GOALS FOR TO LIVE IS CHRIST Paul was a student. He loved the classroom. He thrived in the classroom. He had a teachable heart. Even when he became a teacher, he remained a student. Christ considered the teaching process to be a priority. Matthew 4:18; 5:1-2; Acts 1:1-2 A. Christ chooses His disciples. B. Christ takes them on to a place where He teaches them. C. Christ finishes that ministry by giving teaching and instructions. Christ absolute priority with the lost was that they be saved; but once people were saved, His priority was that they be taught. His foremost priority for us is to be teachable; to be students; all of our entire lives to lend our hearts and minds to the teaching process. He draws us on to a place where we will continue to grow and learn. Deuteronomy 4:10; Job 34:4; Proverbs 19:25; Acts 24:8; Psalm 27:11, 51:6; Luke 11:1; Hebrews 5:8; Philippians 4:11-12; Matthew 11:28-29 – the learning process. Potential Learning Disabilities in the Christian Classroom: 1. Spiritual Attention Deficit Disorder: This term applies to the person who has trouble paying attention for very long (Nehemiah 9:30-31; Isaiah 42:20-22). Nehemiah 9:30-31 – Sometimes we pay no attention to God, but yet, in His mercy He continues to work with us. Isaiah 42:20-22 – When we are in a crisis we start paying attention to God, because we are looking for rescue. As soon as the crisis is over, our minds are on something else. That is “Spiritual Attention Deficit.” Not another thought of God until the next crisis comes. God is into restoration more than He is rescue. What God wants to accomplish after the crisis is over is absolutely crucial to us. He has a continuing work after that crisis is over. Paul was not a crisis-oriented Christian. Paul took God up on the dailyness of Christ. That is where we know Him; where come to really get into an intimate relationship with Him. 2. Spiritual Hyperactivity: When we cant be still (Psalm 46:10-11). Charles Spurgeon translated these words this way “Hold thee still.” When we just sit down and be still, we will see the Father come and reveal Himself to us. The Hebrew meaning of the word “still” is let down the hands. It means to “cease striving.” In the midst of panic, drop your hands, cease striving, sit down, be still, and He will be right there. He will do it every time. 3. Spiritual Dyslexia: This disorder is present when we have a tendency to keep getting things turned upside down or turned around, such as when we think we are in charge (Isaiah 29:16-17; 64:8, Job 38:2-13, 16-21). Isaiah 29:16-17; 64:8 – The most wonderful thing we can do for ourselves is see that He is the potter and we are the clay; and His way is the perfect way. When we follow the will of God and submit to His authority, we will not get into trouble. His way is the way. Job 38:2-13; 16-21 – If God created the heavens and the earth, He knows what to do with your precious life. He has plans for us far beyond anything our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, or our mind could possibly conceive. He has a very personalized plan for each one of us. 4. Vision Impairment: When we only see whats closest to us (Proverbs 29:18; Matthew 28:18-20). Proverbs 29:18 – This disability challenges us when we lack the vision God has, and the agenda He is working on our planet in this generation. Matthew 28:18-20 – We are connected very personally with what God is doing on the other side of the world. What believers are called to do in other nations are part of us. We have been called to this particular generation from God’s plan before the ages. The apostle Paul was the first missionary. 5. Hearing Impairment: (Isaiah 50:4-5). Isaiah 50:4-5 – At that moment we awaken in the morning, God has something awesome to say to us, but how often do we wait till the afternoon before we begin to think about Him at all; and maybe not for a couple of days. Morning by morning He wakes us to hear from Him. The fresh Word is the fresh work in our lives. We need to listen to God to be equipped to give a word to the weary, to be able to hear Him, to be able to see Him, to be able to grasp His vision for this world, to learn to be still, to learn to pay attention, to learn that He is the potter and we are the clay. When I have a word for you and you turn your back, I call that rebellion. We have to adopt the goal and be teachable; to become a student and pray that God would make us student-teachers, still learning, yet equipped to teach; in one way or another, to become disciplers of men and women.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 15:28:55 +0000