"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58)

Behold The Man!

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, "Behold the man"! (John 19:1-5 KJV)

Krystal Meyers - The Beauty of Grace

103005

BEING HOLY IN AN UNHOLY WORLD
Follow God’s Example

Ephesians 4:17-19 (Monday)
“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” (NIV)
1) Why do you think it is that a hardened heart loses all sensitivity for the things of God? What are some ways we might outwardly and/or inwardly express this lack of sensitivity? Pray God, that none of us would be counted among the unbelievers (in this case, another word for Gentiles!)
2) In previous lessons on “Being Holy in an Unholy World,” we studied how God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and the progressive steps that led to Pharaoh’s not heeding and not obeying God’s command to let His people go. Now, let’s look at the children of Israel—set free by God and being led by Him into their promised land!
a) Just what are some of the warning signs of a heart becoming hardened? Read Exodus 4:27-31! What does this say the children of Israel did when they heard from Moses and his brother Aaron?
b) God had promised deliverance, yet in Exodus 5:2-23 we find the children of Israel questioning the messenger of God! What kind of deliverance were they obviously expecting?
i) Point One: Questioning God and His ways leads to a hardened heart (Proverbs 3:5-6!)
ii) Point Two: Looking back with longing to our previous lives before Christ leads to a hardened heart (Exodus 14:1-12!) Remember Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26!) Note again the reaction of the people in Exodus 14:31!
iii) Point Three: When difficulties arise, or when we are called to suffer for Christ’s sake, our grumbling, murmuring and complaining leads to a hardened heart (Exodus 15:22-24!)
iv) Point Four: When we begin believing things were actually better in our old lives leads to a hardened heart (Exodus 16:1-3!) Note: Who does Exodus 16:8 say we actually murmur against?
v) Point Five: Partial obedience, which is really not being obedient, leads to a hardened heart (Exodus 16:11-30!)
vi) Point Six: Repeated quarreling and grumbling against God leads to a hardened hear (Exodus 17:1-3!) Note: What were the people ready to do to Moses (Exodus 17:4!) Remember, the children of Israel were actually venting their anger towards God Almighty! Oh, don’t miss this! This is exactly what they did to Christ (except, they nailed Him to a cross!)
(1) Read Exodus 24:3-8. What did the people promise? What was Moses response?
vii) Point Seven: Full blown rebellion (Exodus 32:1-6!) Keep in mind that this rebellion happened after the children of Israel had personally witnessed the awesome miracles of God and after their continued profession to follow, obey and worship! They were without excuse! This is a dangerous place for one who calls him or herself after the name of Christ! What does Hebrews 6:4-6 say about this?
viii) Point Eight: Full blown rebellion, another name for sin, always brings death (Exodus 32:27-28; Romans 6:23 and James 1:15!)
3) They gave themselves over! Romans 1:18-32 puts this in a different light. Comments?
4) Have you ever experienced or know of someone who seems to have that “continual need for more?” How did it magnify itself?
Ephesians 4:20-24 (Tuesday)
“You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (NIV)
1) How did you come to know Christ? Ponder this and if you are comfortable, please share!
2) Put on! This phrase gives us gals a little added insight to what Paul is speaking of here! We all love the excitement of “putting on” something new! Something that makes us feel more attractive, even beautiful! One of our favorite things to “put on” is new clothing! I’m imagining something like, oh, maybe a new mink coat,! Okay, I’d settle for something that vaguely resembles cashmere! Anyway, putting on your new self is sort of like that! Believe it or not, this is not a new concept. No, it started way back with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden! They sinned and they tried to “put on” something to cover the shame of their nakedness—their sin against God! What was it? Why didn’t God find their covering of choice sufficient (Ephesians 2:8-9?) No, God had a much better plan, what did He clothe them with (Genesis 3, 3:21?)
3) The innocent slain to clothe the sinful! Imagine how this must have forever been stamped on their hearts and minds! They watched their holy and just God actually slay a living, breathing animal so their sin could be covered! Yes, I think spilt blood always leaves a lasting impression! God intended it to be so! You could say they “put on” the coat of that animal!
4) Don’t think for a moment that we get off any easier! No, we’re sinners, too! However, because of the grace and mercy of our awesome God, we have the extreme privilege of clothing ourselves, or “putting on” Christ Jesus (Romans 13:14!) The Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the earth (Revelation 13:8!)
