CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

August 15, 2004

INTERCEDE FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Our congregation                                                     Our college students

Various friends, relatives and co-workers                David and Leon in the Navy

Our nation, military and leaders                             Yevette’s parents

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1, NRSV).

Over the centuries, many have encouraged Christians to draw closer to God.  We want to know Christ (Philippians 3:10-11).  In doing so, many suggestions have been made and tried.  Some look for a magically formula, others emphasize just one way of doing it such as meditating in the desert, some try  emotional experiences, others just ritual.  Taking ideas from various sources, the subject of the spiritual disciplines developed.  Let’s take a look at some of these disciplines.  The following material is adapted from an article by Don Closson (www.probe.org/docs/disciplines.html).

Spiritual disciplines are based on our faith and salvation in Christ.  To be spiritual we will be dominated by the Holy Spirit, who leads us to become like Christ.  This is accomplished in primarily two areas, the disciplines of abstinence and the disciplines of engagement. 

The disciplines of abstinence are seen in such areas as fasting, solitude, silence, frugality, secrecy, sacrifice, and chastity.  We see all of these in scripture.  The athlete disciplines himself in his field by practice and proper nutrition.  Abstinence requires us to give up something that is perfectly normal because it has gotten in the way of our walk with God (see 1 Corinthians 7:5 for one case).  Jesus fasted and spent time alone in prayer. The Psalmists often encourage us to be quiet and listen.   When we pray, fast, or give, so Jesus taught, we should do so in our closets, or in secret.  These are the individual aspects of the disciplines. The discipline of abstinence is the more difficult area because it requires us to do these without being seen by others.  It’s God and me alone together, a joyful and yet frightening thought.  It is self-discipline, as Paul says in buffeting our bodies.  We can practice them all or one or two.  The idea is to reflect individually on our relationship with God.  Solitude is important though “it is a terrible trial, for it serves to crack open and burst apart the shell of our superficial securities.  It opens out to us the unknown abyss that we all carry within us” (see Psalm 139).  We often hide in busyness and superficial activities where solitude frees us from social conformity of this world.

The disciplines of engagement include study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, confession, and fellowship.  Study would include mediation, reading, and memorizing, all of which takes effort.  But remember, we are building a transforming relationship with God in Christ.  Worship likewise is important.  “When we worship, we fill our minds and hearts with wonder at him – the detailed actions and words of his earthly life, his trial and death on the cross, his resurrection reality, and his work as ascended intercessor” (Dallas Willard).  We understand the importance of fellowship and celebration.  Jesus was accused of being a drunkard and glutton which means He enjoyed a good time with people.  I think that when we come together, and especially in the Lord’s Supper and giving, we should be celebrating what God has done.  But when we come together, we also come to continue our worship.  There should be an awe about our time together in the presence of God.  I realize that there is no mention of a “worship service” in the New Testament because we are “living sacrifices” offering up sacrifices of praise continually (see Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 13:15-16).  It is not picking fellowship over worship or worship over fellowship, but combining them both into engagement with God and each other.  Maybe we need to bring back into our fellowship some worship aspects.  With fellowship comes confession. “It is also in this context that we practice confession with trusted believers who know both our strengths and weaknesses.  This level of transparency and openness is essential for the church to become the healing place of deep intimacy that people are so hungry for.”

Our walk with Jesus doesn’t mean just knowing facts about Him, something that has often been emphasized, but knowing Him, being like Him in our lives.

                                                                                                    George B. Mearns