Written by Kathy Shaw 1 Contents:

Dying to Me pg. 3

Brokenness Pg.6

Mourning our Sin Pg.9

Humility brings Exaltation Pg.11

A Pure Heart Pg.14

Disqualified but Chosen Pg.17

Strength in Weakness Pg.21

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Lesson One -Dying to Me A. When we talk about ME, we are talking about the fleshly carnal part of me. Jer 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Rom 8:7 (AMP) The mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God's law, since it cannot. Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 1. We are talking about THE END OF ME!!!! The carnal nature that needs to be put into the casket!!! (JT PUGH prayed, “Lord, save me from myself”) Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

B. ME is a problem! Me wants to be in charge, be first, be petted, be protected, be right, have the last word, react, say what I want to say, retaliate and more. 1. The ME battle is all centered around our pride. Satan had this problem and we inherited it from him. He was cast out of the heavenlies. Is 14- I will ascend, I will exalt, I will sit… I will be like… it was his nature and it is our nature.

C. The enemy is always lurking to devour the ME! He will use our offenses, hurts, wounds and relationship problems as his bait to lure us and to bind us to our own destruction. 1. When someone rejects us, betrays our trust or we’ve suffered abuse, or loss in a relationship, something happens to the ME. Me reacts and responds! **** OUCH!!!! My pride is wounded, I am insecure, I have self doubt, fear, anger, low self esteem…. 2. My focus then is all on ME! A wound draws all of our attention to itself. But this is a problem because then we are not able to fulfill scripture. Luke 9:23 …..If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (If we are to deny self then we cannot cultivate anger, my rights, my harsh feelings, my grudge, my fear, my self pity)

D. Self-pity is a big ME problem that hinders us! 1. Jeremiah- His message was rejected and there was opposition! Jer 15:10 Woe to me, my mother, that you have given birth to me to be a man of strife and a man of contention to all the earth! I have not loaned, nor have men lent money to me, Yet everyone curses me. Jer 15:19 Therefore, thus says the LORD [to Jeremiah], "If you repent [and give up this mistaken attitude of despair and self-pity], then I will restore you [to a state of inner peace] So that you may stand before Me [as My obedient representative]. 2. Many in the Bible had self- pity and low self- esteem, yet God never tried to build that up with good praise or adoration or self-help tips but he directly affirmed HIS POWER AND PURPOSE. Their focus was to be on God and what HE was gonna do through them, not themselves and their abilities. 3

3. Offenses, hurts and wounds will always cause us to take our eyes off of God onto the ME. Then we blame, become entitled, and lose sight of Gods calling and bigger pictures. God has to realign us! We have to REPENT. We have to remember God always cares more about his purpose and plan then our personal comfort. Jh 12:24 “Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone but if it die it brength forth much fruit. What the Lord was speaking during Saturday morning prayer after putting this study together. You are called to be like ME! I love, I give and laid down my life on the cross. You are called to love, prefer, serve, honor and give to others. You cannot be like me when you give in to PRIDE and allow your pride to rise up and take over. Your pride rises up when you get hurt, rejected, misunderstood or offended by others. Then, the result is that your left with WOUNDED PRIDE. This wounded pride develops into a VICTIM MENTALITIY. Victims who have been wounded, lash out, defend, protect at all cost, blame and retaliate. They become full of SELF-PITY. This leads to anger restlessness, bitterness and then gossip with others. This is what the ME does…..the flesh! But Lord how do I let all this stuff go? How do I stop this pride that leads to all these problems? You RESIST PRIDE! James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. You apply HUMILITY! James 4:6 God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble. When you embrace humility, you are SURRENDERING. You are dropping and laying down all your rights because you TRUST in me to be your defender, protector and rewarder. E. Humility brings a ‘stillness’ in our spirit! A quietness, a refrain. It deliberately waits for GOD to accomplish and fight our battle. Exo 14:13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today…. (No rushing off to defend yourself, gossip, have a pity party or to get angry. This is the ME that needs to be crucified!)

