CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: A VESSEL UNTO HONOUR III: LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – DATE: SUNDAY 19th NOVEMBER, 2023.

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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL

DATE: SUNDAY 19th NOVEMBER, 2023.

HYMN: S.S & S 235 “My Faith Looks Up To Thee”

CENTRAL THOUGHT:
A Christian should operate in the higher laws of the Holy Spirit

TOPIC:
A VESSEL UNTO HONOUR III: LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

TEXT:
2Tim 2:19-21

INTRODUCTION:
The Christian life is more than mere verbal commitments to the letters of the articles of faith. It transcends the physical, and derives it’s full meaning and perfect observance from the spiritual angle. In Matt 5:21-48, Jesus spent time to explain the true depth of some of the popular commandments. Each law is wider in scope than the narrow expression of the language used. For man to live in the will of God, he must be deeply rooted in the spiritual. If we must become true vessels of honour in God’s hands, spiritual growth and the exercise of spiritual gift is necessary.
The Holy Spirit must be allowed to lead the way in our communion with God, and fellowship with one another. In this third section of the study on “A Vessel Unto Honour” we shall compare the demands of some of the laws of Moses as against that expounded by our Lord Jesus Christ

Also Read: Open Heaven 18 November  2023 – BY THEIR FRUITS 

BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT ? (Gal 5:16; Rom 8;1-2)
Man is a being with dual nature, the spiritual and the physical. The spiritual being came before the physical, and the spiritual will continue after the physical into eternity. However, not many persons take appropriate cognisance of this duality of man. Because of the abundance of desirable and undesirable experiences in the physical nature of man and the material world, many remain aloof to the spirit being.
To be alive in the spirit is to live in balanced alignment of the spiritual and the physical nature of man. It is to return to God in repentance and begin a life of spiritual consciousness anchored on the Holy Spirit. It is to be born again, be renewed in spirit, mind and soul with Christ’s death and resurrection as the basis. To be alive in the spirit is to make oneself available for acceptable service to God and consciously working for the realization of the hope of eternal life.

QUESTION 2.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE DEMANDS OF THE LAW OF MOSES THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS ON THE FOLLOWING:
A) MURDER AND BROKEN RELATIONSHIP (Matt 5:21-26): The sixth commandment in the law of Moses (Exo 20:13), was interpreted literally and seems to forbid only the act of murder, and had nothing to do with the sinful thought. But in expounding this law, Christ taught that even rash anger and spiteful statements are evidence of ill-will that could result in murder if the opportunity presents itself. A vessel unto honour must therefore refrain from both the act and the enabling state of mind.
Broken relationship was considered as a light offence under the law of Moses that did not hinder devotion to God. But Christ taught us that devotion done when one is in malice against another is not acceptable. Believers must do everything necessary to preserve peace and love among the brethren.
B) ADULTERY (Matt 5:27-39): The law against adultery is the seventh commandment (Exo 20:14) and the leaders laid all emphasis on the act. But Jesus go beyond the act of adultery to address the root, which is evil heart and sinful appetites. He condemn all appetites of lust through evil sight, ensnaring looks and unclean talks as sinful desires.
C) DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE (Matt 5:31-32): The law of Moses permitted divorce (Deut 24:1-3) but Jesus explained that divorce is a perversion of the original plan of God and that divorce leads to multiple adultery through remarriage. Established adultery is the only ground on which separation between husband and wife may be considered
D) SWEARING AND OATH TAKING (Matt 5:33-37): This was allowed in the old testament (Num 30:1-2) as a means of validating the truth in the midst of doubt and mistrust. But Christ warned against the flippant use if God’s name under the pretext of validating the truth. He recommends that believers must stand out and be known for truth, honesty and integrity and should make no room for deceit and double talk. He presents all forms of oath taking as inappropriate.
E) VEGEANCE AND RETALIATION (Matt 5:38-42): The law of Moses advocates retaliation in equitable measure- an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (Exo 21:23-25). It was intended to restrain mischief and moderate judgement. Christ teaches forgiveness instead of revenge and that the law of love must supersede the law of retaliation. The Christian must go above the norm in reacting to offences
F) LOVE FOR ENEMIES (Matt 5:43-48): In the old testament, love was reserved for neighbours (Lev 19:18) and God. The enemy was not considered as a neighbour. But Jesus Christ taught that while not being complacent to wickedness and profanity, christians must have compassion and goodwill towards all. We must answer their reviling with courteous words and follow Christ’s example by praying for them
QUESTION 3. FROM THE EXPOSITION ABOVE, WHAT LESSON CAN WE DRAW CONCERNING THE KIND OF VESSEL THAT JESUS IS LOOKING FOR ?
The foregoing in question 2 above implies that believers should operate in a set of laws that is beyond the letter and the mere act. By the nature of God in us we are to exceed the morality of the good man of the community for we cannot receive the rewards of the saints unless we rise above the morality of the world (Matt 5:20).
The kind of vessels that Jesus is looking for are those with purity of heart, reachable spirit, who are ready to discover and obey the real intent of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The society we live in is full of moral deficit, and their righteousness is defined along the line of convenience for their materialistic tendency. They profess morality where actions and reactions are neither healthy not progressive to the spirit man. But in Christ, we will always have a divine exposition by the spirit of God of the mind of God. For God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth (Jn 4:24)

MEMORY VERSE:
John 4:24 “God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.”

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