Renew your Spiritual Vitality

Brenden Bridges

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Good Morning! I want to start this today by just taking a moment and imagine with me that you are sitting across from your best friend. This someone you can trust unconditionally — he/she has your best interests at heart… this a safe place where there is no judgement, rejection or condemnation — Picture your friend looking you in the eye and asking the question.. How are things with your soul? How are things on the inside? You know your private world?

Since the days of Ponce de Leon, people have been searching for the illusive fountain of youth. With all the advancements of medical science, we still haven’t found the magic pill—the best we can do is give a person a more youthful appearance by promoting a healthy lifestyle or by using cosmetics or cosmetic surgery. No matter what we do, we all get a day older every twenty-four hours.

With all the advancements of medical science, we still haven’t found the magic pill—the best we can do is give a person a more youthful appearance by promoting a healthy lifestyle or by using cosmetics or cosmetic surgery. No matter what we do, we all get a day older every twenty-four hours.

Fresh Start Devotionals Staying Young

Since the days of Ponce de Leon, people have been searching for the illusive fountain of youth. With all the advancements of medical science, we still haven’t found the magic elixir—the best we can do is give a person a more youthful appearance by promoting a healthy lifestyle or by using cosmetics or cosmetic surgery. No matter what we do, we all get a day older every twenty-four hours.

Though no one has figured out how to stop the aging process, scientists do know what causes it. According to Amy Ellis Nutt, “We age not because our cells die but because they stop dividing.” (Reader’s Digest, November 2003, p. 74)

Nothing can stay the same, either it is growing (giving of itself by dividing) or it is deteriorating. What is true of our cells is true of our faith.

Take a moment and imagine with me that you are sitting across from your best friend. That person is someone you can Trust unconditionally he/she has your best interests at heart… this a safe place where you can just open up your heart and know that there is no judgement, rejection or condemnation — and your friend looks you in the eye and asks the question.. How are things with your soul? How are things in the inside? You know your private world?

If you were to take a snap shot of your spiritual health today what would it look like? If we were really honest with ourselves.

How is your spiritual health? How is your thought life?

How is your spiritual health? Are you barely holding on or are you

When we talk about spiritual vitality -We speaking about spiritual health… Faith that is abiding and fruit bearing - Faith is is vibrant - faith that is producing life...

“Not feeling it anymore”

Tim Keller has three questions… to test what’s happening inside of us.

1. Are you doing things that are violating your conscience? A bad conscience will destroy your fellowship with God.

2 Secondly, look at your relationships. Are you bitter, or are you isolated?

Are you doing things that are violating your conscience? A bad conscience will destroy your fellowship with God. Secondly, look at your relationships. Are you bitter, or are you isolated?

3. Do you really understand the gospel?

Do you really understand the gospel?

When we talk about spiritual vitality -We speaking about spiritual health…

Sometimes we don’t take time to examine how we are doing… Well you can’t really talk about renewing your spiritual vitality without asking the question how I’m doing…

When we talk about spiritual vitality -We speaking about spiritual health… Faith that is abiding and fruit bearing - Faith is is vibrant - faith that is producing life...

We are in our sermon series in the book of Hebrews and over the past couple of weeks we have been in two great chapters… Hebrews chapter 11 and 12 where we have been looking at the Hall of Faith or the roll call of Faith… this stadium full of active participants with vibrant Faith…They have gone before us… and completed their race.. and now their lives are on display in the grandstands are cheering us on..

have gone before us… and completed their race.. and are cheering us on..

We have the example of Jesus who competed his mission on earth by going to the cross and vicariously winning over sin and death… Fulling all the requirement of the Law… Jesus is seen as the Pioneer and the finisher (consummator) of our faith…

is the Pioneer and the finisher of our faith… Who as forerunner

Now in the next section of scriptures… the preacher turns to us… and our race...… In light of all the benefits that we have in the New Covenant…

puts the responsibility back on us the hearers… In light of all the benefits that we have in the New Covenant….

