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Sermon: Secret Weapon...a sermon about meditation printer-friendly
by Chris Cumming
In those years between those two wars, the science of warfare pretty much consisted of fortifications and holding on to positions on tops of hills and in front of rivers.
This changed due to the likes of one Ulysses S. Grant and one George S Patton. Their style of warfare was to advance on the enemy all the time. Never give them a chance to rest. Never give them time to regroup or organize. Tire them out. Ware them down.
They won battles and they won wars doing that. Sadly, there is an enemy of ours that is using the same tactics on us. His name, of course, is Satan.
He has mankind running two and fro, he is assaulting the senses 24 hours a day and overloading our minds with useless information.
More importantly, Satan is trying to deny us our contact with God, our great Father in heaven. He does not want us to have contact with our own Father. Now, oddly enough, I am not talking about prayer for that is our contact with Him. I am talking about His contact with us.
His contact with us is the Secret Weapon every true Christian has. It is the one weapon Satan does not want us to use because it is the weapon that supplies us with wisdom, understanding and power.
That secret weapon is called “Meditation”.
Today, I want to encourage all of us to learn about the power of meditation and to…
HAVE CONTACT FROM GOD.
First I want to look at the definition of the word “meditation” from both the standard dictionaries and then the Bible dictionaries.
1) The act of meditation: close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind: serious contemplation: reflection.
2) The act of the
mind in considering with attention: continued attention of the mind to
a particular subject. 3) The act of looking forward to an event as about to happen; expectation; the act of intending or purposing
Milton said, “In contemplation of created things, By steps we may ascent to God”
Locke said, “ Contemplation is keeping the idea which is brought into the mind for some time actually in view.”
Now the Bible Dictionaries:
In the first dictionary I looked at, just after the definition it said, “Meditation is a lost art for many Christians, but the practice needs to be cultivated again. (Interesting)
From Ungers:
1) A private devotional act, consisting in deliberate reflection upon some spiritual truth or mystery, accompanied by mental prayer and by acts of the affection and of the will, especially formation of resolutions as to future conduct.
It says, “Meditation is a duty that ought to be attended to by all who wish well to their spiritual interests. It should be deliberate, close, and continuous.
How is meditation different from prayer?
Meditation is closely related to prayer. Prayer is when we make contact with God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Meditation is when God makes contact with us through His Holy Spirit. We will see evidence of this as we go along.
What are the Benefits of Meditation?
1) Prosperity and Success
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
2) Power
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Ephesians 3:16-19 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
3) The Mind of God
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
4) So People Will See Christ in You
1 Timothy 4:13-16
Four Specific Points about Meditation
1) Meditation is the best time for God’s Teaching
John 14:26-29 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, it shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
Point: Meditation is the best time for this to take place---no distractions---peace.
2) Meditation bonds us to God
Isaiah 55:6-12 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Point: Best time for this: Prayer and Meditation
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Point: This is usually where we cut the verse off when quoted; but notice…
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Point: Does not verse 12 speak of a setting for meditation?
Point: God is telling us that in meditation we will gain the mind of God, Himself. Not in all things but clearly in the things of Salvation.
3) Meditation makes it possible for us to eat strong Spiritual meat.
Hebrews 5:8-14 (Paul speaking to the Hebrews and about to chastise them)
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Point: You avoid dullness of hearing by meditation. You are able to eat the strong Spiritual meat.
4) Meditation excites the principles of God in your mind.
In yet another definition of meditation I found the following:
Meditation, in a broad use of the term, means simply a serious reflection on any subject. As a form of prayer, meditation is a serious reflection on some religious truth or event for the purpose of exciting in us sentiments of contrition, humility, faith, hope, and love, and to move our will to form good resolutions for the bettering of our lives.
…to let the world see Christ in us. (Leadership Training)
EXAMPLES OF MEDITATION from the Bible
1) Jesus
Now I could give you an example of the a time when Jesus withdrew Himself to meditate and pray such as in Luke 5 where in the midst of all the healing and miracles, He took time to withdraw to meditate and pray but I want to share with you one remarkable instance.
Mark 12:41-44 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. (He was in meditation—a sharp focus) And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
2) Timothy (imagine Timothy doing this very thing)
1 Timothy 4:13-16 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
HOW TO MEDITATE
1) Where: One can meditate anywhere including at work, in a crowd (as we saw in our example of Jesus) or in your car but I will give you more ideal situations:
a. any quiet place b. anywhere in nature—forest, ocean, mountain top, open field, cemetery, atrium or garden or by a lake. c. prayer closet. d. motel room----bedroom (HWA example) e. deck or back yard (GTA example)
2) Block out distracting sounds
Take away all assaults on the senses that Satan uses.
Play soft or soothing music---classical or light jazz or instrumentals.
3) Relax
a. sit in a chair that has good support like the chairs in this room. b. put both feet on the floor c. rest your arms on your legs
4) Surrender yourself to God through the Holy Spirit
a. begin with prayer before the throne of God b. Mentally have God’s Holy Spirit flow through your body especially to places of pain. c. give each part of your body and mind to God including emotions and thoughts.
5)
Present to God or bring into focus the
content of your mediation (more about that in a minute) 6) When you are done, close in prayers of thanks and rejoicing.
Meditation is a Process like all things with God and you will get better with it by doing it often.
CONTENT OF MEDITATION
1) Works of Creation
Psalm 19:1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
2) The Perfections of God
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
3) The character, office and work of Christ
Hebrews 12:2-3 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4) The Spirit of God
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
5) The Providence of God
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
6) The Law of God
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
7) The Principles of God
Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
GENERAL SCRIPTURES WITHOUT COMMENT
All in Psalms:
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psalm 49:3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Psalm 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Psalm 119:23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Psalm 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
Psalm 119:78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
Psalm 119:97-99 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
So in all of this, we can clearly see the Secret Weapon of every true Christian. The weapon that Satan does not want us to have.
There is great power in this Secret Weapon. Get hold of it. Use it.
Come before the throne of God
Let this final verse be your plea…
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. |
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