Sunday, February 26, 2017 am
SPIRITUAL INDICATORS - Am I
Growing Personally
Let’s begin with a spiritual audit!
When we think of audits, it usually isn’t a pleasant thing. But
it is necessary. That is why
companies audit their books regularly – so that they can make whatever
corrections are needed and to prove their integrity.
In
2 Corinthians 13:5 we are called upon to examine ourselves.
I am convinced that if we are to grow as we ought to, we must do
this regularly. And we
understand this. We
regularly engage in such examinations with our material possessions (we
see our accountant or financial advisor to discuss our financial future,
we see a mechanic to make sure our car is running properly) and health
(we go to our doctor for a physical). In
EACH of these illustrations, if there is a problem, we have gone to an
expert and hope the attendant will take measures to correct it.
But
what our spiritual health?
The Bible tells us that our bodies are going to wear out (Eccl. 12:1-8,
James 4:14, etc.). But our
souls are going to live on eternally, so it behooves us to take care of
our spiritual bodies as well (or better) AND to examine ourselves from
time to time.
This is a process I describe as
spiritual indicators. An
indicator is a device or standard that tells you where you are in
comparison to where you ought to be (in a car - the speedometer, the
fuel gauge, the oil pressure gauge, the temperature gauge, etc.).
A spiritual indicator is a standard (the Bible) that we use to
measure where we are as it relates to where we ought to be in God’s
eyes. Consider
James 1:22-25. The “mirror”
we are looking into is the word of God – the standard where we should
be. When we look into
that mirror, we will see ourselves as we are in relation to that mirror.
These are indicators that can help us determine whether or not we
are maturing as we ought to.
As we examine these indicators, are we willing to make the necessary
corrections to be where we ought to be?
Tonight, will be the first of 3 lessons in which we will examine
our spiritual lives.
In
this lesson, we are going to briefly notice some spiritual indicators we
can use to help us examine where we are as individual Christians.
We are going to ask some questions for each of us to consider?
And as we ask these questions, we must be brutally honest with
ourselves! If you want to be
right with God, this is NOT the time to make excuses or look for
loopholes. This is a time to
examine ourselves and wherever we find flaws, we must seek to make
correction. Again, our
eternity is at stake!
a.
A priority is a thing
regarded as more important than another, that which is first.
In a recent lesson, it was explained that there can only be one TRUE
priority. There may be many
things of different levels of importance, but that which is your
priority is that which is first.
b.
Matthew 6:33, “Seek
first the kingdom of God…”
We frequently quote this verse and others like it, but do we
genuinely put it into practice?
c.
Matthew 10:37-38, He who
loves father or mother more than me…
d.
Acts 5:29, Peter with
the other apostles stood before the council and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
e.
Understanding this, what
is your priority?
This is
easy for us to say, but do we genuinely put it into practice?
As I make decisions, do I genuinely consider how it will affect my
standing with God?
For what will I willingly sacrifice myself?
When faced with a choice
between serving God or something I want to do, what typically wins out?
Am I willing to be counted as part of the chosen remnant rather than
conform with the majority?
What if you were the rich, young ruler (Matthew 19), what would you do?
What if you were Peter standing before the council being threatened to
quit proclaiming Jesus, what would you say?
What if you were in Joseph’s place before Potiphar’s wife?
As you read scripture, honestly ask yourself, “What if I were like…?”
Apply this to both the good and the bad.
Think of Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, etc. Think of Jesus.
a.
The Bible is more than
another book of philosophy.
It is the word of God!
It is imperative that we treat it as such.
The Bible is how God communicates with us today.
It is our only hope of knowing what pleases Him.
b.
1 Thessalonians 2:13,
they received it as the word of God in truth.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 tells us that with it we have all that we need.
c.
Matthew 28:19-20 – The
“great commission” of Jesus – Go and make disciples – baptizing and
teaching them to observe ALL things commanded.
We cannot fulfill this command without Bible study!
d.
2 Timothy 2:15 – be
diligent to present yourself approved unto God
e.
1 Peter 3:15 – be ready
to give a defense.
f.
Psalm 1:1-2, blessed is
the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord…
g.
Do I study the Bible as
I ought to?
How much do I know of God’s word?
Do I know more now than when I first obeyed?
Do I know more than last year?
Do I have a plan to learn?
Am I able to share His word with others? (2 Peter 3:15)
Am I convicted because I know
what God’s word teaches?
(Not because of some other reason – parents, always been here, etc.)
h.
Recall how Hebrews
5:12-14 rebuked them because they had not learned as they ought to. Do I
have a good grasp of what is being discussed in Bible classes?
The way you are growing in the grace and knowledge of God is a
spiritual indicator! (2 Peter 1:3)
a.
Effective communication
is a two-way street.
Just as the Bible is how God communicates with us, prayer is the way He
has provided for us to communicate with Him.
b.
It is a privilege that
Christians enjoy – 1 John 5:14-15, 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 4:16 – we come
boldly before the throne of grace…
c.
Continually the Bible
emphasizes our need to pray – Luke 18:5-10 – the parable of the friend
at midnight.
Ephesians 6:18, praying always with all prayer and supplication?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – pray without ceasing.
d.
A study of the life of
Jesus shows the importance of prayer.
Luke 5:16 – He often withdrew in the wilderness and prayed!
