BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 6

Membership Matters

God’s Gift of a Giving Heart

2 Corinthians 9:1-15

September 6, 2015

 

Probably the one topic that can cause more varied opinions than any other among believers and non-believers is the subject of money. Based on some of the excuses that I have heard of why a person does not attend church is the impression that all we talk about is money. Maybe if they would attend more often they might hear different sermons. It is amazing that when they attend sporadically that they manage to hit on the Sunday that tithing and giving in general is being discussed. There are probably greater underlying reasons they do not come but that is subject for another day.

 

The question I have is why does it appear that the idea of giving affects people in different ways. There are those who give out of a sense of duty or tradition. Others give thinking that God will reward them for their generosity. The most Christ-like givers in my opinion who give out of a willing and open heart. I will talk about these individuals and leave the others to reflect on the category in which they believe they fall.

 

What I am about to say has nothing to do with the health and wealth ideology we hear from so many different organizations. The idea that just because we give to this place or that place God is going to take care of all of our wants and desires is false theology. Yes we will receive spiritual blessing when we give with the right attitude but God is under no obligation to provide an abundance of physical stuff.

 

I believe that God knows which of us know how to handle the monetary wealth He provides. There are those to whom God has given much. As I have observed they are the very ones who contribute a great deal of their material gains not to be rewarded, although that quite often happens but because they have a heart to give what is needed to carry on God’s work. Yes, they cannot out give God but that is not their motivation. Many are not trusted with wealth because they do not know how to manage it according to God’s will. The Scripture today talks about those who hold onto the little they have and therefore do not see much resulting from the little they give.

 

What happens to churches that have more people who do not have a giving heart is that it is limited in the mission it can carry out in a community or even in its own ministry. Very few churches today actually reach their budget each year. This means that the burden falls on a few to carry on the vast majority of the ministries. For a church in this situation rather than doing what God would like for it to do actually finds that it is budget driven. Churches are driven by a number of things that sometimes stymied its growth. It may be an emphasis to maintain buildings.   That would mean it is a slave to buildings that may not suit its needs. It may mean, as good as they are, that a congregation is carrying on more programs than they can afford. Whatever the situation any group needs to honestly evaluate what God is calling them to do and use the resources provided by all of its members, wisely. We will never move beyond where we are today if we have to depend on those who have the gift of giving and not take part willingly in financing the cause of God. Paul spoke about two churches in this letter and what God had called them to do. Let’s see how he handled the situation.

 

2 Corinthians 9:1-2

According to Paul he had enough confidence in the Corinthian church that he really did not need to write to them about the offering. His boasting about the Macedonian church in chapter 8 and now his emphasis on the fact that he had boasted about the church in Corinth turned out to be motivation for both groups. He wanted however to make sure that his promotion of the church to whom he was writing did not turn out to be mere words with no truth behind them.

 

1. If this letter was not really necessary, then why did Paul write it? (He was just trying to emphasize the extreme importance of keeping a promise.)
2. What was Paul trying to do? (Mutually encourage each church to fulfill their pledge to help the Jerusalem church.)
3. Why do we have to be careful when we boast about what another church or person does?
4. How can we make sure that we do not fall under any criticism in what we do in church?

 

2 Corinthians 9:3-4

The people mentioned by Paul in chapter 8 were sent by him to make sure that the Corinthians were ready with their offering. He wanted to make sure his boasting was meaningless. He was fearful that some Macedonians might have travelled through Corinth and had come to Paul with evidence that they had failed in what it had promised to do a year earlier. It would diminish their confidence in Paul and the Corinthian church.

 

1. Why did Paul send Titus and the others to Corinth?
2. Why is it important that we do not have people coming into our church and falling short of the vision that is suppose to be occurring?
3. What are some of the areas that you have recognized that we need to do a better job of reaching our community?
4. Who looks bad when we fail? (Ultimately Jesus.)

 

2 Corinthians 9:5

Here Paul gives the real reason for sending Titus. He wanted to make sure that the church was ready with its gift. He used some pretty strong language when he said that to hold on to money that had been promised to someone else would be the same as committing the sin of covetousness.

 

1. Why would Paul say that failure to complete the task is to covet? (A resource promised to someone else no longer belongs to the one who is giving it.)
2. In what ways could we be guilty of covetousness?
3. What is to be our attitude in giving? (Everything belongs to God and we are turning lose of what is His anyway)
4. What are some of the ways we can prove that we truly love God? (Give to those things that please Him.)

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Paul used an agricultural picture to get his point across. The farmer who holds back on the amount of seed he sows will experience a smaller harvest. In the parable of the sower seed was spread indiscriminately. As a result the good land produce up to one hundred times the amount of seed sown. (Matthew 13:3) Every person must decide how he will approach giving. He may give but does not really want to do so. He must remember that God loves the one who freely and happily gives to the work of the Lord.

 

1. What did Paul mean by sowing sparingly?
2. What examples can you think of that is a picture of what Paul meant?
3. How do we show that we do not have this attitude?
4. What does it mean to give grudgingly or under compulsion?
5. What does God think of this kind of person?
6. What kind of attitude pleases God? Why?

 

2 Corinthians 9:8-9

Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that God was not limited in what He could provide for them. If they were having a problem pulling together the offering that they promised, He was saying, “Get over such an attitude.” God was not limited in what He could do for. It is the same thought that Jesus shared in Matthew telling the people not to worry God was going to take care of them. Paul was telling them that what ever they would give God would pour them an abundance to do even more for Him. He then quotes Psalm 112:9 which is a picture of a man who believes all belongs to God and is willing to give it away. The most important thing that the people needed to remember was that which was more precious than anything of his world pales in comparison to the eternal relationship with God.

 

1. What was the lesson that Paul wanted the Corinthians to learn? (Their gift no matter how small or large could not compare with what God wanted to do for them.)
2. What is the assurance that we have today?
3. Looking at Psalm 112:9 How does it reflect the kind of life we are to live?
4. What are your thoughts on the last two sentences that I wrote above?
5. What are some of the changes you need to make to live the kind of life described above?

