REVIEW
FLIP CHART: SOM’S KEY VERSE, GOAL, MOTTO
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness ….” (Mt. 6:33a).
The law sends us to Christ for justification; Christ sends us back to the law for sanctification.
FLIP CHART: Show new “Perfect Righteousness” chart explaining steps to coming to Christ (As a worm, mourning, meek, spiritual hunger/thirst with the result of legal righteousness). Explain moral righteousness, immediate moral change at conversion, gradual change through life’s challenges and speeding up moral change via CCRC (Concentration, Choice, Reflection and Confession/Thanksgiving). Repeat the verse, “By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Heb. 10:14)
FLIP CHART: John Stott’s outline of SOM.
INTRODUCTION
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Mt. 6:1-4)….And when you pray … But when you pray ….And when you pray ….. This, then, is how you should pray …. When you fast … But when you fast … (Mt. 6:5-7, 9, 16-17)
OUTLINE FOR THIS SECTION:
1. Relationship of Chapter 5 to Chapter 6
2. The Key to Becoming a Godly Person
3. Overview of the “Spiritual Disciplines”
4. Our evaluation of the “Spiritual Disciplines”
WHEN YOU GIVE, PRAY, FAST ….
I. RELATIONSHIP OF CHAPTER 5 TO CHAPTER 6
In the weeks ahead we will look at several comparisons (links, bridges) between chapter 5 and chapter 6, but right now, here is what Martin Lloyd-Jones has to say:
“We have been looking at the Christian and told something of his characteristics, how he is to behave in society and what God expects of him in his relationship to others. Now…this section presents a picture of the children in relationship to their Father as they wend their way on this pilgrimage of life” (MLJ, 9).
In Chapter 5 the focus was on moral righteousness, here it is on religious righteousness (piety). So Jesus moves from the moral actions of the member of God’s Kingdom to his religious acts. In Matthew 5:20 we were told that our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law. Here we are told that our piety, our religious acts, must surpass those of the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law.
John MacArthur summarizes the comparison like this: “Matthew 5:21-48 focuses on the teaching of the law, on what men believe, and 6:1-18 focuses on the practice of the law, what men do. The first section emphasizes inner moral righteousness – giving six representative illustrations regarding murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, revenge, and love. This second section emphasizes outward formal righteousness – giving, three representative illustrations of religious activity.” (MacArthur, 351)
II. THE KEY TO BECOMING A GODLY PERSON
Defining a Godly Person
A godly person has experienced a Christian conversion. Whereas his life was previously focused on himself it is now focused on Christ. Knowing, loving and pleasing God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit dominates and gives direction to His life. A godly person lives a God-centered life. (John Stott)
Spiritual Formation is the biblical process of being conformed inwardly and outwardly to the character of Christ.
The Key Question: How do we become a ‘godly’ person and cultivate a life that is focused on loving God, a life conformed to the image of Christ that is dedicated to the work of God and the glorification of God?
If we have faith in Christ, we must believe He knew how to live. What activities did Jesus practice (in his goal of relating to his Father and glorifying Him on earth)? (Dallas Willard)
In our text, Mt. 6:1-18, Jesus talks about 3 spiritual disciplines that he takes for granted his disciples will practice: giving, praying, fasting. There are many others too, that are set forth in the Scriptures.
“Train yourself to be godly” (I Tim. 4:7b).
“But you, man of God … pursue …godliness …” (I Tim. 6:11).
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”
(Phil. 2:12).
“Make every effort to add to your faith, goodness etc…”
( I Peter 3:5)
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (I Cor. 9:25-27).
“I discipline my body like an athlete” (NLT)
“I discipline my body and make it my slave” (NASB)
“I pommel my body and subdue it” (RSV)
“I chastise my body and bring it to servitude”
“I buffet my body and lead it captive” (Darby).
We are commanded to “train ourselves to be godly.…” If we are to “train” ourselves we need a “training program.” The spiritual
disciplines are the “training exercises” provided by God to enable us to move forward towards becoming godly.
Note in II Peter 1:3-5 we are challenged “to make every effort.”
Producing godliness in our lives is a joint effort between God and the believer: “ … continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (I Tim. 2:12-13).
Spiritual Disciplines and Fear of Legalism
QUESTION: What do we say to a person who says “spiritual disciplines” sound like legalism?
“To escape the error of salvation by works we have fallen into the
opposite error of salvation without obedience.” (A.W. Tozer)
Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning. “In most churches we are not only saved by grace, we are paralyzed by it. We’re afraid to do anything that might be a “work” (in our progress towards holiness). (Willard, Leadership, Summer, 2005 pg. 23)
“Even the most rigorous practice of the spiritual disciplines is legalistic when the motives of our spirituality are what they should be, namely to do all to the Glory of God to pursue Christlikeness.”
