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Spiritual Indicators Am I Growing As I Should?

Spiritual Indicators Am I Growing As I Should?. Examination is a part of life – and important! We understand this in many areas of life – our schooling (tests), our heath, our finances, our possessions (cars, etc.). In each of these, if there is a problem, we address it to make improvement.

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Spiritual Indicators Am I Growing As I Should?

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  1. Spiritual IndicatorsAm I Growing As I Should?

  2. Examination is a part of life – and important! • We understand this in many areas of life – our schooling (tests), our heath, our finances, our possessions (cars, etc.). • In each of these, if there is a problem, we address it to make improvement

  3. But what about our spiritual health? • Our physical bodies are only temporary and will wear out – Ecclesiastes 12:1-8, James 4:14 • But our souls will live on eternally. • So it behooves us to take care of our spiritual bodies as well.

  4. We have emphasized our need to go on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1) • But where do we begin? • We begin with a spiritual examination. A spiritual audit! While audits are not pleasant, they can be beneficial • 2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 6:4

  5. We need to look at where we are and compare that with where we ought to be!Hebrews 5:12-14 • To do this, let us notice some “spiritual indicators”

  6. Spiritual indicators • An indicator is a device or standard that tells you where you are (thermometer, speedometer, a checklist, etc.) • Indicators help us determine if we are where we are supposed to be so that we can make adjustments if needed

  7. Spiritual indicators • Spiritual indicators are standards found in God’s word that help us determine where we are in relation to where we ought to be spiritually. James 1:22-25 • They are determined by noticing what the Bible says about a subject and then asking some pointed questions to see where we are!

  8. What is my priority? • Priority – a thing regarded as more important than other things, that which is of first concern. • There can only be one true priority! • Matthew 6:33, 10:37-38; Acts 5:29, etc.

  9. What is my priority? • It is easy to say God is first, but do we genuinely put that into practice? • When I act do I seriously consider how it will affect my standing before God? • For what am I willing to sacrifice myself? • When faced with a choice, does serving God typically win?

  10. What is my priority? • What if I were the rich young ruler? (Matthew 19:16-26) • What if I were Peter standing before the counsel? (Acts 5:29) • What if I were Joseph? (Genesis 39:9) • Am I totally honest with myself when I ask these things?

  11. Do I study my Bible? • The Bible is more than a book of Philosophy • It is the word of God! • 1 Thessalonians 2:13 • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – it makes us complete • 2 Timothy 2:15 – we are to rightly divide it! • We need a steady diet of the Bible – 2 Peter 3:18 • Acts 17:11 – like the Bereans

  12. Do I study my Bible? • How much time do I give to learning the word of God? • How well do I know the Bible? • Do I know more now than when I first obeyed? • Do I know more than last year? Hebrews 5:12-14

  13. Do I study my Bible? • Do I love His law? Psalm 1:1-2 • Does my mind default to His word for answers? • Can I share His word with others? • Can I defend my faith? 1 Peter 3:15 • Can I recognize error?

  14. Do I pray as I should? • Effective communication is a two way street • Prayer is how we communicate with God • It is a privilege for Christians1 John 5:14-15, 1:9 Hebrews 4:16

  15. Do I pray as I should? • We need to pray often! Luke 18:1-8, esp. 7-8 Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 • Even Jesus prayed – Luke 5:16 (Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:22-23)

  16. Do I pray as I should? • How often do I pray? Is it how I begin and end my day? • Do others know that I pray? Daniel 6:10, Cf. Matthew 6:5-8 • What and who do I pray for?

  17. Do I pray as I should? Seven days without prayer makes one WEAK! • Do I pray with faith, James 1:5-6 • Do I believe that God answers prayers? 1 John 5:14-15 • Do I turn to Him with my struggles? 1 Peter 5:7 • Do I turn to Him in gratitude? Ephesians 5:20

  18. Do I control my tongue? • James 3:1-12 describes the power of the tongue • Though small, it is powerful • Out of the heart, the mouth speaks Matthew 12:34-36 • Proverbs 10:19 • Words DO hurt!

  19. Do I control my tongue? Before I speak, do I THINK! Is it…TrueHelpfulInspiringNecessaryKind • How well do I manage my words? • Do I in anger say things that are sinful? James 1:19 • Do I blaspheme God? • Am I guilty of gossip? • Are my words totally truthful? • Do I use my words for good?

  20. Do I understand repentance? • A subject misunderstood by many • Repentance is a changing of one’s mind (that leads to a true change in conduct) • 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

  21. Do I understand repentance? • Do we emphasize repentance as we ought to? • Part of obeying the gospel - Acts 2:38, 3:19How many fall away too soon because they fail to understand this? • Part of the Christian life when we sin – Acts 8:22, etc.

  22. Do I understand repentance? • How well am I dealing with my sins? • Am I genuinely trying to repent when I do wrong? • Do I find myself caught up in the same sinful behaviors over and over? • What steps am I taking to remove temptations from my life?

  23. How much do I care about others? • The Christian’s life is not just about you! • Yes we have personal responsibility – Galatians 6:5 • We need to care about others! • Galatians 5:13 Philippians 2:3-4 cf. Matthew 5:44-48

  24. How much do I care about others? • “Love your neighbor as yourself” Matthew 22:39,James 2:8, Romans 13:9 • We are in the world! John 17:15-17, Philippians 2:14-15

  25. How much do I care about others? • Do I genuinely love (care about) my neighbor? • Am I willing to serve those in need, even sacrificing? • Do I think about their soul?

  26. How much do I care about others? We HAVE to care!If we are to make society a better place, it will happen ONE neighbor at a time! • Am I pleasant to be around? • Does the light of the gospel shine in me? Matthew 5:13-16

  27. These are some spiritual indicators with which we can gauge where we are in relation to where we ought to be. • IF I find a need for change, I need to repent and get to work becoming what God wants you to be! • Remember Matthew 28:19-20

  28. Are you ready to stand before God?

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