Review of Week 36:

FLOW: The value of our life is not determined by what we obtain, but by what God pours through us.

LUST: If our lust always takes the blessings to ourselves and we never learn to pour them out unto the Lord, other people do not get their horizon enlarged through us.

DISCIPLE: A disciple of Jesus Christ does the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

WATCH: There is no better offer than to watch with Jesus, see what He sees, and follow Him

RIVERS: The world needs rivers of living water that overcome all obstacles.

FOUNTAIN: The world needs fountains that provide refreshing, cleansing, and calming.

DESTROY: We may not like it, but we’re at war. It’s our responsibility to use divine weapons to destroy strongholds and speculations.

Sept 9 - CAPTIVE THOUGHTS

2 Corinthians 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,...”

What does it mean to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ?

- obedience - hupakoe (hoop-ak-oh-ay’) signifies attentive hearing.

- to listen with compliant submission, assent, and agreement.

- root word hupo means under.

- bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ is quite literally to put every thought “under” his authority.

Have you ever had any thoughts that weren’t under His authority?

Does it matter what you do with your thoughts? Is your life your own?

Thoughts lead to actions, actions lead to habits, habits lead to lifestyle.

How do you change your lifestyle? [by changing your habits].

How do you change your habits? [by changing your actions].

How do you change your actions? [by changing your thoughts].

How do you change your thoughts? [change your input].

- God gave Adam input.

- The serpent gave different input.

Are our thoughts important? Are they obedient to Christ, or just to our perceived reality and morality?

Why do thoughts need to be taken captive? [they have a tendency to run wild].

When is practical work for God the wrong thing to do? [when it conflicts with the obedience OF Christ].

Can thoughts be brought captive to obey Christ without a relationship with Christ?

Will thoughts brought captive to a religious system always obey Christ?

O.C. says a lot of Christian work springs from impulse, never having been brought under the disciplining authority of Christ.

Sept 10 - TRAINING CAMP

John 1:48 ”...Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you..."

Context:

Jesus was gathering His disciples.

The Spirit had descended from heaven like a dove and He remained upon Him.

John the Baptist recognized that he must decrease and Jesus must increase.

Andrew left John to follow Christ.

Andrew brought his brother Simon.

Jesus then found Philip, and said to him, “Follow Me”.

Philip found Nathanael and brought him to Jesus and Jesus said “...when you were under the fig tree, I saw you!...”

Remember another story about a fig tree, at the end of Jesus ministry, following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Matt 21:18-22 “...Now in the morning, when He was returning to the city, He became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered. Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree wither all at once?" And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen. "And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive..."

Are these fig trees related? Are they the same tree? [Probably not - one was between Bethany and Jerusalem. The other somewhere near Bethabara, which wasn’t far from Bethany].

But what a great idea to have them the same tree:

Jesus sees Nathaniel under the fig tree - Nathaniel’s old life.

Nathaniel has the opportunity to leave his old life and follow Jesus.

The end result of following Jesus is that the old life, that is so barren, so fruitless, dies. Jesus speaks death to it. It withers and won’t bear it’s fruit ever again.

And they all lived happily ever after.

So what does all this have to do with Oswald’s devotional?

Jesus sees us under our fig tree.

We can’t stay under our fig tree.

We must leave our old ways behind and follow Jesus.

If we don’t - we will be the fruitless one that Jesus speaks against.

In Oswald’s words, “We think we’ll be okay when the crisis comes, but the crisis only reveals who we really are”

We are called to enter the workshop of the Master carpenter.

He works the character into us that is needed.

He sees us where we are. He sees our potential. He brings us to fruitfulness.

He’s like the sculptor who sees the finished product in the shapeless blob and brings it out be applying His great skill.

Are we more comfortable under the fig tree than we are in the potter’s hands or on His wheel?

Do we insist on knowing what He’s going to do with (to) us before we’ll follow?

We don’t finish races because we’ve talked a lot about how to run. We finish races because we’ve come out from our fig tree, and run, and run, and run some more.

We’ve been pushed to run when we’re tired.

We’ve been encouraged to run when alternatives seem more appealing.

Following Jesus is like military boot camp, athletic training camp, or health care internships. Jesus says, “come, follow me, and I will make you...”

Sept 11 - DO THE WASH

John 13:14 ”...If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet...”

A miraculous, mundane mission.

A call goes forth for military recruits for the kingdoms of man:

What do the recruiting ads emphasize? [exciting activities, grand accomplishments, tremendous prestige].