 

2 Corinthians 9:10-13

Just as the farmer receives seed from God and as a result of the harvest bread to eat He will take the offering of the church and produce a great harvest because they had remained righteous. They will benefit from their liberal gift producing thanksgiving to God among those who hear about and are recipients of the offering. It was not so much the gift given but the fact that others became aware of what God had done in and through the lives of the Corinthians. Those observing may have been outside the church. It will be obvious to them that the Gospel is working in your hearts.

 

1. In the mind of Paul who is the source of all that the Corinthians had?
2. What was to be the result of their gift? (They would grow in their relationship to God and would produce in others thanksgiving to God.)
3. What happens when others see us serving and giving of our resources to help others? (They thank God for the work being done.)
4. What benefits do we receive by serving God in this way?
5. What are some of the ministries that Bethany has and is doing that will bring praises and thanksgiving to God? (The Good News Club is one example.

 

2 Corinthians 9:14

Paul talked about a sense of community that would result from the gift. The church in Jerusalem would first pray for those who had sent the gift because of the grace at work in them. Secondly, they would want to get to know their benefactors in a more personal and deep relationship. They might never meet but they were brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

1. Even though it was very poor how could the church in Jerusalem reciprocate for the gift received?
2. Why would they want to get to know the people of the church at Corinth?
3. What to them was the source of the desire to send such a gift? (Grace.)
4. What does this say to us about the way we are to view other churches? (We are not in competition but are one in Christ.)

 

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks was given to God for the gift that He had given to the church at Corinth. Paul basically was saying that it was beyond comprehension and description.

 

1. What was the gift about which Paul was writing?
2. Why did he consider it indescribable? (We cannot totally understand how a perfect God could give us the gift of salvation.)
3. What has that gift done in your life?
4. How does this affect the way you view the material possessions that you have been given?
5. Why should we be willing to be generous towards others in the name of God?

 

• View giving as an opportunity to join in on God’s work in this world and not a duty to be performed.
• Evaluate your finances and see if their things that are luxuries that you do not need and use that money to give to the Lord’s work.
• Understand that every time a church does not meet its budget that something goes lacking. It even affects things like mission giving.
• If you have the gift of giving use that gift in a way that is pleasing to God.

 

God wants every church that true to His word to succeed. His message can only be sent out into the world if there are viable churches to carry it. Of course all of this takes all kinds of resources. One of those that must not be neglected is money. The dollars given give people the opportunity to use their gifts, personalities abilities and experiences in the area of passion so that the world may know the God we serve and the Christ who gives salvation. Thankfully, God has brought together people who can make it happen. We just need to believe that He can use all that we have to present to Him. Let us not disappoint those who depend on us by holding back from using all that God has given us.

 

 

 

Lesson 5

Membership Matters

Commitments to be fulfilled

2 Corinthians 8:1-24

August 30, 2015

 

Years ago there was a tradition every fall before the budget was prepared. Pledge cards were signed indicating the amount that each person or family planned to give the following year. Based on that information the church then prepared a budget. In a way it was an act based on faith. I say faith because if the people did not live up to their commitment then the church could not carry out the ministries for which funds were designated. It is always easier to make a promise than it is to carry through with it.

 

I don’t think that I have ever been in a church that has met its budget. Fortunately, through good money management we spend less than the budget that may even leave a surplus at the end of the year. Even for that money there is always a need. What I have described above means that we become captives of the dollar. We are not able to think what God could do if every member participated in giving back to God. I have known of those who have quit giving because they did not like what was taking place in the church. They used God’s money that might provide for a need ministry as a weapon to prove a point.

 

It never ceases to amaze me at what our church is able to accomplish with what we receive. Besides meeting the fixed costs like electricity and salaries there are ministries like back-pack buddies that go on each and every school year. When there is a need the members step up to the plate and give from a generous heart. One of the important ways that we serve the community is through Awana, Good News Clubs and the youth activities like C4M that reach out beyond our walls. It is only as we continue to commit ourselves to serving the Lord through our tithes and offerings that these life-changing ministries take place. This will be an ever increasing struggle as church attendance decreasing and the needs of our society increase. Paul wrote about this same situation almost two thousand years ago to the church at Corinth.

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Paul was talking about an offering that was being taken up for the Jerusalem Church. That church was very poor as a result of its location and persecution at the hands of the Jews living there. Here he was sharing with the Corinthians what another church had done. Comparing the two he explained that the Macedonian church did have the same resources as the Corinthians. Even so because of their thankfulness of what God had done for them they were willing to give sacrificially to relieve their fellow believers who were in need. They actually beg Paul to allow them to help another group of believers.

 

1. What was the subject of the whole discussion in these verses?
2. Why was the church in Jerusalem in such a state of poverty?
3. What were the words of commendation he had for the Macedonian church?
4. What part of this passage shows the heart condition of the Macedonians? (Beg Paul to participate in the gift.)
5. Why were the Macedonians willing to give so liberally?
6. What example do they set for us today?
7. How are we to respond to those who have a genuine need?

 

2 Corinthians 8:5

The Macedonians had the right heart attitude because they had truly given themselves to the Lord. As a consequence of that decision they were willing to serve alongside of Paul according to the will of God.

 

1. What put the Macedonians in the position to want to share? (Give their hearts to Christ.)
2. What does it say about the relationship they had with Paul? (They loved, respected and believed in the ministry he was performing?
3. What needs to happen in our lives before we are able or willing to serve?
4. Why do you think that some people are not willing to live out their lives according to the will of God?

 

2 Corinthians 8:6

Paul sent Titus to them to help administer the collection of the offering to be sent to Jerusalem. As was seen in chapter 7 Titus had spent time in the Corinthian church and was well known and trusted.

 

1. Why was Paul’s representative to the Corinthian church?
2. Why would Paul give the task of collecting the money? (He was a trusted co-worker of Paul who had proven himself faithful and capable of handling the task.)

