IBS Acts 2:42 (3-31-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Acts 2:42 (3-31-14)

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Three thousand people believed on Christ in one day. They understood that they needed to be saved from their sins, they received Paul’s word with gladness, and were baptized. What’s really important about this verse is that they weren’t left on their own after they became saved - they continued steadfastly in being a disciple of Christ. After the music stops, what’s next? It’s awesome when a soul is saved - the angels in heaven rejoice for each one - but there needs to be discipleship after.

Ephesians 4:14-15 says “...we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ...”. A new believer can easily be deceived by a lie if they aren’t studying the truth, they need to be in fellowship to learn how to speak the truth in love, and they need to be discipled in order to grow.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 says to rejoice, to pray always, to give thanks for everything, to not quench the Spirit, to test everything, to keep what’s good, to stay away from evil, that God will sanctify us, we should want to stay blameless at Christ’s coming, and that God is faithful and will do what He says He’ll do. All these things are the basics of a Christian’s walk with Christ. When I look at my life, am I seeing these actions and virtues? Am I quenching the Spirit, having faith in God, and praying always?

I’m going to write out the verses from 1 Thessalonians on the paper from Pastor Donathan that says to worship God in wonder and ask for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit. I know that I deceive myself, so I want to look at my life from God’s eyes - not my own. 

IBS for Matthew 5:20 (3-28-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Matthew 5:20 (3-28-14)

“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The scribes and Pharisees didn’t go to heaven because of their sin, and yet they’re listed here as the standard of how righteous a man could get. Even their very best efforts weren’t enough because they strove to have their own goodness. I see this so often, especially in myself - trying to do things in my own strength instead of relying on God. 

This makes me think of the rich young ruler who wanted to know how to get to heaven. He followed the law perfectly, but Jesus told him to sell everything he had and follow Him. He went away sad and unrepentant. This kind of righteousness is like that of the scribes and Pharisees. It’s only on the outside - it’s not a heart change. 

A lot of people are so close to being saved, yet their knowledge is only in their minds and not in their hearts. Even now, I know a lot of things yet I don’t carry them out. This is knowledge compared to wisdom. Knowing stuff as opposed to knowing how to use understanding and actually doing what I know to be right and best in God’s eyes. 

When we do things with our power and education, we get the glory. When we do things with faith that God will guide and direct us, He gets the glory because we had no way of doing those things on our own. I am blown away by all the experiences I’ve heard about believers who allowed God to work through them - they were just a willing vessel and He provided supplies, wisdom and so much more to them.

I know that there’s nothing good that could come from my heart. I know my own strength, power and righteousness is worthless. I want to be clothed in Christ’s righteousness. I want to be used by Him to give Himself glory. I just want to be a willing vessel. Philippians 3:9 says “...be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith...”. I’m going to write this verse on the paper hanging on the door to our room.

IBS Matthew 5:19 (3-27-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Matthew 5:19 (3-27-14)

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

When someone is in error and is teaching others this error, he is in greater judgement because he had power and abused it to mislead people. These will be called least in heaven - they’re believers. Those people who are spreading lies are not always unsaved - that’s a scary thought. Either they’ve deceived themselves or they’re purposely distorting the Gospel for their own benefit. This is why we need to be Bereans - testing everything with the Truth of the Word. 

The call to teach the Word is costly and to be taken very seriously. Yes, he who does this will be called great in the kingdom of heaven - but (pero), he who breaks any commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least. Jesus said in Matthew 5:48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” This is obviously impossible. Sin always separates us from God, no matter how good we try to be.

I really like an analogy I heard one time. Man was made to be a reflection of God, so he is like a mirror. When Adam sinned, the mirror broke into many pieces - some big and some small. Each human being is a reflection of God, some are bigger shards and thereby reflect more by their “goodness”, and others are smaller shards thereby reflecting less “goodness”. No matter how big or small our “shard of mirror” is, we are still simply unable to be perfect. 

