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Sunday, May 18, 2008 am

 

Spiritual Indicators

 

Today I start a series of lessons dealing with what I call spiritual indicators.  The life of a Christian is one of continued growth.  As such, from time to time, we need to take a look at where we are and compare that to where we need to be and where we come from.  We need to ask ourselves, is there a way to know that I am what I ought to be?  This series of lessons is designed to help us take a spiritual inventory of our lives so that we can determine where we are AND if we find ourselves lacking in certain things, what we can do to change that.

 

I.                     What is a spiritual indicator

a.        What is an indicator?

                                                   i.      Indicator, “1. A person or thing that indicates. 2. A pointing or directing device, as the pointer on the dial of an instrument to show pressure, temperature, speed, volume, or the like.” 
Indicate, “1. To be a sign of; betoken; evidence; show.  2. To point out or point to; direct attention to.  3. To show, as by measuring or recording; make known.”
(Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2006, via www.dictionary.com)

                                                  ii.      Thus it is a device or thing that gives us an idea about the condition of something.

b.       A Spiritual Indicator is: an indicator that helps me to see where I am as a Christian right now.  This is useful to compare to where I need to be (and where I have been).
As I speak of spiritual indicators, what I have in mind is that as Christians when we examine ourselves spiritually, there ought to be certain objective things that we can look at that can help us gauge whether or not we are growing the way we ought to.

c.        In this series of lessons I intend to present some concrete forms of measurement that we can use to help us determine where we are right now.  

d.       This lesson will introduce why this should be important.

 

II.                  The need to grow

a.        Growth is a natural thing.  It is seen everywhere as something that is needed and good.  It is seen in business, one’s performance at a job, physical abilities and skills, our pets, etc. 
Consider our children: When a child is not growing physically we know there is a problem.  Depending on the degree of lack of growth, we take great measures to get that child back on the right track.

b.       Christians are commanded to grow spiritually.  Scriptures are clear that to please God you have to move toward maturity.

                                                   i.      1 Peter 2:2 says that spiritual babes are to desire milk of the word to grow thereby.

                                                  ii.      2 Peter 3:18 , “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

                                                iii.      Ephesians 4:15-16 – leaders are given to help us so that we “may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ…” 

                                                iv.      Hebrews 5:12-6:1 – a direct rebuke because they had not grown as they ought to.

                                                  v.      2 Peter 1:5-8 – the “Christian graces” in which we add to our faith – virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. Verse 8 describes the desired state when we apply these things. 

c.        In addition to this, many other concepts indicate the need for growth.

                                                   i.      Perfection – Hebrews 6:1, James 3:2

                                                  ii.      Rightly dividing the word of truth – 2 Timothy 2:15

                                                iii.      Maturity – Philippians 3:15, 1 Corinthians 14:20

                                                iv.      Producing  fruit – John 15:8

                                                  v.      Reaching Forward – Philippians 3:13

                                                vi.      Endurance – James 5:11, “We count them blessed who endure…”  James 1:12 – enduring temptation, 1 Corinthians 13:7 – love “endures all things.”

                                               vii.      2 Timothy 4:7 – fighting the good fight, finishing the race and keeping the faith.

d.       Grow in what? A pretty good general list to answer that question is found in 1 Timothy 4:12 – word, conduct, love, spirit (NKJV), faith and purity.  As this study progresses, we will see avenues through which we need to be growing and how we need to measure those things.

e.       Can we know that we are growing as we ought to?

                                                   i.      The answer to that question is, YES!  Sure we can!

                                                  ii.      Many passages speak of our assurance.  That we can know we are pleasing God.  Many of them hinge on obeying His Word – ALL OF IT.

1.       1 John 2:5 says, “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in Him.  By this we know that we are in Him.

2.       1 John 3:24, “By this we know that He abides in us…”

3.       1 John 5:2, “By this we know that we love the children of God…”

4.       1 John 3:18-21 speaks of our heart being assured.  IF it condemns us or not…

                                                iii.      I ask, Are we able to finish the race?  Can we know that He will keep what we have committed to Him until that day?  Are we able to escape every temptation that is directed toward us?  Can we quench the fiery darts of Satan?  Are we able to control our tongues (more now than before)?  Can we believe God when we pray to Him?  Can I understand what the will of the Lord is?  Can I become a greater asset in the Lord’s body that I am a part of?  Can I overcome the world and its lusts?  Can I learn to tell others how to be saved?  Can I reach a point where I am able to apply principles to help resolve questionable activities? Can I learn to love my brethren and my enemies as I ought to?  The answer to each of these questions is, YES!  Now, the other question is, WILL I DO THESE THINGS?

 

III.                How can I know I am growing?

a.        Spiritual examination

                                                   i.      With our physical bodies there are indicators when something is going wrong.  And even if there is nothing wrong, from time to time we go to the doctor anyway – for a checkup.  When we go to the doctor, he will help us to know that we are fine OR he will take those symptoms (indicators) and make a diagnosis.  Depending on the seriousness of the situation depends on how much testing he does – but he works to find out what is wrong. 
WHY? So that he can fix it, if possible!

                                                  ii.       2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless in deed you are disqualified.”

                                                iii.      Psalm 26:2 finds David saying, “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.”  He wanted to know if he was right with God.

                                                iv.      Galatians 6:4, “But let a man examine his own work…” so that he can rejoice in his own accomplishments and not that of others.

                                                  v.      Again 1 John 3:20-21 speaks of our hearts condemning us or not condemning us.  That happens with examination. 

                                                vi.      The only way we are going to know if we are where we ought to be is with examination.  We need to take a spiritual inventory of our lives and ask questions.  Sometimes, the inquiry is general and at other times more detailed.  And we go to “the Great Physician” for help.

b.       Areas that will help us know we are growing!

                                                   i.      How much do I study and pray?  (Heb. 5:12, 2 Tim. 2:15)
What am I able to do with the word of God now (compared to back then)? 
Is prayer a regular part of my daily life?

                                                  ii.      How do I keep my tongue? (James 3:1-2)
Do I always say what is on my mind?  Do I utter profanities?  Is my mouth better now than it used to be?  DO I TALK ABOUT OTHERS when I should not?  What happens when I hit my thumb with the hammer?

                                                iii.      How important are my brethren to me? (Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thess. 5:11, Galatians 6:1)
How important is the church to me? Do I prefer my brethren over others?  How much do I give?  Do I have a casual attitude about the church?  If I had to choose between a football game and attending worship services – what will I chose and where would I PREFER to be?

                                                iv.      What is really important to me in this life?  (1 John 2:15-17, Col.3:2, Romans 12:1-2)
What have I set my mind on? Am I really sanctified? Am I materialistic? Am I worldly? What am I really willing to give up to follow Christ?  This is where we take a good look at our lives.

                                                  v.      How important are others to me? (Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 13:10, Matthew 5:43-48)
Do I see a need to share the gospel with others?  Do I consider the souls of those I am around?  Am I living the godly example?  If Christianity were outlawed, would there be enough evidence to convict me of being a Christian?

 

These are some spiritual indicators that will help us know if we are growing as we ought to and therefore where we ought to be.  In coming weeks, as we continue this study of spiritual indicators, we want to look in detail at each of these areas – noting what to look for and what should we do if we find that we are not all that we ought to be.

We go to doctors to find out what is wrong and fix it so that we can live a little longer and improve the quality of our lives down here on earth.  What are we willing to do for our souls?  Matthew 10:28.  Think about it!