We focus on the chains but if we focused on the growth, the growth breaks the chains.
• Flesh vs. spirit= gravity vs. lift.
• Inherit the kingdom= Breathe/swallow
• Pruning= forming Bible based beliefs.
• Abiding= strengthening Bible based beliefs.
• Identify, quench, capture.
• Each thought has Life or Death Attached to It
The fuel source for a thought is attention, the lifespan of a thought is determined by how much attention it receives.
The strength of a thought either increases or decreases depending on how much attention that thought is
Restoration
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1 NKJV
A truly spiritual person is not a judgmental person, they are a discerning person.
Many Christians have found themselves stuck in something they know is wrong, but they don’t know how to get out of it.
What they need is someone who is spiritual enough to perceive their need and concerned enough to show them, not so much where they missed the mark, but how to get back on track.
Greek: overtaken = prolambanō the idea is prepared before hand ie. Fallen into a trap. (Land mines)
The Greek word for trespass is paraptōma meaning sideslip. (You slipped up)
The Greek word for “restore” in this verse means “to reset a dislocated bone.” Notice that the bone is not broken, but dislocated.
• relationship with God isn’t broken, it just isn’t working properly
• It will create pain (conscience) and if unattended will result in long term injury
• It will create pain in the body of Christ as a whole.
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
I Corinthians 12:26-27 NKJV
• We who are spiritual are to restore that person to the place of full usage in the body of Christ. Legalism puts him out of place. Love restores him.
• The whole teaching of the word lays the stress not on punishment but on cure; the correction is thought of not as a penalty but a prescription for the cure.
• The Churches job is to redeem from debt. Not to foreclose.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”
I Peter 3:15 NKJV
Meekness
Strong’s Definitions: †πρᾳότης praiótēs, prah-ot’-ace; from G4235; gentleness, by implication, humility:—meekness
“In Greek a war horse who once was wild but has become obedient to the bit and bridle. Now herein lies the secret to the meaning in meekness, there is a gentleness in meekness but behind the gentleness there is the strength of steel, for the supreme characteristic of the person who is meek is that they are a person under perfect control… it would be wrong to say self control but god controlled..” – Barclays Wild = instinct driven.
1. I take my NEED from the hand of God. I don’t have to fend for myself.
2. I take me LEAD from the hand of God.
It is strength under control, it’s choosing your own response rather than reacting
“Not needing to force our way in life (or prove yourself)”
- Understanding not demanding (1 Peter 3:4/3:7 look at how meek and quiet means not trying to force your way and quiet means not a squeaky wheel. “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
- Gracious not judgmental
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1 NKJV
- Tender without surrender (velvet covered brick)
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,”
II Timothy 2:24-25 NKJV
- Teachable not unreachable
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
James 1:19-21 NKJV
- Be an actor not a reactor, respond from who you are not to what is happening.
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:17-18 NKJV
- Respect don’t reject
1 Peter 3:15
I don’t have to prove myself, prove that I’m right, prove that your wrong.
How?
If you believe what they believe how would you act? You can respect someone living by their faith.
Lest you also be tempted.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
I Timothy 4:1-3 NKJV