“Actions speak louder than words”. I’m going to write this on the paper I’m hanging on the door to our room. I want to remember that it’s not as much about what I teach as it’s about what my life shows. This reminds me of some verses I put into an IBS I did in January - James 1:23-25, which basically says that we need to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. To not just be a hearer of God’s Word, but a doer. 

IBS Matthew 5:18 (3-26-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Matthew 5:18 (3-26-14)

“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot of one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

God holds His Word above His Name, Character and Authority. Nothing will change in the law - it should not be added to nor taken away from. Matthew 24:35 says “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away.” Everything God has ever said will never go away. He is eternal and so are His Words. He spoke the world and everything in it into being. One word from Him and the protons and neutrons that make up our entire universe would let go. 

God gave us His Word - written by those He chose to use and inspired from His mouth. How else do you explain the absence of contradictions in the Scriptures, the archaeological evidence found to back up the kings, lands and peoples recorded, and the agreement between the authors - who lived on several different continents, spoke 3 different languages, and lived hundreds of years apart from one another? 

In addition to all this evidence, Jesus fulfilled an incredible amount of very specific prophesies while He was on earth. There are still prophesies that need to be fulfilled, which will come to pass in the future. Luke 24:44 says “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 

Something that seems to always slip my mind is that Jesus is coming back soon. This is one of the prophesies - that He will come and meet us in the air. He said that even He doesn’t know when He’ll come back to get His church - only the Father knows. I need to be prepared and eagerly awaiting His arrival. My life would definitely be different if I was always thinking “Should I be doing this? What if Jesus came back right now?”. I’m going to write “He’ll be back any second now!” on the paper on the door to our room. 

IBS Matthew 5:17 (3-25-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Matthew 5:17 (3-25-14)

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law of the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

The Law was given to man to compare ourselves to God’s standard of perfection, see that we’ve violated it, and turn to Jesus to cleanse us of our sin. Romans 3:19-20 says “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

The whole world is guilty of breaking the law - if not in deed or word, then in thought or intention of the heart. No flesh can be justified in His sight - we’re going to stand before His throne without an excuse. The law is the knowledge of sin - even those who’ve followed the law perfectly can’t get into heaven because they were born into sin. 

Jesus not only didn’t destroy the law, He actually made it stricter in a sense. Before, the law said to not murder or commit adultery. Jesus said that it’s not just the act of murder or adultery that violates the law, it’s hating someone or lusting after someone. It’s not about the outward, it’s about the heart. The outside of the cup may be clean, but unless the inside is clean too, it’s all for nothing. 

We know that we’re not capable of fully carrying out His law, but we should strive to obey and serve Him. Although He made the law stricter in action, He made it extremely simple in concept. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus says that the Law and the Prophets hang on only two commands - to love God with all your being and to love your neighbor as yourself. People aren’t going to make an idol for themselves or take God’s Name in vain if they love Jesus with all their beings. Likewise, people aren’t going to steal, lie, commit adultery, or dishonor their parents if they love everyone as they love themselves. 

All the commandments rolled together is simply - J.O.Y. This acronym not only gives us the order of what our lives should be, but also tells us what we’ll receive if we follow it - true happiness that no one can take from us. I’m going to write Jesus, Others, You on the paper that I’m putting up on the bedroom door. 

IBS Matthew 5:16 (3-24-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Matthew 5:16 (3-24-14)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

A few verses earlier, Matthew 5:14-15 says “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” I have been ashamed of my faith a lot in my life. I’ve been scared to tell people about Jesus for fear of what they’ll think of me. I’ve lived a hypocritical life for the sake of enjoying in sin. I’ve acted just like the world in order to not seem like a weird Christian. 

This was not letting my light shine before men - this was hiding my light under a basket. This reminds me of Matthew 10:32-33, which says “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father Who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father Who is in heaven.” This stings my conscience. Jesus was beaten for my transgressions and died the death that I deserve, yet there are times that I’ve flat out refused to tell someone about how much Jesus loves them. 

