Lesson 3 - Living in Christ

 

Living in Christ

Lesson 3 – Obeying Christ


      Psalm 8

              For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.

    1 O Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

above the heavens.

   2 From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise

because of your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

   3 When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

   4 what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

   5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

   6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;

you put everything under his feet:

   7 all flocks and herds,

and the beasts of the field,

   8 the birds of the air,

and the fish of the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

   9 O Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!


Why are taking this opportunity to have an outreach to our friends, family, and community, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ?


There is a God in heaven who created us, and to whom we are accountable.


This God loves the children of His creation, and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for us, to rise again from the dead, and to save those who put their trust in Him, from their sinful and doomed eternal state.


Because of the Grace of God through our faith in Jesus Christ we have been spiritually born again which gives us not only purpose and hope in this life, but also hope to live together with a Holy God and in His Kingdom for eternity.


We are seeking to follow the injunction of Matthew 28:19-20 – to find those who are seriously seeking God, needing and wanting God and His Salvation in his or her life, through Jesus Christ.


Matthew 28:19–20

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name

of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”


The Steps we have been taking in recent weeks toward sharing our faith:


We have been learning how to succinctly give the highlights of our spiritual journey…we call this “our testimony” of what Christ means to us.


We are learning how to share the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, graciously and compassionately.


We are reviewing, in these lessons, how to encourage others in their personal spiritual growth as Children of God.


[The following is primarily a copy of the third lesson in the “Living In Christ” booklet published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, given to new believers – and available to those implementing the “My Hope for America with Billy Graham”, in which our church congregation is participating.  An excellent resource for follow-up with those who have invited Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Redeemer.]


Review of Lesson 1


Billy Graham’s Introduction


First, the Bible is food for spiritual life.


Your spiritual life needs to be nourished, just as your body does.


Second, prayer is your lifeline to God


Form the positive habit of starting each day with a few minutes in prayer. 


“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you!” (1 Peter 5:7)


Third, a Christian is to be Christ’s witness. 


You are to be an ambassador for Him wherever you go.


Fourth, you can’t be an effective Christian on your own.


Rely on the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Become involved in a church where the Word of God is faithfully proclaimed.

Realize we have a powerful and deceptive spiritual enemy who takes every opportunity to attack us.


Our Need for Salvation


The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).


All people are sinners and are under God’s judgment.  Though you may know many people who seem to be morally “better” than others, you probably don’t know anyone who never makes a mistake.


The consequence of sin is eternal separation from God, who is holy, perfect and our Creator. 


“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).


Four Promises that God Gives His Children through His Son, Jesus Christ


Promise 1: The Promise of Salvation


“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”

(John 3:16).


Promise 2: The Promise of Victory Over Temptation


“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).


Promise 3: The Promise of Forgiveness


“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).


Promise 4: The Promise of His Presence


“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16, HCSB)


Reviewing Lesson 1’s Questions!


1.What did Jesus come into the world to do? 


John 1:29

29 …“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”


2.How did Jesus take away the sins of the world?  John 19:16–18


Through the shedding of His Blood at His crucifixion.


3.God loved the world and gave His Son to die on the cross. 

John 3:16 tells how we can personally benefit from what God has done.

            

  1.   What must you do to have eternal life?


John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”


4. What new relationship do you now enjoy by believing in Christ? 


John 1:12

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—


5. What happens to those who do not believe in Christ? 


John 3:18 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.


John 3:36 36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”


6. Eternal life is not obtained by being religious, keeping a set of rules, or doing good works, but by believing in a person, Jesus Christ.  What does Jesus say in

John 11:25-26?


25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”


7. What happens the moment you believe in Christ?


John 5:24

24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.


The promises of salvation, of victory over temptation, of forgiveness, and of God’s abiding presence are yours this very day.  Practice God’s presence, believe His promises, and walk in absolute dependence on His indwelling Holy Spirit.  Now that we have had a review of the first lesson, let’s go on to the second lesson!


Memory verses for Lesson 1


The Promise of Salvation 

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”


The Promise of Forgiveness 

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.



Review of Lesson 2 – Growing in Christ


God wants to meet with you – just you, personally – each and every day.


The best way to get to know your heavenly Father is to spend time alone with Him.

You can pray to God any time of the day.  But you also need to find a time during your day when you can give the Lord your full attention, without any distractions.


Luke 5:16

16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.


