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Presented, Sunday, May 25, 2008 am
SPIRITUAL INDICATORS -2
Communicating with God
We have begun a study of spiritual indicators. A spiritual indicator is an indicator (a measuring device) that helps me see where I am as a Christian right now in comparison to where I need to be.
Today I want to talk about communication in the life of a Christian. A pretty good indicator of my spiritual condition is an examination of how close I am to God or how well I know God. A key to knowing God is communicating with Him. In this lesson we want to talk about communicating with God. We want to focus on 2 things that we can look at in our lives that serve as barometers to how well we communicate with Him: Bible study and prayer.
I. I. The importance of communication
a.
Communication is
important in any relationship we are involved in. It is how we work together
and get things done. It is how we convey ideas and information to someone
else. Communication comes in different forms – verbal, signs and written.
Effective communication is usually a two-way street: We both speak and we listen
as appropriate.
Effective communication is also clear and understandable. When we don’t
understand something we need to communicate and seek clarification.
b.
God has always
communicated with man. Heb. 1:1-2 tells us He used various means.
He sent prophets, through dreams, angels, and at times He even spoke “face to
face” (cf. Exodus 33:11, Num. 12:7-8 – God spoke with Moses). In the Garden of
Eden, God spoke with Adam and Eve and gave them instructions (Gen. 1:27-30,
2:16-17).
Why are we here today? Because God has spoken! How can we know what He
wants us to do? Because He has spoken!
c. God expects us to communicate with Him! He wants us to know Him (1 John 5:19-20, 2:3). He wants us to understand His will (Ephesians 5:17). He expects us to listen to Him AND to speak to Him.
d.
But do we
communicate with Him enough? How effective is our communication?
That is the spiritual indicator we want to notice today!
II. II. How well do I know God’s word?
a. Bible study is an important part of the life of a Christian. In fact, the amount of time one devotes to studying the word of God is proportionate to how well he knows God and His will. And that is why we call it a spiritual indicator.
b.
What is Bible
study? Simply stated - It is listening to God speak to us. In fact, it is
the ONLY way He speaks now!
But it involves more than a casual and occasional reading of the scriptures.
It involves making effort to truly and accurately understand what God has said
for us to do so that we can please Him.
c. Why study the Bible?
i.
Because we
are commanded to – 2 Timothy 2:15 (“Be
diligent” to rightly divide the word). To fulfill that command we MUST
study His word.
2 Peter 1:5-6 says that we need to add knowledge to our faith.
Ephesians 5:17 commands us to “understand what the will of the Lord is”
ii. Because we want to please God – 1 John 2:3 tells us that to know God we have to “keep His commandments.” How can we do that if we don’t know what His commandments are?
iii. Because we want to grow – 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.” Brethren, if we are NOT growing – we are NOT pleasing to God. Consider Hebrews 5:12-14 which tells us that by this time we ought to be teachers (we ought to KNOW more of God’s word and be able to tell it to others). Their failure to GROW in knowledge prompted rebuke of the writer.
iv.
Because we
want to know the truth! Why is there
so much religious division in the world today? Because people don’t know the
truth. They are ignorant! They don’t listen to God! They DON’T STUDY for
themselves.
Considering this division and the diversity of beliefs out there, how can we
know we have the truth? Do we simply bury our head in the sand and say
that we cannot know the truth and that it doesn’t matter? Do we put our
trust in what some man says? How can we answer contradictory beliefs or
even know that some teaching is contrary to the Bible? The answer is
–BIBLE STUDY! Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make
you free.” (John 8:31-32)
In John 17:17 He said to His Father, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your
word is truth.”
v. Because we want to be able to teach it to others. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be able to “give a defense” for the hope within us. Can we do that?
vi. Many more reasons could be added to these.
d. Therefore I need to ask myself, “How well do I know God’s Word?”
i. What does my knowledge of God’s word say about my spiritual condition?
ii. Is Bible study a regular part of my life? How often do I read the Bible? When was the last time I completed reading through the Bible? How much time to I devote to studying God’s word? Should I be studying more than I do?
iii. Do I know more now than I did when I first became a Christian? Do I know more now than I did a year ago? Would I consider myself a mature Bible student? Do I know my way around the Bible better now than I used to?
iv. How much do I understand what is taught in the Bible classes I attend with my brethren? (Do I attend Bible classes with my brethren?) What type of effort do I put forth into preparing for such Bible studies? Can my brethren see growth in my knowledge of His word?
v. Can I defend my convictions? If the Hebrew writer were writing to me, would I be one of those that he was rebuking? Does my lack of Bible knowledge keep me from studying with others? HOW LONG have I been making this excuse?
vi. With honest examination your Bible study habits are a good spiritual indicator.
e. How can I improve in this area? How can I ensure that I am growing in knowledge?
i. The answer is to start studying!
ii. Set some goals for Bible study.