If the Spirit led Jesus and every “saint of note” to consistently practice the Spiritual Disciplines so that they could live life to the full, shouldn’t we expect the same leading if we are truly his disciples?”
III. OVERVIEW OF THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
1. Thanksgiving
“… always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20).
2. Solitude / Silence
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed” (Mark. 1:35. NIV).
3. Fasting
“When you fast ….. But when you fast ….” (Mt. 6:16-18) … “So when they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:3).
4. Meditation
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).
“Blessed is the man … his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he mediates day and night” (Ps. 1:1-2).
5. Personal Bible Study
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. (II Tim. 2:15)
“Scripture is the most godly book that has ever been written. It is a book by God about God. It might even be termed The Autobiography of God, since in it He talks about himself. Consequently, we cannot become familiar with this godly book without becoming godly ourselves” (John Stott)
6. Service (helping, teaching, mercy, etc)
“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas [Greek, gazelle]), who was always doing good and helping the poor” (Acts 9:36).
7. Private Personal Worship / Praise
“The worship of God is nowhere defined in Scriptures. It is not confined to praise; broadly it may be regarded as the direct acknowledgement (recognition, confession) to God, of his nature, attributes, ways and claims, whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving or by deed done in acknowledgement.”
I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live (Ps. 146:2).
8. Confession
“Whether we like it or not, the moment we confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, that is, from the time we become a Christian, we are at the same time a member of the Christian church…”
-Eugene Peterson, “Reversed Thunder”
“The Discipline of confession brings an end to pretense.” -Richard Foster, “Celebration of Discipline”
9. Attending Adult Community
It was said of the Bereans, “…They searched the Scriptures day by day to check up on Paul and Silas’ statements to see if they were really so” (Acts 17:11).
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are I in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – – and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Heb. 10:24-25, NIV).
10. Journaling / Reflection
Journaling is not a diary, it is a story of my soul’s journey. Writing things down forces us to weigh what is happening in our life, forces reflection and meditation, two spiritual disciplines sorely missing in modern life.
The Psalms of David are in once sense his spiritual journal. Note Psalm 42: As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
11. Prayer
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Eph. 6:18)
12. Small Group Bible Study
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
Evangelical spirituality / mysticism is grounded in the Word. When we say “Sola Scriptura” which was the watchword of the Reformation, it is not only in relation to doctrine but also in relation to our personal spirituality.
13. Bible Memorization
“God bestows the actual knowledge of Himself upon us only in the Scriptures” (John Calvin in Institutes).
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
The law of God is in his heart; his feet do not slip” (Ps. 37:31).
14. Giving (including to the poor)
“So when you give to the needy …. But when you give to the needy ….” “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (Mt. 6:2-3; II Cor. 9:7).
15. Church Worship/Attendance
But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple “ …Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker ….Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship as His footstool” (Psalm 5:7, 95:6, 132:7).
16. Practicing the Presence of God
“God does not ask much of us. Remembering Him, praising Him, asking for His grace, offering Him your troubles, or thanking Him for what he has given you. Lift up your heart. Little remembrances please Him” (Brother Lawrence, 1611-1691).
“Where can I go from your Spirit, where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn and settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me and your right hand will hold me fast” (Ps. 139:7-10)
17. Fellowship with Other Christians
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts. 2:42)
IV. OUR EVALUATION OF THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
TABLE ACTIVITY: Make sure each individual has the Hand Out of the 17 “Spiritual Disciplines.” Then have each table work through the following activities, using the “columns” designated:
“A” COLUMN – How has your practice been in the use of these “Spiritual Disciplines?” Focusing on the “A Column” evaluate your use of each “Spiritual Discipline” marking “A” for Always; “U” for Usually; “S” for Seldom and “N” for Never in front of each “Spiritual Discipline” in the “A Column.”
“B” COLUMN – Write an “X” on the “B Column” in front of the five spiritual disciplines that have been most beneficial in helping you move forward in spiritual formation, in becoming a godly person.
“C” COLUMN – If a new believer approached you and asked for your help in choosing the five most important “Spiritual Disciplines” that he should focus on, which five would you choose. Put “NB” in “Column C” for each of the five you would recommend.
“D” COLUMN – With those at your table arrange in order of importance the 17 “Spiritual Disciplines.”
NUMBER COLUMN – Circle two “Spiritual Disciplines” that you would like to start practicing.
SO WHAT???
1. The Bible clearly states that we must focus on becoming godly people, people conformed to the image of Christ, e.g. Christlike people.
2. Although when we come to Christ, his righteousness is imputed to us, we still need to “train ourselves” and “make every effort” to experience spiritual formation and character change in our lives.
3. Just as athletes have a training regimen, so our Father has given us “Spiritual Disciplines,” for our spiritual training. When practiced these “Spiritual Disciplines” guide us in being conformed to the image of Christ.
4. Rigorously practicing the “Spiritual Disciplines” is not legalism if we do so with the right motives.