Fellowship Bible Church Of Tulsa
01-06-08 - LIVING IN A STATE OF READINESS
published Jan 06, 2008 01:23
Primary Text: 1 John 2:28 - 3:24
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Fellowship Bible ChurchJanuary 6, 2008
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last revision: Jan 06, 2008
Fellowship Bible ChurchJanuary 6, 2008
Dr. Bruce Ewing
Living in a State of Readiness1 John 2:28 - 3:24If you have ever sold a home, you most likely have a great understanding of what it means to live in a state of readiness. The floors are kept spotless, the yard manicured, clothes hung neatly in the closet, and the furniture is arranged perfectly. On the dusted shelves are the precisely placed books and figurines, and a faint fragrance of pine is in the air - all in anticipation of the imminent appearance of the potential new owner.
Should you be like most of us, the first few days and weeks of this new arrangement may seem a little awkward. Instead of leaving a trail of shoes at the door, a briefcase on the dining room table, and your coat on the sofa as you collapse into the easy chair with the paper after a long day at work, you are quickly and sternly reminded that such behavior is unacceptable. You're introduced to a whole new lifestyle that would have made your mother proud, but this time the motivation is different. After awhile, the new approach that comes from living in a state of readiness becomes a bit more natural. The temporary setbacks that come with convenience only seem to be a reminder of how careless and sloppyyou tend to be. This idea of living in anticipation of a guest becomes something of an accomplishment you can be proud of. It is the beginning of a new lifestyle that gives you a greater sense of confidenceand satisfaction the next time the door bell rings.
At the forefront of our motivation in the Christian life is the anticipation of Christ’s return. It is His desire that we learn to live in a state of readiness. His return begs the question of how well we are prepared for his arrival. How will he find the “house” in which we “abide”? Is it clean? Is everything in its place? And what kind of effort and attentiveness have we given the maintenance and upkeep for acontinual state of readiness in our lives? And perhaps the most telling or revealing question has to do with the kinds of relationships we have with both other Christians and those who have yet to know Him. Are those relationships broken in need of repair, or are they simply ignored or shoved into the corner orhidden in the closet like trash?
In the material-temporal world we would never think of being so careless and ill-prepared. Why would we be any less concerned about our state of readiness in the spiritual-eternal world?
LIFE RESPONSE:1. This week MEMORIZE and MEDITATE on 1 John 3:16 “We know love by this, that He laid down Hislife for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”(a) Write out as many questions as possible that this passage answers. Ex: Who is excluded as initiatorsor recipients? From this passage, how would you define the standard of love for the Christian?(b) Compare 1 John 3:16 with the Gospel of John 3:16. How does it help in understanding the standard of Christian love?2. List all the definitions of one’s spiritual state from 1 John 3 if we choose not to love by the standard? There are at least 25.3. What have you learned to be central to the practice of abiding in verses 2:29 - 3:10? What would it require of you? What effect does this central focus have on your love for others?4. What are the effects on the believer who chooses not to love a brother? (1 John 3:17-24)
Living in a State of Readiness1 John 2:28 - 3:24“Give even to those who revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you - that is thesupreme test of Christian love as Christ taught it.” —- Timothy Kendall
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:1.2.3.PERSONALIZATION OF CHRIST - 1 John 2:28———PRACTICE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - 1 John 2:29 - 3:10aA.B.PURSUIT OF LOVE - 1 John 3:10b - 3:24FAST FACT: 11% of American adults own an iPod or MP3 player more...
