Sermon for the Sullivan SDA Church

Nov 13th, 2004

Spirituality

our mission - our sense of what God has called us to do

 

Under God’s guidance, we meet people where they are, and lead them to experience a growing relationship in Christ with us.

our vision - what our church will look like when we are accomplishing our mission

 

To be a growing church that transforms our community, models singular devotion to Christ, and is prepared for His coming.

our core values - principles that define how we do ministry together as we pursue our mission

1         Empowering Leadership - Many people are leaders and don’t even know it; we lead in a variety of ways. (e.g. parent/child, father/family, teacher/student, Christian/unbeliever)  Leadership is influencing people toward something better in their lives.  Not that we are better, but we participate with God in directing them to the happiest life possible with Him.  We “empower” leaders by apprenticing new leaders.  We guide and equip them so that together we multiply our influence for good and accomplish God’s mission.

Ephesians 4:11,12; 2 Timothy 2:2; RH 8/24/86; 11/6/88; 9T 82

2         Gift-Oriented Ministry - We serve the Lord in our areas of giftedness through appropriate ministries so the Body of Christ “grows and builds itself up in love.”

Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:1,4-6; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Peter 4:10; Letter 19, 1901; 8T 186,7

 

 

 

 

3         Passionate Spirituality –

 

We believe continual spiritual growth should be normal for all Christians.  Hence, we encourage Christians of all walks and religious persuasions to become more devoted to Christ by taking delight in the spiritual life.  This includes daily renewal through the personal disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and obedience.

 

Psalm 119:148; Mark 12:30; Romans 6:22; 13:11; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 2:15

4         Functional Structures - Our church’s ministries, systems, programs and policies work optimally through well-defined objectives which are regularly evaluated to ensure functionality and excellence.

Exodus 18:14-22; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:16

5         Inspiring Worship - We gather for worship first and foremost for our heavenly Father.  We worship Him in spirit and truth because of His beautiful holiness, creative power and loving kindness.  The blending of spirit and truth reveals our commitment to authentic expressions of praise and adoration that are biblical, decent and orderly.

Psalm 29:2; 96:6,9; 99:5,9; 138:2; John 4:23; 1 Corinthians 14:40; Revelation 4:11; 5:9,10; 14:7

6         Holistic Small Groups - We desire everyone to be involved in a small group that ministers to their spiritual, mental, physical, and social needs.  Since leadership is vital to this ministry, we equip them through regular training, encourage them through monthly briefings, and evaluate them through annual reviews.  While these discipleship groups vary, they are primarily focused on life transformation and evangelism.

Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:46-47; Philemon 2; RH 5/30/71; 9/29/91; 7T 21-22, 195

7         Need-Oriented Evangelism - People are at the heart of our existence as a church.  We authentically and intentionally cultivate friendships with pre-Christians to lead them to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.  We use Jesus’ own method of mingling with people desiring their good, showing sympathy, ministering to them, winning their confidence, and inviting them to follow Him.

Matthew 25:34-40; 28:29,20; Luke 19:10; Revelation 14:6; MH 143

8         Loving Relationships - People matter - they’re the only thing going to heaven.  We are known for our love for all people without regard to gender, race, social or economic status.  We accept people as they are and desire for them the happiest, highest and holiest life possible with God.  We hold special regard for those who are destitute, without loved ones, and in need of our sympathy.

 

 

I                   The context of the book of Romans:

 

A.              The book of Romans is a letter written by Paul to Jewish Christians living in Rome.

 

B.               In Romans, Paul provides detailed arguments showing that Christianity is the natural and proper understanding of what God has been telling the Jews since the time of Moses and Abraham.

 

C.              Paul argues that obedience to the law of God (the foundation of the Jewish Faith) can only be accomplished through the workings of Christ in the heart and mind.

 

D.              The Jew’s effort to obey the law by their own power has only produced a very disobedient race of people.

 

E.               Paul then speaks in Romans 8 about the indwelling of Christ in the heart through the Holy Spirit.

 

 

Romans 8:1-17

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.[1]

 

"My heart leaps up when I behold"

by:  William Wordsworth

MY heart leaps up when I behold

           A rainbow in the sky:

So was it when my life began,

            So is it now I am a man,

So be it when I shall grow old

           Or let me die!

The child is father of the man:

And I could wish my days to be

Bound each to each by natural piety

 

II                What is a Spiritual person?   What is “Natural Piety?”

