STARTING UP your | IF Ee with JesusCONSOLIDATION TOPICS CONTENTS 1. Salvation 5 2. Repentance I 3. Lordship 10 4. Forgiveness 12 5. Lifestyle - The 4 Greatest Meetings mS) 6. Devotional Life 17 7. Your Active Life of Prayer 12 8. Witnessing - Sharing Your New Life with Others 22, 9. Life Of Obedience (Surrender To God’s Will) 24 10. Life In The Church (Belongingness In The Church) 26 STARTING UP your LIFE eee e cece ec ecccscceseeeese with JesusINTRODUCTION Starting Up Your NEW LIFE WITH JESUS CONGRATULATIONS! You have just started a fresh relationship w lesus. A fr d saw your need and connected al life by faith in Christ. This rstand more of who Jesus fe He has in store for ove for us in this: While we were e, since we have now hall we be saved were enemies of the death of His Son, shall we be saved sacrificed His very STARTING UP your NEW LIFE seeceeeeereeeeeesseseeeses win JensCONSOLIDATION TOPIC 1: ae SALVATION The gospel is the Good News, the message of salvation! It is the greatest manifestation of God's love to humanity. It is the saving act of grace by God that brought freedom to man through the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus on the cross Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is etemal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We all receive wages on how we live our lives, because we get what we deserve. Everyone falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); no one is righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10). For all deserve death — not just physical death but separation from God. But because God loves us, He gave us a gift. This gift is t deserve but is given out of His unconditional love for and cannot earn it. This gift is eternal life, which means God forever, It can start now, when you receive Jesus s Lord and Savior of your life this reason All human beings need a Saviour, because life does not work without God. We need destroys man; Jesu the Solution (John 14:6). Jesus is our salvation, He for our sins on the cross. His work on the cross newal, and restoration to our lives (Acts 4:12). ) go back to the Saviour who truly loves us. Sin paid ir brought rede Salvation was made possible through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. He saved us from the eternal death brought by our sins. He destroyed the curses and works of darkness in our lives. We also received a new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and the restoration of our lives to its original glory and design (Genesis 1:28). By the power of the blood of Jesus, we are restored. Spiritually, our relationship with God is restored. Personally, our broken relationships with people are restored, as well as our finances STARTING UP your : W LIF + with Jesusscovering Truths about Your N The truths in the Bible will help you build ; felationship with Christ. These truths are: (Colossians 1:13-14). He made you a child of God received Christ, you became a child of God. Christ ¢; and will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5b). No matter May find yourself in or what trial you may be going ti always by your side to help you Christ began a new life in you. “Therefore, 'S @ new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corint 5:17). Your old nature is gone as He forms you into the person intended you to become. Lastly, He gave you etemal life, this is the testimony: God has given us etemal life, and this life is in his Son, He who has the Son has life: he who does not have the Son of God — é does not have life. | write these things to you who believe in the name of the Sor ay know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:11-13 Pe cccrcccccces PERSONAL APPLICATION If you were t question, “Why should you enter heaven?” what | would you say PRAYER Lord, | a n. | acknowledge that | am a sinner and | need a Saviour. | believe s the only way and His blood cleanses me and gave me freedom sins, curses, and works of darkness. | confess my sins and turn away from my wicked ways. | ask for Your of my life today until forever. In Jesus’ name, forgiveness. Take fu Amen.Repentance implies a change Iaediteelens u sin” toward “changing one’s mind” to live for God. @ decision to tum from sin and surrender to the lordship o And it’s vitally necessary for anyone desiring to draw near to t walk with Him every day. Repentance is much more than acknowledging wrongdoing. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us fresh view about God, about us, and about the world. It includes t away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments. Our sin, however, is not the end of the story. In fact, God works through everything that happens in our lives, including our sin, to draw us to Jesus Uohn 6:44, 45; 14:6; Romans 8:28, 29). No matter what you have done, God has made a way home — through His Son, Jesus Christ. His death on the cross and triumphant resurrection secures for you all the blessings of God, including forgiveness. All you have to do is repent and turn your life over to Jesus (Acts 3:19). This is what the Bible calls being "born again” of the Spirit of God John 3:3,5). We enter into the born-again experience by repenting of our sin, yielding our lives to Jesus as Savior and Lord, and trusting in faith that He will forgive and cleanse us from all sin (Romans 3:23; 10:13; 1 John 1:8,9; John 1:12). Find Faith to Repent! if you have been struggling with a sin that entangles, repentance may seem like a difficult thing. But consider