JOSHUA

World Evangelism

               “THE LIFE OF VICTORY”

                                       LESSON 8

           STREAMS OF LIVING WATER

                                                By: Hans Hofman

Dear Brother/Sister,

In the previous lesson we saw a small part of GOD'S greatness.

In the book of Exodus we saw how a nation which was in great need cried out to God,

and while they were still praying God was already preparing a massive rescue

operation for them. He saw to it that a Man named Moses was born and He guided

this man all his life. He moulded him by confronting him with his own human resources

and power, his own short-comings and faults, etc.. Until at a time which God had

arranged He called Moses for a mission which was to be talked about throughout

the world right up to today and through which God's sovereign power, greatness

and power to save would be made known.

We also saw that by being called Moses was able to compare his own limited

powers with God's plan and that he realised that he was too small and weak to

perform the task given to him.

But whenever God gives a task He doesn't intend us to measure it against our

own standards, but that we should turn our eyes towards the ONE WHO

COMMISSIONS US - .Almighty God.. It is His plan, His mission, and it is to

achieve His Purposes ! (See for God's purposes: 1 John 3:8b, John 3:16, and

Peter 3:9).

When Jesus Christ in Mark 16 gave His disciples the commission.

Make all the nations my disciples and preach the Gospel., Jesus didn't look at the

ability and the reputation of His disciples, since they were not very promising.

They had all deserted Jesus at the time of His arrest and crucifixion.

They hadn't even believed those who had seen Jesus in a living body again AFTER

His resurrection.

Jesus reproached them in Mark 16:14 for their unbelief and "hardness of

heart.. And immediately He gives this group of about 120 men and

women the greatest commission from God that had ever been given to mankind.

How could He, Jesus, do such a thing?

Jesus didn't look at who or what these people were,

but at WHAT HE COULD MAKE OF THEM, and what He could do through

them AFTER they had received the Holy Spirit.

They received a second command, as we read in Acts 1:4-8. They were to receive

POWER AFTER the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8).

Now the Holy Spirit HAS come and you, too, can receive this power today by

asking God for it (John 14:13,14). So, when we walk with the Lord Jesus and

obediently follow as He leads and carry out His commands, then He will reveal and

perform His word and His promises in and through us - and so through you, too.

Therefore we must learn to give in the measure that God gives. instead of giving in

Man's measure. You and I are called to declare the mighty works of God, and to

carry out God's commission.

The world will only SEE and RECOGNISE God's greatness when you give God

room to work, and when you work together with Him in perfect unity. That requires

aserious, radical attitude of mind such as Jesus Himself had during His life here on

earth. (See also John 17:16-23 and 1 John 2:6). 

Questions:

17. The lesson that we can leam form this is that our human resources are limited

      and constantly need to be replenished That costs a lof of effort and expense,

      both physically and materially, and results in our not achieving anything of

      etemal value and even in our being lost. In other words we do not measure up to

      God's standards. Jesus Christ is the Living Water and He has promised the Holy

      Spirit to everyone who believes in Him. That means that He wants to Iet His

      RESURRECTION POWER flow through you as a stream of living water.

      His objective is to produce "Life" which measures up to HlS standard.

      Who does Jesus say He is? John 11:25 I am ....................................................

      18. What does Jesus say in John 14:6? I.................................................................

19. If you love Jesus what will you keep? John 14:23 ................................................

20. If you keep God's word, and therefore believe and act accordingly, who will come

     and live in you?  John 14:23 ..............................................................................

21. WHO will teach you all things? John 14:26 .........................................................

22. In John 6:27 Jesus says, "Do not work for the temporary (riches) of this world

      which perish, but for the nourishment which lasts etemally which the Son of Man

      will give you." Then follows the question, "WHAT MUST WE DO SO THAT WE

      MAY WORK THE WORKS OF GOD?" What did Jesus say we must do?

     John 6:28,29 ....................................................................................................

       23. What did Jesus come to do, according to John 6:38? ..........................................

24. What is the will of the Father? John 6:38,39 ........................................................

     .........................................................................................................................

25. God the Father and His Son Jesus have one and the same purpose - to

     produce "LIFE MORE ABUNDANTlY". Life which measures up to GOD'S

     STANDARD. So it you are one in your relationship with Jesus and the Father

     and seek to do His wilt and think His thoughts, then He will bring forth LlFE

     through you. WHO wil! teach and help you in this? 1 John 2:27

    .........................................................................................................................

                  "IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING, YOU ARE REAllY MY DISCIPlES

     THEN YOU WllL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILl SET YOU FREE."

                                                 John 8:31b-32.

Before you start on lesson 9 next week read the gospel of luke and Exodus 28-40.

For lesson 9 go to: MENU 3 SUBMENU 9    Correction page: submenu 10

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