7TH OCTOBER, 2015 BIBLE STUDY
FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH MAGODO GRA
WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER, 2015 BIBLE STUDY
THEME: PUT OFF AND PUT ON
TEXTS: ROM 13: 14; EPH 4: 22- 32; COL 3: 8- 14; GAL 5: 19-21
TOPIC: PUT ON THE SHINING ARMOUR OF RIGHT LIVING
TEXT: ROMANS 13: 12- 14
INTRODUCTION
In our text, when Paul talks of sleep, he has in mind a state of carelessness and indifference to sin and the things of God. Many of us wake up when we hear a good Sunday school lesson, a good song or a good sermon. But then, we just roll over and go back into a state of sleep as soon as the church service is over. We are hard pulled by worldliness, which is the nature of sin. Worldliness will be the destruction of unbelievers, but I am afraid it will also cause many of those who were once in Christ to be lost eternally.
A. Paul lists some sins that are common among people who live in moral darkness. Though we are people of light, we sometimes clothe ourselves with darkness. From our text, we shall examine 2 types of sin we are to put off and 2 weapons we are to put on, if we are to succeed in living right before God.
I. Reveling and Drunkenness, Gal 5:21: Revelry is ‘kamos’ in Greek which originally referred to a festival procession in honor of the god of wine.
II. Strife and Unforgiveness: Sometimes churches are better known for their fighting than for their love. In these last days, people need to find refuge from strife, violence and unforgiveness among people of God. Paul tells us how to put off all these in verse 14b.
B. We are not just to put off our night garment but we are to equally put on our day garment. Paul says we are to put on our battle cloths. We must do battle against the darkness till Jesus comes. Therefore he says we should put on 2 things:
I. The Lord Jesus Christ:
To ‘put on Christ’ which means manifesting Him on the outside, refers to clothing the soul in the moral disposition and habits of Jesus.
To ‘put on Christ’ which means manifesting Him on the outside, refers to clothing the soul in the moral disposition and habits of Jesus.
II. The Weapon of Light vs 12
‘Hoplon’, the word translated ‘Armour’, literally means weapon. In Eph 6 10: 17, the whole armor of God is listed, among st which are:
a. The Sword of the Spirit - The word of God (Eph. 6:17; Ps 119:105; 2Tim 4:3)
b. The Breastplate of Righteousness (2Cor 6: 7, Eph 5: 11). You ought to live so that your life stands out as a rebuke to sinful men. So you should examine your life. Is there any unconfessed, habitual sin in your life? We are to walk properly and decently especially towards outsiders as good witnesses of Christ (1 Thess. 4: 12).
CONCLUSION
How would you like Christ to find you? We need to put off all these and take a stand against sin, and for the Lord Jesus Christ.
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WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY. 26TH AUGUST, 2015.
THEME: GIVING BY FAITH
TEXT: GEN 22:1-19; HEB. 11: 1-6, 17-19; LUKE 6:38, MALACHI 3:8-12, 1 SAM. 1:27-28
TOPIC: ENCOURAGING FAITHFUL GIVING
INTRODUCTION
No farmer in his right mind would say, "I cannot afford to plant or to sow or that this is all the seed I have, only four sacks of it. Therefore I am just going to hold on to the seed." The only way he's going to get anything out of it is by giving it away. He has to plant the seeds. If he holds on to it, that's all he's got. But if he gives it away, it multiplies. That is true with our money. It is true with everything in our life. It seems illogical that when you have a need, you need to give. That's why it requires faith. God says "My ways are not your ways." Why did God set it up that way? Because God is a giver (John 3:16).
The principles for faithful giving:
1. FAITHFUL GIVING SHOULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE ESTABLISH IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK.
Paul commends the Philippian church by reminding them of how, at the first preaching of the gospel, after he departed from their region (Macedonia), they shared with him in the matter of giving and receiving (Philippians 4:15-16). But right from the start of their Christian experience, the Philippians had given.
Jesus taught the same principle in Luke 16:10-13. After giving the parable of the unrighteous steward, which has to do with money.
So financial faithfulness, which includes giving, but also how we manage all the material goods God has entrusted to us (earning, spending, saving), should be one of the first lessons we learn in our Christian walk.
