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"PRESCRIPTION FOR SPIRITUAL HEALTH"
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In 3 Jn 2
John expresses his concern for Gaius' physical well-
 being...
 a. Implied is the excellent status of Gaius' spiritual well-being
 b. How about our spiritual health?
 
2. Spiritual vitality and strength are attained only through effort...
 a. Just like physical health requires a proactive approach to
 wellness
 b. What is need to maintain a good level of spiritual health?
 
3. While I am not a doctor
nor play one on TV...
 a. Let's take a look at the Great Physician's "PDR" (physician's desk
 reference
i.e.
the Bible)
 b. To see if we can't come up with a "Prescription For Spiritual
 Health"
 
[Both physical health and spiritual health require...]
 
I. A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM
 
 A. TO WARD OFF DISEASE...
 1. Without a healthy immune system
relatively small threats can
 be deadly
 2. Spiritually
how strong is our ability to withstand threats
 like:
 a. Temptation?
 b. False teaching?
 c. Persecution?
 
 B. TO FACE THE INEVITABLE...
 1. Temptation and spiritual hardships are inevitable
 a. We can't live in a bubble
 b. Going out of the world to avoid all contact with temptation
 is not possible - Jn 17:15; cf. 1 Co 5:9
10; 1 Jn 5:18
 2. Spiritually speaking
we need to build up our resistance
 - Ja 4:7
 
 C. WITH A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM...
 1. We will be able to take heed
lest we fall - 1 Co 10:12
 2. We will be able to live circumspectly - Ep 5:15-17
 3. We will be able to withstand the wiles of the devil - Ep 6:
 10
11
 
[Contributing to a strong immune system is...]
 
II. REGULAR EXERCISE
 
 A. WE THRIVE ONLY WHEN ACTIVE...
 1. This is true spiritually as well as physically
 2. There is the danger of becoming spiritually "sluggish" - cf.
 He 6:11
12
 
 B. THE NECESSITY OF SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY...
 1. We have been created to walk in good works - Ep 2:10
 a. There is work to be done - Ti 3:8
14
 b. We have been saved in order to serve - Mt 20:27
28
 2. Each of us individually has work to do - 1 Co 12:6
7
18; cf.
 2 Ti 2:20
21
 a. We each need to exercise ourselves unto godliness - 1 Ti
  4:7
8
 b. We must work while there is time and opportunity - Ga 6:9;
 cf. Jn 9:4
 c. We can work most effectively within the framework of the
 local congregation!
 1) Fulfilling needed roles in evangelism
edification

 benevolence
 2) Such as personal work
teaching Bible classes

 ministering to the sick
 
[While there is much work to do
and work is conducive to spiritual
health
so also is...]
 
III. PERIODIC REST
 
  A. ENERGIES AND RESOURCES NEED REPLENISHING...
 1. When much productive work has been done
we need rejuvenation
 to continue
 a. We must stop and sharpen the saw
 b. Otherwise we become exhausted
and suffer "burnout"
 2. Periods of retreat characterized the Lord's ministry - Mk 6:
 30-31
 a. We are made such that we need some downtime
 b. There is value in periodic solitude
where we can meditate

 reflect
rest
 
 B. WE FUNCTION BEST ALTERNATING WORK AND REST...
 1. Spiritually
as well as physically
the Lord designed us to
 function best within the round of cycles and seasons that
 alternate between work and rest
 2. The Lord Himself took time to be alone
to pray - Mk 1:35; Lk
 5:16
 
 C. SPIRITUAL REST DOESN'T MEAN DOING NOTHING...
 1. It means doing something different that will refresh and
 restore our energy for work
 2. It allows time for quiet prayer and Bible study
 a. Releasing anxiety and enjoying the peace of Christ - Ph 4:
 6-7
 b. Feeding our minds with things of virtue and good report - Ph
 4:8-9
 
[Whatever the content of our usual activities
we simply cannot remain
spiritually strong without significant periods of restful change. Not
only for ourselves
but do we also appreciate the need for our brethren
to "take a break"? Finally
let's not neglect to mention the importance
of...]
 
IV. A HEALTHY DIET
 
 A. PROVIDING SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT...
 1. We do not live by bread alone
but by the Word of God - Mt 4:4
 2. The Lord's words are the words of life - Jn 6:63
68
 3. We grow by virtue of the pure milk of the word - 1 Pe 2:2-3
 
 B. AVOIDING SPIRITUAL JUNK FOOD...
  1. The Bible refers to that which is "sound doctrine" (lit.

 healthy teaching) - Ti 2:1
 2. There is also that which is opposite "sound doctrine"
 a. Anything which teaches contrary to the blessed gospel - cf.
 1 Ti 1:9-11
 b. Which may appeal to those with "itching ears" - cf. 2 Ti 4:
 2-4
 -- Health-giving nourishment involves both the assimilation of
 nutritious food
and the avoidance of toxic substances!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. The "Prescription For Spiritual Health" is a simple one...
 a. A Healthy Diet
 b. Periodic Rest
 c. Regular Exercise
 -- Which together builds a A Strong Immune System
 
2. If we follow this prescription
our spiritual health and progress
 will be evident - 1 Ti 4:11-16
 a. Saving not only ourselves
 b. But blessing those around us as well (infecting them with good
 health!)
 
If we are not as spiritually healthy as we know we should be
then
follow the Great Physician's "Prescription For Spiritual Health". If we
are overcome by the disease of sin
then look to Him who provides
spiritual healing and renewal:
 
 "Bless the LORD
O my soul;
 And all that is within me
bless His holy name!"
 "Bless the LORD
O my soul

  And forget not all His benefits:"
 "Who forgives all your iniquities

 Who heals all your diseases
"
 "Who redeems your life from destruction

 Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies
"
 "Who satisfies your mouth with good things

 So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
 
 - Psa 103:1-5
 
Note: The main idea and several thoughts from this lesson were taken
from a lesson by Gary Henry. The URL for his web site containing many
excellent articles and sermon outlines is: http://www.brasstacks.org

－－《Executable Outlines》