SESSION 7
Session 7: a long obedience
SUMMARY OF VIDEO CONTENT
A long obedience in one direction, book title by Eugene Peterson that expresses our culture, who our church is, who your pastors are.
Story of Ps Jack and Carol in June 1976 and the decision to join Mt Zion Church and Ps Messer. They did so in obedience to God, not necessarily because they wanted to. Since that day to this, they have only had one pastor.
Acts 11:22 “… With purpose of heart they should continue in the Lord.” Message Bible: “Stay with it for the rest of their lives.”
A long obedience will be tested. Story of Ps Jack & Carol feeling they had failed in planting the church. God said to them: “My definition of success is obedience. Have you done what I have asked you to do? My definition of failure is quitting.” That word encouraged them to keep going and not give up.
2 Cor 4:8 Pressed on every side but not crushed … but we don’t give up and quit.
That’s the way to ensure a long obedience in one direction is to simply not quit.
Two invitations in the gospels: Come and see and come and die (lay your ambitions and life down for Jesus.)
Our message and mandate have hardly changed since the day our church began.
DISCUSSION
Why is intentional obedience to Jesus so critical to the Christian’s life?
How could obedience to Jesus help you when you are discouraged or life seems upended? Do you have a testimony of this in your own life?
Acts 11:22-24 tells us of Barnabas’ visit to Antioch and the joy he shared at discovering the vibrant multi-cultural church that had formed in that city. He encouraged them to stay true to the Lord, “stay with it the rest of their lives” as the Message Bible states.
What practices do you have now and could adopt in the days ahead, to ensure that you stay true to the Lord for the rest of your life?
Read 2 Cor 4:7- Paul described himself and other believers “like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.” (v. 7 NLT) He celebrated his frailty because it emphasized the Spirit’s empowerment.
Read verses 8-12 and list the types of troubles Paul experienced.
Where in the earth today are these same things happening to Christians?
Compare this list to your Christian walk. You might not experience the physical threats but clearly there could be an emotional or spiritual application. How could Paul’s resolve encourage you to never give up or quit?
Read v.15. Paul had a “why” to keep on going and could say (v.16 NLT) “That is why we never give up.” What was one of Paul’s reasons (he had several) for never giving up the fight of faith?
What are some of your reasons for never giving up following Jesus?
COMPLETION
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