Spiritual Growth Exercises

November 6, 2011

Pastor Miles

1. Why do we need spiritual growth exercises?
Because relationships need time to grow (in knowledge, trust and affection).
Because spiritual growth exercises keep your soul healthy and strong.
Just like there are various physical exercises, there are also different spiritual exercises (to withstand the hardships of life).

2. What are some of theses spiritual growth exercises?
A. Exercises of engagement:

1. Bible study, reading and reflection.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path. 

(Psalm 119:105 ESV)

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night. 
(Psalm 1:1, 2 ESV)

2. Prayer.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

(Philippians 4:6 ESV)

3. Fellowship.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 

(Hebrews 10:24, 25 ESV)

Our needs are met through the diversity of spiritual gifts amongst fellow believers.

4. Confession.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

(1 John 1:9, 10 ESV)

B. exercises of abstinence.
1. Silence and solitude.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 

(Mark 1:35 ESV)

Jesus needed undistracted time with his heavenly father (quiet time).

"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!" 
(Psalm 46:10 ESV)

We need to practice silence, and find our rest in God. We need to listen to the still small voice of God.

2. Fasting.

The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days." 

 (Luke 5:35 ESV)

"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 
(Matthew 6:16-18 ESV)

We can fast from eating, from media, entertainment.
Fasting is a form of self-denial. It reveals how much we are being in control by our appetite. It allows us to be released from the power of our appetites and focus on more important spiritual things.

3. Secrecy.

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

(Matthew 6:1-4 ESV)

We need to seek the praise and approval of God and not men.

4. Simplicity and sacrifice.

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 

(Mark 4:19 ESV)

Simplicity includes time, lifestyle...

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 
(2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV)

We should try to abstain from relying on our resources to satisfy ourselves. We need to learn to depend on God instead.
Sacrifice involves risk where we give up something that we may need.
Sometimes we need variety or a coach to invigorate our spiritual growth and exercises.

Next step: which exercise will I try this week?