Outward Patterns of Expression

Matthew 7:15–20 NKJV

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

As we continue our series, I want to talk to you about spiritual patterns that lean toward outward expression.

That is not because there is no inward attention but because these patterns reveal inward pursuits in outward behaviors.

We are not only offered the promise of a new life in Christ but we are also promised a new kind of life (2 Corinthians 5:17, John 10:10).

What is better, the promise or the reality? The promise is meant to give us focus and encourage us to persevere unto the reality (cf. Romans 8:19-25). And though we are waiting for the fullness the Father gave us the Holy Spirit so that we might begin to enter into it (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).

The hard thing is the space between faith and fullness. From when we were born again into new life to the point where our mortality is completely swallowed up in life there are many challenges (John 3:7, 2 Corinthians 5:4).

Have you ever struggled to “practice what you preach” so to speak?

Here is the simple truth: authentic spirituality is challenging.

It requires sowing before reaping and the cross before the crown.

I believe that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord wants to experience and live according to the hope of their salvation. I also believe that when we can learn to live by the patterns and spiritual practices that Christ left for us then we can experience the new life and freedom for which Christ set us free.

The Challenge of New Life

We know that being passive about the practice of our faith doesn’t work. Just having a desire for change and growth doesn’t result in the kind of change and growth we want (ex: gym, health).

We also know that “hamster wheel” religion doesn’t change us either. Just doing “spiritual” things to be busy and so that we can say we are doing something doesn’t change us in the way we want either. That just makes us tired and burned out and leaves us wondering what is the point.

God knew that religion was empty and incapable of bringing us into blessing and the promise of new life in Christ. Remember that Christianity is more about sharing life with God now and into eternity than it is escaping the life we had without Him. This is why Jesus came and showed us a new way.

We need to learn to follow the spiritual practices that Jesus left for us so that we can become formed according to the pattern of Christ and share in His glory (Romans 8:29-30).

A New and Living Way

Hebrews 10:19–23 NKJV

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Though this passage is speaking of Jesus’ death on the cross as the means to a new and living way, notice the fact that it came through His flesh. It was His life—the way that He lived and the way He spoke and the way He acted—that opened the door into God’s presence for us.

Here are some patterns of behavior that we can follow in our own lives that will help bring us more deeply into God’s presence.

Simplicity

2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

At its core, living a life of simplicity is about removing complexity and complication so that we can be fully present to God (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

This is about seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).

“The person who does not seek the kingdom first does not seek it at all.” — Richard Foster

How do you practice simplicity? Evaluate all things against the one thing (Psalm 27:4, Philippians 3:13).

Simplicity does have an economic element to it (this was even included in the context of Jesus words in Matthew 6). This is because our heart follows our treasure —not the other way around (Matthew 6:21).

With this in mind, consider how things enhance your ability to connect to God or distract from it.

Do you buy things for status or for usefulness? Does the pursuit of status bring you closer to God?

Do you buy things that produce addiction in you? Do addictions distract you from God and drive your behavior?

Do you practice generosity? Giving things away allow you to be free from attachment.

Do you learn to enjoy the things you have, or have access to? “Spark joy”

When you talk, is it simple — yes means yes and no means no (Matthew 5:37)? Not vanity, lies, flattery, nonsense.

Illustration: For me, 1 team. 1 sport. Even then, limited.

Living from simplicity is not easy, but it frees us from greed and teaches us contentment. It allows us to enjoy what we have in any given moment as a gift from God.

Living from simplicity is ultimately about putting everything in its place. It is about preventing the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches to choke out the word of God in our lives (Matthew 13:22).

Solitude

Matthew 14:23 NKJV

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

The practice of solitude is about creating a space where you can be alone with God without distraction or competition for your attention.

Jesus often left the crowds and the noise and withdrew into the wilderness to be alone with God (Luke 5:16).

Solitude is sometimes considered as a “container discipline.” In other words, it helps other patterns, like the discipline of silence, to be practiced.

To practice solitude withdraw.

Withdraw from others. So you can be with God.

Withdraw from the noise. Silence teaches you to listen (to God and others).

Withdraw from technology. Removing stimuli.

Draw near to God (James 4:6). Be still and know that He is there (Psalm 46:10).

Illustration: The closet.

Solitude leads to differentiation. It teaches you, in God’s presence, to embrace the person God is making you. It helps you learn to be alone and not lonely, with others but without losing your identity. So practice solitude (and silence) and allow God’s spirit to work.

Submission

Philippians 2:8 NKJV

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus lived a submitted life. He didn’t just submit when it was convenient or comfortable. His attitude was to in all things submit to the will of God and to honor the people around Him.

Philippians 2:3 NKJV

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

The Scripture offers us a number of areas that we should practice submission:

Submission to God (James 4:7)

Submission to our spouses (Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18)

Submission to parents (Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 3:20)

Submission to authority, both natural and spiritual (1 Peter 2:13, Romans 13:1, Hebrews 13:17)

Submission to bosses (1 Peter 2:18)

Submission to other believers (Ephesians 5:21)

I do like the advice of Richard Foster when it comes to how far does our submission to people go? He suggests that we continue to submit until it becomes destructive. When that happens, we need to step back.

Illustration: Apostles in front of the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:19). They accepted authority up to the point of not offending God.

Submission is not easy, but it is required. Submission leads to honor. Because Jesus humbled Himself and lived a submitted lifestyle, God exalted Him (Philippians 2:9-11).

Service

Mark 10:45 NKJV

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 9:35 NKJV

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

When talking about the pattern of service we are not talking about simply the action of service but the attitude of servanthood.

Service was a lifestyle of Jesus. He came serving the Father. He came to serve humanity. He served the disciples. He ministered and healed and blessed people.

Jesus lived His life understanding that He was here for others. His life was not His own but it truly was given as an offering to others. As He preached the gospel of the kingdom, and sent others He said, “Freely you have received so freely give” (Matthew 10:8). This is the same attitude that we are supposed to have.

The pattern of serving is not limited to church (though it surely includes that). It really is more about context and opportunity. I can be as simple as serving widows by making them coats and garments (like Dorcas, Acts 9:39). It can be as grand as serving the Lord as a minister of the gospel, or serving your country in the military, or serving your community as a first responder.

The simple application is this: servants serve. Therefore, find ways to serve. God, family, work, church, etc.

Illustration: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.”—D.L. Moody (Isaiah 6:8).

Service leads to freedom from compulsion and from the self-righteousness of the flesh.

Conclusion

Each of these patterns are practiced so that we might be transformed more like Christ.

Simplicity leads us back to pure devotion to God.

Solitude leads us to wholeness and acceptance to who we are in God’s presence.

Submission leads us to honor and honor leads to exaltation.

Service leads us to freedom from the flesh.

Let’s follow Christ and add these practices to our own lives.

Challenge: pick 1. Pray