EQUIPPED for Every Good Work

It bothers me why some people choose to live way below their potential.

2 Peter 1:3 NKJV

As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

Where do we get it from? Through knowledge of Him.

Where do we get the knowledge? The BIBLE.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

[16] All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 3:5-8 NKJV

[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. [8] It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

Principles of being adequately equipped:

1. Doctrine: Correct doctrine will set you on the right path of life. Wrong doctrine will cause you to stumble.

We are living in the last hour and must not be naive. The Bible clearly warns about the uprising of false doctrines. You don't have to look far to see the destroying forces of wacky doctrines, it's clear for all who know their Bible. And that's the point. Scriptural knowledge needs to be applied correctly; rightly dividing God's Word will keep you in the centre of correct doctrine. You'll avoid being hoodwinked by lovely sounding words that appear to be spiritual and true. You'll have your discerning antennae up, to throw out what's not of God.

1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

[1] Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

Hebrews 13:9 NKJV

[9] Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

2. Reproof : Thayer's Definition

1. A proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested

2. Conviction

The Word will bring conviction. Testing is part of living for God. We are to test ourselves.

2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.

Disqualified from what? Eternal life.

1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

James 1:3 NKJV

Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

James 1:4 NKJV

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Scripture applied by faith will stand against the push of any trial or test. The example of Jesus our in the wilderness proves that. Our victory remains secure in the proving, if we do not give up on the Word.

3. Correction: To straighten up.

Thayer's Definition

1. Restoration to an upright or right state

2. Correction, improvement of life or character

I find it interesting how correction is needed when something is bent. "Oh pastor your kicking me while I'm bent!" No, wrong, it seems like a kick, but it's actually correction. How do we end up needing correction? So many ways. Needless to say, we all need correction when we are bent out of shape.

Begin to thank the Lord that He provided scripture for this process of correction. Welcome the fact that He loves us enough to straighten our stand.

Proverbs 12:1 NKJV

[1] Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.

Hebrews 12:5-11 NKJV

[5] And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; [6] For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." [7] If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? [8] But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. [9] Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? [10] For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. [11] Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

4. Instruction: Better to learn from instruction than destruction.

Proverbs 5:23 NKJV He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Proverbs 10:17 NKJV

[17] He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.

Proverbs 19:27 NKJV

[27] Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

We all know people who bypass the instructions when trying to put something together? It can take a whole lot longer to figure things out. Why not save yourself hours, or even years, and just read the instructions.

How can we be thoroughly equipped for every good work?

Doctrine

Reproof

Correction

Instruction

I’m talking about becoming equipped as a Christian.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [13] till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, [15] but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ- [16] from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

If our love-walk does not include becoming fully equipped, we loose sight of our purpose as the church. Be FULLY equipped.