Spirit-Filled Scholarship FOUNDATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS WEEK TWO!

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Norman Curtis
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1 Spirit-Filled Scholarship FOUNDATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS WEEK TWO

2 IN THIS WEEK S STUDY 1. Discussion Guide 2. The Christian Grad Proclamation 3. The Spirit-Filled Life

3 SPIRIT-FILLED SCHOLARSHIP WEEK TWO FOUNDATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS 1. Read John 15:1-8. Jesus describes Himself as the vine. How are we to act as branches? 2. What does it mean to abide in Christ? How independent are our choices when we abide? 3. What results are produced? What is said about fruit? How do we get power to produce this fruit? 4. Why should we abide in Christ? Who is glorified when we abide? How do we benefit when we abide in Christ? 5. How is this passage relevant to your graduate studies? APPLICATION Have you ever had an up and down spiritual experience? Or have you ever had an area of your life that you wanted to change, but felt powerless to do so? You don t have to have these experiences. Greater spiritual power isn t dependent on feelings, circumstances, or even spiritual maturity. Remember, you were never meant to be independent, but to rely upon and submit to God. If you ask God to empower you with His Spirit, He will do it (Eph 5:18, I John 5: 14-15). As you continually submit to and rely upon Him you will experience the Spirit-Filled life. However, if you stop submitting to God by sinning or stop relying upon Him by trying to accomplish everything through your own strength, then you can confess your sins to Him and/or ask God to strengthen you as you admit your dependence upon Him. As we abide in Christ by being filled with God s strength, we grow closer to Him and experience intimacy and joy (Gal. 5:22-23). We will grow closer to other Christians around us. THE FELLOWSHIPOF CHRISTIAN GRADS

4 THE CHRISTIAN GRAD PROCLAMATION WEEK TWO FOUNDATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS WHEREAS, GradResourceswascommissionedwiththevisionofaddressingtheneedsofthe2milliongraduate studentsintheunitedstates, andthereiswidespreadconfusionaboutvaluesandmoralityinournationtoday, andthereisatendencytowardisolationandfragmentationinthepursuitofanadvanceddegree, and,thereisaneedformodelswhoexemplifybalancedlifestylesandcompassionatecaring communityamonggraduatepeers, THEREFORE, weresolvetopersonallyembracetheseelementsofacademicandpersonallifeandtoencourage othergraduatestudentstodothesame, toliveabalancedlifestyle,tocontributetothebuildingofacompassionatecommunityamong graduatestudents, torecognizethatourcallingtoanacademicpursuitrequiresahighstandardofexcellence,bothin scholarshipandinethics, toacknowledgethatourpursuitofthiscallingmustbesubordinatedtoourdiscipleshipinchrist, tohavereasonableexpectationsofouracademicadvisorsandtomeettheirreasonableexpectations ofusinreturn, topracticehonestyandtransparencybeforeourgraduatestudentpeers, toendeavortogrowincompassionandsensitivitytowardthem, tocommunicatethegospeltothoseinourcircleofacquaintance,bothverballyandinaction,andina spiritoftoleranceandrespectforthefreeexchangeofideas, togivepreeminencetoourpersonalwalkwithgod,maintainingthatspiritualintimacywithgod providesgraceforourcalling,andthatenablesustointegrateourfaithandouracademicdiscipline, toprovideadequateattentiontothewellcbeingofourfamiliesandofourselvespersonally,being goodstewardsofourselvesandourlovedones,withafocusuponthelongrun,and toputforthourbesteffortsinseekingpositions,representingourselvestruthfully,butinlinewith developedskillsandgifts,andawaitingpositionsasopportunitiesforpersonalministryandinfluence. We#hold#these#things#to#be#true#and#we#welcome#the#opportunity#to#be#accountable#to#like7minded# graduate#students,#in#order#that#we#might#please#the#one#whom#we#serve.# THE FELLOWSHIPOF CHRISTIAN GRADS

