Sit, Walk, Stand: The Process of Christian Maturity (10 page)

  
5. “Satan’s primary object is not to get us to sin, but simply to make it easy for us to do so by getting us off the ground of perfect triumph onto which the Lord has brought us” (p. 54). What does it mean to get “off the ground of perfect triumph”? Refer to Romans 8:33–37 for insight into this.

Section 2

  
6. Though our warfare is largely defensive, there is one sense in which it is offensive. Though Christ has already won (Eph. 1:21–22), we do not yet see everything subject to Him (Heb. 2:8)—and for now the Enemy is occupying territory that is rightly God’s. Here is where we use our one weapon of offense, the sword of the Spirit. Read
Ephesians 6:17–18. What does offensive warfare consist of?

  
7. Nee highlights two passages on prayer which focus on the use of Jesus’ name (p. 57). Read these two passages (Matt. 18:18–20; John 16:23–24, 26) and then read the paragraph on page 57 that begins with the words, “None can be saved . . .” What does it mean for us to use the name of Jesus?

  
8. The power of His name operates in three directions (p. 59):

          
• for
salvation
(Acts 40:10–12) and the ensuing process of
sanctification
(Luke 24:47, Acts 10:43, 1 Cor. 6:11)

          
• for
spiritual warfare
in binding the Enemy (Mark 16: 17, Luke 10:17–19, Acts 16:18)

          
• for
asking
of God (John 14:13–14, 15:16, 16:23)

             
Read the above referenced verses for examples of using the power of Jesus’ name. What are some personal experiences in which you have seen the Lord’s name used in any of these directions?

Section 3

  
9. Praying and acting “in the name of Jesus” results from doing those things to which He has committed Himself—things to which He can “sign His name.” When God commits Himself to us on an issue, we can act with authority (Eph. 1:21, Matt. 18:18).

10. Ministry done in the name of Jesus will have the following characteristics:

      
•
It will be born from a revelation of God’s eternal purpose through it
. What is God’s ultimate goal in our service to Him (p. 64)? How can we know the personal role God wants us to play in it (Eph. 4:11–16, 1:9–12)? What is the purpose of organized Christianity?

      
•
It will be a work that is conceived by God
. Why is it that we tend to plan our work and then ask God to bless it? What kind of fruit comes of service done in this way (pp. 64–65)? How did Jesus and Paul carry out their ministries in light of this truth (John 5:19, Acts 16:6–7)?

      
•
It will continue in dependence upon God alone for its empowering and enabling
. The church has become accustomed to leaning on natural ability or common sense in assigning ministry. But work done in this way does not require the power
of God. What does John 15:5 say about our ability to bear fruit? Therefore, what kind of fruit comes from ministry that is run purely on practical lines, and what will happen to it (1 Cor. 3:12–15)?

      
•
It is to the end that God is glorified
. What are we to get out of our service to God? What is the difference between what we will receive and what God should receive (p. 68, Eph. 1:6, 12, 14)?

A Testimony

11. In following the will of God, we will face criticism. We must know His will in order to be certain of working in His name. Read John 7:17, Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 1:8–10. Can we be certain of knowing God’s will in our own lives? How can we discern His voice?

12. How did Nee know for certain that the words “Where is the God of Elijah?” (2 Kings 2:1–14) were God’s message for him? Was this faith or presumption? Can we know (Eph. 1:9, 3:10)?

The Christian life consists of sitting with Christ, walking by Him and standing in Him. We begin our spiritual life by resting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus. That rest is the source of our strength for a consistent and unfaltering walk in the world. And at the end of a grueling warfare with the hosts of darkness, we are found standing with Him at last in triumphant possession of the field.

“Unto him . . . be the glory . . . for ever.”