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Two Plus Two Equals Four. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (NAS). 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (NAS).
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1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (NAS) 1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (NAS) Colossians 3:1-2 1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (NAS)
The will of God for your life will most often be determined by the circumstances of your life!
know When youthe circumstances of your life, and you are willing to the circumstances of your life, and you are willing to the circumstances of your life, and then the circumstances of your life against the of God’s word, then you can make an decision. accurately interpret admit measure absolute truths objective
you can make the decision without difficulty, without hardship, without disappointment and without sadness. • you can make the decision without fear. • you can be assured that your decision is right.
ob·jec·tive(eb-jèk¹tîv) adjective 2. Having actual existence or reality. 3. a. Uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices: b. Based on observable phenomena; presented factually: sub·jec·tive(seb-jèk¹tîv) adjective 1. a. Proceeding from or taking place within a person's mind such as to be unaffected by the external world. b. Particular to a given person; personal: 2. Moodily introspective. 3. Existing only in the mind; illusory. 4. Psychology. Existing only within the experiencer's mind.
You can predict the spiritual direction a person will travel based upon knowledge of what that person is thinking and how that person is thinking. How can you do this? This isn’t difficult, friends. You can make the prediction because “two-plus-two always equals four.” • You can predict the chaos, the calamity, the tragedy, the heartache, the pain, the suffering for which a person is headed when you see the things that person is doing. How can you do this? Again, this isn’t difficult, friends. You can make the prediction because “two-plus-two always equals four.” • You can predict, and in fact can know, the spiritual condition of another person’s heart when you know what another person is thinking, when you hear what another person is saying, or when you see what another person is doing. How can you do this? Once again, this isn’t difficult, friends. You can predict and know these things because “two-plus-two always equals four.”
2 - represents an accurate knowledge of the ABSOLUTE standards that govern life during the Church Age. + 2 - represents an accurate understanding of what a person is thinking, saying, or doing. = 4 - a. an accurate prediction of the chaos, the calamity, the tragedy, the heartache, the pain, the suffering for which a person is headed. b. an accurate assessment of the spiritual condition of another person’s heart— spiritual or carnal.
Principle: You will often know the WHAT before you understand the WHY. • Principle: We are not asked to understand the WHY, we are asked to trust God with the WHAT.
Deuteronomy 12:8 "You shall not do at all what we are doing here today, every man {doing} whatever is right in his own eyes; (NAS) Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes. (NAS) Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (NAS)
Absolute Standard An absolute standard is any principle, any promise, any doctrine, or any technique that God has given man to follow as His plan for a person’s life; and when a person rejects these standards, or twists or distorts these standards, the result is “moral relativity” – “every man doing what is right in his own eyes.”
MAN ??? GOD Our Thoughts God’s Thoughts Our Ways God’s Ways Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For {as} the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. (NAS) Absolute Standards Relative Standards
1 Corinthians 5:12-13 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within {the church?} 13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. (NAS)
1 Corinthians 6:2-5 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent {to} {constitute} the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say {this} to your shame. {Is it} so, {that} there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, (NAS)
Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (NAS)
Hypocrites! Matthew 21:12-13 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, "It is written, "MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN.
Hypocrites! Matthew 23:14-17 ["Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.] "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. "Woe to you, blind guides, who say, "Whoever swears by the temple, {that} is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.‘ "You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?
Hypocrites! Matthew 23:23-27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. "You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
1 Timothy 1:18-20 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, {my} son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. (NAS)
2 Timothy 2:16-22 But avoid worldly {and} empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, {men} who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these {things}, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love {and} peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (NAS)
MAN ??? GOD Our Thoughts God’s Thoughts Our Ways God’s Ways For Whose Team Are You PLAYING? SATAN Religious Believer Spiritual Believer
The Objective (Goal) of Every Christian Is to Become Like Christ Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined {to become} conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (NAS) Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (NAS)
The Objective (Goal) of Every Christian Is to Become Like Christ 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (NAS) Galatians 4:19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you-- (NAS) Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (NAS)
The plhrovwLanguage of Ephesians Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled plhrwqh`te(V2PAPS of plhrovw) up to all the fullness of God. (NAS) This verse tells us that the CONTENT with which the believer is filled is ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD.
Fullness Of God Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (NAS)
The plhrovwLanguage of Ephesians Ephesians 4:10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill (plhrwvsh/ V3SAAS of plhrovw ) all things. This verse identifies the AGENT whose responsibility it is to see that the filling is done. THE ONE WHO DECENDED AND ALSO ASCENDED.
Who Is The Agent? The Second Person of the Godhead. God the Son, the Executor of the Plan, the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself
The plhrovwLanguage of Ephesians Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled ( plhrou`sqe V2PPPM of plhrovw ) with [ by means of ] the Spirit, (NAS) This verse identifies the INSTRUMENT to be used in carrying out the filling.
Who Is The Instrument? The third person of the Godhead. God the Holy Spirit, the Revealer of and Restorer to the Plan.
The Trinity At Work • The Content is “the Fullness of God, the Father” • The Agent with the responsibility to see that it is done is God the Son • And the Instrument to be used in getting it done is God the Holy Spirit
“filled with the Holy Spirit” 14 times by Luke Luke 1:15 Acts 6:3 Luke 1:41 Acts 6:5 Luke 1:67 Acts 7:55 Luke 4:1 Acts 9:17 Acts 2:4 Acts 11:24 Acts 4:8 Acts 13:52 Acts 4:31 Acts 13:9
“filled with the Holy Spirit” 1 time by Paul Ephesians 5:18
pivmplhmi + genitivepneu`ma Found in Luke and Acts Induement Temporary Speaks of “content” Empowers “supernatural” service Relates to “temporary” spiritual Gift function Ceased totally by AD96
plhrovw+ejn+dativepneu`ma Found in Ephesians Indwelling Permanent Speaks of “means” Empowers the “spiritual” life Relates to “permanent” spiritual gift function Still functioning today
The 5 Participles of Ephesians 5:19-21 or The “Two Plus Two Equals Four” of Ephesians 5:19-21 or Evidence That You Are a Spiritual Christian or A Standard by which Our Spiritual Lives Can Be Measured
Evidence of Spirituality Ephesians 5:19-21 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. (NAS)
“speaking to one another” lalou`nte" nom. pl. m. p.a.p. lalevw = to make vocal utterance, to talk with, to converse with eJautoi`" reflexive second person dat. pl. masc. eJautou` = himself, herself, itself (the nature of this context allows the possibility that one individual is speaking these things to himself or herself rather than this being a group activity)
“singing and making melody” a[/donte" nom. pl. m. p.a.p.a[/dw= to sing yavllonte" nom. pl. m. p.a.p. yavllw = to touch, strike the strings or chords of an instrument; to play a stringed instrument; to sing to music; to sing praises
Song in the Heart “And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.” (Psalm 40:3) Only the Spirit can cause us to sing songs that are in harmony with the purposes of God.
giving thanks eujcaristou`nte" nom. pl. m. p.a.p.eujcaristevw = to give thanks • be subject • Jupotassovmenoi • nom. pl. m. p.p.p. uJpotavssw = to submit one’s self, render obedience, be submissive
Evidence of Spirituality Ephesians 5:19-21 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. (NAS)
Our Spiritual Obligation to the Holy Spirit Do not quench Him – 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit Do not grieve Him – Ephesians 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption
Our Spiritual Obligation to the Holy Spirit Walk by means of Him – Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh Be filled BY MEANS of Him – Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with (by means of) the Spirit
Our Road Map for Life Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.