5 TO THIS END WE PLEDGE OURSELVES. 1.TomaintainagrowingrelationshipwithChrist. 2.Tomaintainandfosterthehealthofourfamily. 3.Toworkethicallyandwithdiligenceinpursuingintegrationofourfaithanddiscipline. 4.Torespectandhelpfellowstudents. 5.TobearwitnesstoChristinourwordsandliveswheneverpossible. 6.ToinvestintheChristiancommunityinourchurchandoncampus. THE FELLOWSHIPOF CHRISTIAN GRADS

6 THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE WEEK TWO FOUNDATIONS FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS WearefilledwiththeHolySpiritbyfaith.HowdidyoubecomeaChristian?Byfaith."Itisbygraceyou havebeensaved,throughfaithaandthisnotfromyourselves,itisthegiftofgodanotbyworks,so thatnoonecanboast."(eph2:8a9)"sothen,justasyoureceivedchristjesusaslord,continuetolivein him." YoureceiveChristbyfaith.Youlivebyfaith.EverythingyoureceivefromGod,fromthemoment ofyourspiritualbirthuntilyoudie,isbyfaith.doyouwanttobefilledwiththeholyspirit?youcanbe filledrightnow,byfaith. YoudonothavetobegGodtofillyouwithHisHolySpirit.YoudonothavetobarterwithHimbyfasting orweepingorbeggingorpleading.foralongperiodoftime,ifastedandcriedouttogodforhis fullness.thenonedayidiscoveredfromthescripturesthatthe"justshalllivebyfaith."youdonotearn God'sfullness.Youreceiveitbyfaith. Letmeillustrate.Supposethatyouwanttocashacheckforahundreddollars.Wouldyougotothe bankwhereyouhaveseveralthousanddollarsondeposit,placethecheckonthecounter,getdownon yourknees,andbeg,"oh,please,mr.teller,cashmycheck"no,thatisnotthewayyoucashacheck. Yousimplygoinfaith,placethecheckonthecounter,andyouwaitforthemoneywhichisalready yours.thenyouthankthetellerandgoonyourway.millionsofchristiansarebegginggod,asionce did,forsomethingwhichisreadilyavailableajustwaitingtobeappropriatedbyfaith.theyareseeking somekindofemotionalexperience,notrealizingthatsuchanattitudeontheirpartisaninsulttogod adenialoffaith.butfaithistheonlywayyoucanpleasegod. ThoughyouarefilledwiththeHolySpiritbyfaithandfaithalone,itisimportanttorecognizethat severalfactorscontributetopreparingyourheartforthefillingofthespirit.first,youmustdesireto livealifethatwillpleasethelord.youhavethepromiseofoursavior,"blessedarethosewhohunger andthirstforrighteousness,fortheywillbefilled." Second,bewillingtosurrenderyourlifetotallyandirrevocablytoourLordJesusChrist.Paul admonishesinromans12:1,2:"iurgeyou,brothers,inviewofgod'smercy,toofferyourbodiesas livingsacrifices,holyandpleasingtogodawhichisyourspiritualworship.donotconformanylongerto thepatternofthisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind.thenyouwillbeableto testandapprovewhatgod'swillisahisgood,pleasingandperfectwill.". Third,confesseveryknownsinwhichtheHolySpiritcallstoyourremembranceandexperiencethe cleansingandforgivenesswhichgodpromisestousin1john1:9:"ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithful THE FELLOWSHIPOF CHRISTIAN GRADS

