Wednesday Night Bible Study - Spiritual Disciplines

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us this evening to come together and to fellowship and to just reflect on private spiritual disciplines. Please bless this time, Lord. Would your word be just reflected on in truth, Father?

Would you help us, Lord, to grow in private spiritual disciplines, Father? And I pray all of this in Jesus' name. And also, Lord, would you please bless our time of prayer afterward? Pray this in Jesus' name.

Amen. All right. So we'll be going over private spiritual disciplines, in particular, private prayer, private reading of God's word, and private memorizing of God's word. And there is so, so much to go over these topics.

And these really don't encompass all of private worship. But these are just a few that I wanted to discuss. And before even going into these topics, I think it's important to mention the big prerequisite of all of this, which is the gospel.

The Gospel as Foundation for Spiritual Disciplines

In fact, if we haven't first grasped the gospel, these are just, you know, checking the box, just following tradition, and this really has no meaning in our lives. And so 2 Corinthians 5 .17 says,. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

The old things passed away, behold, new things have come. And an analogy I like to think about with this verse is, imagine if you have a pig, right? And you have the world's best slop right over here, and you have Mrs. Suzanne's best cooking over here, right?

And so if you had the pig go up to one of these plates, where is the pig going to go? Anyone? Exactly. The slop. Why? Because it's within the pig's nature to eat slop. That's what pigs eat. And so in the same manner, we, before coming to Christ, are like that pig who's going to gravitate toward that slop, gravitate toward our sin, and it's not until Christ changes us into a new creation where we have that new taste, new desire, and that being for the things of God, desire for God's word, desire for prayer, desire to be with God's people, to sing to God, whereas before we were gravitating toward the things of the world.

And in many ways, as this new creature, we might remember those times of sin where we're used to the light and our sin might gravitate toward that, but very quickly, the Holy Spirit convicts us as new creatures, and we have this disgust toward that sin that we used to gravitate toward, and we have this irresistible desire for the things of God.

And so these spiritual practices really play a role in our lives if we've first truly been transformed by the gospel. If we've first had this motivation, this fuel, which is the gospel for the things of God.

And so, again, just to preface, there's so much that you could say about prayer, I mean, you could have conferences on just prayer alone, and right now we're just going to cover the tip of the iceberg, and to be honest, I don't know if we're even going to get through all of what I had prepared, but we'll see where we land.

Why We Should Pray

And, okay, so let's start off. Prayer. Why should we pray? So to begin with, because God commands it, and that really should just be the mic drop. God commands it, we should be praying privately. Matthew 6, 6, but you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

So we have a commandment from Christ Himself within the context to not be as hypocrites, to pray out in the streets to be heard, but to pray to our Father in secret, and God actually rewards that. There's blessing in doing so.

Secondly, to commune with God. Psalm 145, 18, Yahweh is near to all who call upon Him. To all who call upon Him in truth, and I use the LSB manual, big fan of that translation, and we can claim this truth as Christians, as through Christ, we can call upon Him in truth, and we can trust that God is near those who call upon Him in truth.

Thirdly, because we have a need to pray. As it says in John 15, 5, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing. And that's a pretty strong statement.

Apart from Christ, we truly can't do anything. We can't even breathe without Christ, and it's through abiding in Christ, in particular through abiding in Him in prayer, that we can live this Christian life.

It's Christ who's truly sustaining us as Christians. And also, to have the mind of God. So Luke 6, 12 -13, now it happened that at this time, he went off to the mountain to pray, and he was spending the whole night in prayer to God.

And when day came, he called his disciples to him, and chose 12 of them, whom he also named as apostles. And there's, I think, a lot that can be said on this verse. But one thing to note is that if there's anyone who did not need to spend a whole night in prayer, it would have been Jesus.

And so that really, I think, is convicting to us how much more ought we to be praying to God when it comes to not just the big matters of this life, but even smaller matters of this life. And James 1, 5, but if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

And this is another promise that we can claim in God's word that God graciously gives us wisdom when we ask of it from him as a promise. And it is really something we need to have the mind of God. And so how often should we be praying?

How Often to Pray

And we see different examples in scripture. One that I like to think about is Daniel, in Daniel 6, 10 to 11. Now when Daniel knew that the written document was signed, he entered his house. Now in his roof chamber, he had windows open toward Jerusalem.

And he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel seeking to make a petition and making supplication before his God.

