Luke 14:25-33, Phil 3:7-16, 1John 2:15-17

Man and Woman Devoted to God

1. Mankind is made to live in devotion to God.

   1. The original design of Man.

      1. Defined by faithfulness to God's covenant.

      2. Characterized by communion with God.

      3. Meant to govern all of life.

   2. Examples after the fall of men who walked with God.

      1. Enoch, Gen 5:24, Noah, Gen 6:9, Abraham, Genesis 17:1 , and Isaac, Gen 48:15, David, 1Kings 3:14, Psalm 26:1, Josiah 2Chron 34:2

   3. God reiterated his design in his law.

• Deuteronomy 6:5, Deuteronomy 10:12

  1. God reiterated his design through his Son Jesus Christ.

• Matthew 22:38 "This is the first and great commandment.

• The Apostles versus the crowd.

  1. The crowds were impressed by the Lord Jesus.

  2. Christ impresses us with the demands he makes of his disciples.

• Luke 12:47-49

  1. The apostles impress us by their devotion to the Lord Jesus.

• Phil 3:7-13, Romans 7:22-24.

  1. Consider the cost of not living in devotion to God.

• Christ calls us to total devotion.

  1. The upward call in Christ resists the downward pull of the world.

• Philippians 3:14, Mark 4:19, Romans 12:2, Proverbs 15:24, 1 Cor 7:31

  1. In Christ, man and woman are renewed in the image of God.

• Colossians 3:9, Galatians 3:28, Psalm 103:2… 5.

  1. In Christ, man and woman can exercise dominion for the Lord.

• 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, James 4:4, Galatians 6:14.

  1. Man and woman are blessed by God's Spirit and are enabled to live before God.

     1. Satan deceived Adam and Eve, Gen 3:4

     2. The Holy Spirit enables us to overcome the assaults on our souls, 1Corinthians 2:12

     3. We are restored to holiness, 2 Peter 1:3-4

     4. We escape the corruption of the world, and are remade in the image of our Creator, 1 John 5:5, 1 John 2:17.

  2. Total devotion to Christ provides what we need to be men and women who glorify God and enjoy him forever.

• WSC 10, WSC 35.
• Psalm 85:8-9.