Developing Spiritual Maturity

1. Developing Spiritual Maturity Sermon Two “Hearing Him”

2. This Series: • The point is to remind us that our relationship with Jesus is enhanced when we invest in that relationship.

3. Measuring Growth • …They are the habits that influence our time, our money, and our relationships. If Christ’s lordship is recognized over these three areas of life, then he will truly be in control.  • I believe there are five measurements of spiritual growth: knowledge, perspective, conviction, skills, and character.

4. Showing Our Love • Today we look at loving God through taking the time to hear what He has to say and internalizing His message.

5. M and M’s • Memorization • Meditation

6. Heart and Mind • “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD, "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” • Jeremiah 31:33 quoted in Hebrews 8:10 on Page 1870.

7. It’s In There!? • You likely have more passages memorized, or partly memorized, than you realize. • Many of the church songs are also passages from the Bible, lots of contemporary Christian music puts God’s word to music, and passages that you have heard over and over are more in there than you might think.

8. How Memorization Helps • 1. It Helps Me Resist Temptation. • I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 • Jesus sets the example of the use of memorized scripture in Matthew 4:1-11

9. How Memorization Helps • 2. It Helps Me Make Wise Decisions. • Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 • 3. It Strengthens Me During Stress. • My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:50

10. How Memorization Helps • 4. It Comforts Me When I Am Sad. • When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 • My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119:28

11. How Memorization Helps • 5. It Helps Me Witness to Unbelievers. • But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16

12. When? • During your Quiet Time, While Exercising, While Waiting (spare moments), At Bedtime (Psalm 63:6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.).

13. How? • 1. Pick a verse that speaks to you. • 2. Say the reference before and after the verse. • 3. Read the verse aloud many times. Record it! • 4. Break the verse into natural phrases. • 5. Emphasize key words when quoting the verse. • 6. Write down the verse and erase a word one at a time.

14. How? • 7. Write out the verse on a flash card or in the notes section of your phone! • 8. Carry some cards with you for review – or use your phone! • 9. Display your verses in prominent places. • 10. Write the verse on your heart and then work towards saying it word perfect. • 11. Use music! Put the verse to music or enjoy the work of someone else. • 12. Get a partner so you can check each other.

15. It’s A Battle! • We remember what is important to us and Satan wants to steal God’s word from your heart. • You are in a spiritual battle and Satan does not like you to gather weapons that can be used to defeat him.

16. NOTE: • A Quote is Book, Chapter, and Verse with Correct Wording! • A Reference is More Generic. • Better Yet:Look It Up and Read It Together!

17. Meditation: • Meditation is a skill that you already have but you likely use it to worry! • Meditation is the soul’s chewing!

18. Psalm 1:1-3 • Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

19. 3 Reasons To Meditate • 1. It is a key to Becoming Like Christ. • Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 • Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 • And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

20. 3 Reasons to Meditate • 2. It is a key to Answered Prayer. • If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7

21. 3 Reasons to Meditate • 3. It is a key to Successful Living. • This is the promise given to Joshua: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8

22. 5 Tips for Meditation • Use repetition! Keep repeating it to yourself and to others. • Focus on emptying your mind to fill it with God. • Open your heart to what he has to say. What does God mean by this? • Replace worry thoughts with God’s word. • Pray the passage: Speak to God and of God openly and often.

23. A Growing Relationship • It helps to read His word relationally so we know Him better. • It helps our relationship when we make effort to remember what He has told us and we show our love to Him when we work at transforming our mind and heart by reflecting on His word.

24. This week your challenge is to pick a passage to memorize through repetition and meditation as an offering to God.

25. Next Week: • Showing Our Love For Jesus Through Spending Quality Time With Him.