Staying Strong

Text: Various

Title: Staying Strong

Series: Topical 4

I. Introduction:

A. Background:

B. Proposition:

It is important to remember the basics of growing in your relationship with God whether you are a new believer or not

C. Main Divisions:

1. The Christian Life

a) Beginning Your Relationship with God

b) Growing in Your Relationship with God

2. The Spiritual Disciplines:

II. Exposition:

The Christian Life

A. Beginning Your Relationship with God

1. Col 2:9-14 NKJV

(9) For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

(10) and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

(11) In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

(12) buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

(13) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

(14) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

2. Col 3:1-3 NKJV

(1) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

(2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

(3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

3. when one believes in the gospel, trusts that Jesus was the ultimate perfect sacrifice that appeased or satisfied God’s wrath on sin and accepts the Lord’s atoning work by faith, they are re-born or born again

4. a new life in Christ Jesus; a new relationship with God begins

5. your life is now in Christ and you are holy, dead to sin and your former lifestyle

6. at salvation, we died and were resurrected to a new life in Christ

7. new life is spiritual and is also called eternal or everlasting life (PCT pg. 373)

a) Joh 3:16 NKJV

16) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

8. The new life comes with the Holy Sprit living in you

9. you have a reborn or renewed soul and spirit

B. Growing in Your Relationship with God (PCT pg. 375-76)

1. at any point in our relationship with God, we are either growing closer to God or further away

2. spiritual growth includes

a) spiritual fruit (1Thess 3:12)

b) practical faith in God (2 Thess. 1:3)

c) spiritual knowledge of God and things that relate to Him (Col 1:10; 2Pet 3:18)

d) cooperation between the believer and the Holy Spirit

3. the Goal of Our New Life

a) to become more like Jesus (Matt 5:48; Eph 4:11-16; 1John 2:6)

1) Eph 1:4-6 NKJV

(4) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (5) having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

(6) to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

b) The Holy Spirit transforms us, making us more like Jesus

1) 2Co 3:18 NKJV

(18) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

c) in our character (Eph 5:25; 1 John 3:16-18)

1) love

2) peace

3) long suffering

4) goodness

d) in our actions (John 8:29; 1 John 2:29)

1) righteous

2) holy

3) loving

4. 2Pe 1:2-3 NKJV

(2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

(3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

a) God has equipped us with what we need for spiritual life

5. we are called to live by faith not by sight or by feeling

a) we worship and obey God not because we feel like it but because we love Him and chose to demonstrate that love

b) Joh 14:15 NKJV

(15) "If you love Me, keep My commandments.

C. Summary

1. Beginning Your Relationship with God

a. you were reborn or renewed when you believed in Jesus for salvation

2. Growing in Your Relationship with God

a. the Goal of Our New Life is to become more like Jesus in our character and actions

b. God has given us all we need for spiritual growth

D. Application

1. have you began your personal relationship with Jesus?

2. you can’t grow in your relationship with God until you begin your relationship with Him

3. Is your goal in life to be what God wants you to be? Holy? More like Jesus?

The Spiritual Disciplines

A. some things we can do to maintain and experience personal fellowship or a personal walk (lifestyle) with God that results in spiritual growth or Christlikeness a.

1. these help us get into God’s word and His Word is able to get into us for conviction, motivation, edification, comfort, direction, disciplined living by the power of the Spirit (2 Tim 3:16-17)

2. promotes growth in devotion to God

3. promotes ability to apply Scripture

4. deepens our faith relationship with God

5. promotes spiritual change which is the product of genuine godliness, of growing in our dependence on and relationship with God through Christ

6. further increases our knowledge of God and His life and plan for our lives.

7. gives strength and stability (Neh 8:10)

8. brings freedom from life-dominating patterns of sin

9. the mind of the Spirit results in peace, victory, fellowship, a life controlled and led by the Spirit and of being transformed in God’s image a

10. the means of receiving His grace or of appropriating it into our lives so that God can change us

11. allows God to work in us

12. prepares the soil of our hearts, of sowing to the Spirit, and of setting the mind on the things of the Spirit (Gal 6:7; Mark 4:26-29)

B. Bible Study (PCT pg 373-405)

1. Time a

a. regular reading and studying of God’s Word

b. the goal is to seek and know God through His Word

1) Psa 119:1-2 NKJV

(1) Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD!

