The Voice of the Lord

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson
Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, March 24, 2015

Series: Transformation – 40 Days of Consecration
Scripture Reference:  I Samuel 15:19-23
Focus Verse: I Samuel 15:22

Today’s Discussion:    “The Voice of the Lord”

 

The lesson aim is to warn saints of the negative impact disobedience has on our lives. More importantly, we must refer to the word of God for examples to prove that disobedience destroys lives.  The future of the church hinges on the willingness of the believer to “obey the voice of the Lord”.   Our relationship with God grows stronger as we wrestle to walk in total surrender to HIM.  However, we cannot fulfill our God-given purpose if we are not willing to walk in obedience to the voice of the Lord.

(Reference: II Timothy 4:7-8a) 

According to the text, Saul had been anointed and appointed the first king over God’s people.  He had been given authority and power by God to rule over his people.  However, Saul is a perfect example of what it means to fall out of God’s will.  We all make mistakes. (Proverbs 24:16) On the contrary, Saul was guilty of disobedience.  In fact King Saul was rejected (to spurn; to disappear) by God because of his disobedience. (Reference: I Samuel 15:26)  Disobedience is a silent killer.  Saul allowed the people and their disregard for theological leadership to influence his decisions.  Consequently, when you ascend to a certain level of leadership and/or relationship with God, there is a greater level of expectation required of you. 

 

The church is a benefactor of God’s grace and mercy.  And we know God is the God of another chance.  But, how long should you be allowed to disobey God before HE confronts you?  (Reference: Romans 6:1-2) According to Samuel, Saul had multiple opportunities to prove himself to worthy of the kingship before God.  (Reference: I Samuel 15:13-15) Unfortunately, for Saul, God requires total obedience.  Saul tries to pass the blame for his errors on to the people.  We’ve got to stop playing the blame game.  All of us have to be accountable for our own actions.  Many pray to God "not my will but thy will be done".  If nothing else, let Christ be an example for walking in the will of God.  (Philippians 2:5-8)  Jesus was obedient unto death.  The act of obedience helps us stay in the will of God. (Matthew 26:39) 

 

Of course we have other examples of disobedient servants that were given earthly assignments to perform, but choose not to “hearken to the voice of the LORD:

• Moses (Numbers 20:8-12)
• Lot (Genesis 19:19-23)
• Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2)

 

What can we do to reconnect ourselves to God’s will? REPENT

 

How do we identify the barriers in our lives that prevent us from becoming totally committed to God’s will? “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING”

 

Who are the people in our lives that have become a negative influence and how should I deal with them going forward? “FROM SUCH TURN AWAY”

 

What do I really want from my relationship with God? “YE SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE”

“Clearing up the Confusion and Confirming the Truth”

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Series: Transformation – 40 Days of Consecration

Scripture Reference:  Romans 10:1-21

Focus Verses: Romans 10:1-4

Today’s Discussion:    “Clearing up the Confusion and Confirming the Truth”

The lesson aim is to clarify the truth about salvation.  More importantly, we will learn the facts about how “those that believe” receive the gift of salvation.  Paul further explains that there’s nothing else required of an individual to be saved other than confession of the mouth and belief in the heart. (Reference: Romans 10:9-10)  Many Christians believe the Holy Bible is the authority that governs spiritual issues and religious matters involving believers and non-believers.  However, Christianity is not a religion.  Subsequently, by secular definition Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on faith in God and Jesus Christ. 

The theme of Romans 10 is “Israel rejects salvation through faith”.  Conversely, Paul’s opening statement in this 10^th chapter sets the tone for his message of truth to the gentiles that “salvation is free” to all who believe.  Paul leads this missionary effort with two critical factors: his “heart’s desire and prayer to God”.  Both are essential to soul winning. Paul expresses his desire for Israel to be saved.  Paul says he is praying to God for Israel that they be saved.  The key to Paul’s intercessory prayer is Israel’s salvation is his heart’s desire. (Reference: Psalms 37:4; James 5:16)

Paul’s message to this church concludes that each believer is expected to accept and apply God’s word (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) to their lives. (Reference: Romans 12:1-2) Paul confronts the Jews about their self-righteous behavior and attempt to use religion to exclude others from the church (ekklesia).  Paul’s letter to this spiritually detached congregation reveals that the Jews became their own worst enemy and fell short of “the glory of God” because of unbelief and social-economic injustice. 

Paul teaches that salvation is not connected to any group, class, or congregation.    Paul’s presentation raises a very important question. Can a person know God and not be saved?

(Review verses 1-4)

• “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

Zeal - properly, heat, i.e. (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively, of God], or an enemy, malice):

Knowledge - recognition, i.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement:

Righteousness - equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification