SPIRITUAL NURTURE

 

I pummel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor 9: 27 ).

 

Importance of Spiritual Nurture

 

A. for our own salvation

1. The Lord said, "He who does the will of my Father who is in heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 7: 21).

2. James said, "Faith apart from works is dead" (Jas 2: 26).

3. John said, "He who does not love remains in death" (1 Jn 3: 14).

4. The Bible says, "No one will see the Lord without holiness" (Heb 1 2: 14).

5. Paul said, "I pommel my body for the sake of salvation" (1 Cor 9: 27).

 

B. for the salvation of others

1. The Lord saves us in order that we may save others (1 Pet 2: 9).

2. What Paul did was to save some by all means (1 Cor 9: 22).

3. Some may be won by our good behavior (1 Pet 3: 1-2).

4. We should rather suffer wrong and be defrauded in order that some one may be saved (1 Cor 6:7-8).

5. We must never do anything that would cause another person's fall (1 Cor 8: 13; 10: 32, 33).

 

C. for the glory of God

1. We should glorify God in our body (1 Cor 6: 20).

2. We are created for God's glory (Is 43: 7).

3. For becoming "flesh made Word", we must be like Christ in order that God may be glorified (Phil 1: 21; Mt 6: 14-16).

4. The name of God should not be slandered by our evil doings (Rom 2: 23-24).

5. Whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10: 31 ).

 

D. so that God may be with us

1. We must always do what is pleasing to God so that God will be with us (Jn 8: 29).

2. We must keep God's commandments in order to have our prayers answered (1 Jn 3: 22).

3. A sinner will never win in a battle (Josh 7: 1-12).

4. Elisha received great power because he was a holy man of God (2 Kings 4: 9).

5. To be a vessel for noble use we should strive for holiness (2 Tim 2: 21 ).

 

Aspects of Spiritual Nurture

 

A. Sincerity (Honesty)

1. Worship God in truth.

(a) We must worship God in truth (Jn 4: 24).

(b) We should go to the house of the Lord to hear His word with sincerity ( Ps 1 22: 1 ; Ezek 33: 30-31 ).

(c) We should worship God with reverence and awe (Heb 12: 28).

(d) The Lord reveals His mighty power to help those who worship Him in truth and sincerity (2 Chron 16: 9).

 

2. Only those who are honest and sincere will be chosen as God's servants.

(a) One who fears God and is absolutely sincere and honest, and rejects wealth procured through illegal means shall be chosen as leaders (Ex 18: 21).

(b) Abraham was chosen because of his faith (Neh 9: 8).

(c) Jesus praised Nathanael because of his guilelessness (Jn 1: 47).

 

3. Speak the truth.

(a) Be not double-tongued (1 Tim 3: 8; Mt 5: 39).

(b) Speak no fair and flattering words (Rom 16: 18).

(c) Speak no lies ( Prov 1 2: 22; 19: 9).

(d) Do not spread rumours (Prov 11: 13; 16: 28).

(e) Do not gossip (Rom 1: 30).

(f) Speak the truth only (Eph 4: 15; Ps 15: 1-2).

(g) Keep your words (Ps 15: 4).

(h) To pay what you vow (Eccles 5: 4-7; Judg 11: 30-40).

( i) Mean what you say (Ps 28: 3).

• Joab did not mean what he said (2 Sam 20: 9-10).

• Absalom did not mean what he said (2 Sam 15: 1-6).

• Judas did not mean what he said (Mt 26: 49-50).

 

4. Faithfulness comes from sincerity.

(a) Servants of God must be faithful to their works (but faithfulness comes from sincerity).

• It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy (1 Cor 4: 1-2).

• Words of God are entrusted to faithful men (2 Tim 2: 1-2).

• A faithful messenger refreshes the spirit of his masters ( Prov 25: 13).

(b) A faithful man shows no favour.