(2) Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!

2) 2Ti 3:15-17 NKJV

(15) and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

(16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

(17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

c. Act 17:11 NKJV

(11) These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

2. Meditation a

a) What: personal study, personalizing the truths that God reveals through Scripture

b) personal life application

c) hearing, reading, studying, learning

d) requires discipline and prioritizing; scheduling time

e) recognition of need

f) at specific times and throughout the day

g) Purpose: cleanses our minds and fills us with God’s thoughts and ways (Isa 55:8-9; Psa 119:15)

h) Psa 1:2 NKJV

(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

i) Jos 1:8 NKJV

(8) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

j) Psa 119:97 NKJV

(97) Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

3. Memorization a

a) What: thinking and storing in the mind for personal application

b) Purpose: brings every thought and action into the captivity and obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:4-5)

c. retaining and applying the Word

d. binding, securing, confining the Word to our mind

e. Pro 6:20-23 NKJV

(20) My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.

(21) Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.

(22) When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.

(23) For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

4. The word of God and Spirit of God work together a

a. failing to regularly meet alone with God in His Word will result in

1) quenching the ministry of the Spirit and grieving Him

2) tending to draw in the attitudes and viewpoints of the world

3) Rom 12:1-2 NKJV

(1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

(2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

5. Quiet Times (daily reading and studying of God’s Word)

a. Purpose

1. Meeting with God where He speaks to us through His Word

2. We speak back trough prayer

3. Focus: transformation and sanctification to be more like Christ

b. Prepare

1. Right heart

2. Right attitude of obedience and humility

3. Being open to what God says

4. Being transformed

5. Being hungry for spiritual food

c. Passage

1. Scripture

2. Observation (What do I see)

a. Work with a verse, a paragraph, a section

b. who (are the people)?

c. what (is the message)?

d. where (the location; place)?

e. when (the time)?

f. why (the reason)?

g. how (the method)?

2. Interpretation (What does it mean)

a. Note: key words, themes, principles

b. Define terms and phrases

c. Paraphrase

d. Context

e. Comparison of Scripture with Scripture

3. Application (What does it mean to me personally)

a. Apply God’s word to your personal life

b. Obey God’s commandments

c. What do I need to start doing?

d. What do I need to stop doing?

e. What do I need to do more of?

C. Prayer (Mk 6:41: 7:34)

1. What: daily communication with God

2. simply talking to God daily about anything: work, school, problems, desires, fears, affections, sins…

3. When: constantly, in every situation, and circumstance

a) 1Th 5:16-18 NKJV

(16) Rejoice always,

(17) pray without ceasing,

(18) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

b) pray persistently (Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8) and regularly (Eph 6:18)

4. How: in faith, knowing and believing God is at work in answer

a. Adoration (Act 2:47)—reflecting on God; praising Him for who He is

b. Confession (Psa 51:1-4)—admitting and repenting of sin; agreeing with God

c. Thanksgiving (2Cor 2:14)—being grateful for His provision

d. Supplication (Rom 1:9-10; Eph 6:18-20)—specific requests for yourself and others

5. Php 4:6 NKJV

(6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

6. Eph 2:18-19 NKJV

(18) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

(19) Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

7. Ask in Jesus’ name: according to His interests and will; abiding in Him and His word (PCT 380)

a. praying the way Jesus would

b. 1Jn 5:14-15 NKJV

(14) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

(15) And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

8. Sin hinders prayer (Psa 66:18; Isa 59:1-2)

D. Fellowship

1. What: regular discipline of assembling together with other believers for fellowship, singing, ministry, prayer (2Cor 1:11; Eph 6:18-19), study of the Word (Eph 4:12-16).a

2. Where: in and out of the church

3. not just going to church service but

4. getting involved in a ministry where you can use your spiritual gifts

5. Heb 10:24-25 NKJV

(24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

(25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

a) exhorting: encouraging, comforting and strengthening

6. Act 2:42 NKJV

(42) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

7. expressing Christian love (1John 3:16-18; 1 Cor 13:4-7); being examples of Christ for one another (1Tim 4:12; 1 Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17; 4:9)(PCT 384)

E. Practical Faith (PCT 382)

1. What: trusting in God and Scripture daily for our past, present and future

2. Gal 2:20 NKJV

(20) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

3. 2Co 5:7 NKJV

(7) For we walk (live our lives) by faith, not by sight.

