A Strategy For Spirituality
PART 1
We
are in a battle. In warfare, it is essential to develop a plan or a
"strategy" to defeat the enemy at hand and win the war
victoriously. Not just winning the battle but winning the war
victoriously in its entirety. We must be equipped for battle with
all the right training, all the right equipment and all the right
commandments from Central Intelligence.
1. We fight with our own fleshly
battles
A. Rom 7:23;
2. We deal with an invisible
enemy.
A. Eph 6:12;
Before
understanding what this is all about, we must first ask some basic
questions. We will probe these thoroughly as we enter into Biblical
principals that are lined out for us in the Word.
1. Who can practice spirituality?
2. What is spirituality?
3. When should spirituality be
practiced?
4. Where should spirituality be
practiced?
5. Why should spirituality be
practiced?
6. How can we practice spirituality?
We
will examine some of the aspects of the answers to these questions,
but first, let's ask ourselves some personal questions associated to
these first six.
1. Am I qualified?
2. Do I really understand what
spirituality is?
3. Do I continually practice
spirituality?
4. Do I have the spiritual integrity
to be a Christian wherever I am, whoever I'm with, or even when
I'm by myself?
5. Do I know what God expects of me?
6. Do I know how to be spiritual?
With
all this in mind let's begin exploring the Word to find the answers
to these compelling questions.
The
Qualifications:
1. Be of the human race.
2. For true qualifications, a person
must be a Christian. A disciple of Christ.
A. Phil 2:5;
B. Jn 14:15;
C. Rom 2:29; (not a fleshly
act)
D. Jn 4:24; (true Spirit, true
spirituality)
3. The correct foundations must be
laid.
A. I Cor 3:11;
B. Mt 7:24:
C. Eph 2:20;
4. There must be a motivation.
A. Isa 26:9;
B. I Pet 2:2;
C. Ps 42:1,2;
The
Definition:
1. I Cor. 10:3,4; PNEUMATIKOS
(Gr.)
The
Greek word that we are speaking of here, spiritual or spirituality)
is a "post" Pentecost word. It actually does not occur in
the N.T. Gospels. It expresses here the divine nature of the weapons
that we are to enter into battle with.
2. Col 2:11; (completeness in
spirituality)
The
Times:
1. Eph 5:15,16;
2. Col 4:5;
3. Lk 9:23;
A Strategy For Spirituality
Part II
In
the first part of this message we looked at some very important
questions. Here is a review.
1. Who can practice spirituality?
2. What is spirituality?
3. When should spirituality be
practiced?
4. Where should spirituality be
practiced?
5. Why should spirituality be
practiced?
6. How can we practice spirituality?
Also,
we asked some questions that were more along the personal lines.
1. Am I qualified?
2. Do I really understand what
spirituality is?
3. Do I continually practice
spirituality?
4. Do I have the spiritual integrity
to be a Christian wherever I am, whoever I'm with, or even when I'm
by myself?
5. Do I know what God expects of me?
6. Do I know how to be spiritual?
We
looked at the first three questions and saw some clear answers to
them from the Word of God so now let's continue with question four
and expect the same kind of answers.
Where
should spirituality be practiced?
1. Col 2:6;
2. 1 Jn 2:6;
Why
should we practice spirituality?
1. Eccl. 12:13-14;
How
should spirituality be gotten, sustained and continue to grow?
1. The first step has already had
it's start in our lives.
"Everyone who believes that
Jesus is the Christ is born of God." I Jn 5:1
Rom. 6:4;
2 Cor 5:7;
2. Realize that without Him we can do
nothing.
Jn 15:4-5;
3. Develop a relationship with God.
Let there begin a seed of ambition.
I Cor 1:9;
Lk 6:21;
Rev 3:19;
II Tim 2:15;
4. Strive for the calling that God
has placed in your life. "I urge you to live a life worthy of
the calling." Eph 4:1b
Lk 13:24;
Philippians 1:27 "Whatever
happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ. Then, Whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my
absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as
one man for the faith of the gospel." NIV
5. There are some things to watch out
for. One word sums it all up, NEGLECT.
Matt 7:26;
Lk 14:18;
Heb 2:3;
Heb 12:25;
6. Growth is not stagnation in
spirituality. It is a critical, essential part of the life that we
have been called into.
Heb 6:1;
II Pet 1:5-6;
II Pet 3:18;
Ask
yourself these questions.
1. Do I really understand what
spirituality is? Do I know how to be spiritual?
2. Do I continually practice
spirituality? Am I growing in God?
3. Do I have the spiritual integrity
to be a Christian wherever I am, whoever I'm with, or even when I'm
by myself? Do I know what God expects of me?
If
you answered "no" to any of these questions, seek our
Savior for the wisdom and counsel needed to be a spiritual man or
woman of God.