 

2 Corinthians 8:7

There were several characteristics that had been instilled in the church by Paul. According to Paul they had and abundance of:

• Faith
• Utterances
• Knowledge
• Earnestness
• Love

There was one thing more that he asked of them. They were to follow through with the gracious work to which they had committed themselves. It was not a command to complete the task but proof to others of their sincere love for others.

 

1. What strengths were the Corinthians able to drawn upon to complete the task to which they had agreed?
2. How did they obtain those characteristics?
3. What was to be the result of their actions based on what Paul had done in their lives?
4. How would that act be a witness to others? (That the love of Christ would allow them to carry out the ministry.)

 

2 Corinthians 8:9

Their example of the way they were to view the opportunity to help others was to be found in Christ. He who had everything was willing to become poor that they could be rich in faith and generosity.

 

1. Who is always our example of the way we are to minister to others?
2. What did Christ do for us?
3. Because we have received so much from Him how are we to handle the gifts He has given us?

 

2 Corinthians 8:10- 15

Paul gave them advice to view what they were doing as an advantage to them. Of course they were to do it for the right reasons and now for personal glory. It would be witness to the rest of the churches that they followed through on their promises. His advice was to finish the task that they had started more than a year prior to that point in time. They were not be asked to give beyond what they had but, out of the abundance of their possessions already mentioned. He was not asking them to make themselves poor just to ease the pain of others but once again the offering was to come from their wealth. He had one more thought for them. They might be helping others at that point but there may come a time when they would be in the position when other churches might come to their aid. As was seen in Acts 2, they were to hold all things in common. He also quoted a verse Exodus 16:18. God would take care of their needs.

 

1. In what way is giving done for the right reason reciprocal? (God will provide for the cheerful giver.)
2. What would be one reason Paul would say that the gift was to their advantage? (It was a witness to all of the love they had for others.)
3. What was Paul asking them to give? (Only what they had and not that which would put them in the same condition as the church in Jerusalem.)
4. What might be the position in which they might find themselves at some point? (They may need help in tough times.)
5. How are we sometimes unlike what Paul was asking the church? (We act like we are competition with each other rather than on the same team.)
6. What does our willingness to help others show to the world? (Our love for Christ.)

 

2 Corinthians 8:16-20

Titus was of a like mind with the Corinthian Church. He had a desire to help the Jerusalem Church so Paul sent him and another worker who was well known to many of the churches where Paul had served to help them complete the task. He was given such a sterling commendation from Paul so there would no reason to discredit the two men who would be transporting the gift. Paul wanted everything to be aboveboard and pleasing in the sight of God.

 

1. Why did Paul send Titus to administer the task of completing the offering?
2. Why did Paul send another person along with Titus? (Task was important and maybe larger than one man could handle?
3. Why did Paul go to such lengths to describe the other man’s character?
4. In what way does the selection of the second man fit in with Jewish tradition? (Possibly the requirement of two witnesses to attest to the truth.)
5. What was Paul’s main concern? (Everything be done properly and in order.)
6. Why is it important for us to have checks and balances in the operation of the church? (Again to keep honest people honest. There should be no possibility of improper handling of funds.)

 

2 Corinthians 8:22-24

Not only did Paul send Titus and companion but a third person as well. All three were men of sterling character. Each of them had served faithfully with Paul. He therefore had the upmost confidence in each of them. He then turns the idea of witness around. The church at Corinth was to show the proof of their love by being ready with the gift. Paul wanted nothing to go wrong that would diminish his pride in the church.

 

1. Why was it necessary to send the third man? (Possibly for protection. Carrying large amounts of cash would make one man an easy target for thieves.)
2. What was Paul careful to explain? (The third man was a man of character who also was messenger to the churches.
3. What would the church at Corinth show to the world by their completion of the collection?
4. What other benefit in the mind of Paul would result from the completion? (All the good things that Paul said about the church were true.)
5. How do you want the surrounding areas to feel about Bethany Place?
6. In what ways are we showing that we love Christ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 4

Membership Matters

Gifts Turned to Serving

Romans 12:1-12

August 23, 2015

 

To teach or not to teach, prophesy or to not prophesy, to be hospitable or not to be hospitable are the questions that many seem to ask themselves. These are only three of the many gifts God has given to mankind to be used to serve Him in his church. Even though I did not know about gifts many years ago I decided to respond to the call to teach a class of wild eleven year old boys. Somehow both they and I survived that year and the years to follow. Long before I knew anything about spiritual gifts I had a sense that I was doing something that not only did I enjoy but also was meant to do. By responding to that plea to fill a void I have been blessed beyond measure by the relationships and friendships that have been formed with those who have been in classes I have a led. Surprisingly, for me the other gifts that I have discovered only reinforce the ability to use my primary gift. Knowledge and wisdom round out the top three. Two of my favorite verses are Ezra 7:10 and 1 Corinthians 9:16-18. I serve because I am expected to use what God has given me. Not to do so is a sin. See James 4:17.

 

Churches do not grow because there are many who do not use the gifts God has given to them to serve. They do not realize that they are denying the church the use of their many abilities, talents and gifts. I think much of this stems from the fact that somehow we have not excited them about becoming true disciples. Their lives have not been changed in a way that leads them to serve. They have not discovered the way God has wired them and therefore live in darkness. Disciples are those who have become followers of Christ having been changed in their minds and hearts. When this happens they desire to complete God’s mission in this world.

 

We can continue to allow many of the members to remain in that condition or help them become viable disciples. It will take a great deal of effort to change the mindset of many but all of the work will be worth it in the long run. Paul deals with those who had recognized God as he explained in chapter 11. Let us see the lessons that we can learn in chapter 12 of Romans as Paul encourages the church to get involved in ministry.

 

Romans 12:1

Paul connects this part of the letter with the discussion of God’s mercies on his people shared in chapter 11. Since God had allowed the Gentiles to become part of His forever family, he urged them to give themselves totally to Him as a living and holy sacrifice. They were to hold nothing back. Their willingness to give themselves to Him made them acceptable in the sight of God. Since He had done so much for them it was only reasonable that they would want to worship Him by their service.