• He does not please man but God (Gal 1: 1 0; Col 3: 22-23).

• Nathan, on receiving the word of God, scolded David (2 Sam 12: 7-19).

• Paul opposed Peter without reserve (Gal 2: 11-15).

(c) A faithfu I man is responsible for his work.

• He devotes himself to his duties day and night (1 Tim 4: 15; 2 Cor 11: 23-29).

• He does not slack in his work (Jer 8: 11; Ezek 13: 10-12).

• He carries out his duty to the end (Jn 10: 11; Acts 20: 22-24).

 

B. Love

 

1. The importance of love.

(a) Love is more important than eloquence, knowledge and faith (1 Cor 13: 1 -3).

(b) Love can edify others most (1 Cor 8: 1; Gal 5: 6).

(c) Love is most convincing (2 Cor 5: 14-15; Song 2: 4).

(d) Love fulfills the law (Rom 13: 8-10).

(e) He who loves his brother loves God (1 Jn 4: 20-21; Mt 25: 40).

(f) The Kingdom of God is for those who have love (Mt 25:34-40; 1 Jn 4: 16-17).

 

2. Love others' souls.

(a) We should have great anxiety for the unsaved ones (Rom 9: 1 -3; Acts 18: 5, 24-25).

(b) We should willingly spend and be spent (our lives) for the souls of others (2 Cor 12: 15).

(c) We should sacrifice our lives for the souls of others (1 Thess 2. 7-9; 1 Jn 3. 16).

(d) We should do all these for the sake of saving more souls (1 Cor 9: 19-23).

 

3. Care for the physical needs of others.

(a) Remember the poor (Gal 2: 1 0).

(b) Help our brothers in need (1 Jn 3: 16-18; Acts 20: 34-35).

(c) Have pity on our brothers who are sick (Jas 5: 14-16; Mk 1: 40-41).

(d) Take care of orphans and· widows (Jas 1: 27; Ex 22: 22-24).

 

4. The meaning of love.

(a) Love does not insist on its own way (1 Cor 13: 5; Gen 13: 8-9).

(b) Love is not resentful (1 Cor 13: 5; Gen 50: 15-21 ).

(c) Love is not jealous (1 Cor 13:4;1 Sam23:16-17).

(d) Love does no wrong to a neighbor (Rom 13: 8-10; 2 Kings 6: 20-23).

(e) Love is to do good to one's enemies (Lk 6: 27-28; 23: 34).

(f) Love our neighbours as ourselves (Mt 22: 39-40; Lk 10: 27-37).

 

C. Holiness

 

1. The importance of holiness.

(a) God hates immorality (Heb 1: 9; Num 25: 9-11)

(b) God does not listen to the prayers of sinners (Jn 9: 31; Is 59: 1 -2).

(c) God will not be with sinners (Josh 7:11-12, 25).

(d) No one will see the Lord without holiness (Heb 12: 14; Gal5: 19-21).

 

2. Only a holy man is entrusted

by God.

(a) If we purify ourselves we will be vessels for noble use (2 Tim 2: 21 ).

(b) The great prophet, Elijah, was pure in heart (1 Kings 17:8-9, 18).

(c) Elisha was entrusted by God because of his holiness (2 Kings 4: 9, 27).

 

3. Treat the opposite sex in all purity.

(a) Treat the opposite sex in all purity (1 Tim 5: 2).

(b) Keep our hearts from lust (Mt 5: 28).

(c) Samson was defeated by a woman (Judg 16: 4-21 ).

(d) Joseph dared not do evil because he feared God (Gen 39: 7-12).

 

4. Be pure in speech.

(a) Let no evil talk proceed from the mouth (Eph 4: 29; 5: 3).

(b) Avoid levity (Eph 5: 4).

(c) Foul talk will stain the whole body (Jas 3: 1-6).

(d) Isaiah knew that he was not pure in words (Is 6: 1-5).