When we let our light shine before men and are obedient to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we are glorifying God and spreading His Gospel. After becoming saved, we should be showing fruits of our faith that we’ve placed in Christ. James 2:20 says “...faith without works is dead...” Doing works does not grant us salvation - we’re saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves, it’s the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our works should be the result of our relationship with Christ, and then others can see these results and glorify God.

If we’re not letting our light shine, then we’ve already hidden our good works from everyone and thereby have taken away the chance for people to glorify God. I’m going to draw a candle and write this verse (Matthew 5:16) down on a paper, and stick it on the back of the doors in our room to remind me to show Jesus wherever I go and to whoever I see. 

IBS 1 Corinthians 9:27 (3-21-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for 1 Corinthians 9:27 (3-21-14)

“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

Paul didn’t want to be a hypocrite. If he was telling others that they needed to have self-control, and yet he himself wasn’t disciplined, he would be a fake.  This reminds me of Matthew 23:27-28, which says “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” I think of all the times when I’ve told people to do or not do things, and yet I was doing the opposite of what I preached. 

There are plenty of people out there (including myself) who talk the talk, but no one has every fully walked the walk, except Jesus. Everyone has some level of hypocrisy in their lives and it’s a daily struggle to live out what we believe. Those verses in Matthew say that the Pharisees and scribes were full of uncleanness, hypocrisy and lawlessness. Their hearts were consistently going against what their mouths said. I relate this to when my parents would tell me to do something - I would obey them outwardly, but I would be complaining and irritated inwardly. 

Hebrews 4:13 says “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give an account.” God sees every single thing we do, say and think. Like we saw in the skit during Kid’s Club - you CAN’T hide from God. Instead of being a hypocrite, preaching the opposite of what we practice, and damaging our witness - we need to admit our faults, practice self-discipline and rely on the Holy Spirit to help us take the log out of our own eye before we pick on the speck in our brother’s eye. 

I’m going to spend an extra 10 minutes during my devotion time to pray for my classmates and for myself - that we would all surrender to Christ, die to ourselves, and practice what we preach.

IBS 1 Corinthians 9:26 (3-20-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for 1 Corinthians 9:26 (3-20-14)

“Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.”

Paul ran the race without a doubt in his mind. He knew for certain Who he was running for - God - and why he was running - to serve his Savior. This reminds me of 2 Peter 1:10, which says “...be even more diligent to make your call and election sure...”. After becoming saved, we should have a defense for our faith. We need to be confident in what we believe and why - not uncertain and hesitant.

Paul said that he’s not fighting nothing, or for nothing. The fight is very real and not to be taken lightly. We are constantly fighting to kill our flesh and withstand the attacks of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12-13 says “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor for God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.” 

Satan’s goal for every human being is to have them go to hell. Once someone is saved by Christ’s Blood, his goal is to make them useless and keep them from causing anyone else to be saved. We are to take up the whole armor of God so that we can stand up in Christ against Satan and our flesh. We need to be on constant alert for temptation so we can combat it with the Word. 

Running and fighting are not inactive verbs - they require work and exertion. Salvation is not fought for or earned, however, we should be striving to love God and share His love with others. I need to remember that I’m in a race, I’m contending for the faith, and I’m fighting against Satan and my flesh. I’m going to write “Run” and “Fight” on my wrists to help me stop being passive and doing business as usual, and instead to be diligent and on fire for my Jesus.

IBS 1 Corinthians 9:25 (3-19-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for 1 Corinthians 9:25 (3-19-14)

“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

Everyone knows that in order to get good at something, you need to work at it. Every stinking time I would ask my Mom how come she was good at something - from showing me how to cut paper when I was 4, to showing me how to drive at 15 - she always replied “Practice”. Let me tell you, this was one of the most frustrating things EVER. I am usually a very impatient person, and always hearing that it took time, discipline and effort to get good at stuff made me irritated. Not irritated that my Mom was good at stuff, but that I couldn’t just will to do something and it happen. 