F. Humility causes us to ‘surrender’ our rights to retaliate! When Jesus was betrayed by Judas, he did NOT ACCEPT THE RETALIATION of Peter. He had full humility and trust with what the Father was doing within the bigger picture. Luke 22:48 But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this." And He touched his ear and healed him. 1. When he was insulted, oppressed and afflicted he DID NOT REVILE or OPEN HIS MOUTH. 1Pe 2:23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly. (AMP) Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, [yet when] He was afflicted, He was submissive and opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. 4

G. Humility causes us to ‘forgive’ those that have hurt us. We let go of what they owe us. Col 3:13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Luk 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

H. Humility causes us to ‘trust’ in the Lord to defend, protect and use our rejection, loss, and suffering for the bigger picture of his glory and purpose within us. Luk 22:42 Saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Jas 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing . Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Rom 12:16-20 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.Therefore "IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD."

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Lesson Two-Brokenness Isa 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

A. Broken means to be shattered. Contrite means to be crushed and bruised. 1. We have all experienced brokenness and been bruised! 2. It is in the deep soil, down under, where it is cold, damp and where the natural eye cannot see, that garden seeds are germinated, and real growth begins. 3. God is working in the dark places of your heart where you have been bruised and broken. God sees beyond the surface and what others cannot see. This is where real growth can develop, and God can do his greatest work in your life. 4. Most good things require a breaking or a crushing. For anointing oil, olives must be pressed. For wonderful perfume, flowers and spices must be crushed. For rain to come, the skies must break. For a house to be built, a tree must be broken. For a seed to be planted, soil must be broken. For a baby to be birthed, water must be broken. A.W. Tozer wrote, “It is doubtful whether God could ever bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.”

B. We are most like Jesus when we are broken because he was broken. Isa 53:3-5 He is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 1. We teach a lot about Jesus strengths, his power, and his authority and possessing them ourselves. We often forget about his weakness, rejection, and sorrow and that we need to possess these as well. 2. There is no human that understands, can relate, or feels your pain like Jesus! 3. Only he can heal us as only he has paid the price for our healing. He is our wounded healer. Hos 6:1 Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

C. Our brokenness is the fragments that we consider useless and messy, but which Christ sees as useful as he uses them to prove his love and healing in our life. Luk 4:18 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HAS SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED. 6

D. Brokenness is about the beauty of Gods work within us. However, we must be careful not to allow our brokenness to become an idol that binds and ultimately destroys us. 1. We are to be thankful and cherish the crushing and breaking in our lives. We are to remember it like Christ has asked us to remember his brokenness and his broken body. 2. When we refuse to entrust the pain of our brokenness to the Lord in exchange for his healing and his bigger picture for our lives then it can become an idol to us. Exodus 20:3, says,"You shall have no other gods before Me.” This is not declaring that we should not just merely acknowledge any other God besides Jehovah, but that we should treat him like God. We should love him with all our heart and give him all our devotion. WORSHIP IS ABOUT DEVOTION! It’s about us paying tribute and honor to God. It’s the alignment of our heart being totally surrendered and given in every way. 3. When we are weighed down with the emotional baggage of our pain, we are unintentionally giving devotion, honor and surrender to just as if it is an idol. We are not aligned with Jesus and what he is calling us to do. We are devoted and aligned to what our pain is telling us to do. Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Exp: When we are devoted to what our pain is telling us to do, we start isolating instead of serving and giving as Jesus has asked us to do. We become consumed with anger and self-pity instead of being full of thanksgiving and joy. We surrender to the shame and guilt of our pain, which causes us to be busy, distracted and numb with substances instead of being trusting, and possessing the faith and freedom of Jesus. Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