Joshua was told to meditate on God’s Word and he would be blessed.


Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.


As you read the Bible and meditate, perhaps you will notice:


A special promise to claim

A guidepost for your day

A command you should follow

A searchlight pointing out a sin or spiritual need in your life

A meaningful verse to memorize


[Some use the acronym “ACTS” to guide their prayer time

o Adoration

o Confession

o Thanksgiving

o Supplication]


And remember that you can pray to the Lord any time.  God is looking forward to His time alone with you!


Reviewing Lesson 2’s Questions!


1. Briefly summarize the statements Jesus made about Himself in John.


John 6:35

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.


  1.   Christ is the Bread of Life


John 8:12

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”


  1.   Christ is the Light of the world


John 10:9

9 I am the gate (door); whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.


  1.   Christ is the Doorway to Sins forgiven and Eternal Salvation


John 11:25–26

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”


  1.   Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and Eternal Life



2. What does Jesus promise if you keep His commandments?


John 14:21

21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”


3. What further help is promised in John 14:26


John 14:26

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.


4. What does Jesus ask you to do in John 13:34, and why in v. 35?


John 13:34–35

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”


5. Read John 21:1-6.  Describe what happened in verses 3 and 6.


John 21:3, 6

3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.


6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.


(a)  What important lesson can you learn from these verses?


(b)  What similar truth is taught in John 15:5?


John 15:5

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.


6. As a believer, what is now your privilege?  John 16:24


John 16:24

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.


7. As you grow in Christ, your faith and confidence will increase, and you will pray with greater assurance.  What are you promised in John 15:16?


John 15:16

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.



Memorize the two verses for Lesson 2.


Confidence in Prayer 

1 John 5:14–15

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.


Victory through God’s Word 

Psalm 119:9, 11

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to your word…

11 I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.


[Prayer is the Spiritual Language of a Christian, in Communion with their Heavenly Father.  God Communes with us through His Word and through the Presence of His Holy Spirit, who lives in those whom He has Redeemed.]



Living in Christ, Lesson 3:

Obeying Christ


As you grow as a new Christian, you will find it absolutely essential to make Christ your Lord as well as your Savior.  You will never find true contentment and fulfillment until you have surrendered complete control of your life to Him.. That’s what the following story is all about.


My Heart, Christ's Home


by Robert Boyd Munger, adapted


In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes these words:  “That [God] may grant you to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph. 3:16-17).  Or, as another has translated, “That Christ may settle down and be at home in your hearts by faith” (Weymouth translation).


Without question one of the most remarkable Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ himself through the Holy Spirit will actually enter a heart, settle down and be at home there.  Christ will live in any human heart that welcomes him.


Jesus said to his disciples, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23).  But he was also telling them that he was soon to leave them (John 13:33).  It was difficult for them to understand what he was saying.  How was it possible for him both to leave them and make his home with them at the same time?


It is interesting that Jesus uses the concept of “home” again in John 14:2-3.  “I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am you may be also”  (vv. 2-3).  He was promising that just as he was going to heaven to prepare a place for them and would one day welcome them there, so it would be possible for them to prepare a place for him in their hearts now.  He would come and make his home with them right here.


This was beyond their comprehension.  How could it be?


Then came Pentecost.  The Spirit of the living God was given to the church and they experienced what he had foretold.  Now they understood.  God did not dwell in Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem – nor in any temple made with hands!  How?  Through the miracle of His outpoured Spirit, God would dwell in human hearts.  The body of the believer had become the temple of the living God and the human heart the home of Jesus Christ.  Following Pentecost the disciples knew more about Jesus than they had known in the three years previously.  It is difficult for me to think of a higher privilege than to make for Christ a home in my heart, to welcome, to serve, to please and to know him there.


I will never forget the evening I invited Jesus Christ into my heart. What an entrance He made! It was not a spectacular, emotional thing, but very real. It was at the very center of my life. He came into the darkness of my heart and turned on the light. He built a fire in the cold hearth and banished the chill. He started music where there had been stillness, and He filled the emptiness with His own loving, wonderful fellowship. I have never regretted opening the door to Christ and I never will!


This, of course, is the first step in making the heart Christ's home. He has said, "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).  If you want to know the reality of God and the personal presence of Jesus Christ at the innermost part of your being, simply open wide the door and ask him to come in and be your Savior and Lord!


