The Purpose of this Series:
A HORSE SOLDIER took the utmost pains with his horse. As long as the war lasted, he looked upon him as his fellow-helper in all emergencies and fed him carefully with hay and corn. But when the war was over, he only allowed him to eat chaff and made him carry heavy loads of wood, subjecting him to much slavish drudgery and ill-treatment.
However, when war broke out again and when the trumpet summoned him to active service, the soldier put on his horse its military trappings, and mounted, being clad in his heavy coat of armor.
The horse fell to the ground under the weight, no longer being able to support the load, and said to his master, "You must now go to the war on foot, for you have transformed me from a horse into a donkey; and how can you expect that I can again turn in a moment from a Donkey to a Horse?'
The moral of this story is that if Christians become lazy in their spiritual discipline (by refusing to pray, going to church, seeking God, etc.), don't be surprised if they should become spiritual donkeys during the time of spiritual battle!
You may not know it or you may not believe it, but there is a war going on. The purpose of this series is to help us to Develop and Maintain Spiritual Disciplines so that we might walk in victory after victory.
The Bible says that developing and maintaining spiritual disciplines is God’s will for you.
"...that you may become mature Christians and may fulfill God's will for you." Col. 4:12b (Ph)
"We are not meant to remain as children...but to grow up in every way into Christ..."Eph. 4:14-15 (Ph)
If you and I desire God's will for our lives--this is where we must start.
The Focus of this Series:
We will focus on the Four Basic Habits every Christian needs to develop in order to grow spiritual maturity. This Series will...
Equip you with the skills you need to begin these habits.
Explain the tools that you need to continue these habits
What is "Spiritual Maturity"?
"....In the unity of common faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, we arrive at real maturity - the measure of development which is meant by the 'fullness of Christ.'" Eph 4:13 (Ph)
The word “maturity” (also translated “perfect”) is the Greek word, teleios, tel'-i-os; it means complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character)
Practically speaking, Spiritual Maturity is being like Christ.
"For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him... should be like his Son..."
Rom. 8:29 (LB)
Many people in the church these days would be the first to admit that they belong to Christ. The sad thing is that they do not want to be like Christ.
If truth be told, if many Christians were to be subjected to a spiritual aptitude test, they would score as "spiritually challenged" or at the most at a nursery school level.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ." (1 Corinthian 3:1)
Three Facts About Spiritual Maturity
1. It's Not Automatic
A HARE one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing this conclusion to be simply impossible, gave in to the proposal; and they agreed that a course should be chosen and the finish line determined.
On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, (well you know the story) took off fast, put some distance between himself and the Tortoise and decided to lie down by the wayside and fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.
Over the years I’ve seen many Christians, starting out fast—having powerful testimonies—being put up in front of people in leadership positions only to fall flat on their faces or at the least fizzle out like a firecracker dud.
Better to grow steadily in the faith than to become spiritually self-reliant, self-confident, and arrogant. Slow but steady wins the race.
"You have been Christians for a long time now, and ought to be teaching others, but instead... you need someone to teach you...When a person is still living on milk, it shows he isn't very far along in the Christian life... He's still a baby Christian!" Heb. 5:12-13 (LB)
2. It Is A Process
"Learn to be mature." Prov. 8:5 (GN)
"Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ" 2 Peter 3:18 (GN)
There are no shortcuts!
3. It takes discipline
"Take the time and the trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit." 1 Tim. 4:7b
"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (NASB) 1 Tim. 4:7b
The key to spiritual maturity is discipleship!
Understanding Discipleship
1. Mature believers are called disciples.
2. I cannot be a disciple without being disciplined.
3. The more disciplined I become the more God can use me.
4. The mark of a disciple is cross bearing.
(Jesus) "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:27
5. How often am I to do this?
(Jesus) "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
Luke 9:23
Sir Edmund Hillary, who attempted to scale Mount Everest, lost one of the members of his team in the failed effort. He returned to a hero's welcome in London, England, where a banquet held in his honor was attended by the lords and ladies and powerful people of the British Empire. Behind the speakers' platform were huge blown-up photographs of Mount Everest. When Hillary arose to receive the acclaim of the distinguished audience, he turned around and faced the mountain and said, "Mount Everest, you have defeated me. But I will return. And I will defeat you. Because you can't get any bigger and I can." --Robert Schuller
Jesus said we are to take up our cross daily. There will be days when the weight of our cross almost crushes us. Don't put it down never to pick it up again like some do--take courage and pick it up again.
