CHRISTIAN LIVING - LESSON 8
The Secret Ingredient of The Early Church
You will need your Bible and a pen & notebook to complete these lessons. You should be able to copy and paste these outlines to your word processor and print them without difficulty if you so desire. We recommend you record in your note book deep thoughts or questions that may arise as you study, and certainly record all things God reveals to your heart. Look over these notes frequently and use them even as you pray. God will cause you to grow in wisdom and understanding. Keep your note book with you throughout the day as much as possible to record all God reveals to you and to review the things you have learned. Look up all bible verses in this study. Highlight or mark them in your bible. It is Gods Word speaking directly to you.
We also recommend you make a habit of memorizing a scripture each week. This not only helps get the Word deep in your heart, but is also an excellent mental exercise.
The Secret Ingredient of The Early Church
To enter into revival the church has to walk in love. Love is the catalyst of every great move of God throughout history. When we work together in unity, all our differences melt away and we find ourselves running with God, doing the work of His kingdom.
Many try to walk in the God kind of love toward their fellow believers. Yet there are some in the midst of the body of Christ that have trouble being consistent in that kind of love. Love is what must be, if we are to have unity and move into revival. Love is the true reflection of our heart. It is selfless, forgiving and kind. Love leads us to have compassion for others, to help those in need even when they have wronged us in the past. True love forgives completely because it is not selfish or self centered. This kind of love can only come from God, who offers it freely as a gift, just as sure as he offers us peace, faith and all the gifts of the Spirit.
What is missing then? What is the ingredient that will help a heart hungry for a move of God find themselves ready for it? What will cause this love on the inside to be visible on the outside consistently, thereby qualifying us to enter revival as a church?
In a word; passion. Passion is the difference in every endeavor in life. It separates those who excel from those who are ordinary. The Word of God says it many ways and we will look at some of them, but remember, the importance we place on these things in our heart and in our thinking will equal the effect they have in our lives, for the Word says: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” and “With the same measure you use, it shall be measured back to you”.
How can each of us feed our own passion for the things of God? Here are a few things to do that will help us:
1. Know Him Better. See 2Timothy 1:12
Here Paul is encouraging Timothy to be steadfast through his own example of fearlessness in the face of death. The basis of
Paul’s courage is His relationship with Christ.
2. Walk In The Spirit. Galatians 5:16
3. Accept His Grace. Romans 5:12-19
4. Believe God’s Word Completely.
Live every moment of your life as though every Word in the bible is true, because it is!
5. Sow Into Your Spirit Man Daily. Galatians 6:7-8
Although this passage is in context of sowing financially it is clear from scripture that
this principle applies to all areas of our life.
Conclusion: Passion will drive you to walk in Gods best. Walking in Gods perfect will for your life requires more of you than a simple prayer or quick devotion each morning. It takes a heart sold out to Him, that seeks Him daily and endeavors to always walk worthy of His love. This passion for the things of God will drive us forward into a life filled with adventure in the work of Gods kingdom, and that is a life worth living!
School Of Faith with Dan & Suzann Christian Living Lesson 8