Wednesday Night Bible Study - January 3, 2012

1. Deeds, Claims and Promises of Jesus.
Read Matthew Chapter 22

1. In the parable of the ten virgins, the oil is a symbol of the
Holy Spirit. The five foolish virgins by choice took no oil
which means they were not ____________________.

2. The servant who "played it safe" and took the conservative
action of hiding His talent in the earth was called by his lord
___________and________________.

3. Jesus said: the reward of the unprofitable servant was
that he was to be ______________________________.

4. If we visit the sick, comfort someone in prison, or clothe
and feed someone in need we are really doing it to _______.

5. The reward for neglecting people in need is____________.

2. Inheritance in Christ
Read Matthew Chapter 22

Matthew 22:29 - You are wrong because you know neither the scriptures nor God's power.

IN THIS PASSAGE JESUS REBUKES THE PHARISEES FOR THEIR IGNORANCE OF THE SCRIPTURES AND GOD'S POWER. WHAT WAS THE CAUSE?
THEY DIDN'T ALLOW THE SCRIPTURES TO LEAD THEM TO GOD. THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND........NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND. THE WORD "KNOW" IN THIS PASSAGE SPEAKS OF "PERSONAL EXPERIENCE." THEY TRIED TO LEARN APART FROM SUCH AN EXPERIENCE. THEIR STUDY DIDN'T LEAD THEM TO AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD. IT BECAME AN END IN ITSELF.
CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A PHILOSOPHY; IT IS A RELATIONSHIP. IT'S THE "GOD ENCOUNTER" THAT MAKES THE CONCEPTS POWERFUL. WE MUST REQUIRE THIS OF OURSELVES.
HOW?
WE MUST SEEK UNTIL WE FIND.

WE MUST BE MOVED WITH THE LOVE OF GOD TO THE POINT THAT WE SEEK HIS FACE UNTIL WE ARE "CLOTHED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH!"

Luke 11:10 - For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door will be opened.

Matthew 22:14 - For many are called but few are chosen.

THE WORDS "APPOINTED" AND "CHOSEN" ARE USED SYNONYMOUSLY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
MANY ARE CALLED. HOW MANY? EVERYONE TO BE EXACT!
WHY ARE ONLY A FEW APPOINTED? BECAUSE ONLY A FEW WILL FORSAKE ALL THEIR OWN DESIRES, SECURITIES, LUST FOR MONEY, HINDERING RELATIONSHIPS, ETC. TO FULFILL THE CALL UPON THEIR LIVES.

Affirmations

I SEEK GOD FOR MY DESTINY, AND DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE HEAVENLY VISION.

I FULFILL MY CALLING, I MAKE MY ELECTION SURE, AND RUN MY RACE FULLY TO THE END.

 
3. Dunamis Life

LIVING FROM HEAVEN

Philippians 3:20 -- For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul spoke not about going to heaven someday, but about living as citizens of heaven today....specifically "from" heaven toward earth.

We have the privilege of representing heaven "in this world" so that we might bring a manifestation of heaven "to this world".

Matthew 6:10 -- Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

INTO ACTION

How are you bringing Heaven to this world today?

What can you do to be more effective?

4. The Deeper Life
Read, pray and meditate on the following: http://mltp.ly/2B2eY8E

5. Quiz Answers - Matthew 25

1. Walking In the Spirit
2. Wicked, Slothful
3. Cast Into Outer Darkness
4. Jesus
5. Everlasting Punishment