Hebrews calls Jesus the Pioneer and the finisher (consummator) of our faith… He is the supreme example of how to persevere in the race..... Now in the next section of scriptures… the preacher puts the responsibility back on the hearers…

Spiritual Fitness - Training In Righteousness

Throughout the book of Hebrews — The preacher has been showing all the benefits that we have in the New Covenant….

the target… If we are looking to the finish line what does that look like? He give us the target… What we are to do!

better promises — a better future — better way of drawing near God… all the resources available to us…How is our Race… are we struggling along… or are we thriving....do we have spiritual vitality.

we have all these examples and resources at our desposal… but if we ar

Spiritual Fitness - Training In Righteousness

Spiritual vitality— is connected to how well we are taking care of our spiritual life… soul care.. It is tied to our conditioning… spiritual formation...

Soul care is critical in having spiritual vitality—

Hebrews 12:11 ESV

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

]Inspiration:

Over the past couple of year - I have been learning quite a bit about diet nutrition and exercise… Part of it was educating myself…my goal simple… I just want to feel good as I get older… my goal is clear...

and — with the internet --- knowledge is really not the issue… you have a question you can google it…learning is available…tools are available… community is available..

No matter what we do, we all get a day older every twenty-four hours.

All that is good but what makes knowledge powerful is when you put it to work… applied knowledge is what really counts.

Though no one has figured out how to stop the aging process, scientists do know what causes it. According to Amy Ellis Nutt, “We age not because our cells die but because they stop dividing.”

You take the principle and start putting it into practice…

reading article

You can know the bible inside out and know everything scripture about being a christ follower… you can know what spiritual vitality should look like...

Nothing can stay the same, either it is growing (giving of itself by dividing) or it is deteriorating.

but unless it’s applied knowledge… it won’t make a difference in your life.

… Hebrews tells us that we are to be trained in righteousness… training is a very practical thing…it means that we are being shaped or conditioned by something… We are to bear the fruits of our training in righteousness.

we are appropriating the promises in scripture and making them our own… Hebrews tells us that we are to be trained in righteousness… training is a very practical thing…it means to be shaped or conditioned by something…

Our prepareation is prepare and respond to life…

Inspiration:

Hebrews 12:11–13 ESV

11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Hebrews 12:12–13 ESV

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Hebrews 12:13–15 ESV

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

T/S being Christ follower means being trained …conditioned (discipled) —isn’t not optional but necessary part of faith.

heb 12:1

Hebrews 11:12–13 ESV

Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

heb 11:12-13

Each of us is influence by someone or something being being Christ follower means being trained …conditioned (discipled) —isn’t not optional but necessary part of faith.

This passage vividly pictures God as a challenging coach who pushes us to our limits, encouraging us beyond what we think we can attain.

each of us is influence by someone or something being being Christ follower means being trained …conditioned (discipled) —isn’t not optional but necessary part of faith.

The language in is borrowed from the greek games…it takes conditioning… lay aside weights that hold is backhand the sin that habitually sets us back… it takes effort to competed and complete the contest… and just at the point when you are ready to give up.. the preacher tells us to step it up..

This section of scripture reminds me of those Friday night football games where the scores are so close and either team could win.… that one touch down or conversion .. makes the difference.. everyone is on the edge of their seats… The coach is planing that one play that could win the game... He pushes the team to make one last effort. Many Football games are won and lost in the final moments..

It’s that last effort is often when games are won or lost..y!

We have all seen those moments where there is that one play… that one point .. that make sure the difference.. that last effort is often when games are won or lost..you can almost here the preacher come on guys you have one good play left!

What we are to do is to be trained (discipled) — The language he uses is borrowed from the greek games..

This is what is going on in thin this text… what brings spiritual vitality in our lives is...

I. Spiritual Lifting - Working on Our weakness.

instruction

ins

instruction

Some people make their craft look easy, but there are often years of discipline and practice behind their craft.

Consider the comedian Jerry Seinfeld. If he makes people laugh it's because every word is chosen carefully and the timing of his delivery has been honed and practiced with rigorous discipline. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Seinfeld talks about the thousands and thousands of pages of notes he has taken on his jokes:

I don't want people to know how much work I put into it. I just think it's more fun when it seems off the cuff. You want things that are just fun to say. It's fun to say Cocoa Crisp and Fruity Pebbles. It's not fun to say Oat Bran. Pops has a consonant strength that Froot Loops does not have. Frosted Flakes? Soft. Sugar Pops is on the end and not by coincidence. I plan that out.

The editing process takes time, focus, and diligence. Seinfeld added, "You're always trying to trim everything down to absolute rock, solid rock. I will sit there for 15 minutes to make it one syllable shorter."

