January 29th, 2012 -"Reflecting" (sermon audio)
The most powerful practice for abiding in Christ is reflecting on scripture.
Reflecting on scripture is the best thing we can do to assist in our own growth toward being a more devoted follower
of Jesus, that is toward being a disciple who makes disciples. Our aim is to truly be Christlike: not just one who thinks
good thoughts about Jesus, but one who is willing to sacrifice of self to follow Him and love others.
A church near Chicago named Willow Creek did a study in their congregation, seeking to measure how folks were
growing spiritually and then invited 1,000 other churches to do the same. Results of individual member surveys showed
that people seem to fall into one of four categories of spiritual growth.
EXPLORING CHRIST - GROWING IN CHRIST - CLOSE TO CHRIST - CHRIST CENTERED
Results further revealed that there are identifiable catalysts to spiritual growth for individuals in each segment which
help to move them forward in their journey. The one catalyst that stood head and shoulders above all the rest is the
practice of "Reflecting on Scripture." If you want to grow spiritually, read and reflect on the Bible.
As we immerse ourselves in scripture, we are transformed as our minds are renewed. Scripture shapes us. From it we
are taught and trained. To be trained in righteousness is to know what we have received Christ's righteousness through
his sacrifice for us. We are also rebuked or redirected from hurtful and self-defeating paths; we are corrected. The
original word is the same as that used in 'orthopedic' - meaning to set right - like the setting of a bone, fixing that which
is broken.
There is a difference between reflecting on scripture and Bible study or Bible reading. Knowing a lot about the Bible is
not the same as abiding in Christ. The goal is not for you to make it all the way through the Bible. The goal is for the
Bible to make it all the way though you. We grow to be a little more like Jesus with every sincere investment in
reflecting on scripture, so that we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work to participate in what God is doing
in the world - and not just participate but to be thoroughly equipped!
Plan for Reflecting on Scripture
Pray for enlightenment ... acknowledge that you can't figure it out on your own.
Read with a vulnerable heart ... approach the passage with a spirit of vulnerability.
Reflect on a brief portion of the Bible ... in reading for transformation, we have to go slowly.
Take a thought of verse with you through the day ... look for a nugget to take away for you.
Commit some portion of scripture to memory ... not to recite to others, just for you.
The most powerful practice for abiding in Christ is reflecting on scripture. Through the Bible, God will change you if
you're open to it.