Stewarding Our Bodies: A Holistic Approach to Health

Today, we gathered to celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of God, remembering that His mercy is new every morning and that He delights in showing us grace. We sang of His steadfast love, acknowledging that our lives are held in His hands from the moment we wake until we lay our heads down at night. God’s faithfulness is not just a distant truth but a present reality that shapes every aspect of our lives. We are not our own; we belong to the Lord, and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This truth forms the foundation for how we approach every area of life, including our physical health.

As we continued our “What’s Your Next Move?” series, we explored the often-overlooked topic of physical health from a biblical perspective. In a culture obsessed with appearance and plagued by a health crisis, it’s easy to either ignore our health or become consumed by unhealthy standards. Yet, Scripture teaches that our bodies are not just shells to be managed or ignored—they are integral to who we are and how we serve God. The Bible may not provide exhaustive health advice, but it does reveal that our physical well-being is a spiritual matter. How we care for our bodies impacts our emotional, relational, and spiritual health.

We considered Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6, where he reminds us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, bought at a high price. This means that honoring God with our bodies is not optional—it’s a response to His love and ownership of our lives. We also reflected on the danger of letting our desires control us, as Paul warns against making our stomachs our god. Self-control in physical matters often mirrors self-control in other areas of life, and neglecting our health can have far-reaching consequences.

Physical training is valuable, but spiritual training is even more so, promising benefits both now and for eternity. Still, we don’t have to choose between the two. Caring for our health enables us to serve God and others more fully. The principle of sowing and reaping applies here: the small, faithful choices we make today regarding our health will bear fruit in the years to come. God cares about every part of us, and even small steps toward better health are significant when done in faith and obedience. As we reflect on our next move, may we seek God’s wisdom, take practical steps, and remember that our bodies are gifts to be stewarded for His glory.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our bodies are not separate from our spiritual lives; they are an essential part of who we are and how we relate to God. The way we treat our bodies—through diet, exercise, and rest—directly impacts our emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being. Honoring God with our bodies is a holistic act of worship, not just a physical discipline. [32:18]
• 2. The Bible’s primary purpose is to reveal God to us, not just to provide self-help tips. When we approach Scripture, we should seek to know God more deeply and allow His revelation to shape every area of our lives, including our health. Our response to God’s revelation should be comprehensive, integrating faith into every decision and habit. [21:42]
• 3. Self-control in physical health is deeply connected to self-control in other areas of life. When our desires—whether for food, comfort, or pleasure—begin to rule us, they can become idols that hinder our spiritual growth. Practicing discipline in caring for our bodies is a spiritual exercise that strengthens our character and deepens our dependence on God. [36:48]
• 4. Physical training is good and brings real benefits, but it is not ultimate. Spiritual training—growing in godliness, obedience, and Christlikeness—has value for both this life and the life to come. We are called to pursue both, recognizing that our physical health can either help or hinder our ability to serve God and others. [39:57]
• 5. The principle of sowing and reaping applies to our health as much as any other area of life. The small, faithful choices we make today—choosing healthier foods, moving our bodies, seeking medical counsel—will yield fruit in the future, even if the results are not immediate. God honors our efforts to steward our bodies well, and even incremental progress is significant in His eyes. [44:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [05:45] - Joyful Worship and Praise
• [09:06] - Singing of God’s Mercy
• [12:09] - Reflection on God’s Faithfulness
• [13:58] - Singing of God’s Goodness
• [17:39] - Opening Prayer and Service Introduction
• [19:15] - Announcements and Series Introduction
• [21:05] - The Bible as God’s Revelation
• [23:39] - Building Life on God’s Foundation
• [24:54] - God’s Will: Transformation Over Perfection
• [27:15] - America’s Health Crisis
• [29:44] - Distinguishing Health from Appearance
• [31:40] - Your Body as God’s Temple
• [34:15] - The Interconnectedness of Health
• [36:48] - Self-Control and Spiritual Health
• [39:57] - Physical vs. Spiritual Training
• [43:40] - Sowing and Reaping in Health
• [49:48] - Six Questions for Health Reflection
• [54:14] - Taking Practical Next Steps
• [56:40] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
• [57:55] - Closing Worship
• [62:57] - Final Announcements and Dismissal

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) — > Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV) — > 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.

Galatians 6:7 (ESV) — > Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what does Paul say about who owns our bodies and why?
2. In 1 Timothy 4:8, how does Paul compare physical training to spiritual training?
3. What principle does Paul teach in Galatians 6:7, and how does it relate to the choices we make?
4. The sermon mentioned that our bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit.” What does this mean in practical terms? [[31:40]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul connect the idea of our bodies being temples with the command to honor God with them? What does this suggest about the importance of physical health in the Christian life? [[31:40]]
2. The sermon said, “Physical health is a spiritual issue.” In what ways can neglecting our physical health affect our spiritual, emotional, and relational well-being? [[34:15]]
3. How does the principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7) challenge the way we think about small, everyday choices regarding our health? [[44:16]]
4. The sermon warned about letting our desires (like food or comfort) control us. Why is self-control in physical matters so closely tied to self-control in other areas of life? [[36:48]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to see our bodies as belonging to God, not ourselves. Is there an area of your physical health (diet, exercise, rest, etc.) where you have been living as if you are your own, rather than God’s? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? [[31:40]]
2. Think about your daily habits—meals, movement, sleep. Are there any small, practical steps you could take this week to better honor God with your body? What is one change you feel prompted to make? [[54:52]]
3. The message highlighted the danger of letting our desires become idols. Are there any comforts or cravings (food, drink, laziness, etc.) that tend to rule over you? How can you practice self-control in that area, and who could help keep you accountable? [[36:48]]
4. The sermon said, “Physical training is good, but spiritual training is even better.” How can you pursue both without neglecting one for the other? What would a healthy balance look like in your current season of life? [[39:57]]
5. The principle of sowing and reaping means that small choices add up over time. Can you think of a time when a small, faithful choice in your health (or another area) led to bigger results later? How does that encourage you to keep going, even if you don’t see immediate results? [[44:16]]
6. The pastor encouraged us to seek godly counsel about our health, including from doctors or dietitians. Is there a health concern you’ve been ignoring that you need to bring to a professional or to God in prayer? [[51:39]]
7. The sermon reminded us that God delights in showing us mercy and is not looking for perfection, but for progress. How can you show yourself grace as you seek to make changes in your health? What would it look like to invite God into your struggles and celebrate small victories? [[56:40]]