Jun 03 2009

Bible Study Week 31 - Becoming Like Christ in Excellence

Published by admin under Weekly Reflections

Purpose of This Lesson

This lesson will help you to know that it is God’s will that you become Christ-like in the life of faith that you live and that you imitate Christ’s nature of excellence.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

  1. Discover the qualities that distinguished Christ’s character of excellence
  2. Discover the process of becoming a man or woman of excellence
  3. Discover the price and sacrifice of spiritual excellence

Introduction

As you mature and become intimate with God, you will discover the ways of God, as the Psalmist wrote in Psalms 103:7Psalms 103:7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His doings unto the children of Israel.  

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that “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.” God wants very much to reveal His ways to us because we are His children whom He has called unto righteousness and holiness. It will take strict discipline on our part to understand and follow the path of excellence that Christ has set for us. Excellence was a trade mark of the men and women of old listed in Hebrews 11 who walked with God by faith and pleased Him by faith because “without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6Heb 11:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing [unto him]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.  ).

Therefore, in order to grow in excellence, we must live a life of faith because it pleases God and also believe that we “can do all things, through Christ which strengthens” us” (Phil 4:13Phil 4:13
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.  

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).

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Daniel 6:1-5Daniel 6:1-5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps, who should be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one; that these satraps might give account unto them, and that the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.  

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, Heb 11:1-11Heb 11:1-11
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
11 1 Now faith is assurance of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. 2 For therein the elders had witness borne to them. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God: 6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing [unto him]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned [of God] concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a [land] not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised:  

Spiritual Exercise Gives Birth to

Jesus talking to one of his disciples Phillip after he had asked him to show them the Father told him that “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? The person who has seen me has seen the Father. So how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9John 14:9
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father?  

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).

In telling this disciple that whoever had seen him had seen the Father, Jesus is teaching his disciples the lesson of faith because they need to believe that Jesus was sent from God, and in John 14:12John 14:12
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.  

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Jesus stressed again this fact by saying that “Truly, truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father”.
The emphasis by Christ himself in this portion of Scripture is that whoever believes in him will do greater works than those that Christ had done while he walked on the face of this earth. There are three things that distinguished Christ’s ministry here on earth:

  1. He always did things to please his Father; i.e. he was not a man-pleaser. When we do ministry, we should not do things to please men, but the One who has called us.
  2. He was a humble man, because he wanted God to get credit or glory for the things that he did. God will not share His glory with anybody and that is why many Christians today lack excellence because they want to do things that bring glory unto themselves and not glory for God.
  3. Jesus withdrew to a lonely place for prayer because a life of is a life of prayer. Many great men of God like Daniel, Elijah and Moses were disciplined in a life of fasting and prayer. James says that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. (Jam 5:17Jam 5:17
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    17 Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months.      ). Prayer strengthens our spiritual muscles and disciplines us to perform the “great works” that Christ has said we will do

Questions For Discussion - Week 31

  1. What are the three main things that distinguished Christ’s ministry on earth? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. Why do you think it is important for us do works that please God as Christians today? Please explain.
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  3. What role do you think humility plays in becoming like Christ in excellence? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  4. Why do you think we should become prayer warriors if we are to excel in becoming like Christ? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  5. How does faith help us in attaining spiritual excellence? Please explain using Heb 11:1-11Heb 11:1-11
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    11 1 Now faith is assurance of [things] hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. 2 For therein the elders had witness borne to them. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God: 6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing [unto him]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned [of God] concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a [land] not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised:  
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  6. Why should faith become our trademark in seeking excellence? Please explain using Heb 11:6Heb 11:6
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing [unto him]; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.  
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  7. What is the evidence of an excellent life according to Daniel 6:3Daniel 6:3
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    3 Then this Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and the satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.      ? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  8. In your own words please explain briefly why you think you should cultivate a in your Christian walk today. Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Memorize 1 Corinthians 9:241 Corinthians 9:24
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.  

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“Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize.”

