The Nature of God – Lesson

The 3 God Is’

Introduction
As God’s children we all should have a desire to please Him but to please someone we must first understand them. We must understand what they like as against the things they do not like. To get a better understanding of God we will take a closer look at three statements in scripture that expressly describes His nature.

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Objective
In this lesson we will look at the three direct statements in scripture that gives us an insight into God’s nature with a view of getting a clearer understanding of who God is. We will apply principles of  personally walking in the Spirit, in love and light. Accept that we have to take responsibility for our actions knowing that the Holy Spirit is our helper and not a dictator.

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God is Spirit

He is beyond the reach of our natural senses and understanding


“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

In the text above Jesus spoke with the woman at the well and gave her an insight into the nature of His Father. God is Spirit and worship must take place on God’s terms and in His domain.

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So what does it mean to be a spirit?
The dictionary meaning says a spirit is: “A supernatural being” (Oxford Dictionary) This means that spirits are beyond the natural world.

There is a whole world that exist outside our natural world and this world is referred to as the spiritual world. This world, though very real, cannot be seen by human eyes or touched with physical hands. Our five senses were given to us to maneuver our physical world but not the spiritual one. Many, to their peril, deny the existence of this world using statements like ‘seeing is believing’. 

TOP TIP!
God is not a spirit. He is Spirit and is the complete embodiment/essence of things Spiritual. He is supernatural. 

Spirits are not bound by the laws of nature because they have no mass. They are not affected by gravity and can move unhindered through physical structures like a steel wall. 

Jesus’ explanation to Nicodemus teaches us that though we may not be able to see the spirit world we can see the clues that point to the fact that it exists i.e. we can observe the effect that  this  world has on our natural world.  He said, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.” John 3:8 We know the wind exist not because of its physical property but because we can hear it as it whistles through the treetops as the trees bend and dance by its force.

TOP TIP!
God created the physical world, lives outside of time and space and He is not limited to the laws of our dimension.

Spirits can affect our world and we can and should affect theirs. God in the form of Jesus Christ, though Spirit, took on a physical body and dwelt among us. Now as born again spiritual children of God it is incumbent upon us to develop our spiritual senses to live and manoeuvre the realm of the spirit.  

So the fact that God is Spirit means He lives in and exist beyond the reach of our five senses. He is not obstructed by physical structures or by physical elements like time or gravity. 

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God is love



He is the giver of good things

The 3 commandments
A study of 1st John
Suffering

“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16

Johns first letter goes into depth to explain this all important aspect of God’s nature. Of the three aspects this one is the most popular. God is love so the person who does not love does not have God, simple. 

Note that love is not one of the things God does. Love is the very nature of God, it’s who He is i.e He cannot help it and He cannot do otherwise. 


Therefore, in our quest to understand God, we must get to understand love. Being told to love is one thing but understanding how to love is a totally different thing. There are many misconception surrounding love and much of what many people believe to be love is lust or in some cases control and manipulation.

We must learn to receive and trust God’s love. We must learn how to return love to God and how to share this love with others.  

Many questions will arise, such as. How is it the God of love will destroy people in hell or gave instructions in the Old Testament to destroy nations in war or why is there so much suffering in the world if God is a God of love? As believers we often question God’s love when we face difficult times or when we lose loved ones etc. 

We may have many questions because our understanding is incomplete. Remember, no matter what we may see or experience one thing remains true whether we understand it or not i.e. God is love. 
 
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God is light



He is pure and undefiled 

Why we sin
Do not even eat with them.
What is death?
Stumble sin and struggle sin
We have been called out, delivered out and told to remain out of darkness


“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 1 John 1:5

The disciples received a message that John feels compelled to pass on to us i.e. God is light. Though this may seem simple it really has many serious implications. John continues to explain that there is no darkness at all in God and anyone walking in darkness cannot have fellowship with Him. 

Light in this context speaks of truth, righteousness and holiness etc. while darkness speaks of error/lies and sin etc. Light and darkness cannot mix so a person cannot be with God in His light and be full of darkness at the same time. God is pure, undefiled and holy.


