Sermon Series: “Walking with Jesus, The Spiritual Disciplines”

### **Message 1: Walking with Jesus in the Discipline of Meditation**

**Key Scriptures:** Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8, Luke 5:16, Philippians 4:8

Meditation invites us to slow down and fix our hearts and minds on Christ. It is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual discipline that allows us to hear God’s voice, be transformed by His Word, and rest in His presence. Jesus modeled this discipline by withdrawing to desolate places to pray (Luke 5:16), showing us the value of solitude and reflection.

**Personal Application:** Create a daily habit of meditating on Scripture, perhaps focusing on a single verse or passage, and allowing it to sink deeply into your heart.

**Corporate Application:** Organize a church retreat or workshop to teach and practice biblical meditation as a way of deepening intimacy with God.

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### **Message 2: Walking with Jesus in the Discipline of Prayer**

**Key Scriptures:** Matthew 6:9-13, James 5:16, Luke 18:1, Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer is our lifeline to God, a constant reminder of our dependence on His grace. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, not as a ritual but as a relational and transformative practice. In the Lord’s Prayer, we see a model for aligning our hearts with God’s purposes. Foster describes prayer as "life-creating and life-changing," urging us to approach it as a means of partnership with God.

**Personal Application:** Start a prayer journal, recording prayers and how God answers them, cultivating a spirit of gratitude and faith.

**Corporate Application:** Form prayer groups within your church to intercede for one another, your community, and the world.

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### **Message 3: Walking with Jesus in the Discipline of Giving ourselves completely to God

The Bible is filled with passages encouraging or commanding believers to give generously of their time, talent, and treasures. Below are some key passages from both the Old and New Testaments, grouped by the themes of giving:

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### **Old Testament:**

1. **Giving as Worship and Obedience**

- **Proverbs 3:9-10**:

_"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."_

- Encourages giving the first and best of what we have to God.

- **Deuteronomy 15:10**:

_"Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."_

2. **Caring for the Needy**

- **Leviticus 19:9-10**:

_"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. ... Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God."_

- This commanded the Israelites to leave part of their harvest for the poor and needy.

- **Proverbs 19:17**:

_"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."_

3. **Tithing**

- **Malachi 3:10**:

_"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."_

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### **New Testament:**

1. **Giving Reflects God’s Generosity**

- **John 3:16**:

_"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."_

- God's ultimate act of giving is a model for our generosity.

- **2 Corinthians 9:7**:

_"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."_

2. **Giving to Those in Need**

- **Matthew 25:35-40**:

_"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."_

- **Acts 20:35**:

_"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"_

3. **Sacrificial Giving**

- **Mark 12:41-44** (The Widow’s Offering):

_"Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."_

4. **Using Talents for God’s Kingdom**

- **Matthew 25:14-30** (The Parable of the Talents):

This parable emphasizes stewardship of God-given abilities and resources.

- **Romans 12:6-8**:

_"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve..."_

5. **Living Generously**

- **Luke 6:38**:

_"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."_

- **1 Timothy 6:17-19**:

_"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age."_

Here are applications of these biblical principles on giving, both **personal** and **corporate**, drawing from the outlined scriptures:

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### **New Testament Applications**

#### 1. **Giving Reflects God’s Generosity**

- **Personal Applications**:

- **Live as Christ gave**: Consider Jesus' self-sacrifice as inspiration to give selflessly, whether financially or through acts of kindness.

- **Cheerful giving**: Give with gratitude, reflecting on the blessings you’ve received from God.

- **Corporate Applications**:

- **Model generosity**: Encourage generosity in the congregation by sharing testimonies and stories of how giving has impacted others.

- **Discipleship in giving**: Offer financial stewardship classes that teach believers to manage their resources with a Kingdom perspective.

#### 2. **Giving to Those in Need**

- **Personal Applications**:

- **Serve others as Christ**: Look for opportunities to serve those in need, knowing that in doing so, you serve Christ.

- **Adopt a "least of these" mindset**: Identify ways to support those on society’s margins, such as prisoners, the homeless, or immigrants.

- **Corporate Applications**:

- **Church-wide service days**: Organize events where members can serve in soup kitchens, repair homes, or provide other tangible help.

- **Create benevolence funds**: Establish funds to help members or local families facing emergencies.

#### 3. **Sacrificial Giving**

- **Personal Applications**:

- **Small sacrifices for others**: Like the widow, consider giving even when it feels costly, trusting God with the outcome.