After Christ entered my heart and in the joy of this new relationship I said to Him, "Lord, I want this heart of mine to be Yours. I want to have You settle down here and be fully at home. I want You to use it as Your own. Let me show You around and point out some of the features of the home so that you may be more comfortable.  I want you to enjoy our time together."


He was glad to come, and seemed delighted to be given a place in my ordinary, little heart.


The Study


The first room we looked at together was the study - the library. Let us call it the study of the mind. Now in my home this room of the mind is a very small room with thick walls. But it is an important room. In a sense, it is the control room of the house. He entered with me and looked around at the books in the bookcase, the magazines upon the table, and the pictures on the walls.  As I followed His gaze I became uncomfortable.


Strangely enough, I had not felt badly about this before, but now that He was there looking at these things I was embarrassed. There were some books there that His eyes were too pure to look at. On the table were a few magazines that a Christian had no business reading, and as for the pictures on the walls - the imaginations and thoughts of the mind – some of these were shameful.


Red-faced, I turned to Him and said, "Master, I know that this room really needs to be cleaned up and made over. Will You help me shape it up and change it to the way it ought to be?”


"Surely!" He said. "I’m glad to help you. I’ve come to handle things like this! First of all, take all the material that you are reading and viewing which are not good, pure, and helpful, and throw them out! Now put on the empty shelves the books of the Bible. Fill the library with the Scriptures and meditate on them day and night. As for the pictures on the walls, you will have difficulty controlling these images, but I have something that will help."  He gave me a full-size portrait of Himself. "Hang this centrally," He said, "on the wall of the mind."


I did, and I have discovered through the years that when my thoughts are centered upon Christ, the awareness of His presence, purity and power causes wrong and impure thoughts to back away. So He has helped me to bring my thoughts under His control, but the struggle remains.


If you have difficulty with this little room of the mind, let me encourage you to bring Christ there. Pack it full with the Word of God, study it, meditate on it and keep clearly before you the presence of the Lord Jesus.


The Dining Room


From the study we went into the dining room, the room of appetites and desires. Now this was a very large room, a most important place to me. I spent a lot of time in the dining room and work hard trying to satisfy all my wants.


I told Him, "This is a favorite room. I am sure You will be pleased with what we serve here.”


"He seated Himself at the table with me and inquired, "What is on the menu for dinner tonight?"


"Well," I said, "my favorite dishes: money, investments, travel, entertainment, Facebook, and movies, with other media as side dishes." These were the things I liked – thoroughly secular fare. There was nothing so very bad in any particular of them, but it was not really the food, which would feed the soul and satisfy true spiritual hunger.


When the plates were placed before my new Friend, He said nothing. However, I observed that He did not eat.  I asked, somewhat disturbed, “Savior, don't You like this food? What is the trouble?"


He answered, "I have food to eat that you do not know of.  My food is to do the will of Him that sent Me." He looked at me again and said, "If you want food that really satisfies you, do the will of your heavenly Father.  Put His pleasures before your own.  Stop striving for your own desires, your own ambitions, and your own satisfactions.  Seek to please Him.  That food will satisfy you.  Try a bit of it!"


And there about the table He gave me a taste of doing God's will. What a flavor! There is no food like it in the entire world. It alone satisfies.  At the end everything else leaves you hungry.


What’s the menu in the dining room of our desires?  What kind of food are we serving our divine companion and serving ourselves?  “All that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16) – are these our self-centered wants?  Or, are we finding God’s will to be our soul-satisfying meat and drink?


The Living Room


We moved next into the living room. It was a quiet, comfortable room with a warm atmosphere. I liked it. It had a fireplace, sofa, overstuffed chairs, and an intimate atmosphere.


He also seemed pleased with it. He said, "This is indeed a delightful room. Let’s come here often. It’s secluded and quiet, and we can have good talks and fellowship together."


Well, naturally, as a young Christian I was thrilled. I couldn't think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes alone with Christ in close companionship.


He promised, "I will be here early every morning.  Meet me, and we will start the day together."


So morning after morning, I would go downstairs to the living room.  He would take a book of the Bible from the bookcase, open it, and we would read it together.  He would unfold to me the wonder of God’s saving truth recorded on its pages and make my heart sing as He shared all He had done for me and would be to me.  Those times together were wonderful. Through the Bible and His Holy Spirit He would talk to me.  In prayer I would respond.  So our friendship deepened in these quiet times of personal conversation.


