Edify: Handling Temptations

As we prepare for the most important meeting in the year, it would be wise of us to adequately prepare. Preparation is our response to God's call for a meeting. When God wants to transform a believer, He comes with his glory. The measure of your preparation has to be proportionate to the One you want to meet. Things we can note from spiritual things is that: God works through systems both in the natural and supernatural.Spiritual things can be understood.Spiritual things are not random.Revelation influences participation.Spiritual practices have biblical purpose.Spiritual maturity involves discernment.

Temptation isn’t sin, but if you don’t know how it works, it can quietly undo everything you’re building with God.Through James 1:12–15, we look at what temptation really is, where it comes from, and how believers can live in victory over it.Temptation is an invitation, not a sin. Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).We are given seven practical steps to overcome temptation:1. Know your identity in Christ.2. ⁠Know your enemy and stay watchful3. ⁠Set your mind on the things of the Spirit.4. ⁠Train yourself in self-control.5. ⁠Don’t fight alone. Find accountability.6. ⁠Flee immorality and walk in the Word daily.7. ⁠Stand on God’s promise of a way of escape.

Worship goes beyond singing. The ultimate proof of worship is a life placed on the altar of consecration.Here are four points that teach us about worship:1. Worship humbles the man and glorifies God.2. We can approach God but only through Christ Jesus. 3. Our songs constitute an important part of our worship.4. There’s a dimension of worship that’s not isolated but congregational.

In building with God, a Christian character, the fruits we bear rank high with God. One might not be truly saved if the evidence of their salvation is not evident in their relationship with others.The greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself.Your character and the things you say are the true representation of who you are.

In the previous teachings, we have learnt that it matters what we use to build in our walk with God. In this sermon, we learn about the Word of God as a method of building. God did not design the believer to live outside the Word. The Word of God is foundational of everything we believe, and how we sustain ourselves in the faith. The more of the Word we take in, the more we grow.

We often think that our priorities are the things we say they are. But the things that reveal our priorities are our time, our money, our focus and attention.When it comes to how we are expected to follow through with our devotion, two lessons we can learn from the creation story include:Priority: The only thing created after man was the sabbath.Systems: God created plants and put the seeds in them to reproduce, so that He does not  have to create another plant every single time.Practical steps are shared on how to build a daily devotional life including:Set a time and start small.Pray heartfelt prayers.Focus.Build an environment that provokes you.Get a prayer partner/group.

The love of God is at the epicenter of theology. Therefore, loving God requires that we serve Him His way.One may think that they know how to love God, but realistically they may not. We are introduced to attributes of God which help us to know and understand the person of God better, so that we can love Him better- immutability and holiness. Jesus showed us the perfect example to follow in our  relationship with God, by calling Him, “Father”.The following are ways that explain how God wants to be loved:The way a son loves his father.The way a bride loves her husband.The way a subject loves his king.The way a sheep follows its shepherd.

In this new series, we learn how to build a walk with God. We learn that belief in what Christ did is the foundation for building a relationship.In the process of building just like a physical building, the material you use is important and you must take good care of that building. In building, you are not building alone- God is building with you. This process is sanctification, which is the automatic, guaranteed, continuation of the same salvation that was started in you.

God wants you to prosper but not at the expense of your soul. The only way a soul will prosper is that it would not be lost.A successful life is not just having much more money than the next person but by how much of that is connected to the prospering of your soul.The actions you take everyday are either to the gaining of your soul or the losing of it. And there is one way you can preserve your soul which is seen in Matthew 6:33.

The life of a believer while on earth, is bounded by the time factor. We are in this world as ambassadors and there is an assignment to fulfil. This means that our origin is of a different kingdom, the kingdom of God. And our loyalty is to Him and Him alone.Our career, academic ventures and relationships must all align with the vision and mission of God, which is that all men come to the knowledge of the truth of God’s word.It is important that we travel light on this pilgrim’s journey. We must put off weights that slow us down, and focus only on the burden that Christ has given us.