The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Sanctified

  • Allow God to Work in You

    “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure”

    Philippians 2:13

    Jeremiah was of the lineage of the priests, yet God ordained Jeremiah as a prophet before he was even born. Jeremiah spoke during the days of the last five kings of Judah. While Josiah was king, he began eliminating idolatry and cleaning out the Temple. While repairing the Temple, a copy of the Law was found. King Josiah read the law, leading Judah to one final time of repentance and reformation. King Josiah was the last good king.

    There were many good things happening in the land of Judah when God called Jeremiah. However, the days were not always good. The final four kings of Judah were terrible men! They led the people away from God and into idolatry. Jeremiah spoke during these years as well. Jeremiah preached until they were carried away captive during the reign of King Zedekiah. This tells us that God called Jeremiah during the final years of Judah’s existence. He prophesied for the final forty years of their time in the land of promise before Jerusalem was destroyed and the Temple burned.

    However, there is something especially unusual that we read at the beginning of the book of Jeremiah. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). God called Jeremiah to be His prophet before God even formed him in the womb, and God had already sanctified him. Sanctified means “to pronounce clean; consecrated (set apart) to God.” The word ordained means “putting forth a voice.” God had set Jeremiah apart to serve Him by speaking God’s Words to the nations (including us today).

    However, like most people, Jeremiah’s initial response was, “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child” (Jeremiah 1:6). Most people feel quite inadequate when God calls upon them to do something for Him – but keep in mind that God also knew you before you were formed in the womb (see Psalm 139:13-16 for an understanding of this). Moreover, if God did not know you could do it, He would not have asked. (“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” Philippians 2:13.)

    God responded to Jeremiah much as He would probably respond to any who think they cannot do what God called them to do. (Think back to Moses for a minute; remember, he too, did not think he could do what God asked. Nevertheless, review God’s response in Exodus 4:10-12.) Read what God said to Jeremiah. “7. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth” (Jeremiah 1:7-9). God called, prepared, sent, and promised to be with Jeremiah. God encouraged Jeremiah just as he had encouraged many before him.

    The messages God gave Jeremiah to speak were often difficult for him to deliver, but we can read from God’s Word that Jeremiah was always faithful. He delivered messages calling Judah to repent and return to God. He was not even afraid to speak the words of God to the kings of the land. Jeremiah prophesied for over forty years.

    We are to remember what the Bible teaches. God never gives us anything to do that He will not help us complete, if we will only trust Him (just like Jeremiah and many other people in the Bible).

    • Read how Moses encouraged Joshua who was to lead: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
    • Remember that God encouraged Joshua. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5).
    • Paul encouraged Timothy, a young preacher in the New Testament. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
    • Even today, we are encouraged. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6).

    God is not limited. If God calls someone, no matter their age, God can use them. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We are to recognize the call God has upon our lives and remain faithful to Him and the commands He gives us through His Word, the Bible. God will probably never give us a task as difficult as Jeremiah’s, yet we are still to be faithful. Be encouraged to make it your goal to allow God to work in you and do of His good pleasure.

    Have you recognized the plan God has for your life, and are you allowing God to work in you?

  • Sanctified to a Christ-like Life

    “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
    1 Corinthians 6:11

    Many Christians today have not put forth much effort to grow in their Christian lives. They have remained immature, never taking the time to read or study God’s Word. When a Christian does not know what the Bible teaches, they cannot grow in their Christian walk with Christ.

    Paul understood the Christians at Corinth had not grown in Christ (they were still immature, not having learned how to live as a Christian); Paul dealt with their godless lifestyles. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Apparently, these Believers did not even understand that God’s Spirit lived within them. God would discipline any who did not take care of (i.e. live a life pleasing to God) their new life in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 3:17). The Believers (Christians) were to understand that they could no longer live according to the world’s ways. They were to live according to God’s ways. We can find these “ways” recorded in the Bible. Remember what we are to understand: “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (see 1 Corinthians 3:17-18). 

    Each person is accountable for his or her own life and the way he or she lives according to God’s Word. “1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Believers (stewards) were above all, to be found faithful as “stewards of the mysteries of God.”  Steward means “one who manages a house and is accountable to the owner.” Faithful means “servants or ministers who are faithful in the performance of duty.” Paul not only taught them, but he was an example to them.

    After addressing a particular problem that had remained in the church at Corinth, Paul listed more things they were not to allow. “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat” (1 Corinthians 5:11). Paul is teaching them things that would help them in their Christian walk. Use the following definitions to understand these verses: 

    • Keep company means “to mix together; to mingle together; to have fellowship or keep company with.”
    • Brother means “members of the same Christian community.”
    • Covetous means “one who wants more; a person covetous of something that others have; a defrauder for gain.”
    • Idolater means “a servant or worshiper of idols.”
    • Railer means “railing (clamoring with insulting language; uttering reproachful words); or reviling (treating with language of contempt).”
    • Drunkard means “drunken; drunkard (an excessive use of strong liquor; a person who habitually or frequently is drunk).”
    • Extortioner means “rapacious (given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence or force); an extortioner (wresting anything from a person by force, authority, or by any undue exercise of power; illegal exaction).” 

    God will deal with the lost world who commits theses acts. “But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:13). Put away means “to remove; to expel; to excommunicate.” Christians are not to keep company with people who behave in any of these manners – especially if they claim to be a Christian. See that it even included that we are “with such an one no not to eat.” Eating with someone is an intimate form of fellowship. (Remember the progression of sin in Psalm 1:1-6.)

