Spiritual Discipline

Spiritual Discipline

August 15, 2010

Introduction

Friday evening we went by Tim and Marty’s house, and while there, the Ranger game was on their TV. While we watched, we saw the Ranger pitcher pitch three consecutive homeruns. I am not a coach or manager, but I said, “Pull the pitcher.” Not that I had anything to say about it, but they did. In a matter of minutes, they went from being ahead 2 to 1 to being behind 2 to 4. How the game ended I do not know, but that was obviously not a good situation to be in for the Rangers.

Paul and the Hebrew writer make some analogies between the Christian race and athletic events. There are, of course, some major differences between the Christian life and athletic events of the day. In the case of the Ranger game, even I could see it was time to pull the pitcher. Sometimes in our Christian lives, our problems are not that easy to see. So this morning, we direct our attention to spiritual discipline.

Body

I. Paul compares our lives to a race.

(1 Cor 9:24-27 NKJV) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. {25} And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. {26} Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. {27} But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

A. Run so as to win.

(Heb 12:12-13 NKJV) Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, {13} and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

1. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down.

a. Encourage and help each other.

b. Maybe we need to check our devotional life – our reading & prayers.

2. Make straight paths for your feet.

a. Be careful where we allow ourselves to go and what we see.

(Prov 4:25-27 NKJV) Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. {26} Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. {27} Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

B. We need to be temperate in all things.

(1 Cor 9:25 NASB) And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

1. The challenge of setting aside time to do the things we need to do.

2. Spending for what will help us.

a. Maybe it is a new Bible.

b. Maybe it is a Bible lectureship or retreat.

c. Maybe it is a book , Bible, or something else to encourage someone in the Christian life, or to encourage one to become a Christian.

C. Do what it takes to win the prize.

(1 Cor 9:27 NKJV) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

II. I want a new home.

A. To get a new home in this life, we have to qualify.

B. To get a new home with the Lord, we also must qualify.

(1 Tim 4:7-8 NKJV) But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. {8} For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

εὐσέβεια eusebeia

Thayer Definition:

1) reverence, respect

2) piety towards God, godliness

1. Living a godly life has promise of the life that now is

ἐπαγγελία epaggelia

Thayer Definition:

1) announcement

2) promise

2a) the act of promising, a promise given or to be given

2b) a promised good or blessing

a. If there were no world to come, the Christian life has been a wonderful blessing for me.

2. And promise of that which is to come.

a. Paul says there is no way to describe what is to come.

(Rom 8:18 NKJV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

b. What had Paul been through?

(2 Cor 11:23-28 NASB) Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. {24} Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. {25} Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. {26} I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; {27} I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. {28} Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.

c. What did Paul conclude about all of this?

(2 Cor 4:16-18 NKJV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. {17} For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, {18} while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

C. Only Christ can get us to our new home.

(Heb 12:1-4 NKJV) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, {2} looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. {3} For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. {4} You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Conclusion

I Have you had your sins washed away by the blood of the Lamb?

II. Will you meet the conditions for a home with Him eternally?

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