“Power For Living In the Next Century!”
Power for Living In The
Next Century!
• Men living powerful lives in Christ Jesus
• Men leading their families to walk mighty in
spirit in the power of the Holy Spirit
• Men who know how to pray, to get answers, and to
lead their families in victorious prayer lives
• • • • • • • •
By Dr. Edward Watke Jr.
Revival In the Home Ministries, Inc.
3306 Woodhaven Ct.
Augusta, GA 30909
706-737-5762
Contents:
Lesson One The Power of Importunate Prayer pg. 2
Lesson Two The Practice of a Fervent Prayer Life pg. 4
Lesson Three God’s Purpose In Unanswered Prayer pg. 7
Lesson Four The Power of the Holy Spirit On Our Lives pg. 10
Lesson Five The Marks of a Spirit-filled Believer pg. 13
Lesson Six The Glory of Christ’s Appearances pg. 16
Lesson Seven The Power of a Surrendered Life pg. 18
The Power Of Importunate Prayer
Lesson One: Luke 11:1-13; Luke 18
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What greater need is there than to have a great prayer life? Where do men fail more than in the lack of a vital, fervent prayer life? (I Tim. 2:1-8)
I. Importunate Praying Is Taught Throughout The Word of God:
A. Jacob; Gen. 32:24-29
1. Jacob was in the midst of a great crisis as he sent his family ahead, he fervently prayed.
2. Jacob prevailed with the angel, received a new name, and new blessing.
3. He wrestled in prayer during that night.
B. Nehemiah ... Neh. 1:1-8
1. He became aware of a great crisis for the Jews.
2. Nehemiah had a very tender heart as he wept, fasted, prayed certain days. )
3. As he prayed fervently God answered mightily.
C. In Esther’s day... Book of Esther
1. The whole nation of Jews were near death.
2. While God is not mentioned in the book, His providential care is seen in it all.
3. They fasted, prayed for three days, Esther went into the King’s presence. God mightily moved in the midst of the people.
Seed thoughts:
Supplication, pleading, importunity surely are right for the Christian. God teaches us to be importunate in prayer... ask, seek, knock... continuing to ask!
II. Importunate Praying (to pray through) Is Taught By Christ:
A. Luke 11 “because of his importunity he will arise and give as many as he needeth.” (Matt. 7:7-8)
1. The need was real, personal, and a burden.
2. The man was insistent with His friend; God wants us to pray with fervency.
3. Christ teaches us to ask..... to seek..... to knock!
4. God does not answer those who have no appreciation for the need!
B. Luke 18 “men ought always to pray and not to faint.” (James 4:2)
1. Do people pray only when at the end of their own resources?
2. Will Christ find faith on the earth when He returns? Do we ask by faith? Do we really expect answers?
Seed thoughts:
God delights in holy boldness. . . in insistent faith (Mark. 11:23-24) in prevailing prayer that seeks after God’s face. . . God’s best. . . God’s will. . . God’s glory in the life.
C. Hebrews 5:5-10 “Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death. . .”
1. Christ prayed with desperation.
2. He wrestled in prayer, was shameless in His fervency in His tears, His crying out, His open supplication.
3. He was storming heaven. (James 5:16)
4. He practiced, and lived out fervent, insistent, importunate praying.
Additional Thoughts:
1. As you read about Jacob’s prayer time at the brook, what do you think Jacob was thinking about, and why? And secondly, what are some lessons you see in this for your own prayer life? (Gen. 32:24-29)
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2. Why do you think the disciples (apostles) asked Jesus to teach them to pray? (Luke 18:1) ________________________________________________________________
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3. What do you think of Paul’s prayer life as depicted in Galatians 4:19?___________
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4. Explain in your own words your thoughts about Christ’s prayer life and burden as found in Hebrews 5:5-10? _______________________________________________
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5. What do you learn about prayer in Acts 12? ________________________________
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Personal Research for your growth:
1. Explain Matt. 7:7-8 in our own words. _____________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
2. Do you think that James 4:2 is true, if so, why? and how does this relate to your
own life? _____________________________________________________________
3. Sum up the story of Luke 18:1-8 about the importunate widow in your own words. _____________________________________________________________________
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4. How does the this story of the widow relate to your own prayer life? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
“The Practice Of A Fervent Prayer Life!”
Lesson Two: Eph. 6:18; James 5:16; 4:2
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• The prayers of the righteous have helped to shape the world’s history.
• In prayer, men grasp the Hand that controls all things.
• In the exercise of prayer, man contacts the Creator, the One who has all power. • Out of 667 Bible Prayers for specific things we read of 454 traceable answers. Yes, God does answer prayer.
• Prayer is the greatest force in the world because true prayer seeks after the mighty working of God in the behalf of His Will and His glory. God answers prayer and therefore there are the marvelous results in the lives of multitudes.
I. The Importance Of Prayer: (Eph. 6:18)
A. Note the “alls” of prayer. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the spirit. . . watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
B. Note the strong words:
prayer; supplication; perseverance
C. Note the strong expression: “watch thou unto,”
I Cor. 13:16; Matt 25:41; I Pet. 5:8-9
II. Why Is Constant, Persistent, Sleepless, Overcoming Prayer So Very Vital?
A. Because there is a Devil:
1. He is cunning, uses wiles, snares, Eph. 6:10-16
2. He is mighty, ruthless, powerful, I Pet. 5:8
3. He is ever plotting our downfall, seeks to sift us as wheat, Luke 23:32
4. He seeks to defeat, destroy, and is our constant adversary.
B. Because prayer is God’s appointed means of receiving what we need. Matt. 7:7-8
1. We are in poverty, powerless in ourselves.
2. We do not have. . . because we do not ask.
C. Because prayer occupied such an important part in Christ’s live.
1. He went into a solitary place to pray. Mk. 1:35
2. He spent, alone, all night in prayer. Lk. 6:12
3. Twenty five times prayer is mentioned in the Word of God in connection with Christ’s life.
D. Because pray is an important part of Christ’s present ministry.
Heb. 7:25;
1. Saves to the uttermost because of His prayer life.
2. Prayer as our High Priest is His principle work. Heb. 2:18; Heb 4:16-18;
3. Because the mercy, grace we need comes only from Him.
4. We are to come boldly, confidently, expectantly.
E. Because through prayer we are to experience fullness of joy.
Jh 16:24; Psa. 16:11
III. The Necessity of Prayer:
• Man is helpless apart from prayer for only in this way can we seek the Power of God upon our lives.
• The more conscious we are of our utter weakness, the greater the intensity of our prayers.
• Many of us have a weak prayer life because we live lives of self-sufficiency --we don’t seek God’s face for we feel we have no need. We think we know it all -- can do it all -- can meet our needs -- so why pray! But apart from God, we are nothing.
Prayer is a necessity as:
A. A weapon of defense.
1. for our minds -- Mk. 11:32-39; Isa. 23:6
2. for our spirits -- (kept from bad moods, jealousy, hardness, anger, etc.)
Psa. 51:10; Psa. 19
B. As a weapon of offense. for our protection -- Rom. 15:30; Compared with Joshua.
Personal research for your growth:
1. How would you prove that prayer is God’s appointed means of getting from God what we need, for His glory? __________________________________________________
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2. How would you prove that God delights in holy boldness. . . in our persistence in prayer? ______________________________________________________________
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3. What does James 5:16 teach you? _________________________________________
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4. How would you apply Matt. 6:6 to your personal life? _________________________
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5. If you were going to “pray through” for something,how would you go about doing so? _____________________________________________________________________
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6. Study the text of I Timothy 2:1-8 and write down all
the things you learn about one’s prayer life.
a. _______________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________
d._______________________________________________
e. _______________________________________________
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Seed Thoughts:
• Since prayer is such a power and force in life, then why do we not pray more?
• Prayer is the spreading out of our own helplessness and that of others in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ before the loving eyes of a heavenly Father
who knows, understands, cares and answers!