    Why can we not hang around people like this? Paul explained to them why they could not. “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Once one becomes a Christian, it is important to understand they are different. Sanctified means “to withdraw from fellowship with the world by first gaining fellowship with God.” Spending time with people living contrary to God’s Word will do harm to God’s church, instead of good, and especially in the lives of each Christian. We are to understand that because of Jesus, we are sanctified. Therefore, we must follow God’s Word, which is full of basic Christian principles of how to live a life pleasing to God. 

    Read what Paul reminded them of again. “19. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). If each Christian would just remember that they were bought with a price, and they are no longer their own, it would be much easier to live a life pleasing to God.

    Do you remember that you are sanctified, bought with a price, and you are no longer your own?

  • A Willing Mind

    “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
    2 Corinthians 8:12

    Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet during the time of the final five kings of Judah. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). God called Jeremiah to be His prophet before God even formed him in the womb. God had already sanctified him. Sanctified means “to pronounce clean; consecrated (set apart) to God.”  The word ordained means “putting forth a voice.” God had set Jeremiah apart to serve Him by speaking God’s Words to the nations (including us today).

    However, like most people, Jeremiah’s initial response when God called him was that he was inadequate (see Jeremiah 1:6). If you think about it, most people feel quite inadequate when God calls upon them to do something for Him. But keep in mind that God also knew you before you were formed in the womb, and if God didn’t know you could do it, He wouldn’t have asked. 

    God responded to Jeremiah much as He would probably respond to anyone who thought they could not do what God called them to do. See what God said to Jeremiah: “7. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 8. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. 9. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth” (Jeremiah 1:7-9). God not only encouraged Jeremiah that he could do what God asked, but God put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth.

    God told Jeremiah His plans. He was going to allow the enemy from the north to enter into Jerusalem because of the people’s continual wickedness and idolatry (see Jeremiah 1:15-16). Then God continued with amazing words of encouragement. “17. Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. 18. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee” (Jeremiah 1:17-19). Did you see what God was going to do for Jeremiah? When Jeremiah spoke to the people, God would make him like a “defenced city”, “an iron pillar”, and “brasen walls” against the whole land. Jeremiah was not to be troubled by the people’s response to God’s Words – for God would strengthen Jeremiah to complete the task at hand. More importantly, the people would not prevail against (triumph or overcome) Jeremiah – because God was with him!

    There were many good things happening in the land of Judah when God called Jeremiah. However, the days were not always good. Jeremiah spoke for over forty years. The final four kings of Judah were terrible times! God called Jeremiah during those final years of Judah’s existence. During those years, God’s people were conquered, carried from the land of promise into captivity, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Temple burned. However, God never left Jeremiah.

    As we just remembered, God knew Jeremiah before he was even born. He called, prepared, sent Jeremiah as a prophet for God and promised to be with him. Keep in mind, God will never give us anything to do that He will not help us complete. “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2 Corinthians 8:12). God will be with us. We only have to trust Him (just like Jeremiah). God encouraged Jeremiah just as he had encouraged many before him by giving encouraging words when He called them to do something for Him. Think back to Moses. Moses did not think he could do what God asked, yet read God’s response in Exodus 4:10-12. Remember the encouraging words given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6). And to Joshua when he was to lead God’s people. “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Even today, we are encouraged to trust God. “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6). As we found out, that was what God expected of Jeremiah.

    Do you have a willing mind, recognizing God will help you do what He asks?

  • Lesson 4 (Lesson 43): Psalms 73-89: Book 3

    Key Verse

    “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”    Psalm 77:13

     

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they like to go to church.  According to our memory verse, attending church is important to God.  That is how we know the way to live a life pleasing to God.  Help them understand the word sanctuary:  a sacred place dedicated to the things of God.  The church today is a place where we gather to focus upon the things of God and to learn of the things of God.  There is no one (or any thing) greater to place our focus and attention upon than God, our God.

    Summary Today we continue with the second of the Personal Books, Psalms.  Remember that the Psalms is broken up into 5 books.  We will look at book three of the Psalms (chapters 73-89) today, comparing them to the book of Leviticus.  If you remember, the main theme of Leviticus was the tabernacle.  That was the tent set up to hold the things of God and where man was to go to meet God.

    When the tabernacle was completed, God spoke to Moses from the tabernacle instead of Mount Sinai.  Once the people were free from the land of bondage, they needed to know how to live.  There was great emphasis placed on the importance of being a sanctified people – set apart from the world and the things of the world.  The people were to learn how to live as a people wholly given to God, in every aspect of their lives.  Leviticus showed the ability to have fellowship with God when man came to Him as a sanctified people.  (Because He is a Holy God and we are a sinful people.)

    The first eleven Psalms of the third book of the Psalms were written by Asaph (he was one of the Levites David appointed to minister before the Ark of the Covenant with songs in I Chronicles 16:4-5.)  We see him at one point as he struggled with jealousy over the prosperous wicked, until he went to the “sanctuary of God” – then he understood.

    We also reemphasize the importance of learning from history (again), and what happens to those who forsake God.  Through this book of the Psalms, we will learn the importance of God’s house, and the importance of serving Him.  It ends with a praise encouraging us to make God’s faithfulness known to “all generations.”

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  We are to learn the importance of not desiring the things of this world, but placing our focus (our heart’s desires) upon the things of God.  The one place we can go to achieve this purpose, is the church (the sanctuary – that place dedicated to the things of God).

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 43 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 43 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson I took a coloring of a church building.  I cut out the windows and doors.  The students were able to glue different colored pieces of small tissue paper to the back to make the windows look stained glass or just colorful.  They then took time to color the church building.  We are to encourage them to understand that the church building is a special place because it is the place God’s people go to meet together to place our attention on God and the things of God.

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.