- **Lifestyle adjustments**: Simplify your lifestyle to free resources for Kingdom purposes.

- **Corporate Applications**:

- **Mission giving**: Prioritize funding missions, even if it requires sacrifices in other areas of the church budget.

- **Encourage sacrificial faith**: Share stories of biblical and contemporary examples of sacrificial giving to inspire others.

#### 4. **Using Talents for God’s Kingdom**

- **Personal Applications**:

- **Discover and deploy talents**: Identify spiritual gifts and find ways to use them in church and community ministries.

- **Mentorship**: Use professional skills or life experience to mentor others within your church or community.

- **Corporate Applications**:

- **Equip the congregation**: Provide training for members to identify their gifts and use them for ministry.

- **Collaborative service**: Organize talent-based teams (e.g., musicians, tech support, medical professionals) to serve the church and beyond.

#### 5. **Living Generously**

- **Personal Applications**:

- **Adopt an open-handed lifestyle**: Practice being generous in all aspects—finances, time, and talents.

- **Intentional giving**: Budget to ensure generosity is a priority.

- **Corporate Applications**:

- **Teach generosity**: Regularly preach and teach on the joy and importance of generosity.

- **Support global missions**: Invest in spreading the gospel and helping those in need worldwide.

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### **Conclusion**

These applications reflect the biblical principle that giving is central to worship, service, and community. Both individuals and organizations can cultivate a culture of generosity, mirroring God’s provision and love.

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### **Message 4: Walking with Jesus in the Discipline of Study**

**Key Scriptures:** Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Proverbs 4:7, Acts 17:11

The discipline of study transforms the mind and equips us to walk in God’s truth. Foster highlights how intentional engagement with Scripture and other Christian writings shapes our worldview. Jesus frequently referenced Scripture, demonstrating His deep knowledge and love for God’s Word.

**Personal Application:** Dedicate time to studying a specific book of the Bible, taking notes, and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal its truths.

**Corporate Application:** Establish a study group within your church to dive deeply into biblical texts and apply their teachings together.

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### **Message 5: Walking with Jesus in the Discipline of Simplicity**

**Key Scriptures:** Matthew 6:19-21, Philippians 4:11-13, 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Luke 12:15

Simplicity frees us from the tyranny of materialism and aligns our hearts with God’s kingdom. Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24), calling His followers to seek first the kingdom of God. Foster encourages believers to embrace simplicity as a way to focus on Christ and love others well.

**Personal Application:** Declutter your home, donating items you no longer need, and practice gratitude for what you have.

**Corporate Application:** Promote a culture of generosity within your church, encouraging members to share resources with those in need.

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### **Message 6: Walking with Jesus in the Discipline of Solitude**

**Key Scriptures:** Mark 1:35, Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 30:15, Luke 6:12

Solitude is a discipline that allows us to withdraw from the noise of life and draw near to God. Jesus often retreated to quiet places to pray, modeling the importance of stepping away from busyness to commune with the Father. Foster emphasizes that solitude is not about isolation but about creating space to hear God’s voice.

**Personal Application:** Set aside a daily time to disconnect from technology and spend uninterrupted time with God.

**Corporate Application:** Offer a day of silence at your church or retreat center, inviting participants to practice solitude together.

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### **Message 7: Walking with Jesus in the Discipline of Worship**

**Key Scriptures:** John 4:23-24, Psalm 95:1-7, Colossians 3:16-17, Hebrews 12:28

Worship is the response of a heart captivated by the glory and grace of God. Jesus declared that true worshipers would worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Foster reminds us that worship is both personal and corporate, uniting believers in adoration of Christ.

**Personal Application:** Begin each day by singing or listening to a worship song, using it as a prayer of thanksgiving.

**Corporate Application:** Develop a worship service that incorporates Scripture readings, songs, and times of silent reflection to focus hearts on Christ.

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### **Message 8: Walking with Jesus in the Discipline of Service**

**Key Scriptures:** Matthew 20:26-28, Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3-7, John 13:14-15

Service reflects the heart of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). Foster describes service as an act of humility that draws us closer to Jesus and helps us live out His love.

**Personal Application:** Look for small ways to serve others in your daily life, such as helping a neighbor or volunteering at a local ministry.

**Corporate Application:** Organize a church-wide day of service, partnering with community organizations to meet practical needs in Jesus’ name.