 

1. Looking back at chapter 11 what did God do for the Gentiles? (He had grafted them into the olive tree that was a metaphor of the Israelites. They now had a place in God’s kingdom because of the work of Christ not their own abilities.)
2. Since they were now connected to Jesus what did Paul call on them to do?
3. What makes us acceptable to God?
4. What is one way we worship God? (By our sacrificial service.)
5. What are the ways that you believe you are serving God?

 

Romans 12:2

The danger each man faces is compromising with the ever-changing culture of the world in which they live. Contrasted to the man who is swayed by every new idea or thought the man of God has changed into someone different than the person he had been previously. The Greek work for renewing is “Kainos” which means “new in point of character and nature.” Man must realize that this metamorphous is the desire that God has for each person. It is good acceptable and perfect in the eyes of God.

 

1. What is the danger facing man today? (He may become conformed to the ways of the world. See Ephesians 4:14 and James 1:6)
2. What are some of the things in society you believe are opposed to the church?
3. What is the main work or mission of the church? (To convince others that there is only thing that can change the way a man believes and acts)
4. Where does the renewing take place? (In the mind because that is where values and ideas are filtered.)
5. What does it mean to have a biblical worldview? (Everything we believe is filtered through God’s word.)
6. What does God desire for men? (Change of heart and mind to worship God.)
7. How does God view our metamorphous?

 

Romans 12:3

Having been called by God to preach the gospel and minister to the Gentiles Paul felt qualified to deal with issues that would separate man from God’s plan for him. He admonished them to be humble and not arrogant or haughty. Throughout the Scriptures the men of God condemned those who held themselves out as better than others. In Ezekiel 34:7-10 God spoke out against the shepherds who did not take care of the people in their care. Paul wanted them to understand that each of them had limitations that did not go beyond how God had gifted them. They were to think about themselves the way God viewed them and had provided for them.

 

1. What gave Paul the right to question the actions of many in the church at Rome? (God had called him to minister to the Gentiles and give them guidance.)
2. What is the danger when a man thinks to highly of himself? (One thing he will attempt things for which he is not called to do. Secondly, it will lead to pride that separates him from God.)
3. What is to be the attitude of everyman? (One of humility knowing that God has prepared him for ministry but that he is also limited in what he can accomplish.)
4. How does Ezekiel 34:7-10 fit in with what Paul said here? (Those who look out for themselves will be condemned by God.)
5. How can we keep from letting pride enter into our lives?

 

Romans 12:4

God has gifted every person so that he can take his rightful place in the body of the body of the church of Christ. Man has been gifted in such a way as to carry out the different functions in the church. There are some warnings as to how he is to view his place.

• He realizes that the gifts of the Spirit are dispensed by God.
• Man cannot choose the gift he wants.
• No one has all of the gifts
• The gifts cannot be projected onto another person
• Gifts are given for service to God and are not to be used for selfish reasons.
• God provides every gift a church needs to carry on its work.
• Not to use them is a sin.

 

1. Why did God give Spiritual gifts to man?
2. What are some of the ways we misunderstand what the giving of gifts means?
3. Why do we need to heed the warnings giving above? (Misuse can lead to division and pride.)

 

Romans 12:5-8

Paul to let the Roman Christians know that even though each person is an individual and shaped differently they are only one part of the whole. It takes each and every one of them to make up the body and complete the work of the church. Every person is dependent on each and every other member of the church. He called on the believers to exercise the gift given to them and leave others to use their gifts. He listed the ones that were needed in every church. Looking at the list of gifts in other books there are more than 20 different ones. Here Paul listed:

• Prophecy which is the foretelling and forthtelling of the word according to what God has shared with a person
• Serving
• Teaching
• Exhortation which is encouraging and also admonishing
• Giving with liberality
• Leading with diligence
• Showing mercy with cheerfulness.

 

1. Why is it important to understand how God has gifted us? (To understand how we fit into His body and His plans for us.)
2. What do you understand about Spiritual Gifts?
3. What have you done to identify and discover how God has gifted you?
4. What is the danger in leaving your gifts hidden?
5. What do you believe is your gift and how are you using it?
6. What did God give different gifts to different people? (To make us dependent on each other to accomplish God’s work. It also keeps us from becoming prideful thinking that we are more than we are.)

 

Romans 12:9

Although not in any of the list of Spiritual Gifts God’s kind of love is the driving force behind man’s willingness to serve. In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul indicates that nothing man does has any value unless it is done in love. The word used here is agape. Agape is the unconditional love that wants nothing but the very best for others. It is the love of the will and not built on emotion. Paul stated that man is not to fake love but it is to be genuine and not hypocritical.

 

1. Why is the word agape not listed as a Spiritual Gift?
2. What does the word mean?
3. For what reasons will a man fake this kind of love?
4. Why must we determine to love in this way? (It is not easy sometimes to love someone who is not a likeable person. God loves in this way.)
5. How do we display this kind of genuine love?

 

Romans 12:10-12

Based on the love in the above verses and the Spiritual Gifts listed in different place, Paul gave some specific ways to live out a life of true discipleship in the body. They are to:

• Be devoted to each other in brotherly love. The Greek word used here is Phileo. Phileo is not possible without agape.
• Put others first
• Be diligent in service
• Be fervent in spirit
• Serve the Lord
• Rejoice in hope
• Persevere in tribulation
• Be devoted in prayer
• Contribute to the needs of the saints
• Practice hospitality

 

These are not some kind of checklist that might lead to legalism. They are to be done because man has chosen to follow the words given in the first verses to be transformed by the way one thinks. If his focus is on God he will want to do those things that are pleasing to Him.

