1. LESSON 23 GOD’S WILL FOR HIS PEOPLE (PART VI)

2. Opening Prayer

3. THE NINTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS

4. God’s Will for His People (Part VI) The Ninth and Tenth Commandments summarized: Do not covet.

5. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

6. God’s Will for His People (Part VI) Coveting is Having a sinful desire for anything we shouldn’t have.

7. James 1:14-15 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

8. God’s Will for His People (Part VI) Coveting is Having a sinful desire for anything we shouldn’t have Why God is so concerned about our thoughts: Sinful thoughts lead to sinful actions.

9. Hebrews 13:5 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.“

10. God’s Will for His People (Part VI) Coveting is Having a sinful desire for anything we shouldn’t have. Why God is so concerned about our thoughts Sinful thoughts lead to sinful actions. God wants us to be Content with what we have.

11. Psalm 37:4 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

12. God’s Will for His People (Part VI) Coveting is Having a sinful desire for anything we shouldn’t have. Why God is so concerned about our thoughts: Sinful thoughts lead to sinful actions. God wants us to be Content with what we have. Why Christians can be content: God will give us what we need.

13. Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

14. God’s Will for His People (Part VI) Coveting is Having a sinful desire for anything we shouldn’t have. Why God is so concerned about our thoughts: Sinful thoughts lead to sinful actions. God wants us to be Content with what we have. Why Christians can be content: God will give us what we need. We already have God Himself as our greatest Treasure.

15. Philippians 4:11b-13 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

16. WHAT THE 10 COMMANDMENTS TEACH US

17. What the 10 Commandments Teach Us 1. Concerningsalvation,which weneed:

18. Romans 3:20 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

19. What the 10 Commandments Teach Us 1. Concerningsalvation,which weneed: a. We cannot be saved by our own works.

20. Romans 3:23-24, 28 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

21. What the 10 Commandments Teach Us 1. Concerningsalvation,which weneed: a. We cannot be saved by our own works. b. We are saved by faith alone. Christ obeyed the Law for us.

22. What the 10 Commandments Teach Us 1. Concerningsalvation,which weneed: a. We cannot be saved by our own works. b. We are saved by faith alone. Christ obeyed the Law for us. 2. Concerningsanctification,which wewant:

23. Matthew 5:48 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

24. What the 10 Commandments Teach Us 1. Concerningsalvation,which weneed: a. We cannot be saved by our own works. b. We are saved by faith alone. Christ obeyed the Law for us. 2. Concerningsanctification,which wewant: a. God has set high standards for His redeemed people.

25. Philippians 2:12-13 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

26. What the 10 Commandments Teach Us 1. Concerningsalvation,which weneed: a. We cannot be saved by our own works. b. We are saved by faith alone. Christ obeyed the Law for us. 2. Concerningsanctification,which wewant: a. God has set high standards for His redeemed people. b. He gives us the power to lead a sanctified life.

27. OUR GOAL AS CHRISTIANS

28. Our Goal as Christians OS The “Non-spiritual” or “Natural” Person OS = Our “Old Self”, or sinful nature NS OS NS OS The Less Mature or “Worldly” Christian The “Spiritual” or More Mature Christian NS = Our “New Self”, that loves to serve God Sinful lifestyle, dominated by the Old Self, a life of discord and frustration. Godly lifestyle, dominated by the New Self, a life of peace and joy. Personal Faith and Justification Sanctification and Spiritual Growth “You were taught … to put off your old self … and to put on the new self.” (Ephesians 4:22- 24) (see also 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 and Hebrews 5:11-6:2)

29. WHY CHRISTIANS WANT TO GROW SPIRITUALLY

30. 1 Corinthians 10:31 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

31. Why Christians Want to Grow Spiritually 1. God is honored and glorified by our lives.

32. Psalm 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

33. Why Christians Want to Grow Spiritually 1. God is honored and glorified by our lives. 2. We are blessed personally as we grow.