However, under the pressure of many responsibilities, little by little, this time began to be shortened. Why, I'm not sure.  Somehow I assumed I was just too busy to give special, regular time to be with Christ.  This was not a deliberate decision, you understand; it just seemed to happen that way.  Eventually not only was the period shortened, but I began to miss days now and then, the busier I became.  Matters of urgency demanding my attention were continually crowding out the quiet times of conversation with Jesus.   Often I would miss it two days in a row and more.


One morning, I recall rushing downstairs in a hurry to be on my way to an important appointment.


As I passed the living room, the door was open. Glancing in I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus sitting there.  Suddenly, in dismay, it came to me, "He is my guest. I invited Him into my heart!  He has come as Savior, Lord, and Friend to live with me.  And yet here I am neglecting Him."


I stopped, turned and hesitantly went in. With downcast glance, I said, "Blessed Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?"


"Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you."  I was even more ashamed!  He had been faithful in spite of my faithlessness.  I asked Him to forgive me and He did, as He always does when we acknowledge our failures and do the right thing.


He said, "The trouble is that you have been thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer, as a means for your own spiritual growth, but you have forgotten that this time means something to Me also.  Remember, I love you.  At great cost I have redeemed you.  Just to have you look up into My Face warms My Heart.  Don’t neglect this hour if only for My sake. Whether or not you want to be with Me, remember I want to be with you.  I really love you!" 


You know, the truth that Christ wants my fellowship, that He loves me, wants me to be with Him and waits for me, has done more to transform my quiet time with God than any other single fact. Don't let Christ wait alone in the living room of your heart, but every day find some time when, with the Word of God and in prayer, you may be together with Him.


The Workroom


Before long, He asked, "Do you have a workroom in your house?" 


Down in the garage of the home of my heart I had a workbench and some equipment, but I was not doing much with it. Once in a while I would play around at making a few little gadgets, but I wasn't producing anything substantial.


I took Him out there.


He looked over the workbench and what little talents and skills I had.  He said, "This is fairly well furnished. What are you producing with your life for the Kingdom of God?" He looked at one or two little toys that I had thrown together on the bench and He held one up to me. "Is this the sort of thing you are doing for others in your Christian life?"


I felt terrible!  "Lord, that is the best I can do. I know it isn't much.  I’m ashamed to say that with my awkwardness and limited ability, I don’t think I’ll ever do much more."


"Would you like to do better?" He asked.


"You know I would," I replied.


“Well, first remember what I taught you: ‘Apart from Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5).


"Come relax in me and let my Spirit work through you. I know you are unskilled, clumsy and awkward, but the Holy Spirit is the Master-Worker.  If He controls your heart and your hands, He will work through you."  Then putting His great, strong arms around me, and His Hands under mine He picked up the tools and began to work through me.  “Relax.  You are still too tense.  Let go – let Me do the work!”


It amazes me what His skilled Hands can do through mine if I only trust Him and let Him have His way.  I am very far from satisfied with the product that is being turned out.  I still get in His way at times.  There is much more that I need to learn.  But I do know that whatever has been produced by God has been through Him and through the power of His Spirit in me.


Don’t be discouraged because you cannot do much for God.  It’s not our ability but our availability that’s important.  Give what you are to Christ.   Be sensitive and responsive to what He wants to do.  Trust Him.  He will surprise you with what He can do through you!


The Rec Room


I remember the time He inquired about the playroom, where I went for fun and fellowship. I was hoping He would not ask me about that. There were certain associations and activities I wanted to keep for myself. I did not think Christ would enjoy them or approve of them.  I evaded the question.


However, one evening when I was on my way out with some of my buddies for a night on the town, He was at the door and stopped me with a glance. "Are you going out?"


I answered, "Yes."


"Good," He said, "I would like to go with you."


"Oh," I answered rather awkwardly.  "I don't think, Lord, that You would really enjoy where we are going.  Let's go out together tomorrow night.  Tomorrow night we will go to a Bible class or a social at the church, but tonight I have another engagement."


“As you wish,” was His comment.  He said. "Only I thought when I came into your home we were going to do everything together – be close companions!  Just know that I am willing to go with you."


"Well," I said, "we’ll go someplace together tomorrow night!"