Note: It is important to note that darkness has no source but is only the absence of light. Where there is no light there will be darkness but where there is light darkness must flee. Evil prevails where the righteous says or does nothing. 


Jesus explained that we live from the inside out so what comes out of a person points to what is inside them. If lies continue to come out of us then no doubt darkness is inside us. 

At the very beginning of time God separated natural light from darkness and since Adam’s sin He has been separating us from spiritual darkness. 
 
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…”
                                                                                                                                         
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

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Module Summary

TOP TIP!
The lack of love in the world (sin) is  not Godís fault or choice.  He is a just and holy God and must punish sin objectively and fairly. We do not know the full record of all humanity, God does. So we must trust His love for us even when He disciplines us. Discipline is love – tough love is still love. God chastens those whom He loves. 

God is Spirit – not a spirit i.e. everything exist in Him, by Him and for Him. He is above and beyond all physical limitations.
God’s nature is love – He is love personified, the embodiment of love. 
God is light – totally and completely devoid of sin and impurity. He is holy.

We are born again with the seed of His Spirit so we have His nature now living within us.

A Spiritual Family

Lesson 1 – Born into the Family

Objectives
For you to understand the process of rebirth. To give you the tools needed to check if you have been born again and are truly saved. For you to value the true gospel and not accept something else in its place.

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Introduction
God has a family who are born of His Spirit. They are a spiritual people who are subjects/citizens of His spiritual kingdom. The process of entering the kingdom or being born into His family begins when one hears the gospel and responds to it.

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The process

Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God! Selah…
…And of Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her;
And the Most High Himself shall establish her.”
The Lord will record,
When He registers the peoples:
“This one was born there.” Psalm 87:3-6

One is sent With the gospel 

For a person to be saved they must be born again. This process begins with them hearing the call of God through the gospel. 

Reading assignment

Read Matt. 22:1-14.

The process of salvation as outlined in Romans 10. 
“…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? … 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The process: A person is sent by God with a message (the gospel). When he preaches people hears and those who believe what they hear realises their need for God and call upon Him and ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’  

Becoming a preacher does not begin with a nice Christian person deciding to enter the ministry as their career of choice, go to bible school, align themselves with a church and serve the community as a professional minister. NO. A preacher of the gospel must be one whom God Himself chose, prepared, equipped and sent. 

“Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead…” Galatians 1:1

“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11

Listen to what Paul said, “…God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

Its message
The gospel is the message about God’s plan of salvation as it is accomplished through Christ. Paul told us what the message of the gospel is. 
See 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Christ died for our sins but rose again from the dead three days after His burial. His resurrection was then witnessed by many who saw the living Christ. 

Its power
This message when preached must be declared with biblical accuracy soaked in the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. It must prove in word and deed, by the power of the spirit, that Jesus is the messiah and only salvation for the world.  

“…for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.” 1 Thes. 1:5 (NASB)

“…for our good news [regarding salvation] came to you not only in word, but also in [its inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your benefit.”  1 Thes. 1:5 (AMP) See also 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” The gospel reveals the wisdom and power of God through the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The true gospel must be preached for there to be true salvation. 

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Hearing & Responding
There are two groups of people that will hear the gospel. 
Those who hear, believe and respond positively. These hear the voice within the voice.
Those who hear and do not believe or refuse to respond. These may only hear information. 
Both these groups were present on the day of Pentecost. Read Acts 2:11-13

Listen to this! “Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” Acts 13:48

Compare these 2 groups of people. John 4:39-42 and Luke 8:36-37

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Your reading assignment told the parable of the Wedding Feast and ended with these words. “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The logic here is simple. Jesus is saying that the fact that we are called does not mean we will be chosen. Notice that the man that was not in wedding garment was thrown out.

Reading Assignment
Read today’s devotion and write down what you learnt from it along with any other notes you wish to make about the devotion. Make note of the date and title of the devotion

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Hearing The Call

No one can come to Jesus unless they are drawn to Him by His Father. John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…” This is God calling us by His Spirit. 

