Talk 5: Zeal for Righteousness
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Talk 5: ZEAL for RIGHTEOUSNESS
Household Leaders Training
4 Kinds of Good People
Those who do no evil, yet do not devote themselves faithfully to doing good.
They lack other, more positive virtues.
Those who refrain from evil and also devote themselves to frequent good deeds, yet, while they do not neglect to do what good they can, they see no need to do more than that
Just so much prayer, service, alms giving, etc., are enough for them. They do not burn with a desire for a more complete holiness.
They remain quietly content with this spiritual level, and abandon higher things to others.
ok na kami as MEMBERS lang. . .
- Those who detest and avoid wrongdoing,
- Fervently commit themselves to whatever good they can do,
- And desire greater personal holiness,
- yet lack equal concern for the holiness of others
They eagerly desire the spiritual and internal virtues, fondness for prayer, intimate knowledge of God, experience of divine love.
They remain intent upon God and themselves. They might put off caring for other people in order to preserve their own peace.
Dead ma lang
However they are not inflamed with fervent zeal against the vices of others or the dangers of their sins. They want everyone to be good and live in grace, but feel no wound of sorrow when they see the opposite.
Those who avoid wrongdoing, practice virtue, are afire with zeal for personal righteousness, and have zeal for winning souls.
They obtain no comfort from progress toward their own salvation unless they are also leading others to God.
Zeal for Righteousness stems from the very basis of our Christianity
A person who loves God, not only desires to enjoy His goodness and be close to Him, but loves to see His will accomplished,
His worship carried out and His honor exalted.
He wants all people to know, love, serve and honor God more than anything else.
A person who loves his neighbor desires not only health and prosperity for him, but even more, eternal salvation.
Love of God and neighbor should cause us to mourn if God is dishonored or disobeyed, and if others are not in right relationship with Him.
Although all Christians should love their neighbor, this love for others is especially necessary for those who are leaders.
Their position demands that they act on God's behalf. Thus their hearts should be as much moved by love of righteousness and hatred of evil as is God's heart.
"You love justice and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you..."
Areas of Concern in our own lives and in the lives of our household members
Growth in love for God and for neighbor.
Active participation in the life of the Church.
Faithfulness to the covenant of CFC
Areas not essential for salvation
but
desirable for making spiritual progress
Faithfulness to and punctuality in meetings
Exercise of spiritual gifts
Financial support for the
CFC community
This is not part of our covenant, but it is part of being a good mature Christian.
The money is used for evangelization, thus for winning souls
Authority is a gift from God which is given to us as a means/help to move us on in our spiritual lives
to headship
Avoidance of a critical spirit or attitude
1) At the heart of scriptural appreciation for correction is a hatred of sin, and a realization of human fallibility.
Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked
Psalm 141:5
ZEAL
Title
+
=
CORRECTION
2) Deal with the wrongdoing of members.
a) Be simple and straightforward.
Do not condone any wrongdoing nor concede that any wrongdoing is acceptable.
HOW?
Do not allow any wrongdoing to remain unrepentant of or uncorrected.
Do not remain silent and pretend to know nothing when you ought to speak out.
Be in touch with your Unit Head
Deal with the wrongdoing of members.
b) Be authoritative
Your authority comes from God and is to be exercised in the community where we have committed ourselves to.
Look to correction as a pastoral tool for growth
3. Your accountability as head to correct
You are God's representatives. You have been given responsibility over God's people. Your members look up to you and obey you because you have the Lord's place
Do not allow vices and bad practices to grow.
Do not allow vices and bad practices to grow.
Do what you can to overcome wrongdoing
If you neglect your duty,
you will be accountable to God
You would be guilty of neglect for not doing what your duty called for
Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you did not judge rightly, and did not keep the law, nor walk according to the will of God, Terribly and swiftly he shall come against you, because severe judgment awaits the exalted
— Wisdom 6:4-5
You would bear the guilt for the faults of your subordinates, in that you could and should have corrected them but didn't
This is not to
scare
you,
but to show the
seriousness
of your work
1) You also have a duty to encourage
Not just criticism, but praise
2) At the start of Jesus' ministry, God encouraged him
= confidence, strength
to put in or into
- An encouraging person builds up and strengthens people by his presence and words
- He supports, not weakens.
COMFORT
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Through words, advice, prayers or just presence
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Many people have low self-esteem, they need to be affirmed
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our encouragement helps people to discover themselves, to appreciate who they are
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Our basic attitude as HH Leaders needs to be one of encouragement
Title
1) There are 4 types of good people
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INFANTS OK NA AKO DEAD MA
HOUSEHOLD LEADER
2) GOd uses our zeal for righteousness to help others
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Title
caring for members of CFC
3. Our zeal for God grows into perseverance for God’s call to righteousness is very difficult. It entails us to serve Him with utmost dedication and commitment.