We need to discipline ourselves in order to be under the submission of Christ. Our flesh needs to die every single day in order to have our lives fully surrendered to God. All that I hope to achieve, if it isn’t for the glory of God, is a waste of time. Ecclesiastes basically says that everything in this life is vanity, except a relationship with Christ. We are competing for an imperishable crown - that moth and rust can’t destroy and that thieves cannot steal. My purpose of being put on this earth was to worship and glorify my Maker. He wants me to be complete in Him. Not complete in Him once I have everything my heart desires. I need to be content and joyful with where He’s placed me right now. 

I opened my Bible randomly and God gave me a verse... That’s the first time it’s happened. 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”” God’s plans for us are exceedingly, above and beyond anything we could ever think or imagine. Wow. This has been a head knowledge for me since forever, but it’s beginning to permeate my heart. He’s got the whole world in His hands takes on a new meaning.

God is working everything together for His glory and for our good. We strive to gain heavenly treasures and an eternal crown. Silly humans - why do we go after things that not only displease God, but also harm our walk with our Savior? Beats me. The point is that God gives us a choice because He loves us. I want to choose to honor Him in everything I do. I’ve begun to start each morning off this way - I thank God for all He’s blessed me with and choose to make my bed as an act of service to Him. I want to add to this doing my homework in service to Him. I sometimes pray before doing homework, but I want to make a conscious decision to pray beforehand and do it to the best of my ability, not just enough to get by. 

IBS 1 Corinthians 9:24 (3-18-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for 1 Corinthians 9:24 (3-18-14)

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”

Why are we running this race? What’s the goal? Heaven. A life fulfilled in Christ. A person can go through all their life just living for themselves and still being saved. It’s a different thing completely to have someone be saved and also have their will under the submission of Christ. We are to follow hard after Christ, walk worthy of the Gospel we preach and run towards the goal that we may gain treasures in heaven.

Our reason for serving is to bring glory to God, not to bring attention to ourselves. Those who run are racing. Am I running, or am I walking? What am I doing with all the knowledge that’s being poured into me? I pray that I’m not taking any of this for granted, that I’ll be able to use what I’ve gained here for the rest of my life. Being here has spurred me on to do everything for Jesus and I hope it never wears off. Everything else in this life results in emptiness and heart ache. 

I want to have my treasures be in heaven, not on this earth. Any fame, popularity, or riches I gain will disappear when I stand before God. He will look through my works, and whatever I did for selfish ambition will burn up. Again, am I running? Am I taking this opportunity to serve Christ with all of my heart? My Mom always told me that I had a huge advantage - I’m a second generation Christian and I was able to hit the ground running.

I want to have Jesus as my focus, have a transparent relationship with my Maker, have an open, loving heart towards my brothers and sisters in Christ, and be a godly example for those around me who aren’t saved. The only way to do this is to be a willing vessel for God to use. I love the analogy given by Andrew Murray about water seeking and filling only the low places. God can only fill me with Himself when I’m empty of myself. 

I’m going to draw a vessel on my arm with black “sin” being cleansed out, and red “holy fire” flowing in. I want to remember that I was justified at the Cross, but in the process of being sanctified every day.

IBS 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (3-17-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (3-17-14)

“to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the Gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”

Paul said that he became weak that he might win the weak, he also did this with the Jews, those under the law, and those without the law. The point is that no matter what situation a person was in, Paul became like them to understand what they were going through, love on them, and hopefully win them for Christ.

People can’t understand the Gospel in their own culture when it’s presented to them from a different cultural standpoint. Jesus made the Gospel comprehendible and applicable for those who lived in Israel. He used many parables that directly related to the culture where He lived. He also lived with them, experienced their struggles, endured every temptation, and was in every way a human being while being fully God.

There is distinctive line when it comes to giving the Gospel to a culture, including to our own. We must not ever change any part of the core of the Gospel in order to not offend anyone, but we must also be careful to not give the Gospel as it relates only to our culture, rather to give it in context to the culture of the person we’re witnessing to. Paul did this all in an effort to spread the Gospel and to have a part in the blessings that God promises to those who love Him and do His Will. 