So Daniel, he set apart three distinct times in his day to be alone with God in prayer. And I think that's an example that we could even apply. As a saint that God has worked through, we can see that God has so sanctified him to set apart three distinct times in his day to pray.

And why couldn't we? Why shouldn't we set aside time, even three times during the day, to just be alone with God in prayer? We see David, Psalm 55, evening and morning and at noon. I will complain and moan, and he will hear my voice.

So again, David also would spend three distinct times a day, as according to this verse, in prayer, where he's complaining and moaning and he's opening his heart to God. And we see examples from Jesus while he was on Earth.

Matthew 14, 23, and after he had sent the crowds away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone. Matthew 26, 36, then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to the disciples, sit here while I go over there and pray.

Mark 1, 35, and in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus rose up, went out of the house, and went away to a desolate place and was praying there. And something to mark about this verse is that Jesus made prayer in communing with the Father as his first priority in the day.

And Mark 6, 46, and after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. Luke 5, 16, but he himself would often slip away to the desolate regions and pray. So we see from the example of Jesus that he would slip away, he would separate himself from what was going on during the day, such that he could be alone with God in prayer, alone with the Father in prayer.

And so I really think these examples speak volumes of how much we ought to really separate ourselves to private prayer. Again, just seeing that God commands it, it's our way to commune with God. We have such a need to pray, and it's a way that we can have the mind of God.

And not to over-exasperate ourselves, but rather to remember that Christ has died for us. We have trusted in Christ, we have the gospel. This ought to be our fuel. Out of love for Christ, we ought to seek to set apart these times to pray and be alone with him, trusting in his promises and that he rewards ultimately that time of prayer.

And also, I mean, not only setting these distinct separate parts, times during the day to pray, but also to pray at all times, such as 1 Thessalonians 5 .17, Prayer Without Ceasing, Ephesians 6 .18, With all prayer and petition, pray at all times in the spirit.

And with this in view, be awake with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. And there's a lot that can be said again about this verse. It's within the context of the armor of God. And we see that it calls us to pray in the spirit, which is not referring to praying in tongues as many or they would probably interpret it as, but rather to pray empowered by the spirit.

The Holy Spirit helps us as believers to pray in a way that is true to God's word, that is honoring and pleasing to God. Praying in the spirit is praying in alignment with God's will, which the Holy Spirit empowers us to do.

And one thing that we can note from this verse as well is that we ought to also be praying for one another consistently throughout our week in private prayer. We as a body, we really need each other. We really need to be praying for one another, be involved with each other's lives.

Not just during our times of family worship, but even alone, we ought to be reminding of ourselves, of our brethren who we ought to be praying for. I'm not sure if I put this verse up here, but in Colossians 4.

Sorry, I'm just pulling it up real quick. It references Epaphras. So Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus sends greetings. He's always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

And I think this is another saint that God has so worked to pray for his brethren and is a great example for us to regard and to think about, to really be praying for one another and to be involved in each other's life as a local body.

And so again, praying at all times, Romans 12 .12, rejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer. Colossians 4 .2, devote yourselves to prayer, keeping awake in it with thanksgiving.

Philippians 4 .6, be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And we should also pray with perseverance. We see here in Luke 18 .1, now he was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not lose heart.

And I think this is an encouragement that we ought to not lose heart in prayer for whatever is burdening us. For me in particular, it's the salvation of my extended family, the salvation of my mom, my dad.

And it can be discouraging at times to think, God, why I don't really see much change. But we can be encouraged by this, that we can claim as Christians that we ought not to lose heart to pray for these things, to truly trust God that he is sovereign, he is in control, he is good.

He causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. And Christ himself is telling us to not lose heart, but to continue praying to God for these things.

How to Pray: The Lord's Prayer as Model

So how should we pray? And even before I get into that passage in our bulletin, I think these questions are really helpful also to inform how we should be praying. But Jesus tells us in Matthew 6, 19 to 13, pray then in this way.

Our father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name. And we go through this structure every week. But I think it's important to constantly remind ourselves of, and it's so deep. I think, again, you could even do a conference on just these verses.

So by the first statement, our father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name, we recognize who God is, his place, and we can approach God with reverence. Your kingdom come, that the gospel will be spread, that we ought to seek for the return of Christ, the full establishment of God's kingdom.

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We're expressing submission to God's will and a desire for those on earth to submit to God's will as it is done in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

During our prayers, we ought to rely on God for our sustenance. And forgive us our debts as you've also forgiven our debtors. We ought to seek God's forgiveness not in a sense of God needs to continue saving us as if God, we have been saved, we're being saved, and we will be saved.