Again Jesus says this. John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” In other words, the crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus will open a way to God for all peoples and not just for the Jews. Both Jew and Gentile (anyone who is not a Jew) will now hear the call of God. God calls people through the preaching of the gospel. Listen to what Paul said, “…God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

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“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” Hebrews 3:7-8



Responding to the Call

This is how NOT to respond when we hear the call of God. 

Luke 9:57-62 “Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, ‘Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.’ 58 And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ 59 Then He said to another, ‘Follow Me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ 60 Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.’ 61 And another also said, ‘Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.’ 62 But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’

Lessons to be learnt from the above passage
1. TALK IS CHEAP: It is much easier to give God lip service than it is to actually do His will. Churches will be packed this Sunday with people singing resounding praises to God, almost all of whom outrightly refuses to do His will. We want to reap the benefits but not pay the price. This is brought out very vividly in the story of the rich young ruler.


Read Luke 18:18-23

2. RESPONSE MUST BE IMMEDIATE: Hesitation in responding to the King’s call, to the point of finding excuses, is unacceptable. The call of God must take priority above all else. The attitude we have to God’s call usually follows through to how we follow Him. 

This is how WE SHOULD respond when we hear the call of God.

Luke 5:1-11 “…For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.’11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”

TREAT IT AS PRIORITY: “…they forsook all…”  Note here that they left what I believe was their greatest catch ever, their best day of business. Not only did they leave their business but also it’s stock and very promising potential income. They left it all without a moment’s hesitation. 

Hesitation is an indication that the heart is not fully won over for Christ. It is a sign of double mindedness that one is having second thoughts and does not fully trust God. A double minded person will never experience the blessings of being a disciple of Christ. “For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:7-8) See Further Reading.

Further Reading: 
The person who doubts will not taste the grain. 
2 Kings 6:24-7:1-20 
Note chapter 7:17-20

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The Christian walk is one of Self Denial not Self Gratification 

Considering the Cost
1. WHAT IS THE COST? Let us allow Jesus to answer this one. “…
whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33) It will cost us everything to follow Jesus. We must be ready to deny ourselves any and everything this world has to offer, it’s pleasures, security and way of thinking. “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)
2. WHAT CAUSES HESITATION: The hesitant person has considered the cost and is finding it difficult to pay the price. It is good to count the cost, for no one should enter into this covenant with Jesus before first counting the cost but… 
3. THE PROBLEM IS: We possess too much of the world and for that reason the world possesses too much of us or we are still in love with the world and because of that the world still has a hold on us.  

To take hold of Christ we must let go everything else! Christ is so big we won’t be able to hold on to him if we have other things in our hands.

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Lesson 2 – A New Creation

Objectives
For you to know that repentance is not a choice but a requirement  for salvation. That you will begin again to speak about repentance when sharing the gospel. For you to appreciate that a man made substitute will not suffice.

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Introduction
Having heard the gospel and responding positively to it, we must now go on to do the next thing the Spirit prompts us to do i.e. REPENT. Entry into the kingdom and rebirth cannot take place without this. 

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Repentance

So What is Repentance?
The dictionary meaning of repentance is to: “Feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.” (Oxford Dictionary)

The biblical meaning of repentance goes a bit further and involves making a complete round about turn and heading off in the opposite direction to where we were first heading. 

Note: If one stops in their tracks but do not turn and walk away from where they were first heading, they have not repented. 

Repentance is God’s gift of recognition, the opening of our eyes so we recognise that what we wallowed in was mud, what we lapped up was vomit and where we were heading was death, it is God’s opening of our eyes to see that Jesus loves us, He is Lord and He alone can save us. We become so repulsed by what we were and so captivated by who Jesus is that we turn away from the mud, vomit and death to Jesus our Lord whom we now love greatly.

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How Important is Repentance?

