Here are the notes from our “Curious about Christ” outreach on SPIRITUALITY.
CURIOUS ABOUT CHRIST WEEK 4: HOW DID CHRIST UNDERSTAND SPIRITUALITY?
A Christ-informed SPIRITUALITY is a relationship with the Living God who is there and can be known and loved. It is a spirituality that is rooted in truth, made possible by Christ, and transforms ALL of life.
Here are some passages from the Bible which demonstrate a biblical spirituality:
Psalm 63:3 “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.”
Psalm 23 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Hosea 6:3a “Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD”
John 17:3: And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
- JESUS SHOWS US WHAT SPIRITUALITY IS MEANT TO LOOK LIKE
-A life of love for God and knowledge of God (prayer and worship) Mark 1:35: And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
Luke 1:21 21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
-A life of loving God with God’s people: Matt 26:30 “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives”
-A life of godliness Heb 4:15 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
-A life empowered by the Holy Spirit Luke 3:21-22 21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” - JESUS WARNS AGAINST A SPIRITUALITY THAT IS NOT ROOTED IN THE TRUTH
-John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
IMPLICATION: Not every “spirituality” is equal. Some are NOT pleasing to God, some lead away from God and from TRUTH. - JESUS DEALS WITH OUR IMPURE OR SINFUL SPIRITUALITY IN THE GOSPEL
-John 10:10-11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
-John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
-John 1:12-13 “12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” - JESUS LEADS INTO A SPIRITUALITY THAT IS DELIGHTFUL NOW AND INTO ETERNITY
-A life of loving and enjoying God now: Col 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
-A life empowered by the Holy Spirit John 14:16-17 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
-A Communal spirituality shared with others (“one another”):
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Gal 6:1-2 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
-Everything Transformed Col 3:17 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NO MORE Sacred/Spiritual DIVIDE