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“God’s Purpose In Unanswered Prayer!”
Lesson Three: Text: John 11
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• Why does God allow us to experience unanswered prayer or delays in answers to our prayers?
• Why do we often long to see God at work through our prayer life and seemingly the heavens are as brass to us?
• Why does it seem as though God is not hearing in the midst of our burdens, trials, losses, heart-aches, etc.?
• Do we understand some divine reasons why our prayers are delayed?
• Is God doing something to build our lives and to bring about a blessing to us and others?
• What do we know about power in our prayer life, or the renewal of power in our life that comes from our growth through delayed answers or even unanswered prayer?
Consider the burden and desire of Lazarus’s two sisters -- Mary and Martha:
• There was no problem with their devotion. (11:1-3)
• There was no problem with their desire. (11:3)
• There was no lack of faith or expectation. (11:3)
• There was no lack of love for the Lord. (11:5-)
• Consider there are many reasons why the Lord does not always answer our prayers as we think it ought to be or when we desire!
• Does He answer prayer for our sake, or for His glory and honor? Or is it some of both? To what degree do we desire HIS WILL?
I. Christ Delays His Answer to Prayer For Lazarus For the Sake of Others: (John 11:15; Heb. 10:15-35)
1. So many times we are apt to forget that love permits pain.
2. Sickness in a believer is by no means incompatible with the Lord’s love for such a one.
3. The Lord permitted the sisters to suffer because of the benefit others (we) would experience.
4. The sisters suffered because their pain offered a platform on which Jesus could erect one of His greatest miracles which stands as a beacon to weary hearts of all ages.
Man’s disappointments are often God’s appointments!
II. Christ Delays In Answering Prayer In Order To Show His Compassion: (John 11:33-35)
1. We are not told whether Martha came weeping, or wailing, or accompanied by a group of mourners.
2. Would we know of His sorrow over suffering, His heart of love and tears without this event?
3. Jesus weeping, who can fathom this? He wept over Jerusalem (Lk 19:14) and in Gethsemane. (Heb. 5:7)
III. Christ Delays To Answer Prayer To Make Doctrine a Reality: (John 11:22-27)
1. Martha needed a living hope centered in the person of the Lord Himself. Jesus was ministering to their faith to bring complete trust in Him.
2. If we have Him, we have all, and we need not wait for “some divine event or miracle” for the realization of our heart’s longings. (Rom. 8:32)
3. He is here in the present as Bread, Light, Life, Shepherd, etc -- for in Him dwelleth the godhead bodily.” (Col. 1:14-19;
4. He is the LIFE, in Him we will never die, for death is but the vestibule to life eternal. (I Cor. 15:12-20; I Thess. 4:13-18)
IV. Christ Delays to Answer Prayer To Enlarge Giving and To Provide Answers: (John 11:45, 12:9-11)
1. Our Lord is a giving Master. (Rom. 8:32)
2. Often the delays to prayer are for the purpose that we will get to know Him better.
3. Delays to our prayers often brings insight to our souls we would never receive any other way.
V. Christ Delayed Answers to Prayer In Order To Enlarge Their Service:
(John 12:2-3) (so for us)
1. He opened a door of new opportunity for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
2. Now the people had open hearts to hear the message of Salvation as never before. So He works in unusual ways to bring people to Himself.
3. The miracle that took place as a result of the delay to answered prayer brought a great witnessing opportunity. Do we look for the same?
VI. Christ Delays Answers to Prayer For the Glory of God: (John 11:4)
1. God’s glory is at stake in our lives - will our prayer life bring honor to Him?
2. The ultimate plan of God in permitting your trials, troubles, and griefs often is bring attention to the Lord God and His power and purposes.
VII. Christ Always Answers In Time, For Our Good, and For His Name Sake!
1. Do we truly believe that God is good?
2. Do we truly trust Him in all things?
3. Does our prayer life build such a walk?
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Questions to consider:
1. What was Martha’s besetting sin? ______________________________________
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2. Why does Christ permit suffering? ______________________________________
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3. What is significant in the tears of Christ? ________________________________
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4. How did Christ comfort them? _________________________________________
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5. Contrast Martha and Mary in their response to the coming of Jesus Christ.