The christians that the author is addressing are at the point of exhaustion… morale was low.. and maybe even at the point of giving up. But rather than concede defeat… he tells them to take a new grip… put in some extra effort and push themselves a little harder.

It is amazing what you can achieved. when someone next to you believes in you and encourages you to push a little harder……that is what training is all about..

The picture here is that of God as a challenging coach pushes us to our limits, encouraging us beyond what we think we can attain...

For the moment it seems painful… moment is a period of time… moments don’t last that long…

The picture here is that of God as a challenging coach pushes us to our limits, encouraging us beyond what we think we can attain...

This is true of exercise…

Have you ever pushed a little harder....

to be trained (state) v. — to be or become shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training.

There are benefits being trained by righteousness…

to be trained (state) v. — to be or become shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training.

I was reading that that in the field of psychotherapy, it is evident that many neurotics attempt to escape pain by their neurotic action. Instead of dealing with issues they put off the pain to a later date, when most likely it will be far worse than at the time they sought to escape it.

In the field of psychotherapy, it is evident that many neurotics attempt to escape pain by their neurotic action. In fact, what they are doing is putting off the pain to a later date, when most likely it will be far worse than at the time they sought to escape it. Instead of getting the task done early and meeting the suffering head-on at the earliest proper time.. the exacerbate the proKen… by waiting… Why put off for tomorrow anxieties that can be met right now?

The preachers tells us— Why put off for tomorrow anxieties that can be met right now? vrs 11

In fact, what they are doing is putting off the pain to a later date, when most likely it will be far worse than at the time they sought to escape it. Instead of getting the task done early and meeting the suffering head-on at the earliest proper time.. the exacerbate the proKen… by waiting… Why put off for tomorrow anxieties that can be met right now?

preacher talks about the moment… in the moment.. vers11

One of God’s disciplines is immediate obedience, getting the task done early, meeting the suffering head-on at the earliest proper . Why put off for tomorrow anxieties that can be met right now?

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The preacher

In the present moment discipline seems difficult.

For the moment it seems painful… moment is a period of time… moments don’t last that long…

In the present moment discipline seems difficult. It appears or has the impression that it is more difficult than pleasant… If you put it on a scale it is going to appear to be one sided… but it is only an impression...

The word Seems means to regard something as presumably true… It is the assumption that discipline itself is going to be do difficult to bare....

For some of us — this is the road block between us and success — somehow the effort is going to be too much…

One of the things we have to learn is the benefits of delayed gratification.. We live in a world where we get instant gratification… You can go to any city and get drive through food… if we don’t have the cash --- don’t worry someone will lend us the money… and we will pay for it a long time… discipline is the long view...

If you were looking at an equation...

What we need to do is remind ourselves consistently that a disciplined life… need to change the messages we play in our minds..

The Lack of discipline reaps the fruit of Regrets

“It hurts now but one day it will be your warm up”

will pay off… “It hurts now but one day it will be your warm up”

The preaches sees discipline as the Pathway to success.. the difference between a natural path and one that has been cleared… a natural path is windy… with stones and obstacles that can trip up… but he says make a straight path… it takes some effort to develop a path.. boulders and stumbling blocks must be removed…Here is the real power… once you have cleared all the obstacles… its going be easier!!! next time you need to go from A-B…

today work out will be tomorrows warm up...

= Regrets

We need to see discipline as the Pathway success.. the difference between a natural path and one that has been cleared… a natural path is windy… with stones and obstacles that can trip up… but he says make a straight path… it takes some effort to develop a path.. boulders and stumbling blocks must be removed…Here is the real power… once you have cleared all the obstacles… its going be easier!!! next time you need to go from A-B…

This is very practical instructions! DISCIPLINE

What you are doing is

Take time to go through your sechedule the unneccessary stuff..

Take time to prepare healthy food.

Put down what’s is essential…

Make time for things that are going to promote health.

Make time in your schedule for sleep.

Make room for savings..

Make room for relationships -

Make time to spend in God’s word and to pray...

Make room for soul care… reading the scriptures — reflection and for prauyer..

The principle here is that -

Discipline in our lives will produce fruit that leads to life of higher yields…… If your are conditioned when you meet that challenge you are going to be more likely to overcome.. or meet the challenge…

It just takes small changes...

