DISCIPLINE: TO STUDY GOD’S WORD
2/13/00
1 Tim 4:6-8
6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good
minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of
the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with
godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for
all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
THE CENTRAL POSITIVE COMMAND IN THIS TEXT IS "TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY." WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? LISTEN TO A COUPLE OF OTHER TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE..
Prov 5:22-23
22The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the
cords of his sin hold him fast.
23He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly
Prov 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he
who hates correction is stupid.
Prov 23:23
23Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
Mike Ditka:
I DON’T BELIEVE THAT ANYTHING IS UNREALISTIC IF YOU
BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT. I THINK IF YOU ARE DETERMINED
ENOUGH AND WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE YOU CAN GET IT DONE.
YOU SEE, THERE IS A PRICE TAG ON SUCCESS THAT FEW ARE WILLING TO PAY, THE COST IS SOMETHING WE CALL DISCIPLINE. WE HAVE LEARNED IN THIS SERIES THAT DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE ABUNDANT LIFE AND TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. IT DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY OR BY CHANCE BUT RATHER BY GOD’S DESIGN AND INVOLVES HARD WORK, PATIENCE, AND UNDERSTANDING. THE PERSON PRACTICING CONSISTENT SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES ENJOYS A FREEDOM TO KNOW AND DO THE WILL OF GOD IN A WAY UNPARALLELED IN THE PERSON THAT DOES NOT "TRAIN HIMSELF" IN THE DISCIPLINES. IN THE DISCIPLINED LIFE THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPART GIFTS AND CALLINGS KNOWING THAT THEY WILL NOT BE WASTED IN A SUPERFICIAL AND MEANINGLESS LIFE.
IN HIS BOOK, THE PURPOSE DRIVEN CHURCH, PASTOR RICK WARREN WRITES: "THE MOST POWERFUL WAY TO GET BELIEVERS HEADED IN THE DIRECTION OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS TO HELP THEM ESTABLISH HABITS THAT PROMOTE SPIRITUAL GROWTH. OFTEN CALLED SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, WE (AT SADDLEBACK COMMUNITY CHURCH) USE THE TERM HABITS BECAUSE IT IS LESS THREATENING... WE BELIEVE THAT THESE HABITS ARE TO BE ENJOYED RATHER THAN ENDURED.... WE ARE CREATURES OF HABIT. IF WE DON'T DEVELOP GOOD HABITS, WE WILL DEVELOP BAD ONES." I AGREE HEARTILY WITH THIS PASTOR. YOU, WE NEED TO PATTERN OUR LIFE WITH SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, THE HABITS THAT OPEN THE GATES OF YOUR MIND AND HEART TO THE PRESENCE AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ON A REGULAR BASIS.
1TIMOTHY 4:8 (TRANS.)
"TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY" ENGAGE IN THE REGULAR EXERCISE OF THE SOUL AND SPIRIT THAT BRINGS CONDITION AND HEALTH TO THE INNER PERSON.
THIS MORNING I WANT TO INTRODUCE ANOTHER HABIT OR DISCIPLINE THAT WILL PROMOTE GOD’S SUCCESS IN YOUR LIFE AT HOME, AT WORK AND IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS AND THAT IS THE DISCIPLINE OR HABIT OF READING AND STUDYING GOD’S WORD ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE ONE THING THAT WILL GIVE YOU AN EDGE AND KEEP YOU SHARP IS KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING. THE BIBLE IS A BOOK OF WISDOM THAT PROVIDES EVERY BELIEVER WITH PRINCIPLES THAT WILL BRING SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY TO EVERY AREA OF LIFE. YOU DON’T HAVE TO READ TOO MANY NON-CHRISTIAN BOOKS TO SEE THE RELATIVITY OF GOD’S TRUTH IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES. HOWEVER THERE IS ONE MEDIUM THAT CHALLENGES THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF GOD’S TRUTH AND THAT IS TELEVISION. I AM DISTRESSED BY THE QUALITY OF ENTERTAINMENT THAT IS EMBRACED BY MANY IN OUR TIME. WHETHER TV SHAPES THE CULTURE OR REFLECTS IT, I AM NOT SURE. BUT THIS MUCH I KNOW-- WHAT WE ARE AS A CULTURE IS ENTWINED WITH THE TV PIPELINE TO THE WORLD THAT SITS IN 99.9% OF OUR HOMES. THE CHALLENGE TO BE A STUDENT OF GOD’S WORD IS OFTEN CIRRCUMVENTED BY AN UNDISCIPLINED LIFE OF WATCHING ONE MEANINGLESS TV SHOW AFTER ANOTHER.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT A GENERAL "DUMBING DOWN" IS TAKING PLACE. GEORGE BARNA MADE A SHOCKING STATEMENT- "ONE HALF OF AMERICANS ARE FUNCTIONALLY ILLITERATE; UNABLE TO READ THE SCRIPTURE WITH UNDERSTANDING AND UNABLE TO COMPREHEND THE SERMONS THAT WE ARE PREACHING." ARE WE SOMEHOW LESS CAPABLE THAN OUR ANCESTORS OR HAVE WE SIMPLY ALLOWED OUR BRAINS TO BECOME FLABBY BECAUSE WE FAIL TO PRACTICE THE DISCIPLINE OF STUDY? I THINK THE LATTER IS THE TRUE STATEMENT! NOW, HERE ARE SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF...............
