Pattern of Good Works
- OCASSION: Prepared for Abingdon Virginia Youth Camp
- How many love your Pastor?
- How many understood the message least night? (Let God have His way in you and your experience with God will silence the critics.)
Standards: A Pattern of Good Works
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Ultimately, Christ is the Pattern
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
What was the Pattern he left us?
- Humility & Meekness (came as a baby in the manger)
- Simplicity ( Mt 8:20 foxes,birds...the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.)
- Full Surrender (Gethsemane, not my will but thine)
The Work of Building Up the Church was only beginning when Christ ascended
John 16:13-14 —Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Titus 2:11,12 11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
**Titus 2:14 **Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
The Holy Ghost works through the Word
(preached, read, memorized, revealed, etc.)
The Holy Ghost Works Through People
1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Standards (Church, Camp, etc.)
Reasons for the Pattern (shewing thyself a pattern)
Usually standards are discussed in the following way, "If you wear ear rings you are going to hell."
Your testimony for Christ is Being Watched
Sinners are Watching (not just for the preacher, just started with Titus)
Christians are Watching
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Somethings Act as a Stumbling Block for Someone Else
God is Watching
Bring honor to our father. In his likeness!
Camp Rules Explained
What good are the camp rules as for the most part, we abide them for a week and then go home leaving off the better part of them.
You are being shown a pattern, an example.
- them by example how they ought to live.
- thyself a pattern
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- Girls must wear skirts or dresses below the knee even while sitting, and shirts have sleeves, no low cut or tight clothing allowed.
- Boys must wear pants and shirts with sleeves.
- Campers are asked not to bring any makeup, jewelry, electronics, cell phones or other valuables.
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What are the reasons. Is the pattern worth continuing after camp? You are being shown a pattern
Fleeing Lust
2Ti 2:22 ¶ Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Culture undervalues your body. When to God, it is the TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST.
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
We live in a time of great rebellion against God's design:
De 22:5 ¶ The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Ge 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Distractions: "No Cell Phones, Electronics"
How could I possibly continue this pattern?
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It is my idol, I can at anytime for the pursuit of the presence of God lay aside without attachment. Easy Surrender.
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Learn to take periods of complete detachment and complete focus on spiritual things.
The Liberty of a Sanctified Life
Freeing Strongholds/Harbors for Sin
Pride is a tricky thing and is harbored by many things. And those things are not universal. What might be cause by pride in one, might be the result of insecurity in another.
Biblical Selfworth, value. Respect for your person.
Something in itself may not be a sin, but is it an in route to my spirit to sow seeds for sin? How is it effecting my spiritual walk.
The work of the devil hides behind many pretenses: fun, entertainment (the play with BS, walked out, parents wonder about his behavior.).
Freeing Distractions
Spiritual Emphasis - Not Self Emphasis - Right Focus
Freeing Weights
Heb 12:1 ¶ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
- A weight slows you down
- A weight can make the difference if you will FINISH the race or not. (Stirred to run the WHOLE RACE.
- The word rendered weight --ogkon-- means that which is crooked or hooked
- Careful not to encumber themselves with anything that would be weighty--clothing didn't get in the way, no extras, careful with food and body weight, etc.
- "... it is fair to apply it to whatever would be an impediment in our efforts to win the crown of life."--ACC
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It is not the same thing in all persons:
- pride
- vanity
- worldliness
- violent and almost ungovernable temper
- corrupt imagination
- a heavy, leaden, insensible heart
- some improper and unholy attachment.
- Unhealthy Curiosity
- Anti-Christ Entertainment