FIRST THINGS FIRST
Philippians 1:21
Can you imagine a baby ordering a steak? Or a baby walking out of the hospital after she was born? What about a 7 year old playing for the Colts? Can you imagine a basketball team that couldn’t shoot or dribble? Or a symphony orchestra who couldn’t play an instrument?
Yes, this is all ludicrous. But that’s what we’re talking about today. We’re finishing up our series which started a number of weeks ago, as we look at being good stewards with our lives. Today, we’re looking at being good stewards, or good managers of our faith. We’ve looked at goal setting, relationships, money, time and more.
The key is to put Christ at the center of our lives. We are to depend on Him for all of life’s needs. The Apostle Paul said ~
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. – Philippians 1:21
When we mismanage some of these major areas in our lives, we end up suffering a number of consequences. Think about what happens when you mismanage money, think about all of the stress that hits you. When you mismanage a relationship, when that falls apart or breaks, there’s a great deal of pain.
While these are bad enough, when we mismanage our heart and soul, the consequences are unthinkable. There are eternal consequences as to whether we manage or mismanage our spiritual life. And to say we’re managing our spiritual lives is really not a good way to say it, since that gives us more control than we should have . . . Yet, we need to have an active role in our faith development.
So, for the rest of our time, I want to remind you or possibly help you learn for the first time, some basic steps you can do - to make sure your spiritual life is becoming stronger and more vibrant.
Again, it’s coming back to the basics. We can never out grow the fundamentals. Once you learn them, you don’t forget them. As they say, “once you learn how to ride a bike, you never forget.”
In our spiritual lives, it’s the same way, we can never out grow the fundamentals. Managing the spiritual life is the same for every person. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you’ve accomplished, we all need the basics.
And sometimes we need a reminder of what those basics are - -
Let’s start with the need for prayer!
Prayer isn’t difficult, although there are those moments when it seems impossible. The words aren’t there, the ‘feelings’ aren’t there, and God feels a million miles away.
Yet, prayer is simply talking. We talk to God about whatever! Prayer is an indispensable aspect of the Christian life. In many respects, the process of becoming a Christian begins by saying a prayer: "Lord Jesus, forgive me of my sins and come into my life as Lord and Savior."
Prayer is an incredible privilege — we can talk to the Creator of the universe at any time about anything at all, and that same Creator has promised not only to listen to our prayers, but to answer them as well.
The Bible tells us about the prayer habits of Jesus.
35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. – Mark 1:35
16 But Jesus would withdraw to desolate places and pray. – Luke 5:16
23 After Jesus had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. – Matthew 14:23
12 Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and all night He continued in prayer to God. – Luke 6:12
I really love these examples of when Jesus prayed. It was early in the morning, in fact, it was still dark and He would go off alone. He would pray alone in the evening, He would even pray all night long.
Some people say you need to do your devotions first thing in the morning. I say just do them. I am not a morning person. It’s really difficult for me to just wake up and be excited about the day! So, for me prayer comes at different times during the day. They can be quick, 10 or 15 second prayers. They can be longer prayers as a situation arises. There are times when I just need to take the time to pray, and maybe walk somewhere and talk to God. There are times where I walk throughout the sanctuary and pray for you. On communion Sunday’s you often see me looking out at all of you. As I see certain faces, people I know have needs, I offer quick prayers for you.
Prayer is not about saying some fancy words and sounding eloquent. God doesn’t care about the words, He cares about the heart and soul. Here is some good news, even great news about prayer ~
25 Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him,
since He always lives to make intercession for them. – Hebrews 7:25
34 Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised —
who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. – Romans 8:34
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. – Romans 8:26
That’s great news . . . Jesus is interceding for us. He’s talking to the Father about you and I. The Spirit intercedes for us, when we’re struggling to pray, when life is so hard that the words just don’t come out, the Spirit of God is talking to God the Father for you and I.
Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a 19th-century Scottish minister, said, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me!” That is so true.
God is always with you; He promises to never fail, never forsake you. He will answer your prayers, not always our way, but He will answer. And when we don’t pray, it’s like we’re ignoring someone who is right there beside us.
I can go on and on about prayer. Let me finish this part with a couple of practical ideas ~
If you struggle with prayer, or even how to start prayer use an acronym - - PRAY
PRAISE
REPENT
ASK
YIELD
I like this formula because it hits some of the major areas in life. Give praise or thanks to God. Repent or confess your sinfulness to God. Ask God for what you need, make those requests know to God. Finally, yield. Accept God’s answer.
And that leads to the final thought on prayer - - - in order to yield, it means we’re listening to God. Sometimes it’s hard to hear God through all the noise in the world. But it’s taking the time to listen. To simply sit and be still in His presence. It may be listening to music. It may be sitting and being quiet. It’s asking God to speak to you, and know it doesn’t always happen the way we think. But God is present with us. Too many times I’ve prayed at night while I’m lying in bed, and the next thing I know is it’s morning. It’s OK to fall asleep talking to God, it’s actually kind of cool that God is the last person you spoke to or thought of.