 

• Decide to give your total being to God that includes both the mind and heart. He can then use in service to Him.
• Evaluate where you are in your spiritual journey and understand that true discipleship is more than just church membership.
• Discover the way God has wired you with Spiritual Gifts, passions, abilities, personalities and experiences and then determine to use them in total service to Christ.
• Determine to love, agape, those who are in the body of Christ so that you can serve them as Christ has done for you.
• Use Paul’s examples of the way we are to treat each other not as a checklist but because you love the brothers and sisters in the body.

 

God has given us an opportunity that no other group has. It is to serve Him as disciples. Remember a good definition of a disciple is to follow Him, to be changed in our hearts by Jesus and be committed to the mission of Christ to save those who are lost in their sins. We can only do this if we discover who we are and how God can use us. There are a number of ways to find out about ourselves through personal study and formal training classes like “The Real Me.” Once we have found out how God has wired us then it is time to put our gifts to work. Here again there are many opportunities in the church to serve. We are also to carry the word of God beyond the doors of the church. The church is not to be a convent but a place to be prepared to face the world. None of us have the excuse that we are not equipped to serve. God prepares all of us for some type of ministry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 3

Membership Matters

Belonging Where You Belong

Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:37, 41-47

August 16, 2015

 

Have you ever been in a place or situation where you were very uncomfortable? There have been at least two of those occasions that I remember very well where I felt like a complete outsider. When I was a young teenager the church to which I belonged was kind enough to send me to a camp for a few days. It was one of those situations where if I had said no it would seem that I was ungrateful for the opportunity the church had provided. The first day was fine because my pastor was there for the beginning ceremonies but had to leave afterwards. There I was in a strange place not knowing anyone. I was going to be there for the duration of the camp. To say the least I would have rather have been anywhere else of the face of the earth than where I was. Others, who were not as introverted as I was, would have probably have made friends very quickly. To add insult to injury I had forgotten to take swimming trunks and could not join into some of the water activities. As you can see I survived.

 

The second one involved a particular church itself. I was in the process of leaving one church and seeking another place to worship. There is a church very close to where we live and I hoped that I could find a church home there. From the very beginning there was a deep feeling that I just did not belong there. I was not comfortable in Bible Study, choir or the worship service. The people there did not do anything to indicate that it mattered to them whether I was there or not. My wife finally attended a worship service and felt totally out of place. These are two good examples of how an individual might feel being in a strange environment.

 

All of us have experienced going into a church that we would consider unfriendly. There are all kinds of ways a church can present itself as cold and uninviting. One of the things that consultants for churches do before they actually begin the formal consultation is to attend the church in question to see whether they would consider it a place in which they would fit in. Simple things like clear signage, friendly and helpful greeters and the general friendliness of the people speak volumes about the church. The first ten minutes on the property will often determine whether a guest will return for a second time. Those simple things are important if a person will become part of the body.

 

After the initial impression, there are a number of factors that will influence their decision. What we will be looking at today is how does a person connect to a body and continue to grow as a disciple of Christ. Before we get started, I would like to share just one definition of a disciple. It is found in the book, “Real Life Discipleship” by Jim Putman. It states, A disciple is one who is following Christ and is one who is being changed by Him and committed to Jesus’ mission to save people from their sin. A change must take place in the head and the heart to be committed to Christ.

 

 

Matthew 28:18

Jesus had won the victory over sin and death. No longer could the devil have authority over anyone’s life Jesus had claimed it because of the completion of His work. There was no place in the universe to which his rule did not extend.

 

1. What gave Jesus the right to the claim of being the final authority in the universe?
2. What does it mean for a person to have a position of authority?
3. Other than Jesus who are some examples of people in positions of authority?
4. What gives them authority?
5. Who had been in control of the cosmos prior to the death and resurrection of Christ?
6. What does the words of Christ mean to you?

 

Matthew 28:19a

Because of the authority He had been given by the Father, He had the right to command His disciples to go out into the world first to evangelize. The idea of “Telling” was discussed last week so there is no need to cover it further today. The one that can be emphasized is, it shows that it was not a command. The actual translation of the word go literally means that as a person is going about their daily lives they are to make disciples. The command in the verse is make disciples. Disciples are those who are involved in the life-long process of being transformed in mind and heart. That change will lead a person to first serve the Lord in the area of his or her giftedness. As one grows as a disciple he will then have a desire to bring others along with them. It is such a honor to see others grow in their relationship with Christ and others.

 

1. What did the authority of Jesus give him a right to do?
2. What did the word really mean for each of us?
3. What does it mean to become a disciple? (It is the process that begins with salvation, connecting with others, serving and ending with training others to walk with Christ.)
4. Where do you believe you are in the process?
5. Why can none of the steps be skipped? (Each person must grow in their own personal disciples to train others?

 

Matthew 28:19b

As mentioned above there is a process that truly makes a person a disciple. It begins with baptism. Baptism does not save a person but is the outward sign of the inward change of heart that has taken place in the life of a person. It is only the beginning. A person is not to stop growing at the point of conversion and baptism. To be baptized means that a person has become a part of the body of Christ. A new believer is like an ember in a fire that will die if it does not remain where it can draw on the energy from the other logs. Every believer both young and old must stay connected to the body. (See once again Hebrews 10:25)

 

1. What does baptism symbolize?
2. What should happen after a person becomes a believer? (He is to become a physical part of the body.)
3. What happens to those who do not remain in the body?
4. What does becoming part of a church allow to take place in a person’s life?
5. What do you think of the example I used to show what happens to a new believer?

 

Matthew 28:20

Learning cannot take place without one being a part of a group of fellow believers who are actively involved in becoming followers of Christ. They are the ones to whom Jesus commanded His disciples to teach. The teaching involved not only all the things the disciples had heard but, everything they had seen Jesus do. It was to include both knowledge and practical experience as well. Jesus’ final words were the ultimate picture of the relationships people in the body can have. He promised the disciples that He would be with them through the presence of the Holy Spirit for all times.