that the Bible says “the kindness of God leads you to repentance" (Romans 2:4). Another verse lets us know that God is patiently waiting for us to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Your heavenly Father is not looking for ways to punish you. Yes, God is just, but He is also a loving Father searching for the lost coin or the one lostsheep -- willing to leave 99 in the safe Pasture to find t gone astray. One of the most powerful portraits of God's love can be Parable of the prodigal son. After the son changed his mind and he home, the Bible says, “while he was still a long way off, his fathe him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him* (Luke 15:20). God's heart toward you when you come to Him in repentance, As You Pray, God is patiently waiting with open arms for His sons and _ daughters to come home. All it takes is humility on our part and faith to. believe that a loving Father will hear our honest pleas and cleanse us of et our sin eee eee ee eee eee eee ee) é & Take a moment right now to repent -- to change your mind and _ turn from whatever is separating you from God and those around you, "Father, | belie »ve me. Your Word says that it is your patience and kindness = fo repentance. So | come to You humbly and confess my s giving and cleansing my body, soul and spirit. By the blood of Je tea » how to walk honestly and with righteousness before You every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. We mu! esus Christ to forgive our sins and determine to obey Him for the ves. That way we can know God and find peace again. The Bible says you will be saved, if you honestly say, Jesus is Lord, and if you believe with all your heart that God raised Him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this.” (Romans 10:9-10) PERSONAL APPLICATION Identify your hidden sins that control your life and distance you from God. Repent ‘and ask the Lord for His forgiveness so that you can have a beginning. It doesn’t matter if we failed in the past; we can start all again at any time. What commitments is God calling you to make with | today?Through prayer, confess that Jesus Christ is the only commit to live for Him for the rest of your life. Renounce ‘every curse in the name of Jesus Christ. PRAYER : Lord, we believe that You are right and we are wrong. | repent | things that | have done. By Your grace and love, | repent and cl ways and life. | will live out the truth that comes from Your word, the In Jesus’ name.- = tre ce aware te ORDSHIP bat > Oat Jee will be the ire 5 “Lord...You have the words of eternal life, and we have have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God,* What does the Lordship of Christ really mean? ’ Lordship means bringing back “order” in our relationship with | means acknowledging that He is the “Lord* over our lives, | apart from Him we io nothing. We believe He is the supreme, and s. God King over our lives & It is one thing to know * #8 Savior, and another thing to know Him e oth Lord and Messiah (Savior* nd Christ. This verse teaches us _ the depravity of sin, which He ve us from our flesh, our sinful ut He came for something even Lord” means owner and ) to redeem His creation, but be our Master and Lord over every It tel that He ca) single area What are the benefits of being under the lordship of Christ? First, we prospe + Provider. We receive protection, and no "i ecewve hope for He is the God of hope (Romans 15:13), and finally, we receive a good future Ueremiah 29:11). * were vt at ic Kage, bygone ee lvoe Sindee ie Making Jesus the Lord of our Lives Lordship helps us renew our mindset to see that Christ is at work in us, in others, and in the world. Jesus Christ is greater than everything! His Name, : His role, His plan, and His purpose is above all else. harm will fall on us Lordsh: ii is not forced upon us. We are not ad g Sa tas» istonchip vans oc lank ly ‘ ‘ eae Mags eae IO kag sei tor ovoy ad eal pitino yo wing te ret a a ee cae aaais transformed and renewed by what Christ has done for us. We mature in the faith by punishing ourselves, or seeking mystic or sp revelations; rather it is about knowing, trusting, and obeying Christ as — LORD, realizing who He is and what He has done for us and then responding in kind by our gratitude, trust, and obedience. By honoring His Lordship we can better take hold of the power to live for Him victoriously and with excellence. We participate as sons, children of God, as we are conformed to the likeness of Christ. We have God living in us, guiding, leading, motivating, and filling us. Imagine what He can do in you and in your church. If we truly trust in Christ, not just as Savior but also as LORD, we are given the power and ability to live a life of fullness, distinction of character, and spiritual maturity so He is glorified in our lives! Our response to Lordship is, Yes, Lord! This is our affirmation of devotion, trust, and obedience. He endured and suffered for us. He went to the cross for us all. And because of this, we follow in His steps. He has healed and saved us, so we need to trust and allow Him to be our Shepherd, Guardian, and Lord over all. The Lordship of Christ is real; it matters, and we must respond wholeheartedly! PERSONAL APPLICATION: Are you a Christian who is in a relationship that is completely under the Lordship of Jesus? Who is Jesus Christ to you? Who are you in Him? Through prayer, confess that Jesus Christ is the only Lord of your life in all areas. Commit to live for Him for the rest of your