Sermons from Good News: Training your spirit, part 2

Church 4/24/2024

Sermon message:

Thesis: Training your spirit.

This is important.

The real you is a spirit, and you have a soul (intellect and emotions and reasoning), and you live in a body.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible looks at the spirit as the most important part of you, your soul as the next most important, and your body as the third most important.

Our minds can be transformed and trained.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Our bodies can be trained and transformed.

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Bodily exercise still profits you, but not as much as exercising your mind or your spirit.

The major question: can you train your spirit? Yes.

Let’s examine the human spirit. (The real you.) Caveat: we are not talking about the Holy Spirit right now.

The human spirit is important. Training the human spirit is important.

Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In the Bible, the heart a lot of times refers to the human spirit.

How do we train the human spirit?

Point #1: Meditate on the Word of God.

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you[a] shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

What Biblical meditation is not:

• Sitting empty minded.
• Mindlessly repeating some chant to gain an alternate state.
• Burning candles.
• Practicing yoga.
• Primarily with the goal of relaxation.
• Learning to control your breathing.

What it is:

• Your mind is focused on God and on His Word.

Psalm 77:11-13

I will remember the works of the Lord;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.
Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?

Point #2: Practice doing the Word of God.

Oftentimes our other parts don’t want to do the Word of God.

James 1:22

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

One thing we can practice:

Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

The promise:

Philippians 4:7

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Point #3: Give the Word of God first place.

2 Peter 1:16-19

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

Proverbs 4:20-22

My son, give attention to my words;

Incline your ear to my sayings.

Do not let them depart from your eyes;

Keep them in the midst of your heart;

For they are life to those who find them,

And health to all their flesh.

Point #4: Instantly obey the voice of the Spirit.

Matthew 25:21

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Psalm 122:6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May they prosper who love you.