AT THIS MOMENT SOME OF YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SHUTTING ME OFF. PLEASE DON'T DO THAT. THIS IS NOT A SERMON ABOUT BECOMING AN INTELLECTUAL GIANT. THIS IS NOT A SERMON ONLY FOR THOSE BLESSED WITH GREAT NATURAL INTELLIGENCE. THIS MESSAGE IS A CALL TO MENTAL ORDER. IT IS A CALL TO THE DISCIPLINE OF STUDY AND ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE. JESUS CHRIST SAID, JOHN 8:31-32 "IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING, YOU ARE REALLY MY DISCIPLES. 32 THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE." (NIV)
THE CALL TO CLEAR THINKING THAT COMES FROM THE DISCIPLINE OF STUDY IS REPEATED IN ROMANS 12:1-2 WHERE WE ARE INSTRUCTED:
THEREFORE, I URGE YOU, BROTHERS, IN VIEW OF GOD'S MERCY, TO OFFER YOUR BODIES AS LIVING SACRIFICES, HOLY AND PLEASING TO GOD - THIS IS YOUR SPIRITUAL ACT OF WORSHIP. (2) DO NOT CONFORM ANY LONGER TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED (HOW?) 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.
IN THIS SERIES ABOUT SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES, WE MUST FOCUS ON THE COMMAND CENTER OF OUR PHYSICAL BODIES, THE HEAD! ONCE WE HAVE MADE THE STEP OF ACKNOWLEDGING THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD OF OUR LIFE AND SAVIOR OF OUR SOULS, WE THEN FACE THE WORK OF BECOMING FILLED WITH HIS CHARACTER. A PERSON OF CHARACTER IS ONE WHO IS MATURE AND USEFUL TO THE LORD. CONFORMITY TO CHRIST’ IMAGE IS THE RESULT OF THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS OR IN OTHER WORDS MOST OF THE WORK IS DONE IN OUR BRAINS, THOSE INCREDIBLE PROCESSORS OF INFORMATION THAT GOD GAVE US. WE MUST LEARN TO THINK, TO LAY DOWN NEW FOUNDATIONS OF TRUTH FROM THE BIBLE, TO GLEAN INSIGHTS, TO UNDERSTAND BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND TO RESPOND POSITIVELY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN HE PROMPTS US
TO ACTION. BEING A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN IS NOT A NO BRAINER. IN FACT, THIS HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF MY PETPEVES, THAT WE AS CHRISTIANS DO NOT DEVELOP OUR MINDS AND SOME HOW WE CONDUCT OUR LIVES BY A BLIND FAITH THAT IS OFTEN REJECTED BY THE WORLD. THERE SEEMS TO BE TWO MAJOR CAMPS IN CHRISTIANITY TODAY. THE NON-PENTECOSTAL WHO HAS A LOT OF WORD AND KNOWLEDGE BUT LACKS POWER AND THE PENTECOSTAL WHO HAS A LOT OF POWER BUT LACKS INTELLECTUAL APTITUDE. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW GOD WANTS US TO HAVE BOTH THE POWER OF GOD AND THE WISDOM OF GOD?
