The Christian Disciplines, pt. 2

Pastor Alan continued his teaching through the Christian Disciplines in July, with lessons on Study, Simplicity, Solitude, and Submission. All of these messages can be found in this post, with audio recordings and Alan’s study notes. Scriptures referenced are linked to BibleGateway.com. Enjoy!

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The Christian Disciplines: Study

• Key Idea:  Part of discipleship (following Jesus) is the disciplined practice of practicing the Christian disciplines.
• Purpose of Practicing:  To grow closer to God so our lives are transformed to be less self-centered and more Christ-centered.    
• The Disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration. 
• Introduction: The Disease of Biblical Illiteracy
  • The Three-Fold Dynamic of Study
    • Doctrine – Head, Romans 1-11:32, 12:1-2; 1 Timothy 4:13
    • Doxology – Heart, Romans 11:33-36
    • Doing – Hands, Romans 12:3-16:27 
  • The Necessity of Study
    • Necessity of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14
    • Necessity of the hearing.  Luke 11:28, Romans 10:17
    • Necessity of the reading.  Matthew 19:4, Rev 1:3
    • Necessity of the repetition,  Deuteronomy 6:6-9
    • Necessity of concentration.  Hebrews 2:1 
    • Necessity of reflection.  Philippians 4:8 
    • Necessity of memorization.  Proverbs 22:17-19
  • Examples of Study
    • Ezra the scribe.  Ezra 7:10
    • Berean believers.  Acts 17:11
    • Paul in prison.  2 Timothy 4:13 
  • Receiving God’s Word
    • Parable of the Seed and Four Soils.  Matthew 13:1-23
  • Conclusion:  To prevent the disease of Biblical illiteracy we must grow in the knowledge of God through His word. 
• Books on Spiritual Disciplines: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster. 

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The Christian Disciplines: Simplicity

• Key Idea:  Part of discipleship (following Jesus) is the disciplined practice of practicing the Christian disciplines. 
• Purpose of Practicing: To grow closer to God so our lives are transformed to be less self-centered and more Christ-centered.    
• The Disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration. 
• Simplicity: The art of letting go and being centered. 
  • Simplicity is Central
    • What’s the one thing that centers you?
    • Steward or slave?  Luke 16:13, Matthew 6:19-24
  • Simplicity is Counter Culture.
    •  Ambition or Covetousness?  Exodus 20:17, Luke 12:15-21
    • Prudence or Hoarding? James 5:1-4
    • Industriousness or Greed?  1 Timothy 3:3,8, 6:17-19
  • Simplicity is Costly
    • Possessions possessing you?  1 Timothy 6:9-10, Mark 8:36, Luke 18:18-25
    • People pulling you?  Acts 5:29, Galatians 1:10
    • Pride pushing you? Colossians 3:23-24
  • Simplicity is Calming 
    • What’s your real source of security?  Philippians 4:11-14, Proverbs 11:28, Matthew 6:25-31 
• Conclusion:  Our lives can be fractured and frustrated by too much complexity. Trying to manage too many things. We have to practice simplicity.

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The Christian Disciplines: Solitude

• Key Idea:  Part of discipleship (following Jesus) is the disciplined practice of practicing the Christian disciplines.
• Purpose of Practicing:  To grow closer to God so our lives are transformed to be less self-centered and more Christ-centered.    
• The Disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration. 
• Reasons for Solitude and Silence
  • Jesus Practiced It.  Matthew 4:1, 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 4:42
  • Minimize Distractions. Matthew 6:6
  • Focuses Our Worship.  Habakkuk 2:20, Zephaniah 1:7, Zechariah 2:13
  • Focuses Our Faith.  Psalm 62:1-6, Isaiah 30:15
  • Focuses on the Need of Salvation (either for our soul or saving circumstances). Lamentations 3:25-28
  • To Be Revitalized.  Mark 6:31 
    • Part of being revived is to be more creative.  It’s hard to create in an atmosphere of constant chatter. There is a reason it’s called recreation.
  • To Gain Perspective.  Luke 1:20
    • Zechariah when struck with the inability to speak gained a new perspective. Mark 4:9, Revelation 2:7
  • To Seek the Father’s Will.  Luke 6:12-13
  • To Learn the Power of the Tongue.  Proverbs 17:27-28, James 1:19
  • To Cultivate a Portable Sanctuary of the Soul. Philippians 4:6-7 
• Conclusion: Each day find a time and place of silence and solitude to draw close to God and quiet the chatter. The first language of God is silence.

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The Christian Disciplines: Submission

• Key Idea:  Part of discipleship (following Jesus) is the disciplined practice of practicing the Christian disciplines. 
• Purpose of Practicing:  To grow closer to God so our lives are transformed to be less self-centered and more Christ-centered.    
• The Disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration. 
• Scriptural Definition:  Submission is the act of self denial in our relation to God and others.   
• Key verses:  Philippians 2:1-8, Mark 8:34, Matthew 23:8-12, Matthew 21:28-32, Ephesians 5:21-6:9, Colossians 3:18-4:1
• Main Ideas on Submission: 
  • Submission is modeled by Jesus. John 13:1-5, 5:19
  • Submission is counter-culture; it is not based on cultural hierarchies. Galatians 3:28
  • Submission is tied to the cross and Christ’s servanthood. Galatians 2:20
  • Submission calls for self-denial above self-actualization or self-fulfillment. Luke 9:23
  • Submission lays down the burden of always having to be in control.
    • I can’t; He can. He never said I could; He always said He would. He always will, and that’s all I need to know. – Maj. Ian Thomas
  • Submission is not just outward obedience while holding on to inward rebellion. Matthew 21:28-32
  • Submission ultimately says, “Thy will be done.” Matthew 11:28-30
• Daily Application:
  • Take time to focus on others not just yourself.  
  • Value the voices of all people.  
  • Don’t put too much stock in titles.  
  • Practice submission in seven areas of life:
    • God
    • Scriptures
    • family
    • friends
    • church
    • less fortunate
    • worldview. 
• Conclusion: Jesus modeled submission in His relationship to his heavenly Father, in his role as a servant, and his death on the cross. We therefore say, “Thy will be done, how can I serve, and how can I take up my cross today.