 

5. Be pure in sight.

(a) The lust of the eyes comes from Satan (1 Jn 2: 15-16).

(b) David sinned against God owing to the lust of the eyes (2 Sam 11: 2-8).

(c) Turn our eyes from looking at evil (Job 31: 1; Ps 119: 37).

(d) Adorn ourselves modestly to avoid tempting others to sin (1 Tim 2: 9-10; 1 Pet 3: 3).

 

6. We must be honest in matters of money.

(a) Samuel was not greedy for gain during his life (1 Sam 12:1-5).

(b) Paul coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel (Acts 20: 33-35).

(c) Do not use godliness as a means for gain (1 Tim 6: 5; 2 Cor 2: 7).

(d) Balaam (2 Pet 2: 15), Gehazi (2 Kings 5: 20-27), and Judas (Jn 12: 4-6) failed in life because of their greed for money.

 

7. Do not defile ourselves with wine (Dan 1: 8).

(a) Wine will make us forget God's decree (Prov 31: 4-5).

(b) Wine will lead one into acts of fornication (Gen 19: 30- 38).

(c) Drunkards will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 6: 10; Gal 5: 21).

(d) Do not look at wine when it is red and sparkles in the cup (Prov 23: 31 -32).

• We should strive to be holy in every way (1 Pet 1: 15- 16; 1 Thess 5: 23).

 

D. Humbleness and Gentleness (Mt11:29)

 

Humbleness

 

1. The importance of humbleness.

If we are humble we will be able to:

(a) walk with God (Mic 6: 8)

(b) receive grace from God (1 Pet 5: 5)

(c) receive honor from God (Prov 18: 12)

(d) be saved by God (Ps 76: 9)

(e) find peace for our souls (Mt 11: 29).

 

2. The humble one will not be self-contented because he:

(a) counts others better than himself (Phil 2: 3)

(b) is never conceited (Rom 1 2: 1 6)

(c) never justifies himself as a righteous one ( Lk 18: 14- 19)

(d) is willing to accept advice (Prov 15: 31-33; 25: 12).

 

3. The humble one does not seek his own glory.

(a) Jesus did not seek His own glory (Jn 8: 50; 5: 41 ).

(b) A humble man does not seek respect from others (Prov 25: 27; Mt 23: 5-7).

(c) We must not boast about ourselves (Prov 27: 1 -2; Dan 4: 28-31 ).

(d) We must give all glory to the Lord (Ps 96: 7-8; 115: 1).

 

4. We should willingly humble

ourselves to serve others.

(a) The Lord came not to be served but to serve ( Mt 20: 28).

(b) Jesus humbled himself and washed the disciples' feet (Jn 13: 12-17; Phil2: 6-8).

(c) Paul imitated Jesus in order to be a slave for all (1 Cor 9: 19; Acts 20: 18-19).

(d) Jesus said, "Let the leader be as one who serves" ( Lk 22: 24-27).

 

Gentleness

 

1. Speak graciously (Col 4: 6).

(a) A soft answer turns away wrath (Prov 15: 1 ).

(b) A soft tongue will break a bone (Prov 25: 15).

(c) Gideon spoke graciously to turn away the people's wrath (Judg 8: 1-3).

(d) Rehoboam answered harshly and this caused his people to rebel against him (1 Kings 12: 12-16).

 

2. Be slow to anger (Jas 1 : 19).

(a) He who is slow to anger has great understanding (Prov 14: 29-30; 19: 11).

(b) Be not quick to anger (Eccles 7: 9).

(c) Pressing anger produces strife (Prov 30: 32-33).

(d) He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty (Prov 16: 32).

(e) Deference will make amends for great offences (Eccles 10: 4).

 

3. Endure pain while suffering unjustly.

(a) When Jesus was reviled, He did not revile in return, and when He suffered, He did not threaten (1 Pet 2: 22- 23; Is 53: 7 -9).

