Fit For The Master's Use

Introduction: It was advertised in one of our large cities that a great violinist would play on a violin worth $1,000. The theater was packed. Many were curious and wanted to hear such an expensive instrument being played. The violinist went on stage and played very beautifully.

Suddenly, he threw the violin on the floor and then began to stomp on it, crushing it to pieces, then walked off the stage. The people were shocked. But then the manager came on stage and said that the violinist did not really use the $1,000 violin but a $20 one. He would now play on the $1,000 one. And so he did. But few people could tell the difference. He simply wanted to show that it was the violinist rather than the violin that makes the music.

In the Master’s hands, even a $20 fiddle would make good music. [1]

If we are going to be fit for the Master’s use, what do we need to do?

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I. Discipline to Holiness begins with the Word of God

One of the definition for discipline is training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character[2]

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

These effects are not isolated but are interdependent and set forth an entire process of sanctification.

Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable (PROVIDES A BENEFIT TO THE ONE WHO USES IT: USEFUL, ADVANTAGEOUS, HELPFUL),

First of all, the word of God is presented as doctrine (didaskalía [1319]), instruction, authoritative teaching, i.e., truth.

Secondly, as truth it is ethically persuasive (élegchos [1650], proof, conviction) convincing us of our error.

for rebuking [gk: e-leg-mos] (TO CONVICT , ἐλέγχω; ἔλεγξις, εως f; ἐλεγμός, οῦ m: to state (FROM THE WORD OF GOD) that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there (THE WORD OF GOD PROVIDES) is adequate proof of such wrongdoing—‘to rebuke, to reproach, rebuke, reproach.’

Thirdly, it then places us in a correct moral posture. to set right again, correct, which is from epí (1909), upon, and anorthóō (461), to make straight. Correction, setting up straight again. Used only in 2 Tim. 3:16 where it is cited as one of four benefits of the word of God.

Fourthly, the word of God continues to provide discipline (paideía [3809], training, discipline, chastisement) in righteousness.

16 All

for teaching,

for correcting,

for training in righteousness,

Ephesians 4:22–24 NKJV

that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Where are we taught this? __________________________________________

II. We must Plan to be Discipline

Why must we Plan?

When you don’t PLAN , you actually PLAN to FAIL.

BUT BEFORE WE LOOK AT PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN, LET’S CONSIDER

Our cooperation with the Spirit.

The Spirit INSPIRED the Scriptures.

2 Peter 1:21 NKJV

for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

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We learn the Scriptures

Romans 15:4 NKJV

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

(KJV) 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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The Spirit reminds us about what we have learn

John 14:26 NKJV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

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We COOPERATE WITH THE SPIRIT BY SURRENDERING AND OBEYING what He reminds us

James 1:25 NKJV

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

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A. A planned Time

When is the best time for you? ________________________________

B. A planned Method

1. Hearing the Word taught by your Pastor and others in the body

Jeremiah 3:15 NKJV

And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

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2. Reading the Bible ourselves

Deuteronomy 17:19 NKJV

And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,

(KJV) 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

3. Studying the scriptures intently

Proverbs 2:1–5 NKJV

My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.

(KJV) 1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Memorizing key passages

Psalm 119:11 NKJV

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

(KJV) 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Meditating on the word.

Joshua 1:8 NKJV

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

· What does this passage teach concerning God’s will for a holy life?

· How does my life measure up to that Scripture, specifically where and how do I fall short? (Be specific; don’t generalize)

· What definite steps of action do I need to take to obey?

Philippians 2:12–13 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

(KJV) 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

III. We must understand our Heart

Definition according to Jewish thought:

The heart is the center of emotions, feelings, moods, and passions.

Equated with the heart are joy (Deut. 28:47; Acts 2:26), grief (Ps. 13:2; Lam. 2:11), ill-temper (Deut. 15:10), love (Phil. 1:7), courage (2 Sam. 17:10; Ps. 27:14), and fear (Gen. 42:28). A swollen heart breeds arrogance (Isa. 9:9), which is in marked contrast to the gentle and lowly heart of Jesus (Matt. 11:29).

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The heart’s function as the source of thought and reflection highlights its intellectual capacities

(Isa. 6:10; Mark 7:21-23). The heart understands (Deut. 8:5; Isa. 42:25), provides wisdom to rule justly and wisely (1 Kings 3:12; 10:24), and discerns good and evil (1 Kings 2:44).

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The heart also represents the idea of volition and conscience

(1 Sam. 24:5; 2 Sam. 24:10). The request for a pure heart is the desire for a new and more perfect conscience (Ps. 51:10; Matt. 5:8). Since the heart is the center for decisions (2 Sam. 7:21), obedience, devotion, and intentionality, it represents the total human person. Within the heart, human beings meet God’s word (1 Sam. 12:24; Jer. 32:40) and thus it is the location where conversion takes place (Ps. 51:10; Joel 2:12; Acts 2:37).[1]

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A. Before the Fall of man

“When God originally created man, the reason (mind), the emotions, and the will all worked together in perfect harmony. Reason led the way in understanding the will of God, the will consented to God’s will and the emotions delighted in doing it.”

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B. After the Fall of man

Our reason (understanding)

Ephesians 4:18 NKJV

having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;

(KJV) 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our desires were entangled

Ephesians 2:3 NKJV

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

(KJV) 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Our wills were perverted

John 5:40 NKJV

But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

(KJV) 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

John 3:19 NKJV

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

(KJV 1900)

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

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IV. We must work on our Heart

Renew Your Minds

Romans 12:2 NKJV

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Philippians 2:5 NKJV

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

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Set our minds on things above

Colossians 3:1 NKJV

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2 NKJV

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

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Submit (SURRENDER) our wills to God

James 4:7 NKJV

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

(KJV) 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

V. We must understand the tactics against Our Heart

Subtle suggestion of Satan and his world system

Ephesians 2:2 NKJV

in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

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Evil enticements of our own sinful nature

James 1:14 NKJV

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

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VI. We must guard Our Heart

Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

1. Guard your mind

The Word of God speaks to our Mind

Psalm 119:9 NKJV

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

(KJV) 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Proverbs 2:10–12 NKJV

When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things,

(KJV) 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

Proverbs 2:1–5 NKJV

2. Guard your emotions

Satan attacks at your desires

Genesis 3:1-6 (Eve in the garden)

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2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Psalm 1:2 NKJV

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.

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How often do you guard your mind and emotions?

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3. God will direct your will

You will then see the Holy Spirit working in you

Philippians 2:13 NKJV

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

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