Epistle for August 16, 2002
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation August 16, 2002
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In This Issue:
A Message from Dr. Curt Scarborough
Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth
Sermon: Psalm 119:1-176 & Psalm 19:1-14
Bible Study: I Thessalonians 3:1-13
Personal Growth of the Minister
Special Bulletin to All Missouri Baptist Pastors
A Messge From Dr. Curt Scarborough
Beginning August 1 the FreeWay Foundation is offering a special series of conferences for pastors entitled "A Pastor's Personal Devotional Life." Every other Thursday, we will meeto to consider two of eight chosen "Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth," from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30a.m. in the Christian Civic Foundation Building, 3426 Bridgeland Dr., Bridgeton, MO.
On Thursday, August 1, I introduced the series with a 30-minute theme interpretation on "Fasting and Prayer." Dr. Gary Taylor then spoke on his personal involvement in fasting and praying.
On Thursday, August 15, we met to study "Singing and Praising." Rev. Dan Hite, Pastor of Christian Family Fellowship, Wentzville, was our guest presenter.
On Thursday, August 29, we will meet to study "Reading (God's Word) and Meditating." Dr. David Claybrook, Pastor of Christ Church, St. Louis, will be our guest presenter. (My outline on reading and meditating on God's word follows.)
On Thursday, September 15, we will meet to study "Receiving and Journaling." Rev. Jim Carter, Pastor First Baptist Church of Ferguson will be our guest presenter.
Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth
By Dr. Curt Scarborough
1. Fasting: at least one meal each week.
Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 17:20-21; Isaiah 58:3-7
2. Praying: confession and intercessin, "without ceasing . . . "
at least three times daily, using the Model Prayer.
Psalm 55:17; I Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:9-13; I John 1:9
3. Singing: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs . . .
making melody in your heart continually.
Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13
4. Praising: speaking words to magnify the Lord,
at least seven times daily.
Psalm 119:163; Psalm 150:1-6: Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 19:5
5. Reading: God's Word daily . . . through the Bible annually.
II Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12
6. Meditating: daily on the spiritual truths and implications
in each chosen Scripture passage.
Psalm 19:14; Philippians 4:8
7. Receiving: the Holy Spirit's fullness, enlightenment,
revelation, renewal, refrshing, and power daily.
John 14:26; Ephesians 1:17-19; 5:18; James 1:5; I John 2:27
8. Journaling: daily writing personal reflections, revelations,
experiences, and spiritual applications.
Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Jeremiah 30:2; Habakkuk 2:2
The "Alphabet" Psalm
(Psalm 119:1-176)
I. Concentration: on the structure of Psalm 119
1. This Psalm is the longest chapter in the Bible.
2. This Pslam is an acrostic, with each section beginning with a succeeding
letter of the Hebrew alaphabet, from "A" to "Z."
3. This Pslam has 22 sections or paragraphs, matching the 22 letters in the
Hebrew alaphabet.
4. Each of the 22 sections is composed of 8 verses, for a total of 176 verses.
II. Meditation: on the names for the Word of God in the life of a believer
1. Word - used 40 times 5. Commandemnts - used 22 times
2. Law - used 24 times 6. Precepts - used 21 times
3. Testimonies - used 23 times 7. Judgements - used 17 times
4. Statutes - used 22 times 8. Ordinances - used 2 times
The Word of God (by the above listed terms) is used 171 times in 175 verses
III. Revelation: on some of the most familiar verses in this Psalm
1. Holiness: "Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you," v. 11.
2. Satisfaction: "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth," v. 103.
3. Guidance: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," v. 105.
4. Perception: "The entrance of Your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple," v. 130.
5. Confidence: "Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble," v. 165.
IV. App.lications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Memorize Scripture as a defense against temptation, just as Jesus did.
2. Derive great pleasure and nourishment from the study of God's word.
3. Search the Scripture to discover God's will for my life, and to keep myself on the right path.
4. Meditate upon the written Word of God to gain spiritual discernment of God's ways and purposes.
5. Rest upon the promises of God which are found in the Bible, with ever-growing faith and assurance in His
faithfulness and trustworthiness.
The Meditation of My Heart
(Psalm 19:1-14)
I. Concentration: on what a believer should meditate upon
1. The Creator: Almighty God ("heavens declare the glory of God"), v. 1.
2. The activities of God ("His handiwork"), v. 1.
3. The word of God, vv. 7-11.
4. My own errors, secret faults, and presumptuous sins, vv. 12-13 . . . which
will brign me to godly sorrow and repentance, II Corinthains 7:10.
II. Meditation: on the causes and effects of meditation on God's word
1. The word is perfect, converting the soul, v. 7.
2. The word is sure, making wise the simple, v. 7.
3. The word is right, rejoicing the heart, v. 8.
4. The word is pure, enlightening the eyes, v. 8.
III. Revelation: on the results of such meditation
1. Fear (reverance; awe) of the Lord . . . purifying and enduring, v. 9.
2. Judements (proper, persepctives and understanding) . . . true and
righteous choices, v. 9.
3. Satisfaction and enjoyment (spiritual wealth and sweetness), v. 10.
4. Warnings about punishment for disobedience; promises of great rewards
for obedience, v. 11.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . . (v. 14)
1. Speak only those words which are acceptable in God's sight.
2. Meditate in my heart only on those things (see "I". above) which are
acceptable in God's sight.
3. Praise Almighty God, Who is my spiritual strength.
4. Thankfully serve the Lord Jesus, Who is my Redeemer.
High Aspirations
(I Thessalonians 3:1-13)
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. On his journey, Paul had stayed alone in Athens, v. 1. (See Acts 17.)
2. Out of his concern, Paul sent Timothy to visit the Thessalonians, vv. 2-5.
3. Timothy brought back word that the believers had remained faithful to the Lord, vv. 6-10.
4. Paul prayed for them to increase and abound in love, vv. 11-13.
II. Meditation: on Paul's "high aspirations" for the Thessalonian Christians
1. That they might grow into spiritual maturity . . . "perfect what is lacking in your faith," v. 11.
2. That God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (through the Holy Spirit) might direct the believers' way, v. 11.
3. That the Lord would enable them to exhibit increasing and abounding love toward one another, v. 12.
4. That God would establish their hearts as blameless in holiness, confidently expecting the second
coming of Christ, v. 13.
III. Observations: on the blessings Paul desired for them
1. Spiritual maturity - growing to be like Christ.
2. Spiritual guidance - knowing and following God' leadership.
3. Spiritual love - loving each other with God's (AGAPE) unselfish love.
4. Spiritual holiness - living pure lives in expectancy of the return of Christ.
IV. Revelation: on the heart of Paul
1. Paul connected the quality of his own life with the defree of spiritual faithfulness
of the Thessalonians. "For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord," v. 8.
2. Such faithfulness by believers was a source of spiritual joy to Paul and to others who lead, v. 9.
3. Paul prayed night and day ("exceedingly), that he might be allowed the privilege of ministering
to them to help them grow in faith, v.10.
4. Paul expected the immediate return to Christ, so he advocated living each day in holy preparedness, v. 13.