6. What is involved in "cross bearing"? Whatever it takes_ to give Christ first place in my life!
Someone has said: If you want to be distressed -- look within. If you want to be defeated -- look back. If you want to be distracted -- look around. If you want to be dismayed -- look ahead. If you want to be delivered -- look up!
On Friday I had to run a prescription into Rite Aid for Precious. I also had to take Sophia and Debbie to a Skating Fellowship. I also had to get home and finish studying for this message before it got too late and fatigue caught up with me.
I decided to pick up the prescription using the drive-in window--when I dropped off the prescription the pharmacist said it would be ok up to 8:45 PM. There were two lanes one was occupied so I drove into the other with the air tube. I waited about ten minutes for the lady to finish with the customers who were in the lane next to the window. When she asked me for the name and found that the medicine I ordered was in a bottle she told me that I had to use the other lane because they do not put liquids in the tube.
They were still working an order with the customer in the other lane so I had to wait. I overheard the conversation with the customers ahead of me and discovered that they had received one order and had to check to see if an insurance card used for their other prescription was valid. I had waited another five minutes. I was beginning to get angry. I thought to myself, "Why can't she ask the other customer to move their car so that I can get my order and be done with it. My cross was getting heavy.
The pharmacist came to the window again and told the customer something they didn't want to hear and they asked her to check again. My cross was getting heavier. I thought about getting out of the car and politely asking the guy to move his car so I could get my order. I imagined for a moment that the man was looking at me through his rearview mirror and telling me that it didn't matter how long it took, he wasn't moving.
Finally after another ten minutes the pharmacist came back to the window and told the customer that there was nothing she could do and they got their card and drove off.
I started thinking about what I was going to say to the pharmacist when it was my turn.
* She could have told me about the tube when I was in the store and asked her about the drive-in.
* She could have asked the customer ahead of me to move his car aside so that I could get my order.
* She could have apologized to me when it was finally my turn.
I was angry! I was burning! I was going to "cuss her out in Christian." However, during that last ten minutes, God reminded me of my prayer request earlier that morning. I had asked God to give me an opportunity to share Jesus with someone. Almost instinctively I remembered that I had stuck some brochures in a pocket behind the passenger seat. As I received my order I asked the pharmacist if she would mind if I gave her some information to read. I had a Holy-Spirit induced smile on my face as I gave her our church's brochure and told her about how warm our church was.
She was so happy to receive the material and said to me, "God bless you!" God had allowed me to deny my propensity to get hostile and to honor Christ.
God will allow Satan to try you in the areas where you need to grow. Just before the Rite Aid pharmacy trial I was tested in K-Mart. I always seem to get in the line where someone has an item that is missing its price tag.
The day before I was driving on Liberty Rd. and got in a lane where someone's car had conked out.
What is involved in "cross bearing"?
* It involves denying yourself.
* It involves whatever it takes to give Christ first place in your life!
* It involves exalting Christ's agenda before your own.
* It involves bearing up under trials, insults, inconveniences in order that Jesus shine through your life.
Four Habits of a Disciple
How Can I Become a Disciple? Develop disciple habits.
"...You have put off the old self with its HABITS, and have put on the new self...which God is continually renewing in its own image, to bring you to a full knowledge of himself." Col 3:9-10
This is the framework and outline of this series.
1. Time With God's Word
"If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32
2. Prayer
"If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it... in this way you can become my disciples." John 15:7-8
3. Tithing
"None of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions." Luke 14:33 (JB)
"The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives" Deut. 14:23 (LB)
4. Fellowship
"Love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:34-35 (LB)
Definitions of "Habit": (Webster's II Dictionary)
"A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition."
"An established disposition of the character."
"Sow a thought, reap an act.
Sow an act, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny."
"A customary practice"
Time with God's Word must be: "A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition." It must be an established disposition of the character."
Psalm 1:2 - "…his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night."
Prayer must be: "A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition." It must be an established disposition of the character."
1 Th 5:17 - "…pray without ceasing…"
Psalm 88:9b - " LORD, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You."
Tithing must be: "A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition." It must be an established disposition of the character."
Malachi 3:10 - "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house…"
1 Corinthians - 16:2 "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside…"
Fellowship must be: "A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity, acquired through frequent repetition." It must be an established disposition of the character."
Hebrews 10:25 - "…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
You and I become disciples by developing disciple habits!