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6. What did our Lord mean when He said, “This sickness is not unto death. . .” _____________________________________________________________________
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“The Power of the Holy Spirit On Our Lives!”
Lesson Four: Text: Acts 2
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• The Holy Spirit does not work through machinery, but through men.
• He does not anoint plans, but men.
• There is a grave tendency today to exalt plans, organization, or promotion; but we must see that God deals first with men and works through men.
• Someone has said, “Men are God’s method. The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.”
I. The Need of the Hour:
A. The need is for saved, sanctified, Spirit-filled men. (II Tim. 2:19-22; Eph. 5:18; Rom. 8:14)
B. We need men who will stand, even if they have to stand alone.
(Eph. 6:10-14)
C. God calls men; He equips men for service. (II Tim. 1:9)
1. When God calls a man he is given the ability to do the tasks that God has appointed for him.
2. God does not obliterate their personalities but He develops them and uses them for the glory of His Name.
3. God guides and works through consecrated personality. (Phil. 2:13;
Rom. 8:14; 12:1)
D. The Holy Spirit does this equipping, filling, leading, directing the life. (Jh 14.16, 26)
1. He is the guide, the Lord of the Harvest.
2. He is your comforter. The Greek word for Comforter is Paraclete.
This is a compound word, compound of the word para, which means alongside, and kletos, which means one called. So the whole word means one called to stand alongside another.
3. When Jesus Christ was here on earth -- He was the disciple’s Paraclete, their comforter, their guide, their helper. When the disciples got into trouble they simply turned to Christ. If they were perplexed they asked Christ for the answers.
4. The Holy Spirit came (as much God as God the Son, or God the Father) to carry out the will of the God-head three, the trinity. (Acts 2)
a. Christ must leave -- Jh. 16:7
b. The Holy Spirit must come -- Acts 1:8
c. The Holy Spirit leads, fills, directs --Eph. 5:18
II. The Holy Spirit’s Ministry of Power, and of Enthusiasm (or fervency) :
A. The early church leaders (disciples) had fire, zeal, and passion.
(Rom. 12:11)
1. The Holy Spirit generates enthusiasm.
2. The Holy Spirit opposes indifference and lukewarmness. (Rev. 3:15-17)
3. The Holy Spirit leads men away from the critical, fault-finding attitudes of this world.
B. The Holy Spirit brings results in the life.
1. The Holy Spirit gives wisdom.
The Holy Spirit directed Peter, he had great wisdom as he spoke on the the day of Pentecost. This humble servant (fisherman) had the Holy Spirit’s power upon his life.
2. The Holy Spirit changes the affections of men.
These people now cared little for the things of this world. It seemed that they cared nothing at all for money or for possessions. They cared completely for the work of God. They were consumed with a passion to reach men for Christ.
3. The Holy Spirit also excites compassion.
(Acts 2) Peter preached with power, excitement, men were convicted, 3,000 were saved and baptized.
III. The Holy Spirit Gives Enthusiasm For:
A. Holy Living. . . for separation from worldliness:
1. In many places when you talk about righteousness, holiness and separation from the world, there will be a gloom over the people --- not so with these early Christians.
2. They had enthusiasm for holy living, a desire to put Christ first, and an animosity for any compromise.
3. II Cor. 6:17-18 Paul, Peter, all the apostles wrote about and urged godly living.
4. Separation is necessary for spiritual power.
a. We must be empty of self and sin if we are to have His power on our lives.
b. We can’t be filled with the world and self, and be filled with His Person and power.
5. Separation is necessary for Christian joy. (I Jh 1:4; Jh 16:24; Gal. 5:22-23)
a. Jesus came to give joy, peace, but that will not come by our compromise with evil.
b. The Holy Spirit’s fruit is greatly needed.
6. Separation is essential for a true and powerful influence. (Rom. 14:7-8) “For none of us liveth unto himself, and no man dieth to himself.”
