A discussion on the what it means to be used by God

CHRIST WE PREACH MINISTRIES - BIBLE STUDY (JULY 16, 2020) Topic: THE WORK OF GOD Main Bible Text: John 6:28-29 KEY DISCUSSION POINTS: 1. What is the "WORK OF GOD"? 2. Misconceptions about the work of God 3. What do we do in order to do the works of God? a. 'Believing' against 'doing' 4. There are Bible passages that point to "good works"...what are they? HOPE OF STUDY The hope of this study is to have a Biblical understanding of what God expects of us as Christians. Whatever God has instructed us on counts as a "work" for Him. But it is impossible to do God's work without His own direction and participation. The work of God is primarily in the BELIEVING and not in the doing.

A discussion on the expectations of Good Works that God has concerning every believer.

The Vexation of SIN (2 Peter 2:6-9) Recap of the last lesson on the Deceitfulness of Sin? Sin deceives us in three main ways: • Promises: It deceives its victims of its immediate gratification but blinds them of the endpoint of their actions. • Purpose: It comes to steal, to kill and to destroy • Power: It deceives its victims that it is harmless and controllable, but shows its true colours afterwards by enslaving and reigning over them. Today’s Lesson 1. Can we paint a picture of 2 Peter 2:5 – 9 vis-à-vis Genesis 18:20? 2. How is the end of time comparable to the days of Sodom? 3. Why will it be more tolerable for Sodom on the Day of Judgement? 4. What is “Vexation”? What do we mean by the Vexation of Sin? 5. How was the soul of Lot vexed? 6. How does this vexation of Sin manifest itself today? 7. Does the continual exposure to Sin pose any threat to the faith of the believer? 8. Does the end of Lot’s wife present any lesson to us? 9. Does Scripture offer any hope for a victory over sin? 10. How does looking unto Jesus offer us an assurance of a victory over sin?

WHAT IS THE CHURCH 1. What is the Church? 2. How is this unity expressed? 3. What marks out those who have been called out by God 4. What is it about church that people name some locations as churches? 5. Why has He called the Church out/Essence of the church to believers/unbelievers 6. How is the communal life of the Church displayed? 7. Is there real fellowship with distant/online fellowships? 8. What if the gathering of the people is not unto God?

Lesson Questions • What is Judging/Judgement? • Does Christ forbid us from judgement? • How do we then explain those biblical texts that forbid judgement? • Who is authorized to judge? • When can we judge? • What are we responsible to judge? • How do we judge? • Where do we draw the boundary limits when we judge?

THE HEART OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE (1 Corinthians 5:1 – 13; 2 Corinthians 2:2 – 11) Lesson Questions 1. What is Church Discipline? 2. What is the motive/purpose behind Church Discipline? Why discipline if the Lord has already forgiven? Is Church discipline necessary now? 3. What ‘sins’ or wrongs necessitate church discipline? 4. What is about Church Discipline that seems to bring about resentment between the Church and the person being disciplined? 5. What is the church’s responsibility if the sinning person repents? 6. What if the sinning person refuses to repent? 7. Should brethren under discipline be forbidden from the Lord’s Supper? 8. Is a church in error if it fails to publicly discipline its members? 9. What necessitates the suspension from functioning roles? 10. How do we cure the overzealousness that characterizes the desire and manner of how some leaders dispense church discipline?

THE CHURCH LEADER AND HIS LIFESTYLE 1. WHO IS A ‘PASTOR’? • The synonyms: Elder, Shepherd • How do you define ‘PASTOR’ with Ephesians 4:11 in mind? —The generic use in this discourse. 2. WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL ROLE OF THE ‘PASTOR’ IN THE CHURCH? • Ezekiel 34:4-6, 11-16, Titus 1:1, Ephesians 4:11-13 3. WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS THE BIBLE GIVES FOR THE ROLE OF THE ‘PASTOR’? • 1 Timothy 3:1-13 • The pastor must first be a Christian • A pastor must exhibit Christian character • There is the evidence of a gift (“apt to teach”) – verse 2 • Unquestioned sexual integrity • Not greedy • Blameless (above reproach) Are these qualifications exhaustive? If NOT, how do we describe the qualifications of a pastor in general terms (summary)? – A lifestyle/character that is in keeping with Christ nature. 4. HOW IMPORTANT IS LIFESTYLE/CHARACTER TO THE MINISTRY? a. Do we listen to a pastor’s word or watch his character? • It is character that can bring reproach to a pastor. • The question is: “which one is louder?”—CHARACTER • 1 Tim. 4:11-15 b. Do you choose a pastor based on his doctrine or his character? c. How does a pastor’s doctrine impact his lifestyle, or vice versa? (1 Tim. 4:16)