Discipline: The Key to Spiritual Success

Devotional

Day 1: Recognizing Our Own Obstacles

Self-reflection and Responsibility

Often, we are our own biggest obstacles in achieving the life God has planned for us. Self-reflection is crucial for identifying areas where we need to improve. By acknowledging our shortcomings, we can take steps to become the person God wants us to be. This involves a deep and honest look at our lives, recognizing the habits, attitudes, and behaviors that hinder our spiritual growth. It is only through this process of self-examination that we can begin to make meaningful changes.

Self-reflection is not about self-condemnation but about taking responsibility for our actions and decisions. It is about understanding that we have the power to change and that God is ready to help us in this journey. By being willing to confront our weaknesses and seek God's guidance, we can overcome the internal battles that hold us back. This is the first step towards a disciplined and fulfilling life. [01:32]

Romans 12:3 (ESV): "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you recognize you are your own biggest obstacle? How can you begin to address this with God's help today?

Day 2: The Discipline of Spiritual Training

Discipline as a Path to Success

Discipline is essential for achieving the life God has planned for us. Just as athletes train rigorously to win a prize, we must be disciplined in our spiritual lives to win an eternal crown. Discipline involves consistent behavior in line with God's rules and training. It requires a commitment to daily practices such as prayer, reading the Bible, and living out God's commandments. This spiritual training helps us to grow stronger in our faith and more resilient in the face of life's challenges.

The disciplined life is not about perfection but about persistence. It is about making a daily choice to follow God's path, even when it is difficult. By maintaining discipline, we align our lives with God's will and open ourselves up to His blessings. This disciplined approach to our spiritual lives leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling life. [04:18]

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can commit to improving this week? How will you incorporate it into your daily routine?

Day 3: Emulating Christ's Discipline

Jesus as the Ultimate Example

Jesus exemplified perfect discipline by always doing what pleased the Father. He only spoke and acted according to God's will, leading to 100% success in His mission. We should strive to emulate His discipline in our own lives. Jesus' life was marked by a deep commitment to prayer, obedience, and service. He consistently sought God's guidance and followed it without hesitation, even when it led to the cross.

By looking to Jesus as our example, we can learn what it means to live a disciplined life. His unwavering focus on God's mission and His willingness to sacrifice for others show us the true meaning of discipline. As we strive to follow His example, we can grow in our faith and become more effective in our own spiritual journeys. [10:36]

Hebrews 5:8-9 (ESV): "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."

Reflection: In what ways can you emulate Jesus' discipline in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to align your behavior more closely with His example?

Day 4: Guided by the Holy Spirit

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit helps us develop self-control and discipline. By following His guidance, we can overcome our fleshly desires and live a life that pleases God. Prayer and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings are key to maintaining discipline. The Holy Spirit empowers us to make the right choices and gives us the strength to follow through on our commitments. He is our helper and guide, leading us towards a life of righteousness.

Living a disciplined life is not something we can achieve on our own. We need the Holy Spirit's help to stay on the right path. By cultivating a close relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer and meditation, we can become more attuned to His guidance. This allows us to make decisions that honor God and lead to a more fulfilling life. [24:27]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: How can you become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life? What steps can you take to ensure you are following His lead?

Day 5: Fulfilling God's Mission

Prioritizing God's Mission

Our lives should be centered around fulfilling God's mission rather than our own pleasures. By setting our affections on things above and seeking God's kingdom first, we will find the time and strength to do everything else that matters. Prioritizing God's mission means putting His will above our own desires and making His purposes our primary focus. This requires a shift in perspective, where we see our lives as part of a larger divine plan.

When we prioritize God's mission, we align our lives with His will and open ourselves up to His blessings. This doesn't mean we neglect our own needs, but rather that we trust God to provide for us as we seek to fulfill His purposes. By focusing on God's mission, we can experience a deeper sense of purpose and satisfaction in our lives. [48:22]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one way you can prioritize God's mission in your life this week? How can you shift your focus from your own desires to God's purposes?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we continued our series "Man in the Mirror," focusing on the theme of self-discipline. January is a time for fresh starts and resolutions, and this series aims to help you become the person God wants you to be. We began by discussing the importance of self-reflection and recognizing that often, we are our own biggest obstacles. We must win the war within ourselves by not giving in to vices and poor character traits. We need to be willing and obedient to God's call to experience the future He has for us.

We delved into 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, where Paul compares life to a race that requires discipline to win an eternal prize. Discipline is defined as behavior in accord with rules of conduct, maintained by training and control. Just as an athlete must be disciplined to succeed, we too must be disciplined in our spiritual lives. The greatest version of ourselves is the disciplined version, focused on the prize and living a life that pleases God.

Jesus is the ultimate example of discipline, always doing what pleases the Father. If we lack discipline, we risk becoming cautionary tales of wasted potential. Discipline leads to a rewarding life, filled with blessings and new experiences. We must renew our minds with God's Word, deposit His Word in our hearts, and decide to walk in the light of what we know. Prayer and following the Holy Spirit's promptings are crucial for maintaining discipline.

In conclusion, a disciplined life is the most rewarding life. It allows us to make a mark in this world and enjoy the blessings God has for us. We must set our affections on things above and prioritize God's mission over our own pleasures. By doing so, we will experience a year of refreshing and become the best versions of ourselves.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Reflection and Responsibility**: Recognize that often, we are our own biggest obstacles. Self-reflection is crucial for identifying areas where we need to improve. By acknowledging our shortcomings, we can take steps to become the person God wants us to be. [01:32]
2. Discipline as a Path to Success: Discipline is essential for achieving the life God has planned for us. Just as athletes train rigorously to win a prize, we must be disciplined in our spiritual lives to win an eternal crown. Discipline involves consistent behavior in line with God's rules and training.