Repentance is a must, it is essential for salvation. The person who does not repent will perish in unquenchable fire (read Luke 3:1-20 & Luke 13). The main theme of Jesus’ and John the Baptist’s message was repentance. Read Matthew 3:1 and Matthew 4:17. The disciples also preached repentance. Read Mark 6:12.

Now watch this 10 minute video of Paul Washer speaking on the topic of repentance. 
Link – https://youtu.be/MQ1BaClAQMg 
or search – ‘Paul Washer’s thoughts on true repentance and justification’

Note: How the Rich Young Ruler enquired about eternal life, “…what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) In His answer Jesus explained that he needed to repent. Though Jesus didn’t use the word repent He did explained how the young man should repent i.e. get rid of your idol (your money) and come follow me. 

On the day of Pentecost, after Peter preached the gospel those who heard it also came to enquire about salvation. “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) The first thing Peter told them was that they needed to repent.

Note that the Rich Young Ruler 
1. Heard the good news about Jesus having the keys to eternal life
2. He responded to what he heard because he believed it
3. He sought out Jesus and found Him
4. He acknowledged his desire to have eternal life
5. He unashamedly and publicly asked Jesus to point him in the way to eternal life
Yet, with all that, this young man did not receive eternal life. Why? 

Because he did not repent and part with his former life and live wholly for Jesus alone. 

You quite possibly may have heard it said that we can do nothing to be saved but that is a lie. If we do nothing we will not be saved. 

A man drowning in the open sea is unable to save himself but when someone comes along in a boat and throws him a rope, he must take hold of that rope if he is to be saved. Can he take the credit for saving himself simply because he held on to the rope offered to him? No. The man in the boat saved him. 

Similarly, man is unable to save himself, only Jesus can save us. What Jesus did brought salvation for all mankind. We must now respond to Him and take hold of that rope He offers us. 

If we are to be saved we must:
1. Believe
2. Repent
3. Obey

Do we get help from the Holy Spirit? We surely do, but He will never overrule our will. The Holy Spirit is a helper not a dictator. He prompts us but we must still make the decision to obey and not resist His prompting.

The gift of God is eternal life, step forward, reach out and take it.

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Godly Sorrow
Being sorry and repenting are 2 different things. Repentance does include sorrow but sorrow does not necessarily leads to Godly repentance. In fact worldly sorrow can lead to tragic outcomes like suicide. Godly sorrow acknowledges that ultimately we have sinned against God and so we turn to Him, seek His forgiveness and knows that He has the right to forgive and justify us. Read what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Notice that Godly sorrow produces repentance and not depression.


A New Creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

When a person is saved all things become new starting from within and working outwards. The difference between the old and the new is so vast that it can be observed with the naked eye, but you would need to know what to look for.

Scripture speaks of the fruits that must be observed in the new and true believer.
Fruit of Repentance (Luke 3:8)
Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

Great details are given to explain what this new creation looks like. 



Salvation happens in 2 stages or faculties.
Belief/Faith in the heart (Hidden)
Confess with the mouth (Observable)

Both are very important. Note however, that confession of the mouth is normally the 1st act but not the only observable one. Confession must be followed on with many other observable demonstrations. 

If we profess to have faith without its observable counterpart, we are liars. If we put on an outward act that is not bourn from an inward deep conviction we are again liars.

There are signs to indicate whether or not a person is saved. Jesus called them fruit. If our lives do not produce the fruit of repentance and the fruit of the Holy Spirit then we are not saved. 

In the following lessons we’ll look at the observable part of salvation i.e. its fruit.

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Conclusion


Read Isaiah 55:6-7
 
Repentance
The gospel of Jesus Christ brings awareness of our wretched state and need for Jesus
We experience godly sorrow for sinning against God
We are so repulsed when we discover our filthy state that we turn away from it to Jesus who saves us and cleanse us by His blood.
We are now born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are new creatures living a new life that is totally different from the one we used to live before.

Here are some scriptures that reveals the importance of repentance.
The rich young ruler did not repent (Luke 18:18-23)
When we have repented our love for our earthly existence and relations seems like hate when compared to our love for Jesus (Luke 14:26)
In repentance we deny the thing we used to worship i.e. self. (Luke 9:23)
The person who have repented has turned their backs on all the pleasures and false hope of this life. (Luke 14:33)

What repentance looks like (Luke 19:8), (Ephesians 4:28)

Think back now and consider if you really repented. If you discovered that you didn’t truly repent when you first heard the gospel, pray now that God by His Holy Spirit will convict you of your sins and give you a passionate love for Jesus. Conviction of sin and a love for Jesus will then lead you to repentance.

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Unit Summary
This lesson concludes the module on ‘God is Spirit’. In this module we looked at the reality of the spiritual world and God’s spiritual Kingdom and the fact that to enter this Kingdom we must first be called. Those who respond must also repent to begin the process of rebirth and entry in this glorious Kingdom.

A Spiritual Kingdom

Lesson 1 – Created in God’s image

Introduction
There is quite a massive difference between the two worlds i.e. the natural and spiritual world. God created a natural world from out of which He would draw a spiritual people. A spiritual nation was always God’s aim but this can be so easily missed. 

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Objectives
To establish the fact and have it settled in our hearts and minds that God created man with an aim in view and that the first Adam was never meant to be the end product as will be revealed when we compare the stories of four pairs of males. To receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit if we have not yet received this promise. To be aware of carnal habits in us that need to be surrendered to the power of God. To demonstrate a desire for change.

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Our spiritual reality
A Kingdom is: A country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen. (Oxford Dictionary) God is the King who rules over the kingdom of heaven. This spiritual kingdom has subjects/citizens who are governed by laws. It also has an army for the defence and protection of its people. This spiritual army is made up of angels.

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’” John 18:36 

Nicodemus struggled a bit when Jesus told him that a person must be ‘born again’ to see the kingdom so Jesus explained. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:6-7 To enter into the kingdom of God one must be born twice. First we are born naturally as human beings but when we believe upon Jesus we are reborn as spirit beings. True believers are born again of the Spirit into a spiritual family and have become citizens of a spiritual kingdom. Before this change took place we lived in accordance with the rules of this world.

Our new spiritual reality is that:
1. We drink spiritual drink and eat spiritual food. (1 Corinthians 10:3, 1 Peter 2:2)
2. We see through spiritual eyes and hear with spiritual ears. (Mark 8:18) We must be able to see with our spiritual eyes things that are invisible to the natural eyes. (Hebrews 11:27)
3. We are led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14)
4. We fight spiritual battles against a spiritual enemy (Ephesians 6:12)
5. We must worship in Spirit, walk in the Spirit, pray in and with the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15, Jude 1:20)
6. We should also sing with the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:15)
7. We are a spiritual temple and spiritual priests offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5)
8. We are spiritually minded i.e. we think and meditate on spiritual things (Romans 8:5)

When God created man His aim was to take for Himself a spiritual people that were a chosen generation, a holy nation and a royal priesthood. A people bought by blood and built up into the very image of Christ, they would be called the church and would be the very body of Christ.

God indicated this from the very beginning of time yet we often miss it.

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Lesson 2 – Esau and Jacob

Early clues

The tale of 2 brothers



Comparisons made between 4 pairs of males 

Esau and Jacob
“And the Lord said to her: ‘Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.’” Genesis 25:23

When barren Rebekah eventually became pregnant she had complications. There was quite some activity taking place between the two unborn babies within her womb. There was a struggle between them. 

Upon enquiry God gave the parents the answer to the problem. There were two hostile nations within her womb but it was the younger that was destined to have the upper hand. 

God at this point had already made His choice. We were told that God said, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Romans 9:13 Why? Because Esau represented a carnal people that would value instant gratification above eternal things but Jacob represented the people who would value eternal things above the natural here and now pleasures. Faith vs carnality.

God foretold two peoples and made clear His choice. 
The one that came first and was of the flesh He hated. (Natural Israel who are only the natural offspring of Abraham with only the circumcision of the flesh. Those who disobeyed and rejected God.)
The one that came after and was eternally focused He loved. (Spiritual Israel who are children of Abraham through faith and bought by the blood of Jesus both Jew and Gentile who have the circumcision of the heart.)

Flesh vs Spirit
This analogy is also true for our first and second birth. 
The one born first that God rejected. (Me before I got saved. The natural, degenerate, self centered me that bears the sin nature. Also called the flesh.) 
The one born after, the one God accepted. (Our new spiritual birth into the kingdom of heaven. The me who is in Christ.)

The conflict:
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other…” Galatians 5:17

The older serving the younger:
The principle of the older serving the younger is also true in the flesh vs Spirit scenario. My old habits, the product of the sinful nature from my natural birth must serve the new me, the spiritual me that came alive on my rebirth. 
“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

After Paul said this he went on to give examples of what God did to those who allowed their bodies to rule them. Read on into chapter 6.

God has made His choice:
God is displeased with those who live in carnality. Roman 8:8
Death is the portion of those who allow carnality to master them. Romans 8:13 

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Lesson 3 – Isaac & Ishmael, Cain & Abel

Reading assignment

Read Genesis 16 & 21.

Isaac and Ishmael 
Esau and Jacob’s story was not the first time God tried to convey this message to us, in fact, God’s desire for a spiritual people could have been understood from much earlier clues given in scripture. 

The difference between Isaac and Ishmael is one such indication. 
Ishmael was the product of man’s idea and effort. (Represents those born of the flesh)
Isaac was the result of God’s promise that was fulfilled by God’s power. (Represents those born of the Spirit)

Listen to this:
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

Cain and Abel
We could back up even further in scriptures to find another example. The rejection of Cain, the older brother, and the acceptance of Abel the younger brother also speaks volumes about the conflict that would ensue between the two peoples. Those of the flesh or carnal vs those of the spirit. 

Cain did not give sacrificially and was rejected by God. He hated and killed his own brother. (Represents the Jews whose sacrifice God rejected who were the very enemies of God. These Jews went on to masterminded the death of Jesus) Abel gave sacrificially and was accepted by God. (Represent Jesus who gave himself as a sacrifice)

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Lesson 4 – First and Last Adam

The First and Last Adam

“And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 15:45-46

Each pair of males discussed above were brothers. This pair that we will now discuss are NOT brothers but are both Adams. Adam means: the first man, the father of all mankind. The first Adam spoken about in Genesis was the first and father of the natural human race. The Last Adam spoken of in 1 Corinthian 15 is the first and father of a spiritual people. Death entered the world through the First Adam but resurrection from death into eternal life came through Jesus the Last Adam. 

You may have heard the phrase ‘First the natural then the spiritual’ and not understand where it was from or what it was about. It is however, a very important principle in understanding the plan of God. First the natural nation then the spiritual one. First the natural man then the spiritual one. First the shadow then the reality.

 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.” Romans 5:14

I believe this scripture proves that the First Adam was not God’s ultimate aim but was only a type of the man God was after. That man is Christ, the Last Adam.

The difference between the First and Last Adam:
The First Adam who sinned and was put out of the garden and away from God’s presence. (Represents natural man, the carnal, fleshly, spiritually dead, earthbound sinner)
The Last Adam who did not sin, was resurrected and is now seated at the right hand of God. (Represents Jesus the heaven bound, righteous, eternally alive, God pleasing man that God always intended)

Conclusion
I hope you now have a much better understanding of the purposes of God. His purpose was made clear all through scriptures. God’s intent was to take to Himself a spiritual people, not a natural, carnal people with an earth bound mentality. This becomes obvious when we compare Adam and Jesus, Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob, the Israel bound by law vs spiritual Israel/the Church/the body of Christ etc. 

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God…” 1 Peter 2:9-10

First principles: The natural comes first then the spiritual. The later is always greater than the former. The first type is a foreshadow of the later. God gives a pattern then the substance a picture then the reality. He makes no mistakes about what He wants.

Now go to the assessment >