1. Resolve to read through the entire Bible on a regular basis. Set goals for Bible reading. (NOTE: Bible reading is not the same thing as Bible study but it IS needed.)
2. Set aside a regular time to STUDY in addition to reading. MAKE IT A HABIT!
3. Take notes. Find resources to help you – dictionary, concordance, etc.
4. Prepare BEFORE you go to Bible class.
5. Periodically evaluate where I am.
iii. Friends, the amount of time you devote to Bible study will have a direct bearing on how much you will grow spiritually.
III. III. How often do I talk to God?
a. Prayer, like Bible study, is an activity that will have a direct bearing on your relationship with God (and Jesus).
b. Prayer is the avenue God has provided for us to talk with Him. (Heb. 4:16, Matthew 6:9)
c. It is a subject that is greatly emphasized in scripture.
i. You find prayer an integral part of the lives of godly men and women like Daniel, Paul, David, Hannah, Elijah, Nehemiah, Anna (Luke 2:37) and of course Jesus (NOTE: Have you ever thought about why Jesus, the Son of God, would need to pray as much as He did? Obviously, it is an important subject.
ii.
Many passages
tell us to pray frequently.
1 Thess. 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”
Colossians 4:2, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with
thanksgiving.”
Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for
all the saints”
Romans 12:12, “Continuing steadfastly in prayer”
Luke 18:1, “Then He spoke a parable to them that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”
d. Why do I need to pray?
i. Because God said so (see above).
ii. To show gratitude to Him – Colossians 4:2, Philippians 4:6 – with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 1 Tim. 4:4-5 – everything to be received with thanksgiving.
iii. Because I need God’s help – There are any number of reasons that we need God’s help in our lives:
1. We need forgiveness of our sins (as Christians) – 1 John 1:9,
2. We need His guidance, e.g. James 1:5 – wisdom, Luke 22:40 – that we not enter into temptation, Matthew 5:44 – to change our attitude, etc.
3. We have other needs as well – Phil. 4:6 tells us to, “let your requests be made known to God” Matt. 6:11-13 (Part of the “Lord’s Prayer”), 1 Peter 5:7 – casting all our cares upon Him.
iv. Because others need our prayers as well – 1 Thess. 5:25, 2 Thess. 3:1, 1 Tim. 2:1-2, etc.
v. Because it reminds ME of my needs and my place before God. Realize that God is all seeing and knowing. (Matthew 6:32-33) Prayers help you realize that you need Him and remind you of what you NEED to do.
vi. Many more reasons and examples could be given for which to pray. These begin to show us that it is something that is important to us as Christians.
e. Therefore, I need to ask, “How often do I pray?”
i. What is my “prayer life” like? What does it say about my spiritual condition? When I have problems who do I turn to? When I DON’T have problems, who do I turn to?
ii. Does the quantity and quality of my prayers demonstrate adequate gratitude and consideration for God? How much is God on my mind? Do I view Him as a friend that I can turn to with my problems?
iii. Do I pray more now than I used to? Do I pray in faith? Am I living my life in such a way that I CAN pray to Him? (Cf. John 9:31)
iv. Who do I pray for? How often do I pray for those of this congregation? How often do I pray for the work? The elders? The church everywhere? Those who ask me to pray for them? Our leaders at all levels? For His will to be done? The lost? Some specific person that you would like to teach?
v. Friends, the closer you are to God the more you will pray! And based on that, honestly ask yourself, “How close am I to God?”
vi. In once heard a saying that summarizes the importance of prayer: “Seven days without prayer makes one weak” Let us never for get that.
f. How can I improve my prayer life?
i. When you wake up in the morning, start with a prayer. It doesn’t have to be a long and inclusive prayer. Simply train yourself that you will begin the day by talking to God.
ii. Pray as you eat (even in public). It doesn’t have to be a loud and long prayer. Just bow your head and pray. When you are with others, ask them if you can say a prayer. It may lead to an opportunity.
iii. Try to think of something on a daily basis to thank God for.
iv. When you promise to pray for others, DO IT!
v. In addition to brief prayers throughout the day, it is good to set aside some quiet time for reflection and prayer each week (preferably 2-3 times a week). Try to arrange this along with your Bible study. During this time, PRAY FOR OTHERS!
vi. Pray at night before you go to bed. Take a moment and see if there is anything you need to ask forgiveness for and do so. God to bed with a clear conscience.
vii. If you will do these things, you WILL be closer to God. I will guarantee it!
And thus we can see the need for Bible study and prayer in our lives as Christians. It is my hope that in this lesson we have seen that this is a good place to start examining where we are in relationship to where we need to be. What about you? What do your study habits and prayers say about your life as a Christian? If they show a deficiency, then let me urge you to repent and start doing more to put Him first in your life. Think about it!