Open Heaven For Teens Friday, September 15, 2023

Title: Can One be Perfect

Memorize: Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 (Nkjv)

Bible Reading (Nkjv): Genesis 17:1-8

[1] When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 

[2] And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 

[3] Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: 

[4] “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 

[5] No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 

[6] I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 

[7] And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 

[8] Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Message:

God gives instructions and guidelines to His children out of His bountiful love for them. He demands absolute obedience because there is always a reward attached to it. Ultimately, He wants us to become like Him, and He will not accept anything less than the best. 2 Timothy 2:19 says:

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Some people argue against perfection, saying that as long as we are alive in this mortal body, we cannot be perfect. They say that everyone is a sinner, and those who are claiming to be holy are just hypocrites. I understand their point because they are speaking as carnal men. The Bible says: “Walk in the Spirit so that you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.” This means living a holy life is not by human activities but with the help of the Holy Spirit. When you humble your heart before Him and tell Him how helpless you are in your weaknesses, He will supply His strength to you and begin to guide you in all things. Obedience to His daily leading in school, at home, in the Church, in the neighborhood, et cetera, is what will eventually bring you to perfection.

Action Point:

Be intentional about your attitude to the word of God daily.

HYMN 18 – When We Walk With The Lord

  1. When we walk with the Lord,
    In the light of His word,
    What a glory He sheds on our way!
    While we do His good will
    He abides with us still,
    And with all who will trust and obey.

CHORUS
Trust and obey!
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.

  1. Not a shadow can rise,
    Not a cloud in the skies,
    But His smile quickly drives it away;
    Not a doubt nor a fear,
    Not a sigh nor a tear,
    Can abide while we trust and obey.
  1. Not a burden we bear,
    Not a sorrow we share
    But our toil He doth richly repay;
    Not a grief nor a loss,
    Not a frown nor a cross,
    But is blest if we trust and obey
  1. But we never can prove
    The delights of His love,
    Until all on the altar we lay,
    For the favor He shows
    And the joy He bestows
    Are for them who will trust and obey.
  1. Then in fellowship sweet
    We will sit at His feet,
    Or we’ll walk by His side in the way,
    What He says we will do,
    Where He sends we will go,
    Never fear, only trust and obey.

Bible In One Year: Hosea 5-9