SOAKE IN DISCIPLINES #4

STUDY
July 20, 2008
with Adam Waters

INTRO
• I need 2 Volunteers for Marco-Polo…
• We need to be reminded us of the blind men calling out for Jesus…
• 1,000s line up to hear Billy Graham… Joel Olsteen… Barak Obama… John McCain…
• Driving down the road you hear your car doing something. You have to turn off your radio and listen carefully to see what's wrong.
• Old preacher story about the Indian who visited NY city. The preacher had visited his reservation to learn of his culture and the Indian in turn came to NY to learn of his culture. While on a busy street filled with cars, people and "city-noise," he asked the preacher if he heard that. The preacher asked what? the cars, the construction, what? The Indian wandered down an alley and asked again if he heard "that?" The preacher said no and the Indian walked over to a flowerpot and pulled out a cricket. The preacher was in awe and asked how in the world the Indian man had heard the cricket. To which he simply replied, "It all depends on what you're listening for."
STUDY IS… a pursuit of the Father’s voice.

As a swimmer, I will…
 SATISFY the Spirit’s leading.
 WIN the battles of the flesh.
 INHERIT the Kingdom.
 MANIFEST the character of God.
As swimmers, we should be disciplined in our study (not for grades, this isn't school). Because of the conversation aspect. Prayer is our major mode of communication with God. The WORD is His with us.

Training Technique #4
John 1:4 ~ “Life itself was in Him (The Word), and this life gives light to everyone.”
Pursuing His Truth
 John 14:6-7: “I am the way/truth/life” 5:39b “The Scriptures point to me (Jesus.)”
 Acts 17:11
 1Tim 4:8 “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.”

Pursuing His Heart
 Comes through obedience, following, hearing and following through with the thoughts, commands and will of God (Read Psalm 199:1-76)
 2Chronicles 16:9 “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Pursuing His Salvation
 2Timothy 3:14-17
 Philippians 2:12 “And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God’s saving work in your lives, obeying god with deep reverence and fear.”
 Phil. 2:12 (NIV) “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”

Pursuing His Scrutiny
 Revelation 19:11-16
 Hebrews 4:12-16

WRAP IT UP
Worship is about JESUS… so is giving… prayer is about convos with Jesus…
Can STUDY be about Jesus too?
1. Loving him on a personal level.
2. Loving him in your everyday life.
3. Loving him along with other disciples.

Yes it can! Pursue Him through study alone and with others in the church. Test what we say. Re-read the sermon notes. Go to deeper and other groupd. Get involved with our discipleship classes starting this Fall.

FINALLY, today we must decide as the preacher from NY did: What are we listening for?