Body Building: Mirror Work
Notes
Transcript
Series Verse:
Series Verse:
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Sermon Text:
Sermon Text:
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
1. In any gym there is a wall of mirrors, those mirrors are so that you can CHECK YOUR OWN FORM.
1. In any gym there is a wall of mirrors, those mirrors are so that you can CHECK YOUR OWN FORM.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
40 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord;
5 Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
Judge yourself, examine your ways, consider your ways.
Judge yourself, examine your ways, consider your ways.
we have all been in the place were the mirror to show of.
So when i talk about mirror if you are thinking about the guy or girl who is not really using the mirror to show off. this is not what we are talking about today.
this kind of ‘showing off’ happens in Sunday School and small groups all the time.
when I was training for ministry I was guilty of the same kind of showing off.
if when you hear this you are saying to yourself… that's me! I do that! it is likely that like I was you are dealing with a insecurity and looking for affirmation.
Affirmation to the level you are seeking only happens over time and transparency.
you may get the momentary acknowledgement from having the correct answer to the question. however, you are likely to find that the affirmation you relieve in that moment feels cheap. often it feels cheap because the it’s likely because the way it was presented in a way that is cheap.
why do I bring this up? Because when I talk about looking at your forum (doing the Mirror work.) i can here you saying I have done all of that and it didn't work for me. you need relationship with God, and that relationship with God will bring relationship with others.
2. We are called to train ourselves.
2. We are called to train ourselves.
7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.
Do you see here the phrase exercise yourself?
Do you see here the phrase exercise yourself?
this is very different from the modern Charismatic thought. when I hear people talk about there spiritual lives they act as if they are Jesus 2nd cousin.
maybe they talk like this because its the language they learned.
however, if the language we use is exclusive rather than inclusive then we are pointing to ourselves rather than Christ.
those of us with Charismatic tendencies have this tendency to think and talk in terms of happenings which leads to mystical language.
& in a sense it is mystical because it is the Holy Spirit that draws us into desiring change in ourselves that would lead to a better spiritual fruit but as this verse teaches us we have to exercise ourselves.
it means that we cant simply sit and sing com by ah. if I am going to grow, as the Holy Spirit leads i am going to need to ad effort and energy.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
note the word add in verse 5.
the apostle doesn't say wait until it comes he says add.
of course this doesn't mean that it is simple it just means that we have to participate in the process.
3. How do we do this Mirror work?
3. How do we do this Mirror work?
We need to take a sober (accurate) look at ourselves.
a person cannot change what you do not admit.
Romans 12:3 “3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
remember any sober analysis is going to include the things your Good at as well as the things that need work .
as an example you may think your spouse is to greedy, but realize that they may be planning for the lean times. or reverse.
look for the biblical example and understanding of the thing that you are looking to Change.
don’t forget to involve your team in your training.
What is the take away?
What is the take away?
1. the take away is that we are growing into the likeness and image of Christ. Christ, is the goal, not being ‘more spiritual’ than other Christians.
1. the take away is that we are growing into the likeness and image of Christ. Christ, is the goal, not being ‘more spiritual’ than other Christians.
2. While the Holy Spirit leads me to bearing better spiritual fruit, I have to engage through the act of my will.
2. While the Holy Spirit leads me to bearing better spiritual fruit, I have to engage through the act of my will.