Using Self Examination For Spiritual Formation

MATTHEW 26:20-22 “20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?”

MATTHEW 26:23-24 “23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.”

MATTHEW 26:25 “25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”

LORD, IS IT I? “One of you shall betray me… they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:21-22). But instead, each searched his own heart, saying, "Lord, is it I?"

LORD, IS IT I? "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28), “Examine your selves to see whether you are in the faith, prove your own self” – 2nd Corinthians 13: 5

LORD, IS IT I? Therefore, in this sermon we will help “US” Ask Ourself some soul-searching questions. As “US” meditate on each question, please “LET US” be honest with ourselves.

LORD, IS IT I? “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).

LORD, IS IT I? Now, in the sight of Him who has "his eyes like unto a flame of fire" (Revelation 2:18), may each of “US” ask and answer the question: "Lord, is it I?"

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (1) Is my word as good as my bond? If so, do I, "Provide things honest in the sight of all men" (Romans 12:17)?

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (2) Do I dress in modest apparel? Am I keeping this command?... "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety" (1 Timothy 2:9).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (3a) What kind of literature did I read, or TV program did I watch and listen to last week? Would it build up a Christian or would it destroy one’s spirituality?

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (3b) The Bible says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). A person’s thinking is affected by his reading and hearing!

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (4) Am I guilty of violating this command?...“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess" (Eph. 5:18). Have I dimmed my light of influence by participating with my worldly friends and relatives in social alcoholic drinking (Matthew 5:16)?

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (5) Do I knowingly use idle talk or slang that takes the name of the Lord in vain? (Oh My God…Good Grief). God’s people of old were told, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (Exodus 20:7).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION 5b) Jesus tells us all, “That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (6) Am I keeping this command?... "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (7) Did I forgive my brother who trespassed against me? Remember, “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:15).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (8) Have my attitudes toward those of the opposite sex been Christian? Jesus says, “That every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (9) Did I say an unkind thing about anybody this past week? The Holy Spirit commands: "Speak not evil one of another, brethren” (James 4:11).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (10) Did I become angry yesterday? If so, did I let the sun go down upon my wrath? "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (11) Would I want my child to do everything I did yesterday? "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (12) Wives: Have I looked upon my husband just as a "bread ticket" instead of one to work with and help? "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18). A wife must help, NOT hinder.

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (13) Husbands: Have I looked upon my wife just as someone to keep house for me? "Husbands love your wives, and be not bitter against them" (Colossians 3:19).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (14) Have I attended worship services faithfully? Or have I forsaken the assembling of the saints? God says, "Not forsaking our own assembling together" (Hebrews 10:25).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (15) Have I placed the church above every other institution and thing in the world? Or am I guilty of violating this command: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (16) Do I purpose in my heart each week what I should give to the Lord on the Lord's day? "Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (17) Did I refuse to defend the church when it was attacked by unbelievers? Paul said, “I am set for the defence of the gospel" (Philippians 1:16).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (18) Do I invite someone to worship with us each week? “And he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (19) Did I read and study my Bible yesterday? Paul commanded Timothy, "Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (20) Did I pray yesterday? "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5: 17).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (21) Did I make an effort yesterday to restore the fallen? "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness" (Galatians 6:1).

QUESTIONS FOR SELF-EXAMINATION (22) Am I growing spiritually as a child of God? “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).