Spiritual Disciplines

We are a few weeks into a Discipleship series.

Our 1st week we talked about what a disciple is;

Someone who KNOWS; DOES; GROWS & GOES

We also said that it’s extremely helpful to have a good working definition of a disciple - Person who is becoming more like Jesus

Week #2 we asked the question, What are things that a disciple of Jesus does? What are the marks of a disciple. If you’re a disciple, people should be able to see that in you, right?

Knowing, doing, growing, going

Worship the Father

Committed to Christian community

Before we get to a third mark of a disciple, let me ask everyone a question.

What can I do to change the spiritual course of my life? Nothing!

1st answer: Nothing! You can’t change you. God is in the business of changing people. As much as we want to be in control of changing what we want to change, God is in charge of that.

You can’t change you. Let me get more specific - You cannot change your spiritual life. Only God is qualified to do that job. He is in the business of changing people. As much as we want to be in control of changing what needs changed and what we want to change, God is in charge of that.

BUT… This is kind of a trick question. Because even though I said there’s nothing YOU can do, there is something that you must do.

Unfortunately… some Jesus followers don’t actually do much following of Jesus - it’s more of a one-time-decision; got my ticket punched; got what I need; gonna live my life; oh…you mean there’s more to this disciple thing than just believing?

Disciples should be different…

“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Illustration: Working out - to be healthy or to get swoll? What is our motive?

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

But how does that happen spiritually?

Spiritual Disciplines are practices found in the Bible that help believers become more like Jesus!

They are things we DO. Actions / Not attitudes. Can be done with Good or Bad motives. The goal is not all about the doing.

personal & interpersonal - Jesus did both

Activities not attitudes - things we do (read, meditate, pray, fast) Goal is not about doing, but being like Jesus, (goal is Godliness through disciplining ourselves) Can do them as a Pharisee or with right motives

These are taught or modeled in the Bible (could pick anything as a SD - gardening, exercise, water skiing)

We learn about them in the Bible (water ski, gardening, exercising, sports, hunting)

What we find in the Bible is sufficient for knowing and experiencing God and growing more like Jesus. If it were necessary we would find it in the scriptures

What we find in the Bible is sufficient, or we would find it in the Bible

They take us deeper into the gospel, not divorce us from the gospel; they help us move closer to the heart of Jesus, not away from

They take us deeper into the Gospel; not separate us from it

They are means & not ends - we aren’t godly because I read, pray, memorize. We become godly as

They draw us closer into the heart of Jesus; not a barrier to it

They connect us closer to the church; not place a wedge between it

They are a means to an end; not an end in and of themselves

Spiritual Disciplines give the H.S. space

They are like an open doorway to our soul

They are for everyone. They are for ordinary, every day people - people who have jobs - mow lawns, sell cars, teach students, turn wrenches, wait tables, lead departments, run businesses, raise kids.

A person need not have a theological education to practice the disciplines. Need not have been in the church for 20+ years. If this is your first time ever in church - spiritual disciplines are for you.

The goal is not the discipline - it’s Jesus

There are lots of disciplines - How do we know how to narrow it down? If you’re like me, if there’s 30 to choose from, it’s hard to pick where to begin.

Word - read, study, memorize, meditate (So excited about October series - In the beginning)

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Prayer - thanksgiving; adoration; petition; confession; worship; relationship thrives in prayer

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Prayer - thanksgiving; adoration; petition; confession; worship; relationship thrives in prayer

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere

Disciplines are intentional ways we open space in our lives for the worship of God

Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering.

and my upraised hands as an evening offering.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

“Living sacrifice”

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Could we be missing the point of spiritual disciplines? We cannot allow the disciplines to become about doing instead of about being. It’s about becoming more like Jesus, not being happy that we read the Bible every day this week. The goal is looking and living like Jesus, not checking the box that we attended church 4 days this month. The end game is accurately represent Jesus as we are sent out on mission, not to be able to memorize entire chapters of the scripture. Remember the Pharisees?!?!

When you think of S.D., do you think easy/light/rest?

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

What are the disciplines we see in the Bible from Jesus’ life?

Prayer, journaling, meditation, fasting, simplicity, worship, solitude, service, study, confession, celebration, rest

Close with this… As disciples of Jesus, when we practice the spiritual disciplines, God uses our willingness, availability, & alignment to extend His Grace to us to draw us Nearer & Nearer to heart of Jesus

What

Offertory: Membership class Sep 30th; Baptism Oct 7th

Family; Friends; Co-workers; Neighbors; Young people

Spiritual Disciplines

WELCOME! 1st time & returning guests