E. Instead of idolatry, the pain of our brokenness is to produce beautiful things that prove and give evidence to Gods healing and power within our life. Things such as: 1. A “relationship and intimacy” with God. Php 3:10 That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Jer 29:12-13 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Ps 34:18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart…. 2. A “God sufficiency and strength”. 2Co 12:9-10 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 3. An “obedient and humble heart”. Heb 5:8 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 1Pe 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. Deu 8:2 And you shall remember [always] all the ways which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart (mind), whether you would keep His commandments or not. 7 4. A “testimony” of God’s goodness. Isa 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." 5. A “ministry of comfort and encouragement” to others. IICo 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Mar 5:19 Jesus did not let him [come], but [instead] He said to him, "Go home to your family and tell them all the great things that the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you." a. We need to take off our mask and be vulnerable. When we wear a mask then our Christ gets masked! (Understand: people are often afraid of brokenness or see it as a shameful thing so they refrain from talking about it and especially if they cannot relate) b. People resonate with our strengths but relate to our weakness’s. c. Remember Jesus came to meet us at the point of our pain (as a sinner) not our perfections. We should endeavor to do the same with people. We should be able to truly fellowship around our pain and brokenness and be able as the church to create a safe environment for this to happen. d. Ann Voskamp says, “If the church isn’t for suffering, the church isn’t for Christ” e. She also says, “Live broken and given” like Jesus. He broke the bread and gave it to others. Give your good brokenness to those with bad brokenness as a means of giving them hope.

F. Our pain and brokenness should never be wasted! It should be poured out through our communion with him and through our communion with others!

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Lesson Three- Mourning our Sin A. To mourn means to grieve, weep, or lament. Many natural sorrows can cause us to mourn. Physical suffering in our body, the loss of a loved one, a break or an abandonment in a relationship, a loss of a career, a financial setback, a natural tragedy, a disappointment, or other things. Mat 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

B. This study is focused on the mourning that comes as a result of our personal sin. Jesus did not have a resurrection then a death. He had to die to the flesh of his humanity before his resurrection. He had a Garden of Gethsemane, mourning experience. He had to mourn, sorrow, suffer, and grieve. Then came the promise of his body being raised from the dead and then came the power of his resurrection that caused his body to rise and conquer death, hell and the grave. 1. Many of us long to feel free and victorious but instead we feel stuck, heavy-laden, and frustrated. 2. Perhaps the reason is because we have not taken the time to search our hearts and have a real funeral, where we mourn for the sins of our flesh. To partake of initial salvation we must believe and repent. After we are saved we continue to repent as we continue to battle sin and our carnal nature. Repentance is not a one-time event but a daily routine. 3. Sin infects our heart and creates devastating consequences. The most devastating consequence is that it creates a barrier between us and God. He hides His face from us because our sin creates a separation. Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

C. How do we search our heart for sin? We check to see what we are feeling or experiencing. • The flow of God’s Spirit is not operating in our life and we feel like He is hidden from us. • We feel frustrated, irritable, unhappy, and depressed. • We are bound by strongholds of thinking in our mind with no real peace. • We feel guilty and shame inside. • We want to isolate. • We feel revenge and hatred toward our self or someone else. Psa 19:12-13 (AMP) Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins; Let them not rule and have control over me. Then I will be blameless (complete), And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

D. We must spend time mourning, weeping, and grieving our sin before our victory comes. Jas 4:8-10 (AMP) Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people]. Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom. Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose]. Joe 2:12 "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with 9 weeping, and with mourning." 1. Godly sorrow causes us to feel grief about how our sin has affected God and those around us. Guilt just makes us feel bad and shame about ourselves with no motivation to change. But Godly sorrow is motivated by our love for God which then results in us wanting to make changes for the good of our lives and our spiritual victory.

II Cor 7:10 For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2. We should desire to have a clean heart that is not infected by sin because first, we want to be close to Jesus, and second because we want to genuinely be able to be an effective minister. If you are to truly help others in ministry or mentorship, you don’t want to bleed all over them, but you want to help them heal. You can only do this because your heart is free and healed first.

E. When we truly grieve our sin we take responsibility for it as well. 1. When we take responsibility for our sin, we “stop blaming others” which is an effort to push our sin onto them. We are responsible for our sin! Ps 51:3 For I acknowledge MY transgressions, And MY sin is always before me. 2. When we take responsibility for our sin we stop “justifying” the sin and instead view it in the light of what God’s Word says about it. Jas 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 3. When we take responsibility for our sin we stop “hiding in isolation and guilt,” but instead approach God in honest confession and brokenness. We do not have to be afraid of God as his love contains no fear. Pro 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 4. When we take responsibility for our sin we stop “willingly yielding ourselves” to that sin. We stop making provision for our flesh. We instead make an exchange for Godly fruit and righteousness. Rom 6:6,13 Knowing this, that my old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that I should no longer be a slave of sin. 13) And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