… Jesus taught that if you have faith as mustard seed you can move mountains..

YIELDS..

It leads to a life of Shalom and fulness to those who are trained by it…trained means

… If your are conditioned when you meet that challenge you are going to be more likely to overcome.. or meet the challenge…

Not only that but..Training increases your strengthen… We have the power of the HS to help us in weakness,..

The apostles Paul whether adrift at sea on a bit of wreckage or stoned and left for dead, when he despaired of life itself, he discovered a well of strength that was sufficient for his needs. Instead of staggering through life, weaving under the load, his feet found a straight path. Limbs sore and bruised, he did not have to stop at the side of the road as a cripple, but was healed as he went on his way.

Paul said,

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Those who have been trained by it… reap PEACE Shalom — a state of wholeness, well-being, and happiness… fruitful in righteousness — righteousness like shalom is a state of being - right relationships --- right relationship with God and others…

peaceful (whole) adj. — characterized by or promoting a state of wholeness, well-being, and happiness.

We have to work on our weakness… by giving ‘our weakness”…over to God…

(righteousness)right relationships

The thought - of there being this place of peace… should really encourage us … It should cause us to strengthen

Life Application New Testament Commentary God’s Discipline Proves His Love / 12:1–13

Tired hands want to stop working

We are to lift up those weak hands..

Tired hands want to stop working we are told to lift up those weak hands… hands that are discouraged… I came from a tradition where it was Okay to lift up your hands in worship… The reason I like to lift up my hands is because it reminds me that God has got this.. It surrendering to Him...

Lift up those weak hands.. The lift is an imperative… written as a command… if we are going to be strengthened — we have to lift up those hands that are hanging low.

‘our weakness”… Lift up those weak hands.. The lift is an imperative… written as a command… if we are going to be strengthened — we have to lift up those hands that are hanging low. This section a direct quote from this Isaiah… Isaiah addressed these words of encouragement to God’s people in exile because God was going to bring them back home.

This a direct quote from this Isaiah to encouragement God’s people in exile —

this a direct quote from this beautiful chapter in Isaiah… That looks forward to the Messianic age…

Isaiah 35:3–4 ESV

3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Isa 35:

Temporary

Lameness often disqualified you for service in the Bible…It Disqualified priests from exercising the priestly office… It Disqualified animals for sacrificial us....

One of the ways we can get disqualified in the race is to continue being crippled by hurts.…

FF Bruce says“Deal with spiritual weariness and injuries so that they don’t put you out of the race

To many of us are wounded…by difficulties and by others… we need to be healed.. The picture of a lame man putting his disabled leg completely out of joint because of the unnecessary roughness of the path vividly brings home the seriousness of ignoring broken places..

Disqualified priests from exercising the priestly office, . Disqualified animals for sacrificial us..

Isaiah says

Notice the it is through lifting that conditioning thats taking place...

Strengthen yourself “Be Strong.. do not fear” WHY???

We strengthen ourselves in His might…

“Be Strong.. do not fear because…God is going to rescue you…”

because…God is going to rescue you…”

“Be Strong.. do not fear because…God is going to rescue you…”

This is the message that we need to be telling ourselves… Be strong… not in yourself… but because God is going to come through for you. When God comes the supernatural happens… blind eyes will be opened… the deaf shall hear… the mute shall sing for joy....Waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert…

He goes on to says that blind eyes will be opened… the deaf shall hear… the mute shall sing for joy.

God is going to come and blind eyes will be opened… the deaf shall hear… the mute shall sing for joy.

We have to first deal with our own hurts...Get your own hearts right toward our troubles.

We are to make straight paths for your feet — us an idiom of the day… It means to make straight wheel tracks for your feet… stay in your lane! It means to have a predetermined model for behavior—‘to live, to behave, to conduct oneself correctly

Waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert…

. Get your own hearts right toward your troubles. He has already pointed out the way to do so: by each coming boldly to the throne of grace “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb 4:16-note). He

We do this by coming boldly to the throne of grace “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (-note).

By 7:00 p.m. on October 20, 1968, at the Mexico City Olympics, it was starting to get dark. The final marathon runners were cooling off. One hour later, as the last few thousand spectators were preparing to leave, they heard sirens coming from the gate entering the stadium. As the crowd turned, they saw a sole figure, wearing the colors of Tanzania, limping into the stadium. His name was John Steven Aquari.

