What does it mean to be faithful? Like anything else in education, we must define our terms, lest we find ourselves becoming a law unto ourselves (Romans 2:14). Faithful in the Hebrew language means, “to be confirmed, to be established, to be reliable and trusty”. In the Greek language it means, “to execute a command or the discharge of official duties, to trust in God’s promises”.
Truly, those who have suffered are able to comfort those who are suffering. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
This weak, natural, decaying body is only temporary, but there is coming a day when we will no longer have this body, but one full of power, glory, honor, a spiritual body, a body that will last forever (1 Corinthians 15:42-49). And that the “light afflictions” which we endure for this moment works for us an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17). In this new body, there will be no more sorrow, anguish, toil, grief, or pain (Revelation 20:4). Grief helps us to realize that there is a better life coming for the faithful.
We identify with Jesus because He is 1) The Savior of Humanity, 2) The Standard for Humanity, and 3) The Sovereign of Humanity. Each person should be able to understand why we need to identify with Jesus. I want to impress upon each person the necessity of identifying with Jesus.
The writer of the book of Hebrews, inspired of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness.” No one likes to go through difficult times. This passage makes it plain that suffering is not joyful but full of grief.
Having no other gods before the LORD means: 1) God comes first! 2) Identify Idols! 3) Repent of Idolatry. To understand the importance of the first commandment in relationship to competition with God. We do not have to bow down to a graven image to be caught up in idolatry.
The church has final authority regarding these offenses. By the time the issue is presented, it should be clear what the offending party has done and what he needs to do to correct the situation. If the church's decision is not obeyed in this regard, then the one who committed the offence is to be as a heathen or publican. We must practice the instruction that Jesus gave about personal relationships regardless of our own personal discomforts.
The attitude of entitlement is spiritually destructive because: 1) It Conflicts with Reality, 2) It is Contrary to Redemption, 3) It Cripples Responsibility. Each hearer should understand that an attitude of entitlement is contrary to Bible teaching regarding God and humanity. An attitude of entitlement is spiritually destructive.
Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:8, "And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins." When we go to a brother privately and discuss things and resolve them, we have helped to prevent spreading things beyond what should be known publicly. The Holy Spirit calls this love. We should not desire to broadcast every person’s private sin to the world.
Authentic Christianity loves the truth because 1) It Embraces Truth, 2) It Preaches Truth, 3) It is Zealous for Truth. Each hearer should understand what it means to love truth.
Christians may succumb to the same bad attitudes. When we do, we become objects of Jesus’ rebuke. It is easy for us to listen to gossip about others, but we cannot know another person’s heart unless we talk to them and listen to their side of the story. The Bible gives us several principles to ensure that our Christian relationships remain healthy. These are love, patience, long suffering, and brotherly kindness.
When we think on things that are pure we will be 1) Clear in our Thinking, 2) Clean in our Living, and 3) Closer to God. To understand what it means to be pure in heart and the blessing that comes from being such. To encourage each to seek purity and holiness in their lives so that they may see God.
In the end, they cause strife and division within the church, all because someone judged another based upon a perception. Many today have been infected with this notion. Is this concept correct? The Bible clearly teaches that it is not. We read in John 7:24: "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
Heavenly wisdom creates peace and builds relationships, while earthly wisdom tears them down. Where envy and self-seeking exist, there is confusion (James 3:16).
We can be children of God today because 1) Christ is the Beneficiary of God’s Promise to Abraham, 2) The Purpose of the Law was to bring us to Christ, and 3) We Put on Christ in Baptism. Each hearer should know that to be a child of God, we must be in Christ; to do that, we must identify with Christ in baptism.
Man's wisdom is earthly, sensual, and demonic. Heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, and without hypocrisy, reflecting the very character of God.
It is important to trust in God. We live in a fallen world. God has given man an opportunity to do good. This world is not my home.
Competing boys fighting over the front seat show where wars come from. Heavenly wisdom is first of all heavenly, springing from God's unchanging nature (James 3:17-18).
In this lesson we will do a textual study of Matthew 19:3-12. We will note: 1) A Personal Problem, 2) A Posed Question, 3) A Primal Principle, 4) A Perpetual Principle, 5) A Petrified Heart, 6) The Proper Perspective, 7) Pondered Repercussions. Each member should be able to explain to someone else the meaning of Matthew 19:3-12. To plainly set forth what the scriptures have to say regarding marriage and divorce.
Sometimes, we must go where these people are to get the message to them. I’ve visited prisons to preach to murderers. I’ve also talked personally with adulterers and homosexuals about the gospel. These are difficult conversations to have, but if we oppose all association no matter what, we are saying that certain people are not worthy of the gospel. God is no respecter of persons (Rom.2:11; Acts 10:34). We should not be either.