Series Outline
Lesson One:
Introduction: Spiritual Maturity and Habits
How to Get a "Grasp" On Your Bible
Lesson Two
The Habit of A Daily Time With God
Lesson Three:
The Habit of Prayer: Talking With God
Lesson Four:
The Habit of Tithing: Giving Back To God
Lesson Five:
The Habit of Fellowship: Enjoying God's Family
Lesson Six:
How To Start and Maintain Good Habits
The Goal Of This Series
That I will commit to the habits necessary for spiritual maturity.
"In the past you voluntarily gave your bodies to the service of vice and ... the purposes of evil. So now you give yourselves to the service of righteousness - for the purpose of becoming truly good."
Rom. 6:19 (Ph)
Six Ways To Get A Grip On Your Bible:
"The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone."
2 Tim 3:16-17
We get a grasp on God's Word by hearing it.
I. How to Hear God's Word
"Faith comes from hearing the Word of God." Romans 10:17
Ways to Hear God's Word
Bible apps on your phone
Church services & studies
Online sermons
Radio/TV teachers
PROBLEM: We forget __95__% of what we hear after 72 hours.
How To Improve Your Hearing
1. Be ready and eager to hear God.
(Jesus) "He who has 'ears' to hear, let him hear" Luke 8:8
"How sweet are, our words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth" Psalm 119:103
2. Deal with attitudes that prevent hearing God (Luke 8:4-15)
"Consider carefully how you listen ..." Luke 8:18
A Closed Mind: Is fear, pride or bitterness preventing me from hearing God?
A Superficial Mind: Am I really serious about wanting to hear God speak?
A Preoccupied Mind: Am I too busy and concerned with other things to concentrate on what God has to say?
3. Confess any sin in your life?
"... Get rid of all moral filth and humbly accept the Word..." James 1:21
4. Take notes on what you hear. (Keep a Spiritual Notebook)
"We must pay more careful attention to what we've heard, so that we do not drift away." Heb. 2:1
5. Act on what you hear!
"Do not merely listen to the Word. and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" James 1:22
"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror…" (James 1:23 NKJV)
guys - pimple on the face - we work and work on it until it is gone!
Gals - blemish, etc. - they powder it, puff it, cover it, etc.
"Whoever ... does not silently listen and then forget, but puts it into practice - that person will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25 (GN)
We get a grasp on God's Word by hearing it..
II. How To Read God's Word
"Happy, is the one who reads this book ... and does what is written in it." Rev. 1:3 (GN)
How often should I read God's Word?
"(The Scriptures) shall be his constant companion. He must read from it everyday, of his life so that he will learn to respect the Lord his God by obeying all his commands." Deut. 17:19 (LB)
SUGGESTIONS
Read it systematically. (12 Methods of Bible Study)
Bible without notes.
Read it in different translations.
For reading: Good News, Living Bible, Phillips, The Message
Read it aloud quietly to yourself.
Underline or color code key verses.
Choose a reading plan and stick with it.
If I read approximately _15_ minutes a day, I can read through the Bible once a year.
We've looked at how to hear and read God's Word. Now let's briefly look at how to study it. We get a grasp on God's Word by studying it.
III. How To Study God's Word
"... they accepted the message eagerly and studied the Scriptures everyday ..."
Acts 17:11 (Ph)
"Be a good workman... Know what His Word says and means."
2 Tim. 2:15
The difference between reading and studying the Bible is that you when you study, you use a pencil and write things down.
The secret of effective Bible study is knowing how to study.
Suggested Resources for Studying the Bible
Study Bibles:
The Best Personal Study Bible: The Life Application Bible (Tyndale)
The Best Topical Study Bible: Thompson Chain Reference Bible- NIV (Kirkbride)
The Best Background Study Bible: The NIV Study Bible (Zondervan)
The Best Doctrine Study Bible: The Disciples Study Bible (Holman)
Bible Handbooks:
Richard's Complete Handbook (Word)
Haley's Bible Handbook (Zondervan)
Eerdman's Bible Handbook (Eerdmans)
Other Important Study Tools:
As many different translations as you can afford (These can be purchased in parallel editions)
A complete concordance to match your translation or Bible on computer program such as Quickverse, Logos, and Bible Pro (available free off the Internet at http://www.ianvink.com/biblepro/)
The New Bible Dictionary (Eerdmans)
The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Baker)
The New Bible Commentary (Eerdmans)
The Harper Concise Atlas of the Bible (Harper Collins)
Basic Tools For Understanding the Bible Better
When reading a Biblical text which is hard to understand, the first step is to read and re-read the verse and the surrounding paragraphs. Usually, when the larger context is studied, what is meant will become clear.