F. Ultimately our season of mourning gives birth to life, comfort, new victories, and salvation of others. Psa 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. Isa 61:3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." Isa 66:7-8 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 10 Lesson Four-Humility brings Exaltation EM. Bounds said, “Happy are those who have no righteousness of their own to plead and no goodness of their own of which to boast. Humility flourishes in the soil of a true and deep sense of our sinfulness and our nothingness.” A. When we study the character of Jesus, we see that He was humble and gentle in nature. Mat 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Php 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 1. He was not arrogant, forceful, demanding, controlling, defensive, selfish, self-serving, critical, demeaning, defiant, or boastful. These are all characteristics of the proud. Jas 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resist the proud but gives graces unto the humble”. 2. God resist the proud. Matthew Henry’s Commentary tells us that this signifies that God is setting himself as in battle array against him. He opposes him. Pro 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.

B. What is hip and popular in our culture is not popular with Jesus! 1. Our culture thrives on outward appearance, worldly success, building a reputation having wealth, rank, and feeling superior in position. 2. Jesus had no comeliness, He was despised and rejected. He was born in a stable and was a Nazarene. He had nowhere to lay His head, he was a carpenter’s son, and he washed his follower’s feet. This all goes against the grain of our cultural norms. (Is 53:2-3; Matt 2:23; Matt 8:20; Matt 13:55; Jh 13:5) 3. We should esteem to be like Jesus, not our culture.

C. Humility is not about our “doing” for Christ but more about our “being” for Him. It is an attitude and disposition of the heart that we are to walk in daily. Mic 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? 1. Humility is a freedom from arrogance that grows out of the recognition that all we have and are comes from God. It believes that by ourselves we are inadequate, without dignity, and worthless. It is an understanding that it is God who gives us worth and dignity. It is a complete reliance upon God for help, strength, provision, spiritual faith, power, and all that we need.

D. Beware that pride is the thief of humility and it will reflect itself in two different ways: 1. We can think too highly of ourselves where we feel superior to others, become proud, lofty, and arrogant. Or we can think too lowly of ourselves, with our weaknesses, flaws, and inadequacies to where we become discouraged, stuck, and depressed. 2. We don’t need either!!! We need to see ourselves through GOD’S PERSPECTIVE. 3. God hates pride and arrogance. We are not bigger or better than others. We are all equally valuable and loved by God the same. We are not to think too highly of ourselves, not to be too

11 wise in our own opinions and we are to be of the same mind with others so much that we would love and serve them like Jesus would. (Rom 12:16, Matt 20:28) 4. Thinking too lowly of ourselves to where we are discouraged, stuck, and depressed is not the kind of lowly we are to think. The kind of lowly we are to think is that though we ARE inadequate, and have flaws and weaknesses, through HIM we have dignity, worth, strength, hope, and the power that we need to be effective and victorious in Him. (II Cor 3:5, Acts 17:28, II Cor 12:9)

E. Humility does not glory in self. It does not try to be in the spotlight. It glories in God only. 1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in His presence. Jer 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD. Andrew Murray said, “The highest glory of the creature is in being only a vessel, to receive and enjoy and show forth the glory of God. It can do this only as it is willing or be nothing in itself, that God may be all. Water always fills first the lowest places. The lower, the emptier a man lies before God, the speedier and the fuller will be the inflow of the divine glory.”

F. When we have the kind of humility that Jesus had, it will be reflected in the following ways: 1. We will voluntarily confess our sins. We will not hide, blame others or justify it. Psa 34:18 The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Job 42:6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes. 2. We will love others by reaching out to serve, honor, prefer, weep, and rejoice with them. Mat 20:28 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Gary Thomas said, “Humility is not a positive or negative view of self as much as it is a forgetfulness of self.” 3. We will die to self. We will not live unto ourselves by placing ourself as the object of worship in our lives. We follow God and what he desires of us. Luke 9:23 …..If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Jh 12:24 “Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone but if it die it brength forth much fruit. 4. We will not retaliate. We will refrain from insult or revenge, even when others accuse, slander, or criticize us. 1Pe 2:23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly. (AMP)

