Masterbuilders - Challenging Thougths

You have heard the expression, “Putting the cart before the horse.” Jesus said in John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” What kind of fruit are we bearing if our “doing” excludes “abiding?”

Psalm 91:1-2

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Abiding = depending on the Lord

Doing without abiding = self-sufficiency

Fear drives character toward ungodly pragmatism (results over what is right). When individuals act out of fear rather than trusting God, they bypass biblical truth to “make things work” on their own terms.

Psalm 118:6, 8

6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? 8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Correct biblical doctrine really does matter. Remember this song from your childhood years? It still applies today no matter how old you are.

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Oh be careful little ears what you hear

Oh be careful little feet where you go

Oh be careful little tongue what you say

Oh be careful little mind what you think

For the Father up above is looking down in love

So be careful little eyes what you see.

Romans 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Do you know the story of Jonah and the whale well enough to tell it? Here’s an interesting question. Was Jonah dead or alive in the belly of the whale? I am not going to give you the answer. Read the words of Jonah and Jesus for yourself.

Hint: study Jonah 2:3-6 & Matthew 12:40

How would you describe worship that honors the Lord?

Can there truly be corporate worship without individual worship?

Do we "worship" concerned about how God feels or are we more concerned about how "worship" makes me feel?

We live our lives unto ourselves, and we come to church to “worship?” We want to be motived by the words that we hear to stir our hearts toward worship. We want the music and the lyrics to make us feel like God is here with us. We want to walk out of the service feeling good that we have worshipped God. We walked in with hearts not longing for the Lord, and we walk out of church the same way. Voddie Bacham stated it this way, “So much of Christianity is counterfeit today. It is based on feelings and self. People are not worshipping God, they are worshipping the feelings they have about God.” Christians today are content with the “worship” experience created for them. It is not true worship because they are not worshipping God in their daily lives.

What do you think?

I have written an article "Worship That Honors the Lord." You can find it on my website https://www.thewisemasterbuilders.com/lessons to learn more.

Have you noticed that there has been an increased interest in “faith” and “spirituality” recently? If if someone says they are “spiritual” and a person of “faith,” take the opportunity to lovingly inquire about who or what is the object of their faith. Don’t assume the person possesses the truth about who is Truth and the only way to salvation. If someone is willing to express they are a person of “faith,” take the opportunity to engage them in conversation. It seems to me that if their “faith” is real to them, they should be willing to talk about it. Find out if Jesus is the One in whom their faith is grounded. If He is not, you will have a wonderful opportunity to introduce them to the only One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (The Gospel)

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Do you want to worship the Lord on Sunday from a genuine heart of love and adoration for who God is and what is has done? Yes!? Go to church with your heart prepared to “hear” from Him.

How do you do that?

First, before you leave church every Sunday, do the best you can to find out what your Pastor and Sunday school teacher are going to preach/teach the following Sunday. If they can’t tell you at the time, ask them to email it to you when they can. In between Sundays, study the passages and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the scripture to you and begin to make application. Then, when you hear it taught from the Pastor and teacher you will be more engaged with the lesson and will be more attentive to how the Holy Spirit will lead you. Also, if after studying the passages on your own, you have questions, you can ask them, if possible, during the church time.

Second, spend some time before the Lord in prayer each Sunday morning to make sure all is well with your relationship with Him. Spend some time thanking Him for His presence in your life over the past week. When you pray, thank Him for one of His attributes (Who He is) and pair it with an associated blessing (What He has done). For example, “Thank your for this food. You are a loving God who keeps his promises to meet our needs.”

Third, focus only on the Lord from the moment you wake up Sunday morning. Don’t listen to the news. Don’t read any materials or listen to any music, etc. that does not focus your mind on the Lord. Start singing some spiritual songs in your heart (or out loud) before you get to church. Imagine leading your family in singing in the car while you are driving to church or listening to a bible lesson on the way to church!

Fourth, participate actively in every aspect of the Sunday school class and church service. Sing! Serve. Give. Ask questions. Give a testimony. Listen intently. Respond appropriately and with conviction. Find someone to edify and encourage. Remember and apply what you heard.

I guarantee that these practices will help you to understand the heart of worship as you elevate and prioritize the focus of your worship on our precious Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. This is worship that honors the Lord.

A.B. Simpson’s book “Wholly Sanctified” should be studied and applied by every Christian. It will help you become the Romans 12:1, 2 Christian God desires us to be.

The following are a couple of quotes.

“Happy they who, before they unite their hearts to any objects, first learn the mind and will of God, and thus save themselves from a broken heart. It is not necessary that we should be torn from everything we love if we first learn the mind and will of God.”

“Let Christ be the Master of your heart and its chief object of affection and delight, and He fills that heart and adjusts all its chords to harmony and happiness, and into every relationship of life so infuse His own Spirit that we will be enabled to adjust ourselves to all our mingled and manifold situations and relationships, and everyone be a link with Him and a channel of holy service and blessing.”

I like to read books and listen to bible teaching that challenges my thinking and encourages me towards greater maturity and Christlikeness. How about you?

You can download the pdf files for each chapter or the entire book from my website by clicking on the picture of the book: https://www.thewisemasterbuilders.com/books.

Have you ever studied the word “first” in the bible? The “principle of the first” taught throughout scripture teaches us that God should always have the preeminence in our lives. This sacrificial life Paul teaches in Romans 12:1, 2 always requires faith and trust in God. It is the only lifestyle that is acceptable to the Lord.

You can see this demonstrated beginning in the garden of Eden with Cain and Abel. Did you ever wonder why God accepted Abel’s offering and not Cain’s? Let’s look at the passage in Genesis.

Genesis 4:3-7

3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Abel’s offering was accepted because he brought the first born of his flocks.

Cain’s offering was rejected because he did not bring the first fruits of his harvest.

When did Cain bring his offering?

In the process of time… just whenever Cain wanted to. He did not bring the first of his harvest and the Lord did not accept Cain or his offering. Cain gave what he wanted, when he wanted, or however he felt led. When Cain did not bring a first fruits offering, God said, "I can't accept that."

Can you imagine giving God your leftovers? He's not going to accept it.

The principle of the first means God always has preeminence in our lives.

If you would like to learn more about this biblical lifestyle read my lesson “The Principle of the First” from my website https://www.thewisemasterbuilders.com/lessons. You can feel free to download and use it.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

When was the last time you prayed that God would perfect His holiness in you? The moment we accept God’s gift of salvation through faith alone in what Jesus did for us, we are holy, a new creation, set apart to the Lord. Although holy at the moment of salvation, we are not mature in Christ. God says in His word that we can mature and imitate Him.

Leviticus 20:7

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

1 Peter 1:15-16

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Are we seeking holiness/maturity?

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

“Holiness is the key to sensing God’s presence.

Holiness is obedience born of gratitude.

We miss this because we are willing to give the Lord mental assent but are not willing to give Him all of our heart (mind, emotions, will). We are not willing to humble ourselves, resisting giving our whole selves to Him.” - Nate Salas

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