Admonitions for a Balanced Christian Life Our Spiritual Life.

Admonitions for a Balanced Christian Life

Admonitions for a Balanced Christian Life

Our Spiritual LifeOur Spiritual Life

1 Timothy 4:13-161 Timothy 4:13-16

Until I arrive, be sure to keep on reading the Scriptures in worship, and don't stop preaching and teaching. Use the gift you were given when the prophets spoke and the group of church leaders blessed you by placing their hands on you. Remember these things and think about them, so everyone can see how well you are doing. Be careful about the way you live and about what you teach. Keep on doing this, and you will save not only yourself, but the people who hear you.


Paul and Timothy

1 Timothy 4:13-161 Timothy 4:13-16



Paul admonishes Timothy in three areas of Christian lifePaul admonishes Timothy in three areas of Christian life1. keep on reading the Scriptures in

worship2. don't stop preaching and teaching3. Be careful about the way you live

1. keep on reading the Scriptures in worship

2. don't stop preaching and teaching3. Be careful about the way you live

Doctrine

Witness

Develop character

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

The Three Circles of Christian Life

Study/Doctrine

Correct TheologicalPosition

True Bible Orthodoxy maintains purity

Comes first, but if all there is, Becomes seedbed of spiritual pride


Witnessing

Ability to discuss

Reasoning ability based on Knowledge of Truth—sharing with others why God acts as He does

If all there is leads to intellectualismAnd provides seedbed for spiritual pride


Character development

Humble heart

Love of God, devotional attitudeDaily practice of the reality of knowing God

Character qualities


Circles must be properly established, emphasized, related

Study and doctrine

Witnessing and harvesting

Character development

Colossians 3:16Rotherham

Colossians 3:16Rotherham

Let the word of Christ dwell within you richly—in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, with gratitude raising song with your hearts unto God

Let the word of Christ dwell within you richly—in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, with gratitude raising song with your hearts unto God

1. Our experiences and our studies give us wisdom based on our knowledge of God

2. Our knowledge makes us effective witnesses to others3. Our study and witnessing transforms us

1. Our experiences and our studies give us wisdom based on our knowledge of God

2. Our knowledge makes us effective witnesses to others3. Our study and witnessing transforms us

2004 International Seminar, Cluj, Romania

Studying the scriptures gives you theological framework

Studying the scriptures gives you theological framework

John 5:39

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;

John 5:39

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;

Witnessing from the scriptures gives opportunity to find

others interested

Witnessing from the scriptures gives opportunity to find

others interestedActs 17:1, 2Now when they had traveled through

Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures. . .

Acts 18:4And he was reasoning in the synagogue

every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

Acts 17:1, 2Now when they had traveled through

Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures. . .

Acts 18:4And he was reasoning in the synagogue

every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

First understand, then become teacher

First understand, then become teacher

Hebrews 5:11-14

Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Hebrews 5:11-14


Doctrine produces exercised senses to discern what is right

for character

Doctrine produces exercised senses to discern what is right

for characterHebrews 5:11-14


Hebrews 5:11-14

Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. 'Saint Paul writing his Epistles by Valentin de Boulogne

Although character is inner circle, it is not tertiary or

secondary

Great Wall of China

Proverbs 2:6, 7For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Philippians 3:13, 14Philippians 3:13, 14 I press on toward

the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

Rembrandt’s Apostle Paul

Z5080, The Mark of Crystallization of Character

Z5080, The Mark of Crystallization of Character

God’s standard of character is perfection, which must be maintained by loyalty and obedience under whatever tests he permits to come to individuals upon any plane of life. No one will get the prize of everlasting life unless he successfully passes those tests.

God’s standard of character is perfection, which must be maintained by loyalty and obedience under whatever tests he permits to come to individuals upon any plane of life. No one will get the prize of everlasting life unless he successfully passes those tests.

What God seeks in character Paul’s admonitions to Timothy in 4:16What God seeks in character Paul’s admonitions to Timothy in 4:16

• Humility, not pride• Not weak or vacillating but strong determination

– Desire, dedication, determination

• Can’t give up will, must exercise it, put into action—must will to obey

• Choices must be deliberate, not something into which one drifts

• “I will serve you” -- Joshua 24:15: “..choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..”

• Humility, not pride• Not weak or vacillating but strong determination

– Desire, dedication, determination

• Can’t give up will, must exercise it, put into action—must will to obey

• Choices must be deliberate, not something into which one drifts

• “I will serve you” -- Joshua 24:15: “..choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..”

Correct doctrine must be basisOriginal forward, Volume 6

Correct doctrine must be basisOriginal forward, Volume 6

Our Lord…promised that he would send forth to his people meat in due season (Luke 12:37-42)…at a time, when without it, their spiritual growth would have been stunted, if not entirely checked…even the old things of God’s Word, the old truths, may have a new and appetizing flavor, and be appropriated to their still further spiritual health and strength.

Our Lord…promised that he would send forth to his people meat in due season (Luke 12:37-42)…at a time, when without it, their spiritual growth would have been stunted, if not entirely checked…even the old things of God’s Word, the old truths, may have a new and appetizing flavor, and be appropriated to their still further spiritual health and strength.

ConclusionsConclusions

1 Timothy 6:20-21

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"-- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

1 Timothy 6:20-21

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"-- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.Scriptures shouldn’t be viewed as technical book, legal guideline

Seek knowledge and wisdomView as primary guide to keep on right course

Ephesians 4:11-12

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

Ephesians 4:11-12

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Volumes shouldn’t be rejected because written by man—

this is the way God said would instruct Church

Hurricane Andrew 1992

Amen

Admonitions for a Balanced Christian Life Our Spiritual Life.

Documents

Transcript of Admonitions for a Balanced Christian Life Our Spiritual Life.