But rather that we ought to restore our relationship ongoingly with God. As it says in 1 John 1, 9, therefore, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

That's a promise that we can claim from God. And we ought to have the posture of forgiveness toward others. And I think it even speaks that a heart that is unwilling to forgive demonstrates a big problem, and even one that hasn't truly grasped the gospel.

And we ought to also examine our relationships, as it says in Matthew 5, 23 to 24. Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering.

Sorry, leave your offering at the altar, before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. And next, and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

So it's important to note that God doesn't tempt. As it says in James 1, 13 to 14, let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God. For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself does not tempt anyone.

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. And through this, we recognize our weaknesses as well, and recognize that God is our shepherd who leads us. And for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, amen.

And so we end recognizing God's greatness, just as we have started in recognizing God's greatness. And we can see through scripture many examples, particularly in the Psalms, and other saints of old in the scriptures.

Believing God Answers Prayer

And we also ought to believe that God is one who truly answers prayer. It ought not to be just words, but we ought to truly believe that God, you truly answer prayer. And as it says, Mark 11, 24, therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.

James 1, 6, but he must ask in faith, doubting nothing. For the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. Matthew 7, 7 to 11, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find.

Knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. And he who seeks, finds. And to him who knocks, it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?

Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father, who is in heaven, give what is good to those who ask him?

In 1 John 5, 14 to 15, and this is your confidence, which we have before him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from him.

So I think these verses clearly outline that we must not doubt God when we pray, but truly trust that he is a God that answers prayer. And we can claim to these promises as Christians. We can remind ourselves of these promises.

And also, we ought to pray with fear and reverence. And so, Psalm 145, 19 says, he will work out the desire of those who fear him. He will hear their cry for help, and he will save them. And with all these things, I think it's a good application to pray and ask that God would help us to grow in our faith, and to grow in our fear and reverence of him, especially when we pray, and to even help us to set apart time during the day to pray.

And to get to pray with perseverance, to pray at all times. We can ask God to help us in these graces. So, we've got about six minutes left. All right, let's continue to the confession. So I think there's two chapters in the confession that I thought were helpful, talking about private prayer, worth noting in chapter 22, paragraph three.

The Confession on Prayer

It says, prayer with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship is by God required of all men. Right, so it's something that God requires. He requires us to pray, but that it may be accepted. It is to be made in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his will, with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance.

And when with others in a known tongue. And paragraph six, neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship is now under the gospel tied unto or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed or towards which it is directed.

But God is to be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth, as in private families daily, and in secret, each one by himself, so more solemnly in public assemblies, which are not carelessly or willfully to be neglected or forsaken, when God by his word or providence calls thereunto.

Reading God's Word

So that summarizes, or I guess that completes the portion of prayer. Not sure if I'll have enough time to go through God's word. I might just go to the bottom, where it says, Constitution of Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church, or maybe just, I might just skim through the topic.

So, why should we read God's word? To know who God is, you can read those verses on your own. And to renew our minds, to feed ourselves spiritually. You know, we can think of this analogy of eating and going hungry.

How much more do we need to feed ourselves spiritually than physically? And it pierces through our hearts. It convicts us of our sin and points us to Christ. How should we be reading God's word? We can read it analytically.

I like the term, I've heard it from Paul Washer being said of, with your boots on. So you're studying it analytically. You're trying to really go deep, going through the Greek and Hebrew. And also with your boots off, just to really enjoy it and to delight in God.

And also prayerfully, asking that God would help us to understand more of his word. We should be reading it to enjoy it, to spiritually satisfy our soul. We should read it to know God's precepts, to know what God's law is.

And I also like how in the confession, it points us to understand the Bible by having the clear passages interpret the less clear passages. And memorizing scripture, why should we memorize God's word?

Memorizing Scripture

We'll have to have direction to fight sin. It's really helpful to constantly remind ourselves of God's word when tempted. To delight in God's statues, to constantly remind ourselves and meditate throughout the day of who God is and what his word says.

And how do we memorize God's word? Well, we can use repetition through song. And this is different for each person. I'd actually be curious to see what you guys do to memorize scripture. And okay, and so now going into the constitution of our church.

Church Membership Commitments to Spiritual Disciplines

I think this is also a good reminder that as we've agreed to membership, we've agreed that we will cultivate private and family worship at our home. Striving to attain unto the scriptural example for ourselves and our families.

