SEPARATING NECESSITIES
MAKING A DISTINCTION BETWEEN WHAT IS NECESSARY AND WHAT IS MORE THAN NECESSITY, [i.e., “wants”].
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN, BECAUSE WE NEED TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS. THE DEVIL TRIES TO GET THEM TO BE INTERCHANGEABLE.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
1. NOT ALL PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY ARE NECESSARY FOR LIFE.
But, all parts of the Bride are necessary for the Church to function properly.
CAN THE HUMAN BODY FUNCTION WITHOUT ARMS AND LEGS ? YES. CAN IT FUNCTION WITH EYES OR EARS ? YES. CAN THE BODY FUNCTION WITHOUT ONE KIDNEY ? YES.
–BUT, IN ORDER FOR A BODY TO FUNCTION ITS’ BEST, IT REQUIRES THE EFFECTIVE WORKING OF ALL THE PARTS. THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, EACH PART IS NECESSARY !
1 Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary :
2. WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR A CHRISTIAN’S LIFE ?
–FOR THE TRUE CHRISTIAN, TO HAVE CHRIST IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
An example–PAUL’S EXPERIENCE WAS THAT OF POVERTY AT TIMES.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
[“WANT”=POVERTY. 5304 υστερησις husteresis hoos-ter’-ay-sis, 1) want, poverty]
–FOOD, WATER, PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS.
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
CAN WE BE FILLED WITH JOY WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE OUR WANTS ? YES. AND GOD COMMANDS IT.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
–FOOD. Our nourishment is the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
–WATER. The Holy Spirit. A REAL relationship with Him. Not just “having” Him, but allowing Him to be a part of us entirely. ****What would happen if you had some specific part of your body drained of all water, all moisture ? It would die. The same is true when we do not allow the Holy Spirit to saturate us completely.
John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
–PROTECTION. The promises of God. Our mental protection in these last days is important. Don’t allow yourself to be unprotected.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.
3. SOME COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT JUST FOR GOOD, BUT ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. (can’t do without).
THE NECESSARY THINGS WHICH ARE COMMANDMENTS. THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY COMMANDMENTS, BUT THEY ARE NECESSARY. OF THE OTHERS, THE MORE YOU OBEY, THE CLOSER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD.
Acts 15:25-29 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
4. SOME DUTIES ARE NECESSARY FOR EACH CHRISTIAN TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD.
NECESSARY ACTIONS (“USES” = “DUTIES”).
Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
WHAT ARE NECESSARY USES ?
–LIVING BY FAITH IS NECESSARY TO PLEASE GOD.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
–THOSE ARE THE ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED TO KEEP THE WORK OF GOD FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND TO THE GLORY OF GOD. HOW THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED IS SPELLED OUT IN SCRIPTURE.
–CONSIDERATION OF OTHERS.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
EVERYONE HAS BAD DAYS. IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BE UNDERSTANDING OF YOU, BE UNDERSTANDING OF THEM.
–LOVE ONE ANOTHER. DON’;T JUST SAY IT. DO THINGS FOR THE BRETHREN THAT SHOW YOUR LOVE.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
–EDIFY ONE ANOTHER. SHARE WHAT GOD IS DOING IN YOUR LIFE. CHALLENGE EACH OTHER TO GREATER FAITH.
Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
NECESSARY FRIENDS. [Necessary=needful”] These were the closest friends of Cornelius. Some would have been afraid of offending them, but he wanted to offer them the same great opportunity that he had.
Acts 10:24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
“Separating Necessities”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
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