Discipline for Godliness: A Call to Men

In today's gathering, I revisited a calling from years ago to speak directly to men about the importance of spiritual discipline. Reflecting on past experiences at men's conferences, I emphasized the necessity of waiting on God and allowing Him to work in His own time. This is not a quick process; it requires patience and dedication. With the help of Pastor Abram, we are now focusing on the theme of "Disciplines of a Godly Man," inspired by the book of the same name. This journey through spiritual disciplines is crucial for maintaining a strong walk with God, a healthy marriage, and a life of integrity.

Discipline is the backbone of spiritual growth. Just as athletes train rigorously to achieve their goals, we must discipline ourselves for godliness. This involves a commitment to spiritual practices such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. These disciplines help us stay the course, especially when we don't feel like it. The analogy of a Navy SEAL's rigorous training highlights the importance of perseverance and dedication in our spiritual lives.

We explored 1 Timothy 4:7, which urges us to "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." This verse challenges the misconception that church leadership is solely responsible for our spiritual growth. Instead, it is a personal responsibility to train ourselves in godliness. This involves prioritizing spiritual disciplines over worldly distractions and influences that can lead us astray.

The sermon also addressed the dangers of complacency and the need to avoid being influenced by deceitful spirits and false teachings. We must ground ourselves in God's Word and be wary of influences that lead us away from the truth. The importance of maintaining a balance between grace and truth was emphasized, warning against both hyper-grace and legalism.

Finally, I encouraged everyone to let the Holy Spirit fill their lives, leading to a controlled and ordered life. This involves replacing ungodly influences with godly ones and allowing our lifestyle to build us up both spiritually and physically. The Christian life is a journey of continuous growth and transformation, requiring us to fix our hope on the Living God and hold fast to His promises.

Key Takeaways

• 1. grace and legalism. We must preach love, mercy, and grace while also holding firm to God's truth and confronting sin when necessary. [21:30]
  5. Living a Spirit-Filled Life: Letting the Holy Spirit fill our lives leads to a controlled and ordered life. This involves replacing ungodly influences with godly ones and allowing our lifestyle to build us up both spiritually and physically. Fixing our hope on the Living God is essential for continuous growth and transformation.
  
  ** [21:30]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:13] - The Call to Speak to Men
• [00:57] - Introducing Spiritual Disciplines
• [01:30] - The Importance of Discipline
• [02:18] - Training for Godliness
• [03:59] - The Cure for Falling Away
• [04:16] - 1 Timothy 4:7: Discipline Yourself
• [06:58] - Personal Responsibility in Spiritual Growth
• [08:05] - Avoiding Complacency
• [09:44] - Understanding Godliness
• [11:24] - The Role of Fathers
• [13:07] - Falling Away from the Faith
• [16:35] - The First Step Towards Falling Away
• [19:24] - The Influence of the Flesh
• [21:17] - Perverting the Grace of God
• [24:27] - Legalism and Modern-Day Pharisees
• [29:30] - Holiness and the Way to Jesus
• [36:33] - Discipline Yourself for Godliness
• [40:13] - Replacement Therapy
• [54:54] - Let the Holy Spirit Fill You
• [57:48] - Fixing Our Hope on God

1. 1 Timothy 4:7 - "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."
2. Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

1. What analogy did the pastor use to emphasize the importance of spiritual discipline, and how does it relate to the life of a believer? ([02:18])
2. According to the sermon, what is the misconception about church leadership's role in our spiritual growth? ([04:30])
3. How does the pastor describe the influence of deceitful spirits and false teachings on believers? ([13:26])
4. What does the pastor suggest is the first step towards falling away from faith? ([16:48])

1. How does 1 Timothy 4:7 challenge the idea that spiritual growth is solely the responsibility of church leaders? What does this imply about personal responsibility in one's faith journey? ([04:30])
2. In what ways does the pastor suggest that spiritual disciplines can prevent complacency in a believer's life? How does this relate to the analogy of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? ([08:05])
3. How does the pastor balance the concepts of grace and truth in the context of spiritual discipline? What are the dangers of hyper-grace and legalism according to the sermon? ([21:17])
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in leading a controlled and ordered life, as discussed in the sermon? How does this relate to Ephesians 5:18? ([54:54])

1. Reflect on your current spiritual disciplines. Are there areas where you feel you need to improve or incorporate new practices? What steps can you take this week to begin this process? ([06:58])
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of personal responsibility in spiritual growth. How can you take more ownership of your spiritual journey this week? What specific actions will you commit to? ([04:30])
3. Consider the influences in your life. Are there any that might be leading you away from the truth? How can you replace these with godly influences? ([13:26])
4. How do you currently balance grace and truth in your interactions with others? Are there situations where you lean too heavily on one side? How can you achieve a better balance? ([21:17])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of living a Spirit-filled life. What practical steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit to guide your daily decisions and actions? ([54:54])
6. Identify one area of your life where you feel complacent. What spiritual discipline can you implement to combat this complacency? ([08:05])
7. The pastor spoke about the importance of fixing our hope on the Living God. What does this look like in your daily life, and how can you remind yourself to hold fast to His promises? ([57:48])