CHAPTER EIGHT

A NORMAL LIFE AND SERVICE

Scripture Reading: Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rom. 12:1; 1:14; Matt. 4:19; 1 Tim. 2:1, 4; 1 Cor. 9:16-17; Acts 5:42; 1 Thes. 2:20; John 21:15-16; 4:24; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Cor. 14:26, 1, 5, 39; Eph. 4:12, 15-16; Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20

OUTLINE

1. A normal life:
   1. Being different from the world-Rom. 12:2:
      1. Those in the world belong to the world and are for the world.
      2. The believers belong to the Lord and are for the Lord.
   2. Being constrained by the Lord to live to the Lord-2 Cor. 5:14-15.
   3. Setting up a schedule of one’s daily life:
      1. One that is suitable for living to the Lord and serving Him.
      2. Having a budget in time, energy, and finances:
         1. Setting aside a fixed time every week and every day for the Lord.
         2. There being the need to budget one’s strength for the Lord as well.
         3. In budgeting our finances, that which is for the Lord should be increased according to the prosperity bestowed by the Lord-Acts 11:29; 1 Cor. 16:2.
2. A normal service:
   1. Offering up our bodies and our time-Rom. 12:1:
      1. According to budget.
      2. Not owing the Lord-Rom. 1:14.
   2. Preaching the gospel to gain new ones-Matt. 4:19:
      1. Being interested in sinners, and praying for the unbelievers-1 Tim. 2:1, 4.
      2. Not being something of a temporary zeal.
      3. But functioning in a normal and regular way-1 Cor. 9:16-17.
   3. Taking care of the home meetings and perfecting the new ones-Acts 5:42:
      1. Considering the new ones as one’s joy-1 Thes. 2:20.
      2. Teaching and shepherding patiently-John 21:15-16.
      3. Mainly cultivating the spirits of the new ones-John 4:24.
   4. Helping the meetings and contacting the saints:
      1. Considering those being helped as one’s glory.
      2. Helping them to mingle with the saints.
      3. Directing them to open to the saints for mutual fellowship, concern, love, and care-Heb. 10:24-25.
   5. Attending the district meetings to build up the church:
      1. Before and after the meetings, contacting the new attendants and the other saints.
      2. Exercising to function in the meetings by testifying or prophesying-1 Cor. 14:1, 5, 39.
      3. Practice the voice and the proper use of time.
      4. Practice following the flow of the meeting and caring for others’ feelings.
   6. Building up the Body of Christ:
      1. By-passing arrangements, acting and serving organically.
      2. Not emphasizing work, but supplying Christ, life, and the Spirit.
      3. Leading others to learn to serve and work organically and to grow together with the saints in the life of Christ, being fitted and knit together for the building up of the Body of Christ-Eph. 4:12, 15-16.
      4. Boasting only in the work of gaining, perfecting, leading, and building up people.
      5. That the all-inclusive Christ may have an unlimited and unceasing increase and spread-Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20.