Acknowledgments L
iving Logos was the heart-work of Bro Dale Starks and Sis Josephine Starks, missionaries to Singapore in the early 1980s. As the original authors of this devotionals, the Starks meant for these self-study materials to help new converts (and matured saints alike) get a hold of an understanding of God’s written Word. Since Sis Stark’s passing in 2013, the couple had graciously entrusted Tabernacle of Joy with its copyright. Therefore, with every print run, we would like to honour their life work and sacrifice in bringing the gospel to Singapore. This copy is an updated and revised version. Be blessed as you immerse yourself in the Word and allow God to transform you into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
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Spiritual Growth 1
SPIRITUAL GROWTH 1
Lesson
Twenty-Four
THE MAKING OF A MAN OF GOD I ”Go then, and make disciples of all nations...” — matthew 28:29, amPlIfIed BIBle For we are God’s own handiwork, his workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew, that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live — ePhesIans 2:10, amPlIfIed BIBle . . . that we might arrive at really mature manhood—the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection—the measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ, and the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children, tossed like ships to and fro... let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him, Who is the Head, even Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One — ePhesIans 4:13-15, amPlIfIed BIBle
What does it mean to be “perfect”? If one is sinless, is he then perfect? Was Jesus born sinless? Was He born perfect? These are the questions we will now take a look at. The Bible teaches us that we should strive to be perfect: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect — Matthew 5:48 Till we all come... unto a perfect man — ePhesIans 4:13 . . . that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus — ColossIans 1:28 . . . labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand
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perfect and complete in all the will of God. — ColossIan 4:12 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect: throughly furnished unto all good works — II tImothy 3:16, 17
The word that was translated “perfect” in our King James Bible came from the Greek word “telelotes,” which means “complete in various applicatons of labor, growth, mental and moral character, completeness, of full age, mature, perfect.”
JESUS WAS BORN SINLESS, BUT NOT PERFECT And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man — luke 2:52 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings — heBrews 2:10 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him — heBrews 5:8-9 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted — heBrews 2:18 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin — heBrews 4:15
From the preceding verses of Scripture, we can see that: 1. Jesus Christ was not born perfect. He was made perfect. That is, Jesus Christ, though sinless, was not complete and perfected in every area of His character. In fact, He could not even become the author of our salvation until He learned obedience and submission. (The word “obedience” comes from the Greek word “hupakoe” and means compliance or submission).
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2. He became the author of salvation after He was perfected. 3. He is able to help to those who are tempted because He was tempted in all points like as we are. 4. He has the ability to feel compassion for us as we combat our weaknesses because of His own personal temptations that He faced.
HOW DO WE BECOME A PERFECTED OR MATURE CHRISTIAN? 1. God has given the five-fold ministry (pastors, evangelists, prophets, apostles, teachers) for “the perfecting and full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), that they should do the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body the church... that we might arrive at really mature manhood—the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection... the completeness found in Him” (Ephesians 4:11-13, Amplified Bible). In these verses of Scripture we see the importance of our spiritual leaders, and the Word of God, in bringing us to spiritual maturity. 2. Our fellowship with the saints of God, and our ministering to one another is also important: How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying (building up) — I CorInthIans 14:26
3. Nevertheless, the spiritual blessings we receive from God, and the beautiful fellowship we have with one another are not enough to mature us. In many areas of our lives, we could never fully develop the Christlike character without those beautiful things called trials, tribulations, temptations, persecutions, etc., in other words—life’s experiences. This is also a part of God’s plan. When you are going through some particular kind of struggle, don’t fight it. It is God’s plan for you for the present: For it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you, energizing and creating in you the power and desire, both to will and to work for His good pleasure — PhIlIPPIans 2:13, amPlIfIed BIBle
We are God’s handiwork, His creation. God is at work in our lives, perfecting
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and completing us, so that we ought to accept all that comes our way as a part of His divine will and His work — romans 8:28-29; II CorInthIans 3:18
What, then, should be our attitude towards these things we consider negative factors (persecutions, tribulations, temptations)? Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character—that is, approved faith and tried integrity. And character of this sort produces the habit of joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation — Romans 5:3-4, Amplified Bible Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong — II CorInthIans 12:10 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting (lacking) nothing — James 1:2-4
VOCABULARY
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exult
—
lively, triumphant, rejoice exceedingly kindness, charitable act or gift
compliance
—
conformance, obedience, submission
integrity
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honesty, decency, honor
persecutions
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harassments, oppressions
temptations
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lures, snares
trials
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testings
tribulations
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hardships, difficulties, necessities
Lesson Twenty-Four Test Spirtual Growth 1
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The command to the church is to make ______________ of all nations.
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We are God’s own __________________________, His ____________ ____________________.
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Was Jesus born perfect, or made perfect?
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Was He born sinless?
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Give the definition of the word “perfect” as used in the New Testament, which comes from the Greek word “telelotes.”
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Jesus learned obedience (submission) by the things which He ________________.
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He became the ____________ of _________________ after He was perfected.
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In the Bible we can see the importance of our spiritual ____________ and __________________ in bringing us to spiritual maturity.
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Our fellowship with _____________ and our ____________________ to one another is also important.
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We also need those beautiful things (that we don’t like) called ________________, ________________, ________________, and ________________ to help us develop Christ-like character.
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These can be referred to as ________________ experiences.
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Give the definition of the word “persecutions.” __________________________________________________________
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Give the definition of the word “tribulations.” __________________________________________________________
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Give the definition of the word “trials.” __________________________________________________________
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Give the definition of the word “temptations.” __________________________________________________________
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God is at work in our lives, ___________________ and ________________________ us.
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We are to ___________ and ___________ in our troubles, and rejoice in our ____________________.
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Where in the Bible did Paul said, “. . . when I am weak, then am I strong.” ____________________________________________
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“My brethren, count it all ________ when ye fall into divers temptations...”.
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What did you find of special interest in this lesson?
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