Bringing up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, training them to the service of Christ. So we've agreed that we will conduct private worship in our lives. And this is something that I even think we ought to keep each other accountable as a church to make sure, hey, how are you spending time in the word?

How are you praying? How are you, and even praying that we would grow in this grace. Of course, also with family worship, which is one of our prayer points. And just some objections I've commonly heard.

Common Objections to Spiritual Disciplines

So not enough time, there's not enough time in the day. If there were 25 hours, maybe, but there's only 24. And I think if we recognize Jesus made time to get alone with God, he would slip away from his duties.

And if there's anyone, right, who had an excuse, it was Jesus. He was constantly being bombarded by people who wanted healing and teaching. And just busy going there and this way and that way, didn't even have a place to lay his head.

He had all the excuse, but he made it a priority, as we saw earlier, to spend time alone with God. To make it his first priority to commune with his father. And another, I think, good response to that objection is, well, do you have enough time to eat?

Do we eat every day? Yeah, of course, no one's gonna starve themselves. And if we're making enough time to care for our physical bodies, then how much more are we to care for our souls? And so I think these are things that we ought to remind ourselves to convict us.

Not that we're trying to cross off a box, but again, going back to the prerequisite, because of the gospel, Christ has saved us. You don't have to pull my leg to spend time with Isumi, my wife. I love spending time with Isumi, my wife, right?

In the same manner, you don't have to pull a Christian's leg to spend time with God, it's a delight, it is a joy for the Christian to be with God. So another objection is, well, it's too hard. So much reading and I don't know where to start.

Starting Small with Spiritual Disciplines

And so as a Christian to another Christian, not that scripture particularly has a verse about this, but I would recommend start little by little. I think we can take examples of other things that we try to pick up as sort of an example to guide that.

So if I'm trying to run, I'm not gonna run a 5K the first time after never having run. I'm gonna first run a block, then I'm gonna increase that. Maybe the next time I'll run two blocks, and then maybe one mile.

And then little by little, I'll begin developing that habit to where it becomes a joy, a delight. And that's also what worked for me when I was picking up this discipline. And I have so much to grow in this, of course, but it really helped me just to read just a verse a day, and that's it.

And then later, a verse a day, a verse at night. And then little by little, you begin developing this habit in your life. You can build upon it, and you can take on more, and it becomes a delight. If you ask any of these runners, they love running, right?

They're crazy, right? Who likes running? But they love it because they've been doing it little by little to where they've established this habit into where their body just craves. They want to run more.

And so in the same way, I think it's helpful to see that example and apply it to just having these spiritual disciplines. It's a discipline. You have to train yourself little by little until it becomes a joy, a delight, a habit.

And if you don't know where to start, you can just read the Bible in order. I think that's pretty easy. I ended up in this chapter. I'll go to the next chapter the next day. There's also these reading plans.

I've never used it, but I've heard the McShane Reading Plan has been helpful. And I think as a church, we can help each other be accountable in this as well. And hey, let's both read through the Book of John together and both build up each other in that manner.

Benefits of Spiritual Disciplines

And some benefits, I mean, there's so much that can be said. These are just the tip of the tip of the iceberg. But while it helps us evangelize, I think that's another area that we've agreed to through the church constitution.

And as Christians, it ought to be a practice to constantly evangelize to others. By being disciplined about these spiritual disciplines, we'll be more equipped to then witness to others. By hiding God's word in our hearts, we have more vocabulary to share to other people.

It's ultimately God's word that changes people's lives. And so by knowing more of God's word, by being renewed, we'll then be able to share it with others more easily. It helps us encourage one another as well.

We can go to one another and share each other a verse that has encouraged us. And that's within God's providence, God can use that to encourage someone else. It equips us for every good work, as we see in 2 Timothy 3 .16 and 17.

And it guards us from error. As the Bereans, they examine the scriptures. By practicing these spiritual disciplines, we'll be more equipped to know what is wrong and what is right. There's that saying of how you can tell what a false dollar is.

And the way that you can know is to really, really know very well what a true dollar looks like. And so the way to know what is heresy, which sometimes can guard it or come as, Satan can come as an angel of light.

So we might not even be able to really tell if it's false teaching, but we can be more equipped to know that if we know what God's word truly says. And I went over time, so thank you guys. I hope this was helpful to everyone.

We can do more.