His leg was bandaged and bloody. The crowd stood and applauded. With each step he gained strength from the cheers. His limp became a walk, his walk became a jog, and finally his jog became a run. As he neared the finish line, even though he came in dead last, the cheering made it seem like he was finishing first.

A reporter asked him the obvious question, “You are badly injured. Why didn’t you quit? Why didn’t you give up?” Aquari, with quiet dignity replied, “My country did not send me seven thousand miles to start this race. My country sent me to finish” (Craig Brian Larson, “Strong to the Finish,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 155).

because it is not only for our benefit but for others that follow.. it

The picture of a lame man putting his disabled leg completely out of

to have a predetermined model for behavior—‘to live, to behave, to conduct oneself correctly

Why should we be condition ourselves spiritually --- that you may be healed… To many of us are wounded…by difficulties… we need to be healed.. The picture of a lame man putting his disabled leg completely out of joint because of the unnecessary roughness of the path vividly brings home the seriousness of ignoring spiritual and moral weakness. The aim must be healing rather than injury

T/S Not only will the path be a means of your own success… but we go back and help other on the same path..

Hebrews 12:14–15 ESV

14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Hebrews 12:14 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14-

heb 12:

Hebrews 12:14–16 ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

heb12: 12-16

T/S Spiritual vitality to us through training… with..

I. Spiritual Lifting - Working on Our weakness.

2. Spiritual Cardio - Pursing Peace and Holiness.

… the heart is the most important muscle in your body.. When ever we get moving walking or running… we start to do Cardio work out…

Cardio works out the heart… the Bible has lots to say about the heart.. being at the center of our lives and the source from which everything flows.

the Bible has lots to say about the heart.. being at the center of our lives and the source from which everything flows. Like the physical cardio a health spiritual heart is about movement … it is about the things we are chasing after!

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

prov

If we a have a healthy heart we are going to pursue the right things.

We are given two specific movements we are to move towards .... peace and towards holiness..

to strive after ⇔ chase v. — to strive for something, conceived of as going after something with the intent to catch it.

We are to chase after Peace and a holy life.

Peace and holy life are both to be understood in a broad sense. Peace is total well-being, but here there is a special emphasis on good relationships..

Peace” is not simply harmony within the community or in personal relationships (as argued by van Leeuwen, Eirene, 214–17; cf. also Spicq, 2:398; F. F. Bruce, 362; H. Montefiore, 223; Andriessen and Lenglet, Bib 51 [1970] 226; among others). In this context “peace” is an objective reality that results from the redemptive accomplishment of Christ in his sacrificial death on the cross. It is a gift of eschatological salvation as well as a sign that points to the presence of the new age and to the future perfection

Chasing after peace is being concerned about others. The race is not just your race… it’s broader race… its about helping others get accross the line… to make sure that everyone experiences the grace of God..

The minute we shift into a self-preservation mode and are only concerned about our needs, and ourselves we begin to deteriorate spiritually. Everytime you get on a plane we are told what to do in an emergency… the oxygyn masks come down., put yours on first then help others.,, if you are seated by an exit door.., you have to be willing to help open it.,

The minute we shift into a self-preservation mode and are only concerned about our needs, and ourselves we begin to deteriorate spiritually.

The admonition here is to Chase after Peace (shalom) and holiness… When it talks about peace with men it is direct parallel with

The admonition here is to Chase after Peace (shalom) and holiness… When it talks about peace with men it is direct parallel with others.

chase after Peace (shalom) and holiness… When it talks about peace with men it is direct parallel with

Sprains and similar injuries must be bound up, so that the whole community may complete the course without loss.” Verse 13 probably has in mind

Romans 12:18 ESV

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Peace and holiness is connected to righteousness or right relationships.

Holiness means to be set apart to something…giving yourself to God…

it’s what we are giving ourselves over too…

In a practical way, our holiness means honoring God in how we treat others—friends, neighbors, spouse, children, even enemies—and in how we run our businesses, finances, etc. Holiness causes the behavior, thoughts, and attitudes of Christians to be different from the world

all of us are doing by the way… the way we spend out time and resources… things that occupy our thoughts…

How do we do walk in Peace and Holiness? by making sure nobody misses out on sharing fully in the grace of God… Where ever there is community there are going to be stumbling and weaknesses… We are about to enter into a season of building community through small groups..