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Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, [yet when] He was afflicted, He was submissive and opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. ““A dead man or woman does not react to an offense. The truth is that the person who is offended by the words of others only proves that death to self has not been finished.” “Humility is cultivated in the classroom of humiliation.” 5. We will forgive. We will drop the debt owed to us by others. Col 3:13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Luk 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. Andrew Murray said, “Accept every humiliation, look upon every person who tries your patience or irritates you as a means of grace to humble you.” 6. We will be merciful. We will be forgiving and compassionate when it is undeserved. Joel 2:13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Mic 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? 7. We will yield, and be submissive and obedient to God in every area of our lives. Luk 22:42 Saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

G. When we humble ourselves, God will exalt us. The way up is down! Php 2:8-9 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. Luk 18:9-14 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 1. The Pharisee was proud of his good works and depending on them to be acceptable. 2. The tax collector saw his own heart for what it really was, full of sin.

Andrew Murray said, “Meekness and lowliness of heart are to be the distinguishing feature of the disciple, just as they were of the Master. And further, that this humility is not something that will come of itself, but that it must be made the object of special desire, prayer, faith, and practice.” 13

Lesson Five-A Pure Heart Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. (They shall see who God is and understand him) Pure: Greek word for pure is Katharos. It means to be clean, blameless, unmixed, and unstained from guilt. The opposite of pure is to be contaminated, mixed, and stained.

A. Jesus was pure, holy, and undefiled by sin. Heb 7:26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens.

B. God is coming for a holy, pure, and clean bride that has no spot or blemish. A bride that is not stained and spotted by sin.

Ephesians 5:27 That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.

C. As the bride of Christ, we are married to the Lord. He desires relationship and intimacy with us. Isa 54:5 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name. Isa 62:5 …..And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So shall your God rejoice over you. 1. He is jealous for, our pure love, and devotion to Him. 2Co 11:2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2. Intimacy in marriage is where we go beyond just knowing our spouse with head knowledge as was our dating experience, to trusting and surrendering all of our vulnerabilities to them. We take what is sacred and expose our naked self. We surrender ourself in intimacy and become one flesh. Song 2:10 My beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. 3. Spiritual intimacy with God is similar. We go from knowing God to completely trusting and surrendering to Him all our vulnerabilities.We expose our naked self and let God inside our hearts where He can see our sins, imperfections, and flaws. We surrender these sins through our godly sorrow which leads to repentance and then to salvation. 2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 4. Intimacy with God is the act of allowing Him to see into me. Purity can grow when our hearts are continually being exposed and surrendered. It is then that we can develop a clean, unstained heart that is no longer full of sin’s contamination. II Cor 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Jas 4:8-10 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

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D. The greatest hindrance to intimacy with God and exposing our heart to him is pride and fear. 1. Our pride will work hard to keep our sin hidden so we can look good and appear strong. We are afraid to be exposed. Afraid of rejection, being judged, and being shamed. Pride even makes us fear change and correction from God. 2. The high cost of protecting and keeping our hearts hidden is far more costly than not having intimacy with God. Pro 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 3. We must remember that God does not seek to condemn us when we sin but to save, forgive and heal us. Joh 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. IJn 4:18 (AMP)There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. 4. It was when David was transparent about his sin that God could give him a clean heart. (II Sam 12:13-23) Psa 51:7-10 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 5. When it comes to being transparent with others, we also fear rejection and judgment. However, we must be willing to exchange our fear for the benefits and blessings that come out of being transparent. • When we confess our faults to the righteous, we reap prayerful support. • We can help comfort others through the hard things that we have experienced. • Through our transparency we open the door for others to be vulnerable and share their weaknesses. It is said that people resonate with our strengths but relate to our weaknesses. • We can build trust and intimacy with others because they are able to see the real person that we truly are. Jas 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 2Co 1:4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

E. Purity is mostly internal. It resides within the heart.

1. The heart involves our thoughts, desires, will, understanding, and character. 2. All sin, contamination, and impurity begin first inside the heart. Before there is any impure outward behavior there is first impure thoughts and desires within. Mat 23:25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.