That evening I spent some miserable hours.  I felt rotten.  What kind of a friend was I to Jesus?  Deliberately leaving Him out of part of my life, doing things and going places that I knew very well He would not enjoy?  When I returned that evening, there was a light in His room, and I went up to talk it over with Him.  I acknowledged, "Lord, I have learned my lesson.  I can't have a good time if You are not along.  From now on we will do everything together."


Then we went down into the rec room of the house.  He transformed it.  He brought new friendships, new excitement, and new joys. Laughter and music have been ringing in the house ever since.  With a twinkle in His eye, He smiled.  “You thought that with me around you wouldn’t have much fun, didn’t you?  Remember, I have come ‘that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full’” (John 15:11).


The Bedroom


One day when we were in my bedroom He asked me about the picture next to my bed.


“That’s a picture of my girlfriend,” I told Him.  Though I knew my relationship with my girlfriend was a good one, I felt funny talking to Him about it.  She and I were struggling with some issues and I didn’t want to discuss them with Him.  I tried to change the subject.


But Jesus must have known what I was thinking.  “You are beginning to question my teaching on sex, aren’t you?  That intercourse is only for those who are joined in the covenant of marriage?  You’re feeling I may be asking something unnatural if not impossible for you.  You’re afraid my will on this is limiting the full enjoyment of life and love.  Isn’t that true?”


“Yes,” I confessed.


“Then listen carefully to what I am saying,” He continued.  “I forbid adultery and premarital sex not because sex is bad but because it is good.  Beyond the physical ecstasy it is a means of bonding two lives in deepening love.  It has the creative power to bring human life into being.  Sex is powerful.  Used properly sex has tremendous potential for good.  Used improperly, it destroys the good.  For this reason God intends it to be expressed only within the commitment of a loving life partnership.  There is far more to love than just sex.


“Let me help you in your relationship with the opposite sex.  If you should fail and feel shame and guilt, know I still love you and will remain with you.  Talk to Me about it!  Acknowledge the wrong!  Take steps to avoid it happening again!  Remember what I said to the woman caught in adultery that the legalistic spiritual leaders wanted me to condemn to death?  After the Pharisees sheepishly dropped their stones and walked away, I told her, ‘Neither do I condemn you.  Go and sin no more.’  Rely on my strength to keep you from falling and to lead you into a relationship of love in marriage where two truly become one in me.”


The Hall Closet


There’s just one more matter of crucial consequence I would like to share with you.  One day I found Him waiting for me at the front door.  An arresting look was in His eye.  As I entered, He said to me, "There is a peculiar odor in the house.  Something must be dead around here. It's upstairs. I think it is in the hall closet."


As soon as He said this I knew what He was talking about.  Indeed there was a small closet up there on the landing, just a few feet square.  In that closet behind lock and key I had one or two little personal things I did not want anyone to know about.  Certainly I did not want Christ to see them.  They were dead and rotting things left over from the old life – not wicked, but not right and good to have in a Christian life.  Yet I loved them.  I wanted them so much for myself I was really afraid to admit they were there.  Reluctantly, I went up the stairs with Him, and as we mounted, the odor became stronger and stronger.  He pointed at the door. "It's in there!  Some dead thing!"


It made me angry!  That's the only way I can put it.  I had given Him access to the study, the dining room, the living room, the workroom, the rec room, the bedroom and now He was asking me about a little two-by-four closet. 

I said to myself, "This is too much!  I am not going to give Him the key."


"Well," He responded, reading my thoughts, "if you think I'm going to stay up here on the second floor with this smell, you are mistaken.  I will take my bed out on the back porch or somewhere else.  I'm certainly not going to stay around that."  And I saw Him start down the stairs.


When you have come to know and love Jesus Christ, one of the worst things that can happen is to sense Him withdrawing His face and fellowship.  I had to give in.  "I'll give You the key," I said sadly, "but You'll have to open the closet and clean it out.  I haven't the strength to do it."


"I know," He said.  "I know you haven't.  Just give me the key.  Just authorize me to handle that closet and I will."  So, with trembling fingers, I passed the key over to Him.  He took it from my hand, walked over to the door, opened it, entered it, took out the putrefying stuff that was rotting there, and threw it away.  Then He cleaned the closet, painted it, and fixed it up, doing it all in a moment's time.  Immediately a fresh, fragrant breeze swept through the house.  The whole atmosphere changed.  What release and victory to have that dead thing out of my life!  No matter what sin or what pain there might be in my past, Jesus is ready to forgive, to heal and to make whole.