B. I appeal to you to let the Holy Spirit mightily use you, to fill, control, direct, and empower your life. It is not a matter of compulsion, but a matter of willing acceptance of God’s way for holy living. (Eph. 5:18-21; Acts 1:1-8;
2:1-4)
Note:
• All great Christians believe in separation.
• All fundamental Christians stand for separation.
• The modernists do not.
• The modernistic churches take no stand against the world. They wage no battle against evil.
• Those who are saved by faith in Jesus Christ must stand where He stands.
(Titus 2:11-14)
• Separation from evil, sin, the world should be a normal, natural result of being saved.
Conclusion:
1. Do you know the Holy Spirit?
2. Do you know you are saved?
3. Do you know what it means to be filled (or controlled by the Spirit?
4. Do you know the power of the Holy Spirit on your life for service, for witnessing, for victory over evil, sin, and the world?
5. Do you know what it means to walk in the Spirit?
6. Is there a reality of the presence of God in your life? (For this is part of the Holy Spirit’s work in you.)
7. How real is Christ Jesus to you?
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Questions:
1. Why do so many Christians live carnal lives? _____________________________
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2. Write down a definition of what you feel
carnality is. ________________________________________________________
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3. What makes a person a spiritual Christian? (In your own words.)_____________
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4. List the things you have learned which bring power into a man’s life.
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“Three Marks of a Spirit-filled Believer!”
Lesson Five: Text: Acts 4:31; Eph. 5:18
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Introduction:
• It takes thought, study, and meditation to make a growing, Christian life.
• A life of depth and meaning does not come by accident.
• We are exhorted “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (II Pet. 3:18) Some grow and some do not. Some are spiritual Christians and some live carnally.
• There is the natural man (I Cor. 2:14), the carnal man (I Cor. 3:1) and the spiritual man. (Gal. 6:1)
• We get saved and move from the natural man to the carnal man. We grow, apply the Word of God, become obedient and yielded and we move into the realm of the spiritual man.
I. Some Believers Are Carnal Christians
A. The carnal Christian is saved but walks in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
(I Cor. 3:1; Rom. 8:5-8)
He is:
Carnally-minded -- Rom. 8:5, 7
Carnally-limited -- I Cor. 3:1
Carnally-weak -- I Cor. 3:2
Carnally-bound, enslaved -- Rom. 7:14
Carnally-opposed -- Rom. 8:7
Carnally-reaps corruption -- Gal. 6:8
Carnally-despised -- I Cor. 3:3,4
B. He can only receive the milk of the Word, and not the meat of the Word. (I Cor. 3:1-7)
1. His service is not acceptable.
2. His growth is stunted because of worldliness.
II. Some Believers Are Spiritual Christians:
A. The spiritual Christian is saved and seeks to walk in the power and direction of the Spirit.
He is:
Spiritually born -- John 3:6,7
Spiritually fed -- I Cor. 2:11, 12
Spiritually-minded -- Rom. 8:5, 6
Spiritually renewed -- Eph. 4:23
Spiritually filled -- Eph. 5:18
Spiritually freed -- Rom. 8:2
Spiritually walking -- Gal. 5:16-17, 24
B. The spiritual man is a man of the Spirit.
(I Cor. 2:14-16; Rom. 8:9-15; Gal. 5:16-17, 24)
1. As a Spirit-filled person, he is in full communion with the Lord.
2. As a Spirit-filled person, he is able to comprehend the deep things of the Spirit.
(I Cor. 2:9-13)
3. The spiritual man lives spiritually!
a. He enjoys spiritual blessings. -- Eph. 2:5
b. He sings spiritual songs. -- Col. 3:16
c. He fights spiritual foes. -- Eph. 6:10-18
d. He accomplishes spiritual work. -- I Cor. 15:58
III. The First Mark -- A Deep Love For Christ:
A. We walk with Him as Lord and Master.
(Rom. 14:9; Lk 6:46; Jh 15:9- 12)
1. We must study Christ -- His attitude, motive, work, purposes, compassion,
His heart
2. We must seek to be like Him. (I Pet. 2:21)
B. We must seek to love Him with our whole heart. (Jude 20-21; I Pet. 1:8)
IV. Second Mark: A Hunger For The Word of God:
A. Are we devoted to the Word?
1. Psa. 119: 9-11; 24, 40, 64
2. Do we faithfully study it?
3. Do we read it systematically?
4. Do we meditate upon it prayerfully?
B. Do we obey the Word of God?
(II Tim. 3:15-17) Do we want to know it?
