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The importance of spiritual discipline Hope Church, 31/1/10.
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Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
Spiritual discipline • Why don’t we focus on discipline? • What is discipline? • Discipline on the inside • Discipline on the outside
‘Apart from me, you can do nothing’ (John 15:5) “If you do nothing, it will be without me”
Train children in the way they should go,and when they are old they will not turn from it.(Proverbs 22:6)
‘Discipline is an activity that is within our power – something we can do – that brings us to a point where we can do what we at present cannot do by direct effort.’ (Dallas Willard, The Great Omission, p.150)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.(Colossians 3:12-14)
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:3-8)
Discipline on the outside • Bible reading • Bible memorisation • Prayer • Times of quiet • Fasting
Jesus answered: “It is written: ‘People do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?""My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:32-34)
Discipline on the outside • Bible reading • Bible memorisation • Prayer • Times of quiet • Fasting • Giving • Avoiding temptation
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)