2. FAITHFUL GIVING SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL.
The Scriptures warn us about men who are in ministry for the money (1 Tim. 6:5; Titus 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:3, 14, 15).Give to those who emphasize ministry, not money.
Give based on God’s gracious gift of His Son for us (2 Cor. 8:9; 9:15). He was always scrupulous not to take advantage of anyone in financial matters, but to keep his focus on ministry (2 Cor. 7:2; 11:7-12; 12:18; 2 Thess. 3:8). So look for faithful servants or ministries who are focused on the furtherance of the gospel and give faithfully to them.
3. FAITHFUL GIVING IS INVESTING IN ETERNITY.
Paul says, “I’m looking for the profit that increases to your account” (Philippians 4:17). These terms were common accounting words. Paul is saying that when you give to the Lord’s work, you’re putting money into your account in the Bank of Heaven, and it pays guaranteed high interest for all eternity.
4. FAITHFUL GIVING SHOULD BE MOTIVATED BY WORSHIP.
Paul calls their gift “a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). We should give to God, out of a heart of love and gratitude, to glorify Him (Philippians 4: 20).
WAYS TO ENCOURAGE FAITHFUL GIVING
Stress the spiritual dimensions of stewardship
teach giving as a tangible expression of our trust in God
it must be understood as a spiritual matter and an act of worship
set good example
testify about your giving and the outcome
extend giving beyond the church – other churches and others in need
Know what motivates giving
different kinds of appeals are effective with different types of givers
people give to what they value
appreciate that giving is a fruit of spiritual maturity, it takes time
giving should not be seen as an obligation to response to God’s generosity
lift up the needs of the church in a way that emphasizes mission
personal solicitation is critical for larger needs
Link stewardship to mission and ministry
Involve as many as possible in the church ministries
Reminds people of the impact their giving is making in ministries and the life of others
Know your givers and congregational giving patterns
Access to members giving should be for pastoral care and not for other privileges
Keep alert for any changes in giving patterns
Approach people based on their giving patterns
Understand the financial profile of your brethren
Provide a variety of ways to give
Give people multiple opportunities to give
Create a culture for supporting church capital needs
Assist members in the stewardship of their resources
The church should regularly offer help for members’ financial situations
Teach members to think about their finances as an expression of faith
Encourage sessions for members to discuss personal financial challenges
Assist the unemployed, career transition and those facing financial difficulty
Develop a year-round comprehensive stewardship program
Teaching on giving should be throughout the year
Make giving part of the curriculum for youth and children
Inspire generosity through sound management
We should know that people give where their giving is used wisely
Keep giving records secure
Keep precise records of income and disbursement
Issue timely financial reports and make them available on request
Arrange for an independent audit or review of funds annually
Say thanks often
Find multiple occasions and ways to say thank you
People needs to know their giving makes difference
Ensure opportunity for giving is convenient for the giver
Conclusion
There is probably no more accurate gauge of your spiritual life than your giving to the Lord’s work. Do you give only grudgingly and under pressure? Then you’re not focused on the abundant grace of our Lord in your life.
To give generously to the Lord’s work requires that you believe that there really is a heaven ahead. Since you plan to spend eternity there, you put your money over to the other side in advance, where it’s earning interest in heaven’s bank, awaiting your arrival. Jesus called it “laying up treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19).
Will you trust the living God who gave His Son for you by giving generously and systematically, out of a heart of gratitude, love, and worship? If you do, He promises to meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Discussion Questions
Should a Christian who is in debt give to the Lord’s work or first pay off his debts?
Is it a lack of faith for Christians to have savings and investments? Should we give everything and trust God for the future?
Is tithing the standard of giving for those in Christ? If not, how do we know how much to give?
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BIBLE
STUDY. 19TH AUGUST 2015
THEME: GIVING BY FAITH
TEXT: GEN 22:1-19, HEB. 11-6, 17-19 LUKE 6:38,
MAL.3:8-12, 1SAM. 1, 27-28
TOPIC:
MEETING NEEDS THROUGH FAITHFUL GIVING
INTRODUCTION
It can be said
that all effective form of giving is tailored to meet a need.
