Summary of O Breve Catecismo de Westminster: Perguntas 79 a 81 - Rev. Mateus Lages | Estudo Bíblico 31/01/24

Summary of "O Breve Catecismo de Westminster: Perguntas 79 a 81 - Rev. Mateus Lages | Estudo Bíblico 31/01/24"

This Bible study session, led by Rev. Mateus Lages, focuses on questions 79 to 81 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, specifically examining the 10th Commandment: "You shall not covet." The study is part of a series on the 10 Commandments and their application in Christian life, emphasizing contentment, love, and community.

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Main Ideas and Concepts

• Opening Prayer and Worship:
  The session begins with a prayer of thanksgiving, recognizing God’s grace, forgiveness through Christ, and the unity of believers as God's children. The prayer requests God’s guidance for fruitful study and spiritual growth.
• Psalm 16 Reading and Reflection:
  A responsive reading of Psalm 16 highlights verse 5: "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance," emphasizing reliance on God as the ultimate provider and portion in life.
• Context of the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
  
  • The Presbyterian Church of Brazil uses the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism as doctrinal standards.
  • The Shorter Catechism is a tool for biblical interpretation and memorization, divided into sections; the current study is in the third part (questions 39-107) focusing on Christian duty, particularly through the 10 Commandments.
• Study of the 10th Commandment (Questions 79-81):
  
  • Question 79: What is the 10th Commandment?
    "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, servants, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17)
    It forbids covetous desires toward others' possessions or relationships.
  • Question 80: What does the 10th Commandment require?
    
    • Full contentment with one’s own condition.
    • A charitable disposition toward neighbors and their belongings.
    • Biblical support:
      • Hebrews 13:5 – Be content and trust God’s provision.
      • Psalm 23:1 – The Lord provides all needs.
      • 1 Timothy 6:6-10 – Godliness with contentment is great gain; warns against greed and love of money.
      • Leviticus 19:18 – Love your neighbor as yourself.
      • 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 – Love is patient, kind, and not envious.
  • Question 81: What does the 10th Commandment prohibit?
    
    • Discontent with one’s own condition.
    • Envy or grief over another’s prosperity.
    • Disordered desires for what belongs to others.
    • Biblical references:
      • 1 Corinthians 10:10 – Warning against murmuring.
      • Galatians 5:26 – Avoid conceit, envy, and provoking one another.
      • Colossians 3:5 – Put to death earthly desires like greed (idolatry).
    • The commandment is linked to the first commandment about having no other gods, showing that covetousness is a form of idolatry.
• The Nature of Covetousness:
  
  • Covetousness includes:
    1. An insatiable desire to obtain more.
    2. An overwhelming love for obtaining, which moves desire into action.
  • Covetousness implies discontent and self-centered love rather than love for God.
  • Genuine love is active and behavioral, not just verbal or emotional.
• Contentment and Faith:
  
  • True contentment is rooted in faith and trust in God’s provision (Philippians 4:13).
  • Covetousness and envy reveal unbelief and a misunderstanding of God’s role as provider.
  • Envy leads to rivalry, confusion, and sin (James 3:16).
  • The church should be free from such sins, reflecting Christ’s character.
• Self-Examination and Repentance:
  
  • Believers should regularly examine their hearts for signs of covetousness, envy, murmuring, and discontent.
  • Repentance is key, as demonstrated by King David’s example.
  • Genuine faith produces fruits aligned with God’s will and leads to rejoicing with others rather than envy.
• Practical Application:
  
  • Believers are called to be grateful and content regardless of their material or social status.
  • Maintaining good relationships with others, regardless of their possessions, reflects obedience to the commandment.
  • Recognize that blessings come from God, and neither wealth nor poverty defines a

Notable Quotes

— 26:50 — « Love is not a feeling. Love is a behavior. Many times people say they love us, but in times of difficulty, they do not lift a finger to help us. The understanding that this conveys to us is that they do not love at all. »

— 34:01 — « Jesus is not the one who went to the cross to pay the price for your sin, he is the Magic Lamp, he is the rabbit's foot, the four-leaf clover. There are many people, brothers, inside the church, especially outside but still inside the church, who see God and relate to God in this way. »

— 51:26 — « It's like dominoes, right? You stack them up like this, you hit a little piece and it knocks them all down. »

Category

Educational

Video