Christian Fellowship Community Group
A safe place for Christians who Love Jesus Christ to meet and ask for prayer and share scriptures from the bible. We value the posting of Christian music, poems, stories and also personal testimonies. Please let us know your needs, concerns and have some fun getting to know each other. We treat each other with respect.
II. We Must Submit To God's Commands.
If we know our weaknesses and our tendency to err, in contrast to God's wisdom and power, we should be willing to do what He says. We should believe that His will is best and that we will receive His aid only if we obey Him.
A. Note the Examples of Moses and of Jesus
The example of Moses
Numbers 12:3,6,7 - He was very meek. He was faithful in all God's house.
Exodus 40:16 - He did according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he.
Hebrews 8:5 - He built all things according to the pattern shown him.
The example of Jesus
Philippians 2:8 - Having come to earth as a man, Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient, even to the point of dying on the cross.
Hebrews 4:15 - He was tempted in all points like we are yet without sin.
1 Peter 2:21,22 - He left us an example that we should follow His steps. He did no sin nor was guilt found in His mouth.
Both Moses and Jesus are expressly noted for their meekness and humility, and both were thoroughly obedient to God.
B. Applications to Us
James 1:21-25 - Meekness toward God's word requires putting away filth and wickedness. Be doers of the word, not just hearers.
James 4:6-10 - God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of God and He will exalt you. Therefore be subject to God, draw nigh to Him, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, be afflicted, mourn, and weep. This is the true effect of humility in our lives, just as in Jesus' life (cf. 1 Peter 1:22).
When we are truly humble, and hold ourselves in low esteem compared to God's exalted greatness, we will submit to His will. This is why Scripture so often associates repentance with humbling oneself. [1 Kings 21:27ff; 2 Chronicles 7:13f; Isaiah 57:15; 1 Peter 5:5-9; Proverbs 15:31-33]
Matthew 16:24 - Here is an excellent definition of "meekness," without using the word. To be meek is to deny self.
The selfish person says "I want this, I want that...." True meekness says, "So what! What does God want?" Is this really best according to God's way? God's ways are so much better than ours that we will submit.
Someone says, "Well, don't we ever get to consider what we want?" Yes, but be careful. When it doesn't matter according to God's will, then we may consider our own will. But the meek person carefully considers God's will first, then his own will last. It is very easy to sub-consciously desire to please ourselves, so we conclude an act doesn't matter to God, when really it does matter to Him. We must question every act, word, thought as to what effect it will have on our service to God. Then we do only what we are sure will please God.
If we know our weaknesses and our tendency to err, in contrast to God's wisdom and power, we should be willing to do what He says. We should believe that His will is best and that we will receive His aid only if we obey Him.
A. Note the Examples of Moses and of Jesus
The example of Moses
Numbers 12:3,6,7 - He was very meek. He was faithful in all God's house.
Exodus 40:16 - He did according to all that Jehovah commanded him, so did he.
Hebrews 8:5 - He built all things according to the pattern shown him.
The example of Jesus
Philippians 2:8 - Having come to earth as a man, Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient, even to the point of dying on the cross.
Hebrews 4:15 - He was tempted in all points like we are yet without sin.
1 Peter 2:21,22 - He left us an example that we should follow His steps. He did no sin nor was guilt found in His mouth.
Both Moses and Jesus are expressly noted for their meekness and humility, and both were thoroughly obedient to God.
B. Applications to Us
James 1:21-25 - Meekness toward God's word requires putting away filth and wickedness. Be doers of the word, not just hearers.
James 4:6-10 - God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of God and He will exalt you. Therefore be subject to God, draw nigh to Him, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, be afflicted, mourn, and weep. This is the true effect of humility in our lives, just as in Jesus' life (cf. 1 Peter 1:22).
When we are truly humble, and hold ourselves in low esteem compared to God's exalted greatness, we will submit to His will. This is why Scripture so often associates repentance with humbling oneself. [1 Kings 21:27ff; 2 Chronicles 7:13f; Isaiah 57:15; 1 Peter 5:5-9; Proverbs 15:31-33]
Matthew 16:24 - Here is an excellent definition of "meekness," without using the word. To be meek is to deny self.
The selfish person says "I want this, I want that...." True meekness says, "So what! What does God want?" Is this really best according to God's way? God's ways are so much better than ours that we will submit.
Someone says, "Well, don't we ever get to consider what we want?" Yes, but be careful. When it doesn't matter according to God's will, then we may consider our own will. But the meek person carefully considers God's will first, then his own will last. It is very easy to sub-consciously desire to please ourselves, so we conclude an act doesn't matter to God, when really it does matter to Him. We must question every act, word, thought as to what effect it will have on our service to God. Then we do only what we are sure will please God.
11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Jesus, many times, said that he had come as a servant. He constantly admonished His disciples that those who would be first, must be last. He told his disciples, that the servant is truly greater than the master. He always tried to get His disciples to understand "being humble" does not mean being weak. Being humble takes more courage and strength than being a bully.
James 4:3New International Version (NIV)
3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Thanks, Kathilee, for this lesson.
seeking out God's will is the only way. Jesus the only salvation. only with the Holy Spirit can we take on such courage and have such hope. we don't have it of our own although some people do not seek out God's will and are very very strong. from where does their strength come from?
put on the full armor of God and understand.
I am reminded of a bumper sticker I once saw,
Life without Jesus. How's that working for ya?
denipink, even when we are weak, He is strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness
You might be surprised that these "strong" people, really aren't. One example, Robin Williams. Very funny man!! On the outside, he looked happy and at peace. Obviously not. He was in 12 step rehab and committed suicide. He LOOKED in control!!!