Spiritual Practicalities

SPIRITUAL PRACTICALITIES

TEXT: Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

INTRODUCTION:
A completely new dimension opens up to those who are born of the Spirit of God. It is the dimension of Spiritual things. While we may try to use analogies from the material world to speak of spiritual things, they always fall short. To really understand, we must be spiritually minded and compare spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

The question is often asked, "Why is it so difficult to get spiritual truths across to some people?" The answer is that they are trying to put spiritual truths into fleshly minds!
1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1 Cor 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

This is like trying to carry home a few watts of power in a milk bucket! (Illustration: after a lesson on the 'Bread of Life', the only question that came to one mind was, "Do you think bakery bread is as good as mama used to make?") funny? If it weren't so tragic!; that those who supposedly have a spiritual birth can experience only carnal things.

I. The reality of Spirituality

A. There IS a spiritual birth.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

B. There IS a spiritual house
1 Pet 2:5 a Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,

C. There ARE spiritual sacrifices we must bring.
…an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

D. We HAVE a promise of a Spiritual body.
1 Cor 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

E. We CAN HAVE spiritual understanding of all these things.
Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

II Just as there are imitators of the spiritual birth, there are also imitators of spirituality. It is usually these who cause the real spiritual fellowship of a Church to be broken.
A. There are still false gifts of tongues as in Paul's day.
1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
1 Cor 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1 Cor 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1 Cor 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
There are false concepts of the greatest gift of all - charity. I'm afraid that many who like to be considered sanctified, are merely sanctimonious. (If you find this offensive, then perhaps it's because you are one of them.

III Perhaps this spirituality can be seen more clearly by looking for its SOURCE.
The word itself declares its quality. Its grammar declares its ownership or its origin. True Spirituality MUST both come from and belong to the Spirit of God.

A. This shows the exclusivity of it. It can come from no other source, nor be possessed by any other power. That which can be enjoyed by the 'unspiritual' CANNOT be spiritual, for the carnal mind is enmity against God and is not subject to the law of God.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
That which is truly spiritual must find itself in a warfare against that which is carnal.

B. Spiritual things are those things we find Paul declaring;
1 Cor 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
What were these things?
1. 1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Jesus Christ is the center of any teaching. That which is covered by the atoning blood of Christ is spiritual - all else is carnal.

2. He (Holy Spirit) will lead you in ALL TRUTH
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.
John 16:15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.
John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

C. The Word is Truth and declares unto us;
1. A spiritual birth -
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

2. A spiritual house, the church
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

3. Our need for a spiritual mind to discern spiritual truths.
1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

4. A spiritual hope of a spiritual body in the resurrection
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

1 Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
1 Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.