The Effects Of Spiritual Disciplines

The Effects Of Spiritual Disciplines Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2…. “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.” (NIV)

INTRODUCTION “The Christian gospel insists that transformation … really is possible. Never easy. Rarely quick. But possible… It begins to happen anytime people become intensely serious about learning from Jesus how to arrange their lives.” John Ortberg, ‘The Life You’ve Always Wanted’

“The desire for transformation lies deep in every human heart…” (John Ortberg) TRANSFORMATION reflects the heart of God, and His desire for our lives to be transformed.

Galatians 4:19…. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”(NIV) “My little children, for whom I am again suffering birth pangs until Christ is completely and permanently formed (molded) within you!”(Amplified Bible)

How do we experience this transformation? How do we grow? Spiritual Disciplines! “Any activity that can help me gain power to live life as Jesus taught and modeled it.” (John Ortberg)

The BIG Idea.... God’s desire is that we would BE TRANSFORMED into the image of Jesus, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

How could this happen? This happens as we ENGAGE in the Spiritual Disciplines!

MAIN POINTS 1. Why The Need For Spiritual Disciplines?

A) Spiritual Disciplines Help Us Become More Like Jesus Before Christ.... Galatians 5:19-21a After Christ.... Galatians 5:22a TRANSFORMATION! This is

If you lack the fruit of the Spirit, you’re in need of CHANGE and GROWTH.

B) Spiritual Disciplines Aren’t A Measure Of Your Spirituality Luke 18:9-12 Praying or reading your Bible doesn’t automatically make you more spiritual. And it doesn’t affect how much God loves you!

C) Spiritual Disciplines Are Tools To Help Us Change And Grow Romans 12:2…. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (NIV)

As we read our Bible, pray, worship, serve God, etc. – we are being TRANSFORMED – inside out. …. As we cooperate with the working and leading of the Holy Spirit within us.

Philippians 1:6…. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completionuntil the day of Christ Jesus.” (NIV) • John 14:23-26

What Are The Practices Of Spiritual Disciplines? 2.

Spiritual Disciplines require ENGAGEMENT. ENGAGEMENT means to “intentionally doing things.”

What are the things that we can intentionally do? Why are they helpful for “transformation” and growth in our life?

A) Prayer: ABIDING In Jesus John 15:4,5…. “(v.4)Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. ….

John 15:4,5…. …. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (v.5) ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (NIV)

B) Bible Study: KNOWING God & His Will 1 Peter 2:2,3…. “(v.2) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, (v.3) now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (NIV)

C) Worship: LIFTING The Name Of God 1 Chronicles 16:29…. “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” (NIV)

D) Service: GIVING Unto God Ephesians 2:10…. “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”(NIV)

E) Fellowship: CONNECTING With One Another

Exodus 20:24…. “Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.” (NIV; cf. Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 19:5; Numbers 6:17)

What is “Fellowship Offering?” This sacrifice celebrated covering of sin, forgiveness by God, and the restoration of a right and meaningful relationship with God and with life itself (Judges 20:26; 21:4).

FELLOWSHIP “koinonia” The sharing of things in common with another.

FELLOWSHIP …. has a distinctly spiritual meaning – believers have FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – John 17:21-26; Phil.2:1; 1 John 1:3), WITH OTHER BELIEVERS (Acts 2:42; 1 John 1:3,7).

A FELLOWSHIP with one another that ought to illustrate the very nature of God Himself (John 13:35; Ephesians 5:1,2; 1 John 1:5-10) …. • to ENCOURAGE • to BUILD UP • to EDIFY

F) Missions: REACHING People For Jesus

Matthew 28:19,20…. “(v.19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (v.20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)

To go and make disciples of all nations.... means MORE THAN bringing people to a decision for Christ!

It means CONTINUING to deal with them, teach them, and inspire them until they become so filled with delight in studying God’s Word that they will continue to be disciples (learners) for the rest of their lives.

Philippians 3:10…. “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him...”

CONCLUSION Charles Swindoll,“Intimacy With The Almighty” says…. “Tragically, very little in this hurried and hassled age promotes such intimacy. We have become a body of people who look more like a herd of cattle on a stampede than a flock of God beside green pastures and still waters.”

Let us make a conscious decision to cultivate SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES in our lives in 2012.

The Effects Of Spiritual Disciplines