epistle for January 11, 2002
Posted by: ccfmo <ccfmo@...>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Curt Scarborough January 11, 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this issue:
Sermon: Romans 5:1-5
Bible Study: Ruth 2
Prayer: A Spiritual Warfare
Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity
No Pain; No Gain!
(Romans 5:1-5)
In Romans 5:1-5, Paul speaks to those of us who are ministers of the gospel. He says we need three things: hope, character, and perseverance.
HOPE - not an optimistic outlook or wishful, positive thinking,
but confident expectation based on solid certainty.
CHARACTER - moral vigor or firmness, especially as acquired
through self-discipline.
PERSEVERANCE - persistence; steadfast pursuit of an aim or
undertaking.
As fitness coaches say, "No pain; no gain!" So Paul tells us in this text how to acquire hope, character, and perseverance . . . suffering!
How should we react to suffering? Is it to be avoided? Expected? Endured? Sought? Provoked? Welcomed? Ignored? Denied? Acts 5:41 reveals the right attitude: "They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."
I. What Jesus said about suffering
1. It was necessary for the Christ to suffer. (Luke 9:51; 13:32-33;
24:26; 46; Matthew 16:21)
2. It is required of disciples. (Matthew 10:24; Luke 6:22-23, 26; 14:27)
3. It brings blessings and rewards. (Matthew 5:10-12; Mark 10:29, 30)
4. Suffering and death produce much fruit, (John 12:24; I Corinthians 15:36)
II. What Peter said about suffering
1. Christians are called to follow Christ's example in suffering. (I Peter 2:21;
John 15:18-21; 16:1-4)
2. Suffering for righteousness brings blessedness. (I Peter 3:14-18)
3. Suffering is connected with having "the mind of Christ." (I Peter 4:1;
Philippians 2:5-8)
4. Rejoice because suffering glorifies God. (I Peter 4:13-19;
Philippians 2:9-11)
III. What Paul says about suffering
1. "Joint-heirs" involves suffering with Christ as well as being glorified
with Him. (Romans 8:17, 18)
2. Suffering for Christ is a granted privilege, just as is believing in Him.
(Philippians 1:29; 3:10; II Thessalonians 1:3-8)
3. Suffering fills up what is "lacking" in Christ's afflictions. (Colossians 1:24)
4. All committed Christians will suffer persecution. (II Timothy 3:12; Acts 9:15, 16)
IV. What Hebrews says about suffering
1. Suffering made Christ perfect (mature). (Hebrews 2:10, 11; I Peter 5:10)
2. Christ learned obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8)
3. Illumination (enlightenment; understanding) precedes profitable suffering
and follows it. (Hebrews 10:32-34; II Corinthians 4:6-18)
4. Christ's suffering brought sanctification to people; so, to some degree,
should ours. (Hebrews 13:12, 13; II Corinthians 1:3-7)
Therefore, Christians are to be "poured out" offerings (Philippians 2:17; II Timothy 4:6). We are to be "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1, 2)
Charles Shelton in his classic book, In His Steps, suggests that in every situation we should ask the question, "What would Jesus do?" True discipleship means doing what Jesus would do, and that inevitably involves suffering.
Ruth Meets Boaz
(Ruth 2:1-23)
I. Concentration: on the events of this chapter
1. With Naomi's permission, Ruth "happened" (v. 4) to glean in the field
owned by Boaz ("Swiftness"), who noticed her and inquired of his
servant about her, vv. 1-7.
2. Boaz spoke with Ruth, commending her hard work and inviting her to
glean with his servants and to share their water, vv. 8-13.
3. Boaz invited Ruth to join him for a meal, and he made sure that she was
able to glean an extra amount of barley, vv. 14-18.
4. Ruth reported the day's events to Naomi, who praised God and identified
Boaz as a close relative, vv. 19-23.
"Gleaning" was the method for making sure the poor and needy persons of the nation had food to eat,"
Leviticus 19:9-10.
II. Meditation: on the evidences of God's providence at work
1. It was no accident or coincidence that Ruth gleaned in Boaz's field; it was
God's divine sovereignty working in her behalf.
2. Boaz was a goldy man (even during these "Dark Ages" of the Judges), as
seen in his exchange of greetings with his servants, v. 4.
