"THE CHRISTIAN LIFE" |
LESSON 10 |
| INTRODUCTION: |
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A. |
The Christian system is made up of DOCTRINE and PRACTICE. |
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1. |
Doctrine is what is taught, learned, and believed. |
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2. |
The application of the doctrine to one's own life is the practice of that doctrine. |
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B. |
The application of the doctrine leads one to the blessings given by God. In the Christian's life, there is nothing more important than obeying God's commandments. |
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C. |
Everyone who believes the doctrine and obeys its instructions begins enjoying the worship relationship and grows more and more into the likeness of Christ and on into perfection (Hebrews 6:1-9). |
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| DISCUSSION: |
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| I. |
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ONE OF FAITH AND TRUST |
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A. |
I Timothy 4:10, 6:17 |
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B. |
The Christian is justified by faith (Romans 5:1-2). |
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C. |
The Christian walks by faith (II Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 10:37-39). |
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D. |
The Christian is guarded because of his faith (I Peter 1:5). |
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E. |
The Christian receives the end of his faith: the salvation of his soul (I Peter 1:9). |
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| II. |
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF BLESSINGS AND PRIVILEGES |
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A. |
The blessing of sonship (I John 3:1-3). |
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B. |
The blessing of heirship (Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-7). |
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C. |
The privilege of praying (Matthew 6:9, 7:7-12, Philippians 4:4-7, I Thessalonians 5:16-18, I Peter 3:12). ONLY CHRISTIANS CAN CALL GOD THEIR FATHER! |
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D. |
The blessing of the assurance of God's continual presence and care (I Peter 5:7). |
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E. |
The blessing of calmness that enables one to face life with confidence (Hebrews 13:5-6, James 4:7-8). |
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| III. |
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF HOLINESS AND RIGHT CONDUCT |
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A. |
The Christian is an imitator of God (Ephesians 5:1-2). |
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B. |
The Christian is following Christ's footsteps (John 8:12; I Peter 2:2). |
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C. |
The Christian has his standards set. |
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1. |
Matthew 5:48: "BE YE PERFECT EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT." |
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2. |
I Peter 1:15: "BE YE HOLY, EVEN AS I AM HOLY." |
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3. |
I John 3:3: "PURIFY YOURSELF, EVEN AS HE IS PURE." |
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D. |
The Christian is set apart as a vessel to God's honor (I Corinthians 1:1-2, Hebrews 12:14, Ephesians 5:22-28). |
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E. |
The Christian's body is the temple of Deity (I Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20). |
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| IV. |
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF CRUCIFYING THE FLESH IN ORDER TO FOLLOW AFTER THE SPIRIT |
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A. |
They become new creatures (II Corinthians 5:17). |
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B. |
They have put away the old man and have put on Christ (Romans 6:3-7, Galatians 3:26-27, Colossians 1:26-27). |
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C. |
In giving one's self to Christ, Christ then dwells in him by faith (Ephesians 3:14-20, Colossians 1:26-27). |
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| V. |
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE IN WHICH JESUS EXPECTS A COMPLETE CHANGE OF HEART |
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A. |
Jesus goes beyond the deed to the motive that causes the deed to be done. |
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1. |
Matthew 5:21-26 — killing is forbidden, but so is anger! |
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2. |
Matthew 5:27-30 — adultery is forbidden, but so is lust! |
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3. |
Matthew 5:43-48 — just loving friends is expanded to also loving our enemies! |
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4. |
Matthew 7:21-27 — just hearing is not enough, one must DO! |
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B. |
The above is just an example. In everything Jesus seeks conduct that comes forth from a change of heart (Matthew 12:33-36, 15:7-9, 15:18-20). |
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| VI. |
CONCLUSION |
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A. |
The development of the Christian is an on-going process. |
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B. |
It is a growing process. |
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C. |
Christian living is practical. It is best. It is a life of love, kindness, and a forgiving spirit. It is a life without grudges and without ungodly anger. |
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D. |
The beauty of the Christian life is that it is the only life that will prepare one for eternity in heaven (Hebrews 6:19-20). |
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| QUESTIONS FROM LESSON TEN |
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1. |
Of what two things is the Christian life composed? |
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2. |
Explain these two things? |
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3. |
What is more important than obedience (I Samuel 15:22)? |
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4. |
What did Paul mean when he spoke of becoming a "new creature" (II Corinthians 5:17)? |
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5. |
To live the Christian life, what is to happen to one's heart? |
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6. |
Explain Galatians 2:20? |
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7. |
How can we be holy? |