SHINNING FOREVER IN HOLINESS  - (PART 7)       

 

Memory Verse:  “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32 (NIV).

 

Bible Passage: Revelation 3: 15-16; James 1: 6-7.

 

LESSON OBJECTIVES  

We should at the end of the lesson:

i). Learn to be HOT for God.  ii). Believe God totally.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

Coldness is a sign of death. On the other hand, the Christian is alive, and as such he should be hot for the Lord always.  This brings pleasure to the Lord.

Coldness is a sign of unbelief and unbelievers will end up in eternal separation from God.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 1:BEWARE OF LUKEWARMNESS.

a). What is lukewarmness?

Lukewarmness is not being hot or cold. In the Christian race, it is giving half-hearted service unto God.

See Rev. 3:15; Jer. 48:10.

 

b. Why does God consider it unacceptable?

Because to God it is sin – see James 4:17.

 

c). In what ways can we demonstrate lukewarmness?

In our response to God’s word, God’s work, as well as to the needy. See Prov. 21:13,

and also note God’s response to the cry of the lukewarm.

 

d).And what is the end result of lukewarmness?

It is nothing short of the disastrous, as God will spew the lukewarm out of His mouth – see Rev. 3: 15-16.

God has no room for the lukewarm, those who are neither hot nor cold. As far as He is concerned, He will spit them out of His mouth.

 

How would you compare a lukewarm and a backslider?

 

LESSON OUTLINE 2:NO ROOM FOR UNBELIEF AND DOUBT WITH RESPECT TO GOD & HIS WORD

 

a). Why is unbelief or doubt regarded as sin by God?

It raises a question mark on the very Person, existence and truth/trustworthiness of the word of the living God. See Hebrews 3: 12-14; II Kings 7 : 1-2; 16-20; John 16: 9.

b). How does doubt affect our prayer life?

A doubting person is unstable in his faith and ways and cannot please God.  See James 1: 6-8.

c). Are there examples of people in the Scriptures who suffered because they had doubts or showed unbelief?

Think of Adam and Eve, Eli, Thomas and all those who left Egypt under Moses but who never made it to the Promised land. See Hebr. 3: 9–11; 15-19.

d). Can you think of examples of those who believed God, despite strong opposition at the point of testing, and who were richly blessed thereby?

Shedrack, Meshack and Abednego believed God and their end was glorious.

See Dan 3: 16-18; 28-30.

 

SUMMARY

God commands us to be perfect like Him. He wants us to be hot and not cold. He wants us to be resolute and undaunted in our faith and confidence in Him as this will usually yield glorious results.