However, there are times when a term used is still unclear. What should you do?
1. The first tool to use (in most cases) is a concordance. This is a book which lists the texts in which a particular word is used.
Concordances have been published for many of the versions of the Bible which are available (e.g. there are concordances to the King James Version, the New International Version, and the New Revised Standard Version, three of the most commonly used Bibles).
The reason Bible students should begin with a concordance is that this allows the rest of the particular Biblical document (or that author's work), or the rest of the whole Bible to give the context and meaning for the use of the word.
2. The second tool a student of the Bible should use is a Bible Dictionary (the first tool if the word is not even recognizable to the reader). This is a book which contains short articles which explain the various terms used in the Bible.
A good one is The New Bible Dictionary, ed. J. D. Douglas (Eerdmans).
3. The last tool used is a Bible commentary. Often, a survey of how a term is used in the rest of the Bible (through the use of a concordance) or an article in a Bible Dictionary will make the text clear. Sometimes, however, further clarification will still be needed.
Students of the Bible ought to be careful to use commentaries only when needed, and then to use those which are written by recognized scholars who have the kind of training and commitments which free them to interpret the text as the Biblical author intended (rather than as their own particular Christian tradition intends). If the church family background of a commentator quickly becomes apparent, the commentary is of little value. (Of course, no one can be totally objective--but the good scholars are trained to be relatively objective. This is why the use of commentaries is listed last.)
A good beginning one-volume commentary is The New Bible Commentary, ed. Guthrie et. al. (Eerdmans). Multi-volume commentaries tend to be uneven in quality. With the help of trained scholars, advanced students should choose individual volumes of high calibre (rather than sets).
An example: Suppose someone told you that it is wrong for Christians to be angry. You wonder if this is really what the Bible teaches. Here is how the above tools could be used.
Check how the Bible uses the word 'anger' using a concordance. You would discover that in Mark 3:5, Jesus looked around at the people who were questioning him in anger. (This would seem to imply that all anger is not wrong.)
You would read in II Corinthians 12:20 that Paul is afraid of finding quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, etc. when he visits the church. (This would seem to imply that anger is wrong.)
You would also read in Ephesians 4:26 that Paul instructs his readers, "In your anger do not sin . . ." (This implies that the issue is what you do with your anger.)
Then, in Ephesians 4:31 you would read that bitterness, rage and anger are characteristics Christians need to get rid of.
This use of a concordance would let the text of the New Testament itself tell you that all anger is not sinful, that the issue is either the kind of anger, or what you do with it, etc. Even if these texts did not answer all your questions, they would keep you from simplistic assertions, and also from being casual about the danger of anger.
2. If you wanted to go further and check the article on anger in a Bible dictionary, in the one mentioned you would be referred to the one on 'wrath.' There you would learn what the Bible means by the anger (or 'wrath)' of God.
3. If you wished to go further and check out a commentary, the scholar who wrote the commentary would tell you his or her interpretation of the passage of Scripture you are dealing with.
Once again: Go to commentaries (and notes in certain study Bibles) last, after the context of the verse in question and then the context of Scripture (through the use of a concordance and perhaps a Bible dictionary) have been checked out.
We get a grasp on God's Word by hearing, reading, studying and fourth--memorizing it.
IV. How To Memorize God's Word
"Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down, and also keep them deep within your heart." Pr. 7:2-3 (LB)
Benefits of Memorizing Scripture
1. It helps me resist temptation. (Memorize Scriptures that will help deliver you from your temptation)
"I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
Ps. 119: 11
2. It helps me make wise decisions. (relationships, money, job situations, marriage, child-rearing)
"Your Word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path Ps. 119:105
3. It strengthens me when I'm under stress.
"... Your promises to me are my hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me.!" Ps. 119:49 (LB)
Helpful to me - Psalm 37:8 - "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it only causes harm.")
4. It comforts me when I'm sad.
"Your words are what sustain me ... they bring joy to my sorrowing heart and delight me."
Jer. 15:16 (LB)
(Psa 27:5 NKJV) For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
(Psa 27:6 NKJV) And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
5. It helps me witness to unbelievers. - "Roman Road"
"AIways be prepared to give the answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." I Peter 3:15
When to Memorize A Verse
During your Quiet Time (we will deal with this next time.)
