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kodi mzimu woyera uli kuti?>> phunziro 4 >> phunziro 5
Kodi Mzimu woyera uli kuti? - Phunziro #5
(To be used to assist the translation into Chichewa) Living in the Power Purpose of the Lesson Because of the possible controversial
nature of this lesson, it would Prayer Dear Father in Heaven, Thank You for the provision You have made for us to live the Christian life. Teach us the importance of obeying You. In the name of Jesus, amen. Guide’s Comments You may have noticed that several of the passages in the Bible reading were also read in previous lessons. The Bible readings include so much applicable truth that we cannot comprehend it all by reading it only once. Have several people share the verses from the Bible reading that they listed as the most helpful.
The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the gifts He brings with Him, prepare us for living a Christlike life. As believers, we have the continual presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives to guide us, teach us, and give us the power to live above our circumstances. With all of this working for us, we can be experiencing one victory after another.
Author Charles Swindoll gave a very helpful illustration of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He told of a young man, named Sinner, who received from his father a beautiful, red car named Salvation. It was new, clean, and bright. The young man was so delighted that he talked about it all the time and told everyone that it was a gift from his father. He never could have afforded a car like this. He didn’t have to pay for it. It was a free gift! The car made him so happy that he changed his name from Sinner to Saved. Later, he was seen pushing his car down the highway. A man named Helper walked up and introduced Himself and asked if He could help. “No thanks. I’m doing fine,” Saved answered. “Have you pushed your car very far?” Helper asked. “About 200 miles. It’s been hard, but it is the least I can do for my father who gave it to me.” Helper said, “Allow me to help you. There is something you do not understand.” Helper opened the car door and the young man hesitated, but thought it was worth a try so he got in. For the first time since he received the car, he rested. Helper walked around to the other side, and sat in the driver’s seat. He started the motor and soon they were clipping down the highway quietly and smoothly. It was even exciting! The young man just sat there amazed. He was allowing the Helper to do what he could not do. He had thought that reaching the end of the road was his responsibility. He smiled with relief and suddenly realized that this was the first time he had smiled since he had received his gift. That is a perfect picture of many Christians. We understand that there was no way we could have ever paid for our salvation. It was a gift! However, we do not know that the power to live the Christian life is a gift, too. Swindoll concludes, “The
one who gave you the car, gave you the driver. He can handle it.
When you try to wrestle the wheel from His hand, you have terrible
wrecks.” Sometimes it is difficult for us to accept the fact that we can do nothing to make our salvation more secure than the day we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior. We want to do something for God. Instead, God did it for us! Salvation is a free gift and so is our new life. The death of Jesus Christ
on the cross provided the gift of our salvation, but it is His
resurrection that provides the power for us to live obedient Christian
lives. Saved
by Christ’s Death
Our day-to-day, and moment-by-moment
progress is provided by Christ’s
By ourselves, we cannot do what God has planned for us—that would be like pushing the car! Do not misunderstand. We still must exert the energy to accomplish the task, but it is done under the Spirit’s direction and power. Christians have received all of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-10). Then why does the Bible tell us to be filled with the Spirit? To be filled with the Spirit does not mean we need to acquire something we don’t already have. It means that we should keep ourselves constantly yielded to the Holy Spirit’s control. We surrender to Him moment by moment. In order to do this, we surrender the desire to control our own lives. We have to give up and stop pushing our spiritual car. Instead, we must obey and enjoy the view of wherever the Holy Spirit chooses to lead us. Read Ephesians 5:18. . . . . Why do you suppose being filled with God’s Spirit is compared with drunkenness? . . . . . (Because our actions are influenced by what or who we allow to control us.) When people are drunk with alcohol, they are under the power of the alcohol they have consumed. In the same way, Christians who are filled with God’s Holy Spirit have the power to do things God’s way, not their own way.
God commands us to be filled with His Spirit for two reasons: for maturity and for serving God in special ways. A new Christian is given the Holy Spirit, but that does not mean he or she is spiritually mature. Maturity comes through being filled with the Holy Spirit and living a lifestyle of obedience over a period of time. The Christians of Corinth
were not mature, so the Bible explained how they were We are filled with God’s Spirit to accomplish the special work He gives us. Read Acts 9:17 and 20. . . . . Paul was filled with the Spirit so that he could accomplish the work God had planned for him to do. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes in. There are no conditions to receiving the Spirit of God. But there are conditions to being filled with the Holy Spirit—we must obey God.
There must be a definite time
in our Christian lives when we consciously God transforms us on the inside! He renews our mind so that we think differently than we did before. When we dedicate ourselves to God, we give ourselves to Him for His use only! Because the Holy Spirit always obeys God the Father, and our self-centered human spirit always wants our own way, there is inner conflict. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to enable us to surrender to God’s will, we choose God’s way above our own. When we depend on the Lord alone we are doing what God wants us to do, rather than what we want to do. The Bible tells us this in Romans 8:1-5 . . . . . As we develop the practice of surrendering our desires to God, we are being obedient, which is necessary to be filled by His Spirit.
Knowing I am saved Having a regular prayer time Being consistent in Bible study Having victory over sinful habits Loving other believers Having concern for unbelievers
Since the prayer in Question 7 is personal, it is not necessary for them to share, unless they desire to do so Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, We are so thankful for the provision You have made for us to stay in a right relationship with You. Thank You for giving us the power to live a life that is pleasing to You. Help us realize what we are withholding from Your control. We want to be totally Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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