OK - - the next way to be a good steward of our spiritual life is to read the Bible.
The second spiritual priority is reading the Bible. I feel like there are about 1000 verses we could look at here! We could really read all 176 verses of Psalm 119 and be reminded to read the Word of God. Let me read verses 9 - 16 ~
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Do you hear these words? How do you keep your ways pure and upright? You guard your heart with the Word of God. You seek God with your whole heart and you store His Word in your heart so that you know God’s laws and commandments - so that you do not sin.
Ultimately, I love that last verse, you delight in God’s statutes. We generally don’t delight in laws, but God’s laws are meant to preserve us and save us, not destroy us.
When we read the Bible with an open heart, spirit and mind, so that we are receptive to God’s Word and Spirit, then we gain more and understand more and are more apt to be excited and passionate about the Word coming alive in us.
There are times the Word will encourage you, or comfort you, or challenge you. Sometimes you simply learn more about God’s nature and love. Sometimes we’re reminded about who God really is. We can be overwhelmed by God’s love, His power, His grace, His sacrifice.
Even before we read the Bible, whether for devotional purposes or a deeper understanding of God’s Word, we should offer a prayer, we should simply ask God to open the eyes of our heart, spirit and mind, so we would be open to receive and understand God’s Word.
In the book of Joshua, Joshua told the people of Israel ~
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.
For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8
That’s great advice for us. I believe that too often we’ve taken the Word and we change the meaning to make it be what we want it to be. That’s a huge mistake, because that leads us away from God and what He calls us to do and who we are to be. When Joshua speaks of being prosperous and a success, he’s not so much talking about money and material goods as he is talking about being a success in who God is calling us to be.
The last thing I’ll mention about the Bible are Paul’s words to Timothy in his final letter. He wrote these powerful words ~
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This is a reminder that scripture is God’s. It is not our Words, they are God’s words and they are holy. And these words from God are helpful for us as we seek to grow in Christ. They train us, they correct us, they admonish us, they encourage us as the Word teaches us. Ultimately, so that each person in Christ could be complete in Christ and equipped to do what God has called them to do.
Just as a connection exists between reading the Bible and holiness, a connection also exists between reading the Bible and successful life management. The Bible speaks to us about ourselves. When we open the Word and pray, “Lord speak to me” we open ourselves to a greater and more powerful relationship with God.
Finally, while we should be praying, reading the Bible, I could add a few more, but let me add this final aspect of managing our lives which is vital - - attending worship! Of course, the Pastor would say that! I know, but I believe it!
In Colossians 3, Paul wrote ~
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16
I can list about 20-30 scriptures reminding us, commanding us to worship. In this passage, Paul is telling the church to gather together, so that scripture would dwell within us, teaching us and we should sing to God with thankful hearts.
Some believe they don’t need to attend church. They’ve been burned by the church, their angry and their bitter, but we need the people, they make up the church. You are the church, but we gain strength and power by coming together.
The writer of Hebrews tells us ~
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25
Again, think about the reminder of this passage. How can we stir one another up, and the phrase to stir up, is to get something to boil. How do we help others get excited, passionate about meeting together and worshiping? Because, you know what? They had the same issues we have today! Some weren’t coming to worship. They were neglecting this great time together. When was the last time you checked on someone who hasn’t been here in awhile. Can I tell you a secret, it’s not just my job to rattle cages. You can do it, but with gentleness and kindness.
You know what a person misses when they’re not here? Listen to Acts 2 ~
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:42-47
Isn’t that a place you would love to be at? There was devotion, prayer, teaching, eating, sharing, they were glad and praising God and they were growing! What a place the early church was.
Going to church to worship is not about getting your attendance gold star, nor is it about gaining God’s favor for the week because you’re here. Church is not a place to go, rather it is a living body where God wants you to become part of –– for your good and His glory.
Let me end by giving you some reasons we should attend church ~
God says so.
Worshiping Jesus together is powerful.
We need Christian community.
To Hear the Word.
We grow more together than alone.
To Use your Spiritual Gift
To Teach Your Kids to Love the Church
Learning to be a Light to the World
Grieve together
Celebrate together
A N.Y. Times article says you live longer!
Don’t let any excuses stand in the way of what you know God is calling you to do. God will strengthen you and empower you to do what he has called you to do. If you have encountered past wounds from leaders or from church members, I’m praying God would bring healing and grace to you as you seek to follow him and love his church.
How can you be a good steward with what God has given you? It starts with the basics. Prayer, Bible Reading and worship. It’s pretty practical, and I’m here to help you in any way along that journey!
