Embracing Spiritual Disciplines for Christ's Return
Summary
In today's message, we explored the importance of spiritual disciplines, particularly the practice of Bible reading, as a means to cultivate a pure heart and prepare ourselves for the return of Christ. As we navigate the complexities of life in 2025, it's crucial to establish healthy rhythms and boundaries that align with God's word. Just as my family has worked hard to adjust to new routines, we too must be diligent in our spiritual practices to ensure we are not led astray.
The Bible is not merely a book of rules but a guide that helps us stay on the straight and narrow path. It is a navigational system that keeps us aligned with God's will, especially in these last days when the world is groaning and signs of the end times are evident. We must be genuine seekers of God's heart, allowing His word to shape our beliefs and actions. This requires a commitment to reading and understanding the Bible, not just for personal comfort but as a means to embody the teachings of Christ.
The spiritual discipline of Bible reading is essential for developing internal strength and resilience against the temptations and challenges we face daily. It is through this discipline that we can grow closer to God, become trustworthy stewards of His word, and produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Our goal is to be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and prospering in all we do.
As we engage with the Bible, we must move beyond superficial reading and delve into deeper study and meditation. This involves understanding the context and meaning behind the words, allowing them to dwell richly in our hearts. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's direction and instruction, ensuring that our lives are a reflection of His love and truth.
Key Takeaways:
- Establishing healthy spiritual rhythms and boundaries is essential for aligning our lives with God's word and preparing for Christ's return. These practices help us stay on the straight and narrow path, preventing us from being led astray. [03:57]
- The Bible is a navigational system that guides us in understanding God's will and shaping our beliefs. It is not a self-help book but a means to embody the teachings of Christ and align our lives with His heart. [08:54]
- Spiritual disciplines, particularly Bible reading, are crucial for developing internal strength and resilience against daily temptations. They enable us to grow closer to God and produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. [13:38]
- Genuine Bible study involves understanding the context and meaning behind the words, allowing them to dwell richly in our hearts. This deep engagement with scripture aligns us with God's direction and instruction. [24:47]
- The fruit of our lives is a reflection of our connection to the living water of God's word. We must ensure that our lives produce love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit, impacting those around us positively. [32:22]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:43] - Establishing New Rhythms
[03:57] - The Importance of Boundaries
[05:17] - Preparing for Christ's Return
[06:04] - Internal Health and Purity
[07:37] - The Practice of Bible Reading
[08:54] - Aligning Beliefs with Scripture
[11:16] - Law and Heart Intermingled
[12:40] - Urgency in the Last Days
[13:38] - Developing Spiritual Disciplines
[16:48] - The Role of the Bible
[18:11] - Loving God with All Your Heart
[19:44] - The Spiritual Tug of War
[23:34] - The Blessed Life
[24:47] - Understanding Psalms of Wisdom
[32:22] - Bearing Fruit in Our Lives
[36:08] - The Litmus Test of Our Fruit
[40:14] - Practical Bible Study Methods
[42:35] - Inviting the Holy Spirit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 4:23-24
2. Matthew 24:3-14
3. Psalm 1:1-3
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Observation Questions:
1. According to John 4:23-24, what characteristics define true worshipers, and how are they expected to worship God?
2. In Matthew 24:3-14, what signs does Jesus mention that indicate the end times, and how are believers instructed to respond to these signs?
3. Psalm 1:1-3 describes a person who delights in the law of the Lord. What are the outcomes for such a person, and how are they compared to a tree?
4. The sermon mentions the importance of establishing healthy spiritual rhythms and boundaries. How does the pastor relate this to their personal family experiences? [00:43]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of worshiping in "spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24) challenge or affirm the way believers currently engage in their spiritual practices?
2. In Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus warns about being led astray. What might this look like in today's context, and how can believers guard against it? [08:54]
3. Psalm 1:1-3 uses the imagery of a tree planted by streams of water. What does this metaphor suggest about the source of spiritual nourishment and stability for believers?
4. The sermon emphasizes the need for deep engagement with scripture. How does this align with the idea of producing the fruit of the Spirit in one's life? [32:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual disciplines. Are there any areas where you feel you need to establish healthier rhythms or boundaries? What steps can you take to implement these changes? [00:43]
2. The sermon discusses the urgency of the last days and the importance of not being led astray. How can you ensure that your beliefs and actions are aligned with God's word in these times? [12:40]
3. Consider the metaphor of being like a tree planted by streams of water (Psalm 1:1-3). What practical steps can you take to ensure you are deeply rooted in God's word and producing spiritual fruit?
4. The pastor mentioned the importance of moving beyond superficial Bible reading. What specific strategies can you adopt to engage more deeply with scripture and allow it to shape your beliefs and actions? [24:47]
5. Think about the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Identify one aspect of the fruit that you feel is lacking in your life. What specific actions can you take this week to cultivate it?
6. The sermon highlights the importance of being genuine seekers of God's heart. How can you intentionally seek God's heart in your daily life, and what changes might this require in your current routine? [08:54]
7. Reflect on the idea of worshiping in spirit and truth. How can you incorporate this understanding into your personal worship practices, and what impact do you hope it will have on your relationship with God?