… Community can only be accomplished by Grace living… There are edges in my personality that are going to be offensive… community means walking with each other in the journey.

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We purse Peace....

By Becoming people (or a community) of Grace -

Pam has adopted this saying and it this “Grace Wins”…

It is her mantra in life.... and it’s a good one… When people hurt us --- when we feel mistreated or misunderstood… Grace Wins…

The preacher makes it clear… Teach grace… Model grace living… then do it over and over until every gets

English Standard Version Chapter 12

15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God

When you tempted to keep a grudge…choose Grace...

“God’s grace does not fail, but we can fail to depend on God’s grace.”

Second, we must prevent the growth of any bitter root

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James B. A Call to Action (vv. 12–17)

Second, we must prevent the growth of any bitter root

2. Take care of bad root systems...

A couple of years ago Pam’s Dad.. Henry some of you have met… work on the Ivy that was growing on the side of the parsonage…

Pams Dad is a true banker..lt was a thorough job....it took a number of weeks ...he pulled out every root.. he dug up the front yard and sifted through the dirt and got rid of every root… the result is that Ivy problem has been eradicated… problem with roots if you don’t take care of them they grow back…

that it got so bad… because I ignored it in the spring and by the fall it was a huge problem.. growing up the side of the house and damaging the paint… Pams Dad is a true banker..lt was a thorough job....it took weeks ...he pulled out every root.. he dug up the front yard and sifted through the dirt and got rid of every root… the result is that Ivy problem has been eradicated… problem with roots if you don’t take care of them they grow back…

I had noticed the ivy growing … and kept on putting off dealing with it… until one day I noticed that it was digging in the paint and starting to damage the house… Pam’s dad tackled the job with passion...he pulled out every root.. he dug up the front yard and sifted through the dirt and got rid of every root… I helped him but he did the majority of the work… He is very thorough…and perfectionist… made him a good banker… His work didn’t go unrewarded..the Ivy problem has been eradicated as far as I can tell…

the result is that Ivy problem has been eradicated… The problem with roots if you don’t take care of them they grow back…

Roots can cause us all kinds of problems… but the worst kind of roots are the ones that take root in our hearts

Its easy for roots of bitterness to take root in our lives.

The preacher tells us that we can become poisoned by bitterness. The reason why bitterness is so dangerous is that it is contagious… it spreads.. Bitterness can hinder the gospel and effectiveness of a local church

We often don’t see how much damage it is doing… bitterness can hinder the gospel and effectiveness of a local church

One of the reasons we have bitterness is because we run into conflicts with others..

Again, notice the strong language, “poisoned by bitterness.” If you have a bitter soul, it poisons your entire outlook and keeps you from seeing clearly.

June Hunt in her book Conflict Resolution solving your people problems ---- tells us that each of us begins to develop a style of handling conflict at an early age. Our personal ways of “fighting” come from our natural instinct, personality, and early family dynamics. Many of us are unable to defuse conflict because we are repeating the extreme patterns of childhood … either attacking or avoiding.

June Hunt in her book Conflict Resolution solving your people problems ---- tells us that there are basically 4 different styles that people deal with conflict…

a. There are the Attacker - they are the wolfs --- likes to be in control

b. Back biter snakes - person who says mean things behind someones back.

c. Fault finder Hornets - critical petty and nagging

d. Avoiders - Turtle they are the retreaters a person who withdraws from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable...

June tells us that each of us begins to develop a style of handling conflict at an early age. Our personal ways of “fighting” come from our natural instinct, personality, and early family dynamics. Many of us are unable to defuse conflict because we are repeating the extreme patterns of childhood … either attacking or avoiding.

Each of us begins to develop a style of handling conflict at an early age. Our personal ways of “fighting” come from our natural instinct, personality, and early family dynamics. Many of us are unable to defuse conflict because we are repeating the extreme patterns of childhood … either attacking or avoiding.

Attackers seek to control everything..

— Engages in power plays

— Refuses to listen to opposing opinions with an open mind

— Uses criticism to cut people down

— Engages in power plays

Message: “Give in to me or I’ll attack you!”