Transferring the Title


Then a thought came to me.  I said to myself, "I have been trying to keep this heart of mine clean and available for Christ but it is hard work.  I start on one room and no sooner have I cleaned it than I discover another room is dirty.  I begin on the second room and the first room is already dusty again.  I’m getting tired trying to maintain a clean heart and an obedient life.  I am just not up to it!"


Suddenly I asked, "Lord, is there a possibility You would be willing to manage the whole house and operate it for me just as You did that closet?  Could I give You the responsibility of keeping my heart what it ought to be and myself doing what I ought to be doing?"


I could see His face light up as He replied, "I’d love to!  This is exactly what I came to do. You can’t live out the Christian life in your own strength.  That is impossible.  Let me do it for you and through you. That’s the only way it will really work.  But," He added slowly, "I am not owner of this house.  Remember, I’m here as your guest.  I have no authority to take charge since the property is not mine."


In a flash it all became clear.  Excitedly I exclaimed, "Lord, You have been my guest, and I have been trying to play the host.  From now on You are going to be the owner and Master of the house.  I am going to be the servant."


Running as fast as I could to the strongbox, I took out the title deed to the house describing its assets and liabilities, its condition, location and situation.  Then rushing back to Him I eagerly signed it over giving title to Him alone for time and eternity. "Here it is, all that I am and have forever.  Now You run the house.  Just let me stay with You as servant and friend."


He took my life that day and I can give you my word, there is no better way to live the Christian life. He knows how to keep it and use it.  A deep peace settled down on my soul that has remained.  I am His and He is mine forever!


May Christ settle down and be at home as Lord of your heart also!



Living in Christ, Lesson 3:  My Response


What did you think of that story?  What do the “rooms” of your own heart look like?  Are they ready for a visit form your Lord?  Are you ready to sign over to Him the title deed of your spiritual house?  Perhaps the following questions will help you understand more about the joy of truly surrendering your life to God’s control.


1. Study 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and answer three important questions concerning Christ’s lordship over your life:


1 Corinthians 6:19–20

19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.


(a)  Now that you are a Christian, what has your body become?


v. 19 ______________________________________________________________



(b)  Why do you now belong to Christ?


vv. 19-20 _________________________________________________________



(c)  What should now be your purpose in life?


v. 20  ______________________________________________________________



2. Briefly summarize what you think Jesus was teaching in the parable of the wise and foolish builders?  Luke 6:46-49


Luke 6:46–49

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”


(a)  What must we do if we call Jesus our Lord?


  1. v.46 _____________________________________________________________


(b)  What spiritual truth does the house built on the rock represent?


vv. 47-48 ________________________________________________________



(c)  What spiritual truth does the house with no foundation represent?


v. 49  ______________________________________________________________



3. What does the Apostle James say about obeying the Bible? 


James 1:22–25

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.


James 1:22–25 _____________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________



4. Obedience to Jesus Christ as Lord is the true test of your commitment to Him.  What does the Apostle John say about obedience? 


1 John 2:3–6

3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.


v. 3  __________________________________________________________________


v. 4 ___________________________________________________________________


v. 5  ___________________________________________________________________


  1. v.6 ____________________________________________________________________



5. What is another sure way of knowing you belong to Christ?


1 John 3:14

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.


1 John 3:14   


_____________________________________________________________________

6. As you grow in Christ, there will be times when you fail Him.  No one except Christ has ever lived a perfect life.  Be willing to admit you have failed and confess your sin.  Briefly summarize what 1 John 1:8-10 teaches about confession and forgiveness.


1 John 1:8–10

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.



v. 8 ___________________________________________________________________



v. 10 ________________________________________________________________________


v. 9 _________________________________________________________________________



7. What can you thank God for right now, concerning your need for God’s forgiveness?


1 John 2:1–2

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.


1 John 2:1–2 ______________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________




Remember to Memorize the two verses for Lesson 3

(see also verses for lesson 4)



Confirmation of My Love for God 

John 14:21

21 “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”


Applying God’s Word 

Joshua 1:8

8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.


Telling Others About Christ  (Lesson 4)

Acts 1:8

8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”


Telling Others About Christ  (Lesson 4)

Matthew 4:19

19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”