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BACKGROUND
GOD
GOD
I. His Being
II. His nature
III. His character
IV. His will
V. His subsistence
VI. His Fatherhood
MAN
WOMAN
FALL OF MAN
MAN
a. Man in nature
b. Man’s destiny
c. Man ‘s structure
d. Man’s sin
e. Man in God’s image
WOMAN
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
DEFINITIONS (For serious students)
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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| THE MOST PERPLEXING QUESTION OF ALL!
HOW DO I KEEP JESUS' COMMANDMENTS |
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 We have made our decision for Jesus. We really want to live by His commandments but we so often fail. We all face this difficulty. It is the ultimate challenge of living the Christian life.
The problem is not new. It was even faced by the apostle Paul.
Romans 7:7-25
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At salvation our SINS (sinful acts) are forgiven but our SIN (sinful nature) remains. Overcoming our sinful nature is the ultimate challenge of living the Christian life.
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| THE SIN QUESTION |
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 A great coincidence! The middle letters of two of the words that best describe our human condition!
sIn and prIde
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| The answer to the sin question revolves around removing the <i>'I'</i> from our lives. Easily said, hard to do! |
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This is illustrated in the Bible by comparison to fruiting trees.
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 THE EFFECT OF SALVATION
Unsaved Person
TREE PRODUCES: Sinful Fruit.
ROOTS: (ie. Human Nature [Soul]): Sinful Nature - Sinful Fruit
Matthew 7:17
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 Saved Person
Born Again. Sin forgiven
ROOTS: (ie. Human Nature [Soul]): The Cross is grafted onto our old root-stock.
Tree reverts as we live life
John 3:3, Acts 10:43
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 Reverts To
TREE PRODUCES: Righteous fruit (through the Cross) and Sinful Fruit.
ROOTS: (ie. Human Nature [Soul]): Eventually reverts to old type of tree.
Romans 7:15-20
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 Has this been your experience? As the initial fire and enthusiasm of salvation has died down, have you reverted back to many of your old ways, as a grafted tree eventually reverts back to its old rootstock?
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| THE ANSWER |
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20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20a)
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 THE CHALLENGE OF LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
Done for us by Jesus (Salvation)
TREE PRODUCES: No fruit. Old tree cut down.
ROOTS: (ie. Human Nature [Soul]): Old tree: cut down by the Cross.
Matthew 7:19, Colossians 1:19-20
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 To do for ourselves (With assistance from the Holy Spirit)
TREE PRODUCES: OUR NEW NATURE IN CHRIST: Producing abundant fruit.
ROOTS: (ie. Human Nature [Soul]): To assume Jesus' nature, so producing a new tree.
Romans 11:17-18, Colossians 2:6-7
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 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
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Many 'Christians' are prepared to accept the free gift of salvation for their soul, but are not prepared to sacrifice themselves to Jesus in return for the sacrifice He made for them. This is necessary in order to determine God's will for us. (Romans 12:1-2) Obeying God's will is in turn necessary for us to get to heaven!
Matthew 7:21
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| There is no such thing as 'EASY CHRISTIANITY' (salvation without sacrifice). True salvation <i>MUST</i> be reflected in submission of self to Christ's will. |
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| <i>NEXT WEEK: </i>GOD AND MAN continues |
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 As we commence our look at the guide the Father has sent to help us on our way in our walk with Jesus.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 Sadly, in our preoccupation of 'being nice' to everyone, we forget to preach and teach the truth of the Word. There are obligations that come with salvation. Our life must reflect the sacrifice that Jesus has made for us. The reality is, 'easy believerism' puts people on the road to hell! We promote it at our peril.
Yes, we are saved by grace alone (thank you Jesus) but over time, our lives must become a reflection of God's grace to us.
THE SILENT YEARS: The Romans
The Romans invaded Palestine in 63 B.C. under the Roman general Pompey. Jerusalem was captured after a three month siege, and all of the priests were slaughtered and the Most Holy Place desecrated. Rome appointed Herod the Great who was a Jewish convert himself. He ruled from 37 to 4 B.C.
He ruled well and was obedient to the Roman Empire. He was an aggressive builder and build an artificial harbour in Caesarea which amazes even modern engineers. He rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem which was not complete at the time of his death earning him the name Herod the Great.
However his greatness was also marred by a jealous insanity which caused him to be cruel and distrusting. Jesus is born into a time when the Jews were subject to Roman power but who were looking for a deliverer who had been promised. The problem was Jesus did not come to deliver them from the Romans but from their sins and so because of the blindness of their hearts caused by sin they did not recognise him when he came. John 1:1-14
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
729. Without blood, there is no life. Without sacrifice, there is no blood. A sacrificial life is bathed in the blood of Jesus.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Pets Rule!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/pets.php
The World's Greatest Groans: http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php
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