Spiritual Fitness “But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:7-8). Sermon adapted from Andy Alexander 1,2,9,20,22 Preached at West Side on April 12, 2009 AM

Likenesses Physical Fitness Spiritual Fitness Healthy, Good Shape Able to do routine activities without tiring easily Able to fight off disease and minor illnesses Able to recover quicker from major physical problems Spiritual Fitness Good working knowledge of God’s Word Able to use it to overcome problems and temptations Able to recognize the devices of Satan and defeat him

Things Necessary To Achieve Spiritual Fitness Work, Effort – 2 Tim. 2:15

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Things Necessary To Achieve Spiritual Fitness Work, Effort – 2 Tim. 2:15 Time, Attention – 1 Tim. 4:12-16

1 Timothy 4:12-16 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Things Necessary To Achieve Spiritual Fitness Work, Effort – 2 Tim. 2:15 Time, Attention – 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Proper Diet – Acts 20:32

Acts 20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Things Necessary To Achieve Spiritual Fitness Work, Effort – 2 Tim. 2:15 Time, Attention – 1 Tim. 4:12-16 Proper Diet – Acts 20:32 Self-Control – 1 Cor. 9:27

1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

Hindrances To Spiritual Fitness Procrastination Acts 26:28

Acts 26:28 “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’” Note: There is no record of Agrippa ever taking the step of becoming a child of God.

Hindrances To Spiritual Fitness Old Sins Acts 8:18 Procrastination Acts 26:28

Acts 8:18-20 “And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!”

Hindrances To Spiritual Fitness Old Sins Acts 8:18 Procrastination Acts 26:28 Denial, Neglect Heb. 2:1 2 Pet. 1:9

Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

2 Peter 1:5, 9-10 (5), “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith…” (9-10), “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”

Hindrances To Spiritual Fitness Old Sins Acts 8:18 Procrastination Acts 26:28 Evil Companions 1 Cor. 15:33 Denial, Neglect Heb. 2:1 2 Pet. 1:9

1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”

Hindrances To Spiritual Fitness Old Sins Acts 8:18 Procrastination Acts 26:28 Evil Companions 1 Cor. 15:33 Denial, Neglect Heb. 2:1 2 Pet. 1:9 Family Matt. 10:34-36

Matthew 10:34-36 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man's enemies will be those of his own household.’” Note: Can not love family more than God!

Benefits Stand in the Evil Day – Eph. 6:13 Quench Fiery Darts of Satan – Eph. 6:16 Exhort and Convict – Titus 1:9 Self Yourself and Others – 1 Tim. 4:16 Never Stumble – 2 Pet. 1:10 Enter Kingdom of Heaven – 2 Pet. 1:11