True Spirituality

True Spirituality

Mastering the Art of Life

2005034

Topic # 0597

Introduction:

A. New Series. What if there were a series of lessons that could help you carefully define & then joyfully pursue life w/God?

1. That is the aim/purpose of this series.

2. Help each one of us develop a real, intimate relationship with God.

B. Does spiritual growth ever seem like an impossible amount of work?

1. Have you thought about – and do you have a clear picture of the kind of life you’d live if you were able to be more spiritual?

C. Reality as it is for many Christians:

1. Been Christian for # of years – known by everyone, but no one really knows you.

a) Difficulty in marriage; no concern for others.

b) Study…but seem separated from it.

c) Going along through the motions – people think everything OK. But you know something missing.

2. Look at life – Am I happy? Yes…but…maybe not..

D. Have I really been transformed into the kind of person I need to be?

E. Self answers…but I’m living up to the right expectations in the church:

1. attend services

2. participate in worship service; teach a bible class

3. affirm beliefs that are according to truth

4. Give money & do church work.

F. But. Is this all there is to spirituality? Doing the church thing?

1. There must be something more to it. There is! We’ll get back to that in a moment.

I. Being spiritual may not be what you think.

A. When we misunderstand spirituality it leads to frustration & misery.

1. Spirituality wrongly understood or perceived is a major source of human misery & rebellion against God.

2. Ironic: spiritual life leading to lifelessness; spiritual growth leading to misery.

3. Some settle for “pseudo-transformation.” This is demonstrated in a variety of ways:

B. Mt. 23:5-12

1. Some equate spirituality with the amount of biblical/theological information they acquire.

2. Does more knowledge always equal more spirituality?

a) 23:5 – phylacteries – little boxes of scripture tied around the forehead – an obvious display of spiritual knowledge.

b) The tassels were supposed to remind them to obey God – but Pharisees arranged theirs to appear a bit superior.

3. God was repulsed by this kind of behavior.

4. This is not to discount the value of knowledge – 2 Pet. 3:18; Psa. 119:1-2, 5-8, 17-18, 97-98, 104-105

5. Knowledge is a key ingredient to spirituality – but not THE ingredient.

C. Mt. 23:14-15

1. Have I ever looked for superficial & more visible ways to demonstrate my spirituality?

2. Some rigidly immerse themselves in the pursuit of spiritual practices to prove their spirituality. Not the proper view.

D. Mt. 23:25-26

1. Do we ever find ourselves looking down on people who not work as hard on spiritual lives as we are…

a) We wind up being more judgmental/competitive than loving?

b) Think of someone who is stiff; unfeeling; and unapproachable.

2. Is this a proper manifestation of Christianity?

E. Mt. 23:27-28

1. How many associate spirituality only w/outward behavior?

2. Stunning rebuke here – ever been repulsed by someone whose spiritual life amounts to nothing more than hot air?

F. Pseudo-spirituality is a deadly disease – far more common & contagious than we may care to admit.

II. What is the proper understanding of spiritual life?

A. When someone asks – How is your spiritual life going? What comes to mind?

1. How do you define spirituality?

2. How do you assess spiritual progress?

B. Scripture speaks w/brilliant and amazing clarity.

1. 1 John 2:6

2. spiritual transformation involves ordering our lives in such a way that we stay connected to Jesus:

a) thinking as He thought

b) speaking as He spoke

c) walking as He walked

C. Spiritual transformation is expected. It is NOT optional.

1. Eph. 4:22-24 – absolutely essential for those who wish to serve God.

a) No success w/o it. Requires 100% commitment.

b) We should, more than anything, desire to know Jesus more intimately & live as if He were living in our place.

2. We need to expect this out of each other!

3. Elders need to hold each one of us accountable for our transformation.

D. Understand transformation = a process – not an event. Not overnight.

1. Spirituality does not happen just b/c you baptized!

2. That was an event – but not the end, the beginning!

3. 2 Pet. 3:18 – doesn’t happen overnight.

E. While transformation is God’s work – it requires our participation.

1. Lk. 6:40 – be like Jesus.

2. Am I like Jesus in my relationships? Conduct?

3. Is Jesus seen in every aspect of my life?

F. Transformation is not a compartmentalized pursuit.

1. 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 – God wants an intimate relationship – made possible only through complete devotion!

2. God is not interested in your “spiritual” life – He’s interested in your LIFE – all of it!

III. God is inviting you to learn how to master the art of life.

A. What does spiritual life look like lived out?

B. Col. 3:17 – not talking about bible authority here…

1. Names often reflect a person’s character – esp. in scripture.

2. To do something in Jesus’ name means to do it ion a way consistent w/His character.

3. To do it the way Jesus Himself would…

C. Col. 3:17 – in a comprehensive view:

1. Whatever you do.

2. In word or deed.

3. Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

D. We must commit to giving God our whole life – every minute, every detail – living from God’s perspective.

1. Every moment is an opportunity to do life in Jesus’ name.

2. From the moment we wake up & greet those we first see in the AM…

a) To the drive into work…

b) How we act on the job…

c) Shopping; relaxation; entertainment; to the moment we go to sleep.