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning Rhythms with God's Word
Establishing healthy spiritual rhythms and boundaries is essential for aligning our lives with God's word and preparing for Christ's return. In a world filled with distractions and temptations, it is easy to be led astray. By setting intentional boundaries and rhythms, we create space for God to work in our lives, helping us stay on the straight and narrow path. This practice is not just about avoiding sin but about actively pursuing a life that reflects God's love and truth. As we prepare for Christ's return, these disciplines become even more crucial, ensuring that our hearts remain pure and focused on Him. [03:57]
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)
Reflection: What specific boundaries can you establish this week to create more space for God in your daily routine?
Day 2: The Bible as Our Navigational Guide
The Bible is a navigational system that guides us in understanding God's will and shaping our beliefs. It is not a self-help book but a means to embody the teachings of Christ and align our lives with His heart. In these last days, when the world is groaning and signs of the end times are evident, it is crucial to be genuine seekers of God's heart. By allowing His word to shape our beliefs and actions, we ensure that we are not swayed by the changing tides of culture but remain steadfast in our faith. [08:54]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use the Bible as a guide to navigate a specific challenge you are currently facing?
Day 3: Building Resilience Through Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual disciplines, particularly Bible reading, are crucial for developing internal strength and resilience against daily temptations. These practices enable us to grow closer to God and produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. By committing to regular Bible reading, we build a foundation of truth that strengthens us against the challenges we face. This discipline is not just about gaining knowledge but about allowing God's word to transform our hearts and minds, equipping us to live out our faith with courage and conviction. [13:38]
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12, ESV)
Reflection: What specific time each day can you dedicate to Bible reading to strengthen your spiritual resilience?
Day 4: Deep Engagement with Scripture
Genuine Bible study involves understanding the context and meaning behind the words, allowing them to dwell richly in our hearts. This deep engagement with scripture aligns us with God's direction and instruction, ensuring that our lives are a reflection of His love and truth. Moving beyond superficial reading to deeper study and meditation requires effort and intentionality, but the rewards are profound. As we immerse ourselves in God's word, we gain wisdom and insight that guide our decisions and shape our character. [24:47]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to move from superficial Bible reading to a deeper study and meditation on God's word?
Day 5: Bearing Fruit Through Connection with God's Word
The fruit of our lives is a reflection of our connection to the living water of God's word. We must ensure that our lives produce love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit, impacting those around us positively. As we engage with the Bible, we are nourished and strengthened, enabling us to bear fruit in every season. This fruitfulness is not just for our benefit but for the glory of God and the blessing of others. By staying rooted in God's word, we become like a tree planted by streams of water, flourishing and prospering in all we do. [32:22]
"He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your life is producing the fruit of the Spirit, and how can you share this fruit with others around you?
Quotes
"And so as we jump back into these spiritual disciplines, spiritual practices, the one that we're going to look at today is the spiritual practice of Bible reading. Not a sexy one. But I tell you what, without it, I don't know where each of every one of us would be in the journey to becoming the pure bride that Christ is looking back for, coming back for. It's the very words of God." [00:07:37] (30 seconds)
"This word should determine our belief systems. We're not reading to support what we think. We're asking it, what does it think? And embodying that. We must be genuine seekers. I'm seeking the God of this word. And ready to subject ourselves to whatever it says, whether we like it or not." [00:08:37] (26 seconds)
"And that is so important. Why we must be intimately involved in reading the word, not for entertainment and not to flick and pick to make us feel good on a certain day when we need a little bit of, I need a little this and I need a little that. So I'll read my little verse to keep the devil away. That's not what this is for." [00:12:47] (21 seconds)
"And without this word moving us along, keeping us on track, keep on the, oh, you've gone to the left a little bit. Oh, we will not survive. And so learning how to read this thing is not just something that's good to do. It's a crucial life skill. It's our daily access to the God of the universe. This is his coined words." [00:13:44] (29 seconds)
"Developing that discipline is like getting biblical literacy and committing to the daily, oh, what's the right word? Commitment? The daily promise to be like, I want to be consistent in you, Jesus. So therefore, I will go to the closest thing that I have to your voice. So many people struggle to hear God's voice." [00:14:53] (25 seconds)
"Colossians 3 .16, and if you want to remember it, just think John 3 .16, which is the famous Bible verse, but think Colossians instead. It says this, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, not the ones that I like, singing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your heart to God." [00:17:00] (31 seconds)
"That analogy, that visual would have been so good to hear. Because Israel was not luscious land. There's a picture of what Israel looks like. It's arid, almost wilderness type land, dry. And so when the Lord says you will have luscious, grassy, meadow -y areas to prosper in, they're like, ooh, that sounds good. That sounds like Oasis to me." [00:30:43] (25 seconds)
"Because you are a thermostat in the kingdom of God. So the people in your atmosphere must be able to walk away having eaten that fruit. Feeling love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self control. Right? We cannot think that it's for us to consume. The spirit of God, you're a tree. You're already good. Your sustenance is Jesus." [00:32:31] (29 seconds)
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