Humility-A Biblical Study and Proposed Action of Humility........Part 7 of 7

Note: This part is part 7, which was the last posting of this study on humility. There are a total of 7 parts in the study. To start at the beginning, you will need to start with part 1 and continue forward. Part 1 was posted with the March 2007 postings. I encourage you to take the time to study this important subject in its entirety starting with part 1 and continuing through part 7. I know the Lord will bless you for it.

To go to the beginning - click here.
Part 7 Phase 4: Sharing Love and Helping Others

Phase IV

A time of sharing vision and helping others to their vision. 

●       This is a time for sharing our vision and helping each other fulfill their vision from God. 

●       It is a time of reaching out in the local church and also beyound the local church.  Encouraging each other and other churches to follow the pattern of

   

Is 58 is a good place to start.

●       It is a time of churches working together.

●       It is a time of reaching out to those in need, both physically and spiritually.

●       It is a time of action putting the love for Christ into action-Our First Love for Christ in action.

●       It is a time of joining hearts together in prayer, in unity.

As we enter Phase IV in addition to sharing of vision and helping, it is also a time to celebrate and rejoice for God has done great things.  At the same time we press forward to show the Love of Christ to others and share what He has done for us!  A group of churches took time to pray and humble themselves, then sought the Lord for a way to show his love.  This took place in Cleveland, Ohio.  They worked with the community and helped paint homes and other things needed in neighborhoods.  In the process they had opportunity to share their love for Christ.  The result was seeing people come to Christ because of that love.  That is cause for celebration. Celebrations should focus on encouragement of people who are reaching out and the celebration should also have times of prayers of encouragement too.  We also should celebrate a harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God.

Warning:  Many celebrations have become funds appeals.  If we find that happening, consider going through the steps of humility again, and listening to the Lord to see if there is a block preventing the funds.  God said he would provide.  See Philippians 4:19.

Bibliography:

American Standard Version, Oak Harbor, WA:  Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.

Anderson, Neil T, Bondage Breaker, Harvest House Publishers, 2000

Darby, John Nelson.  Darby Translation of the New Testament, The Ages Digital   Library,  Version 8, 2000.

Edwards, Jonathan, Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival of Religion in New   England  (1742), Part IV, Section I, the first paragraph

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Cedar Rapids:  Parsons Technology, Inc., 2000. 

Keyton, Dr. 'The Quadrilogy of Jesus Suffering, Stripes, Nails, Thorns, and the Blood       that Flowed for Us' published by Black Forest Press, San Diego, California, Sept           2002. 

King James Version, Oak Harbor: WA:  Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996.

Murray, Andrew.   Humility.   Bethany House Publishers, 2001.

New Jerusalem Bible, New York:  Doubleday Publishers, 1985.

Quick, Dr Kenneth,  "Healing the Heart of Your Church", Church Smart 2003.

Revised Standard Version, Cedar Rapids:  Parsons Technology, Inc., 1971.

Shuey, John, Kingdom Quest Ministries, Camp Hill, PA

Simple English Bible, New Testament, International Bible Translators, 1981.

Young, Robert.  Young’s Literal Translation, Oak Harbor:  Logos Research Systems,        Inc., 1997. 

Webster’s Bible, BibleDataBase, 2002.

Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged,         Merrian Webster, 1993

Weymouth’s New Testament in Modern Speech, The Ages Digital Library, Version 8,       2000.

Humility-A Biblical Study and Proposed Action of Humility
copyright 2004
Lewis Turner

Humility-A Biblical Study and Proposed Action of Humility........Part 6 of 7

Part 6 Phase 3: Building Up

The actual time for following Phase II may be a weekend or several weeks or several months. It is important that all these phases not be rushed.

In studying this paper on Humility - take time to look up all the scripture. God's word brings life and humility leads us to God's word.If you want to go to the beginning of this study, click here.

Phase III is an important phase in the process of humility. It is in this phase that Godly building up occurs, pointing one to the ways of Christ, helping you with your relationship to Christ, listening to Him, prayer, and helping you show God's love in accordance with the word of God.

Phase III

After taking steps to remove hindrances and sin, we need to get the Word of God in our hearts, so we can establish godly patterns of living in our lives and relationships.  Phase III focuses on developing new patterns of godly living to replace areas that were turned from and renounced in Phase II.  We want our hearts filled with the fulness and love of God, so we can develop as God wants us to.  As our hearts are filled with the fulness and Love of God, we should also grow in our relationship with others.  This growth comes from obedience to God’s Word.

Areas we need to be encouraged in are:

●       Forgiveness

●       Building up each other

●       Listening to each other

●       Prayer

●       Learning to hear from God, and how to validate with scripture that what we are hearing is from God

●       Our position in Christianity

●       Worship

●       Commitment to obedience

●       Learning to pray together

●       Learning to understand other's love language

Also, in this phase, we will be exercising another aspect of 'waiting on the Lord', which should help us in studying the scriptures and establishing us in the Word of God. Study of the scriptures involves topical scripture studies and general scripture studies.  The Bible is God’s Word, and His Word directs and instructs us.  A thorough study of a subject will show God's thoughts on it, e.g. a study on Isaiah 58 and related scriptures about the poor. 

Is 58 is a good place to start, as it shows what we should be doing out of love for God.  When studying this topic, look for what promise God gives about being our rear guard to those who help the poor?  It is found in Isaiah 58.  Would this help keep pride from developing?  Pride has been the downfall of many.  Think about it.

Waiting also involves listening.  God will speak directly to us if we let Him.  He also speaks through others, but we do not always receive it.  We must learn to discern when God is really speaking, and then listen to what God is saying.  Too often we think purely analytically, which focuses on self rationalization.  It is an adjustment to let the Holy Spirit speak to us and guide us if we have not learned to listen.

Along with waiting on the Lord, this is a time of learning more about prayer.  Prayer involves communication with the Lord.  From my experience, praying from the heart  has been the most effective form of praying.  As we wait on the Lord, we are also leaning to tune our hearts to the Lord.  This is a good time to learn how to pray from the heart, and praying for each other in line with the scripture.

Note:  Pastor, specific scriptures have not been listed in this phase.  Areas needing training are listed.  This is an excellent opportunity for the Lord to encourage you to reach out to your congregation during this tender time.  As you do, you should see solid growth in their Christian walk and love for Christ. 

At the end of Phase III, there should be a communion and sharing time.

To go to the final part of this study - click here.