Sunday, January 26

Sunday school – Subject: Dedication of God’s Temple by Solomon versus the Dedication of Our Body – God’s Temple today. 1 Kings 8:54-66

Teacher: Kevin Longenecker

What does dedication mean? Set apart as sacred, committed to a purpose or task.

What does honor mean? High respect, great esteem

What was the purpose of dedicating the temple? To acknowledge that this was a sacred monument

In what ways did they dedicate Solomon’s temple?

Prayer

Repentance

Sacrifice

Praise

Celebration

Since our body is God’s temple today – in what ways do we dedicate our body to Him.

All of the above: prayer, repentance, sacrifice, praise, celebrating

Attitude, loyalty to God, rest, forgiveness

Our body should be a loving, orderly home for God.

How we treat our body is a reflection on how we feel about God.

Studies show that even a few days of stress caused by unforgiveness and negativity damages the neurons in the part of the brains that is used for problem-solving.

Unforgiveness and complaining poisons the systems of our body.

Worship Service – Minister: Ron Copenhaver. How do Spiritual Disciplines Help Me to Grow Spiritually? I Timothy 4:6-8; Acts 2:37-47

Ron opened by telling the story of a young girl who was an amazing singer. Everyone thought she would become a world-renown singer, but she did not like the discipline of practice so she never grew musically.

That can happen to us spiritually if we do not apply discipline in our spiritual life.

Why discipline helps us to grow spiritually?

Athletes do it because they have a goal. What is your spiritual goal?

It should be for Godliness

What is Godliness?

Intimacy with Jesus Christ – fellowship with Him

Conformity to Jesus – wanting to be like Him

Responding to life and people like Jesus did.

Godliness is not two-faced – like the Pharisees.

How important is Godliness?

Neglecting spiritual discipline means you will not be close to Christ.

It means you will not have strength to respond like Jesus did.

If you want to experience Jesus you have to go where He is.

The Bible

Church

Fellowship with Godly people

If you are a hunter you will go where the animals are and where they run.

If you are looking for God you have to go where He is and where He can speak to you.

Are you going where Jesus travels?

In the music you listen to. Remember evil departed from Saul when David played a harp for Saul.

In reading the Bible

In prayer

Review

Study God’s Word – alone and in groups

Pray – alone and with others.

Many times life tends to hijack our spiritual discipline. If you don’t discipline yourself spiritually when you are busy, you won’t do it when you are not busy.