 

1. Where does the greatest learning experiences take place? (In small groups where people are transparent and accountable to each other.)
2. What is the problem with many of classes today? (They are a one-way street of providing information. Small groups are just the opposite with interaction among the participants.)
3. When do the things we learn become important in our lives? (When we are able to put them into practice.)
4. What was the promise that Jesus made that gives us assurance? (That He is always going to be with those who are His followers.)
5. When can we expect this to happen? (We are united in Worship and small groups learning to become His disciples and helping others along that path.)

 

Acts 2:37-38

When the people in Jerusalem heard and understood the part they had had in the death of Jesus and learning of His resurrection they only wanted to know one thing. It was what they could do to be saved from judgment. The answer given by Peter was, “Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Before anything else could happen in their lives they needed to deal with the issues of sin and conversion.

 

1. What struck at the heart of the people upon hearing the sermon preached by Peter in the preceding verses of chapter 2? (They understood their role in the crucifixion of Jesus.)
2. Why did they ask what they needed to do about their situation? (The Holy Spirit convicted them of their sin.)
3. What was the only answer to their dilemma?
4. What is the first step you need to take to become a Christian?
5. Why do some fail to ever grow in their faith? (They have been unwilling to deal with their sinful nature and therefore do not understand why God is not doing anything in their lives.)

 

Acts 2:41

Luke wrote they were willing to begin the process of becoming a part of the body. Believing the word that had been preached to them and were baptized. On the day of Pentecost three thousand souls were added to the body of Christ.

 

1. How were those early Christians just like us? (They heard and believed)
2. What does it mean to truly hear? (It results in believing the word of God.)
3. What is the result? (One believes and wants to become part of the body.)
4. In what ways is this only part of the picture? (One may respond based on emotion and not faith according to fact of the resurrection of Christ and soon drop away.)

 

Acts 2:42

Conversion was only the beginning of a life in Christ for the people who believed. They had a real hunger first of all for the teaching of the word of God. Because there was no place to hold three thousand people they began small groups in the homes of fellow believers. The basis of this new life was a devotion to the words of the apostles. Two other aspects that were important were the participation in common meals and prayer.

 

1. What do you consider the important elements of growth in your spiritual walk?
2. What do we see in the life of the early church that should be a model for our own fellowship?
3. What if anything, do you think may be lacking in the priorities that we set for the church today? (We all too often emphasize programs over real discipleship.)
4. What does a real fellowship look like?
5. What you believe is your part in helping people to grow as disciples?

 

Acts 2:43

There was in the midst of the believers a sense of awe as they witnessed all that was happening in their midst at the hands of the apostles.

 

1. What would it take for you to have a sense of God’s moving in our midst?
2. What part can you play in seeing it happen?
3. What part do you think that the fellowship found in small groups encourage such a sense of reverence and awe?
4. Would you be willing to be a part of a group that was devoted to God’s word and each other’s spiritual well being?

 

Acts 2:44-47

In the church of Jerusalem there was such a oneness of spirit in everything they did from worshipping in the temple to spending a great deal of time together in joyful celebration. The writer indicates that they shared all they had even if it meant selling property to help those in need. Because of their attitudes and actions many others wanted to become a part of that special fellowship.

 

1. What does it mean for there to be unity in the church?
2. What does it take for this to happen?
3. When have you, if ever, been involved in a church that had this oneness of spirit?
4. If not what do you think was missing?
5. In what ways was the church in Jerusalem different than any you have ever experienced?
6. What can happen in an atmosphere like that? (People will grow and others will want to be a part of such a church.)

 

• Do your part in making sure that the first 10 minutes that a guest is at Bethany Place will make them feel at home.
• Understand that being a church member is not enough. Jesus expects each of us to become disciples that make disciples. Matthew 28:19-20
• Understand that for each of you that being a disciple is a process beginning with conversion and going through connecting with other believer, being discipled by someone, ministering to others and becoming a discipler yourself.
• Be willing to take part in a small group that is helping you to take a leadership role in discipling others.
• 2 Timothy 2:15 is a good verse to learn and put into practice.

 

Making disciples who make disciples is the vision of the church. This will not happen unless we take seriously the command of Jesus “to make disciples.” This will take not private study and meditation on God’s word but involving yourself in a corporate fellowship that believes that its role in the world is to not only bring people to a saving grace, conversion, but to help them grow into productive followers of Christ. The word disciple carries with it both the idea of following but also being transformed by that relationship with our Savior and Lord. This can only happen as we gather together to grow and then go out to carry the good news to a dying and confused world. For years the Southern Baptist Convention emphasized evangelism. We have come to realize along with many other church leaders that it is not enough. A person must be helped to grow to bring him to the point of being a mature follower who is able to help others into the kingdom. The question for each of us is do we want to be part of that tremendous movement that began with the apostles?

 

 

 

 

Lesson 2

Membership Matters

Blessed Are the Feet

Acts 9:15, Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:13-15

August 9, 2015

 

I enjoy hearing those stories about people who get in a taxi, on an airplane or are sitting in some public place pretty much minding their own business when someone strikes up a conversation which at seems to be meaningless but in the end winds up with the person coming to know the Lord. I do not happen to be that person with whom people start such conversations. I can be in a place with my Bible open or be reading a overt Christian book and I might as well be on another planet. It is obvious that some of us have the gift of evangelism. I was bypassed when that gift was passed out.

 

One of he exciting things that I experienced on my trips to Russia was the deep commitment of the young people to Christ. There in a predominate Muslim country those young adults had no fear of going an witnessing even on the street corners of there city. They knew that sharing the Word of God could result dire consequences for them. They are definitely and example for each of us.

 

Having shared that fact does not let me off the hook. I still have the responsibility to tell others about Jesus. All the training in the world cannot make it easier to do so. But I say again, I still have a responsibility. As David Jeremiah has said we have the one piece of news that no other group in the world has. It is the message of salvation. My head and heart knows this but it seems that my mouth has gotten the message.

