HOW IS MY “SPIRITUALITY”?
Matthew 25:34,41

Intro:
Good morning.

A teacher was testing the children in her Sunday school class to see if they understood the concept of getting to heaven.
She asked them, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into Heaven?"
"NO!" the children answered.
"If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into Heaven?"
Again, the answer was, "NO!"
Now she was smiling. Hey, they're getting it, she thought! "Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into Heaven?" she asked.
Again, they all answered, "NO!"
She was just bursting with pride for them. "Well," she continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?"
A five-year-old boy shouted out, "YOU GOTTA BE DEAD."

As a New Year begins, I am reminded of the fact that we are one year closer to some things. We are one year closer to the day of our death, or the day the Lord returns. As an extension of that we are one year closer to that day when we will stand before the Lord in judgment.
On that day when He will either say...
"Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" - Matthew 25:34
"Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" - Matthew 25:41

Since we are one year closer to that day when our final destiny will be forever determined, let’s use this opportunity to think about how we have used this past year and to consider how we should use the coming year. Let’s look at this as a checkup perhaps. We are advised to visit our doctor once a year for an annual exam to attempt to identify physical problems early. Let’s use this time as a kind of examination of our spiritual health.

We have all sorts of tests which we use to measure just about anything. We have tests which measure our physical health. We have tests to measure intellectual health. We have tests to measure emotional health. We even have tests which measure our relationships health. But we have not been given a test to measure our spiritual health ... that is to say a test in some sort of organized examination. While all these other tests have their places, and are doubtless important to us, spiritual health should be our most critical concern. Not infrequently, I find myself thinking about my own spiritual health.

I IN THE PAST YEAR
A Am I growing spiritually?
B Am I making progress in Christ?
C Have I become more spiritually minded or am I more materially minded?
D Has my relationship with God and Christ improved?
1 Have I drawn nearer to God? James 4:8
2 Keeping in mind that a close relationship depends upon good communication.
i Have I been faithful in listening to God through His Word?
ii Another year has gone by; have I been reading my Bible this year as I should?
3 Have I been steadfast in talking to God through prayer?
i Any effective communication requires a two-way street -- therefore fervent Bible study should be joined with fervent prayer.
ii Has my degree of prayerfulness increased or decreased this year?
E Has my relationship with those in the world improved?
1 Have I accepted my responsibility of being a positive influence and demonstrating a better way?
2 Is the light of Christ seen in my life?
3 Do I communicate the gospel of Christ?
This morning, if I may be so bold, I want us to think about some things to help us determine the health of our spirituality. In the main I’m going to do this in the first person. Think of this in terms of a self-examination.