4. recognizing our need and relying on God to provide

a) Pro 3:5-6 NKJV

(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

(6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

5. requires giving ourselves over to God (Psa 37:5) and believing in His promises as revealed in Scripture (Acts 27:25)

F. Repentance (2Cor 7:1; 11:31)

1. What: turning from one’s sins, changing direction and lifestyle

2. believers still have a sin nature, the flesh and so still sin sometimes

3. the world, Satan and our flesh tempt us to disobey God

4. when we sin, we break our fellowshp with God and do not receive His blessings (PCT 274; 383; 315)

5. 1Jn 1:5-10 NKJV

(5) This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

(6) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

(7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

(8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

(9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

6. change of mind and attitude toward sin and God (Matt 21:29; PCT 316)

7. confession: agreeing with God about your sin

8. not repenting brings God’s corrective discipline for we are His children and may result in loss of reward (Heb 12:3-16; 2Cor 5:10; Col 3:24-25)

G. Accountability (1Sam 20:2-4; 23:13-18)

1. What: finding someone of the same gender to talk to about anything, things you are going through, struggling with etc.

2. someone whom you can share what God has been teaching you and whom you can pray with

3. must be another believer whom you can trust

4. to encourage and support you in your faith

5. to correct you when you are wrong

6. to tell you what you need not want to hear

7. to help you grow in your relationship with God

8. to keep you accountable to prayer, bible study, fellowship, holiness

9. Ecc 4:9-12 NKJV

(9) Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

(10) For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.

(11) Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?

(12) Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

10. Heb 10:24 NKJV

(24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

11. Pro 27:17 NKJV

(17) As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

12. Gal 6:1-2 NKJV

(1) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

(2) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

13. Pro 27:5-6 NKJV

(5) Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed.

(6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

H. Practical Righteousness

1. What: being morally pure or not sinning

I. Practical Sanctification (PCT 389)

1. What: doing God’s will or good works of righteousness

a) Rom 6:15-22 NKJV

(15) What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!

(16) Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

(17) But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

(18) And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

(19) I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

(20) For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

(21) What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

(22) But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

b. 1Pe 1:13-16 NKJV

(13) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

(14) as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

(15) but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

(16) because it is written, "BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

2. Separation from (PCT pg. 389)

a. personal sin (Col 3:8; 1 Tim 5:22; 6:11)

b. sinning saved people (Matt 18:15-17; 2 Thess 3:14-15)

c. false religious teachers (Rom 16:17-18; 1 Tim 6:3-5)

d. world system against God (1Jo 2:15)

3. Commitment to God (Rom 12:1-2) (PCT 392)

a. living sacrifice

b. holy sacrifice

c. acceptable sacrifice

d. conforming to God’s will

J. Spiritual Fruit (PCT pg. 385-87)

1. What

a) Christ-like character

1) Gal 5:22-23 NKJV

(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

(23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

2) Col 3:12-14 NKJV

(12) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

(13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

(14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

b) good righteous works (doing God’s will, Col 1:10; Phil 1:11)

c) knowledge of Christ (2Pet 1:8)

d) Christian ministry (Rom 1:11-15)

2. the vine (Jesus) bears the branch (us)

a) nourishes it

b) produces the fruit

3. the branch (believers)

a) abides or remains in contact and fellowship with the vine

b) abiding happens when we surrender to God’s will, trust, obey, and fellowship with Him

c) surrenders to Jesus’ leadership (Matt 11:29)

d) obeys Jesus (Matt 11:29; 1Joh 3:24)

e) has practical Faith in Jesus (Gal 2:20; 2Cor 5:7)

f) communicates with Jesus (1Cor 1:9)

g) follows Jesus’ example (1John 2:6) in attitude, behavior, character

K. Discipleship (Lk 14:25-35; PCT pg 394)

1. What: salvation brings new responsibilities

2. cost of being a disciple of Jesus

3. Forsaking all for Jesus (Luke 14:26, 33)

a) setting aside and leaving behind everything that is first place in our lives other than Jesus (Matt 6:24)

