people are salt and light. People are supposed to see the good works and glorify the Father in heaven.

v.17-20 Christ fulfilled the law, but not a jot or tittle will pass away. Even the least of the commandments is important.

v.21-26 misplaced anger is highly dangerous. Reconciliation is required before one can approach God.

v.27-30 adultery doesn’t require an outward act, but occurs when lust exists within.

v.31-32 marriage is sacred, binding, and serious in God’s eyes.

v.33-37 our words are to be trustworthy and true.

v.38-42 we are to go the 2nd mile, beyond what we are compelled to do.

And finally, v.43-47, just before the ‘be perfect’ verse, we’re told to ‘love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us.

Do the things in this list happen naturally? [Natural affinities don’t lead to Godly perfection]

Can any of these things be accomplished by human effort? [Natural effort can’t succeed in transforming imperfection to perfection]

What is the difference between divine characteristics and good human characteristics?

What is the difference between God’s life and ‘human life trying to be godly’?

Does the presence of God make a difference in our lives?

To be a disciple means that we deliberately identify ourselves with God’s interests in other people. Is God interested in anyone for whom we have no interest? Would He ever expect us to be a part of their life?

Jesus described the way of the kingdom: the attitudes, the actions, the love.

Be this way: Be perfect, therefore, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Sept 21 - HIS SERVANT

Isaiah 49:5 “...And now says the Lord, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the Lord, And My God is My strength),..”

Oswald says sin has switched the human race to another track.

- We’re on a lifetime journey by train, heading cross country.

- We’re going to see all kinds of different sites along the way. What we see around us now, and what we have seen in the past, is not all there is.

- But it’s just like the devil, the villain, to switch the train off the main track onto a side rail, a track that leads nowhere, or that will eventually send the whole train over a cliff.

And now the human race lives with it’s prejudices, parochial notions, and patriotism.

What is prejudice?

A previous bent or bias of mind from hasty and incorrect notions. Prepossessed opinions formed without full knowledge of the facts and circumstances.

Are we prejudiced? Do we have a mindset? Do we have opinions without all the facts?

What are parochial notions?

Ideas that are narrowly restricted in scope or outlook. Ideas that don’t include the entire picture.

Do we have parochial notions?

What are patriotisms?

Normally used in reference to one’s fierce loyalty to, and passion for one’s country. Here used simply as loyalties and passions.

Do we have patriotisms?

Do you think Isaiah had any prejudices, parochial notions, and patriotisms?

Do you think his vision of the Lord sitting on His throne, and his commissioning destroyed any of his prejudices, parochial notions, and patriotisms?

Isaiah recognized that he mattered to God, and that God had intentions for him.

So Oswald says that as we realize our place in Christ, our biases of mind, our narrowness, and our previous loyalties and passions are destroyed.

Is this a good thing? Why would God want this to happen? [So we can be transformed into true servants of God and His purposes.]

Is it a one time event, or an ongoing process?

Did God create us for our pleasure or His? Were you created for yourself or for God?

What happens when we are determined that our intentions must be fulfilled. What happens when we try to use God as a means to get what we want?

- We strive against God’s purposes.

- We’re frustrated and confused.

- We find ourselves on dead end tracks.

- We hurt ourselves, others, and God.

Genesis 6:5-6 “...Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart...”

John 15:14-17 “...You are My friends if you do what I command you. "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. "This I command you, that you love one another...”

Which verses best describe our lives?

Sept.22 - TEACHER

John 13:13 “...You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am...”

Context:

After washing the disciples feet, a demonstration of servant leadership.

Just before instructing His disciples to do likewise (check the attitude, pick up the towel, do what needs doing).

John 13:17 “...If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them...”

Which are the more prevalent descriptions of Jesus, savior/healer or teacher/Lord?

Do we like Jesus as savior/healer?

Do we like Jesus as teacher/Lord?

What is God’s part?

- He has all the knowledge and wisdom. He has all the answers.

- He has all the directions.

- He has met and solved every perplexity.

Does He force any of these upon us?

What is our part?

- Submit to His knowledge and wisdom, which are beyond our own.

- Surrender to His directions.

- Embrace His guidance. Don’t be perplexed.

His Lordship exists whether we acknowledge it or not. Teaching requires our cooperation.