Years ago, while I attending classes for pastors in California, we pastors were given the book "Celebration of Discipline” copyright (c) 1978, by Richard J. Foster. This well-known book, has been, over the years, very helpful to many Christians both laity and clergy alike.
With that acknowledgement I would like to offer in my own words, as
best that I may, what I have gleaned from Mr.Foster’s work"Celebration of Discipline".
Mr. Foster's book speaks to believers about how Christians can
avail ourselves of the "Spiritual Disciplines" and
grow in the Christian life thru a relationship with Jesus Christ by way of
the "Spiritual Discipline"
Spiritual Opportunities
The Spiritual Disciplines are not Religious Duties, but rather, are Spiritual Opportunities that aid in the
Christian life and bring us ever deeper intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ and
thru Jesus into an ever growing relationship with the Holy Trinity , the
Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Again, the "Spiritual Disciplines" do not earn us salvation, our salvation is accomplished
through and by Jesus alone on our behalf. He has accomplished it all for us,
Jesus has done what none of us could ever do. Jesus has saved us.
What the "Spiritual Discipline" are,
are Spiritual Opportunities for each and all of us
to have Communion with our God in
times of deep personal intimacy which brings us to see that our Lord is with us
and wants us and loves us.
When the Music Stops
Many Christians find worship engaging. They
are energized by the worship experience. They are moved by the power of the
hymns and songs of praise they can be come in a state of near bliss, and become
lost in the rapture of music and to the world around them. They are moved to
shout and to express their worship.
Worship is vital and can be powerful and aid
in our spiritual transformation. What the Primitive -Apostolic Church called
"Deification”, that is, becoming like Christ,
or "putting on Christ".
For some Christians the whole experience of
the worship is what it is all about, they will even forgo solid Biblical
teaching and will choose to attend a local assembly based on the quality of
music or because of a worship leader or a particular praise band.
Worship is important and vital to each of us
but, what happens when the music stops?
The Word
We are admonished to know the word of God. We
have an unprecedented access to the very word of our God, the great creator who
brought all things into being. Many of our spiritual predecessors had limited
access to the Bible, and even today in some places the pastors have
only one copy of a Gospel or one or two of the Epistles, yet they faithfully
teach the best they are able in their given circumstances.
The Spiritual Discipline of Study
For
some Christians the Bible is a revered, but unveiled of source of help in the
living of the Christians life. As we study the Bible with the focus upon the
Lord Jesus Christ we begin see Jesus all the clearer and all the more prominent
as the whole purpose of God in Jesus.
The Bible is not a "self-help book"
nor is it simply a "moral or ethical guide",
or a "road map" to prophetic events, but rather, it
speaks to us about Jesus above all else. Who he is and all that Jesus is for
each and all if they will but freely receive it.
The purpose of study is , as with all the "Spiritual Disciplines"
is the transformation of the believer into spiritual maturity , that is "Deification" becoming Christ like or as St. Paul
wrote "conformed to the image of his Son" .
The Study of the Holy word of God is far more than just the study of
information, or for the purpose of amassing knowledge , it is
rather, a study of the very person and life of Jesus Christ, to
come to know Jesus not just "principles "
or tenets of doctrine but about Jesus' holy person.
Studying the Bible is the means given by which we consider the praise worthy
merits and things of Christ.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received
or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will
be with you." Philp: 4:8-9
Freedom
Studying the Bible equips our minds and gives
us capacity to have a spiritual frame of mind. Many Christians have found
themselves still unable to surmount fear, worry, perplexities of life, because
study has not been employed in their daily lives.
Our Lord Jesus said in the Gospel of St. John:8:32
"you will know the truth and the truth will set you free:"
Without knowing the truth, of which Jesus is the ultimate truth, that is Jesus
is fully God and in the incarnation is full human and has accomplished
salvation for each and all resorting humanity to the "pre-fall" relationship which God has
always intended for us. We are free to study.
What is Study?
It is through careful attention to the reality
of Jesus which enables our minds to move in a given direction. Our minds will
take on the order of that which is studied, which is, whatever we focus on. Our
thoughts will form an order that moves according to that which is studied, and
we draw conclusions based on what "information" we
have gathered; from which, we develop thought patterns that are formed into
mental habits that conformed to what we have studied.
What we study will help to determine what mental habits we will develop.
Study and Meditation
As we study the word of God, we need to take
time to carefully consider what God is speaking thru the Bible. We need to
meditate on the Word of God. Meditation and study go together, we need to
meditate on what we read in Scripture. Meditations give us time to process what
we have read and how it speaks into our lives. We should not be in a hurry, but
take time to think and reflect upon the Word of God.
How then do we Study?
- Repetition- This gives opportunity for our
minds to move in a specific discretion that helps produce the mental
habits of thought and influences our behavior.
- Concentration-If we affix our attention on a given
subject or our mental observation without distraction on what we read this
will enhance our ability to learn.
- Comprehension-This means that we grasp the meaning of
what we are studying granting us discernment and insight.
- Reflection- This will define for us the significance
of what we studying this helps us to see from the vantage point of eternity,
or as some call it divine view point.
- A Focus on Jesus- The Scripture are meant to be
interpreted thru who Jesus is, not law, prophecy, covenants, or a given
people group, but Jesus. Jesus is the pyrimidine and rubric for
understanding the Bible. Jesus is the living guiding principle to correct
Biblical understanding, not law or covenants or people groups.