life. PRAYER: Father, thank You for always wanting the best for me and calling me not just to be in a relationship with You but also to make you Lord over my life. | commit to follow You and work to set order in all areas of my life. Give me the passion and perseverance to be your disciple and not give up no matter what. In Jesus’ name, Amen. we eereresereseeeeeeBATION TOPIC 4: ORGIVENESS “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly F. will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15) : “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; | will rey I from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel _ 36:26 ‘| ee eeeee The first person you probably have not forgiven is yourself, More people have a lack of forgiveness toward themselves than toward _ anybody else. They are unwilling to forgive themselves and to recognize that God says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12). If you are a believer, He has already cleansed you so that you might serve the living God. God did not leave us with the guilt of past sin. That should be dead, buried, and forgotten People must forgive all who need forgiveness. If the first person that needs forgiveness is yourself, you need to say, “God, before You, | forgive myself. Whatever | have done, | accept Your forgiveness, and | forgive myself.” That's a very simple but profound statement, because as long as we feel that we are under condemnation, we will never have faith to see miracles and great change “If our heart does not condemn us,” the Bible says, “we have confidence toward God" (1 John 3:21). Obviously, we cannot have continuing sin in our lives and expect forgiveness. We have to be free from ongoing conscious sin and rebellion against God.the like. Consciously or unconsciously they th God's fault. There is deep-seated resentment; bitterness toward God. You must ask yourself, Am | b situation? The second person you may have to forgive is a mem! family. You have to get rid of resentment, especially toward thos to you. The husbands, the wives, the children, parents and other Many people say, “Well, | didn't think that counted. | thought that wa a family matter." All lack of forgiveness has to be eliminated, ceca toward every family member Finally, there has to be forgiveness for anybody else who has ever done anything against you. The person may have done a very evil, terrible thing to you. You may have every legal and intellectual right to hold a grudge and to hate that person. But if you want to see miracles in your life, it is absolutely imperative that you forgive Forgive them to the point where you actually feel yourself cleansed of resentment and bitterness and are actually praying for them. A new beginning to forgive! A lot of people have been trapped with ‘an unforgiving heart. They may have carried it for so long that they may not even be aware that this greatly affects their decision making in life. It may — not be easy to forgive especially when the people who hurt you are the ‘ones closest to you. But God doesn’t want His people to grow bitter and be stone-hearted. He offers a new beginning to everyone and that includes — being forgiven and being able to forgive. Jesus illustrated the best example of forgiveness when He was crucified and _ mocked by the people. He still showed His great compassion that He even prayed, a> What is a life with a new beginning in Christ? — 1. Itis restoration of your relationship. 2. Itdoes not hold any grudges and bitterness 3. It does not accuse and condemn A new beginning is a call to the liberty of living with a ¢ purified heart. We always have an opportunity to have a stai not because we deserve it, but because of God's grace (Eph and love towards us. PRACTICAL APPLICATION 3 Identify those people who hurt you and pray that God will cleanse and — open your heart to forgive and accept those people in your life, ‘ & PRAYER Thank You for forgiving my sins and for setting the perfect example forgiveness and love when you were crucified at the cross, | ask for strength and the mercy to forgive people who hurt me. | let go of the bittemess, hatred, resentment, and strife and | allow Your love Compassion to fill my heart. In Jesus’ name. PERSOLIDATION TOPIC # LIFESTYLE: THE 4 GRE \ MEETINGS - soo frag the few person te OMIT, CHU © ctunat (0) “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, encouraging one another—and all the more as you see th approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) Success is dependent on the way we live our lives. We give time to what w value. Consequently, as you continue in your newly established relationship with God, you will need strength, support, friends and encouragement. — One thing you need to recognize early on is that we cannot do things our own. God has supplied what we will need in order to continue growing — in our relationship with Him. This will involve our “ new lifestyle”, which every Christian needs in their walk with God in order to keep on growing. These are basic things we need to incorporate and commit to in ourlives: 1. DEVOTION. Your devotion is your everyday contact with the Word — of God. His Word is our source of faith and hope. Claiming God's — promises for your life everyday will strengthen you in your walk with Him. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have | not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9) 2. CELL GROUP. We need people who will be accountable to us and _ who are committed to bring out the best in us. “And let us consider — how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, | giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, | encouraging one another—and all the more as you see he approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) Ceagroup ic the Nipe op He circ.munity is conducive and a suitable place : ; e success in our relationship with God a This Gospel com development and people. a . RATION. There are two types « $ 3. SUNDAY CELL saci cell group, there aan . yal am e can worship as one spiritual family 1 ° G Cell celebration is the large gathering : Tiare all col meet. Read Acts 2:42-47 . : IPPING AND TRAINING, You : ee pane Pega to do things that God has : . ncounter, Encounter, Post. : training can be your source of u will learn to unleash the & reate positive impact in the io A have heard me say in the os any . ¢ t to reliable people who will is be qualified 2 teach ott 2 Timothy 2:2) in your 8, be excited to t trust vith truths that God would want y PERSONAL APPLICATION Have a “lif heck”, a align your lifestyle to the purpose an of e you would need to ioclude or commit more in y ¢ » growing in your walk with God PRAYER Thank You Jesus for People. Give me w walk in relationship with You and Your 7 guard my relationship with You B99 with my spiritual family. Help me fo engage and commit to a daily Pertonal time of devotion, gospel ommunity (cell group), Sunday Cell Fa, ind taining in becoming the person You want me to be. In Jesus’ name“But this thing | did command them: Listen to and obey My be your God and you will be My people; and walk in the command you, that it may be well with you.” (Jeremiah 7:23). ae God desires to be a part of our everyday lives. He longs to show His love: for us in special ways. As a Christian and a follower of Jesus, it is necessary for us to have our quality time daily with the Lord. Devotion (or quiet time) doesn’t end with having written in a devotional notebook. God wants us to be having an undying devotion — a kind of devotion not limited to a single hour or day in our lives but is a daily lifestyle, one that transcends time, place or situations in life "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 The Purpose of Devotions. We do our devotions in order to have intimate relationship with God. The Father desires our daily worship, and He is delighted when we spend time meditating on His Word, God wants us to know Him better. As we come to know Him in these life lessons, it will better equip and enable us to become more like Him. How to Prepare for Your Devotions 1. Set a time and be consistent with it. Do it in the moming before your day starts and in the evening, before it ends. (Joshua 1:8) 2. In reading the Scriptures, turn away from the sources of distraction. (i.e. computer, cellphone, TV, etc.) 3. Listen to God as He speaks through His Word in the Bible. (Psalm 46:10; Job 2:13)Come before Him with a humble heart and a listenin, 517) first have a Bible. Choose a translation with which you ar acquainted. You must have a notebook and a pen for recording. reading the Bible, you may write down the following: . : @. RHEMA - this is the specific Word that God has for you for t = moment. é b. REFLECTION - you can dig deeper on God's Rhema Word for you, relating it to your situations or circumstances. € MOTIVATION - the Word of God is full of motivations and Promises that you can claim. cd APPLICATION - devotion is not a devotion without - application. Make sure you will be doing something after you have received a Word from God. You can also make a list of Prayer requests PERSONAL APPLICATION Be a lover of the Word of God and make it the final authority of your ‘Pray about your day and your life goals in order for you to know what G ants yOu to do. Make it a goal to do your devotions consistently this week. UP with a list of your prayer requests and incline to the Word of G You for giving me your Word to guide me every. 9: | delight in Your ways; help me to live out ‘my life. In Jesus‘ name, Amen,Prayer is communication and communion with God. It is the cl intimate moment with the Creator you can have. In prayer, the your spirit are in communion with the depths of the Spirit of God. this can come instruction, guidance, or a burden to pray for certain | God's instructions are clear as to how to pray, who to pray for, when pray, where to pray, and what you should pray for. The Bible gives direction for all those things and more. God created man to be in fellowship with Him and daily prayer is important to that relationship. Pray to the Father (Luke 11:2) in the name of Jesus Christ John 14: 13-14) through the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). HOW TO PRAY: “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’ (Matthew 7:7 8). “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7). WHEN TO PRAY: Pray continually (Romans 12:12; 1Thessalonians 5:17), “We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 1:3) WHO TO PRAY FOR: “! urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” (| Timothy 2:1) “I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Matthew 5:44 WHERE TO PRAY: “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who _ Sees everything, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6). Ss; daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and isolated place to pray.” (Mark 1:35). WHAT TO PRAY FOR: “If you believe, you will receive ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21 :22). “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not k what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26). God wants to hear from us. He expects us to show up and delights in every minute we give solely to Him. Prayer is the daily experience — with God. It is the key to maturing our love relationship, revealing the é meaning of Scripture and directing our life in obedience to God. Prayer eee eee eee eee eeeeee is the offering of all our desires to God with a humble confidence that we shall obtain mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord. “Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.” (Hebrews 4:16) You are God's child. Don't be afraid to approach Him confidently with your heart's desires. HOW TO PRAY: We can learn much from the Lord’s Prayer, the model prayer. Read Matthew 6:9-13. The first thing is that if we are to structure prayer, we should begin with an acknowledgement of the One to whom we are talking - GOD, OUR FATHER. We should also include adoration, “Hallowed be Your name.” We are to glorify and worship His name, His very Being PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! -oiin faith (Mark 11:24; Hebrews 10:22) - with a forgiving spirit (Mark 11:25) --with perseverance (Luke 11:8; 18 1-7) in righteousness (Psalm 34:15; John 15:7) Set a regular time and choose the best place. A d d results in personal chaos. A cluttered spirit needs it up and give it direction. Make Prayer the first Locate that specific place in your house where youpresence of God. Prayer is not a task or a burden but rather, a gateway into a loving, personal, and intimate relationship with God. 2. Begin with thanksgiving and praise. Giving thanks and praise is your soul's offering to God. “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:2-5 3. Let your heart commune with God's heart. The operative words are: | SURRENDER ALL. You are a child before your Father. Allow God to speak to your heart and minister to your soul as you pour out your heart. 4. Declare a statement of faith. Claim God's promise of help. “So | say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9,10). What God says, | say and He will do it. PERSONAL APPLICATION In your daily life, how much time will you devote in prayer, enough to strengthen your relationship with God? How are you going to handle distractions during your prayer time with the Lord? PRAYER Dear Lord, thank You for Your presence that gives me strength and enables me to do everything for Your glory. Help me to develop a life of prayer and to grow in faith through the process of confidently seeking Your face daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen. AeWiFE =» Peewee ceecocceseeosesesece with JesusCONSOLIDATION TOPIC 8: WITNESSING - SHARING You , NEW LIFE WITH OTHERS “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” 10:14) You heard about Jesus because someone told you. Now, you have th Christ, we have been sent to let others know about Jesus and the | that He is offering. “For | am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God th brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to th Gentile.” (Romans 1:16) Tell the world about Jesus! We have an amazing task called “The Great Commission” which Jesus gave to all His followers right before He left earth to go to heaven. Because of this, we have the vision to win sot and make disciples. “Therefore go and make disciples of nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of t Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything | have commanded And surely | am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthe 28:19-20) x We were given the opportunity to be a blessing to other people, but especially to our family members. They need to hear about Jesus and able to do that, the first thing that we must do is to pray for them. You also be intentional in helping, blessing, serving, and showing kind them so that you can have more opportunity to share your storyother people. After building a connection with a person, pray for an opportunity to share what Jesus has done in your life. The best way to share to people is to tell your own story of how Jesus moved and changed your life. Prepare a short version of your own faith story that started from a bad and sad story to a life that Jesus saved, leading to the Gospel story. Share how God has re-written the story of your life that is now according to His plan Ask for a decision and lead in prayer. As you share, God will be working in the heart of the person. Feel free to ask questions if the person understands and if they would like to accept God's gift of salvation. If they are ready for a decision, lead them in a prayer of acceptance for what Jesus has done for them. A sample prayer is: ‘Dear Jesus, thank You for the love that You have shown when You died on the cross t ay the price of my sins. Please forgive me, come into Lord of my life and help me to live for You from now my heart, be oa ame | pray, amen.” After this, help the person to be established in his or her new faith just as what you have experienced. Soon, this person will also be sharing to other people the joy of their salvation PERSONAL APPLICATION Think of pe th . at you would like to share your story with and start praying for them. Help, serve, bless, and show kindness to these people and be re f y that God will give you to share to them what He has done in your PRAYER Dear God, thank You for the gift of salvation and the privilege of helping other people know