Spiritual Discipline 靈命操練 提前 I Tim 4:6-11

Get in shape and stay in shape 身体鍛練好, 並保持好. Physical (肉体) Spiritual (靈命)

提摩太前書 1 Tim 4:6-11 6你若將這些事提醒弟兄們，便是基督耶穌的好執事，在真道的話語，和你向來所服從的善道上，得了教育‧7只是要棄絕那世俗的言語，和老婦荒渺的話，在敬虔上操練自己‧8操練身體，益處還少‧惟獨敬虔，凡事都有益處‧因有今生和來生的應許‧9這話是可信的，是十分可佩服的‧10我們勞苦努力，正是為此‧因我們的指望在乎永生的神‧他是萬人的救主，更是信徒的救主‧11這些事你要吩咐人，也要教導人‧ 6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11 Prescribe and teach these things. (NASB)

提後 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 16 聖經都是神所默示的，﹝或作凡神默示的聖經﹞於教訓，督責，使人歸正，教導人學義，都是有益的‧17 叫屬神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事‧

The need for spiritual discipline 灵命操練的必要 There is no effective spiritual ministry apart from personal godliness, since ministry is the overflow of a godly life. 沒有個人的敬虔就不可能有有果效的屬靈服事, 因為服事乃是一個人敬虔生命的延伸. Good servants of God need to discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness. 神的好僕人須藉屬靈操練來達到生命敬虔的目的.

I. Purpose: Spiritual discipline is for the purpose of godliness. (v I. Purpose: Spiritual discipline is for the purpose of godliness. (v.7b) 靈命操練的目的乃是敬虔. Godliness is a right attitude and response toward the true Creator God; it is a preoccupation from the heart with holy and sacred realities. It is respect for what is due to God, and is thus the highest of all virtues. 敬虔乃是對神有正確的態度及回應;心裡將聖潔與屬神的實質居首位.是對屬神事物的敬重,因而是所有美德中最高的美德.

II. Diet: Effective spiritual discipline requires good spiritual diet II. Diet: Effective spiritual discipline requires good spiritual diet. (林前 1 Tim 4:6c; 林後 2 Tim 3:16-17) 粮食:有果效的靈命操練必須有健康的屬靈糧食. Constantly Nourished on: 經常吸取滋養… Word of faith (神的話:聖經) Sound doctrine (札根於聖經的正確教導) Avoid spiritual junk food: 避免屬靈的垃圾食品 Things other than God’s Word (用別的取代神的話) Unbiblical teaching (不合聖經的教導) Avoid spiritual starvation 避免靈命饑餓症

提摩太後書 2 Tim 3:16-17 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 16聖經都是神所默示的，於教訓，督責，使人歸正，教導人學義，都是有益的‧17叫屬神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事‧

III. Exercise: Effective spiritual discipline requires diligent spiritual exercise. (v. 7, 10a) 運動:有果效的靈命操練必須有恆切的屬靈運動. Knowing the truth isn’t the same as doing it 知道真理與行出真理不是同一回事 Spiritual training is required for spiritual strength 靈力須靠靈命鍛練才能得到 Spiritual fitness isn’t: 靈命健康不是: Automatic 自動的 Quick 速成的 Easy 容易的 Hard work required 須要勞苦努力 (v. 10a) By constant practice 不断練習 (來Heb 5:13-14)

Spiritual health matters now (靈命健康對今生要緊) IV. Motivation: Effective spiritual discipline requires strong motivation. (v. 8) 動机:有果效的靈命操練必須有強烈的動機. Spiritual health matters now (靈命健康對今生要緊) Spiritual health matters in eternity (靈命健康對永恆要緊)

我們勞苦努力，正是為此‧因我們的指望在乎永生的神‧他是萬人的救主，更是信徒的救主‧ V. Hard Work: Effective spiritual discipline takes hard work. (v.10)(來Heb 5:14) 努力:有果效的靈命操練必須勞苦努力. 提前 1 Timothy 4:10 (NIV) 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 我們勞苦努力，正是為此‧因我們的指望在乎永生的神‧他是萬人的救主，更是信徒的救主‧

VI. Rewards: Godliness results in rewards from God. (v A transformed personal life (now) 個人生活的蛻變與昇華 (今生) Hope and promises from God (future) 神裡的應許與盼望 (來生) Reward for partakers (co-heirs, metochoi) 共同後嗣的賞賜 (今生与來生) (罗Rom 8:16-17)

VII. Areas of spiritual discipline. 我們須有多方面的靈命操練. Inward disciplines (內在操練) Outward disciplines (外在操練) Corporate disciplines (集体操練) Ref: Richard J. Foster (參考)

A. Inward Disciplines 內在的操練 Meditation (深思,默想) Prayer (祈禱) Fasting (禁食) Study (研讀神的話)

B. Outward Disciplines 外在的操練 Simplicity (簡樸生活) Solitude (單獨與主) Submission (順服) Service (服事) Giving (施捨, 奉獻, 撒种)

C. Corporate Disciplines 集体的操練 Confession (認罪) Worship (敬拜) Celebration (讚美,歡慶) Guidance (引導)

VIII. Personal Response 個人回應