7 THE FELLOWSHIPOF CHRISTIAN GRADS andjustandwillforgiveusoursinsandpurifyusfromallunrighteousness."icallthisprocess"spiritual Breathing."Justasyouexhaleandinhalephysically,soyoualsobreathespiritually.Youexhalespiritually whenyouconfessyoursins. Fromthemomentofyourspiritualbirth,youhavethepowertogoongrowingtowardmaturityin Christ.Andyet,theaverageperson,notunderstandinghowtolivebyfaith,livesonaspiritualroller coaster,risingandfallingfromoneemotionalexperiencetoanother. InRomans7,Pauldescribesthepredicamentoftheworldly,carnalChristian,"Idonotunderstandwhat Ido.ForwhatIwanttodoIdonotdo,butwhatIhateIdo.WhatawretchedmanIamWhowillrescue mefromthisbodyofdeath?" In1Corinthians3,Pauldescribesaworldly,carnalbelieverasonewhoactslikeanonChristian. AlthoughtheworldlybelieverhasreceivedChrist,healsohasallowedhisFleshnaturetoreclaimthe thronethroughsin.godstillhaspossessionofthisperson,andchristisstillinhislife,butthe individualhasfallenintosininoneormoreareasofhislife. NotyieldedtoGod,theworldlybelieverisusuallyamiserablepersonAevenmoremiserablethanthe nonachristian.heisinaperiodofstuntedspiritualgrowthbecauseheisnotconfessingandrepentingof hissins,andsatanhassucceededininfluencingandcontrollinghimthroughtheflesh.' Paul%wrote%to%the%Christians%of%Corinth:% Dear%brothers,%I%have%been%talking%to%you%as%though%you%were%still%just%babies%in%the%Christian%life,% who%are%not%following%the%lord,%but%your%own%desires;%i%cannot%talk%to%you%as%i%would%to%healthy% Christians,%who%are%filled%with%the%Spirit.%I%have%had%to%feed%you%with%milk%and%not%with%solid%food,% because%you%couldn't%digest%anything%stronger.%and%even%now%you%still%have%to%be%fed%on%milk.%for% you%are%still%only%baby%christians,%controlled%by%your%own%desires,%not%god's%...in%fact,%you%are% acting%like%people%who%don't%belong%to%the%lord%at%all.% TheworldlyorcarnalChristiancertainlyexperiencestheconvictionoftheHolySpiritandwillnot continueinhissinsindefinitely;otherwise,heispossiblynotachristianatall.butdefeatedand fruitless,hedependsonselfefforttolivethechristianlifeinsteadofdrawingonthesupernatural, inexhaustibleresourcesoftheholyspirit.graspingselfinterestinonehandandgropingforgod's blessingwiththeother,thispersonfailsagainandagaintolivethechristianlifeinthefullnessand poweroftheholyspirit. HavingexperiencedthejoyandblessingoffellowshipwithGod,hehaslostpresentcontactanddoes notknowhowtorecapturethatlostfellowship.yet,theworldlybelievercanneverbesatisfiedwiththat oldwayoflifeagain,andinsearchforhappinessandfulfillment,thispersonhasbecomeselfacentered insteadofchristacentered. Asaresult,hehasbecomeincreasinglyconfusedandfrustratedanddoesnotknowwhattodoaboutit. HedoesnotknowhowtolivebyfaithAinsteadhelivesbyfeeling.TheworldlyChristiantriesratherthan trusts.hedoesnotknowhowtostopbeingworldlynorhowtobecomeaspiritualchristian.theonly onewhocanenablehimtochangeis,ofcourse,theholyspirit.