You as well. Show me opportunities of helping, blessing and serving them. As early as now, open their hearts to receive You as their Lord and Savior. By the power of Your Spirit, | claim Your victory over the lives of these people. Amen STARTING UP your Ure See erececcesecessceevecese with Joss+ CONSOLIDATION TOPIC 9: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to pul disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Conflict between the Spirit and the Flesh tl ween the flesh and the spirit. The flesh te s trap of immorality, impurity, debauchery a nd heart to deception (Galatians 5:19-21). receiving God and al g Him to take control of your life guard you those things and give you the fruit of His Spirit: love, joy, P forbearance. ne ness and faithfulness, gentleness and control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Choosing wisely as you learn to obey Christ Our life revolves around obedience and disobedience. Any form, disobedience should be overcome by the great strength of our obedien to the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we obey God, able to live a life worthy of His calling and receive His promises for us. Obedience is needed in order to survive pressures and problems. Wh ‘obey and follow God a solid foundation is being built so that when tes comes, we become unshakeable. (Luke 6:46-48) “Ht you love me, keep my commands,” John 14:15 is love: that we walk in obedience to his the beginning, his command is thatThree Essential Areas of Obedience oe 1, We Must Be Obedient to the Truth of God's Word . “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed."( Thessalonians 3:14) “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and | will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21) * 2. We Must Be Obedient to the Voice of the Holy Spirit Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:7) 3. There Must Be “Willingness” to Obey * If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword"; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:19-20) PERSONAL APPLICATION Obey and submit to God's Word through your leaders’ corrections, instructions, and guidelines because they are God’s appointed authorities over you. Respect and listen to your parents and teachers/boss as they tell you things you need to improve. PRAYER 1 surrender my life to You, Lord, and | acknowledge Your Word as the final authority in my life. Give me the heart to submit to your plans and obey i leaders at church, my parents, teachers/boss and all in authority. InCONSOLIDATION TOPIC 10: good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the doing, but encouraging and all the more as you Day approach "(He anothe! 0:24 have spiritual encout A. church nla 7 Eaciretion t a building but a place to belong, itis re the presence of God dwells, i cpkiual family tthe people of God ‘ tt is also a place of fi sed w iF ere > through singing, giving, and liste to His Word eee ewewereeeseeeeeeesees we can offer and honor G The Benefits of C Paul encourages but to enco: € anot they're together, y eed pe The church helps us to become Christ-like also teach us the valu wants to become grea ty in the Body of Christ 24-25 not to give up in meeting together so with you. Instead, your servant.” (Matthew Finding Community in a Local Church. The community of Cl the people the has expenenced changed life and tramsformation. Belonging to one another is rooted in our belongingness to Jesus Cli this is what makes us so utterly distinct! c (Our spiritual life cannot last alone. Like fish taken out of water, Of ‘feeted up from the soil, our spiritual life will die if it is not plant cof God. Everyone must understand what the church feasons why we need to go back to church. we are ‘a worshipping community’.‘renewing of your mind...’ (Romans 12:1-2). We al and mold us as we declare Him as Lord over us all. Second, we should function as ‘a serving community’. | where the ‘diversity’ of the community is made very practical. We to serve one another with the spiritual gifts that the Lord has Read Romans 12:6-8. Paul mentions seven spiritual gifts and did you that they're all different? They are — and that's exactly the point. Each o of us has something unique and specific to contribute to our church with the spiritual gifts that the Lord has given us. Third, we are a ‘loving community’. We are called to be ‘a loving concludes this chapter in verse 9-21 with a list of practical as followers of Jesus. They all come down to community’. Pa: Love must be sincere...Be devoted to one another in love... Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord... Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Living as Part of the Family. God never intended His children to be th me way that a basketball player belongs to a team and a soldier ngs to a platoon, it is God's plan that every one of His children belong to a family. All of us need to be part of something that is bigger than us and experience to have a spiritual family, community and fellowship where God is our Lord and Father spiritual orpha PRACTICAL APPLICATION Commit yourself in the church and treat them as your spiritual family who is dedicated to bring out the best in you. Think on how and what you can contribute to other people. Engage in our church activities and services so you can grow with them together _ PRAYER | am deeply grateful to You, Lord, for placing me in a wonderful — piritual family called church. Help me to commit to this fam Dal L ole a 3 ies ee