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Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

F. A pure heart abhors sin. It is willing to be clean and washed by God. Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Mal 3:2-4 (AMP) But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like launderer's soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness]. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD [grain] offerings in righteousness. Pro 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

G. A pure heart produces good motives and good fruit. Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 1. Partiality is not being partial to those of our own sentiments and not bias to the injury of others. It is loving all without respect of persons. 2. Hypocrisy is not pretending but being open and genuine.

H. A pure heart is marked by a desire to please God above all. It does not seek to please man. Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Gal 1:10 (AMP)Am I now trying to win the favor and approval of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please someone? If I were still trying to be popular with men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

I. Having a pure heart enables us to love others the way God has designed for us to love. 1 Timothy 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.

16 Lesson Six-Disqualified but Chosen A. God chose what most would deem as disqualified according to the world’s standards. He chose the simple, ordinary, humble, and weak to display His power so that there would be no room for flesh to glory. 1Co 1:25-29 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are. That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God— and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, "HE WHO GLORIES, LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD."

B. He chose to use base things to reveal His power. • A rod (Ex 4:2) • A jawbone (Jud 15:15) • Five smooth stones (I Sam 17:40) • A handful of flour and a little oil (I Kg 17:12) • Five barley loaves (Jh 6:9)

C. He chose to bless and heal those that were despised and rejected to reveal his power. • The lepers (Matt 8:3) • The tax collectors and prostitutes (Matt 21:31) • The sinful woman with the alabaster box (Lk 7:47) • The blind man (Jn 9:35) • The woman caught in adultery (Jh 8:4-7) • The demon possessed (Mk 5:8) • The unclean (Mk 5:25)

D. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. 1. Paul- He was a Pharisee who was immensely proud. He persecuted and murdered Christians! But God chose him despite his sins and imperfections! He saw what he could use in Paul. Paul was a devout Jew, well versed in the Torah, educated, was fluent in the Greek language and culture and had a lot of dedication and passion for his beliefs. All of these things enabled Paul to write thirteen epistles of the Bible and to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. Act 9:11-18 So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must

17 suffer for My name's sake." And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized 2. Peter -He was uneducated as a simple fisherman. He was quick to speak without thinking, he was prejudice, he denied Jesus before his trial, and cut off the ear of a man in his anger. However, the Lord saw that he could use Peter as he was bold and passionate. He wrote two epistles and he preached the first message to the early church on the day of Pentecost where 120 and later 3000 people were added to the church. Mat 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 3. David-He was overlooked when Samuel was looking for a king because he was young. He was also a murderer, not honest at times and an adulterer. However, the Lord saw what he could use in David as he had a heart after God which meant that he loved Him. He loved to worship, play the harp and wrote much of the psalms. He knew how to humble himself and repent. It was out of the lineage of David that Jesus was birthed. 1Sa 16:11-12 And Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all the young men here?" Then he said, "There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here." So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!"

E. In the world when we want to apply for certain things like a home, insurance, university, or a loan we must meet certain criteria to qualify for them. With God, the criteria to qualify is our simple faith in Him. Then after our call, he will do the work of shaping and molding our character, talents, and gifts that can be used for His glory. Eph 2:8-9 (AMP) For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] 2Co 3:5-6 (AMP) Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (of legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code [of the Law] kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive.

F. Though many felt very inadequate to be chosen, God affirmed them. He assured them that HE would do the work through them! It was all about God getting the glory! 1. Moses- God called him though he felt disqualified as a speaker and messenger. Exo 4:10-13 Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since 18 You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." So the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." 2. Gideon- God called him though his family was insignificant, and he was the youngest in his family. Jdg 6:12-16 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, "The LORD is with you, O brave man." But Gideon said to him, "Please my lord, if the LORD is with us, then why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wondrous works which our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this strength of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" But Gideon said to Him, "Please Lord, how am I to rescue Israel? Behold, my family is the least [significant] in Manasseh, and I am the youngest (smallest) in my father's house." The LORD answered him, "I will certainly be with you, and you will strike down the Midianites as [if they were only] one man." 3. Jeremiah- God called him though he was young and wasn’t confident to speak. Jer 1:6-9 Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, For I am [only] a young man." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am [only] a young man,' Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. "Do not be afraid of them [or their hostile faces], For I am with you [always] to protect you and deliver you," says the LORD. Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, "Behold (hear Me), I have put My words in your mouth. 4. Solomon- God called him though he was a little child and did not know how to lead. 1Ki 3:7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 5. Isaiah – God called him though he felt unclean and unworthy. Isa 6:5 So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts."

