HOW TO FOLLOW JESUS WITHOUT EMBARRASSING GOD
A. We ____________________________. (fumble)
Discuss the following passages where people don’t see eye to eye in church. Examine the need to acknowledge that we all fumble around and the fact we know in part and do not see things perfectly. Do we then need lots of grace to cover our sins and the sins of others? In Christ, are we recognizing that we as humans muddle the picture and fumble a lot? Shall we cover it with lots of Christ like love (1 Cor.13)?
Discuss the effect of failure, will that go a long way to tell others about grace?
“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.” Phil.4:2
“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?” 1 Cor.3:3
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.1 Cor.13:9-10
B. We ____________________________as best we can. (follow)
Since we are not perfected, we follow with fear and trembling, i.e. with dependency on Christ alone. He is the best model/example. We may not be very good at being Christ-like, but it does not follow that, that will be a legit excuse to not do the best we can. Discuss how God works in you to will and to act to His ways.
“5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good” purpose. Phil. 2:5, 12,13
C. We are not alone. We are ___________ by the __________________. (guided, Holy Spirit)
Thank God we are not left to our own human devices or a degree in computer science or philosophy or a bujch of rules to figure out life. God’s constant presence is given to us. Do we sense that as followers of Jesus?
Discuss how we can sense more of His leadership in life.
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Jn.14:26
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Rom.8:26
D. We need a _______________________________. (supporting cast)
The fact we are not left as lone rangers is recorded in Scripture. The lessons learnt by the those who have gone before us is a constant guide as well to follow Christ. How have we submitted then to others to learn and grow from their faith in God?
“…we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses…” Heb.12:1
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Eph.5:21
E. We are to _________________________. (grow up)
We are to grow and become teachers in life, none can do that if we are not constantly using God’s resources to grow up. What sort of training is available to us?
Discuss.
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Heb.5:12-14
F. We need to keep _____________________. (learning)
Mature people are ones who keep learning and striving for reachable goals in Christ. How have done that?
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. Phil.3:12-15
G. We need to be in _____________________. (God’s Word)
Purity in Christ comes from immersion in the Word of God. Effective living comes from dependency on God and His Word to keep going.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Ps. 119:9-16
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Ps. 119:105
