Vital Spiritual Health
The CLF website will feature a weekly Bible study beginning today.
The goal of the study is to encourage the saints to take a deeper look into a topic or book of the bible for the purpose of being built up in our walk with the Lord. The frist study is entitled 'Vital Spiritual Health' and will cover some of the important aspects of spiritual maturity and fitness. The study is taken from Acts 2:42-47.
Vital Spiritual Health
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42.
When was the last time you had a complete physical examination? What were the different parts of that exam? What was your doctor looking for? Do you think that regular physical exams are necessary? Why or Why not?
What goes into proper spiritual health? Can you measure or at least have an idea of your Christian maturity? Have you ever had a spiritual health check-up?
The next several studies will examine the marks or characteristics of a healthy, growing believer in our Lord Jesus Christ. The goal of these studies is to develop and pursue a consistent lifestyle of spiritual health. Before we begin however it must be stated that pursuing spiritual health is a lifelong consistent process, not a series of disconnected fantastic ‘spiritual’ events. For example, a newborn infant must grow with proper nourishment, familial love, contact and concern, regular exercise, training and education. It would be both absurd and tragic if a parent expected his child to grow properly but only fed him occasionally and spoke to him sporadically. Yet, I fear that’s how many of us view spiritual growth. We seem to feel that ‘real’ growth actually happens during conventions, conferences, retreats and revivals. Many in the church have an unhealthy dependence on especially gifted speakers who bring a special ‘word from the Lord’ in due season. The Scriptures however call us to make proper use of the gracious means God has given us for steady (if unspectacular) growth.
I encourage you to take the time to reflect on and pray through these studies as you continue in your maturing walk with our Lord.
We’ll begin our journey toward vital spiritual health in the book of Acts of the Apostles. In the second chapter of that book, Luke the author describes the spiritual state of the infant church in vss. 42 through 47. We begin here for a couple of reasons. Firstly, these are the traits that adequately sum up some of the important factors that contribute toward spiritual fitness. They are also the characteristics the apostles highlight in the rest of the New Testament concerning spiritual health. Secondly, we find these same qualities active in the lives the saints who comprised the Old Testament church. Finally, these traits were evident in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I call the first of these characteristics listed in Acts 2:42 spiritual vital signs because they go a long way toward gauging proper spiritual health. Like our physical vital signs (temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure) these signs are a good indication of our spiritual vitality.
The vital signs of a growing, godly life are summed up in Acts 2:42 which describes the daily activities of the early church. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The word translated ‘devoted’ means to be constantly diligent, or to adhere to closely. It refers to the eagerness and importance the disciples attached to these activities.
Vital spiritual health begins with a devotion to the disciplines of grace. I call them disciplines of grace for two reasons. Discipline in this sense means to engage in the regular practice of something in order to gain the desired benefit. That is, we must be diligent in our application of these things in order enjoy fully the blessings they bring. They are of grace in that they are the used by God to bring His rich spiritual blessings into our lives. Cultivating these traits are necessary if we are to experience consistent and steady Biblical growth, health and maturity.
The apostles teaching - A basic devotion to the word of God. Devoted to reorienting the way we think, speak and live according to God’s timeless truths found in holy Scripture.
The word of God played a significant part in the growth of the ancient church. It was the rich soil from which they’re spiritual lives were born and thrived. Acts 11:25-26 (ESV) So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
The fellowship - The term defining the church. It is called a fellowship because they are a group of people who have a common union and partnership. They are not merely a collection of individuals but rather a group closely bound together by a mutual conviction, confession and relationship. The essence of the church’s fellowship is our common conviction, confession and relationship regarding the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Cf. 1Jn. 1:1-4.
Devotion to the fellowship means that we have a strong loyalty to our brothers and sisters. We are dependent on them, and they on us. Further, it means that we must have a vital relationship with a local fellowship of God’s people. Acts 11:27-30 (ESV) Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. [30] And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
The breaking of the bread - The infant New Covenant church followed the pattern of regular worship established in the Old Covenant church. An important aspect of each service of worship within the church was the participation in the Lord’s communion, thus breaking of bread became another name for the service of worship that included singing, praying, Scripture reading and of course teaching. Acts 20:7 (ESV)
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
Prayer. The last vital sign listed is prayer or literally ‘the prayers’. Prayer played a crucial role in the maturity, development and health of the ancient church. It is the way we communicate to the Lord our cares, concerns and burdens. Prayer is a solemn act of worship reserved for God’s people to access His directions, insight, comfort and power as we pursue His will, agenda and witness in our communities. Acts 4:24 (ESV)
And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,
The final two characteristics related to the spiritual health and vitality of the ancient church are found within Acts 2:43-47.
The first is active use of our gifts, abilities and talents to good and open avenues to preach the gospel (Acts 2:43). Biblical Christianity moves us to a lifetime, lifestyle of mission. We make it our goal to become vitally connected in our communities, doing good in the Name of our Lord Jesus while always looking for opportunities to share the gospel.
The last is what I call active discipleship. It is the kind of discipleship Jesus called all those who would follow to. A disciple of Jesus is an active follow of our Lord, one who follows Him consistently in heartfelt regular worship, a diligent obedient walk and active Christ centered witness. Additionally a disciple is one who makes major and minor life decisions based on how they promote and facilitate the gospel of our Lord. Though our decisions may not be as life-changing as some of the saints in the infant church (see 2:44-45) biblical discipleship will move us into a lifestyle that prioritizes the gospel.
These are the marks of vital spiritual health. Lord willing we’ll examine these characteristics over the next several weeks as we strive to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Joyfully in Christ,
Pastor Lance
Questions for reflection
1. Is there an aspect of spiritual maturity that you’re not sure how to do? (for example prayer or personal Bible study)
2. Are one or more of your vital signs (Acts 2:42) out of line?
3. Would you consider yourself an active follower of Jesus Christ at this time? If not, do you desire to become an active follower of our Lord?
4. Do a self-assessment of your gifts, talents, and abilities. How can you put these to use for ministry?
6. Is there a particular ministry you sense a special call to?
7. Is this a good time in your walk with the Lord to make an appointment with your pastor for a spiritual check-up?