G. God’s process of equipping those He called involved their ability to listen to His voice, and a willingness to be obedient to what he was calling them to do. Act 13:22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID THE SON OF JESSE, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL.' 1. Even when the process involves hardships, suffering and looks impossible, we must endure, trust him and wait on God as he works through us. 2. Though Joseph faced the pit, Potiphar’s wife, and prison, God gave him favor and was qualifying him to save his people in the famine. Gen 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Gen 50:19-20 Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

19 3. Moses had to endure and be patient as the people of Israel were very rebellious. It was not easy at all to say the least!!! But he continued to listen to God and obey what God was calling him to do. Exo 32:31-34 So Moses returned to the Lord, and said, Oh, these people have sinned a great sin and have made themselves gods of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--and if not, blot me, I pray You, out of Your book which You have written! But the Lord said to Moses, Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him [not you] out of My book. But now go, lead the people to the place of which I have told you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I punish I will visit their sin upon them!

H. God works in the lives of imperfect and disqualified people! He calls them, qualifies them and equips them for his purpose. • Rahab was a harlot • Moses got angry • Saul had anger, depression and committed suicide • Solomon allowed women to be his destruction • Samson gave up his oath to God for Delilah • Jacob was a deceiver • Jonah was stubborn • Abraham lied and did not wait on the Lord for his promised child • Elijah was suicidal 1Th 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

20 Lesson Seven-Strength in Weakness 2Co 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

A. Paul was given great revelations of God’s glory. He was caught up into paradise and heard things that could not be told on earth. How easy it would have been for Paul to get proud and to think he had risen above all ordinary hardships. So, to keep him from exalting himself, a thorn was given to him of some kind of weakness. He called it a messenger from Satan to harass him. He prayed three times for God to take it away, but God refused. God instead used it for his good purpose in that His strength would be perfected in Paul. It was an awful thing to bear obviously but God promised that His grace would be there to help him!

B. The next verse explains some weaknesses that are not sins but that can overwhelm us. They are experiences, situations, circumstances and wounds we may have had or do have to bear. 2Co 12:10 Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 1. Infirmities-illness and suffering. 2. Reproaches- hard circumstances we may have to face. 3. Persecutions - abuse, prejudice, and being treated unfairly. 4. Distresses -being weighed down, stressed, and being pressured. Have you had a weakness, that felt overwhelming that you have begged God to take away?

C. Paul was conveying that he took pleasure in these hard circumstances that made him weak. He could take pleasure in them because he saw them as tools that tried and proved his faith. Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. 1Pe 1:7 That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1. He could also take pleasure in them because they provided the space needed for God to make him internally strong and dependent upon Him. God wants us to fully depended on Him. Psa 118:5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. 1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 2. He knows when we are weak and cannot take anymore. He promises to give us the power and strength to carry on. Isa 40:29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

21 D. God’s strength was proven perfect in many of the lives of his followers in their weaknesses, hard circumstances, persecutions, sufferings and distresses. Gods grace was upon them helping them to accomplish the ministry that he called them to. 1. Joseph-suffered abuse and hardship as a result of his brothers’ jealousy 2. Daniel-suffered persecution by being thrown into a den of lions 3. Moses-was distressed as he led the Israelites with all their rebellion 4. David-he was persecuted by Saul 5. Job-suffered physically in his body as Satan struck him with boils and lost everything 6. Paul- was shipwrecked, beaten and put into prison and had a thorn of affliction 7. Elijah-was distressed from the threats from Jezebel 8. Jeremiah- was constantly rejected and alone while being called a prophet Heb 11:33-34 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

E. We need to allow our weakness to put to shame the things that would elevate pride within us that would make us appear to be strong on our own merit. We need our weakness to be what displays God’s power and strength working in our lives. 1Co 1:27-29 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

F. We are only truly strong, when we are strong in the Lord. 2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

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