Our heavenly
Father gave us us his son so our need of salvation be met.
John 3:16
Gen. 1:29 Then God said, “ I give you every seed-bearing plant on the
face
Of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They
we be yours for food . NIV
Phil 4:19 But my God shall
supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. KJV
MAL 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be
food in my house . NIV
EX.31:1-7. God gave Bezaleel and Ohuliab skill to meet the need in the
construction of the house of God
On a closer look at the word needs, I discovered it was used a number of
time with poor, Example is DEUT15:11. Therefore, the needy are not only
financially poor, there are quite a number of need to be met among the brethren.
I will therefore want us to look at GIVING AS A WAY TO MEETING NEEDS. Our need
made us vulnerable to exploitation that is why we need the support within the fold. One of the words translated
in the bible poor is EBHYON means “desirous “ “needy” or “poor” So when Jesus
the poor will always be among us, we can imagine what he meant. Today the
church is full of people who are desirous of one thing or the other,
NEEDS TO BE MET AMONG THE BELIEVERS
1.
PHYSICAL NEED - food,
clothing’s, housing and so on. On which the church concentrate so much efforts.
JAMES 2:15-16
2.
EMOTIONAL NEED- This could be informing of
companionship. Some form of who to talk too, who to relate to an all that. GEN
2:18 Loneliness, depression and such things, when the Bible talk of the Poor,
the next
3.
SPIRITUAL NEEDS –Hannah. 1 SAM 1:5, LUKE 8:26, MAT 5:3
4.
HEALTHCARE NEED – Naaman, was reach but he was also a
leper, he has a need that is beyond money. 2 KING 5:1 . THE CENTURION {MAT8:5-13}
HOW ARE THE NEEDS TO BE MET
1. Through offering and gift. MAL 3:10, MAT 15:32,EX
23:15
2. Through
personal gifts. MAT,6:1-4 , EX 35: 4-10
3. Through prayer
and fasting. MAT 17:21, ACT 2:6
4. Through
caring and counseling 2 KING 5:3, 13, ACT 6:1-4 there must be
5. Conscious effort
to meet the needs.
5 6.
Through evangelism
2 KING 5:2
7.
Giving should also be timely EX 36 ,4-7
8.
Through giving willingly EX.4:10, 2COR. 9:7-8
DISCUSSION
·
How effective is the church these need today?
·
What do we need to be more effective?
CONCLUSION
These are no class or group of people that is
exempted from giving EX 23:15 Our giving is through our TIME, TALENT, TRESURE,
no can claim. God has not giving him/ her anything. GOD BLESS YOU
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Topic:
Restraining the hand of the destroyer
through faithful giving
Through giving, we enjoy:
Freedom in our finances Mal. 3:10
Restraint of the enemy over our heavenly blessings Mal 3:10
Potential protection from thieves and natural disasters Mal 3:11
Lesson Outline
1.Two important truths for everyone who wishes
to stay the hand of the enemy through giving:
a. The correct attitude in giving:
(i.) To show that we are thankful to GOD
(ii.) It should not be out of obligation 2 Cor 9:7
(iii.) It should not be to impress others Acts 4:32-36; 5:1-10
b. The correct motive behind giving:
(i.) Not to gain control over the recipients/beneficiaries
(ii.) Not to earn exalted positions
(iii.) To support the ministry Mal 3:10
(ii.) To honor and please GOD Acts 20:35
2. How to give to stay the hand of the destroyer
(i.) We must give systematically. Mal 1:6-8; Matthew 6:2-4
(ii.) We must give regularly and consistently 1 Cor 16:2
(iii.) We must give according to what we have, and with gratitude 2 Cor 9:7
(iv.) No one is exempted. Everyone should give. 1 Cor 16:2
(v.) We are to give our best liberally, just as Christ gave, and it must be sacrificial. 2 Cor. 8:9;
Luke 21:4. Jesus commended the poor widow.
In summary, we should give joyously, generously and completely.
Conclusion
God looks at the heart, so it is important that our giving is motivated by the love of GOD
Good job you are doing here bro..God bless you.Amen
ReplyDeleteMay God increases your strength ..amen...but what of this Wednesday bible study?
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