The Enduring Word of God

Transcription

1 The Enduring Word of God 1 Peter 1:22-25 Lesson 3 One of the most distinguishing characteristics of Christians is the way we love others. In fact, without this love, we would be no different from the world at all. Unfortunately, the people of God do not always succeed in displaying this fruit of the Spirit. That is why this week s lesson is essential for us to know and apply. Loving one another is the most important factor in our impact in the church and on the world that is carefully watching us. In our lesson this week, we will discover that growing in Christ involves loving people. Because all believers are children in the same family, we are exhorted to love one another sincerely and fervently. Love for our brothers and sisters in the Lord is evidence that we have truly been born again. Since we are all selfish by nature, there is only one way we can successfully love others we must be filled by God s Spirit with His agape love. Once we are filled, we can then let this love flow through us onto others. It is never a matter of our feelings but rather a matter of our will. What a blessing to know that we have a wonderful helper in the Holy Spirit to aid us in loving one another! Not only is it necessary for us to love people, but we must also love the Word of God. The Word of God endures forever while everything else in this world, including us, is like grass and will one day fade away. God s Word is powerful and, when it is applied to our lives, it will never return void but will permanently affect those who hear it. It alone has the power to defeat the enemy. It is a sword for battle, a light to guide us in the dark, water to wash and cleanse us from our sins, food to strengthen us and truth to help us love as we are commanded. We are well-equipped children of God! Not only has God given us His Spirit to help us, but we also have His very own Word. Never forget that God s Word is eternal and whatever we do in obedience to it will last forever. Let s start with loving those who are in our faith family. May God help us to demonstrate His love to the household of faith so that all who are watching us may know that we belong to Jesus. 1

2 Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. NKJV This Week s Memory Verse: But the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:25 1. Last week, we learned that we are to be holy as He is holy. Our souls have been purified by obeying the truth. With that in mind, what are we now called to do (v. 22)? With the above answer in mind, look up the following verses and note what they say about love. a. Matthew 22:39: b. Colossians 3:12-14: c. 1 John 4:7: d. 1 John 4:8: e. Which of the above verses encourages you to love others with a pure heart and why? 2

3 The reason why we should love our enemies is that love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. We never get rid of an enemy by meeting hate with hate; we get rid of an enemy by getting rid of enmity. By its very nature, love creates and builds up. Love transforms with redemptive power. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. First, we must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. Martin Luther King, Jr. ( ) 2. But, what is love? Scripture tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love. Look up Galatians 5:22-23 and note the eight attributes of love that is pure. a. If you fail in any of these attributes, do not be discouraged. Look up Philippians 1:6 and note what it says about the work Christ is doing in us. 3. What are our human bodies compared to in verse 24 of this week s scripture? a. What does Genesis 3:19 say about our earthly tents? b. Although we will become like dust, what does 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NLT) tell us will follow after our earthly tents are taken down? 4. The point that is being made is that our bodies are temporary and not meant to last. In contrast, how long does the Word of the Lord endure (1 Peter 1:25)? 3

4 5. Look up the following verses and note what they say about the Word of God. a. Isaiah 40:6-8: b. Psalm 119:130: c. Psalm 130:5: d. Matthew 24:35: 6. According to Hebrews 4:12, why is the Word of God so important? a. After studying about the Word of God, are you encouraged to spend time in God s Word? Please explain. I discover an arrant laziness in my soul. For when I am to read a chapter in the Bible, before I begin I look where it ends. And if it ends not on the same side, I cannot keep my hands from turning over the leaf, to measure the length on the other side; if it swells to many verses, I begin to grudge. Surely my heart is not rightly affected. Were I truly hungry after heavenly food, I would not complain of meat. Scourge, Lord, this laziness of my soul; make the reading of your Word, not a penance, but a pleasure to me; so I may esteem that chapter in your Word the best which is the longest. Sir Thomas Fuller ( ) 4

5 Reflect and Respond What has touched your heart and encouraged your spiritual growth during this week s study? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5

6 Thoughts & Prayers 6