Spiritual Disciplines - Page - 1 –
Spiritual Disciplines - Page - 1 –
Objective:
To consider and apply some of the behavioral principles that reveal a surrendered life and facilitate spiritual growth.
dis·ci·ple (d¹-sº“p…l) n. 1.a. One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. b. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy. 2. Often Disciple. One of the 12 original followers of Jesus. [Middle English, from Old English discipul and from Old French desciple, both from Latin discipulus, pupil, from discere, to learn. See dek- below.] --dis·ci“ple·ship” n.
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(from the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition)
A new calendar year is often a reminder for many of us to take a look at where we've been in the past year, and where we wish to go in the coming year.
“As we stand at the threshold of 2002, a vista of time stretches before us, consisting of 12 months ... 52 weeks; 365 days; 8,760 hours; and 525,600 minutes. What a precious gift from God! How can you best use this gift to grow personally and spiritually? How can you make every minute count for God’s glory?” (CBD – January/February 2002)
In Galatians 5:22-23 we have a pretty clear cut listing of the spiritual fruits. From Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 we can assimilate a fairly thorough listing of the spiritual gifts. As we study in the gospel accounts the types of activities that Jesus was involved in, and as we consider the various discipleship principles mentioned throughout the gospels and the Pauline epistles, we are able to come up with certain key behavioral pursuits that are vital to our spiritual growth. Our study can by no means be comprehensive, but we do want to consider a few things that are readily recognized as spiritual disciplines. While there is no single passage that comprehensively deals with discipleship principles, we do find a great source of spiritually practical instruction in the so-called “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5 thru 7. In this section of Matthew’s gospel there are...
1. “Discipleship Principles Pertaining To Our Will”
Matthew 5:1-12
A. “Blessed” Are Those Whose Will Is Surrendered In Humility
(Matthew 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
(Matthew 5:5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
B. “Blessed” Are Those Whose Will Is Surrendered In Holiness
(Matthew 5:6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
(Matthew 5:7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
(Matthew 5:8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
C. “Blessed” Are Those Whose Will Is Surrendered In Harmony
(Matthew 5:9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
(Matthew 5:10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 5:11-12) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {12} Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
“It would be helpful if we knew the duration of the Lord’s stay on the hillside. Moses went into the mountain of God and remained there forty days and forty nights, during which God gave to him the Ten Commandments. Probably the Lord’s stay was much shorter, but it is obvious the disciples returned with much more than did Moses. Some theologians suggest the Savior and His followers remained on the mountain for a week or even longer, and that this resembled a retreat, arranged by Jesus for the edification of the disciples.
Moses was given instructions which governed living within the kingdom of Israel. The disciples were given new laws which indicated the requirements of daily conduct within the kingdom of God. On another occasion Jesus said to His disciples, “Come ye apart and rest awhile,” and it was for a similar reason; He led them into the mountain to instruct them in the ideals of kingdom life. Luke in his sixth chapter announces this teaching, following the selection of the twelve apostles. Therefore, the messages on the hillside were a course of study. Having appointed His representatives, the Lord proceeded to instruct them what kind of message they should preach both by life and lip. The contents of the so-called “Sermon on the Mount” would be better described as “The Messages on the Mount,” for it is probable that the 109 verses are a resume of what Jesus taught throughout the entire retreat. No man could retain in his memory all the amazing details of those discourses, had he listened only once to a very long sermon.
Remember Matthew was the bookman; he was accustomed to making notes! Therefore, when at intervals Jesus continued His instruction, Matthew wrote what he heard. That happened day after day, and when the party descended from the hilltop, he had a collection of the sayings of Jesus. Those notes helped him remember what had been said, and when, many years later, he compiled his Gospel, the sayings of the Lord found an important place in Matthew’s manuscript.”
Ivor Powell – Matthew’s Majestic Gospel
2. “Discipleship Principles Pertaining To Our Witness”
Matthew 5:13-16
A. Consider The Impact Of The Christian Witness
(Matthew 5:13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
“The doctrine of the gospel is as salt; it is penetrating, quick, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12); it reaches the heart (Acts 2:37). It is cleansing, it is relishing, and preserves from putrefaction. Christians, and especially ministers, are the salt of the earth. If they be as they should be they are as good salt, white, and small, and broken into many grains, but very useful and necessary. Pliny says, ‘Sine sale, vita humana non potest degere - Without salt human life cannot be sustained.’” (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
B. Consider The Illumination Of The Christian Witness
(Matthew 5:14-15) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. {15} Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
“This also bespeaks them useful, as the former (Sole et sale nihil utilius - Nothing more useful than the sun and salt), but more glorious. The world sat in darkness, Christ raised up his disciples to shine in it; and, that they may do so, from him they borrow and derive their light.” (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
C. Consider The Importance Of The Christian Witness
(Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Our witness ultimately brings glory to God!