While Exercising
While waiting (spare moments)
At bedtime (Ps 63:6)
How To Memorize A Verse - (Use Hebrews 13:5)
1. Pick a verse that speaks to you.
2. Say the reference before and after the verse.
3. Read the verse aloud many times. Record it!
4. Break the verse into natural phrases.
5. Emphasize key words when quoting the verse.
6. Write down the verse and erase a word one at time.
7. Write out a verse on a flash card.
8. Carry some cards with you at all times for review.
9. Display your verses in prominent places.
10. Always memorize the verse word perfect.
11. Put the verse to music. Write a song!
12. Get a partner so you can check each other.
Suggested beginning rate: 2 new verses a week.
Three Keys To Memorizing: Review, Review, Review
We remember what is important to us.
"The law you gave me means more to me than all the money in the world" Ps. 119:72 (GN)
We've looked at how to hear, read, study and memorize God's Word. Now let's look at how to get a grasp on God's Word by meditating on it.
V. How to Meditate on God's Word
"(Those) who are always meditating on His Laws ... are like trees along a river bank bearing fruit ... they never wither and whatever they do prospers." Ps. 1:2-3
Meditation is focused thinking about a Bible verse in order to discover how I can apply its truth to my own life.
Why Meditate on Scripture?
1. It is the key to becoming like Christ.
"... Your life is shaped by your thoughts." Pr. 4:23 (GN)
"... Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Rom. 12:2
"As we... contemplate the Lord's glory, we are being transformed into His likeness..." I Cor. 3:18
2. It is the key to answered prayer.
"If you live your life in Me, and my words live in your hearts, you can ask for whatever you like, and it will come true for you." John 15:7 (Ph)
Many prayers are hindered because God's Words are not in our hearts.
3. It is the key to successful living.
"... Meditate on (the Word) day and night, so you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8
Six Way to Meditate on a Verse
1. Picture it! Visualize the scene in your mind.
2. Pronounce it! Say the verse aloud, each time emphasizing a different word.
3. Paraphrase it! Rewrite the verse in your own words.
4. Personalize it! Replace the pronouns or people in the verse with your own name.
5. Pray it! Turn the verse into a prayer and say it back to God.
6. Probe it! Ask the following nine questions: (S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S.)
S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S. Questions - (Use Hebrews 13:5)
Is there...
Sin to confess?
Promise to claim?
Attitude to change?
Command to obey?
Example to follow?
Prayer to pray?
Error to avoid?
Truth to believe?
Something to praise God?
VI. HOW TO APPLY GOD'S WORD
"Do not fool yourselves by just listening to the Word. Instead, put it into practice." James 1:22
"... Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Matt. 5:19
How To Apply Scripture
1st ask: What did it mean to the original hearers? - (Interpretation)
2nd ask: What is the underlying timeless principle? - (Implication)
3rd ask: Where or how could I practice that principle? - (Personalization)
Write out a sentence that describes a project or action you will take to apply the truth.
Most applications will focus on one of 3 relationships:
With God
Within myself
With other people
4 Marks Of Good Application Project - (Use Hebrews 13:5)
It's personal. ("My conduct")
It's practical. ("I'm going to put off buying that ________ and donate money to the church.")
It's possible. ("Yes")
It's provable. (Cancelled check/ Close friend)
"Now that you know these things - do them. That is the path of blessing" John 13:17 (LB)
Conclusion:
The Bible says that developing and maintaining spiritual disciplines is God’s will for you.
"...that you may become mature Christians and may fulfill God's will for you." Col. 4:12b (Ph)
"We are not meant to remain as children...but to grow up in every way into Christ..."Eph. 4:14-15 (Ph)
Growth only occurs after one is born. Spiritual growth only occurs after one is first "born again."
You can be born again by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin. Sin separates us from God and Jesus came to bridge this gap. Jesus Christ, God's Son died on a cross that we might have our sins forgiven and experience fellowship with God. According to the Bible, you must agree with God that you have been trying to live by your own terms. You must turn away from sin and come by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
You can be born again today and on your way to applying the spiritual disciplines that we have learned today. Pray with me: “Lord Jesus, I have sinned against you. I have been trying to run my own life according to my own rules. I believe that you died to take my sin away. I trust you now as my Savior from sin and the Boss of my life. Amen”