Do I get outside my comfort zone to minister to those around me? I want to be all things to all people. I want to love everyone with the love that Christ has loved me with. I’ve felt really convicted about not sharing the Gospel with the girls I worked with at the Bank, and, as much as I’m scared about doing that, I know that God desires all men to come to the saving knowledge of His salvation. I’ve been praying for them since I started working with them 2 years ago, but hadn’t had a real desire to witness to them until I arrived here at Potter’s Field. I’m going to make every effort when I’m home for 10 days to give them the Gospel.

IBS Philippians 3:12-13 (3-14-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Philippians 3:12-13 (3-14-14)

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”

Paul said he pressed on - he wasn’t discouraged by his flesh or the world, he focused on the goal and ran towards it with perseverance. We have been justified by Christ’s atoning Blood, but, until the day we die, we are constantly being sanctified. He acknowledged that he hadn’t been perfected yet - his goal was not to be perfect according to the law anymore.

He didn’t consider himself apprehended, or found guilty - instead, he chose to forget the things in the past and reaching forward towards the future. We should follow his example by instead of holding onto our past, we lay everything down at the foot of the Cross. I keep giving God most of my heart and still holding back some. I keep putting those chains back on, even though Christ freed me from them.

Just last night, we were singing “I’ll stand, my soul Lord to You surrendered, all I am is Yours”. Is this real in our hearts? Is this just something I said in the emotion of the moment? Or will this be a conscious choice to surrender everything I am to my Savior? Do I have faith that He is in control? I know that He will work everything out in His perfect timing, I just have doubt and lack of trust.

He’s never broken any of His promises, He’s never failed anyone, ever. He won’t start now. Anything we go through in this life has a purpose. It may not seem like it to me right now that God will bring forth glory for Himself from the situation happening in my house, but He works all things together for good. I need to keep this close to my heart so that I stop doubting God’s goodness. 

I have the paper that says to worship God and ask for an out-pouring of the Holy Spirit taped to the inside of my wardrobe. I’m going to write Hebrews 10:23 on this paper to remember God’s faithfulness. It says “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful.” 

IBS Philippians 3:11 (3-13-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Philippians 3:11 (3-13-14)

“if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Paul goes on to say that he hasn’t attained the resurrection from the dead, or been perfected yet. I know from the context that Paul isn’t talking about a literal resurrection for himself. He is pertaining to new life, spiritually. Romans 6:5-6 says “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”

As believers, we are free from sin and have the choice to not be enslaved by it. Our new Master is Jesus, Who’s yoke is easy and Who’s burden is light. Our sinful nature was crucified with Him on that cross - we are not under the Law anymore, but under grace. Should we sin so that grace may abound? Never. But when we fall into sin, we are not under condemnation - we are to repent, get up and keep following Christ.

Mark 8:34 says “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” The denial of self and taking up of our cross is a daily choice. We’ve already repented, yet our flesh doesn’t just disappear. In fact, the closer we grow to Christ, the more we see how sinful our flesh is. Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

Before Paul was saved, he martyred followers of Christ. After his radical transformation, he had an unstoppable zeal for sharing the Gospel - he didn’t care if people tortured him because he gladly suffered to bring glory to his Savior, and he didn’t care if people killed him because he would go to heaven. Paul called himself the chief of sinners. He knew that he was no better than anyone else, and he looked forward to being perfected in Christ.

Am I living with the expectation of being perfected? Am I living like I have a choice to deny my flesh? Why am I living for the now instead of living with my eyes fixed on Christ? I want to remember that my flesh has been crucified with Christ - I am a new creation and am no longer under the bondage of sin. I’m going to draw a Cross on my arm, the word “Flesh” under it with a line through it, and the word “Life” written over the Cross. 

IBS Philippians 3:10 (3-12-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Philippians 3:10 (3-12-14)

“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,”

“that I may know Him” Do I desire to know my Savior? I think of the believers in countries where the Bible is illegal - they have a hunger for the Word that I have never experienced. I have several Bibles, and although I read it every day, I don’t spend hours studying it. I pray every day, but usually it’s thanking God for what He’s blessed me with, and asking for virtues, wisdom, direction, or concerning worldly things. I don’t pray with the expectation that God will answer me. 

