Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Series: The Prayers of the Righteous

Reference Scripture:  II Chronicles 7:14

 

Today’s Discussion:    “Four Steps to A Godly Solution – Step One: Humility”

The lesson aim is to explore the process for achieving god-ordained solutions.  More importantly, all believers must learn to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Reference: Matthew 4:3-4) 

King Solomon is the main character in this particular chapter of II Chronicles.  King Solomon is the son of David and the presiding king over God’s people, Israel.  Solomon was chosen by God to succeed David as king.  More importantly, Solomon was chosen by God to build a permanent edifice for the presence of God to inhabit on earth. 

Apparently, God is responding to Solomon’s prayer for God’s WILL to be done according to the promise given to David.   In HIS response God ordains four steps that will ultimately change the outcome of earthly situations through heavenly intervention. 

2 Chron 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall   humble themselves,”

God doesn’t leave room for speculation as to whom HE is referring as “my people”.  David writes in Psalms 24, “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein”.  This statement of truth proclaims that everything and everybody is subject to God.  However, David does not suggest that everybody has or is willing to submit to God.  The determining factor that validates this godly proclamation is God’s reference to “called by my name”.  Now, we can conclude that God’s people are those that can be linked to the Abrahamic covenant and the nation of Israel. (Reference: Romans 4:16-17)  According to I Peter 2:9, those have chosen to be crucified with Christ are also called by his name. [called - qara (kaw-raw) – to call out to; to address by name]

God identifies humility as the first step toward transformation. [Humble kana` (kaw-nah') - to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish:]  We must consider the order of these steps as god breathed.  Thus, humility is very important to the other steps being achieved.  The act of humility before the Lord can touch God’s heart and cause God to turn HIS wrath away from you. (Reference: I Kings 21:27-29)  Humility unleashes the power of forgiveness.  Humility softens the heart and tames the tongue of the righteous.  Humility tenders our hearts and causes us to be patient in trials and tribulation.  Humility is the door Christ used to become our greatest example on submission to the WILL of God. (Reference: Philippians 2:6-8)  God responds to those that are willing to “humble themselves”. (Reference: Isaiah 57:15; 66:2)  The Apostle Peter charges all believers to submit to the will and ways of God as a path to a better day and brighter tomorrow. (Reference: I Peter 5:5-6)

On the contrary, anyone that refuses to “humble themselves” can develop a “hardened heart”.  A hardened heart causes a person to walk in disobedience to God’s will, turn away from God, or contend with God as HIS enemy.

In conclusion, God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. (Reference II Peter 3:9b)  Humility opens the way for us to access God’s divine power to touch, heal and deliver. Humility is a “great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory."

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson
Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Series: Watch and Prayer
Reference Scripture:  Daniel 6:10-13
Focus Verses: Daniel 6:10
 

Today’s Discussion:    “Working from a Clear Conscience”

 

The lesson aim is to encourage believers to stay focused on the mission.  More importantly, all believers must never allow the enemy to plant fear in our hearts to hinder the works of God. (Reference: II Timothy 1:7-10) 

 

As we review this situation we recognize that Daniel’s freedom to pray has been violated. Interestingly, there are some similarities we can see as we work to defend and protect the religious freedoms we enjoy today.  This desperate attempt to destroy Daniel resembles present day initiatives seeking legislative approval to dismantle the church.  Like Daniel the church is under attack.  Christ warned us that we would suffer persecution for “his name sake”. 

 

What was Daniel thinking?  (It appears that Daniel had received a copy of the decree.  That being said Daniel shows no sign of fear, frustration or being overly concerned about the content or consequences of the decree. Daniel could have made other arrangements to pray without violating the decree and save his job.  However, Daniel chose not to compromise his faith or abandon his beliefs to accommodate the king’s law. 

(Reference: Romans 12:2; I Corinthians 15:58; I Peter 5:8-9) Daniel’s enemies had gone beyond getting him fired from his job.  These men wanted Daniel dead.  These men and their evil works validate Peter’s warning to the church. Satan is always searching for a vessel to use against us.  And there’s always somebody out there willing to be used by Satan to destroy us and our work. (Reference: Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6)

How important is prayer in our lives? (The text does not reveal the words of Daniel’s prayer at this point or any time prior to this incident.  However, we can conclude that Daniel was trained to pray specifically and precisely about pressing matters. (Reference: I Kings 8:28-30,38-39,46-51) Daniel prayed continually which lines up with the instructions for the New Testament church. (Reference: Luke 18:1; I Thess. 4:17)

 

Dan 6:10 – “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

 

Verse 11 – “Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”

 

How do we deal with matters that challenge our faith or force us to compromise our spiritual beliefs? (Daniel’s encounter with the enemy from within has become the norm in the workplace, home, community and even the church.  Just as God delivered Joseph, David, Peter, Paul and many others “called according to his purpose”, God will rescue us from our enemies.)

 

In conclusion God will always reveal and expose the enemy’s plot against HIS people.  Prayer keeps the line of communication open to heaven.  Remember, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

Date:   Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Series: Watch and Prayer

Reference Scripture:  I Peter 4:1-7

Focus Verses: I Peter 4:7

Today’s Discussion:    “This Means War”

 

The lesson aim is to warn the church of a silent enemy on the loose.  More importantly, we must sound the alarms to alert all those that have managed to stay clear of worldly behavior to be on the lookout for a sneak attack. (Reference: John 10:10) 

 

Spiritual warfare is a reality that most believers don’t understand.  The Apostle Paul tries to warn the church on how the devil has infiltrated the church; carnal vs. spiritul (Reference: Romans 7:14)  In addition Peter also tries to warn the church of the impending warfare that will arise as we get closer to the “end time”.  Peter reminds the church that Christ is our commanding officer.  And all those that have enlisted in the “army of the Lord” must be willing to follow the commands of our supreme leader if we hope to be victorious over our greatest enemy, ourselves.  Subsequently, Peter’s concerns should remind the church of other scriptural references that were written to expose the enemy’s plot.

 

As we review the text the main theme of this chapter is “being good stewards of God’s grace”.  We must protect that that God has placed in our care. 

 

Verses 1-3 - “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:” – Peter polarizes the church to make a clear distinction between living in the flesh and in the spirit. Peter brings to light the struggles we face as God transform us from the old man into the new man.

 

Verse 4 – “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” - Peter tells of the hardship of trying to maintain friendships with people that are still living und the devil’s grip.  Sometimes it’s hard to let go of family and friends that are bringing you down.  Depending on who’s in your circle of influence, some of our closest friends/family members are our greatest enemies.

 

Verse 5 – “Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.” - Peter asks a very important question of the church.  Those of us that have received grace are now stewards of that grace.  We are also responsible for everything that’s connected to God’s manifold blessings which includes the truth (the gospel of Jesus Christ). (Reference: II Timothy 4:1-5; Romans 12:1-2)

 

Verse 6 – “For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.” – Peter points directly to the purpose of the church. 

 

Verse 7- “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” – Peter shifts the focus from our lives on earth to our eternal reward.  Peter presents a spiritual declaration of independence to empower the saints to maintain an attitude of expectancy that helps provide balance in our lives.”