34. Galatians 6:2 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

35. Why Christians Want to Grow Spiritually 1. God is honored and glorified by our lives. 2. We are blessed personally as we grow. 3. Fellow believers are helped and served.

36. Matthew 5:16 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they [unbelievers] may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

37. Why Christians Want to Grow Spiritually 1. God is honored and glorified by our lives. 2. We are blessed personally as we grow. 3. Fellow believers are helped and served. 4. Unbelievers are attracted to Jesus by our lives.

38. HOW GOD HELPS CHRISTIANS MATURE IN THEIR LIFE OF SANCTIFICATION

39. 1 Peter 2:2 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

40. How God Helps Christians mature in Their Life of Sanctification 1. He urges us to regularly use His Word and Sacrament for spiritual food.

41. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 17 pray continually;

42. How God Helps Christians Mature in Their Life of Sanctification 1. He urges us to regularly use His Word and Sacrament for spiritual food. 2. He urges us to pray regularly to seek His will and Holy Spirit.

43. Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

44. How God Helps Christians Mature in Their Life of Sanctification 1. He urges us to regularly use His Word and Sacrament for spiritual food. 2. He urges us to pray regularly to seek His will and Holy Spirit. 3. He urges us to worship regularly with our fellow Christians.

45. LEARNING TO “BREATHE SPIRITUALLY” EVERY DAY

46. 1 John 1:8-9 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

47. Learning to “Breathe Spiritually” Every Day EXHALE (AFTER SINNING) 1. Confess sin and trust God for its payment and forgiveness.

48. Proverbs 28:13 13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

49. Learning to “Breathe Spiritually” Every Day EXHALE (AFTER SINNING) 1. Confess sin and trust God for its payment and forgiveness. 2. Turn away from sin and back to God (repentance).

50. Romans 6:13 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

51. Learning to “Breathe Spiritually” Every Day EXHALE: (AFTER SINNING) 1. Confess sin and trust God for its payment and forgiveness. 2. Turn away from sin and back to God (repentance). INHALE: (AFTER CONFESSING) 1. Surrender control of our lives to Jesus and trust Him.

52. Romans 6:11,4 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

53. Learning to “Breathe Spiritually” Every Day EXHALE: (AFTER SINNING) 1. Confess sin and trust God for its payment and forgiveness. 2. Turn away from sin and back to God (repentance). INHALE: (AFTER CONFESSING) 1. Surrender control of our lives to Jesus and trust Him. 2. Begin immediately to live in joy and thankfulness.

54. His Word in My Life Agree or Disagree: Because every Christian has a new man, a real Christian will think about and do more good things than bad.

55. His Word in My Life Explain why this statement is true: because every person is born with a sinful nature, every Christian is capable of committing any sin.

56. His Word in My Life Evaluate: When one of the comic sections in the newspaper pictures a person with a devil on one shoulder ugging him to do something bad and an angel on the other shoulder telling him to do something good, this is a good picture of the struggle that goes on in us between the sinful nature and the new heart.

57. His Word in My Life What did you like about this year?

58. Closing Prayer

59. ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK 1.Study carefully the notes you have taken in class; be sure you understand them. 2.Study carefully questions #117-144 in the Catechism. 3.Memorize these Bible passages: Romans 3:23-24 – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:11 – “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:4 – “We were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” VIP Hebrews 13:5 - “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 4. Complete Working with God’s Word and Worksheet #23. Be ready to take the quiz on April 23.

60. Key Truths Lesson Twenty-Three ________________ is having a sinful desire for something we shouldn't have. We can be content because God has promised us all we ________________. Jesus ________________ all the commandments for us. We are saved by ________________ in him. God gives us power to live a ________________ life as we grow in faith.

61. Key Truths Lesson twenty-three COVETING is having a sinful desire for something we shouldn't have. We can be content because God has promised us all we NEED. Jesus OBEYED all the commandments for us. We are saved by FAITH in him. God gives us power to live a SANCTIFIED life as we grow in faith.