Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of faith. I am so delighted to see all of you here today, gathered in the spirit of unity, love, and a shared hunger for the Word of God. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment, to open our hearts to the transformative power of God's Word.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a vital passage from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, specifically 2 Corinthians 13:5. Let us read it together:

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"

How often do we take the time to pause and reflect on our faith, to test ourselves, to ensure that we are walking the path that God has laid out for us? In the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget to pause, reflect, and examine the state of our spiritual health.

J.I. Packer once said, "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." Today, we will take the time to become aware, to know God more deeply, and to examine our spiritual health.

Checking Our Spiritual Health

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, urges us to examine ourselves. This is not a casual glance in the mirror, but a deep, introspective look at our faith and our relationship with God. It's about asking ourselves tough questions and being honest with the answers. Are we living in accordance with God's Word? Are we growing in our faith? Are we bearing the fruits of the Spirit?

A tool for growth: This self-examination is not meant to bring us down or make us feel guilty. Rather, it's a tool for growth, a way to identify areas where we might be falling short and need God's grace. It's about recognizing our weaknesses, not to dwell on them, but to bring them before God and ask for His strength.

We get busy: In our daily lives, we often get caught up in routines and responsibilities. We go to work, take care of our families, and try to squeeze in some time for relaxation. But in the midst of all this, we often neglect our spiritual health. We forget to take time to pray, to read the Bible, to meditate on God's Word. We forget to check in with God and see how we're doing.

Think of it like a regular health check-up: We go to the doctor to make sure our bodies are in good shape, to catch any potential issues before they become serious problems. In the same way, we need to regularly check our spiritual health. We need to make sure we're in good shape spiritually, to catch any potential issues before they become serious problems.

But how do we do this? How do we check our spiritual health?

1. The first step is to spend time with God. This means setting aside time each day to pray, to read the Bible, to meditate on God's Word. It means being still before God, listening for His voice, seeking His guidance.

2. The second step is to reflect on our actions and attitudes. Are we living in accordance with God's Word? Are we showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? If not, where do we need God's help to improve?

3. The third step is to seek accountability. This means finding a trusted friend or mentor who can help us stay on track, who can encourage us when we're struggling, who can challenge us when we're falling short.

4. The fourth step is to remember God's grace. We will never be perfect. We will always fall short. But God's grace is sufficient for us. His power is made perfect in our weakness. So when we examine ourselves and find areas where we're falling short, we don't need to be discouraged. Instead, we can turn to God, ask for His grace, and trust that He will help us grow.

Christ as Our Constant Physician

As we reflect on our spiritual health, we find ourselves turning to the figure of Christ, who is not only our Savior but also our constant physician ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO