Diving Deeper Part 4
The Disciplines of Doing
March 18, 2007 AM
Pastor Brad Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church
Results are not typical
In the real world there are only two ways to see lasting results in weight loss:
DIET and EXERCISE!!!
The PATH of spiritual disciplines are, "a means of receiving God's grace. …[They] allow us to place ourselves before God so He can transform us." Richard Foster
The path is not the power -
he will to stay on the path is not the power –
the power is a gift for the Holy Spirit when…
we place ourselves before Him.
Working the not doing muscle is to the soul what diet is to the body. Working the doing muscle is to the soul what exercise is to the body.
Last week we looked at pushing away from things that can distract us from going deeper with God… today we're going to look at what we want to pull towards us to help us go deeper with God.
Working the doing muscle of
Disciplines of Engagement
If you struggle with the sins of omission (not doing what God has told us to do) there are some common factors that lead to that…
Pride -Laziness - Selfishness
To overcome the sins of omission we need to train our doing muscles with the disciplines of engagement
1. Prayer -. Vs 12 As God's chosen people!
Someone once said… "One might pray and not be a Christian, but cannot possibly be a Christian and not pray."
2. Confession - Vs 13 Bear with one another, forgive as the Lord forgave you.
3. Be a person of the Word Study, Meditation and Memorization Vs 16 dwell as you teach
4. Submission Vs 15 Let the peace of God rule
5. Serve others -. Vs 12 compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience
Pride moves us to judge rather than serve.
In place of pride Jesus invites us to humility
Exercise you muscle of Humility to help you do what God has called you to do - overcoming the sins of commission.
Next week: Danger, Danger, Danger…