Spiritual fitness plan

Stand Alone Topical Sermon  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  1:18:51
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Stand up for Jesus

If you are willing and able would you all please stand up for just a minute?
Everyone stretch their arms up: That you you lifting your arms in praise to our Lord and King.
Everyone stretch your arms in front of you: This is you reaching out to the Lord through His word and prayer.
Everyone reach out to the sides: This is you coming along side other believers in fellowship
OK, you can sit down now, thank you for participating in this.

5BX Fitness plan

In the 1950’’s there was an exercise program called 5BX (Five Basic Exercises).
It was developed by the Royal Canadian Air Force
It was then published in a booklet form and sold 23 million copies in Canada.
It consisted, consists of fiver exercises to be done daily in 11 minutes, 12 for women.
In adapting this message today from what I gleaned from Mark Copeland and his take on this, I will show five spiritual fitness exercises we can do to make us spiritually fit. So, this morning be sure you strap in this is scripture rich.

Read the word

The word of God helps us grow spiritually (1Pt2:2)
1 Peter 2:2 NASB95
2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
The word of God equips us (2Tim3:16-17)
2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB95
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
The word of God strengthens us to resist the devil and to resist Sin (Mt4:4, 7, 10; Jesus used it against Satan, then turn to Ps119:11)
Psalm 119:11 NASB95
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.
The word of God has great value ( Have everyone turn there; no slide on this one Ps19:7-10)
Stretching slide back here again
Psalm 19:7–10 NASB95
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
The word is foundational, just like stretching is necessary when it comes to physical fitness, it is foundational, so is the word of God for our spiritual fitness. So:
Develop the habit of reading God’s word daily
Like any exercise program you start slow, maybe a chapter a day of the N.T.
Progress on this to a point where you can read the bible through in a year. There are many different plans you can find to help with that.
When stretching, stretch to learn, read devotionally looking for application, meditate on God’s word.
God’s word will help you grow in true knowledge of and grow beyond the milk of the word and beyond saving grace to sanctifying grace.

Time in prayer

There is power in prayer, and the power of prayer can be seen
Forgiveness (1Jn1:7-8)
1 John 1:7–8 NASB95
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9–10 NASB95
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
There is peace from God (Php4:6-7)
Philippians 4:6–7 NASB95
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
There is strength of God (Eph3:14-16)
Ephesians 3:14–16 NASB95
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
There is opportunities presented from God (Col4:3)
Colossians 4:3 NASB95
3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
There is a boldness we can ask of God (Eph6:19-20)
Ephesians 6:19–20 NASB95
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
There is wisdom from God (Jm1:5-8)
James 1:5–6 NASB95
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
James 1:7–8 NASB95
7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
There is healing from God (Jm5:14-16)
James 5:14–15 NASB95
14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
James 5:16 NASB95
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Yes even more, there is tranquility from God (1Tim2:1-4)
1 Timothy 2:1–2 NASB95
1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:3–4 NASB95
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(Transition) So, when we couple the Word of God which is foundational, with prayer we are well on our way to being spiritually fit, so now to press on about prayer more.
Pray fervently (Jm5:16)
Pray daily (Mt5:9; Php4:6-7)
Pray unceasingly (1The5:17)
One more scripture to consider (Col4:2)- be devoted in prayer.
Colossians 4:2 NASB95
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

Singing praises

The role and reason of singing
To Praise God (Act16:25)
Acts 16:25 NASB95
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
As a spiritual sacrifice to God (Heb13:15)
Hebrews 13:15 NASB95
15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
To fill our heart and make a melody with our heart (Col3:16; Eph5:19)
Colossians 3:16 NKJV
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:19 NASB95
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
A way to respond to the goodness of God (Jm5:13)
James 5:13 NASB95
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
Singing praises is coupled with the Word and is foundational to our spiritual health. A few more small points to make about lifting our voice in praise and adoration.
Make time to lift your voice in praise each day, it will lift your spirit and bring joy to the Lord who inhabits the praises of His people.
Lift your voice within yourself or out-loud as you go about your day. It helps you to keep a godly outlook on things, yes even difficult and trying things.
Make a melody in your heart, sing with grace in your heart as the scriptures tell us (Eph5:19; Col3:16 again)
(Transition) singing enriches our souls and helps fortify our relationship with God. And, this now brings us to next exercise that helps strengthen our relationship with God and with others.

Fellowship with Christians

Christians are the body, the body of Christ and it is built up when each part comes together and each does it’s part (Eph4:15-16)
Ephesians 4:15–16 NASB95
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Fellowship, assembling together is designed to spur, or stimulate one another to good works (Heb10:24-25)
Hebrews 10:24–25 NASB95
24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Fellowship is a source of comfort and edification (1Th5:11)
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Fellowship is a good preventative tool from getting, having a hardened heart by deceitfulness of sin (Heb3:12-14)
Hebrews 3:12–14 NASB95
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
Fellowship is crucial for spiritual health. You cannot love God and not love the body. It is helpful in helping you to stay faithful to the Lord and be steadfast for Him.
A few more words on fellowship.
Come together, assemble together often, make it a priority for God made You one and sent Jesus.
Take advantage of the brotherhood we share together when we meet together, not just on a Sunday but other times too.
Think of and put into actions way you can continue to fellowship with other Christians on a regular basis.
Meals, going to coffee
Bible studies, text groups, phone calls, cards, or other social occasions too.
(Transition) Have you been counting the exercises for spiritual fitness of the 5BX plan? We have had four so far, so one more.

Do good works!

We know we are not saved by good works (Eph2:8-9, Tit3:4-5) but for good works that will glorify God
Ephesians 2:10 NASB95
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
then
Matthew 5:16 NASB95
16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
We are called to be fruitful in every good work (Col1:10)
Colossians 1:10 NASB95
10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
By the power of the Lord within, we are not to grow weary of doing good works (Gal6:9-10)
Galatians 6:9–10 NKJV
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Some good works we can do
Share the gospel with others
Minister (serve) others physically, spiritually
Utilize the resources God has given you (time, talents, money) to help others
Each day look for a way to do something that is a blessing to someone else.
God’s plan of salvation
We have looked at a spiritual fitness plan
Reading the word
Spending time in prayer
Singing praises
Fellowship with other Christians
Doing good works.
I spiritual journey comes with some spiritual steps. Have you heard and followed the steps? God invites You to receive His forgiveness, His Spirit by surrendering to His will and His way of redemption.
(Prayer) (Exit)
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