Epaggelia

(Subjects For Future use in our Congregational Sunday morning Bible Discussions, starting 9 Aug 2020)

Judgement – possessing prejudice

Pessimism – looking for faults

Worry – misplaced priorities

Greed – loving things instead of people

Lust – the absence of devotion

Selfishness – being ungrateful

Laziness – missing the benefits of labor

Discouragement – neglecting our resources

Cowardice – letting fore-thought become fear-thought

Envy – being ignorant of coveting

Wrath – dealing with disappointed expectations

Hatred – failing to separate the sin from the sinner

Impatience – clinging on to immaturity

INTRODUCTION:

The basis for this series of discussions is to grow in our understanding of the difference between dignity and arrogance. Every Christian has the privilege of growing in the new creation God has for us in Christ. When we are being tempted, Satan can dupe us into committing sin and as a Christian we will need to renew our relationship with God. Paul spoke of this struggle even as an Apostle, he spoke of trying to kill off (crucify) the old self in order to enjoy the times of refreshing God has in store for us. See Acts 3:19 and Galatians 2:20. If the Apostle Paul considered his own salvation at risk, who are we to think our salvation can not be put at risk by our own sin? Read 1st Corinthians 9:22-27. Throughout our discussions we will touch on the part our pride plays in the various vices named above. Pride is our own worst enemy, because the human heart is deceptive, Jeremiah 17:9-10. However, our pride can also be healthy, see Matthew 22:39 & 1st Timothy 4:12. We should learn to trust Christ who is our only hope for keeping our pride in check and maintaining our dignity, instead of neglecting it and causing us to be arrogant. Because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, James 4:6. We must learn to understand and emulate the Apostle Paul when he taught the church to “crucify” ourselves, see Galatians 2:20. Remember the letter “i” is in the middle of sIn and prIde, which are both very dangerous subjects. A good memory verse to use, which will help us stay safe from sin and arrogant pride is John 5:30. Commit it to memory and follow Jesus with it daily. He is the cure!