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Disciplines For Sabbath-Rest (5): Meditation on Scripture 13 JUN 2021 | TRADITIONAL SERVICES | REV ADRIAN NG

SERMON SERIES | DISCIPLINES FOR SABBATH-REST (5)

MEDITATION ON SCRIPTURE

13 Jun 2021 | TRADITIONAL SERVICE

Rev Adrian Ng

Scripture Passage: Psalm 119:97-99 (NIV)

WATCH | SERMON (VIDEO)

READ | SERMON NOTES

Summary | Meditation induces love for and understanding of God, and produces righteousness and victory in Christ.

Sabbath Rest is part of God’s creation order for Man to rest, reflect and renew, to pause to worship and enjoy His presence. Spiritual Disciplines, in particular Meditation, are scripture-based, practised by Old Testament saints. These disciplines allow God to speak to us above the noise and distractions of daily life for Christian Formation (help us form in our faith).

A simple definition of Scripture meditation by A.A Calhoun (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us. Westmont, IL: IVP Books, 2009): A long ardent gaze at God, His Word and His work, the slowing down and the giving of one’s undivided attention to God which involves mulling over, chewing on, and ruminating over God’s Word and its application.

Ps 119, a wisdom psalm with instructions for right living, is best read slowly and meditatively to allow God to instruct us. It also teaches us how this discipline helps us in our Christian formation.

Meditating on God’s Word helps me:

1. Love and understand God more (v97). Instead of rushing and reading over large chunks of passages in the bible, when a verse catches your attention, simply pause and reflect and ask God to reveal to you what He is trying to say. Do not be too quick to hurry past. As we allow God to speak to us, we will experience His love and grow us in our understanding of His character through His Word. As we grow, we will experience His love strengthening us more as we understand Him.

2. Live righteously (v98). We live amongst enemies all day, not just physical, but also spiritual ones that seek to destroy our identity in Christ. Meditating in Scripture helps remind and align our thoughts and actions to be in line with God’s instructions for our lives.

3. Live victoriously (v99). Meditation has a way of bringing head knowledge to the heart as transformational behaviours. A Barna research revealed the positive impact of the Bible on relationship with God and others. This is hardly surprising as Scripture points us to a loving God and a right and victorious way to live. He is also a just and fair God that holds all humanity accountable for actions when He returns.

The process of living by Scripture is that of Christian formation. It is not sufficient just to know God’s Word. We need to know the Shepherd. Let us therefore learn to enjoy His presence, and practise scriptural meditation until Jesus’ return.

(Sermon Notes by Kwun Pillai)

PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Scripture Meditation is an easy discipline to practice but hard to master. Have you found this to be true or false? Share your experience.

2. Do you struggle to hear from God? Why?

3. What do you think is the goal of Scripture Meditation?

4. What are some of the ways Scripture Meditation can help you grow as a righteous & victorious Christian?

5. How can you cultivate a habit of Scripture Meditation?