Just yesterday, when Pastor Donathen asked us to give our testimonies, I knew God was answering a lot of our prayers. I don’t remember having the Lord give an answer in such a blatant way - I’ve been praying for unity and for the walls between everyone to be broken down, and He brings Pastor D here to have us open up to one another. I realize now that I’ve never really prayed for things that God wanted me to pray for, if that makes sense. I’m seeking what God desires, asking Him to give me His desires, and then praying for His Will to come to fruition. 

And now, to bring it back to the verse. Paul knew the power of Christ’s resurrection. Any person could have claimed to be God - and many have. But only Jesus Christ raised Himself from the dead, everyone else is buried somewhere on this earth. This showed that He had the power of God to defeat death. Matthew 28:18 says “... “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”” If God blesses and affirms what someone is doing, we can see that they truly are of Him. If they are liars or lunatics, God won’t bless what they’re doing. Jesus Christ claimed to be God, and the Father continually confirmed this claim by blessing Jesus’ ministry.

Paul knew the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. Paul endured trials and tribulations that I (selfishly) hope never to experience. It’s one thing to be willing to die or Christ, but it’s quite another to be willing to suffer persecution and torture for Christ. Paul said that his life was solely to bring glory to Christ, and his death would only be gaining heaven. No one could quench Paul’s zeal for his Savior. You couldn’t break him by persecuting him, and he wasn’t rocked by the threat of death.

I want this passion that Paul had to know His Savior, to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings, and to be conformed to Christ’s death. I want to be fully submitted to God, even to the point of death. Jesus asked the Father to take the cup from Him, if there was a way, but He only desired to have His Father’s Will be done. I’m going to write “Thy Will Be Done” on my hand to remind me that my ultimate goal in life is to live for my Lord.

IBS Philippians 3:9 (3-11-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Philippians 3:9 (3-11-14)

“and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;”

Paul said he wanted to be found in Christ - where do I find my worth and identity? When I die, what do I want to be remembered for? I recall an interview that someone conducted with Pastor Chuck Smith and the person asked Pastor Chuck what he wanted to be remembered for, he basically said that he wanted to be thought of as a man who loved Christ. 

Paul said he didn’t want his own righteousness found in the law - he was the Jew of Jews, he kept every law, yet he still wasn’t righteous in the eyes of God. How often do I find pride in my “accomplishments” or works? I admit that I am shocked at times of what people are capable of, but then realize that I am capable of anything. I cannot ever think myself righteous because of something I did - I need to give all glory to Christ and His work in me. 

Paul wanted his righteousness to be from God through his faith in Christ. He knew that the righteousness that he had pursued as a Jew was not what God required. Matthew 9:13 says “”But go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”” Jesus didn’t come to save those who are righteous in their own eyes, but those who knew they are in need of a Savior. 

I relate this to the approach I take when giving someone the Gospel. I always start off with asking them if they know that they’ve sinned against God - if they’ve lied, stolen, hated someone, lusted, etc. I most certainly would not see the need to go see a doctor unless I knew that I was sick. I am so thankful that I can’t earn grace - that I am in no way deserving of Christ’s love. 

I want my identity to be found in Christ and I want to rely on His righteousness. I’m going to write “Identity” and “Righteousness” on both wrists and a cross on both palms to remember what my life is about and where my worth comes from.

IBS Philippians 3:8 (3-10-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Philippians 3:8 (3-10-14)

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

This verse reminds me of Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul had the right mindset - to live only for Christ and to die only for Christ. He knew that nothing in this life was worth the eternity he would spend with his Savior. He counted all things as loss - he suffered so much persecution throughout his life and always praised God through it. He claimed that anything in his life that wasn’t pleasing to God was rubbish, trash, and worthless. 