 

1.          A person who normally is has Spiritual things on his mind.

 

a       Praising God verbally and mentally

b       Always having praise and thanksgiving

c        Prays continually

 

2.          A person who is always a good example to everyone around him.

 

a       Always giving encouragement

b      Always speaking of spiritual things

c       Very Fatherly

d      Denounces sin – is never involved with any questionable activity.

 

3.          His Life Style

 

a       Usually very sober and sometimes somber

b      Only chuckles or smiles lightly indulgently when told of our trials. Seeming is above all these things.

c       Only listens to Classical music. Probably Bach Masses.

d      Dresses very conservatively

e       Is very careful in his diet

f         Never expresses any political views except very conservative family values; children, obey your parents.

g      Is soft spoken, never raises his voice

 

III            What a Spiritual person does not do!

 

1.          Never cusses!

2.          Never gets excited

3.          Never gets involved in sports except with small children.

4.          Doesn’t listen to country western music, rock-n-roll, rock, rap, soul, jazz!

5.          Never goes to a bar, dance, show, theater, etc.

6.          etc.

 

A.             So heavenly minded as to be of no earthly value.

 

IV              IS THIS THE TYPE OF PERSON YOU WANT TO BE ?

 

A.             Do you see that there’s a lot of truth in what we’ve covered, but a lot wrong ideas as well ?

 

V                 What does the Bible represent as a Spiritual Person?

 

A.             First, there’s Jesus

 

1.          Was He all these things.   Yes, but, sometimes No.

 

a       He had prostitutes as close friends.

b      He ran the crooks out of the Temple twice.

c       Was a rugged individual, traveled continually

d      Was a activist

e       Etc.

 

B.              Paul

a       A rugged individual – Traveled extensively

b      Cultured, spoke several languages

c       Was very well educated

d      A debater – even an argumentative person

e       Was often very technical in his arguments

f         An extreme activist

g      Caused social and societal commotion wherever he went.

 

 

C.              David

 

a       The great poet of Israel

b      A warrior

c       An activist

d      A social engineer

e       A builder

 

D.             Moses

 

a       The Law Giver

b      The warrior

c       The social engineer

d      The rugged individual

e       The well educated statesman

 

E.              Ellen White – Did she follow the outline above.  Mostly Yes.

 

a       Little formal education, but a self made woman

b      One of the greatest women orators ever.

c       Often physically weak

d      Often sadden by the words she had to speak

e       Greatly traveled. All across the USA, Europe, Australia.

 

F.               Do any of these individuals reflect a Spiritual lifestyle that you    could be comfortable with?

 

 

 

 

 

VI              What does it take to become a Spiritual Person

 

A.             A vision of myself as a spiritual person!

 

Proverbs 29:18

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  [2]

B.              By Beholding

 

2 Corinthians 3:18

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.  [3]

C.              By taking time to study and pray

 

In arousing and strengthening a love for Bible study, much depends on the use of the hour of worship. The hours of morning and evening worship should be the sweetest and most helpful of the day. Let it be understood that into these hours no troubled, unkind thoughts are to intrude; that parents and children assemble to meet with Jesus and to invite into the home the presence of holy angels.  Child Guidance Chapter 78.

In giving us His word, God has put us in possession of every truth essential for our salvation. Thousands have drawn water from these wells of life, yet there is no diminishing of the supply. Thousands have set the Lord before them, and by beholding have been changed into the same image. Their spirit burns within them as they speak of His character, telling what Christ is to them, and what they are to Christ. But these searchers have not exhausted these grand and holy themes. Thousands more may engage in the work of searching out the mysteries of salvation. As the life of Christ and the character of His mission are dwelt upon, rays of light will shine forth more distinctly at every attempt to discover truth. Each fresh search will reveal something more deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice and mediatorial work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last; and looking to heaven with its unnumbered years he will exclaim, "Great is the mystery of godliness."  {Christ Object Lessons, page 133 paragraph 4}

D.             By engaging in the work of God

 

it is by working for others that you will keep your own souls alive.     {Call to Missionary Evangelism and Health education; Page  25 paragraph 3}

 

VII          To be a Spiritual Person is to be like Christ!

 

John 15:26

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: [4]

 

 

Ephesians 4:13

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:   [5]

 

 

 

 


[1]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.

[2]The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

[3]The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

[4]The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

[5]The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.