What does military reality look like? [cleaning latrines, getting maimed or killed, post traumatic stress syndrome]

A call goes forth for recruits for the Kingdom of God:

What does the recruiting call emphasize?

Mark 8:34 “...And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me...”

Philippians 2:13 ”...for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure...”

What does reality look like?

2 Corinthians 4:8-11 “...we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh...”

Do we have an idea of what our church and state should look like? Does reality match our illusion? Do we need to become disillusioned?

Have we assumed a role in a global advertising program thinking we can attract new recruits with enticing fantasy ads? Are we expecting this unreality for ourselves?

Are we serving in reality or waiting for a preferred situation? What would Jesus do?

John 13:14 ”...If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet...”

What’s the difference between controlling situations and serving in situations?

- attitude and approach.

- difference between what is preferred and what is needed.

Are the circumstances before us random or ordained?

Are the circumstances before us inconveniences or opportunities?

Do we need to check our attitudes, pick up our towels, and do what needs to be done?

Is our life our own?

Are we waiting for God to miraculously transform us and use us on the front lines?

- Where are the front lines?

- Are we already there?

Are we convinced that He can’t use us so we just continue with our civilian pursuits and listen to weekly updates as to how the war’s going?

If we are His, if we accept the truth, we are His always. Every day, every situation, every breath. Its not a life of fantasy. Its a life of reality.

Jesus showed us how to live in a real world.

John 13:15 “...For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you...”

Menial? Commonplace? Can we do the most commonplace things in His way?

Matthew 28:19-20 “...Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age..."

2 Thessalonians 3:13 “...But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good...”

Sept 12 - CONFUSION

Matthew 20:22 ”...But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They said to Him, "We are able..."

Context:

The mother of Zebedee’s sons kneels down before Jesus and asks that her two sons get to sit on either side of Jesus in His kingdom.

Was she a bit confused?

Do pastors know everything?

Do Sunday School teachers know everything?

Does anyone know everything?

What is the result of not knowing everything? [confusion, even if not overtly expressed]

Have you ever been confused about the things of God?

Is there anyone who isn’t confused sometimes?

Do you always know when you are confused? Can you be positive you understand but still be confused?

Which do you think is more dangerous:

- the person who knows they’re confused.

- the person who is sure they’re not confused.

What should be our natural response when we’re confused?

- Are we too proud to ask for help?

- Are we too impatient to wait on God for answers?

- Are we capable of ‘staying the course’ until things are more clear?

Are there times when God moves us in a way that is unfamiliar to us?

When does God appear to be unkind? [when we don’t get what we want]

When does God appear to be indifferent? [when we don’t see His hand]

What does true faith look like when things are confusing?

- steady in spite of circumstances.

- trusting in spite of circumstances.

- loving in spite of circumstances.

Are we people of faith?

Sept 13 - SURRENDER

John 17:3-5 “...This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was...”

Context:

In chapter 16, Jesus warned His followers that religion would reject them.

He promised the Holy Spirit would come and "...convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;...”

He discussed His upcoming death and resurrection.

He promised His peace, in spite of the tribulation that followers would face in the world, because He had overcome the world.

Then in chapter 17, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all believers

Had Jesus finished the work the Father had given Him to do?

Had He overcome the world?

Chapter 18

- Betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane

- Appearing before the High Priest

- Pilate’s court

Chapter 19

Soldiers mocking.

Carrying the cross to Golgotha.

v.30 He said “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

So He said He’d finished in chapter 17, then He said it is finished in chapter 19.

Which is it? How do we explain this?

Had Jesus finished the work by 17? Had He overcome the world?

Do you remember the sequence of events presented in the other three gospels?

What occurred just before the betrayal and arrest?

- The agonizing prayer in the garden.

- What was finished there?

- What did Jesus overcome at that time?

- Jesus finished his human struggle by overcoming human will.

- Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.

What is finished when we surrender our will to God?

- We’re not finished.

- We’re actually in a position to finally fulfill God’s will.

- The issue of finishing the work the Father has sent us to do starts and ends when we surrender our will to God.

- Once IT is finished, then we can finish it.

Oswald talks about 3 aspects of surrender

1. Deliverance: How does surrender lead to deliverance?

Matthew 11:28 “...Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest...”

When we surrender our will to Him, we are delivered from labor and loads to rest.

2. Devotion: How does surrender require devotion

Matthew 16:24 “...Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me...”