3. Jesus as the Ultimate Example: Jesus exemplified perfect discipline by always doing what pleased the Father. He only spoke and acted according to God's will, leading to 100% success in His mission. We should strive to emulate His discipline in our own lives.

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit helps us develop self-control and discipline. By following His guidance, we can overcome our fleshly desires and live a life that pleases God. Prayer and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's promptings are key to maintaining discipline.

5. Prioritizing God's Mission: Our lives should be centered around fulfilling God's mission rather than our own pleasures. By setting our affections on things above and seeking God's kingdom first, we will find the time and strength to do everything else that matters.

### [01:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Self-Reflection and Responsibility
[02:58] - Winning the War Within
[04:18] - Discipline as a Path to Success
[05:52] - Running the Race of Life
[07:19] - The Importance of a Disciplined Life
[08:23] - The Greatest Version of You
[09:23] - The Rewarding Life
[10:36] - Jesus as the Ultimate Example
[12:00] - Avoiding Regrets
[13:28] - The Choice of Discipline
[15:07] - The Benefits of Diligence
[16:36] - Faithfulness and Blessings
[19:54] - Champions and Discipline
[24:27] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[30:09] - You Can Be Disciplined
[48:22] - Prioritizing God's Mission
[52:23] - Conclusion and Commitment
[53:53] - Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, what analogy does Paul use to describe the Christian life, and what is required to win the prize? [04:18]
In John 8:29, what does Jesus say about His relationship with the Father and His actions? [10:36]
What are the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, and which one is particularly highlighted in the sermon as essential for discipline? [24:27]

Interpretation Questions

How does Paul’s analogy of running a race in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 help us understand the importance of discipline in our spiritual lives? [04:18]
Jesus always did what pleased the Father (John 8:29). How can we strive to emulate this level of discipline in our daily lives? [10:36]
The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit helps us develop self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). How can we practically follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance to cultivate discipline? [24:27]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you recognized that you were your own biggest obstacle. How did you address it, and what steps can you take now to improve your self-discipline? [01:32]
Paul talks about running with purpose in every step (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). What specific goals can you set to ensure you are living a disciplined life that aligns with God’s will? [04:18]
Jesus is our ultimate example of discipline. What are some practical ways you can align your actions and words more closely with God’s will, as Jesus did? [10:36]
The sermon emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in developing self-control. How can you become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in your daily life? [24:27]
The disciplined life is described as the most rewarding life. What are some areas in your life where you need to exercise more discipline to experience God’s blessings fully? [09:23]
The sermon encourages setting our affections on things above and prioritizing God’s mission. What changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure you are seeking God’s kingdom first? [48:22]
Think of a specific distraction that prevents you from focusing on Jesus. What steps can you take this week to minimize that distraction and enhance your spiritual discipline? [31:35]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God wants you to have a year of refreshing this year. God wants you to enjoy new blessings, and new relationships, and new experiences. But for that to really happen, you have to step it up. You've got to become even more the man that God wants you to be, even more the woman God wants you to be." [01:32] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The disciplined life is the most rewarding life. That's the life that you'll live where you'll make a mark, like our shirts say. You'll make a difference in this world, and that's the life where you'll live where you're enjoying the desires of your heart by being disciplined." [09:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Champions do daily what losers do occasionally. Ordinary is a choice. Extraordinary is a discipline. I like something that a minister said. He said, it's backbone, not wishbone, that moves things forward." [19:54] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You can be disciplined. You can show up to serve at church on time. Yeah, you can. Hello, X team. You can show up at work on time. Yeah, you can. You can read your Bible every day. Yes, you can. You can read that book you need to read so that you are better in your career. You can take those classes. Yes, you can." [30:47] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The disciplined life is the most rewarding life. Champions do daily what losers do occasionally. Ordinary is a choice. Extraordinary is a discipline. I like something that a minister said. He said, it's backbone, not wishbone, that moves things forward." [19:54] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We talked about how to win the war within. And we found that, first of all, you got to find Scriptures concerning the problem area and live in them. Second of all, you need to train your brain. Gain mastery over your thoughts. Third of all, we encourage you to pray 60. Spend an hour a day in prayer, particularly praying in the Spirit. Then we learned you got to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. And then lastly, don't do it alone." [02:58] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The greatest version of you is the disciplined version of you. That person has parameters. That person is focused on the prize in front of them. That person that you really see yourself as, that person that's walking in the blessings that you want to have and is living the life you want to live, that's not a sloppy person. That's a disciplined person." [08:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you listen to your spirit, and if you're — every person on the planet is a spirit. You happen to — you possess a soul. That's your mind, your will, and your emotions, and you live in a body. But if you're a believer, you've chosen to follow Jesus, and your spirit is what the Bible calls the Holy Spirit. He came to live in you when you said, Jesus, come into my life." [25:17] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "You have an internal GPS map. You know, in one sense, you kind of got a Siri living on the inside of you. Waze living on the inside of you. But it's Waze for your life. And you know, when you're driving your car and you're trying to use Waze to drive somewhere that you don't know — you know, you don't know where you're going, you need directions to, well, when Waze says go right, you can go left. But I mean, no, it's probably not going to turn out too good." [26:14] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The word of God is like a can of paint. The benefit is in the application. Paint doesn't help you in the can. It helps you on the wall. The word doesn't help you in a book or on a message you can find on Spotify or podcast or on a website. It helps you when you're actually disciplined enough to do it. It's not how much of the Bible you know. It's how much of the Bible you do." [47:24] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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