Your Foundation in Christ (Victory Series Book #3): Live By the Power of the Spirit
Read Your Foundation in Christ (Victory Series Book #3): Live By the Power of the Spirit Online
Authors: Neil T. Anderson
Tags: #REL012120
© 2014 by Neil T. Anderson
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Ebook edition created 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4412-6567-8
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified
NASB
are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations identified
NKJV
are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified
KJV
are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Cover design by Inside Out Design
Cover
1
Title Page
3
Copyright Page
4
Introduction
7
Session One: Liberating Truth
11
1. The Truth Shall Set You Free (John 8:31–36)
13
2. Absolute Truth (Proverbs 3:1–7)
17
3. Owning the Truth (Psalm 51:1–19)
21
4. Emotional Truth (Lamentations 3:1–24)
25
5. Destroyed From Lack of Knowledge (Hosea 4:1–6)
29
Session Two: The Nature of Faith
35
1. The Confidence of Faith (Hebrews 11:1–40)
37
2. The Object of Our Faith (Hebrews 13:7–10)
41
3. Growing in Faith (Romans 10:14–17)
45
4. Faith and Works (James 2:14–25)
49
5. Living by Faith (Galatians 3:10–14)
53
Session Three: Living Boldly
57
1. The Fear of God (Isaiah 8:12–14)
59
2. Overcoming the Fear of Death (1 Corinthians 15:50–55)
63
3. Overcoming the Fear of People (1 Peter 3:13–22)
67
4. Overcoming the Fear of Failure (1 Samuel 17:1–58)
71
5. Freedom From Fear (2 Timothy 1:1–18)
75
Session Four: Godly Relationships
81
1. Relating to One Another (Luke 6:20–42)
83
2. Discipline and Judgment (Zechariah 8:14–17)
87
3. A Proper Defense (Isaiah 53:1–12)
91
4. Acceptance and Affirmation (Romans 15:1–7)
95
5. Overcoming Rejection (Acts 15:36–40)
99
Session Five: Freedom of Forgiveness
103
1. The Ministry of Reconciliation (Leviticus 3:1–17)
105
2. Be at Peace With Each Other (Mark 9:42–50)
109
3. Seeking the Forgiveness of Others (Luke 7:36–50)
113
4. Forgiving Others (Ephesians 4:29–32)
117
5. Forgiving From the Heart (Matthew 18:21–35)
121
Session Six: Living by the Spirit
127
1. Living in God’s Strength (Galatians 5:13–26)
129
2. Overcoming Legalism (2 Corinthians 3:5–18)
133
3. Overcoming Licentiousness (1 Corinthians 8:1–13)
137
4. Filled With the Spirit (Ephesians 5:15–22)
141
5. Releasing the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:16–22)
145
Leader’s Tips
151
Victory Series Scope and Sequence Overview
155
Books and Resources
159
Index
163
About the Author
173
Back Ad
174
Back Cover
175
The Victory Series
S
o then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught” (Colossians 2:6–7). Paul’s New Covenant theology is based on who we are “in Christ.” As a believer in Christ, you must first be rooted “in Him” so you can be built up “in Him.” Just as you encounter challenges as you grow physically, you will encounter hurdles as you grow spiritually. The following chart illustrates what obstacles you need to overcome and lessons you need to learn at various stages of growth spiritually, rationally, emotionally, volitionally, and relationally.
