Twenty-Seven Degrees

Twenty-Seven Degrees

Whats Your Spiritual Temperature

January-26-2019

Its 27 degrees this morning here in Loganville Georgia. 

Leviticus 6:12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. 

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

1. Whats your “Spiritual Temperature?”

2. How are you keeping your relationship with Christ above 27 degrees?

3. How are you staying connected?

4. Whats your “desire,” temperature to know Christ?

5. Whats the temperature of your willingness to be intentional in staying connected to Christ?

6. Whats your strategic temperature in the “How” you are keeping your spiritual temperature above 27 degrees?

7. Whats your willingness to be held “accountable,” do you have a circle of accountability partners?

8. Whats your “transparency,” temperature?

9. Whats your spiritual “attitude,” temperature today?

I was sitting near our fireplace when I noticed a red hot ember dropped from the fire and it laid off to the one side by itself. It didn’t take long before the red hot ember started to smolder, lost its red hot glow, became dimmer and dimmer and eventually no longer was giving off heat.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Leviticus 6:12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. 

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not put out the Holy Spirit's fire! Stay Connected! 

“The Maximum you are willing to give, will always determine the Minimum your get back.”

Desire, Intentional, Strategic, Accountability, Transparency, and Attitude

Romans 12:1-2,11 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

First,  Detachment -  Write out a list of that defense mechanisms you are attached to. What triggers your response to Christ? Have a conversation (Prayer) with God to show you what your attachment labels are! Anger,  Forgiveness, addictions? “We are to detach from the accolades of the world and receive ourselves as Gods’ beloved. Detachment finds its true home in attachment to Jesus only” (Calhoun,2005)

Second, Submission - Submission is definitely not popular however submission leads to spiritual maturity (growth). It will align you with God’s Will and freedom. John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

Third, Obedience - Intentional, and eager t! o be obedient. Be accountable! Be teachable! Be approachable! Surrender yourself too Jesus! You cannot do this alone! We are saved by grace and it is only by God working first in us to work through us. Be accountable, submit to one another, we are called into relationships as Jesus was relational. 

Be Strategic, Be Intentional, Be Accountable

Leviticus 6:12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. 

Closing Prayer.

Email if you have any questions or would like me to pray with you:  [e-mail]

 

References

Calhoun, A. A. (2005). Spiritual disciplines handbook: Practices that transform us. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible : English standard version. Wheaton, IL: Author.

Foster, R. J. (1988). Celebration of discipline: The path to spirit