POEM from C.T. Studd - early 20th century Missionary
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee

Talk It Over

1. Review the message and first read the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5-7. What stood out to you the most about the chapter and the message? What was God saying to you? What confirmed your walk with God? What challenged your walk with God

2. Read Matthew 5:3-12. What stood out to you about the type of people that are blessed by God? Pastor Sean said that "We aren't blessed out of comfort, but on utter dependence on God.” It's interesting that the very first thing that Jesus said to the “crowd” was it's only through our dependence on him that we are blessed. How would you rate your dependence on God and why? Describe what blessing you might be missing from Jesus list.

3. Matthew 5:48 says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Jesus set the standard for being righteous to new impossible heights. Whether we like it or not or even agree with it or not, we can't earn our righteousness - it was given to us! Is there anything currently in your life that you are taking the credit for? What would it look like to give God the credit for that area?

4. God rewards us not on us earning Him, but us returning to Him. He wants us to return to him in giving. How would you describe your giving habits? Would you describe them as more dependent on yourself or on God and why? Pastor Sean said, real maturity is when you give in private; and no one else gets the glory, but God alone! How often do you return to God in giving and therefore are rewarded by Him?

5. God rewards us not on us earning Him, but us returning to Him. He wants us to return to him in prayer. How would you describe your prayer habits? Would you describe them as more dependent on yourself or on God and why? Pastor Sean said, prayer isn’t us testing God to see if He is dependable; prayer is us declaring our dependence on God for He already knows what we need. How often do you return to God in prayer and therefore are rewarded by Him?

6. God rewards us not on us earning Him, but us returning to Him. He wants us to return to him in fasting. How would you describe your fasting habits? Would you describe them as more dependent on yourself or on God and why? Pastor Sean said, when you fast you are putting God above everything else and telling your flesh that God reigns supreme in your life. How often do you return to God in fasting and therefore are rewarded by Him?

7. Read C.T. Studd's poem and quote. What stood out to you the most? How dependent was C.T. Studd asking us to be? What challenged you the most? If you wrote a poem on dependence on God what thoughts drive your poem?

8. Take this weeks challenge to read the Sermon on the Mount, Mathew 5-7, everyday this week and participate in giving, praying, and fasting in utter dependence to God.