spiritual knowledge books

MEMORY VERSE: “The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.” – Psalms 22:26

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 5:5-6

INTRODUCTION:

The beatitudes describe the ideal disciple and his rewards, both present and future. Having discovered that the beatitudes are a series of eight blessings spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5, we shall do some exposition on verses 5 and 6 in this study.

LESSON OUTLINES:

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST

1. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

‘Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth’ (Matthew 5:5).

The word ‘meek, from the original Greek language ‘praus’ refers to mildness, gentleness of spirit or humility. It was used to describe ‘reining in a stallion’. It is the idea of a horse being controlled by a bit and bridle. The horse is choosing to submit to authority.

This is meekness. It is power under constraint. “Meekness” is a humble attitude that expresses itself in the patient endurance of offences. Meekness is humility toward God and toward others. In other words, it is having the right or the power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else (Eph. 4:1-2). It is power under control.

Meekness is not weakness. A weak person cannot do anything but a meek person can do something but chooses not to (Prov.16:32; 25:28).

Being too hasty in word and deed are possibly two of the most frequent weaknesses in people. A meek person would consider his actions before he acts hastily (James 1:1 21: 3:13). The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined (Col.3:12; 1Tim. 6:11; Zeph. 2:3), and is exemplified in Christ (Matt.11:29), Abraham Gen.13:8-12: 16:5-6), Moses (Num.12:3), David (Zech. 12:8; 2 Sam. 16:10,12), and Paul (1Cor. 9:19)

Peculiar promises are made to the meek. (Matt. 5:5 Isa 66:5). The humble would receive far greater than the arrogant and prideful. Not only do the meek enjoy more of life on earth because of their ability to be content, but they will possess the earth after Jesus’ return and triumphant entry. The meek are blessed.

2. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled’ (Matt.5:6). An ardent desire for anything is often represented in the Scriptures by hunger and thirst (Ps.42:1). As the body has its natural appetites of hunger and thirst for the food and drink suited to its nourishment, so has the soul (Ps.63:1-2). When the soul be- gins to hunger and thirst after righteousness or holiness, which is its proper food, we know that it must be purified by the Holy Spirit, and be made a partaker of that living bread (John 7:37-32), or perish everlastingly.

A desire for the blessings of pardon and peace; a deep sense of sin, and want, and wretchedness, is also represented by thirsting (Isa.55:1-2). Those who hunger and thirst, after the full salvation of God, will be blessed, satisfied and well-fed.

Those that are lost sinners and strongly desire to be holy shall be filled. Christ has made provision to satisfy all who truly desire to be holy (John.4:14; John.6:35; Ps.17:15).

Those that hunger and thirst after righteousness are blessed.

CONCLUSION:

If you are meek, you will be satisfied with the blessings of God on earth and filled with heavenly blessings.

MEMORY VERSE: “Meditate upon these things: give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” 1Timothy 4:15  BIBLE PASSAGE: 1Timothy 4:6-16 INTRODUCTION Last week, we considered three of the ways by which one can obtain spiritual knowledge. Searching, seeking and studying. Apart from obtaining spiritual knowledge, we also learnt that studying the word of God leads to divine approval, holy living and learning from the mistakes of others. However, some mysteries of God cannot be known through mere searching, seeking or studying. In today’s lesson, we shall learn other ways of deepening our spiritual knowledge. OUTLINES 1. MEDITATION 2. WAITING ON THE LORD 1. MEDITATION Meditation is deeper than studying. Meditating on the word involves ‘eating’, ‘chewing’ and ‘regurgitating’ the word, so that it becomes part and parcel of our spirit and life. This is what God Himself recommended to Joshua in Jos.1:8. It is a sure way of being blessed by God Ps.1:1-3. Meditation takes time but then all good things take time and the sweetness which comes from meditating on the word of God compensates more for the time spent Ps. 104:34. One of the best times to meditate on the word is at night, Ps 63:6. Meditate on the works of God Ps. 8: 3-4 and the lessons that nature teaches us Matt.6:28-29. You begin to get a glimpse of the mystery of the new birth as you realise how mighty the King of kings is and how nothing shall be impossible unto Him. Meditate on the sufferings of Christ Heb. 12:3 and you may stop asking questions of the mystery of the Bride of Christ and just march on, being grateful that you are a part of it. Meditate on the end-of-life Deut. 32:7 and you will be grateful that when you enter you will be with Jesus Christ. 2. WAITING ON THE LORD Not all truths can be discovered by searching, seeking, or meditating on scriptures alone, some mysteries are revealed in God’s timeEccl.3:11. However, what you cannot obtain by searching or seeking you can get by simply waiting on the Lord in isolation accompanied sometimes with fasting Isa. 40:28-31. Seeking and searching may be tiresome. Waiting is refreshing and renewing. Moreover, the Lord promises to teach those who wait on Him Ps. 25:5. Even if you do not deserve the information, He will give it to you out of His abundant mercy Ps. 123:2. Therefore, learn to wait on the Lord and as you wait on Him, do so with the expectation of learning something mysterious, something deep, and something beneficial. He will not disappoint an expectant waiter Ps. 62: 5-6. CONCLUSION A combination of waiting on the Lord and meditating on His Word while you wait will surely open many locked spiritual doors and usher you into the secret rooms of spiritual knowledge Isa. 8:17. The ways of the Lord are marvelous, yet simple.

