#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Sun. 22/10/2017
Quarter’s Theme: CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE CHURCH
UNIT 3 – Steps To Resolving Conflict In The Church (Lessons 8-12)
LOYALTY CAMPAIGN MONTHS
Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 195, 198
Devotional Reading: 2 TIM. 3:14-17
Topic For Adults
YIELD TO GOD’S ORIGINAL MESSAGE TO HUMANITY
Topic For Youths
READ, BELIEVE, AND APPLY THE BIBLE
Topic For Intermediates
DON’T YIELD TO FLESHLY DICTATES
Lesson Scriptures
2 TIM. 3:16-17; TIT. 2:7-11; 1 COR. 2:13-17
22/10/2017 LESSON 8
USE THE BIBLE AS THE FINAL ARBITER
MEMORY VERSE
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
(2 Tim. 3:16) NKJV
DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING
Sun. 22/10/2017
Jesus Christ Is Coming Again
Jn. 14:1-3
There are many theories about the second coming of Jesus Christ that could distract many believers as many Christians are already asking questions such as: Will Jesus Christ come back again? Has He come already? When He comes will He appear only to some spiritually selected people or will He appear to a certain physical location. A safeguard on the second coming is to turn to the Bible for a sure and reliable answer. The second coming of Jesus Christ is certain. No controversy. The Bible has the direct speech of the person in question. In the passage today, Jesus promised to return. He admonished all believers not to be troubled in the heart. Just trust in God and Him. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for believers and He will come back and take them home. He has promised and He will never fail. The promise of His second coming is not without warnings. Jesus cautioned believers not to be deceived by many who will come in His name claiming they are Christ (Matt. 24:4-5). He also warned believers to watch and pray not to be weighed down by dissipations, drunkenness and the anxiety of life, so that the day will not come on us unexpectedly like a trap. Lk. 21:34-36.
Point Of Emphasis: The second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is certain. Do not be deceived.
Prayer Point: Lord, give me strength as l watch and pray for Your second coming. I will not miss Your coming in Jesus name. Amen.
BACKGROUND
The need for Christians to adhere to biblical standards while taking decisions even during difficult situation necessitates this week’s lesson. Believers in Christ must abide with godly attitudes that are entrenched in the Bible when relating with others both within and outside the church. It may entail surrendering a right which ought to be enjoyed.
NOTES ON THE TEXT
PART 1: ACCEPT THE BIBLE AS THE FINAL ARBITER (TIT. 2:7-11)
Actions they say speak louder than words. It is not good enough for somebody who claim to know God to walk inconsistently with His word. It is hypocrisy and destructive for a Christian’s life to run opposite of what the Bible stipulates.
Titus was a great Christian, a travelling companion of Paul. He was a problem solver in Corinth and was given the responsibility for the church on the Island of Crete. The uncommon guidelines for behaviour for the Cretans can still be applied today to resolve conflict in the church. Paul instructed him to: avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels and fight about Moses’ teachings. Discontinue with people who teach false doctrines after they must have been warned once or twice (vv. 8-10). He insisted on this because it is worthless and useless to involve in foolish arguments. Also, the kind of people involved in the act are heretic and corrupt. They are sinners condemned by their own actions.
Those who accept doing the will of God from the heart make the Bible their final arbiter on issues pertaining to life. They possess the etiquette to serve the civil employers and at the same time humbly live their lives to glorify God. Christians must allow their lights to shine among men in making people to see their good works and glorify their heavenly father. Irrespective of the situation or circumstances, a true child of God must embrace spiritual truth which agrees with the Bible and abide in it.
PART 2: YOUR DECISION MUST BE IN LINE WITH THE BIBLE (2 TIM. 3:16-17)
There are times when people behave in manners that cause con-flict. The principle to guide against reacting in a way which God abhors is rooted in the Bible. Though men wrote the text but God superintended the human writers to record exactly God’s intention. They were perfectly guided and inspired by God. Therefore, the Scriptures are God breathed. The Psalmist states that God exalts two things above all others. His name and His word (Ps. 138:2).
The Bible is viewed as inspired and authoritative Scripture. Paul affirms that it is given by inspiration of God. This is derived from two Greek words ‘theopneustos’ theos meaning “God” while ‘pnee’ means to breathe.
The inspired word is God’s infallible guidelines which Chris-tians must adopt in their daily walk with God. It is able to give wisdom and spiritual life to the adherent. The word must be received without an iota of doubt by believers. They must obey its instructions in all things which relates to life. It is good for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training to live a righteous life (v. 16).
To apply God’s word rightly, the Holy Spirit must be given her rightful position in our minds to get the correct interpretation and use the word to conquer the power that can make us to act outside God’s will. In this regard, our decision must be aligned with the word of God.
PART 3: DEVELOP THE MIND OF CHRIST THROUGH THE BIBLE (1 COR. 2:13-17)
The Holy Spirit illuminates the understanding of believers on the truth and divine origin of the word of God. Real followers of Christ must learn and obey Christ’s righteous standard and teachings for their lives in order to develop the mind of Christ for themselves (verse 12) and make it their final arbiter.
Apostle Paul’s writings (vv 9-13) seem to relate the steps through which the Holy Spirit inspired God’s word (i) God packaged man’s salvation through His wisdom in Christ Jesus. It is only the Holy Spirit that knows fully the thoughts of God (v.11). Believers know the Scripture as they study it and are prevented from error and false-hood.
Worldly Christians are not growing in grace. They live their Christian lives as if they do not understand the full implication of salvation in Christ (1 Cor. 3:1-2). Thus they are full of envy and strife. They must know the danger of worldliness since they could be led astray from having adequate devotion to Christ. They will be punished by God if there are no changes in their lifestyle.
A believer needs to develop the mind of Christ though it seems foolish to those who are perishing because human values, strength and wisdom are not in line with how God does things.
CONCLUSION
God sees believers as priceless treasures who need to embrace His word as final arbiter on issues concerning life. In time of conflict, our judgment and action should be based on the Bible.
QUESTIONS
- What are guidelines that can prevent Christians from behaving unruly during conflict?
- How do you see the Bible?
- What is the good thing about what Paul wrote to the believers in Crete in our present generation?
- Irrespective of the situation, what should a true child of God do about the Bible?
- What are typical things about worldly Christians?
