Lesson 6, Various Elements That A Man Needs To Understand And Apply
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 KJV
As Christians, we are to be obedient to Christ; if we aren’t we show that we don’t really love Him. Think about that for a minute.
Submission is not just mindless obedience, it is respect of the authority that God has given or placed someone in, whether or not you agree with everything they stand for.
Examples:
We are to submit to Christ as Christ submits to the Father. Likewise, children submit to their parents and the Church, the Bride of Christ, submits to Christ. And as a wife to her husband (Eph. 5).
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” Romans 13:1-7 KJV
We need to respect others—our parents, those in authority, and everyone else. We may not agree and we might even challenge or argue with certain people, but we are always called to respect (Rom. 13:1-7).
Point to Contemplate:
EVEN IN FIGHTING A WAR, RESPECT CAN BE EXERCISED.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-11 KJV
You have a calling. That “calling” does not have to be “ministry” related. It can be to the world of business, medicine, photography, law, writing, computers, teaching, conservation, counseling, carpentry, building, manufacturing, lawn care, etc . . . You are the only person like you! No one else in the world has the skills and personality exactly like you have. You are extra-ordinary! God has given you a special gift—you, and who you are.
Finding our calling isn’t always as hard as we make it. Simply ask God to show it to you.
God does have a calling on your life and it is possible that it is linked to your future (or present) vocation. God wants His people in the airline industry, in the ministry, in manufacturing, in film production, in computer possessing, in small business, ect. . . Not everyone can reach the people that you can with the gospel! That is why God gives many different callings and interests to His people. There are many people who never take a step into a church and your vocation can bring you into contact with them again and again on a regular basis. This can open some opportunities to share Christ! You are a missionary because you bear the Light of Christ everywhere you go! The only question is will you follow God’s leading to be a Light around them?
Your notes on the subject:
Discipleship and the Great Commission
Jesus Christ gave His disciples the command to make more disciples (Matt. 28:19). We do this through the empowerment and strength of the Holy Spirit, our Counselor. We cannot do it on our own—at least not as He wants us to. This is Christianity at its core!—spending time with the Lord and other Christians. Then, after encouraging each other, we follow the Holy Spirit’s leading to spread salt and light were we are, simply by listening for the Holy Spirit’s promptings. If we continually keep giving and sowing as God directs us, the harvest will keep coming as God wills.
Your notes on the subject:
Purpose – You do have one
You have a purpose! God put you here, in this year, in this place, in this culture for a certain reason. I believe He even put you in this class. Will you be the reformer and light as you live your purpose, or will you just sit around like the average person and never really pursue God?
Your Notes on the Subject:
A Man’s Time
Your time is important and it is limited. In life you constantly spend time, you cannot earn any more time. However, you can spend your time in a meaningful way; for example, spending time with God and with your family. Or you can waste your time, such as playing too many video games or reading your news feed on Facebook too often.
What are you usually spending time on? What do you enjoy spending your time on?
On what do you want (or think you should) spend your time on?
Your notes on the subject:
Watch your Entertainment!
A man needs to be careful what he allows through his eye gate (Matt. 6:22-23). If God is convicting you of something you are watching, please stop doing it. If you do not listen to God’s voice of conviction you will eventually shut yourself off to Him and your relationship with Christ will fade, and if you don’t get back on track, it will wither away (John 15). Please stay in tune with God and desire His presence and leading more than anything else. If you do this, you will take a big step toward keeping your eyes on the Mark.
Your Notes on the Subject:
Work (personal assignment) For Growth