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Dec 22 2008

Bible Study Week 30 - Becoming Like Christ in Your Purpose

Published by Rose under Weekly Reflections

Purpose of This Lesson

This lesson will help you to understand that the process of becoming like Christ is by knowing your purpose as a child of God and fulfilling that purpose. Just like Christ was born for a specific purpose and he accomplished it at the cross, you have also been born to fulfill a specific task and purpose, and your duty is to discover it and fulfill it with God’s help.

Learning Goals

This lesson will guide the participants to:-

  1. Learn that they have a unique and specific purpose in life to accomplish
  2. Discover that they can fulfill that purpose with the help of the
  3. Discover the role that righteousness plays in fulfilling this purpose

Introduction

Last week we learned that a disordered mind is an ungodly mind which leads to ungodly desires. Your spiritual growth will take place when you begin to water the garden of your mind with God’s righteousness as Matt 6:33Matt 6:33
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  

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say “But seek ye first His kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Many Christians are so concerned with earthly desires that they completely fail to seek the things that matter; the things of the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Righteousness is an English word which when translated means “right-standing” i.e. to be upright with God. Righteousness is the key to unlocking your purpose and fulfilling your task here on earth.

Begin Today’s Lesson by Reading: Acts 9:1-22Acts 9:1-22
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 1 But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: 4 and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he [said], I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: 6 but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord. 11 And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; 12 and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus. 20 And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. 21 And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests. 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.  

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and Eph 2:1-10Eph 2:1-10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 1 And you [did he make alive,] when ye were dead through your trepasses and sins, 2 wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; 3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:-- 4 but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ , 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: 8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; 9 not of works, that no man should glory. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.  

Prepared For a Purpose

Jesus told His disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches, he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5John 15:5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.  

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). Abiding in, remaining in, holding fast, continuing in Christ is foundational to becoming a man or woman of purpose.

In Isaiah 64:6Isaiah 64:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.  

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, our righteousness is compared to “filthy rags” and therefore if left on our own we cannot discover God’s purpose because of our sinful nature; we therefore have a great necessity to abide in Christ who is “the Lord our righteousness” (Jer 23:6Jer 23:6
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.  ), why. . .? “For we live, move, and exist because of him. . .” (Acts: 17:28).

In the above passage, we see how Paul existed before he met with Christ and how his purpose and task was distorted until he met Christ. Before meeting Christ, Saul (became Paul) only existed to fulfill his own evil and devilish desires, but when he was changed his purpose in life was made known to him and he began a life-long journey of fulfilling that task by the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ talking to Ananias about Paul said “. . . he is a chosen instrument of mine. . .” (Acts 9:15Acts 9:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:  

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).

Having been made right with God through Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit (vs.17.), Saul began his ministry, not of persecuting Christians but persuading people to become Christians; what a great transformation that took place in this man called Saul to the glory of God! And It was only after Saul discovered God’s purpose him that life became meaningful to him; this is the same with us, as we will only have a meaningful life as Christians when we discover God’s purpose for us and fulfill it.

A long time ago, God prepared us for “good works” through Christ (Eph 2:10Eph 2:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.  

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), and our task today is to discover those works and fulfill them, by abiding in Christ “Our Righteousness”.

Questions For Discussion - Week 30

  1. What are the eight virtues that come from above according to James 3:17James 3:17
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.      ? Please list them
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. Why do you think it is important for you today to pursue the mind of Christ? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  3. Why do you think most people experience conflict within them in regards to their desires? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  4. How can you describe the word “desire’? How can we overcome ungodly desires?
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  5. What kind of desires should we have as Christians today?
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  6. Do you think it is possible for us to have godly desires today as Christians living in the 21st century? Please explain.
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  7. What is the evidence of a godly life according to Gal 5:22-23Gal 5:22-23
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.      ? Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  8. In your own words please explain briefly why you think some Christians are still bound by the works of flesh listed in Gal 5:19-21Gal 5:19-21
    English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
    19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, 21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.      . Please explain
    ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Memorize 2:10e 2:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.  

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” For we are his masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared long ago to be our way of life”.

Prayer

Pray that God will help you to discover your purpose and that He will also help you to fulfill it through Christ Jesus, who has become your righteousness.

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