Great Doctrines - Grace Church of DuPage

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D OCTRINAL OCTRINAL LLESSON
L ESSON SSECTION
S ECTION 25 TTHE
T HE SSPIRITUAL
S PIRITUAL DDISCIPLINES
D ISCIPLINES
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY
We will never get anywhere in life without discipline; be it in the arts, business,
athletics, or academics. This is doubly true in spiritual matters. In other areas we
may be able to claim some innate advantage, as an athlete was born with a strong body,
or a musician naturally has perfect pitch, or an artist has an eye for perspective. But in
the spiritual realm we are all at a decided disadvantage. Therefore, even as children of
grace, our spiritual discipline is important. And so Paul’s admonition to Timothy
regarding the need for spiritual discipline in 1Timothy 4:7 takes on not only
transcending importance-but personal urgency. In a word, he is calling for spiritual sweat,
to get rid of every encumbrance, every association, habit and tendency that impeded
godliness.
The call to train ourselves in godliness also suggests directing all of our energy toward
discipline. We should note that in 1Corinthians 9:25-27, Paul states that intense
training is required, because he uses terms such as “labor” and “strive”. When one
seriously trains, he willingly undergoes hours of rigorous discipline to win the prize.
Whether or not we have disciplined ourselves will make a huge difference in this life.
we are all members of one another, and we are either elevated or depressed by the
inner lives of one another. Some of us affect others like a joyous tide, lifting them
upward ~ but some of us are like undertows to the flock. Spiritual discipline, therefore,
holds a huge promise for this life.
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE:
Through faithful obedience and submission to God, I will not quench nor grieve the
Holy Spirit. (1Thes. 5:19, Eph. 4:30)
HOMEWORK:
Read the central passages daily.
Read Grudem Chapter 18.
GREAT DOCTRINES III ~ SANCTIFICATION PART 3~SECTION 25~PAGE 3
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Notes