V. Third Mark: A Burning Passion for Souls:
A. There is a conscious appreciation for our own salvation! (Psa. 40:1;
Psa. 103:1-3; Rev. 1:5)
B. We will see lost men as they are -- LOST!
(Jh 3:36; 3:18; II Pet. 3:9; Rom. 3:9-12; 5:6,8)
C. We will have a burning desire to share Christ. (Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1-3)
1. In the Holy Spirit is the power to witness in a winsome way that will bring
people to Christ.
2. In and by the Holy Spirit is the power for great achievements.
3. In Him is the power to give life the thrill and joy that the Christian life
should have.
4. In Him is the power to reach out and do great and mighty things for God.
5. We need His filling, His control, His power and leadership in our lives.
6. The world has yet to see what God can do through a life totally yielded to Him.
“The Glory of Christ’s Appearances!”
Lesson Six: Text: I Cor. 15
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• After His resurrection, Christ appeared 15 times to one or more persons.
• We may have often heard,“ Well, no one ever returned from the other world to enlighten us about life beyond the grave.” Ah, but Someone did!
• Christ’s resurrection changes lives:
> from fear to courage,
> from weakness to strength,
> from hopelessness to glorious hope,
> from defeat to victory.
• Christ’s resurrection appearances ought to mean much to us today.
I. We Have Resurrection Comfort: Jh 20:11-18
1. He lives to comfort His own, to make them more than conquerors. Rom. 8:37
2. The followers of Christ were overcome with grief, and sorrow, but that was all changed for now they had triumphant joy.
II. We Have Resurrection Restoration: Mk. 16:7; Lk 24:34; I Cor. 15:58
1. Peter, the denier is restored to service. Jh 21
2. Daily restoration means a daily walk in daily cleansing from defilement along the path of life. Jh 13:1-17
III. We Have Resurrection Fellowship: Lk 24:13-35
1. Their hearts were heavy; they talked of many things, but did not recognize Jesus along the way.
2. Here was fellowship they’d never forget. . . their hearts burned within them.
IV. We Have Resurrection Peace: John 20:19-23
1. He replaced their fears with His peace.
2. He replaced their sorrows with His joy. Jh 15:11
3. Abundant peace is ours. Jh 14:27
V. We Have Resurrection Assurance: Jh 20:24-31; I Pet. 1:5, 8
1. This reappearance gives us assurance of His saving grace to us. Jh 14:1-6;
2. We have assurance of eternal life. Jh 11: 25-26
VI. We Have Resurrection Ministry: Jh 21:1-23
1. They toiled fruitlessly. They worked without results. . . trying their best on their own.
2. Christ Jesus appears to them, now in His will they labor successfully.
3. His power is available for effective service.
VII. We Have a Resurrection Message: Lk 24:44-49
1. He died for mankind; He is alive to save!
2. We have a message of reconciliation. II Cor. 5:19-21
3. We must go and tell in His Power. Eph. 1:19-20
“The Power of a Surrendered Life!”
Lesson Seven -- Text: II Timothy 1:9
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• Praise God for His workers!
• If no one had been willing, submitted, desirous --there would not have been --
a Daniel, or a Jeremiah, or an Ezekiel, or a Joel, or a Joshua, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Joseph, David, Samuel, Nehemiah, Ezra. . . or a Paul, Peter, John, Philip, Barnabas, Silas, Titus, Timothy, or a host of others.
• What are the qualities of God’s Workers? What do we SEE in all their lives?