When we surrender our will to Him, we solidify our devotion to Him. We lay down our lives. We live the way of the cross. We follow His lead.

3. Death: How does surrender require death?

John 21:18-19 ”...Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me!..."

When we surrender our will to Him, we are enabled to die for Him. We can literally follow Him in laying down our lives.

Is surrender natural? Is surrender easy?

There was once a bumper sticker that said: “Most Christians want to serve God, as long as it’s just in an advisory capacity”

If that describes us:

- It isn’t finished.

- We haven’t overcome.

- It’s time for some agony in the Garden.

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

Sept 14 - SIMPLICITY

2 Corinthians 11:3 “...But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ...”

If the deceiver, the devil, can work his evil in an ideal setting, a setting free of sin, do you think he can deceive people in a fallen Godless culture?

Paul feared the craftiness of the serpent. He knew that deception was a real threat.

He was concerned about minds being led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

What is spiritual muddle? What causes spiritual muddle?

- misalignment with God’s intentions.

- attempting to think our way into light, rather than walking in the light God provides.

- taking control instead of surrendering control.

What does it mean to over think a confusing situation?

What is it like to be caught in an endless thinking loop?

How should we deal with spiritual muddle?

- remain obedient to what we know.

- trust God through what we don’t understand.

- humbly repent of our part in causing the muddle.

- look for God’s will, not our preferred resolution.

- simply be His in all situations.

As usual, we have things backwards. We have things upside down. We complicate what God has made simple.

The natural way: See, Understand, Act

- we see a situation, a need, an opportunity.

- we start thinking about it, processing it with our minds, trying to understand it, comparing it with all our stored principles and experiences.

- we attempt, from our mind, to determine what to do, whether to act or not, and how to act.

The spiritual way: See, Act, Understand

- we see a situation, a need, an opportunity.

- we see Christ working and join Him (obedience).

- At some point we are blessed with more understanding in our minds and give testimony and thanks to God.

John 5:18 “...For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath (He healed a man), but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God...”

Jesus is a major frustration to religious people who have their lives organized in their minds, and act from their understanding.

John 5:19 “...Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner...”

Jesus joined His Father, not religion.

Do you agree with Oswald that trying to think our way to obedience gets us into spiritual muddles from which we can’t think our way out.

Have you ever heard the phrase “Kiss your brains good-bye”? Do Christians have to kiss their thinkers good-bye?

- Christians should think more clearly than non-Christians.

- They should know more. They should understand more.

- Christians have a helper sent specifically to walk with them, convict them of wrong, and lead them into all truth.

BUT (Basic Underlying Truth) - it all happens as a result of simply obeying.

Isaiah 55:7-9 “...Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts...”

- deception deviates our lives from the simplicity God intends.

- if we make our intellect our God, what we perceive as obedience is nothing more than following our own perceptions.

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...”

Do we need to understand to obey? [We need eyes and ears. We need to see and hear the Father. We need to trust and obey, not understand and obey].

Sept 15 - RENOUNCE

2 Corinthians 4:2 “...but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God...”

Was the apostle Paul effective in bringing truth to people? In manifesting the truth of God?

Are we? Are we giving our Utmost for His Highest?

What prevents us from being all we should be for God?

- not surrendering our will. It isn’t finished if we haven’t prayed through the agony of the garden.

- being deceived by the devil and having our minds corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

- not having renounced the hidden things of shame.

What are hidden things of shame?

- secret things that pride won’t let us bring to the light.

- things that have been present (but shouldn’t be) for so long that we have come to accept them as a part of who we are.

Do any of us have hidden things of shame?

This is NOT a SMALL matter. Paul renounced the hidden things of shame.

What does it mean to renounce the hidden things of shame? How do we do this?

Renounce - to disown, to disclaim, to reject, to refuse to own or acknowledge as belonging to, to deny, to cast off.

It doesn’t have to be ‘just the way I am’. Refuse to own.

What does it mean to walk in craftiness?

- Can we fool some of the people all of the time?

- Can we fool all of the people some of the time?

- Can we fool ourselves?

- Can we fool God?

What does it mean to adulterate the word of God?

- Can the Word be used incorrectly?

- Can the Word be manipulated for our benefit?

- Are we more interested in ‘carrying our point’ than carrying the truth to our world?

Honest, clean people don’t need, and don’t use deceit or craftiness.

What does it mean to “move beyond the creed we’ve accepted”?