CROSS Training #1
High School S.S. 01/08/98 by Len Evans
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.1 Timothy 4:8
The Bad News
The _DANGER_ of spiritual training: __PRIDE___
We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:1b-3
Jesus’ harshest words were for a group of people who knew a lot about God but did not understand Him. They were the ___PHARISEES___.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! Matthew 23:13
You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.
You blind fools!
You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence
You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.
You snakes! You brood of vipers!
The Good News
The __GOAL___ of spiritual training: ___TRANSFORMATION_____
For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son. . . Romans 8:29a
Spiritual growth is a _____MOLDING______PROCESS______.
“If we cannot be __TRANSFORMED_ we can settle to be _INFORMED_ or __CONFORMED__.” John Ortberg
The Spiritual Goal Jesus Gave Us.
___LOVE______GOD______& ___LOVE______OTHERS______
Habits we want to develop and strengthen:
Finding Joy in Everyday Life Life Beyond Regret Slowing Down in a Fast Paced World
Praying as a Lifestyle Learning God’s Thoughts Finishing the Race
Learning to Say No You are Part of a Team Fighting a Good Fight
Finding Joy in Everyday Life
CROSS Training Part 2
High School S.S. 01/18/98 by Len Evans
What is joy?
Joy is COMMANDED
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
Joy is GIVEN
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 13:15
Where is joy?
Joy is EVERYWHERE
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. . .Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under sun. Ecclesiastes 9:7, 9
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.
James 1:2
How do we get JOY?
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11
OBEY GOD
ACTION STEPS
BEGIN TODAY
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice in be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
You are Part of a Team
CROSS Training Part 3
High School S.S. 01/25/98 written by Len Evans; taught by Dave Forester
Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing
but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25
YOU need the TEAM & the TEAM needs YOU.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. . .The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” . . . there should be no division in the body. . . If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:12,21,25a,26.
Worship is a group event
Worship is a MEETING BETWEEN GOD and HIS PEOPLE.
Worship is AFFIRMATION Worship is EDIFICATION
Worship is CELEBRATION
ACTION STEP
REGULARLY ATTEND
the service after SUNDAY SCHOOL
the service on WEDNESDAY
the service on SUNDAY NIGHT
Four steps to slowing down in a fast paced world
CROSS Training Part 4
High School S.S. 02/01/98 by Len Evans
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31
Step 1 __Slowing__
It’s smart to be patient, but it’s stupid to lose your temper. Proverbs 14:29
But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2
Step 2 ____Simplicity___
Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store up your treasures in heaven. . .So I tell you don’t worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? . . .But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:19;25;33
Step 3 ___Submission___
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21
Step 4 __Solitude___
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16
Be still, and know that I am God. . . Psalm 46:10a
I will slow down this week by. . .
Slowing: Not driving in the fast lane, getting in the long line, getting up or going to bed earlier, walk or ride your bike somewhere you are going
Simplicity: not getting new clothes for a month, giving up sodas for a week, donating things to Goodwill (not just old stuff),
Submission: Serve someone without telling them why, don’t argue with parents or siblings
Solitude: Turn the radio off for a day, be alone for one hour with your Bible
Life Beyond Regret
CROSS Training Part 5--High School S.S. 02/08/98 by Len Evans
Six Stages of confession are from The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
What’s the difference?
An unbeliever confesses to begin their relationship with God.
A believer confesses to restore their relationship with God.
What happens?
We are freed from guilt.
We are freed for GOD.
Six Stages of Confession
1. Preparation
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23
2. Self-Examination
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:24
3. Perception
Why do you see the piece of sawdust in another believer’s eye and not notice the wooden beam in your own eye? . .You hypocrite? First remove the beam from your own eye. . . Luke 6:41,42b
4. Why? What?
5. New Feeling
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:8-10
6. New Promise
Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will repay back four times the amount.”
The Result
Healing Grace
How to make Prayer a way of life
CROSS Training Part 7--High School S.S. 02/22/98 by Len Evans
Pray continually
1 Thessalonians 5:17
3 Reasons We Pray
Prayer allows for Relationship to be experienced.
Our Father in heaven. . . Luke 11:2b
Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is not water. Psalm 66:1
Prayer allows for Requests to be made.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. John 15:7
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence. . . Hebrews 4:12a
Prayer allows for Realignment to do God’s will.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your decrees. Psalm 119:125
Different Ways you can pray
On your knees & On your own
Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God. Daniel 6:10
On the run
The king said, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to God, and I answered the king. Nehemiah 2:4
with others
They all joined together in prayer. . . Acts 1:14a
for friends
And pray for us, too. Colossians 4:3
for yourself
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me. . . Luke 22:42a
for God’s will
yet, not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:42b
In anger
Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions! Psalm 58:6
Silently
We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us. . . Romans 8:26b
Learning God’s Thoughts
CROSS Training Part 8-- 03/01/98 by Len Evans
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in right-eousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16
Different Ways to Learn God’s Thoughts
1. Read 2. Study 3. Alone 4. Together
5. Topics 6. Books 7. Tapes 8. Sermons
9. Meditation
How to Study to Learn God’s Thoughts
1. ____OBSERVATION___
2. ____INTERPRETAION___
3. ____APPLICATION ___
Great Word’s about God’s Word
2 Peter 1:21 1 Peter 2:2 Deuteronomy 11:18 Psalm 119:9-11
Matthew 24:35 Romans 15:4 2 Peter 1:19 Jeremiah 15:16
Ephesians 6:17 Hebrews 4:12 Colossians 3:16 1 John 5:13
Ezra 7:10 Acts 17:11 Matthew 22:29 Psalm 19:7
Fighting a Good Fight!
CROSS Training Part 9-- 03/22/98 by Len Evans
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12
Spiritual Warfare is __REAL___
Angels are mentioned in ___ of the 66 books of the Bible.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
What do we fight?
1. The __WORLD__
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
2. The __FLESH___
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galatians 5:16-17
3. The __DEVIL__
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1Peter 5:8-9
Where do we fight the battle?
___THE___MIND______
Our best defense: __THE__ __TRUTH__