• Physically and Spiritually,
How Is Your Health?

• THE NEEDS OF BOTH ARE VERY MUCH ALIKE

• INTRODUCTION
• How about our spiritual health?
• Spiritual vitality and strength are attained only through effort...
• Just like physical health requires a proactive approach to wellness
• What is needed to maintain a good level of spiritual health?

• INTRODUCTION
• I am not a doctor.
• I do not pretend to be a doctor.
• Yet, a few common sense approaches will lead us in the right direction.
• Let's see if we can't come up with a "Prescription For Spiritual Health"
• [Both physical health and spiritual health require...]

• A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM
• TO WARD OFF DISEASE...
• Without a healthy immune system, relatively small threats can be deadly.
• Spiritually, how strong is our ability to withstand threats like:
• Temptation?
• False teaching?
• Persecution?

• A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM
• TO FACE THE INEVITABLE...
• Temptation and spiritual hardships are inevitable.
• We can't live in a bubble.
• Going out of the world to avoid all contact with temptation is not possible.
• John 17:15; 1 Corinthians 5:9,10; 1 John 5:18
• Spiritually speaking, we need to build up our resistance.
• James 4:7

• A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM
• WITH A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM...
• We will be able to take heed, lest we fall
• 1 Corinthians 10:12
• We will be able to live circumspectly
• Ephesians 5:15-17
• We will be able to withstand the wiles of the devil
• Ephesians 6:10,11
• Contributing to a strong immune system is...

• REGULAR EXERCISE
• WE THRIVE ONLY WHEN ACTIVE...
• This is true spiritually as well as physically.
• There is the danger of becoming spiritually "sluggish" - cf.
• Hebrews 6:11,12

• REGULAR EXERCISE
• THE NECESSITY OF SPIRITUAL ACTIVITY...
• We have been created to walk in good works.
• Ephesians 2:10
• There is work to be done.
• Titus 3:8,14
• We have been saved in order to serve.
• Matthew 20:27,28

• REGULAR EXERCISE
• Each of us individually has work to do.
• 1 Corinthians 12:6,7,18; 2 Timothy 2:20,21
• We each need to exercise ourselves unto godliness.
• 1 Timothy 4:7,8
• We must work while there is time and opportunity.
• Galatians 6:9; John 9:4

• REGULAR EXERCISE
• We can work most effectively within the framework of the local congregation!
• Fulfilling needed roles in evangelism, edification, and benevolence.
• And that also includes our personal work by teaching Bible classes, ministering to the sick, and helping each other not only spiritually, but physically as well.
• While there is much work to do, and work is conducive to spiritual health, so also is...

• PERIODIC REST
• ENERGIES AND RESOURCES NEED REPLENISHING...
• When much productive work has been done, we need rejuvenation to continue.
• We must stop and sharpen the saw.
• Otherwise we become exhausted, and suffer "burnout“.

• PERIODIC REST
• Periods of retreat characterized the Lord's ministry
• Mark 6: 30-31
• We are made such that we need some downtime.
• There is value in periodic solitude, where we can meditate, reflect, and rest.

• PERIODIC REST
• WE FUNCTION BEST ALTERNATING WORK AND REST...
• 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.
• The Lord Himself took time to be alone, to pray.
• Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16

• PERIODIC REST
• SPIRITUAL REST DOESN'T MEAN DOING NOTHING...
• It means doing something different that will refresh and restore our energy for work.
• It allows time for quiet prayer and Bible study.
• Releasing anxiety and enjoying the peace of Christ.
• Philippians 4: 6-7
• Feeding our minds with things of virtue and good report.
• Philippians 4:8-9

• PERIODIC REST
• 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...

• A HEALTHY DIET
• PROVIDING SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT...
• We do not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God.
• Matthew 4:4
• The Lord's words are the words of life.
• John 6:63,68

• A HEALTHY DIET
• We grow by virtue of the pure milk of the word.
• 1 Peter 2:2-3
• AVOIDING SPIRITUAL JUNK FOOD...
• The Bible refers to that which is "sound doctrine" (literally, healthy teaching)
• Titus 2:1
• There is also that which is opposite "sound doctrine"

• A HEALTHY DIET
• Anything which teaches contrary to the blessed gospel.
• 1 Timothy 1:9-11
• Which may appeal to those with "itching ears“.
• 2 Timothy 4: 2-4
• Health-giving nourishment involves both the assimilation of nutritious food, and the avoidance of toxic substances!

• CONCLUSION
• The "Prescription For Spiritual Health" is a simple one...
• A Healthy Diet, Periodic Rest, and Regular Exercise which together builds a A Strong Immune System
• If we follow this prescription, our spiritual health and progress will be evident - 1 Timothy 4:11-16
• Saving not only ourselves, 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". By Carey Scott from an outline by Mark Copeland

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