I I spend considerable amounts of time;
A In private and personal prayer.
1 I’m not thinking about mealtime prayers, I’m not thinking about bedtime prayers,
2 I’m thinking about those times in the course of a day when I find myself in passionate communion with God as I pray.
3 I do not believe it is trite to remind all of us of the passage in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “pray without ceasing” admonishes the apostle Paul.
B I also spend considerable amounts of time in the reading and studying of God’s word.
1 It is true that all around me I am able to see the hand of God in His creation. I so much appreciate the beauty that I see, the order that I see, and the predictability that I see. I watch the beauty of His creation in my little corner of it and am in awe.
2 Yet, I can not hear the voice of God, I can not receive the instructions of God apart from the scriptures.
3 John records in John 5:39 – that Jesus said this to people of His day; “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” How am I going to know of Christ? How am I going to know of salvation? How am I going to know of a life that pleases God apart from my searching the scriptures?
C Can I truly be a spiritual person if I am satisfied with a deficiency in these two very remarkable areas of life? Prayer and the study of the scriptures.
II. I look forward to and enjoy the Lord’s Day;
A. Because I enjoy coming together in the assembly of the Lord’s church to worship God. God has been so good to me.
1. God has so richly blessed my life. I am thrilled to be able to assemble with the saints on the Lord’s Day to praise Him in worship.
2. Or… am I having problems counting my blessings? Do I have trouble attributing the blessings I am enjoying every single day of my life to God, the giver of all good and perfect gifts? In the book of Revelation chapter 1 and verse 10 John wrote; “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day,…” I know very well that there is some controversy among scholars about exactly what John meant by that. But I think John meant, very simply, that he was engaged in intense worship to God on the Lord’s Day.
3. I guess the question I would ask is; Am I in the spirit on the Lord’s Day? Or… are my thoughts caught up in; “a day of rest”, a “trip to the mall”, a “football game”? Do those kinds of thoughts crowd out my spiritual thoughts? Do they crowd out the thoughts I should be concerned with and engaged in on the Lord’s Day?
B. I look forward to and enjoy the Lord’s Day because I feel honored to commemorate the Lord’s death, to observe a feast that reminds us from week to week of the atonement His death provides.
1. Having said that, I also add that the hymns we sing, the prayers that are heard, the lessons that are presented and even the opportunity to give of our means to God are all so meaningful to me. They are so edifying.
2. What can be more meaningful then the observance of the Lords supper? To realize that in eating the unleavened bread and drinking the fruit of the vine I am in communion with the body and the blood of Jesus Christ. For me nothing can compare with that.
3. Or... must I admit that there may be times when we seem to be very tactical in the haste we seem to use going through the observance of the Lord’s Supper? Perhaps that is just one of those things with which we have to cope. Still, I have to wonder if I have become ritualistic on occasion and focus too much on the ritual and not the meaning. What was I thinking this morning when I participated by taking that portion of unleavened bread, when I sipped that portion of grape juice? What was I thinking? We are reminded by Luke in a very simple summary statement in; Acts 2:42 – “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
C. I wonder, is it just possible I have become mentally negligent in these very simple yet so foundational and fundamental things? Can I be a spiritual person and not enjoy the Lord’s Day? I’m not talking about the day off. I’m talking about the observance of worship. Is our observance this morning out of a sense of duty or is it a response of love?
III. When I must chose;
A. Between material, worldly, physical activities and spiritual activities I invariably choose the “spiritual” ones.
1. In our busy lives, and they are busy. In our material society, and it is a material society. We have to make these kinds of choices frequently. Choice between the worldly, the material and the spiritual.
2. Now, how I make my choices will have a great deal to tell me about my spiritual health.
3. I worry too that out precious young people are having to make these choices earlier and earlier in their lives. Often they have to make these choices in the absence of good parental guidance and example. How can we expect our young people to be spiritual giants if their parents are spiritual midgets?
B. In the book of Psalms in Psalms 122:1 – the psalmist said; “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord.''”
1. I want you to mentally emphasize the word glad. Because that word is suggestive of the spirit we should have in the making of our choices from day to day, from moment to moment. I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord.'' I look forward to Gospel Meetings, I happily anticipate lectureships, I look forward to opportunities to teach people who are not in Christ.
2. Really? Do I really look forward to these things? Or, do I look for a way to avoid them? Not just for a way to avoid them but for a way to justify in my mind that the avoidance of them is acceptable?
3. I recognize that I have to live in the real world. I recognize that I must have an occupation, that I have recreational opportunities, and that I have relationships to sustain. The question I ask myself do I find myself using any of these kinds of things as excuses to refrain from things that are spiritually strengthening?
C. Can I be a person of great spiritual health while giving priority to unspiritual activities in my life?
IV. I believe in;
A. Jesus Christ, the Son of God and my savior. I believe in the Bible - the Word of God. Not “A” Word from God but “The” Word from God.
B. I believe the church is truly the body of Jesus Christ. I believe in Heaven and I believe in Hell.
C. If I really believe in these things and in things like these, they are going to have a determining influence in my life. They will govern the way I make my choices, if I really… really believe in them. I find myself as I grow older reading Colossians chapter 3 verses 1 - 3 and asking myself, ‘is this who I am?’ “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
D. Or…, am I really only giving lip service to these beliefs? I say that I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and my savior. I say that I believe the Bible is The Word of God, I say that I believe that the church is the body of Christ, I say that I believe in Heaven and Hell, BUT… not to the point that I’m going to let those things interfere with what I want to do.