b) taking up the cross (Lk 14:27): symbol of humiliation and death; denying self

c) following and becoming more like Jesus

d) Luk 14:26-27 NKJV

(26) "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

(27) And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

4. Making Moral behavioral changes

5. Separation from sinful things

6. Commitment to God (Rom 12:1-2)

L. Obedience (Making Life Changes)

1. Working out our salvation— pursuing purity, holiness, godliness, righteousness (Relationships: God) 17 pg PCT 361:

a. working to be more like Jesus (Phil 2:12)

b. allowing God to complete what He has begun in us

c. allowing Him to make us more like His Son, transforming us into His image

d. allowing God to work in and through us by His Spirit (Phil 2:13 JMSB; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 3:16, 17; 6:19-20)

e. separating ourselves from things that displease God, sinful practices, people, things (Col 3:8; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; 1 Thess 4:3, 7)

f. giving ourselves to God ( Rom 6:11-13)

g. dedicating ourselves to God and to doing His will (Eph 6:6; Rom 6:19, 22: 12:1-2; 1 Pet 1:14-15)

h. allowing His word to transform us (John 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16-17)

2. Being Doers of the Word: living it out, not being listeners only

a. Jas 1:22, 25 NKJV

(22) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

(25) But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

1. James wants the Jewish Christians to be doers of the word, personally applying and living out its message and truths and not just listeners

b. Christian living is eating (reading and studying God’s Word) and exercising (applying and personalizing God’s Word)

c. the person with real saving faith does not only listen but lives out the principles, truths and commands found in Scripture

d. real faith obeys the Word of God and therefore demonstrates itself by works

e. Real Saving Faith obeys God’s Word; it lives out what Scripture teaches; it does what God says.

f. real faith can be seen in a person’s life: attitudes, actions, words

g. a true believer, follower of Christ, obeys His word, is a doer of what the Word says

h) looking intently, into the Word

a) not taking a quick glance but

b) looking carefully, examining and inspecting the Word

i) continuing in the Word

a) fixing your attention on it (NET)

b) abiding in or remaining by it (NASB)

j) responding to the Word

a) not being a forgetful hearer of what God reveals to us

b) blessing comes when we allow God to use His word to change us to be more like Jesus

k) being a doer of the Word

a) living it out practically

b) not just listening but doing what it teaches

c) personally applying it’s truths and principles

l) getting our heart right for the Word (v.21)

a) putting away all filthiness that corrupts and all that remains of wickedness

b) taking hold of and learning from the Word with an attitude of gentleness and humility

M. Summary

1. things we can do to grow spiritually

2. deepens our faith relationship with God

3. promote spiritual change

4. allows God to work in us

5. Bible Study

6. Prayer

7. Fellowship

8. Practical Faith

9. Repentance

10. Accountability

11. Practical Righteousness

12. Practical Sanctification

13. Spiritual Fruit

14. Discipleship

15. Obedience (making moral behavioral changes)

N. Application

1. do you want to deepen your relationship with God?

2. do you want God to use you?

3. then you must allow God to work in you by applying the spiritual disciplines

4. which spiritual disciplines do you need to work on?

5. what difference is Christ doing in my life?

6. Am I spending time daily in God’s word, mediating on Scripture, memorizing His truths and praying?

7. Am I regularly engaged in true fellowship with other believers in prayer, praise and study?

8. Am I pursuing purity, holiness, godliness, righteousness?

9. Am I living out and responding to what God tells me?

a ABC’s for Christian Growth: Laying the Foundation: Lesson 9: The Devotional Life

III. Summation:

We have learned that believing the Gospel for salvation is only the beginning of our relationship with God, the basics of growing in our relationship with God and some of the means of spiritual growth—the spiritual disciplines that we need to stay strong.

These spiritual disciplines help you stay strong in your relationship with God but for them to be effective you must have a relationship with God to begin with.

IV. Invitation:

Where are you at today in your relationship with God?

First time Commitment

--start your relationship with God

--believe the Gospel

--Confess,

--realize

--repent

--trust

--surrender your life

Re-Commitment

--restore your relationship with God

--repent

--turn from your sin

--things to stop doing that God does not like

--things to start doing to deepen your relationship with God