8 THE FELLOWSHIPOF CHRISTIAN GRADS TheChristianlifeisamiraculousandsupernaturallife.ChristianityisnotwhatyoudoforGod,but whathedoesforyou.apartfromfaithinchrist,youcannotbecomeachristian,andapartfrom momentbymomentfaithordependenceonhim,youcannotlivethechristianlife.whenyouarefilled withtheholyspirit,christliveshissupernaturallifeinandthroughyou. ButtheaverageChristiandoesnotunderstandhowtodrawupontheresurrectionresourcesofChristby faith.asaresult,theworldlybelieverlivesinspiritualpoverty,notknowingorexperiencinghisgreat richesandresourceswhicharehisheritageinchrist. AnoldScottishwomanlivedinthemostimpoverishedconditionsinherhometown.Yearsbefore,her sonhademigratedtoamerica.therehehadbecomeaverysuccessfulbusinessmanbuthadnever foundtimetoreturnhometovisithismother. Onedayafriendsattalkingwiththeoldladyinhersparselyfurnishedcottage. "Doesn'tyoursoneversendyoumoneytohelpwithyourneeds?"sheinquired. "No,"thewomanshookherheadsadly."Hedoeswritemeniceletters,though.Andhesendsmethe mostinterestingpictures" Thelistenerwasannoyed,realizingthatthesonwasquitewealthy.Butinsteadofspeakinghermind, shesimplysaid,"mayiseethepictures?"theagedmotherproudlybroughtthemoutofadrawer.to hervisitor'samazement,theywerenotpicturesatall.theywerevaluablebanknotesfromamerica amountingtothousandsofdollars. Fordecades,theScottishmotherhadbeenneedlesslylivinginpoverty.Theproblem?Shedidnotknow thevalueofthose"interestingpictures."sheownedthebanknotes,butshedidnotpossessthem. InWestTexasisafamousoilfieldknownastheYatesPool.DuringtheDepression,thisfieldwasa sheepranchownedbyamannamedyates.mr.yateswasnotabletomakeenoughmoneyonhis ranchingoperationtopaytheprincipalandinterestonthemortgage,sohewasindangeroflosinghis ranch. Withlittlemoneyforclothesorfood,hisfamily,likemanyothers,hadtoliveongovernmentsubsidy. Dayafterday,ashegrazedhissheepoverthoserollingWestTexashills,hewasnodoubtgreatly troubledabouthowhewouldbeabletopayhisbills.thenaseismographiccrewfromanoilcompany cameintotheareaandtoldmr.yatesthattheremightbeoilonhisland.theyaskedpermissionto drillawildcatwell,andhesignedaleasecontract.at1,115feettheystruckahugeoilreserve.thefirst wellcameinat80,000barrelsaday.manysubsequentwellsweremorethantwiceaslarge.infact, thirtyyearsafterthediscovery,agovernmenttestononeofthewellsshowedthatitstillhadthe potentialflowof125,000barrelsofoiladay.andmr.yatesowneditallthedayhepurchasedtheland hereceivedtheoilandmineralrights.yet,hewaslivingonrelief.amultiamillionairelivingin povertytheproblem?hedidnotknowtheoilwasthere.heownedit,buthedidnotpossessit. IdonotknowofbetterillustrationsoftheChristianlifethanthese.Themomentyoubecomeachildof GodthroughfaithinChrist,youbecomeanheirofGod,andallofHisresourcesaremadeavailableto you.everythingyouneedaincludingwisdom,love,poweratobeamanorwomanofgodandtobe