Col 1:9
9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Col 3:16
16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
GORDON MACDONALD SAYS "PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT OF SHAPE MENTALLY USUALLY FALL VICTIM TO IDEAS THAT ARE DESTRUCTIVE TO THE HUMAN SPIRIT AND TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS. THEY ARE VICTIMIZED BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT TAUGHT THEMSELVES TO THINK; NOR HAVE THEY SET THEMSELVES TO THE LIFE-LONG PURSUIT OF THE GROWTH OF THE MIND. NOT HAVING A STRONG MIND, THEY GROW DEPENDENT UPON THE THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS OF OTHERS. RATHER THAN DEAL WITH IDEAS AND ISSUES, THEY REDUCE THEMSELVES TO LIVES FULL OF RULES (WRITTEN BY OTHERS) AND PROGRAMS (DESIGNED BY OTHERS)." THAT’S WHY MOST OF CHRISTIANITY TODAY IS CHARACTERIZED BY A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT BECAUSE ITS EASIER TO CONFORM TO THE CROWD THAN IT IS TO KNOW BIBLICAL TRUTH FOR YOURSELF. WE MUST HAVE A LOVE FOR THE TRUTH AND PURSUE A KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD OR ELSE WE WILL BECOME PEOPLE OF REPROBATE MINDS AND BECOME ONE OF THE MASSES OF UNSUCCESSFUL, MEDIOCRE PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY.
Rom 1:28-32
28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
2 Tim 3:6-7
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain
control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins
and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but
never able to acknowledge the truth.
2 Thess 2:8-12
9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
GEORGE MACDONALD GOES ON TO ILLUSTRATE HIS POINT WITH THE STORY OF THE 1978 MASS SUICIDE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLES' TEMPLE UNDER THE DECEPTIVE LEADERSHIP OF JIM JONES. THOSE POOR PEOPLE EMPTIED THEIR MINDS OF THOUGHT AND ALLOWED JONES TO THINK FOR THEM. WHEN HE LOST HIS MIND, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WENT INSANE WITH HIM!
THERE ARE MANY CAUSES OF FOR MENTAL FLABBINESS BUT JUST LET ME MENTION A COUPLE OF THEM THIS MORNING.
1. AT THE TOP OF THE LIST IS LAZINESS. IT TAKES WORK TO KEEP SHARP MENTALLY. IT MEANS STAYING OPEN TO NEW IDEAS AS WELL AS TAKING THE TIME AND EFFORT TO SORT AND EVALUATE THOSE IDEAS. IT TAKES WORK TO STAY AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE WORLD, IN YOUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, IN YOUR FAMILY,
AND EVEN IN YOUR OWN LIFE.
2. MENTAL FLABBINESS IS ALSO CREATED BY EXCESSIVE CONSUMP-TION OF JUNK INFORMATION. OUR BRAIN CRAVES STIMULATION IN THE SAME WAY THAT OUR BODY CRAVES FOOD. RECENT STUDIES SHOW THAT BABIES WHO ARE STIMULATED WITH MUSIC, WORDS, AND TOUCH DEVELOP BRAINS THAT ARE MANY TIMES MORE ACTIVE THAN BABIES WHO ARE LEFT TO THEMSELVES. OTHER STUDIES ARE INDICATING THAT ONE OF THE WAYS TO WARD OFF THE EFFECTS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND SENILITY IS TO CONTINUE TO WORK THE BRAIN WITH CHALLENGES. WE CAN FEED OUR MINDS WITH THE "JUNK FOOD" OF TV SITCOMS, DIME STORE NOVELS, AND TRASHY MAGAZINES OR WE CAN CHOOSE TO NOURISH OUR MINDS WITH GREAT LITERATURE, MUSIC, AND INFORMATION. FOR THE CHRISTIAN CLEAR THINKING AND A KEEN MIND BEGINS WITH ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES ASSOCIATED WITH STUDY- RECEIVING THE WORD OF GOD.
2 Tim 2:15-16
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a
workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly
handles the word of truth 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.
2 Tim 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
IN THE FINAL PART OF MY MESSAGE THIS MORNING , I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THREE WAYS THAT WE CAN RECEIVE THE WORD: A. HEARING, B. READING, AND C. STUDYING.