Goal: To feel powerful

Biblical Counseling Keys on Conflict Resolution Attackers … Outwardly Aggressive

Goal: To feel powerful

(a person who withdraws from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)

Avoiders on the other hand - withdraws from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable

— Plays dumb

Biblical Counseling Keys on Conflict Resolution Attackers … Outwardly Aggressive

Message: “Give in to me or I’ll attack you!”

— Gives one-word answers

— Withdraws

— Seeks secrecy

— Makes you feel guilty for asking questions

Message: “Don’t confront me because it won’t do any good.”

“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” ()

Biblical Counseling Keys on Conflict Resolution Avoiders … Inwardly Passive

(a person who withdraws from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)

— Plays dumb

— Gives one-word answers

— Withdraws

— Seeks secrecy

— Makes you feel guilty for asking questions

Message: “Don’t confront me because it won’t do any good.”

Goal: To feel safe

“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” (Proverbs 14:25)

Goal: To feel safe

Biblical Counseling Keys on Conflict Resolution Avoiders … Inwardly Passive

Goal: To feel safe

The problem with these extreme styles is that neither strategy appropriates the grace God..

The problem with these extreme styles is that neither strategy appropriates the grace God…

Biblical Counseling Keys on Conflict Resolution B. What Do Attackers and Avoiders Look Like?

The problem with both of these styles is that neither strategy appropriates the grace that is available to a child of God.

Biblical Counseling Keys on Conflict Resolution B. What Do Attackers and Avoiders Look Like?

The problem with both of these styles is that neither strategy appropriates the grace that is available to a child of God.

Part of training is Grace of God… and grace takes work,

It is much easier to be mired in conflict and be at odds with others than it is to do the hard work of working out your issues.

Think about it. It is much easier to be mired in conflict and be at odds with others than it is to do the hard work of working out your issues.

In , Paul urges two faithful women to learn to get along with one another. He writes, “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. [3] Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (NASB)

Apparently these were two good women who had fallen short of God’s grace. That’s an odd phrase isn’t it? The writer of Hebrews wrote, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God.” It isn’t that they lost God’s grace; it is that they did not achieve its ideal in their life.

In Philippians 4:2–3, Paul urges two faithful women to learn to get along with one another. He writes, “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. [3] Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (NASB) Apparently these were two good women who had fallen short of God’s grace. That’s an odd phrase isn’t it? The writer of Hebrews wrote, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God.” It isn’t that they lost God’s grace; it is that they did not achieve its ideal in their life. Perhaps they thought as others do that God’s grace goes to them, but didn’t understand that it should also flow through them to others. If we are pursuing peace and holiness, His grace will flow through us to those who’ve wronged us.

Perhaps they thought as others do that God’s grace goes to them, but didn’t understand that it should also flow through them to others. If we are pursuing peace and holiness, His grace will flow through us to those who’ve wronged us.

Bitterness destroys relationships and is an enemy of community… and by bitterness christians become defiled.

efelied.

to be defiled ⇔ be stained v. — to be or become defiled, conceived\ of as being or becoming marked or discolored with foreign matter.

Attackers seek to control everything..

Avoiders on the other hand - withdraws from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable

The problem with these extreme styles is that neither strategy appropriates the grace God..

Part of training is Grace of God… and grace takes work,

It is much easier to be mired in conflict and be at odds with others than it is to do the hard work of working out your issues. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God.” It isn’t that they lost God’s grace; it is that they did not achieve its ideal in their life.

ingression… now another reason why it is important to be trained in righteousness… because we can miss God’s blessings… In verse 16 we are told to be careful that we don’t repeat what happened to Esau… who for a moment of pleasure forfieted the blessing..

ingression… now another reason why it is important to be trained in righteousness… We get stained by bitterness… effects peace… but we also gets stained by avoiding holiness..

inspiration

Hebrews 12:16–17 ESV

16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

T/s T/S Spiritual vitality to us through training… with..

I. Spiritual Lifting - Working on Our weakness.

2. Spiritual Cardio - Pursing Peace and Holiness.

3. Spiritual Resistance - Resist temporary rewards

The way that we build muscle is through resistance training… We strengthen ourselves by slowly increments… might start off with 50 pounds and then add five pounds --- over time we get stronger....

We training our muscles..

The stronger we are the more we are able to “resist” or hold certain weight… In hebrews we are given hundreds of examples of those who succeeded in the race… but then we are given the example of Esau…as a warning..