E. If you give me a test on a piece of paper I can pass the test because you know, I know the answers. The stock answers, I know those answers but… how does that test reflect the way I’m making my choices? How does it reflect the way that I am living my life?
F. Can I be a spiritual person, really a spiritual person in the absence of deep, life influencing, conviction? . . .
V. I choose to associate with Christian people over people who are worldly.
A. There may be a place here for what some might call a disclaimer. That would mean that I most assuredly understand that we are going to have friends and relationships with some who are out of Christ.
1. If we do not have those kinds of relationships how are we going to be influencing people toward the gospel?
2. Over the years I have had and still do have friends and relatives who are not in Christ, but over the years also I have sought to influence these people toward the study of the Word of God.
B. I ask myself do I really seek, do I cultivate, do I enjoy,… truly enjoy my friendships in Christ? Some of the friendships which I have in the Lord I consider to be much closer than that of some of my blood relatives.
1. Outside of my immediate family there are many in Christ whom I consider closer than the others.
2. In the book of Proverbs there is a verse that says “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” Proverbs 18:24. We usually think of that as referring to Christ, yet, let me suggest that there are friends in Christ who do stick closer than a brother.
3. I ask myself, do I prefer those relationships? Or do I prefer relationships with people in the world and the worldly activities in which they are involved?
C. Philippians 4:1 – “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” What an amazing statement. This statement leads me to ask the question; Do I have relationships in Christ that are as deep as those which are suggested in this verse? Listen to it; “my brethren”, well most of us could say that. What about this; ”my dearly beloved and longed for”, Paul is not writing about his physical family, he is writing to his spiritual family.
D. I enjoy conversation about the Bible, about the church, about the work of the Lord.
1. Or, not? Is the Lord my life? Or is He just a compartment in my life?
2. Someone has said and doubtless with great accuracy, we tend to become like that which we love.
VI. The Result –
A. After I complete this self examination; I ask myself what am I becoming? “Just as I am without one plea” are the words of the song. In the expression “Just as I am” we acknowledge that we have no claim whatsoever on the love of God. Nor do we have any claim on His favor. Just as we are, without one plea for there is none we can make, Jesus I come.
B. If I am not happy with the results of this examination then what is the prescription? What do I need to do to get better? Diet, exercise, some form of therapy? Perhaps all three, only in a spiritual way.
VII. I need to prescribe drawing nearer to God and Christ. –
A. How can I do that? Let me suggest some ways I can. By having a daily reading program of God's living and abiding Word – We read about the word in; Hebrew 4:12 – “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” What sort of reading?
1. Perhaps read the Old Testament this year – scripture says; Romans 15:4 - “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” ; 1 Corinthians 10:11 – “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” ; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 – “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2. Then again I should read the New Testament also for scripture says; - James 1:21 – “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” ; 1 Peter 2:2 – “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
B. If I want to draw nearer to God and Christ I need to be diligent in prayer for scripture says; - Hebrews 4:14-16 - “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
1. I need to pray more, open my side of communication and I need to be a thankful person – Scripture says; Colossians 4:2 – “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” ; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 – “Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
2. If I’m having trouble with this perhaps Daniel's custom of praying three times daily would be worthy of emulation - Daniel 6:10 – “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
VIII. I also need to prescribe becoming closer to the brethren - How can I do that? What does the Word say?...
A. By making it a point to learn every one's name - cf. 3 John 14 – “But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.”
1. Greet people that I seldom talk to and connect names and faces.
2. Look for opportunities to visit other assemblies such as Gospel Meetings and lectures. Talk to people I know at these opportunities and try to meet brethren I do not know. Each time making the effort to connect names and faces until I learn them.
B. By having a different person or family in our home from time to time – 1 Peter 4:9 – “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
1. It doesn't have to be a fancy dinner.
2. Just a simple visit to become better acquainted
C. Or by visiting with a different person or family each month
1. It might not always be convenient to have people in our Home.
2. But we can arrange to visit them in their home or at a restaurant. Every effort I make will help me to become closer.
IX. Then I need to prescribe getting to know non-Christians better –
A. I could invite a new neighbor, an old neighbor I don’t really know or if I was still working a co-worker to our home. - Scripture says in; Galatians 6:10 – “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men…”
B. Or by visiting a neighbor who I don’t know well.
1. Again it doesn't have to be a fancy meal or formal visit.
2. And perhaps simply keeping an eye out to aid a neighbor will open opportunities.
3. It is amazing how far simple hospitality and neighborly kindness can go...
i. To build meaningful relationships.
ii. Relationships in which opportunities can be created to share the gospel.

CONCLUSION:
These prescriptions may sound simplistic; but if implemented in this New Year, they will go a long way toward producing the kind of lifestyle that is becoming of Christians; to increasing closer relationships with God and Christ, with our brethren, and with the lost.
These things are those which will bless our lives and be a blessing to the church and our community and these things will create in us a clearer conscience the next time we take this test, this self-exam.

Time is a precious commodity, given to us by God. It is truly like a vapor as James says in James 4:13-15 – “Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit''; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.''” [NKJ]

The time we have needs to be carefully redeemed - cf. Ephesians 5:15-16 – “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins… If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.

Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

# 605 – Just as I am

Reference Sermon
Cecil A. Hutson
2 Sept 2007