Principles of Spiritual Fitness

Start Timer

Last week was our consultation. We talked about checking our vitals by comparing our church to the Statement of Faith and Church Covenant. We learned how to know our body by recognizing that God decides what part we play and what our individual gifts are. We learned that we must plan a workout for our body because exercise without discipline produces strain, not strength.

QUESTIONS

How does your spiritual life measure up against the Church Covenant and Statement of Faith?

What gift has God given you that will help others in our church in a unique way?

Are you using your gift too little or too much in the church?

Read Text and Pray

1 Corinthians 12:4–11 NASB95

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Notes:

“Gifts” is not used in the original. This simply means “pertaining to the Spirit.” The religions of Corinth used termslike “ecstasy”and “enthusiasm” to describe religious experiences and Paul is distinguishing the Spirit’s work in the church from those pagan notions.

Paul is warning the church to not practice the Christian religion in the same ways they used to before Christ.

We should judge spiritual practices and teachings by their content and not by our feelings or senses.

Spiritual Gifts are generally either associated with speaking or with serving. They are different from natural talents and abilities. Their purpose is to build up the church.

The degree of spiritual power in the gift correlates with the degree of power needed to fulfill a particular ministry.

Knowledge relates to understanding the truth, and wisdom relates to using the truth.

The gift of Faith is related to endurance in difficulty and not saving faith.

The gift of miracles was the ability to do supernatural works to authenticate the Gospel message prior to canonization.

(30m)

Follow The Plan

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 NASB95

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

The Trainer Knows What He’s Talking About

The Trainer Has A Proven Track Record

Exhortation

(20m)

Nutrition And Hydration Are Essential

1 Corinthians 12:7 NASB95

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Feed On The Word

Drink Of The Spirit

Exhortation

(10m)

No Pain, No Gain

Pain Can Point To Growth

Pressure Can Push Your Potential

Exhortation

(5m)

CONCLUSION

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