Wednesday Night October 10, 2012
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scriptures: 1 Peter 1, Philippians 2, Luke 18, 1 Peter 5, 1 Peter 4
audio file: click to open in a new window or right-click to download
Notes
One great act of mercy from God was that He died for His creation. Even those that would reject.
1 Peter 1:3-8
Reflecting on the rivalry between two famous runners. The other runners were in the race were really running for number three. Think of all the training that athletes endure for a temporary reward.
Do we do this much and more for a much greater reward of Christ in heaven?
We may not be training for the Olympics, but we are all put through a test.
What is your attitude? How you deal with people? Do you recognize things as a trial?
If you do fail, what is your response? Do you give up? Or like a runner goes back to the weight room to get things right, talking with a coach, whatever to fix it, do you repent and press on in God.
Look at the workforce example: As you present your best foot when you are trying to get a job, do you put forth your best when you do things for God.
Tests can help humble you, letting you know that you need God.
Athletes are always getting ready for the next battle. How strongly are you committed that I am ready for my next test, battle, for my testimony in Christ to be used?
Are you humble enough to know that you need Him, to ask Him for correction and direction through a trial?
As believers, we should be like teammates, encouraging each other to press on, endure, glorify God.
Philippians 2:1-8
Some people in congregation give the image that they have done enough and it is time to stop working. We are to bear our cross daily. We are supposed to be of the same mind and continuously working for God.
We are all striving to go the same direction, not shooting at goals that are opposite or independent of what the team is trying to do.
Jesus let us know what mindset He took on so that we could be servants.
Are you putting on servanthood? Have you put down your “kingdom” so that you can serve God? Or are you trying to be serviced?
Christ served with humility, not in pride. How humble are we?
Reflect on the physically humiliation that He endured, the false accusations, not receiving the glory He was due. And yet He took it because He loved us.
Be humble enough to take input from the word. What do you do? If there is a problem, do you go back to figure out what you did and what you need to do? When you fix that, you can add on more and more to do for Christ.
An inappropriate mindset can even make your prayer unacceptable.
Luke 18:9-14
Some want to be seen, to be recognized for themselves. That is their reward.
1 Peter 5:3-9
God commanded leaders to lead by examples. How am I an example to others? We are all responsible for the examples that we show.
The key to others is not the test, but how they can see us respond to the test.
Even when you don’t think you are being an example, you are showing how much (or if) you trust in God.
Learn from others, older people or others who have experienced things or are trying to warn you about how to handle things in the future. The wisdom or advice is not to restrict life but to help make life better.
Some people think that things are going to stop without them. Instead, humble yourself to ask what can I learn today, how can I help someone else. That support helps and is something we all need to give and to receive.
God didn’t suffer just to prove that He could. He did it because He cares for us.
vs8. In the animal world, the predators will target the weak one. We can provide support for the weak and struggling.
If we are not connected to Christ and His strength, we will become weak and will fall behind. Repent and come to God if you need to fix something wrong.
1 Peter 4:12-17
We are to rejoice in suffering in that it is for God, and the day will come that we will be with Him.
Know that when we go through a trial or things we consider to be a trial, we have to respond according to God’s will.
1) we have to be humble – God chose me to go through this test to see where I stand with Him.
2) we have to rejoice
You are an example, and the Teacher is watching to see how you handle this test. And if you fail, what are you going to do? study again, humble yourself, watch the film.