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Foundations Study, Week 6

Posted on Feb 26, 2016 in Foundations Study |

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

     For generations man has been able to find issues to divide over.  In the first family Adam and Eve, in their pride, chose to do things their own way and depart from God’s perfect plan.  Their boys, Cain and Able, inherited this inclination for division and it has been passed along to every one of us.

     In this present age we see it all too often; broken homes, broken hearts, broken people.  A common factor in the problem of division is the inability to see equally or perhaps it should be said, “the unwillingness to be equal”.  Consider the overwhelming list of reasons that people divide; Nationality, Occupation, gender, appearance, opinion, hobbies, history, political, religious… and the list goes on. Interestingly enough this is also the list of reasons that people unite; the same reasons yet completely opposite results, one productive and one destructive.  A common, but not the only, factor for this is purpose. If a person purposes in their heart to “work things out” for the benefit of all (Romans 12:18), if a person purposes to consider others before jumping to conclusions (James 1:19), if a person desires unity and despises division then there is hope for finding middle ground.  It is when we are overflowing with pride, demanding to be heard, eager to assume, and determined to be right (personally not just on the principle) that we are inclined to divide.

     In the verse at the top of the page we have a simple declaration of who we are and what holds us together, “

… for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. In Ephesians 4 we read that Jesus is “.. our peace… and has broken down the middle wall of separation”.  Consider the times that you have let your emotions overrun your objectives. Consistently we will see that our eyes are upon ourselves and not on the will of God. We have settled for seeing things and or people from our own perspective and not from the perspective that Jesus has. If you have struggled or are struggling with the “inclination to division” prayerfully, humbly, receptively read through Philippians 1:27-2:16.  Allow God to give you a renewed sense of purpose as He reveals to you His greater purpose in all things, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints”  1Thessalonians 3:12, 13

Grace be with you,

Pastor Dan
 
 
 

DEEPER STILL-

Follow up from last week:

  1. Let me know if you have not picked up the 4 part handout:
    1. D.L. Moody on spiritual leadership
    2. Humility by Andrew Murray ch. 1-5
    3. Humility by Andrew Murray ch.10
    4. Empowered by the Spirit by Bob Caldwell
  1. I have not heard from everyone participating in DEEPER STILL in regards to week 4 & 5 instructions. Please review last week’s email (posted below) and reply:
  2. Week 4 & 5: Read through this account (Mark 9:14-29) a few times then consider what each of the following people were going through. What might Jesus be teaching them or showing them? Write down your thoughts or observations for each one listed below.
  1. The crowd
  2. The scribes
  3. The father
  4. The son
  5. The disciples
  6. Peter, James, JohnFor those of you who have not received handouts from last week I have them available in my office and we will have them online this week. I apologize for the mix up in getting these out to you.
  7. Also for those of you participating (or wanting to participate) in DEEPER STILL please reply so that I can set up a time for all of us to meet.
  8. After working through this entire handout, separate yourself from distractions and ask God to show you what He desires for you to learn concerning serving Him and growing closer to Him. Write down what you learn.

 

DEEPER STILL

Rock Solid Foundation Series Week 6 Assignment:
  1. Select 3 passages where Jesus gave specific instruction or teaching concerning being a disciple.
    1. Write down your thoughts and insights (and questions if you have any) on the passages you selected. When we meet we will review and discuss what you have written.
  2. Spend an extended period in prayer this week.

 

DEEPER STILL:  

     This is for everyone who senses Gods calling them to a closer more responsive walk. Jesus’ disciples went from curious, to casual, to committed in their relationship with Him. This was not merely their decision or determination. This was a response on their part to what God was calling them to. It is the same today; we start as curious which for some then leads to a casual healthy spiritual life. For some the curious to casual is followed by His call to a deeper commitment. If you are at that point or sense that God is calling you to a role of leadership, or perhaps a role of support and helps, or even a more committed consistent spiritual life, then the DEEPER STILL tract is for you. This will involve the same approach as listed in the initial portion of this letter as well as additional disciplines.
 
     In DEEPER STILL I ask that you commit additional time to prayer. This prayer time is enhanced as you keep a reading journal and prayer log of what God is showing you. Along with the reading journal and prayer log, I ask that you read supplemental articles that I will have available to you.  As you glean from these articles and writings I ask that you write brief summaries or reports on a selected few. DEEPER STILL will help you learn to listen to Gods voice. It will help you learn from others who have experienced God’s faithfulness. DEEPER STILL will strengthen you and stretch you in your spiritual journey with Jesus.

 

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