LESSON EIGHT - THE CHARACTER OF GOD'S WORKER

TEXT:  1 Tim. 3:14-15;  Luke 8:11

INTRODUCTION:

A.      The mission of the church to preach the gospel of Jesus .

B.      Before the church undertakes any work of this kind, those

          in the church must consider carefully the character of

          the person who is to do this work and his conduct.

C.      What does the New Testament say about personal

          evangelism?  There are not many passages that deal with

          it specifically.  But these three do( Phil. 2:14-16;  Col. 4:5-6; 

          1 Pet. 3:15-16 ).

D.      we want to discuss these passages in this lesson.  Three

          areas are brought out in each of these and we want to

          discuss them in the light of these passages.

I.      IF PERSONAL WORK IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, PERSONAL

        DAILY OBEDIENCE OF THE WORKER IS A MUST.

A.      Phil. 2:5-11.  Christ's obedience and servitude to be imitated.       

          Because of his servitude, he was rewarded...we may infer

          that we too will be rewarded.

          1.       This description of Christ's complete  sacrifice followed by an exhortation to         

                   proper life and work( vs. 12-16 ).

                   a.       "work out your own salvation"  katergazomai,  "bring about,           

                             produce, cause to happen."( Eph. 2:10 ).  We cause our salvation by         

                             yielding to his will.  This word is emphatic.

                             Obedience and purity of character.

                   b.       "with fear and trembling" - reverence & respect for God's order.

                   c.       Why?  Because God works in us...energeo, He energizes us so that    

                             our will and work might be for his good pleasure, for the                             

                             accomplishment of his will.  What a man wills, he does!  He must allow       

                             God to work through him by bringing his will and his actions under    

                             God's control.

B.      Col. 3:5-11.  The changing of the character and our conduct

          toward others is discussed before the exhortation.  This

          passage contains the teaching of a principle concerning

          our conduct.

C.      1 Pet. 2:1-2, 11-12;  4:1-4, 15-16.

II.     IF PERSONAL WORK IS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL,

        THERE MUST BE PEACE AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE.

A.      Phil. 2:14.  "Do all things without questionings and without

          murmurings."

          1.       The life of the Christian ought to be a life of contentment

                   ( Phil. 4:6-7;  1 Pet. 5:7 ).

          2.       Rather than gripe about everything that doesn't go our way and worry about         

                   everything that doesn't look like it is going to, let us rejoice( 1 Thes. 5:16 ).

          3.       1 Cor. 10:10.  What should the world see?( Phil. 2:15 ).

B.      Col. 3:8-9, 11, 12-17.

C.      1 Pet. 3:8-9;  4:7-11.

III.    WE MUST STRIVE TO DO ALL THAT OPPORTUNITY AND

        ABILITY ALLOW.

A.      Phil. 2:14-16.  The word must be "held forth."

B.      Col. 4:2-6:

          1.       We are to pray for opportunity( vs. 3 ).

          2.       Redeem the time, sacrificing pleasure for opportunity.

          3.       Our speech must befit that which we are doing( vs. 6 ).

          4.       Ye indicates personal responsibility, each one describes responsibilities scope.

C.      1 Pet. 3:15.  Always be ready.

          1.       "being ready always"

          2.       "give answer to every man"

          3.       "with meekness and fear"

CONCLUSION:

It is conceivable that you might ask just why I am what I am.  I am a Christian because I want something( 1 Pet. 1:3-5 ).  I am a Christian because I love someone( John 14:15 ).  As  Christians, what does god expect of us?