Review of Week 47: 

FREEDOM: The freedom Christ offers differs from that promoted by the world.

SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUDGMENT: The Holy Spirit brings conviction that helps us understand sin, righteousness, and judgment.

FORGIVENESS: Understanding the extreme cost of forgiveness propels us into our future with God.

FINISHED WORK: Christ was serious about fulfilling what the Father sent Him to do. We should be just as committed to being coworkers.

ORDINARY: The profound is spectacular, but the ordinary is our place to bring glory to God.

GRACE and MERCY: Faith replaces scorn and contempt with grace and mercy.

LEAKAGE: Our eyes must look to the Lord to avoid spiritual leakage.

Nov. 25 - COHERENT

Galatians 6:14 ”...But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world...”

Context:

- bearing other’s burdens fulfills the law of Christ.

- sowing to the flesh leads to reaping corruption.

- sowing to the Spirit leads to reaping eternal life.

- don’t grow weary in doing good - to everyone.

- it’s all about a new creation, so our boasting should be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ alone.

What is coherence? [a state of being consistent, connected, suitable].

What is incoherence? [a state of lacking consistency, connectivity, suitability].

Is the world in which we live consistent and suitable?

If we are connected (conformed) to this world, will we be coherent?

What is the difference between a flashlight and a laser?

- a flashlight emits incoherent light, so the energy is scattered randomly.

- a laser emits coherent light, so the energy is focused.

Was the apostle Paul’s energy scattered or focused? Why?

- He was a laser because he was a new creation.

- His energy and boasting was only from the cross of Jesus Christ.

Are we incoherent or coherent?

Are we in lockstep with the Spirit led purposes of God, or the flesh led randomness of self and this world?

Nov. 26 - GOD FOCUSED

Galatians 6:14 ”...But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world...”

What do you think makes people feeble?

- incoherence, the lack of consistency and suitability.

- friendship with the world.

- too much talk, too little power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 “...For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power...”

What makes the church powerful?

- coherence, the presence of consistency and suitability.

- partnership with God.

- the power of the Holy Spirit.

Does the power of the Holy Spirit bring salvation, sanctification, healing, etc.?

What problem is encountered when preaching about these EFFECTS?

- focus is on human gain.

- personal interest is elevated above God’s intentions.

What is the advantage of preaching Christ crucified and resurrected?

- focus is on God’s actions.

- the energy of God is unleashed into our world.

Nov. 27 - CONSECRATED

Galatians 6:14 ”...But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world...”

What is an ascetic? [one who retires from the customary business of life, devoting himself to piety]

What is consecration? [the act of devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of God]

Does being an ascetic assist in consecration?

- is worship of God only an individual pursuit?

- can service be done apart from the customary business of life?

Was Jesus an ascetic?

- He was very involved in His world.

- He was not aloof.

- He was seen in places and with people that religious people steadfastly avoided.

Are we interested in what God is interested?

Are we only interested in what God is interested?

Is “our faith” an act of consecration or an act of selfishness?

Is WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) an appropriate way to live our lives?

Nov. 28 - FREE GIFT

Romans 3:24 “...being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;...”

Context:

- we’re all liars, God is true.

- we’re not righteous, we don’t understand, we turn aside and become worthless.

- all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

- we are justified by His grace.

- He is both just and justifier.

- we can only boast of Him.

Do we like to admit we are helpless and hopeless?

Does this situation change following an encounter with Christ?

- we are justified by His grace.

- we are still helpless and hopeless on our own.

How does our typical gift exchange at Christmas miss the reality of Christ?

- we tend to give and receive gifts with people we like and know.

- the gift of Christ is for people who don’t know God, don’t deserve God, and have no ability to exchange a gift of equal value.

How could we change our attitude about Christmas gifts?

- find the unrighteous and unworthy who have no way to exchange gifts with you, and be gracious to them.

How could we make sure our attitude about Christ is correct?

- we’re not making an even exchange with Him.

- we must recognize our condition, surrender our pride, and receive the gift of justification.

Nov. 29 - GLORIFY CHRIST

John 16:14 “...He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you...”

Context:

- Jesus is concerned about His followers.

- Falling away is a possibility.

- Organized religion is a real threat.

- The Holy Spirit is needed.

What is the work of the Holy Spirit?

- v8 convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.

- v13 guide into all truth.

- v14 glorify Christ.

What is the central theme of the Holy Spirit’s work?

- Christ, not us.

What was the main problem of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

- their form of religion didn’t have room for Christ.

Can religious people still have this problem?

Why are a pious atmosphere, prayer, and devotion not enough?

- they can be performed without the supernatural, Christ centered leading of the Holy Spirit.

What is the solution for this problem?

- must be more than the form of godliness.

- the Holy Spirit must be present.

- must be power, not just words.

Why is WWJD not enough?

- Jesus is certainly a good pattern, but He’s more.

- Life in the Spirit is well beyond the form of religion.

- Life in the Spirit is the power of the Living God in real time.

- Life in the Spirit doesn’t just mimic Jesus, it glorifies Him.

Nov. 30 - SUFFICIENT GRACE

1 Corinthians 15:10 “...But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me...”

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 “...Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain...”

What is the gospel doing for a person?

- they are being saved.

What must people do?

- receive the gospel.

- stand in it.

- hold fast to it.

What is belief in vain?

- shallow non-saving belief.

- belief that falls short of faith living.

- not standing and holding fast.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ”...For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also...”

What is the gospel message preached by Paul?

- Christ died for our sins.

- He was buried, but rose from the dead.

- He comes to people on planet earth.

1 Corinthians 15:10 “...But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me...”

How was the grace of God toward Paul not in vain?

- Paul worked very hard by the grace of God.

What was God’s part? What was Paul’s part?

Does God equip people to serve Him?

Do you feel equipped to serve Him?

When is humility before men an insult to God?

- when we have failed to receive His grace.

- when we say we can’t do something that by receiving His grace we could do.

If we’re not who we could be, whose fault is it?

How tightly are we holding to gospel truth?

How well are we standing on gospel truth?

How hard are we working by the grace of God?

Dec.1 - GUILTY

James 2:10 “...For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all...”

Context:

- our faith walk takes us before many different types of people.

- it is sin to show partiality.

- we are always tempted to sort people into here and there groups. Some we want close. Some we want far.

- it may be rich/poor, Jew/Gentile, male/female, but it’s always us passing judgment.

- it’s just one more place where our sin is exposed.

James 2:13 “...For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment...”

Is the moral code of the Creator of this world subject to change?

Are all held accountable to the same standards?

Can any meet these standards?

What is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Why does the Holy Spirit convict us of sin?

John 16:8-9 “...And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;...”

- even Christians tend to undervalue Christ, not really believing in all He accomplished.

- the Holy Spirit is intent upon exposing our sin, teaching us that our best attempts at obedience fall short, and helping us to surrender completely to death and resurrection with Christ.

Does God force this process, or lovingly offer it?