 

Over the years churches have offered all kinds of strategies to help its members learn how to evangelize. The most popular of these has been Evangelism Explosion which was begun by Dr. D. James Kennedy, Pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. It is very extensive when many forks in the road to lead a person to Christ. Somewhat simpler in its presentation is FAITH. It however takes about twelve weeks to master the material. The sad thing about both of these and others only a small percentage of members actually participate in any of these strategies. It now takes about 100 people a whole year to bring one person to Christ. If the church is to grow then that statistic needs to be reversed. All aspects of membership must be brought together for this to happen.

 

Isaiah 52:7

Salvation is the all-important event in each person’s life. The one who has a part in bringing a person is one who is truly blessed. He is the one who is willing to step out into this world into all the places he is called knowing that he has the approval of God. It is truly a lovely thing in the eyes of God for one to bring good news to those who are lost. There are three things that those who are willing to go bring to the world. They are:

• Good news
• An announcement of genuine peace
• Good news of happiness.

 

 

1. It may be obvious but what is the most important decision a person ever makes?
2. How does God view that person?
3. What are the three things that those willing to go bring to the world?
4. What is the good news that would happen long after Isaiah was gone?

John 20:21

Before He gave his great commission in Matthew 28:18 He told His disciples that in the same way He had been sent into the world so that they would come to know God they were to be send into to different people to proclaim the good news of salvation. They had spent three years with Him being trained to carry on His work. It would now be up to them to continue what He had begun.

 

1. What did Jesus mean by His words to His disciples?
2. How is this related to the Great Commission?
3. In what way had they been prepared to carry on the work of Christ?
4. What was still missing at that point? (The empowering of the Holy Spirit.)
5. To were the disciples to be sent?

 

Acts 9:15

The words to Ananias beginning in Acts 9:10-15 were going to change the world. In verse 15 God used the same word that Jesus spoke in Matthew 28. He was told to “go” to the very person who was to bring the good news to the Gentiles. Paul a Jewish rabbi was being sent to the despised people of the world. Not only was Paul to witness to the Gentiles but also to his fellowmen.   If Ananias had refused to go the world may have missed out on hearing the good news from the greatest apostle the ever known.

1. What was the most important command God gave to Ananias? (Go)
2. What would have been the consequence of his refusal? (Paul may have never gone to the Gentiles to preach the message of salvation.)
3. Why do we not respond to the command to go spoken here and in Matthew 28:18?
4. What are the consequences of our refusal to go? (In the going people are led to Christ. That is the first step to discipleship.)

 

Romans 10:13

For the third time the words, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved,” were used in Scripture. The first two refer to the terrible Day of the Lord. On that Day of Judgment all His glory will be on display. It will be when God will call His people to return to Him. The other two references are found in Joel 2:32 and in Acts 2:21. For Paul it was a call for all people to respond by calling on the name of the Lord. By doing so they each would be saved. Paul went on to share just how salvation would occur.

 

1. What do you think about when you hear the words of this verse?
2. To whom is the salvation Paul spoke about available?
3. Why did Paul use this verse differently that Peter or Joel? (They both spoke of what would occur at the end of the age.)
4. In what way could Paul picture any day as the day of the Lord? (For every man any day could be his last day on earth?

 

Romans 10:14-15a

If the beginning of a person’s spiritual life is salvation, Paul drew attention to some important questions that would lead to eternal life. The things he asked were rhetorical in nature. He wanted to drive home the point that salvation would not come unless other Christians were not actively involved in sharing the gospel. He asked:

• How could they seek salvation if the belief in the God who provided it?
• How could they believe if they never heard about Him?
• How could they hear without having a preacher come to them?
• How could they preach unless they were sent?

 

1. Why did Paul speak of salvation as the beginning one’s spiritual life? (It is the first step to the life of discipleship?
2. In what ways were the questions asked meant to be rhetorical? (He and they should have known the answers.)
3. Where do you picture yourself in the questions Paul asked?
4. Why is the process so important?
5. Why cannot salvation come without our part in the process?
6. What does it mean to be a preacher?

 

Romans 10:15b

Paul indicated that the man who carried the responsibility to which he was called to would be blessed.

 

1. In what ways is a person blessed by sharing the gospel?
2. What do you see as your responsibility in sharing the gospel?
3. Where are you willing to go to bring people to Christ?
4. What do you need to know to share Jesus with someone else?

 

• One word that should be a part of your life is, “Go.”
• Understand that coming to salvation is a process that only comes as you share what you know with others.
• Find your place in the process leaving the results to God.
• Overcome any fear you have in sharing Christ.
• Remember the statistic that it takes 100 people a year to lead one person to Christ and do your part to reverse it.

 

No church nor the kingdom of God will growth without the commitment of its members to share the gospel with those they meet. The best way to have an opportunity to do so is to build relationships with non-believers. Hopefully they will see by your lifestyle that you are truly a follower of Jesus Christ. That will open the door for you to share in a non-threatening way what Christ has done for you. This means that you have to consciously have to get out your comfort zone and meet those you would not ordinarily get to know. That was exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “Go” to His disciples. In the vision to Ananias he was told to “Go” to Paul. The command that he was given to share with Paul contained the mandate that he, “Go” to both the Gentiles and the Jews with the good news. That same command has been given to each and every follower of Christ. To refuse to “Go” is to disobey Him. Let us not take lightly the importance of being obedient, remembering that we hold the key to a person’s eternity.

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 1

Membership Matters

Encounters with God

Hebrews 10:22-23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Psalm 95:1-3

August 2, 2015

 

One Sunday a number of years ago I was sitting in the worship service and a question popped into my head. It was, what are the reasons that all of the people were at church on that morning?” I believed that the concept of worship is so vital that I asked the same of myself. Some to be sure were there thinking that some need would be met. Others possibly just enjoyed the fellowship or music or sermon or a number of other reasons. A second reason that was related to the first was, what is the true purpose for worship?   It seemed to me that if the service was all about us then we could not find solutions to our needs etc. from other sources. Those thoughts set me on a journey into God’s word to see where our focus should be when we come together. What I discovered was that every time we come together the focal point of our worship is to be on God. The verses we will be covering today will point directly to what that focus should look like and what should be the outcome. I found that every time a person in the Bible had an encounter with God there were four elements. Each starts with an E.