Set time aside and faithful study the word each day. Ask God to guide you and deepen your understanding. Read the Word carefully, remember that quality is better than quantity, recall that St. Paul said that he would rather speak five words and convey much truth than a whole multitude in an unknown language, the principle here is, better to read two verses of the Scripture and understand what we have read than to have read two chapters and missed the whole point.
If we find that our attention is drawn to a particular set of Scriptures and something is standing out to us , than it is likely that God is speaking to us about what is contained in those verses.
It is good and profitable to read thru the whole Bible to have a sense of the story flow of the history of Salvation.
Uses a variety of commentaries and Bible translations, read books that expound upon the culture of the day in which the Scripture what written. We read the Bible from the vantage points of where we are at in history and read over axioms and references that had great significance to the original audiences that heard the Word proclaimed.Example, it is thought by some that the interpretive grid for understanding the Bible is a "jig-saw puzzle" approach. meaning that you have to "put it together" in order to understand it "properly" .
- Concentration-If we affix our attention on a given
subject or our mental observation without distraction on what we read this
will enhance our ability to learn.
Jig-Saw Approach
Some will quote from the Prophet Isaiah when he wrote: "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" Isa:28:10 to support this approach. That sounds good, until you understand that this verse is a quotation of a cultural axiom which was in use in Israel at the time, which refers to someone rambling nonsensically like a drunk.
The Language of Accommodation
Understand that the Bible is written in the Language of Accommodation, that is, God is speaking to us in a way that we can almost understand. There is no language spoken upon the Earth nor even the language of the Angelic host which is able to truly covey the glory of God and his eternal greatness. So, our God uses the resident languages of humanity to speak to us through his word , but above all, through the incarnation of the eternal Son of God the Seconded Person of the Holy Trinity.
"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs." Heb:1:1-4
Understand this principle: the Bible does not always mean what it says, but rather, it says what it means. we need to understand, what did it mean to those who heard it? That is, the whole of the Old Testament is the Incarnation anticipated and the New Testament is the Incarnation accomplished.
We need to bear in mind that there is difference between studying the Bible and devotional reading of the Bible.
Studying is the focus on what the word means with a focus on interpretation.
Devotional reading is the focus on application, that is what does it mean to us in our lives.
When we study, often we can bypass the intent or meaning that the Holy Spirit caused the Scripture to be written.
Humility in Study
When we approach the Holy Word of God we should do so with humility, to hear
what God has revealed to us thru his Son Jesus. We as well need to understand
who our true guide and instructor of the Scripture is, which is the Holy Spirit
who leads us and give us understanding of the Bible. The Bible is not grasped
through human abilities or human intellect but thru the working of the Holy
Spirit in our minds he is our divine teacher and mentor always speaking to us
regarding the Holy Son of God Jesus.
When we read the Bible with our hearts and
minds guided by the Holy spirit we will hear the very voice of God, the Kol Yahweh, which calls out to all humanity to
accept and believe in Jesus Christ, when we hear the voice of God and accept
what our Lord so graciously offers us in his Holy Son our lives will be
transformed into his very image.
The Word is animated and active causing change
in our lives separating the carnal and the spiritual, it is like the pruning
knife that cuts away the dead branches in our lives leaving only the living
and fruit bearing.
"He cuts off every branch in me that
bears no fruit, while every branch from our lives that does bear fruit, he
prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Jhn: 15:2
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than
any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints
and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all
creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare
before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Heb: 4:12-13
Our Lord will cut away everything that is
produced from the flesh leaving only what, and who we are in Jesus.
Our Response
When we hear the very voice of God speaking
out to each and all thru the Bible and come to see that it is our Lord who
speaks to us, and we are stopped in the mid stride of our lives and turning to
see the gloried Jesus, then we are like St. John of Patmos struck by the shear
glory of the resurrected Lord, we, like St. John will bow and worship in humble
acknowledgement that Jesus is Lord of all. Jesus, the one who is fully God yet
through the incarnation is fully human the very Son of God who defeated even
death and the grave.
We see that through the Holy Scripture we are
encountering the living Son of God.
I, John, your brother and companion in the
suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the
island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On
the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a
trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the
seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia
and Laodicea.”
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when
I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone
like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a
golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as
white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze
glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In
his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp,
double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed
his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the
Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever
and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." Rev: 1:9-17
Studying the Bible brings us to see that our
Lord is present with us and stands ready to speak to us about the salvation so
freely offered to each and all if they will but freely receive it.
Sanctified Through Truth
Having our hearts and minds filled with the
Word of God protects us spiritual, we are "sanctified"
thru the truth of God, of which our Lord Jesus is the living embodiment of that
word, Jesus is living truth.
"
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is
truth." Jhn: 17:17
Jesus declares our sanctification thru the
Truth of the word of God, the word Jesus uses for sanctify is the word Haggizio , which describes what Roman soldiers
body armor did for them, it protected them from the attacks of their
enemies.
God word will protect us from our enemies as
well, but, like the Roman body armor we, like they, need to put it on, that is,
take up the word daily and "strap" it
on, that is make it part of us.
Study is a "Spiritual opportunity”,
not a "religious duty”. Studying the Bible is time well worth
spent bring us ever more aware of the abiding presence of God in each and all
of our lives.
Benediction: May we each and all be transformed into
the very image of the glorious Son of God thru the ever-active Holy word residing
in our hearts and minds, today, tomorrow and forevermore Amen.
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Topinabee Community Church
Topinabee Michigan
https://topinabeechurch.org/index.html
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