I HAVE HAD PEOPLE SAY TO ME, "PASTOR, WHEN I READ THE BIBLE I OFTEN DON'T FEEL ANYTHING STIRRED IN MY HEART." THEY SAY THAT AS THOUGH THERE WAS SOMETHING AWFULLY WRONG WITH THEM. I CUSTOMARILY REPLY, "IS THAT A PROBLEM?" OUR DAILY CONSUMPTION OF THE BIBLE IS NOT ONLY MEANT TO BE INSPIRA-TIONAL AND/OR DEVOTIONAL. TOO OFTEN WE APPROACH THE BIBLE WITH AN ATTITUDE THAT WE NEED A LITTLE WORD FOR THE DAY, A LITTLE PICK-ME-UP THOUGHT TO CARRY US THROUGH. GOD'S PROMISES CAN DO THAT, BUT WE MAKE A SERIOUSLY MISTAKE BY ONLY USING THE BIBLE DEVOTIONALLY. THE BIBLE IS THE CHRISTIAN'S INTELLECTUAL FOUNDATION. THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR LIVES NEED TO BE SET ON THE FIRM FOUNDATION OF BIBLE TRUTH. WE MUST WRESTLE WITH ITS MEANING AND STRUGGLE TO BRING ITS FACTS INTO THE REALITY OF OUR DAY TO DAY DECISIONS. OUR LIVES MUST BE SHAPED BY THE GOSPEL, OUR HOPES AND DREAMS REFINED BY THE RULE OF GOD, AND OUR GOALS DEFINED BY THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD‘S ETERNAL TRUTH.
JESUS EMPHASIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING THE TRUTH INTO OUR LIVES AND MAKING OUR DECISIONS BASED ON IT. I QUOTED HIS WORDS EARLIER. AGAIN THEY ARE, [JOHN 8:32] ...."YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE." WHEN JESUS TAUGHT HE OFTEN OPENED WITH THE WORDS, " VERILY, VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU OR IN OTHER WORDS "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH..." LET’S JUST LOOK AT THE FIRST ONE IN MATTHEW:
Matt 5:18
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or
one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matt 5:18
18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the
smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means
disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
WE NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE LOADS OF LIES BEING PITCHED AT US EVERYDAY IN THE STREAM OF INFORMATION THAT WE ABSORB. SOME OF THOSE LIES ARE SO OBVIOUS A CHILD CAN PICK THEM OUT. OTHERS ARE SUBTLE AND DON'T SHOW UP IN OUR THINKING FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. DO YOU HAVE A GRID OF TRUTH BY WHICH YOU EVALUATE THE INFORMATION THAT ENTERS YOUR EARS AND EYES? FOR THE CHRISTIAN THAT GRID OF TRUTH IS THE WORD OF GOD.
Heb 4:12
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
WITHOUT A STANDARD OF TRUTH, WE RUN THE SERIOUS RISK OF LIVING BY LIES WHICH WILL LEAD US INTO DEAD-END ROADS IN LIFE. MOST SERIOUSLY, THE FATHER OF LIES, SATAN HIMSELF, WILL USE SUBTLE DECEPTION TO LURE US INTO TO HELL IF WE ARE NOT DISCERNING AND WISE. IN PROVERBS 8:1-11 WISDOM IS PERSONIFIED AND SHE INVITES US TO LISTEN TO HER.
Prov 8:1-11
Does not wisdom call out?Does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights along the way,where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3beside the gates leading into the city,at the entrances, she cries aloud: 4"To you, O men, I call out;I raise my voice to all mankind. 5You who are simple, gain prudence;you who are foolish, gain understanding. 6Listen, for I have worthy things to say;I open my lips to speak what is right. 7My mouth speaks what is true,for my lips detest wickedness. 8All the words of my mouth are just;none of them is crooked or perverse. 9To the discerning all of them are right;they are faultless to those who have knowledge. 10Choose my instruction instead of silver,knowledge rather than choice gold, 11for wisdom is more precious than rubies,and nothing you desire can compare with her!
Prov 8:32-36
32"Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep
my ways. 33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
34Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my
doors, waiting at my doorway. 35For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD. 36But whoever fails to find
me harms himself; all who hate me love death."