How often do I place value on things/people/experiences over the value I place on spending time with Jesus, reading His Word, and praying? Do I count everything as loss in comparison to gaining Christ? It’s really easy right now to put Jesus as a priority in my life because of being surrounded and immersed in the Word and worship all the time, here at Ignite. What will it be like when I’m in Kenya, when I have a lot more independence and a lot less structure? Even more, what will it be like when I’m back in the US, when life is being thrown at me from all directions?

I want this time in training to be in preparation for a lifetime of putting Christ first in my life. I’ve seen what my life looks like when God is secondary or even further down my list of priorities. It’s a mess. I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to keep it all together while wondering why I can’t seem to accomplish anything. The reason is because I try to do things in my own strength and keep picking up the garbage of this world. It’s because I need to rely on God’s strength, lay down my rubbish at the foot of the Cross, and find all my needs fulfilled in Him.

I want to be complete and lacking nothing, and the only way to do this is to put God first in not only my life, but in my heart. I’m going to draw a heart with a cross inside it on my hand to remind me that Jesus needs to be my “Number One”. I’m also going to spend some time being silent before the Lord in the mornings before I get out of bed to just thank Him for Who He is, and ask Him to help me live for Him instead of for myself. 

IBS 1 Corinthians 9:19 (3-7-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for 1 Corinthians 9:19 (3-7-14)

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;”

Paul goes on to say that he became a Jew as unto the Jews, that he might win Jews; he became under the law, as those under the law; he became without law, as those without law; he become weak, as those who are weak. After that he says “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the Gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” We are not under the law - we’re under grace. 

We have freedom in Christ, but shouldn’t use that in a way that would be a stumbling block to a brother. Paul sacrificed his freedom in Christ in order to reach as many people as possible. He became a servant to all men that he might win them to Christ. We win disciples to Christ by our actions, not just by our words. If we are finding something in common then building a bridge, as opposed to shoving the Gospel in their face, we are going to be received as a friend rather than as an enemy. 

How awesome is it that Paul was so devoted to the spreading of the Gospel that he made the choice to lay down his rights as an individual? I sometimes choose to be a servant to those I care about - how much less do I choose to be a servant to those I don’t know, or even to those who hate me? This is really convicting. Jesus says to love our enemies, this includes serving them! I want to have a servant’s heart. I’m going to look for opportunities to serve others. 

IBS Luke 17:10 (3-6-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Luke 17:10 (3-6-14)

“”So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’””

I have only done what was required of me. I don’t think I’ve ever said that in my entire life. Sure, I like to say “Praise God” when someone is giving me praise, but I don’t have the mindset of “I just did what God told me to do”. What is our reasonable act of service, as believers? To love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul, mind and strength - to love our neighbor as ourselves and - to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. 

In doing these things, we are just doing what we get to do. Sometimes people thank and praise us, and sometimes no one notices. Praise is not a bad thing - except if we let it get to our head and develop a big ego. Praise is meant to be an up-lifting act of encouragement that we bestow on one another to build each other up. It becomes sinful when we expect it and get prideful, or we don’t get it and then think we served for nothing. God knows everything that we’ve done, and He will reward us according to the works we’ve done for Him.

Yesterday, I saw that everything I do should be done unto the Lord. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” If I’m doing something because I feel like I have to, God doesn’t want it. Whether that be money, time, food, or other, it should be given with joy. Matthew 10:8 says “Freely you have received, freely give.” God has blessed me with so much, I should want to give to others so they can be blessed also. 

I should be satisfied with the reward that God will give me in heaven, not looking for thanks, praise or glory on this earth. My motivation to serve should solely be because I love Christ. I’m going to memorize 2 Corinthians 9:7 so that I can remember what my motivation should be. 

IBS Luke 17:9 (3-5-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Luke 17:9 (3-5-14)

“”Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.””