3. “Discipleship Principles Pertaining To The Word”
Matthew 5:17-48
Note that in verses 17 thru 20 Jesus sets the stage for the remaining part of chapter 5 by establishing - first, His relationship to “the law and the prophets” (vs. 17), that is, the Old Testament scriptures; and second, His regard for the Old Testament Scriptures (vs. 18-19). Next, by revealing the deficiencies of the Pharisee’s superficial righteousness, He asserts in verse 20, and the verses that follow, the fact that righteousness is cultivated, not through a superficial, hypocritical adherence to the law, but through a spiritual, heart application of God’s Word.
“Our righteousness, then - if it is to contrast with the outward and formal righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees - must be inward, vital, spiritual.”
(Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)
Notice, then, that...
A. His Word Applies To My Conscience
(Matthew 5:21-30)
1. Christ Is Forbidding Violent Angervs. 21-22
“When this is done with mildness and for a good end, to convince others of their vanity and folly, it is not sinful. Thus James says, O vain man; and Paul, Thou fool; and Christ himself, O fools, and slow of heart. But when it proceeds from anger and malice within, it is the smoke of that fire which is kindled from hell, and falls under the same character.”
(Matthew Henry's Commentary)
2. Christ Is Forbidding Virtual Adulteryvs. 27-28
B. His Word Applies To My Commitments
(Matthew 5:31-37)
1. Christ Says Not To Violate Our Love Commitmentsvs. 31-32
2. Christ Says Not To Violate Our Legal Commitmentsvs. 33-37
(That is – to commit perjury.)
C. His Word Applies To My Community
(Matthew 5:38-48)
1. To The Antagonists In My Communityvs. 38-42
2. To The Adversaries In My Communityvs. 43-48
4. “Discipleship Principles Pertaining To Our Worship”
Matthew 6:1-18
(We defer here to Warren Wiersbe’s usage of the word “Worship” to define the following discipleship principles dealt with in this passage.)
A. The Discipline Of Our Alms To God In Worship
(Matthew 6:1-4)
1. The Meaning Of Almsvs. 1
“Righteous acts. The word refers to religious externalities.” (Scofield Note)
Alms – [Greek eleemosune] compassionateness, i.e. (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or a benefaction: Rendered as “alms (-deeds).”
2. The Motivation Of Almsvs. 2-4
(Honoring God and being rewarded by Him.)
B. The Discipline Of Our Appeals (Prayers) To God In Worship
(Matthew 6:5-15)
1. The Solitude Of Prayervs. 5-6
2. The Supplications Of Prayervs. 7-15
C. The Discipline Of Our Appetites To God In Worship
(Matthew 6:16-18)
1. God Rejects Hypocritical Fastingvs. 16
2. God Rewards Hidden Fastingvs. 17-18
5. “Discipleship Principles Pertaining To Our Wealth”
Matthew 6:19-34
A. Christ Speaks Of Our Treasure
(Matthew 6:19-21)
What does it mean to lay up treasures in heaven? It means to use allthatwehave for the glory of God. It means to “hang loose” when it comes to the material things of life. It also means measuring life by the true riches of the kingdom and not by the false riches of this world. (Warren Wiersbe)
1. He Recommends A Preferred Investmentvs. 19
2. He Recommends A Protected Investmentvs. 20
B. Christ Speaks Of Our Taskmasters
(Matthew 6:22-24)
1. What Is Your Motive In The Area Of Wealth?vs. 22-23
Wealth not only enslaves the heart, but it also enslaves the mind (Matt. 6:22-23). God’s Word often uses the eye to represent the attitudes of the mind. If the eye is properly focused on the light, the body can function properly in its movements. But if the eye is out of focus and seeing double, it results in unsteady movements. It is most difficult to make progress while trying to look in two directions at the same time.
If our aim in life is to get material gain, it will mean darkness within. But if our outlook is to serve and glorify God, there will be light within. If what should be light is really darkness, then we are being controlled by darkness; and outlook determines outcome.
(Warren Wiersbe)
2. Who Is Your Master In The Area Of Wealth?vs. 24
C. Christ Speaks Of Our Trust
(Matthew 6:25-34)
1. He Exemplified God’s Providential Carevs. 25-29
2. He Emphasized God’s Providential Carevs. 30-34
(The World – 7:1-12 & The Work – It’s Foundation, It’s Fruit)
Conclusion:
It may be helpful to understand again how these lessons began...
(Matthew 5:1-2)
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:
and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
{2} And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
May we also come to Christ to be taught and discipled in these principles!
Spiritual Disciplines - Page - 1 –