...those who keep the commandments of God and the faith
Heb 11:1 faith...things hoped for...not seen 6..must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him Rom 4:20 not waver at the promise of God thru unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God 21 fully persuaded that what He promised He was also able to do.
Faith is the activating agency of experiencing God's person-purposes-promises Groundspring that enlivens and nourishes the seed
Everyone has Faith (expectation that the present course will yield certain results in the unseen future) Question: On what is your faith based?
Biblical Faith must be based on Truth (best explains allthe facts from Revelation, Reason, Reality) Concepts Conclusions Convictions
I. Irrational Indefensible Inconsistent Faith based on ritual or tradition/experience rather than the Truth of Revelation FAILS
1Pt 3:15 sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, always be ready to give a apologia to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope in you
See 7 Questions on Truthbase.net How do you know what's True? Material/Immaterial? Absolutes? More Reasonable to believe in
Supernatural Being; Necessity of Revelation (Only way finite can know infinite); Walk and Talk? (Power to Create & Communicate and Preserve it); Historical/Scientific evidence/Reality (Jews & West Civ, NT Christianity takes over Rome and world); Evolution Carbon Dating vs Fossils and the Laws of Thermodynamics and Probability; “Contradictions” (Egypt and parallels); Our Good God allows evil in an imperfect world to keep us dependent and focused; Uniqueness of Christianity; Purpose/Meaning/Worth-Value
II. Immature Inadequate Incompetent Irrelevant Insecure Faith seeks worth/value from peers/world rather than the Lord
2Tim 2:1 strong in grace 2 the things that you have heard commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also 3 endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, may please Him
See 7 Discipleship Passages on Truthbase.net Salvation Eph2, Word 2Tim3, Prayer Phil3, Lordship 2Cor 5, Sanctification Rm8, Rlshps x2 bel non-bel
Need a Biblical world view that encompasses everything from purpose of life to our daily pursuits and pleasures (glory of God); that out of godly fear takes responsibility to walk in wisdom, light, unity, love, and JOY, obeying God and making reproductive disciples;
NO Lordship, fear God, independent obedience, fruit, self-control, answered prayer, Rm 12 change/sanctification, sacrificial service
Col 1:9...filled with the knowledge of His will 10 walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, fruitful in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all steadfastness and perseverance with JOY 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light 2:6 walk in Him by faith 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving 3:1 seek (set your heart NIV) 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth 3 For you died 5 put to death: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient sons 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: 9 Don't lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge 12 holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, dependence 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done without partiality
III. Immoral Faith results in morality rationalizing belief in Satan's deceiving lies
“Vice is a monster of such frightful mien, That to be hated, needs but to be seen, But seen too oft, familiar with its face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace” and justify :(
Dan 1:8 Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself 1Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits
Confidence and pleasure/joy from pleasing God result in needs being met and a self-worth immune to demonic and peer pressure
IV. Identify as a Follower of Christ acc the Scriptures and Implement a Strategic PLAN for Survival, Success and Service
Gal 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 fulfilled: “love your neighbor as yourself" 16 then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
A. Determine your purpose and objectives for college/life which will channel your passions and pursuits See Teen & Adult TOYL
B. Set objectives, goals and standards for your work, sleep, study, growth, relationships, spiritual disciplines, and ministry See TOYL Tools
C. Develop intentional friendships (Paul, Barney, Tim), fellowship, and accountability See TOYL Friendships and Accountability
D. Commit to communicate regularly with parents/mentors about your concerns, motivations, expectations, disappointments, temptations
E. Sacrificially commit to participate in the Body Life of a church based obviously and explicitly upon the exposition of the Word of God
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/articles/general-view/archive/2005/may/09/jumping-ship/
http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001642.cfm
http://www.bethelcc.net/uploaded_files/OffToCollege.doc
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
- If someone doesn't develop good Biblical habits before they leave home, why would anyone think they'd develop them while away?
- Is lack of models or instruction a valid excuse for not knowing and doing God's will? How does God feel about mediocre believers?
- What are you doing to ensure that you don't drift down the broad easy path in your Christian life? Who is climbing up with you?
- Have you come to the point where your are totally convinced that there is no alternative for happiness other than pursuing God's will?
- How will you bring God glory during the next 4 years? What preparation do you need to do now so you ensure that will happen?
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