Breaking the Cycle, Part 2
Pastor Danny Bote
Part of Judges
August 27, 2023

Recap of Part 1

  • Bad Cycle

  • Good Cycle

Question: What does it mean to depend on the Spirit?


Exchange Principles

1. Exchange our yoke, for Jesus’ yoke

Matthew 11:28–30
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

2. Exchange “trying” for “training”

1 Corinthians 9:24–27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

How do we train?


 

Spiritual Disciplines

2 Peter 1:3–4
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

3. Training plan

Train with God’s Word

James 1:19–25
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Exchange the lies for the truth

2 Corinthians 10:4–6
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Exchange our fear for God’s promises

  • Prayer

Philippians 4:6–9
…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

4. Training comes from abiding

John 15:4–5
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Questions for individual Bible study and/or group discussion

  1. When have you seen the “bad cycle” happen in your life? When have you seen the “good cycle?”

  2. What does it look like to exchange our yoke for Jesus’ yoke? See Matthew 11:28–30. What is the difference between a grace-based relationship and a law-based relationship with Jesus?

  3. What does it mean to exchange trying for training? How do we train? What do spiritual disciplines look like in your life?

  4. What are the results of an abiding relationship with Jesus? See 2 Corinthians 10:4–6, Philippians 4:6–9, Hebrews 4:12.

  5. What are you going to apply to your life from this lesson?