Disciplines are the internal rules we set to accomplish our goals.
Have you ever just not felt like doing something? You know you should do it; In your heart, you want to do it, but you just don’t feel like doing it?
Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.”
The Scripture says THEREFORE LET US MOVE… and then it says BE TAKEN FORWARD. This speaks of decisional intentionality. Whether or not we mature is connected to our willingness to MOVE. So since the enemy doesn’t want us to mature, he will attack our desire and willingness to move.
Spiritual Maturity happens as a result of discipline, And discipline comes out of desire. What is Spiritual discipline? Definition: Habits, practices, and experiences that are designed to develop, grow and strengthen certain qualities of spirit.
Matthew 4:18 When Jesus called brothers Peter and Andrew, they had to decide if they were willing to take on new disciplines.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”
By choosing to see God in our circumstances and developing a lifestyle of prayer, you grow in maturity and can do things you previously couldn’t do. – There is measurable growth.
Spiritual disciplines are birthed from a discontent with one’s position.
Spiritual disciplines come with obstacles. You have to be willing to face the obstacles
John 5:1-12 “Sometime later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. [4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” 12. Jesus walks up to a man who has been in a certain condition for 38 years and asks him if he wants to get better. Doesn’t this sound illogical and insensitive?
Jesus was asking a feeling question. This was a question of desire.
5 Spiritual Disciplines that lead to maturity
1. Showing up: Like the Paralyzed man who showed up for 38 years, some of you have struggled with feeling like what’s the point? The point is you never know when it’s your 39. You don’t want to miss your miracle or breakthrough because you stopped showing up.
2. Study the word and Renew your mind: God’s word is where he reveals himself and his desires, and gives you HIS mind. Romans 12. As your mind renews, your disciplines are formed.
3. Pray and Worship always: Prayer and Worship are the intimate parts of our relationship with Christ. It is in those places where the deepest parts of us connect with the deepest parts of God.
4. Plan for obstacles: If you don’t prepare your heart to deal with obstacles, the Obstacles will rob you of motivation and you will become satisfied with excuses, thus never reaching your spiritual goals.
5. Be Selfless: Living selflessly will help to keep your heart in check. When your heart remains in check, your disciplines remain in place.