E. All the everyday stuff of life can be filled w/his presence.

1. YOU can live in such a way that glorifies Jesus in everything you do.

2. YOU can live in such a way in which you will know the joy of true spiritual life.

Conclusion:

A. 1 John 1:5-7; 2:1-6

B. Are you walking in the light?

1. Have you been transformed into the kind of person you need to be?

2. Are you making spiritual progress?

C. Obey the gospel today!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



True Spirituality *Mastering the Art of Life* 2005034 Topic # 0597 Introduction: A. New Series. What if there were a series of lessons that could help you carefully define & then joyfully pursue life w/God? 1. That is the aim/purpose of this series. 2. Help each one of us develop a real, intimate relationship with God. B. Does spiritual growth ever seem like an impossible amount of work? 1. Have you thought about – and do you have a clear picture of the kind of life you’d live if you were able to be more spiritual? C. Reality as it is for many Christians: 1. Been Christian for # of years – known by everyone, but no one really knows you. a) Difficulty in marriage; no concern for others. b) Study…but seem separated from it. c) Going along through the motions – people think everything OK. But you know something missing. 2. Look at life – Am I happy? Yes…but…maybe not.. D. Have I really been transformed into the kind of person I need to be? E. Self answers…but I’m living up to the right expectations in the church: 1. attend services 2. participate in worship service; teach a bible class 3. affirm beliefs that are according to truth 4. Give money & do church work. F. But. Is this all there is to spirituality? Doing the church thing? 1. There must be something more to it. There is! We’ll get back to that in a moment. I. Being spiritual may not be what you think. A. When we misunderstand spirituality it leads to frustration & misery. 1. Spirituality wrongly understood or perceived is a major source of human misery & rebellion against God. 2. Ironic: spiritual life leading to lifelessness; spiritual growth leading to misery. 3. Some settle for “pseudo-transformation.” This is demonstrated in a variety of ways: B. Mt. 23:5-12 1. Some equate spirituality with the amount of biblical/theological information they acquire. 2. Does more knowledge always equal more spirituality? a) 23:5 – phylacteries – little boxes of scripture tied around the forehead – an obvious display of spiritual knowledge. b) The tassels were supposed to remind them to obey God – but Pharisees arranged theirs to appear a bit superior. 3. God was repulsed by this kind of behavior. 4. This is not to discount the value of knowledge – 2 Pet. 3:18; Psa. 119:1-2, 5-8, 17-18, 97-98, 104-105 5. Knowledge is a key ingredient to spirituality – but not THE ingredient. C. Mt. 23:14-15 1. Have I ever looked for superficial & more visible ways to demonstrate my spirituality? 2. Some rigidly immerse themselves in the pursuit of spiritual practices to prove their spirituality. Not the proper view. D. Mt. 23:25-26 1. Do we ever find ourselves looking down on people who not work as hard on spiritual lives as we are… a) We wind up being more judgmental/competitive than loving? b) Think of someone who is stiff; unfeeling; and unapproachable. 2. Is this a proper manifestation of Christianity? E. Mt. 23:27-28 1. How many associate spirituality only w/outward behavior? 2. Stunning rebuke here – ever been repulsed by someone whose spiritual life amounts to nothing more than hot air? F. Pseudo-spirituality is a deadly disease – far more common & contagious than we may care to admit. *II. What is the proper understanding of spiritual* life?** A. When someone asks – How is your spiritual life going? What comes to mind? 1. How do you define spirituality? 2. How do you assess spiritual progress? B. Scripture speaks w/brilliant and amazing clarity. 1. 1 John 2:6 2. spiritual transformation involves ordering our lives in such a way that we stay connected to Jesus: a) thinking as He thought b) speaking as He spoke c) walking as He walked C. Spiritual transformation is expected. It is NOT optional. 1. Eph. 4:22-24 – absolutely essential for those who wish to serve God. a) No success w/o it. Requires 100% commitment. b) We should, more than anything, desire to know Jesus more intimately & live as if He were living in our place. 2. We need to expect this out of each other! 3. Elders need to hold each one of us accountable for our transformation. D. Understand transformation = a process – not an event. Not overnight. 1. Spirituality does not happen just b/c you baptized! 2. That was an event – but not the end, the beginning! 3. 2 Pet. 3:18 – doesn’t happen overnight. E. While transformation is God’s work – it requires our participation. 1. Lk. 6:40 – be like Jesus. 2. Am I like Jesus in my relationships? Conduct? 3. Is Jesus seen in every aspect of my life? F. Transformation is not a compartmentalized pursuit. 1. 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1 – God wants an intimate relationship – made possible only through complete devotion! 2. *God is not interested in your “spiritual” life – He’s interested in your LIFE – all of it!* III. God is inviting you to learn how to master the art of life. A. What does spiritual life look like lived out? B. Col. 3:17 – not talking about bible authority here… 1. Names often reflect a person’s character – esp. in scripture. 2. To do something in Jesus’ name means to do it ion a way consistent w/His character. 3. To do it the way Jesus Himself would… C. Col. 3:17 – in a comprehensive view: 1. Whatever you do. 2. In word or deed. 3. Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. D. We must commit to giving God our whole life – every minute, every detail – living from God’s perspective. 1. Every moment is an opportunity to do life in Jesus’ name. 2. From the moment we wake up & greet those we first see in the AM… a) To the drive into work… b) How we act on the job… c) Shopping; relaxation; entertainment; to the moment we go to sleep. E. All the everyday stuff of life can be filled w/his presence. 1. YOU can live in such a way that glorifies Jesus in everything you do. 2. YOU can live in such a way in which you will know the joy of true spiritual life. Conclusion: A. 1 John 1:5-7; 2:1-6 B. Are you walking in the light? 1. Have you been transformed into the kind of person you need to be? 2. Are you making spiritual progress? C. Obey the gospel today! D. I N V I T A T I O N