2015-01-04
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Last week, we spent a bit of time talking about our mission statement and our core values as a church. Today, this first Sunday of 2015, let’s spend some time discussing our spiritual health, making sure we are spiritually fit. The greatest thing each of us can do for the new year is to start with the intention of pursing Christ more than last year. To know Him better. To be more like Him daily.
Over the coming year, our desire as a church should be that we will grow in our relationship with Him, that we will thrive in our relationships with each other, and that we will succeed in bringing others into a relationship with Him through sharing our story of God’s love and salvation for us.
Psa. 119:1 (NKJV)
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. 4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. 7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly! 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psa. 119:1 (NLT)
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. 3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. 4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully 5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! 6 Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. 7 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! 8 I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! 9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
1. Spiritual health requires avoiding sin
v1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. 4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.
2. Spiritual health requires worship
v7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly! 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
3. Spiritual health requires pursuing Him
v9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
4. Spiritual health requires God’s Word
v11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “What lies behind you and what lies before you, pales in comparison to what lies inside you.
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