3. Boaz pronounced a blessing upon Ruth for her faith in God and for her
faithfulness to the family although she was a foreigner, vv. 11-12.
4. Naomi praised the Lord, recognizing that He was responsible for opening a
door that could result in the redemption of their family property.
(Apparently, Naomi had sold or leased their property, Ruth 4:3, but according to the law in
Leviticus 25:23-28, Boaz could "redeem" or buy back the family's inheritance.)
III. Revelation and Application: on these spiritual principles
1. God is in control of the universe, and of our personal circumstances.
As a Christian, I need to trust Him fully and joyously live by faith each day.
2. A righteous person honors and reverences God in word and deed on the
job during the week, as well as in church on the day of worship.
As a Christian, I need to live the same life of spiritual integrity every day, wherever I may be.
3. Persons who walk with God recognize His operations in the lives of others
and commend them for their faithful spiritual service.
I need to pronounce God's blessings upon the heads of His people.
4. Spiritually perceptive persons recognize God's hand at work, and they respond
positively whenever He opens a door of opportunity.
As a Christian, I need to cultivate spiritual vision and follow God's planned destiny for my life.
Prayer:A Spiritual Warfare
by Dr. Edward A. Collins
Well, it is time. We have looked at spiritual warfare and been reminded of basic principles important in spiritual warfare such as prayer. We have discovered the need for unity in the Body of Christ and the value of spiritual mapping. But all we have learned is of no value if we do not put it into practice. In this article, let's look at what John Dawson in his book Taking Our Cities For God states are the five steps to victory.
John Dawson states that everything born of God goes through a very natural process: worship, conception, gestation, travail. and birth. Thus, everything begins with worship. We must first hunger and thirst after God. Are you?
Conception of God's plan must come from Him. Psalm 81:13-14 says, "Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries." Prayer includes listening to God. Are you listening?
Gestation comes through intercession. Intercessors experience the broken heart of God over the condition of man through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In responding to the broken heart of God, we must identify with the sins of His people. For example: When Nehemiah prayed for the restoration of Jerusalem, he did not pray for the city as if he were not part of it. He said, "I and this people have sinned" (Nehemiah 1:6-7). As you intercede for your community, allow the Holy Spirit to shine the bright light of truth into the inner rooms of your soul. Weep over your community as God would weep. Now you are in travail for your community. Have your interceded for your community?
Just as the contractions of a woman's uterus herald the beginning of labor, there are times when God's Spirit stirs our souls to seasons of intense travail. We must travail in prayer until God's purposes are birthed. Nehemiah 1:4 says, "So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven." Have you really been in travail for your community?
If so, then you will experience the birth of God's plan. Once the plan is clear, you must act on it. As Hannibal on the A-Team TV series often said, "I love it when a plan comes together," Let's do the plan: worship, conception, gestation, travail and birth. Beginning today to worship God with praise and thanksgiving. Will You?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wit & Wisecrack: Twain said "Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest."
Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity
The Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity, established in 1992 by the FreeWay Foundation (formerly
Christian Civic Foundation), operates under the authority of the Coordinating Council of the Department
of Higher Education of the State of Missouri. It is a fexible, personalized, distance-learning alternative
to traditional graduate education. The Institute is targeted at mid-career ministers who have a
heart for helping people. We equip them to teach and apply practical spiritual and positive
Biblical lifeskills.
The Pillsbury Institute allows mature, self-motivated professionals to earn an affordable, convenient,
and self-paced associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degree from a reputable institution which
has been in existence since 1890. Courses may be completed in modular classroom settings,
by home study, videotape, or e-mail, and through private tutoring. Areas of concentration
(degree tracks) include: Biblical Counseling, Spiritual Mentoring, and Lifeskill Development.
Advanced standing is granted for transferable graduate credits, proven career competencies, and
demonstrated performance skills. Full academic credit is awarded for documented independent study,
professional training, and other life experience learning.
A non-refundable $50 registration fee is charged, and tuition costs are only $50 per credit hour.
The Master of Applied Christianity degree (prerequisite: bachelor's degree) is a 32-hour program
costing $1,600. The Doctor of Applied Christianity degree (prerequisite: master's degree) is a
48-hour program costing $2,400.
Undergraduate study also is available at $50 per credit hour, leading to the Associate of Applied
Christianity (64 credit hours) or the Bachelor of Applied Christianity (128 credit hours).