MEMORY VERSE: “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by the reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” Hebrews 5:14 BIBLE PASSAGE: Hebrews 5:12-6:2 INTRODUCTION Every healthy Christian who is developing in their walk with God will soon reach a stage when they are no longer satisfied with basics but needs more spiritual knowledge. This is important to our Christian journey if we are to continue to mature in our faith and fulfil the ordained purpose of God for our existence. LESSON OUTLINES 1. HUNGER FOR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE  2. PREREQUISITES FOR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE 1. HUNGER FOR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE Children love milk and the Bible encourages ‘newborn babes’ in the faith to desire the sincere ‘milk of the Word’ to grow 1 Pet.2:2. However, no healthy adult would like to exist merely on milk alone Heb. 5:13. As we increase in our knowledge of God’s word and will, we realise that there is much more to be learnt. The Bible refers to mysteries which are hidden knowledge, wisdom, understanding and certain things Col. 2:2-3; 1 Cor.2:7. The Christian is born again experience is a mysterious process no one can fully explain Jn.3:8. Next to the mystery of the new birth is the mystery of the Bride of Christ Eph. 5:32. How many people make a Bride? How does one head function as a husband to a body of many parts? Then there is the mystery of the Gospel Eph.6:19; the mystery of godliness 1 Tim. 3:16, the mystery of the kingdom of God Mk.4:11 and the mystery of future life 1 Cor. 15:51. Why do we have all these mysteries? What are they? Why are they hidden? These are some of the reasons to hunger for deeper spiritual knowledge in Christ. 2. PREREQUISITES FOR SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE Anyone who wants to know the mysteries of God must satisfy certain conditions Rev. 10:7. To know the mysteries of God, you must know Jesus Christ and be known by Him Hos. 6:3; Phil.3:10, Jn. 10:14. No one would reveal their deepest secret to a total stranger or mere acquaintance. The more we grow our intimate relationship with Christ, the more our knowledge of spiritual things will grow 2 Pet. 3:18. Christ will become our source of spiritual wisdom 1 Cor.1:30, every mystery of God is hidden in Christ Col. 1:17, 19. To know Christ fully is to know all there is to know. The second prerequisite for spiritual knowledge is to fully always commit to do God’s will Rom.12:2; Eph.6:6; 1 Jn.2:17. The more you do His will, the more of Himself He will reveal, because doing His will implies that you love Him Jn. 14:15. Absolute surrender is a third prerequisite for those who want to know the mysteries of God Phil. 3:7-10. No one can truly do the will of the Lord if they are not willing to surrender all. Furthermore, unquenchable, and insatiable thirst, hunger, desire, passion and yearning to know Him more than anything is another prerequisite Matt. 5:6; Jer. 29:13; Prov. 25:2. Few people have exemplified their desire to pursue the knowledge of God like Paul the Apostle Phil 3:7-10 Finally, if one possesses deep spiritual knowledge, they will become meek Jam.3:13, having discovered their own gross insignificance in the light of the vast schemes of God. They will become more like Christ in humility daily Eph.4: 13. The more you know of Christ the easier it will be for you to stop glorifying yourself and start glorifying Jesus Christ. CONCLUSION To know Jesus Christ is to know the Truth, the Way, and the Life Jn. 146. To know Jesus is to know all.