(b) Jesus endured pain while suffering unjustly (1 Pet 2: 19-21; Is 50: 7).

(c) We should follow Jesus" example (1 Pet 2: 21).

(d) We should not be quarrelsome but be kindly to everyone (2 Tim 2: 24-26).

• Moses could perform the most difficult tasks because of his meekness (Num 12: 3).

 

E. Justice

 

1. Treat everyone justly.

(a) Do not judge others according to their appearance (1 Sam 16: 6-9).

(b) Do not place importance on the rich and despise the poor (Jas 2: 1-4).

(c) Do not be partial to the poor or defer to the rich (Lev 19: 15).

 

2. Judge impartially.

(a) Partiality in judging is not good (Prov 24: 23-24; 28: 21 ).

• Pilate freed the criminal, Barabbas, to satisfy the crowd (Mk 15: 14-15).

(b) Do not listen to only one side of the story in any judgment (Prov 18: 17; Jn 7: 50-51).

• David only listened to Ziba and wrongly judged Mephibosheth (2 Sam 1 6: 1 -4; 19: 24-30).

(c) Do not believe witnesses blindly (Prov 18: 17; Jn 7: 50-51).

• Jezebel put Naboth to death by engaging false witnesses (1 Kings 21: 8-14).

(d) Do not convict a person basing only on material evidence.

• Joseph's master put Joseph into prison without investigating how the garment came to be in the hands of his wife (Gen39:11-20).

 

3. Stand up for justice bravely.

(a) John the Baptist condemned Herod's unlawful act (Mt 14: 3-11 ).

(b) Joseph, a member of the council, did not consent to their purpose and deed (i.e. killing Jesus) (Lk 23: 50- 53).

(c) We must aim at righteousness (2 Tim 2: 22).

(d) Righteousness delivers one from death ( Prov 1 0: 2).

 

F. Obedience

 

1. The importance of obedience.

(a) By Adam's disobedience, many were made sinners (Rom 5: 19).

(b) By Jesus' obedience many are made righteous (Rom 5: 19).

(c) To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken 58 than the fat of rams (1 Sam 15: 22).

 

2. Be obedient to the truth.

(a) The Word of God (the bible) is the truth (Mt 5: 18).

(b) Those who disobey the Word will stumble (1 Pet 2: 8).

(c) Those who disobey the Word will be judged (Jn 12: 48).

(d) Those who obey the Word will be saved (Gen 6: 22, 7: 5; Mk 16: 10).

 

3. Obey God's Will.

(a) We should find out what the will of God is and then do it (Rom 12: 2).

(b) Do the will of God like Jesus did (Heb 10: 5-8).

(c) Jesus became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Mt 26: 39-46; Phil 2: 8).

(d) Paul did not account his life of any value if only he might accomplish the will of God (Acts 20: 22-24; 21: 11- 14).

 

4. Obey the church.

(a) The Church represents Jesus. To obey the church is to obey Jesus (Mt 18: 17-18; Lk 10: 16).

(b) Peter, John and the rest of the apostles took orders from the Church (Acts 8: 14-17; 11: 22-24).

(c) When faced with contentions over some doctrines, Paul went to Jerusalem to seek advice from the apostles and he adhered to their decisions (Acts 1 5: 1 -6; 16: 4-5).

 

5. Be submissive to one another.

(a) The young should be submissive to the elderly (1 Pet 5: 5).

(b) The old should also listen to the young (Job 32: 6-1 0).

(c) Everyone should respect the spiritual gifts of others and be submissive to one another (Rom 12: 3-6; 1 Cor 12: 8-26).

(d) Korah and his people were put to death because of their disobedience to their leader (Num 16: 1-49).

 

G. Courage (Faith)

 

1. A leader should have courage through his faith.

(a) God's workers are good soldiers of Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2: 3).

(b) Divine work is war in which are many difficulties and dangers ( Mt 1 0: 1 6; Acts 14: 22; 20: 22-24).