In this verse, we are asked if the master thanked the servant for doing the things commanded of him. Jesus says “I think not”. The master told the servant to do something, so it wouldn’t make sense to thank him for the thing he was commanded to do. I remember from a young age having my parents tell me that I shouldn’t expect a “thank you” for doing stuff that I knew I was supposed to do. Thanks to them, instead of expecting a thank you and being disappointed when I don’t get one, I don’t expect one and am surprised when I receive one. 

Why do I serve? Am I serving to get people’s attention? I may not expect a “thank you”, but I still expect people to notice. There have been a lot of times that I’ve told people about something I did for God, and thereby got my reward when they praised me. Matthew 6:2-4 tells us about the different ways in which charitable deeds are carried out - the hypocrites parade their deeds for all to see and get their reward from those who give glory to them, whereas we should do our charitable deeds in secret so that only God sees them and He will reward us. 

This comes to a question of my heart. Is my motivation for serving to have people praise me? Or is it to bring glory to God? I usually don’t go into a task with the mindset that it’s for Christ - but usually halfway or most of the way through, I realize that I’m doing it either because I have to or because I want someone to praise me. I then have to take a moment and get my heart right before God. I thank Him that He gave me the ability to do the job and tell Him that I’m doing it because I love Him. 

I want to remember that everything I do is for Christ - not because I loved Him but because He loved me first. I’m going to write “How He loves” on my wrist so every time I see it I can thank Him for the life He’s given me, and live it for Him. 

IBS Luke 17:8 (3-4-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Luke 17:8 (3-4-14)

“”But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?””

In this verse, the master is saying that he needs to be served food before the servant can rest and eat. The servant just got done with a long day of hard work - yet his time isn’t done. He still has to serve his master dinner before he gets to eat. A servant does not get to decide when he is done working - the master gets to decide because he is the one who has authority. The point I see in this is that we are to serve our Master and others before we serve ourselves. 

Even when it seems like our day will never end, our purpose in life is still to follow Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” and Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness...”. When we put ourselves under the submission of Christ by becoming His disciples, and make a decision to daily die to self, our flesh will become disciplined and trained to put God and others first.

Put God first. Put others before myself. Deny my flesh. These are all things that I was born to blatantly disobey. This is a result of the curse of sin - no longer walking in God with perfect communion. Instead, human beings are born into a spiritual death and can only have a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus. Even after repenting and receiving Christ, we all still struggle every second of every day to walk worthy of the Gospel we preach. 

This is where sanctification comes in. If we are walking in the Spirit, then we are daily dying to our flesh, giving our will to Christ, and being transformed in the renewing of our minds through reading the Word and prayer. It’s really about remembering our decision to be a bondservant of Christ and seeking to do His Will. I’m going to write “Let go and let God” on my hand to remind me that I’m His servant and I need to let Him work in me.

IBS Luke 17:7 (3-3-14)

Inductive Bible Study Method for Luke 17:7 (3-3-14)

“”And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?””

In this verse, Jesus is asking the disciples whether a master will relieve the servant of his duties before the servant’s time is up. In the right context, servanthood is either something a person is born into or entered into by choice. Either way, there is supposed to be an end to it, and sorry to be obvious, but it doesn’t end until it ends. It is silly to suppose that a master would cut a time of serving short, when the servant is fully capable of finishing it out. 

We all know that God doesn’t have grand-children - no one is born as a bond-servant to Christ. Every believer has made a conscious choice to serve God, and we are to love Him with all of our beings. Hebrews 12:1 says “...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...” The race is this life - we are to have endurance because there is no resting time. Yes, we sleep and have times of relaxation, but we are never on a break from serving God or being a witness of Him.

Plowing the field. Tending the sheep. Running the race. These are all strenuous tasks that require energy, effort, and endurance. I get tired. I get sick. Sometimes, I plain just don’t feel like doing anything. I’m sitting here, typing this IBS, feeling overwhelmed by the fact that it seems like I could never live up to this requirement of constantly serving God. The point to all of this is that I can’t do anything in my own strength. How foolish to think that I could do anything good in and of myself. I’m going to write “His Strength” on my wrist to remind me that I need to constantly serve Him and run the race with endurance - but not in my own strength, in His.