9 THE FELLOWSHIPOF CHRISTIAN GRADS fruitfulwitnessesforchristisavailabletoyou. ButmostChristianscontinuetoliveinselfAimposedspiritualpovertybecausetheydonotknowhowto appropriatefromgodthosespiritualresourceswhicharealreadytheirs.liketheoldscottishmother beforesheknewthe"interestingpictures"werevaluablebanknotesandmr.yatesandhisvastocean ofoil,theyliveinignoranceoftheirvastriches. LackofknowledgeisnottheonlyreasonthatChristiansarenotfilledwiththeHolySpirit.Manyof thembasicallydonotbelieveingod'strustworthinessandareafraidtorelinquishthecontroloftheir livestotheholyspiritforfearthatgodwillrequiretheimpossiblefromthemathathewillchangetheir plans,askthemtogiveawaytheirwealth,takeallthefunfromtheirlives,makethem enduretragedies,orsomethingsimilar. Anoutstandingyoungminister,aseminaryhonorgraduate,oncetoldme,"Ihaveneversurrenderedmy lifetochristbecauseihavebeenafraidofwhathewilldotome."thenhetoldmehow,yearsbefore, hehadapremonitionthat,ifheweretocommithislifetochrist,hisparentswouldbekilledinatragic accident.hewasafraidtosay"yes"togodforfearhisparentswouldlosetheirlivesagod'stestforhim todeterminethegenuinenessofhiscommitment. NowdoesthatsoundlikealovingFather?Whodoyouthinkputthatideaintohismind?Certainlynot God.ItwasSatansaying,ashesaidtoAdamandEvecenturiesago,"Youcan'ttrustGod."ButIsayyou cantrustgodhelovesyouandisworthyofyourtrust.supposeyourchildweretosaytoyou,"daddy, Mommy,IloveyouandhavedecidedthatIwilldoanythingyouwantmetodofromnowonaslongI welive."whatwouldbeyourresponse? Ifyouweretorespondtoyourchild'sexpressionoftrustinyouasmanybelieveGodwillrespondwhen theysurrendertheirlivestohim,youwouldgrabyourchildbytheshoulders,glareatthemsternlyand say,"ihavebeenwaitingforthis.iamgoingtomakeyouregretthisdecisionforaslongasyoulive. Iamgoingtotakeawayeverythingyoulikeandmakeyoudowhatyouhate.Iamcommittedtomaking yourlifemiserable." Ofcourseyouwouldnotrespondlikethattoyourchild'strustinyou.Iexpect,instead,youwouldput yourarmsaroundyourlittlechildandsay,"iloveyou,too,andideeplyappreciatethisexpressionof yourloveforme.itisthegreatestgiftwhichyoucouldgiveme." GodhasprovenoverandoveragainthatHeisalovingGod.Heisworthyofyourtrust.Jesusassures you,"ifyou,then,thoughyouareevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftstoyourchildren,howmuchmore willyourfatherinheavengivegoodgiftstothosewhoaskhim" ManypeoplecometomeforcounselconcerningGod'swillfortheirlives.Oftentheyarefearfulof whatgodwillaskthemtodo.usuallyiaskthem,"doyoubelievethatgodlovesyou?doyoubelieve thathehasawonderfulplanforyourlife?doeshehavethepowertoguideandblessyourlifeifyou placeyourtrustinhim?"asarule,theanswersareintheaffirmative.ithenaskthem,"areyouwilling totrusthimrightnowtodirectandempoweryoutoliveaholylifeandtobeafruitfulwitnessfor Christ?"Bythistimemostofthemarereadytosay"Yes"toHimwithoutreservation.Theyhavebegun torecognizethattheirfeelingsofdoubthavebeenplacedtherebytheenemyoftheirsouls.

10 WhenyougiveyourlifetoChrist,youneednotworryaboutwhatisgoingtohappentoyou.Maybeyou areafraidthathewilltakeawayyourpleasures,causeyoutoleaveyourbusinessorprofession,take awayyourwealth,orterminateafriendshiporloveaffair.youmayfearthathewillsendyou,asa missionary,tosomeremotepartoftheworldwhereyouwillloseyourlifeforhim. Hemayindeedaskyoutodooneormoreofthesethings,andagainHemaynot.IfHedoes,youwill rejoiceintheprivilege,forgodalwaysblessesthosewhotrustandobeyhim.thehappiestpeoplei meetarenotthosewhohaveallthebestofwhatthisworldhastoofferaorthosewhohaveachieved greatsuccessintheirprofessionsaorthosewhoareingreatpositionsofpowerandinfluence.the happiestpeopleimeetarethosewhohavelearnedtototallytrustandobeygodintheirlivesnomatter theircircumstances. THE FELLOWSHIPOF CHRISTIAN GRADS

Session 6: The Fullness of Christ Study Questions

Session 6: The Fullness of Christ Study Questions Main Subjects & Scriptures to Understand and Own I. Implanted Life to Fullness of Life (pp. 1-2) God s original intention was for the life of His Son to fill humanity in fullness. Scriptures Eph. 1:22-23;