We are given the example of Esau…

In Genesis we have the Story of Esau and Jacob… talk about sibling rivalry --- well this started in the womb..God had to explain to Rebecca that their were two nations with in her… there was a struggled.. Esau and Jacob were twins and when they were born Esau was born first with Jacob clenching onto the heal of Jacob…

Jacobs name meant suplanter

We are given the example of Esau… who if you remember the story whereby Jacob was jealous of the Birth right that was given to his older brother Esau… He desired it more than anything --- while his brother did not find value in the Birth right… and one day he is famished after hunting and in a rash decision sold his birthright to his younger brother in exchange for a bowl of soup.

…From the begining Jacob was contending for the Birthright and blessing…

As they grew up… Jacob desired the blessing and the birthright and Esau dispised it… One day after Esau was famished after hunting and sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup.

A birthright was a special honor given to the firstborn son. By trading his birthright, Esau showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way if he had kept it. Because of this attitude, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected

Rather than take interest in his birthright, which had great spiritual value, he traded his birthright as the oldest son for a single meal (see ).

Esau showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way if he had kept it. Because of this attitude, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected … it was too late.

whereby Jacob was jealous of the Birth right that was given to his older brother Esau… He desired it more than anything --- while his brother did not find value in the Birth right… and one day he is famished after hunting and in a rash decision sold his birthright to his younger brother in exchange for a bowl of soup.

Esau’s sin was impulsiveness and complete disregard for his spiritual heritage.

Now I love verse 17… It is such a human response..

because listen — we have all been there.... You ate the cup cake.. you ate the chocolate… and as soon as you finished your regretted your descision..

The preacher tells us … You know… that when Esau wanted the blessing that came with the birthright… he was rejected…

Esau still thought he could reject his birth right and still get the blessing… but if you remember Jacob and Rebecca made sure that didn’t happen...

He was rejected.. disqualified and found no means of repentance… literally he went for it and it was still out of his reach.. even though he sought diligently… to the point of tears..

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: Stay in the Running! (Hebrews 12)

Esau is a warning to us not to live for lesser things.

He didn’t have spiritual strength — He didn’t have the fortude to resist sexual temptation...

Pursuing peace and holiness includes extending God’s grace to others, but there is more than just being a forgiving, kind person.

Not only are we to pursue something, we are also to flee from something—we are to flee from immorality.

Though there is no mention of Esau’s immorality in the Old Testament, certain Jews regarded his marriages to Hittite women as being immoral

Life Application New Testament Commentary A Call to Listen to God / 12:14–29

Though there is no mention of Esau’s immorality in the Old Testament, certain Jews regarded his marriages to Hittite women as being immoral

says, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (KJV) Notice the same pattern is present; there is something to run from and something to run after

Not only are we to pursue something, we are also to flee from something—we are to flee from immorality

Here’s where it gets personal. What are you running from and what are you running to?

Conclusion

Spiritual vitality comes to us through training…

I. Spiritual Lifting - Working on Our weakness.

2. Spiritual Cardio - Pursing Peace and Holiness.

3. Spiritual Resistance - Resist temporary rewards

One of our congregation kind fell of the grid … this happens… And followed up to see what happened… this is what was said… The said to me that they are....

And the response was interesting--- I’m just not getting anything out of Church anymore… It was an honest response … What changed? Something we were doing? or was it something going on inside?

Here is the problem with that kind

How does one get to the point of ---

… but the question I had is how does one get to the point..

“Not feeling it anymore” ---

Part of me wants to take responsibility for people that leave the congregation… I do a little examine… what was my part… but… when it comes to our spiritual vitality… it comes to feelings… and spiritual vitality....

Tim Keller has three questions… to test what’s happening inside of us.

1. Are you doing things that are violating your conscience? A bad conscience will destroy your fellowship with God.

2 Secondly, look at your relationships. Are you bitter, or are you isolated?

3. Do you really understand the gospel? Gospel is about pursuing Christ.. living forgiveness…

When we talk about spiritual vitality -We speaking about spiritual health…

Disciplined life is going produce fruit... yields the fruit of righteousness... (righteousness is a relationship word). Those who have been trained by it.

Discipline = Rewards

Momentary Pleasures = Regre

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