OUTLINE:
Watered-Down Church?
We would be missing out on God’s training us for His glorification! Ro 11:36 – We would be missing out on running the race, fighting the good fight of faith, and receiving the prize! 1Co 9:24-27, 2Ti 4:7, Php 3:14, Jas 1:12
1Ti 1:5
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Eph 5:15-16
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
What’s Your Intent?
Is it to placate God so He’s not angry with you? Or is it to discover more of Him and grow closer to your Father in heaven??
Read your Bible with intent and humility!
Jas 1:22 NASU
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
“Looks” in Jas 1:22
parakupto – to bend beside, i.e. lean over (so as to peer within)
Family Discipline APPLIED
The faithfulness of our God disciplines us when we need it, out of His tremendous love for us.
Family Discipline APPLIED
Godly discipline ensures we don’t just waste our lives away and have regrets for all eternity!
We’re On A Mission!
We have the greatest purpose we could ever imagine in life… to bring God glory in all that we do, and to reach out to others with the Good News of eternal life!
God Our Father Loves Us!
He will only let us ignore Him (or go through the motions) for so long… before He faithfully acts aggressively on our behalf.
Perspective on Discipline
When it’s time for you to receive discipline from God or from His appointed authorities, humbly receive it for what it is; something good, something you NEED.
Family Discipline APPLIED
Our Father has shown me, an unfaithful selfish sinner, that He loves me enough to knock me around and show me the truth about myself.
The Good From Discipline
God’s plan includes training us and healing us, and that takes discipline at times because we don’t see our blind spots, but God does.
The Good From Discipline
The Spirit wants us to see discipline as a very good thing… in fact, something that brings us relief.