4 Steps To Be A Hygienic Christian

4 STEPS TO BE A HYGIENIC CHRISTIAN

Ps. 119:97-100

INTRODUCTION

A. ALL YOU CAN EAT PLACES

1. I think that one of the wisest decisions ever made in the food industry was the idea of the “All You Can Eat Buffet.” Many restaurants only offer this option and it has proven to be very successful.

2. For years, whenever we went out to eat with my (now deceased) Father-in-Law – this was the only type of restaurant he preferred, especially fish/shrimp places.

3. I must admit I’m also a fan of Golden Corral, Ryans, Grand Buffet, and Hartz Chicken Buffet. There are very distinct reasons why many of us like the buffet style restaurants:

a. To see the food before we eat it;

b. Observe the quality of the food beforehand;

c. Choose our portion size according to our tastes;

d. If you want a little extra desert and fewer vegetables- it’s not a problem; you can eat as healthy or unhealthy as you want to;

e. And finally, because it’s ‘All You Can Eat!’

B. THESIS

1. According to statistics, less than 1/5 of American believers read scripture daily. If spending time in God’s Word is really so important for spiritual growth, why aren’t more people doing it?

2. It’s pretty evident that many Christians aren’t “healthy” spiritually. Paul said that our knowledge of the Word needs to be “sound” (1 Tim. 1:10), Gr. hygiene. He tells us we need to “hygienic/healthy in faith” (Tit. 1:13; 2:2).

3. So we’re going to look at the 4 Steps to becoming a healthy Christian: 1. Desire the Word, 2. Memorize the Word, 3. Meditate on the Word, and 4. Obey the Word.

4. The title is “The 4 Steps to be a Hygienic Christian.”

I. WHY DESIRE THE WORD?

A. IT GIVES WISDOM

1. God’s wisdom will “prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” Prov. 3:1-2.

2. It will “bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Prov. 3:8.

3. With God’s wisdom…“You will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Prov. 3:23-24.

4. God’s “wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her” Prov. 8:11.

B. IT WILL SAVE YOU FROM JUDGMENT

1. “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men/ women” Prov. 2:12.

2. “How can a young person keep his/her way pure? By living according to your Word” Ps. 119:9.

3. By God’s Word “your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward….who can discern their own errors?” Ps. 19:11-12.

C. THE WORD IS SPIRITUAL FOOD

1. Job said, “I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” Job 23:12.

2. Jeremiah said, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” Jer. 15:16.

3. David said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Ps. 34:8.

4. “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matt. 4:4.

5. Apostle Paul said, “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. I Cor. 3:2.

6. So the Word of God is not simply to be read but it is to be consumed.

D. GENERALLY

1. “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes” Ps. 19:7-8.

2. So how should we pray? “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your Word” Ps. 119:36-37.

II. MEMORIZE THE WORD

A. JESUS’ EXAMPLE

1. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He engaged in spiritual warfare with the devil. He used the Sword of the Spirit -- the Word of God. Matt. 4:1-11.

2. All three times He was tempted, Jesus quoted passages from the Bible. These verses showed Jesus the errors of Satan’s temptations. The Word was His guide through temptation.

3. Think: If He hadn’t have had those verses memorized, He couldn’t have countered the evil suggestions of the enemy.

4. It’s the same with us!

B. OTHER SCRIPTURES

1. “I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You” Ps. 119:9. The Hebrew word “hidden” is “tsaphan” and means to hide, hoard, reserve. God even uses it of His Holy of Holies, His “treasured place” Ezek. 7:22, NIV. We’re to treasure God’s Word in our hearts.