They are:

• Equipping- It is the preparation for meeting God
• Encounter- It is the actual coming into the presence of God.
• Expectation- It is the guidance we receive from the teaching and preaching to live out the following days according to His purpose.
• Expression- Is actually carrying out what God has commanded or directed Him to do.

 

In other words we are to come prepared to meet God and find out what He wants to do in our lives. To dwell on ourselves shuts God out from our lives.

 

It is informative to see that the Bible tells us as much about what worship is not to be as much as how and whom we are to worship. The Word of God is very emphatic about reverencing only God and not all the false gods of the other nations outside of Israel. We need to be very careful that when we come together we are not bowing down before the many things that can distract us from honoring the Creator of the whole universe. Each of the passages in today’s study will cover a different aspect of our encounters with God.

 

From what statistics show this nation no longer takes worship seriously. Church attendance is at an all time low. Millennials are dropping out of church at alarming rate of 80 percent. One survey that was conducted showed that person attends church only 1.6 times a month. Several others say that the average person is in church only half of the Sunday’s in the year. This makes it difficult for church members to understand what it means to have a biblical worldview gained from what is taught or preached with because members are not consistent in their attendance.

 

Hebrews 10:22

When a person comes into the presence of the Lord, he must approach worship with a heart totally devoted to the Father because of his faith. His preparation should include having a heart that has been cleansed of all kinds of evil thoughts and actions.

 

1. What are the ways a man is equipped or prepared to come into the presence of God?
2. What does it mean to cleanse oneself before approaching God?
3. How do you see this happening or not occurring at Bethany Place?
4. How can we know it is taking place? (There should be a real sense of the presence of God in our midst if we are in tune with God.)
5. Why do we need to be cleansed before coming into church? (There are so much evil and ungodly activities going on around us that might cloud our ability to worship God.)
6. What does it mean to have a sincere or true heart? (It is one that is devoted to and committed to God with a person’s whole being.)

 

Hebrews 10:23

When man becomes a follower of Christ he comes by faith in Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews indicated that man is to hold fast to the declaration of the faith that he has in Christ. He is to remain firm in that decision to follow Him and not letting the world influence him in anyway that will cause him to turn away from that faith. God who promised that those who believe and committed their lives to Him will be saved is faithful to carry out what He has declared.

 

1. How does a person become a follower of Jesus Christ?
2. How does a person show that he has become a true follower of Christ? (By holding fast to the commitment he made when he became a Christian)
3. In what ways is it important to have this mindset as we approach the Lord in worship? (One who wavers in his decision cannot truly focus on the Father.)
4. How is a person to respond to all the temptations that are thrown at him?
5. What guarantee has God given to us? (He is faithful to carry out all He has promised especially the assurance of salvation to all who believe.)

 

Ephesians 2:8

Above, the Scripture alluded to faith that that a man who worships must have. Ephesians explains in clear terms how a man gets salvation. It begins with the grace of God that is understood to be the free gift that He wants to provide to everyone. The only way is to believe that God through Jesus Christ can bring about that saving grace in a person’s life. That belief is called faith. Man cannot provide himself with it by hard work or any effort of his own.

 

1. What is faith?
2. What is grace?
3. How does a man receive salvation?
4. Why is it important for a man to have assurance of eternal life before he can truly worship God? (It is impossible to reverence and esteem as holy, One in whom you do not believe.)
5. Why can man not acquire salvation on his own? (It can never be good enough to merit the grace of God.)

 

Ephesians 2:9

If man could provide a way of salvation on his own he would become arrogant boasting in his own ability and hard work. God says throughout His word that salvation does not come by anything man can do on his own each man is totally dependent of God for the grace that comes to him. To boast is to set oneself above God. A boastful man cannot truly worship God because he is unwilling to submit to Him as one greater than himself.

 

1. What would happen to a man who thinks that he can earn salvation on his own? (He no longer needs God and therefore would worship himself.)
2. Why did God not allow that to happen? (God knows that this is a destructive attitude for man to have.)
3. What happens in your own life when you try to dethrone God from His rightful place in your life?
4. How do we come to the point of truly being able to worship God? (When we realize our total dependence on Him for our very life here and forever?

 

Psalm 95:1-3

Man’s heart attitude before God should result in life full of joy and song. The Psalmist provides examples of the way man is to come into the presence of God. He wrote the truth worshipper was to:

• Sing for joy to the Lord
• Shout joyfully to the One who provides salvation
• Approach Him with thanksgiving
• Shout joyfully to Him with Psalms

 

The reason that man should want to do those things is because God is great and the King above all kings. In other words there is no greater being in the entire universe than the God of the Bible.

 

1. How does the Psalmist say we are to approach God?
2. When have you come into the presence of God with this heart attitude?
3. What do you think would affect the way you worship if you prepared your heart this way?
4. Why is it important to acknowledge God in this way? (He is the God of our salvation and the provide of all that is good in our lives.)
5. In your mind who is it that can compare with God?
6. Why do we act and worship in a way sometimes that makes God small?
7. What can you do to change the way you come into the time of worship?

 

• Before attending worship look at some of the Psalms like 100 and 150 to prepare your heart.
• Pray that God will cleanse you from all sin so that you will be clean vessel to hear God speaking to you.
• Make sure you understand what salvation means to you before approaching God.

 

We have been given an opportunity that no other religion in the world offers. Each time we come into His we have the privilege of worshipping the one true God who has promised that He will be available when we approach Him. Those who come with hearts that are humbled and prepared to meet Him He will meet us. Our worship is to be filled the acknowledgement of His awesome character and praises to His name because He has showered us with His love. Because He cares for us we need to be in our places in His house as often as is possible. Most of us focus on Him when we meet together with other believers. Let us gather together as He has commanded. See Hebrew 10:25 for the purposes of our coming into the His house.