I. God’s Workers Know They Are CALLED!
II Tim. 1:9; Jh 15:16
A. Every one of us as a disciple knows that God
has called us to His task and WILL.
1. The Apostle Paul surely felt God’s calling. Rom. 1:1; I Cor. 1:1; I Tim. 1:1
2. We ought to feel God’s calling in the “inner man.” It ought to be sensed deeply, even to the depths of our souls.
B. Every one of us ought to be thrilled about the fact
that God does call us.
1. As Paul was called (Acts 9:10-16, 18) so God has called us. There is no difference.
2. Paul said, “Lord what wilt thou have me to do?” Acts 9:6 What do we say?
II. God’s Workers UNDERSTAND the TASK!
Col 4:12; Eph. 5:17; Eph. 1:9; Mk 16:15;
A. We know we are called to a high and holy calling for a task designed by God for us.
1. We have different gifts, (I Cor. 12:1, 4-11)
2. We must know our gift, and seek to do it.
B. We know the basic task is the outworking of Matthew 28:18-20 through our lives.
1. To see people saved, and baptized,
2. And to see them discipled that they might
become a reproducer.
III. God’s Workers Are COMMITTED to the Task!
Phil. 3:12-14; II Tim. 1:9
A. Committed because of the blessing of volunteering for the work of the Lord.
1. As Christ voluntarily came upon this sin-cursed world to give Himself -- so He sends us. Jh 20:21
2. The worker’s reward is measured through a deep and abiding sense of satisfaction derived from doing God’s will. Rom. 12:1,2
B. Committed because our labor is the outworking of the “gifts” given by God.
I Tim. 4:14-15; I Cor. 12:1-3; Rom. 12:4-8
1. Gifts given by the Holy Spirit for our service.
2. Gifts exercised for God’s glory and for the good of the saints and the strengthening of the church.
3. Gifts not to be put on the shelf, but developed, used -- lest they be lost to the saints about us.
4. Gifts used for the sake of others.
IV. God’s Workers Have INTEGRITY!
A. You have integrity when you ARE what you appear to be.
B. You have integrity when “your life reflects” what you say.
C. Integrity is an indispensable quality in the worker.
1. Character, godliness, and truthfulness are the foundation stones of integrity.
2. Paul wrote much about integrity in I Thess. 2:1-7, 8, 9; I Cor. 2:1-5;
and II Cor. 6:3-6.
3. One can teach a little by what he says, more by what he does, but most by what he is.
V. God’s Workers PREPARE!
II Tim. 2:15; I Cor. 15:58;
No one can truly fulfill his task without preparation--physically, mentally, and spiritually. A good worker will be effective to the extent what the Word of God is a power in his life.
A. He must do his best to keep his body in good condition. I Cor. 6:19, 20
1. Morally pure, healthy, fresh, able, desirous.
2. Laboring with a clear heart and yielded life.
B. Mental preparation means study.
II Tim. 2:15; Jer. 15:16; Psa. 119:105
1. He loves the Word of God. Prov. 2:1-8
2. He builds understanding, application, depth of wisdom into his life.
C. Spiritual preparation is paramount.
1. Nothing substitutes for a prayer life, prayerfully seeking a Spirit-filled life.
2. He knows that attitude, love, and skills are important, but especially the power and influence of the Spirit.
VI. God’s Workers Are HOLY!
A. A holy walk is commanded.
I Pet. 1:15-16; II Pet. 3:11; Jude 20
B. A holy walk is a must if He is to use us.
Eph. 1:4; 2:21; 5:27; II Tim. 2:19-22
VII. God’s Workers Will Be FAITHFUL!
I Cor. 4:2; I Cor. 15:58; II Tim. 4:5-7; I Tim. 4:11-16
A. Faithful to “watch in all things!”
B. Faithful to “endure afflictions.”
C. Faithful in making “full proof our ministry!”
D. Faithful to “finish the course. . . keep the faith!”
What kind of worker are YOU... what will you be?
Copyright 2000, Revival In the Home Ministries #.