Trashcan! Do not give up! (Object lesson #1)
See introduction from part 1 for clarity.
The Holy Spirit Revealed to me.
Introduction:
This information came about years ago when I was working with the children in children's church. I thought it would be relevant for those in Christ today onward.
There were times I would walk around the campus and just teach the children about God. My goal was to be creative and have some fun with the Lord and the children.
As we walked around the campus, I would think of things that would be beneficial to the children. Also, I would give them opportunities to choose anything they saw. Now as years passed, this information is needed now.
Here are some things the Holy Spirit revealed.
Of course, new insights have been added because God's word is pregnant with meaning every day.
The first thing I observed was a trashcan. Then God's word began to surface as seen in this teaching. New information was added as I was preparing this teaching.
I used the trashcan as an object lesson mixed with God's word to help people understand. It is valuable for any age, or anyone interested in growing in Christ. We should be growing!
(Highlighted text added)
Trashcan: (Object lesson #1)
Therefore, let us begin with the following portions of God's word.
Hebrews 10:35-36
35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, (G3954) which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. RSV
We can see that God does not want us to throw away our confidence. This is great news!
Then the following verse came to the surface. We can see that God has assigned us with a measure of faith. This is also great news!
Romans 12:3
3 For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him. RSV
My insight is simple. Our faith, confidence, courage, boldness does not belong in the trashcan.
With this type of confidence seen in Hebrews 10:35, along with our measure of faith as seen in Romans 12:3 we can:
1. Pray to our heavenly Father.
2. Share with people about Jesus.
3. Hold fast to our hope.
Then, I did some research of Hebrews 10:35 to deepen our understanding. Because God's word says to diligently study His word. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Hebrews 10:35-36
35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, (G3954) which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised. RSV
Research:
Greek definition for the word “Confidence”: (Hebrews 10:35) NT: G3954)
Especially in Hebrews and 1 John the word denotes confidence, which is experienced with such things as faith in communion with God, fulfilling the duties of the evangelist, holding fast our hope, and acts which entail a special exercise of faith.
Parr¢sía (Confidence) is possible as the result of guilt having been removed by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19 [cf. vv. 17, 18]; 1 John 3:21; 4:17) and manifests itself in confident praying and witnessing (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:14). (From The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New)
Greek definition for the word “Confidence”: NT: G3954
Freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech Acts 4:13
Free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage,
(From Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
So, we can see from this research:
1. Guilt can be removed by the blood of Jesus. Great news for sure!
2. Confident in our prayers!
3. Confident in our witnessing!
4. Freedom in speaking!
5. Unreservedness in speech!
6. Free and fearless confidence!
7. Cheerful courage!
8. Lid on the trashcan!
Realize that our past sins are in the tomb and anything we have repented for is forgiven and not remembered.
Guilt stops our confidence.
Guilt causes us to throw away our faith.
Remember the sin factor has been dealt with.
Romans 6:6
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. RSV
Every time we exercise our faith in any situation a spiritual trashcan will be there.
Consider the following verses.
Genesis 4:6-7
6 The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching (H7257) (lying) at the door; its desire (H8669) is for you, but you must master it." RSV
More research to reveal understanding.
Lieth, lying or couching: OT: (7257) (4769)
Another view interprets "sin" in the figure of a ferocious beast ready to spring.
(From Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)
Keep in mind, it is when we fail that we are tempted to throw away our confidence, or courage.
By faith we can master sin.
Romans 6:14
14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. RSV
Consider these verses again in Genesis 4:6-7. Observe the word, "desire" (H8669).
Genesis 4:6-7
6 The LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching (H7257) (lying) at the door; its desire (H8669) is for you, but you must master it." RSV
More research:
Desire: OT: 8669
In Genesis 4:7 God is speaking to Cain and says to him that sin is like a crouching beast "hungering, intent upon" Cain. (From Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)
Here is Genesis 4:6-7 from other translations for clarity.
Genesis 4:6-7
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why that scowl on your face? 7 If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling; but because you have done evil, sin is crouching at your door. It wants to rule you, but you must overcome it." (TEV)
Genesis 4:6-7
6 "Why are you angry?" the Lord asked him. "Why is your face so dark with rage? 7 It can be bright with joy if you will do what you should! But if you refuse to obey, watch out. Sin is waiting to attack you, longing to destroy you. But you can conquer it!" (TLB)
Be alert that whenever we mess up, sin is couching, lying at the door. Its desire is for us, but we must master it. In other words, overcome or conquer sin!
Think about these encouraging portions of God's word.
Proverbs 28:13
13 He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy. (AMP)
Galatians 6:9
9 And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. RSV
Insight: Spiritually speaking, the palm tree segments, equal bending capabilities to prevent giving up. See link below.
Let us continue in this teaching.
We must go forward and not shrink back into doubt.
Going backward is operating in doubt and doubt does not please God.
Hebrews 10:38-39
38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and keep their souls. RSV
If we as believers in Christ desire to please God we must operate in faith.
Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. (AMP)
How can we prevent our faith from being thrown into “The Trashcan”?
Romans 4:20-21
20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. RSV
Being fully convinced is one key to success for those in Christ. However, by faith, it does take some work.
Related materials.
Click here. (Palm tree segments) Valuable Insights 11 How to maintain a Jesus Attitude
Click here. Do not give up!
Click here. Object lesson #2