My Spiritual Life, A Disciplined Life?

Introduction

Do you want to be a man or woman God wants you to be?

• How is it possible?

This can only be possible through a disciplined life.

• God desires every child of God to be a disciplined disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the young Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “exercise yourself rather to godliness, 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.”

• It is maintaining a godly life that brings eternal values and worth for our lives.
• It is a spiritually disciplined life that brings godliness in our lives.

Hence we begin a new series, called, Spiritual Disciplines, and today is an introduction to spiritual disciplines, “My Spiritual Life, A Disciplined Life?”

What Spiritual Discipline Is (1 Cor 9:24-27)

Discipline is the virtue that allows a person to exercise self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit.

• It is often related to rearing of children, but more often the Bible refers to a believer’s ability to be conformed to the image and example of Christ.
• It is cultivated through sanctification by the Holy Spirit.

Discipline is a vital aspect of the spiritual life of the church and every follower of Jesus Christ.

• This means spiritual discipline is related to Christian discipleship as discipleship is a lifelong learning process of following Jesus and His way of life.

The Apostle Paul explains the importance of spiritual discipline in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

• Though many are in the running race, only those who subject into strict discipline, only they win the race (v 24).
• Self-control is the key for discipline and winning the race (v 25).
• I discipline my body–I don’t allow my body to do what it wants to do, but I make my body to do what it should do (v 27).

What Are the Spiritual Disciplines (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

There are many spiritual disciplines that would help our spiritual wellbeing:

• The Word of God
• Prayer
• Giving
• Contentment
• Tongue
• Sound mind
• Sexual purity
• Humility
• Faithful stewardship
• Christian witness
• Christian family
• Worship
• Fellowship
• Time and Talent
• Service

How Do the Spiritual Disciplines Help (1 Timothy 4:6-16)

This process of spiritual growth and development begins to take place the moment a person encounters the risen Christ and comes to Him for salvation.

• The purpose of spiritual discipline is the development of our inner being, that which has been transformed by Christ at salvation.

1 Timothy 4:6-16:

• Spiritual discipline is exercising unto godliness (v 7)
• Godliness is profitable for all things, for today as we have a Christian testimony, and for tomorrow as eternity is determined by a godly life (v 8)
• Spiritual discipline develops a trust in the living God (v 10)
• This will happen when the Word is correctly learned and practiced (vv 12-16)

“The primary requirement for practicing the disciplines is a longing for God.” Richard Foster

• If Jesus is our Lord and Savior, our heart and desire should be for closeness with him.
• We recognize that nothing happens apart from God.
• We know that we don’t possess the strength to tackle the trials of this world on our own.
• We know that we will never experience the fullness of joy apart from knowing God intimately.

Conclusion/Application

Is my spiritual life a disciplined life or a messed up life?

• Spiritual discipline is the most needed in a true Christian, but least practiced.
• 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
• 1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”