(c) To seek courage through trusting the Lord is essential when working for the Lord (Josh 1: 6, 7, 9, 18; Rev 12:11).

(d) Whoever is too timid is not worthy to be a good soldier of the Lord (Judg 7: 2-3).

 

2. All great workers are men of good faith who trust in the Lord.

(a) When Moses was confronted by difficulties from all sides, he did not fear for he had faith in God (Ex 14: 10-14).

(b) Joshua exhorted the people of Israel to rely on God in their attack on Canaan (Num 13: 30; 14: 10).

(c) Deborah led the soldiers and encouraged Barak to fight bravely (Judg 4: 9, 14; 5: 12).

(d) With only three hundred men, Gideon fought a winning battle against their enemy through his faith in God (Judg 7: 2-7, 19-23).

(e) David, depending upon God, killed Goliath (1 Sam 17: 31 -54).

(f) Elijah alone challenged the eight hundred and fifty false prophets to the truth at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18: 14-40).

(g) Three youths risked their lives in disobeying the King's order (Dan 3: 16-18).

(h) Peter and John preached the gospel courageously without fear of being imprisoned (Acts 4: 13-21; 5: 26-31 ).

(i) To accomplish his course, Paul held no regard for his life (Acts 20: 24; 21: 13; 2 Cor 11: 22-27).

 

3. The Holy Spirit strengthens us.

(a) God may grant one to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man (Eph 3: 16; 6: 10).

(b) Peter, who denied knowing Jesus three times, became brave through the strength given by the Holy Spirit (Lk 22: 31-34, 54-62; Acts 4: 16-31).

(c) Be brave in God (1 Cor 16: 13; 2 Tim 1: 7).

 

H. Patience-

Patience is one of the factors of success.

 

1. Patience in work

(a) An apt teacher should be patient and forbearing (Prov 25: 11; Is 40: 11; Gen 33: 13-14; 2 Tim 2: 24-25).

(b) Great patience is needed to accomplish missionary work (2 Tim 4: 2, 5; Jas 5:. 7).

(c) Moses bore the weight and burden of the people upon himself with patience (Num 11: 11-14; Deut 1: 9-15).

(d) Paul sacrificed himself in his work for others (2 Cor 12: 15-16; 1 Cor 4: 3-4).

 

2. Patience in persecution

(a) We are destined to suffer for His name's sake (Jn 15: 18-21; Acts 9: 15-16).

(b) We will suffer reviling, persecution, scourging, and imprisonment (2 Cor 11: 23-26).

(c) The early believers had undergone all kinds of hardship and sufferings (Heb 11: 35-38; Mt 5: 1 0-12).

(d) Being exposed to abuse and affliction, we can fulfill the will of God (Heb 10: 32-39).

 

3. Patience in life

(a) Our Lord Jesus Christ lived in poverty for our sake (Lk 9: 57 -58; 2 Cor 8: 9).

(b) Moses sacrificed his luxurious life and, along with the people, willingly suffered for the Lord (Josh 11: 24- 27).

(c) Paul endured the lack of daily needs when he worked for God (1 Cor 4: 11; 2 Cor 11: 26-27).

(d) Willingly suffer poverty with Christ, treat worldly pleasure as unvirtuous and sufferings as glorious (1 Pet 4: 1, 2, 12-13). Only endurance will bring us spiritual progress, success in our work and ultimately the crown of glory ( Mt 24: 13; 2 Tim 4: 6-8).

 

The above eight aspects do not cover everything. The ultimate object of spiritual nurture is to be like Christ. Christ is "Word made flesh" but Christians should become "flesh made Word" to reflect Christ's image (Phil 1: 21 ).

 

The Ways to Spiritual Nurture

 

A. Read the Bible daily.

 

1. The Word of God is a light to our paths (Ps 119: 105).

(a) It directs our way (2 Tim 3: 16-17).

(b) It reveals to us our true selves (Jas 1: 23).

 

2. The Word of God is a Christian's spiritual food (Jer 15: 16).

(a) It helps us grow spiritually (1 Pet 2: 2).

(b) It strengthens us spiritually (1 Kings19:7-8).

 

3. The Word of God sanctifies us (Jn 17: 17).

(a) By keeping God's Word we can keep our ways pure (Ps 119: 9).

(b) God sanctifies the church through His Word (Eph 5: 26).

 

B. Be alert at all times.

 

1. Keep our minds free from evils.

(a) Our hearts control our actions ( Prov 4: 23).

(b) To have an evil thought is sinful before God (Mt 5: 28).

(c) Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer (1 Jn 3: 15).

(d) Pray to God that the thoughts in our hearts will be acceptable in His presence (Ps 19: 14).

 

2. Watch our speech at all times.

(a) Do not speak rashly (Ps 106: 33; Jas 1: 19).

(b) Restrain your words (Prov 17: 27-28).

(c) Determine not to talk bad about others (Rom 1: 30).

(d) Pray to the Lord to let the words of our mouths be acceptable in His sight (Ps 19:14).

 

3. Watch our conduct at all times (Prov 14: 15).

(a) Check if what we do is according to the will of God (Rom 12: 2).

(b) Check if we carry out our words (Rom 2: 21 -22; Mt 23: 1 -4).

(c) Ask God to let us realise our faults (Ps 19: 12).

(d) Ask God to keep us back from presumptuous sins (Ps 19: 13).

 

C. Exhort one another in Christ.

 

1. Point out one another's faults.

(a) Jesus tells us to point out others' faults (Mt 18: 15).

(b) Paul pointed out the fault of Peter (Gal 2: 11).

(c) Friends should admonish one another sincerely ( Prov 27: 9).

 

2. Take advice from others.

(a) Better is open rebuke than hidden love (Prov 27: 5).

(b) A wise reprover is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold (Prov 25: 12).

(c) He whose ear heeds wholesome admonition will gain life (Prov 15: 31-33).

 

3. Influence one another through good Christian conduct.

 

(a) Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another (Prov 27: 17).

(b) Love the brotherhood ( 1 Pet 2: 17).

(c) To aim at good conduct along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart (2 Tim 2: 22).

 

D. Rely on the Holy Spirit.

 

1. Put to death the deeds of the

body by the Spirit.

(a) Man no longer can do good through his efforts (Jer 13: 23).

(b) Put to death the deeds of

the body by the Spirit (Rom 8: 13).

(c) Paul was delivered from the body of sin through Jesus Christ (Rom 7: 23-25).

 

2. We can only be renewed by the Holy Spirit.

(a) Christians must be a new creation (2 Cor 5: 17).

(b) We are renewed by the divine power of the Holy Spirit (Ezek 36: 26-27; 1 Sam10:6).

(c) This new nature is created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4: 20-24).

 

3. The power of the Spirit comes from prayer.

(a) Pray unceasingly (1 Thess 5: 17; Ps 71: 8).

(b) Pray fervently (Rom 12: 12; Heb 5: 7).

(c) Pray to be filled with the Spirit and bear the fruits of the Spirit and work out one's own salvation for the glory of God (Eph 5: 18; Rev 22: 1-2; Phil 2: 12-13).

 

The year 1976 will be over soon! During this end of year, I give thanks to the Lord for His care and protection. I am rather heavily burdened at heart. To be able to live is a great blessing; it is also a l:)urden. For a man who lives has a responsibility towards the Lord who keeps him alive - he must live for the Lord (Rom 14: 7, 8). I look back and wonder how much work and effort I had put in for the Lord. How much harvest had each church or all the churches contributed to the Lord? It would be most regrettable for us to receive the Lord's blessing without being grateful but to use up the ground (Lk 13: 7) !