Nothing

Supplanter · #1 2nd July 2009, 11:37 PM

I am currently doing the Experiencing God Bible Study by Henry Blackaby with my Women's Bible Study Group at the church. Just on a side-note before I get to my point here. What I love about all this is that I am WOF by all accounts, going to a Methodist Church, teaching a study by a Baptist preacher to women who go to different churches and no churches and range in ages from 10-60 somethings. It's awesome.

Anyway, I wanted to share a little bit of what I've been studying. Here is excerpt from the workbook.

Sometimes we assume that every question is legitimate. However, when we ask the wrong question, we may find an answer but remain disoriented to God and His activity. Always check to make sure you have asked the right question before you pursue the answer.

What is God's will for my life? is not the right question. I think the proper question is, What is God's will? Once I know God's will, then I can adjust my life to Him. In other words, what is it God is purposing to accomplish where I am? Once I know what God is doing, then I know what I need to do. The focus needs to be on God, not on my life!

The study continues with this passage of scripture:

John 5:17-20 (New King James Version)

17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

Now here is what really hit me in the face. You know it was one of things that you know, but you obviously don't get it, because you are not practicing it in your life the way you should. So here it is:

Who is always at work?

The Father

How much can the Son do by Himself?

Nothing

What does the Son do?

What He sees the Father doing

Why does the Father show the Son what He is doing?

He loves Him

So, the first thing that clicked the light switch on for me was that if the Son can nothing apart from the Father, then I can nothing apart from the Son. So:

How much can I do apart from Yeshua?

Nothing.

And then this brought it home, because here is where the promise comes in:

John 15:5 (New King James Version)

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

So, what happens when we do nothing apart from Yeshua, we bear much fruit! How awesome, God literally requires nothing of us if we are not abiding in Him, because we can't do it. He knows we can't do it, so we have no choice but to abide in Him if we wish to accomplish anything. And when we abide in Him, we are free from worry and can bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How awesome! We don't have to obtain these things for ourselves, we simply must abide. Now that is freedom.

So, I ask, what have you been doing apart from Yeshua lately and are you ready to stop doing nothing?

SharonL · #2 2nd July 2009, 11:44 PM

Great Teaching - I find if I am doing something on my own - it is very hard and things just do not fall into place, but if I wait upon the Lord and go as the Holy Spirit leads, things seem to just fall in place.

Thanks for sharing.

Caty · #3 2nd July 2009, 11:47 PM

what does a WOF believer--believe??

Jayangel81 · #4 3rd July 2009, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Caty

what does a WOF believer--believe??

I think you may find the answer in here somewhere

http://www.christianforums.com/t7378515/

Supplanter · #5 3rd July 2009, 01:50 AM

Thanks Jay.

Caty, if you have any question or want my personal answer, feel free to PM or post your questions in the WOF forum and others and myself will be happy to answer as well.

And Sharon, yes, it does seem like everything falls into place when we are just abiding. Makes you wonder why we are always trying to be so independent.

Supplanter · #6 3rd July 2009, 01:55 AM

Oh and I forgot this part. Can't believe I forgot it. If we can do nothing apart from God, then what can we do when God works through us?

We can do anything that God can do. Anything we see Yeshua do, we can do, just like anything Yeshua saw the Father do, He could do. In God's hands our potential is limitless!

KingZzub · #7 3rd July 2009, 04:13 AM

I heard a wonderful sermon from Keith Moore where he was saying that faith people always say "In Him I can do all things" and that we needed to also say "Without him, we can do nothing"

I think it was called faith and humility, I will find out...

nephilimiyr · #8 3rd July 2009, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by KingZzub

I heard a wonderful sermon from Keith Moore where he was saying that faith people always say "In Him I can do all things" and that we needed to also say "Without him, we can do nothing"

I think it was called faith and humility, I will find out...

Do and doing, what's all this do and doing talk? If we can do all things, why aren't we doing all things? I had a thread on renewing the mind yet after 20 posts it died. Please don't tell me that we can do all things is a prioty of yours because if it was you and I would still be discussing all things in my renewing the mind thread.

KingZzub · #9 3rd July 2009, 08:01 AM

Not sure what you are actually trying to say, Neph.

Are you not doing all things? What things are you not doing? What things do you assume I am not doing? What is this to do with renewing the mind?

Blessings,
Ben

nephilimiyr · #10 3rd July 2009, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by KingZzub

Not sure what you are actually trying to say, Neph.

Are you not doing all things? What things are you not doing? What things do you assume I am not doing? What is this to do with renewing the mind?

Blessings,
Ben

I thought that is what I asked you, because you're the one who brought up doing all things. And if you're including all things when you say all things, no, I am not doing all things. And why would it even matter what things I am or am not doing?

Now, I offered a reason why I am not doing all things, because I haven't renewed my mind fully to the gospel. That is something we all have to do daily, it's not a one time thing. To me talking about such things are of the upmost importance.