5) A word of warning! Don’t attempt to “put off” anything, i.e., change your way of life, your attitude or anything else unless and until you have “put on” Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-29!) It is an impossibility! Oh, you may cut this sin out, cut that sin out, but the sin of “the self, the natural man or the flesh” is burrowed—deep, deep, deep into the depth of your soul. The problem with the blood of animal sacrifice was that it only covered the sin—it could never cleanse it and wash it away forever! Only the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ could do that (Hebrews 10:3-23!)
6) What spiritual benefits come with “putting on” Christ?
a) We now “put on” the armor of light, no longing walking in darkness (Romans 13:12!)
b) We can make the choice to “put on” our new self (yes, it is a conscience choice), which is made in the image of Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:9-10 and 2 Corinthians 3:18!)
c) We have battle armor to “put on,” which enables us to fight the good fight of faith (Ephesians 6:11-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 and 1 Timothy 6:12!)
d) We can clothe ourselves, or “put on” compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, forbearance with one another, forgiveness and above all these, love, which binds them all together (Colossians 3:12-14!)
e) We are to clothe ourselves, or “put on” humility (1 Peter 5:5!)
Ephesians 4:25-32 (Wednesday)
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin" Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (NIV)
1) Here’s another “therefore!” So, because we are now “new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17”) we can “put off” a bunch of stinky, smelling garbage (sins) that we have been carrying around with us (for some of us, for quite a while!) See Hebrews 12:1!
2) Boy, this portion of scripture really hits us (me) where it hurts—our anger! Mentioned first, no less! What are you angry about?
3) How does anger give satan a foothold in your life?
a) What is a natural result of anger (Hebrews 12:15
i) What fruit is produced out of bitterness (Genesis 49:22-23 and James 3:14-16?)
b) Anger and bitterness very well have been a major factor in murder (Genesis 4:1-8!)
c) Why is it important to settle or deal with your anger and disagreements before the sun sets (Matthew 18:15-17; Matthew 5:23-26—be perfect, like your Father in heaven is perfect—Lamentations 3:22-23!)
4) What constitutes “unwholesome talk?”
a) What is “filthy communication (Colossians 3:8?”) Hey, did you see that anger thing again?
i) What comes off our tongues and out of our mouths (Matthew 12:34-37; Matthew 15:11, 17-20; Romans 3:10-14; James 3:5-13; and 1 Peter 3:10!)
ii) Oh, if it would not for Jesus, this one would do me in (James 1:26!)
(1) Don’t be faint of heart about your mouths. No, the best thing you can do is to use your mouth and tongue to confess the Lord Jesus Christ and LIVE (Romans 10:8-13!)
5) Have you ever sought someone’s forgiveness and got absolutely no where? Please share!
Ephesians 5:1-8 (Thursday and Friday)
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (NIV)
1) Doesn’t it just blow you away that before the creation of this world, God chose us (Matthew 4:18-22?) Sometimes we tend to forget or overlook that very important point!
2) Humanly speaking, predestination is a very difficult concept! Does everyone have a choice? We have to look at this question through the eyes of a sovereign God who knows all, sees all, foresees all, and before a word is out of our mouths, knows exactly what we are thinking (Psalm 139; Matthew 9:4; John 2:23-25; and John 13:11!) Don’t you suppose that God knew who would say, “Yes!” to Him and who would not? But, also consider last week’s lesson that dealt with God’s hardening Pharaoh’s heart! At one point, God told Moses He had raised up Pharaoh for the very purpose of showing His glory through his stubborn heart! So, God is above all and He alone is God! He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy (Exodus 33:19!) So, if you are one of His—rejoice! Were it not for His mercy and grace, where would we be?
a) He saves us (Romans 5:9!)
b) He brought us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20!)
c) He rescued us (Colossians 1:13!)
d) He redeemed and forgives us from sin (Galatians 3:14 and Ephesians 1:7-8!)
e) He alone provides our righteousness (right standing) (Romans 3:21-24!)
f) He alone has made us holy and blameless in His sight through Jesus Christ our Lord (Ephesians 1:4-6!)
g) He equips us to do of His good pleasure (Hebrews 13:20-21!)
h) God gives us the desire to do His will (Philippians 2:13!)
i) God provides the very works He Himself has planned for us to do (Ephesians 2:10!)
i) So, do we have any right to boast? What can we boast in (2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:5?) Why (2 Corinthians 12:9-10?) Oh, sisters! Let’s boast in our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:25-31!) To Him be all glory, honor and praise!
3) Do you feel as if you have been lavished upon with all wisdom and understanding? Well, you have! Count yourselves among the blessed in this world because the lost are without wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 1:22-32!)
a) Wisdom and understanding must be sought after (Proverbs 2:1-9!)
b) If you don’t feel like you are rich in God’s wisdom, ask (James 1:5-8!)

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