Levels of Conflict
| Level One Rooted in Christ | Level Two Built up in Christ | Level Three Living in Christ | |
| Spiritual | Lack of salvation or assurance (Eph. 2:1–3) | Living according to the flesh (Gal. 5:19–21) | Insensitive to the Spirit’s leading (Heb. 5:11–14) |
| Rational | Pride and ignorance (1 Cor. 8:1) | Wrong belief or philosophy (Col. 2:8) | Lack of knowledge (Hos. 4:6) |
| Emotional | Fearful, guilty, and shameful (Matt. 10:26–33; Rom. 3:23) | Angry, anxious, and depressed (Eph. 4:31; 1 Pet. 5:7; 2 Cor. 4:1–18) | Discouraged and sorrowful (Gal. 6:9) |
| Volitional | Rebellious (1 Tim. 1:9) | Lack of self-control (1 Cor. 3:1–3) | Undisciplined (2 Thess. 3:7, 11) |
| Relational | Rejected and unloved (1 Pet. 2:4) | Bitter and unforgiving (Col. 3:13) | Selfish (1 Cor. 10:24; Phil. 2:1–5) |
This V
ICTORY
S
ERIES
will address these obstacles and hurdles and help you understand what it means to be firmly rooted in Christ, grow in Christ, live free in Christ, and overcome in Christ. The goal of the course is to help you attain greater levels of spiritual growth, as the following diagram illustrates:
Levels of Growth
| Level One Rooted in Christ | Level Two Built up in Christ | Level Three Living in Christ | |
| Spiritual | Child of God (Rom. 8:16) | Lives according to the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) | Led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14) |
| Rational | Knows the truth (John 8:32) | Correctly uses the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15) | Adequate and equipped (2 Tim. 3:16–17) |
| Emotional | Free (Gal. 5:1) | Joyful, peaceful, and patient (Gal. 5:22) | Contented (Phil. 4:11) |
| Volitional | Submissive (Rom. 13:1–5) | Self-controlled (Gal. 5:23) | Disciplined (1 Tim. 4:7–8) |
| Relational | Accepted and forgiven (Rom. 5:8; 15:7) | Forgiving (Eph. 4:32) | Loving and unselfish (Phil. 2:1–5) |
God’s Story for You
and
Your New Identity
, the first two studies in the V
ICTORY
S
ERIES
,
focused on the issues that help the believer become firmly rooted in Christ (level one in above chart). If you have completed those studies, then you know the whole gospel, who you are in Christ, and who is your heavenly Father.
Your
Foundation in Christ
, the third study in the V
ICTORY
S
ERIES
,
transitions to issues that are related to your growth in Christ (level two in the above chart).
As you work through the six sessions in this Bible study, you will learn how God’s truth sets you free, how God is the object of your faith, how you can grow in that faith, how you can overcome fear and live boldly for God, how you can rest in God’s acceptance and affirmation, how you can gain freedom through forgiveness, and how you can live by the Spirit. Growth requires the right foundation, which is your personal identity and security in Christ. The Steps to Freedom in Christ will be mentioned during this study. This booklet can be purchased at any Christian bookstore or from Freedom in Christ Ministries. The Steps to Freedom in Christ is a repentance process that can help you resolve your personal and spiritual conflicts. The theology and application of the Steps is explained in the book
Discipleship Counseling
.
Before starting each daily reading, review the portion of Scripture listed for that day, then complete the questions at the end of each day’s reading. These questions have been written to allow you to reflect on the material and apply to your life the ideas presented in the reading. At the end of each study, I have included a quote from a Church father illustrating the continuity of the Christian faith. Featured articles will appear in the text throughout the series, which are for the edification of the reader and not necessarily meant for discussion.
If you are part of a small group, be prepared to share your thoughts and insights with your group. You may also want to set up an accountability partnership with someone in your group to encourage you as you apply what you have learned in each session. For those of you who are leading a small group, there are leader tips at the end of this book that will help you guide your participants through the material.
As with any spiritual discipline, you will be tempted at times not to finish this study. There is a “sure reward” for those who make a “sure commitment.” The V
ICTORY
S
ERIES
is far more than an intellectual exercise. The truth will not set you free if you only acknowledge it and discuss it on an intellectual level. For the truth to transform your life, you must believe it personally and allow it to sink deep into your heart. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth, and enable you to be the person God has created you to be. Decide to live what you have chosen to believe.
Dr. Neil T. Anderson
Liberating Truth
Y
ou are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
“What is truth?” retorted Pilate (John 18:37–38).
Pilate asked a good question! However, there is a better one: “
Who
is the truth?” We know who isn’t the truth. Jesus said to those who were not able to hear Him because they were not on the side of truth, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). If you want to know “what is truth,” you have to know the One who is the Truth. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). The side of the one you are on, and to whom you are listening, will determine whether you have life or death and freedom or bondage.
Daily Readings
| 1. The Truth Shall Set You Free | John 8:31–36 |
| 2. Absolute Truth | Proverbs 3:1–7 |
| 3. Owning the Truth | Psalm 51:1–19 |
| 4. Emotional Truth | Lamentations 3:1–24 |
| 5. Destroyed From Lack of Knowledge | Hosea 4:1–6 |