WE find Jesus praying in the morning and at evening.
Because He prayed often, His disciples asked Him to teach them to
pray. He did!
THOUGHT: If Jesus,
the son of God, Immanuel, needed to pray as He did, what does that say
about us mere mortals?
e.
How often do I pray?
Do I begin my day with prayer?
Do I pray at night?
Do I pray before meals? What
about in public (not as a show), but because it is who you are? (like
Daniel) What and who do I pray for?
Do I believe God answers prayers? (cf. James 1:5-6, 1 John 5:14-15)
When I am facing problems do I turn to God in prayer?
When facing a serious decision, do I pray?
When all is well, do I turn to God with gratitude? (Ephesians 5:20, 1
Timothy 4:4)
f.
Year ago I learned, “Seven
days without prayer makes on weak!”
How important prayer is to you, is very much a spiritual indicator.
a.
James 3:1-12 gives us a
description of the power of the tongue.
Though it is a small member, it can do great things, for good or
harm. That is why it
is important that we learn to control the tongue.
In fact, if you are struggling with self-control issues, a good place to
begin conquering your problems is with your conversations.
That is what James said in verse 2, “For
we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is
a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”
It is because of this that the tongue is a spiritual indicator.
The Bible has so much say about the tongue both good and bad!
Proverbs 10:19 tells us, “in
the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips
is wise.”
b.
We have heard it said,
“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me.”
While the idea is for us to determine we are not going to let
what others say to or about us hurt us, the truth is – words hurt!
Words do great damage!
And in this electronic age, there is hardly anything that we can
say that might not be heard by others!
c.
So how well do I manage my tongue?
Do I find myself speaking before I think?
(James 1:19) Do
I struggle with anger and speak words in anger?
Does my language blaspheme the name of God?
Am I guilty of gossip? Do
I find myself telling filthy jokes?
Am I always truthful when I speak?
What is my demeanor when I speak to or about others?
Do I control my language when using social media?
ON the other hand, do I use my tongue for good?
Do I encourage my brethren and friends?
Do I defend my Lord and My God?
Do I warn those in danger, both physically and spiritually?
Do I THINK before I
speak (Is it True, Is it Helpful, Is it Inspiring, Is it Necessary, Is
it Kind)?
a.
Repentance is a subject
misunderstood by many. Many
see repentance as saying I’m sorry or feeling bad about something you
have done wrong. Others see it as changing behavior regardless of
motives. Some see it as
confession of sins. While
all these things are involved in true repentance, genuine repentance IS
the changing of one’s mind that leads to a change in conduct.
b.
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
describes true repentance.
It is a realization of doing wrong, resolving to stop doing that and
changing the direction of one’s life.
It is from the heart that this happens.
Anything less is not genuine repentance and probably will not
last.
c.
Repentance is a subject
we need to emphasize greatly.
Far too many fall away shortly after obeying the gospel (cf. Acts
2:38, 3:19), and others due to a failure to genuinely reject the lusts
of this world simply do not grow or produce fruit as they ought to.
d.
Do I understand
repentance?
How well do I deal with sin?
Am I genuinely trying to repent when I do wrong?
Do I find myself caught up in the same sinful behaviors over and over,
even shortly after “repenting”?
As I repent, do I take steps to remove the sinful conduct from my life?
a.
As you study the life a
Christian in your Bible, you will discover that it is NOT just about
you. Yes there is an aspect of
the gospel that requires you to focus on what you are doing and not
doing (cf. Galatians 6:6) for yourself.
Securing eternal life is something only YOU can do.
However, the scriptures have so much to say about how we are to react to
each other.
It is reflected in our attitudes as well as our example in every aspect
of our life. We are called
upon to serve others (Galatians 5:13).
Phil. 2:3-4, “Let nothing be done
through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for
his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
In Matthew 5:44-48 Jesus told us that we are even to love our
enemies!
Some 7 times in the New Testament we are told to “love your neighbor as
yourself.”
While we are to be careful in considering what we do and where we go, we
cannot live in a commune and fulfill all the passages of scripture that
tell us to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse
generation (Philippians 2:14-15).
As Jesus said, we are not OF the word, but we are IN the world
(cf. John 17:15-17).
b.
So, as our final point,
we notice that the way we care about others is also a spiritual
indicator.
Do I genuinely care
about my neighbor?
Am I willing to serve and help them, even to the point of sacrificing –
whether it be my money or my time?
When I associate with my friends and loved ones, am I concerned about
their spiritual wellbeing?
What am I doing to be better prepared to share the gospel with them?
Am I being a godly example to those around me? Is the light of Christ
and His word shining IN me and FROM me?
c.
The world we are living
in desperately needs godly examples.
If we are to turn our society around, it is not going to happen
with legislation. It is
going to happen by us letting our lights shine and by seeking to reach
others, one neighbor at a time.
These are some spiritual indicators with which we can gauge where we are
in relation to where we ought to be.
It is imperative that we be brutally honest as we examine
ourselves. If our examination
shows a need for change, then we need to repent and get to work changing
it. A doctor can tell you
what is wrong and give you the cure, but if you don’t follow his
instructions, you are not going to get better.
Through the word of God, the GREAT PHYSICIAN has examined us and
tells us what we need to change.
Are we willing to listen to Him and obey Him (Matthew 28:19-20)?
Our eternity depends on it!