My Spiritual Life, A Disciplined Life? - Sermon by Ps George, CRC

My Spiritual Life, A Disciplined Life?
(1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 4:6-16)

Introduction
Do you want to be a man or woman God wants you to be?
 How is it possible?
This can only be possible through a disciplined life.
 God desires every child of God to be a disciplined disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the young Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “exercise yourself rather to
godliness, for bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having
promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
 It is maintaining a godly life that brings eternal values and worth for our lives.
 It is a spiritually disciplined life that brings godliness in our lives.
Hence we begin a new series, called, Spiritual Disciplines, and today is an introduction to spiritual
disciplines, “My Spiritual Life, A Disciplined Life?”

What Spiritual Discipline Is (1 Cor 9:24-27)
Discipline is the virtue that allows a person to exercise self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit.
 It is often related to rearing of children, but more often the Bible refers to a believer’s ability
to be conformed to the image and example of Christ.
 It is cultivated through sanctification by the Holy Spirit.
Discipline is a vital aspect of the spiritual life of the church and every follower of Jesus Christ. 
 This means spiritual discipline is related to Christian discipleship  as discipleship is a
lifelong learning process of following Jesus and His way of life.
The Apostle Paul explains the importance of spiritual discipline in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:
 Though many are in the running race, only those who subject into strict discipline, only they
win the race (v 24).
 Self-control is the key for discipline and winning the race (v 25).
 I discipline my body--I don’t allow my body to do what it wants to do, but I make my body
to do what it should do (v 27).

What Are the Spiritual Disciplines (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
There are many spiritual disciplines that would help our spiritual wellbeing:
 The Word of God
 Prayer
 Giving
 Contentment
 Tongue
 Sound mind
 Sexual purity
 Humility

 Faithful stewardship
 Christian witness
 Christian family
 Worship
 Fellowship
 Time and Talent
 Service

How Do the Spiritual Disciplines Help (1 Timothy 4:6-16)
This process of spiritual growth and development begins to take place the moment a person
encounters the risen Christ and comes to Him for salvation.
 The purpose of spiritual discipline is the development of our inner being, that which has
been transformed by Christ at salvation.
1 Timothy 4:6-16:
 Spiritual discipline is exercising unto godliness (v 7)
 Godliness is profitable for all things, for today as we have a Christian testimony, and for
tomorrow as eternity is determined by a godly life (v 8)
 Spiritual discipline develops a trust in the living God (v 10)
 This will happen when the Word is correctly learned and practiced (vv 12-16)
“The primary requirement for practicing the disciplines is a longing for God.” Richard Foster
 If Jesus is our Lord and Savior, our heart and desire should be for closeness with him.
 We recognize that nothing happens apart from God.
 We know that we don’t possess the strength to tackle the trials of this world on our own.
 We know that we will never experience the fullness of joy apart from knowing God
intimately.

Conclusion/Application
Is my spiritual life a disciplined life or a messed up life?
 Spiritual discipline is the most needed in a true Christian, but least practiced.
 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word,
in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
 1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing
this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”