THE HABIT OF SILENCE (MARK 1:32-38)

SERIES: THE HABITS DISCIPLES CULTIVATE, PART 1

GCEFC: APRIL 5, 2009

INTRODUCTION

1. We are currently looking at Disciple Distinctives. Those things that make disciples distinctive from those who are not.

2. First we looked at the Commitments Disciples Make. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ means that you’ve made a decision to follow him as Savior and Lord.

3. By virtue of this decision, a disciple takes on commitments that would not be taken on if they were not a disciple.

a. If I made a commitment to run a marathon in 6 months, then I’d have to also make a commitment to train for it. Or else I’d probably die in the race.

b. If I make a commitment to go to college and finish, then I’ll need to make a commitment to study and do the work that will result in graduation.

c. It’s no different for a disciple. The commitments come with the decision. If you commit to being a disciple but don’t commit to what’s involved, then it’s just an exercise in delusion.

d. A disciple is committed to the Word of God, to prayer, to community, to transformation, and to service—to mention 5.

4. Then we looked at Attitudes Disciples Reveal. Disciples don’t just do certain things that non-disciples don’t do. A disciple has characteristic attitudes that confirm their calling.

a. An attitude of humility, an attitude of thankfulness, of wonder, of teachability, of dependence, of optimism, and an attitude of stewardship.

b. Now, we must understand that no disciple has fully developed. We are all in process. No disciple is completely committed to everything they should be committed to and to the degree they should be committed to it.

c. Nor does any disciple have the right attitude at all times. If you think you’re an exception, just ask anyone who knows you. The Bible says that if we say we have no sin, then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

d. We should be cautioned against two erroneous presumptions. The first presumption is that we can never grow past where we are as a disciple. We’ve tried and we’ve discovered that growth is just not in the cards for us.

e. Nonsense—every true believer is meant to grow and can grow. Just like the Apostle Paul—we can do all things through him who gives us strength.

f. We should never think that we’re unable to change. God has an investment in each of his children. He wants us to grow and will ensure that we do.

g. The second presumption we must avoid is that we don’t need to grow any further. Discipleship is about becoming more like our master, Jesus Christ. If you are not fully like him, then you have work to do and progress to make.

5. So, every disciple needs to grow. And every disciple is able to grow. We may be in different places on the journey, but we’re all on the journey.

6. This morning we’re moving on to the third element of Disciple Distinctives. For a few weeks we’re going to focus on The Habits Disciples Cultivate.

7. A habit is defined as: an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.

a. A habit is when you look both ways before you cross the street. You don’t need a note to yourself to look before you cross—it’s become instinctive.

b. Have you ever gone to work or to school and couldn’t remember whether you took a shower or not? Taking a shower is a habit—you don’t need to put it on your to-do list.

c. Habits are things we do so consistently that they become part of us. We would feel out of sorts without them. Habits make life simpler and even easier.

d. But a habit is an acquired behavior. Which means that it must be acquired. I don’t mean to sound like a talking dictionary, but to acquire means: to gain for oneself through one’s actions or efforts.

e. Habits don’t just appear out of nowhere. They’re acquired through effort over time.

8. But why are habits important in the life of a disciple? They’re important because the right habits foster the right change. And the right change is what being a disciple is all about.

9. Spiritual growth isn’t magic. It occurs when we commit to the process. And a huge part of the process are the habits we acquire over time.

10. Many of you know that I try to take a daily walk throughout the year. It’s 3 miles and it takes me 45 minutes to complete. Same route, same distance, same routine each time.

a. But last fall I injured my knee when doing a home project and I had to skip my walk for several weeks.

b. Eventually I felt well enough to resume. Now walking is not a strenuous exercise, but the first few times when I climbed the hill near my house, I got winded.

c. At first I was discouraged. I thought: How could I get out of shape so fast? But when I gave it more thought I was encouraged. I thought: Hey, obviously my walking has done me good because I didn’t get winded when I was doing it before.

d. The habit of walking paid health dividends. It wasn’t the concept of walking. It wasn’t the desire for walking. It was actually walking that made the difference.

e. And so it is with the habits of discipleship. When we consistently practice the habits of a disciple, we will reap the benefits of them.

f. I would have used the word “disciplines.” But disciplines sounds so much harsher than “habits.” Disciplines sounds an awful lot like work.

g. Realize that habits don’t guarantee spiritual growth. But it’s a virtual certainty there will be no growth without them.

11. So let’s look at the habits disciples cultivate. And please indulge me one more definition. To cultivate means: to promote the growth and development of.

12. So disciples are to promote the growth and development of the habits that lead to spiritual growth. It takes time. It takes energy. It takes effort. But it will pay off over time.

A. THE FIRST HABIT

1. The first habit I want to address may seem like a strange place to start, but I have my reasons. I want to begin with the habit of silence. For 2 reasons.

a. The first reason is that it’s a foundation for the others. Spiritual growth requires study, meditation on the things of God, periodic solitude, and regular rest.

b. All of these require a measure of silence to be effective. This will be more clear as we progress through the habits.

c. The second reason for starting here is that in some ways it’s the most elusive of all the habits in the modern age. Silence has practically been lost in our culture.

d. The average American leaves the office or school and on the way home is either listening to the radio, a CD, on the cell phone, or plugged into their iPod.

e. When they get home they turn on the television, keep their iPod plugged in, talk on the cell phone, or listen to the radio. Sometimes all at the same time. Really.

f. Everywhere we go there’s noise. It’s nearly impossible to escape. Even when you’re put on hold on the telephone there’s music piped through. Sometimes bad music.

g. One of the things I most like about walking is that it’s a respite from the noise. I tend to laugh when people pass by me running or walking with headphones attached.

h. Even when they have a chance to enjoy the lack of noise bombardment for a few minutes—they still choose the noise anyway.

2. You must figure out a way to cultivate the habit of silence in your life. If not, then you’ll find spiritual growth an elusive goal. You can’t grow spiritually in the midst of noise.

B. THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

1. I want to direct your attention to MK 1:32, for an enlightening example.

2. In V32 we see that Jesus and his disciples had a very busy night ahead of them. After sunset, the people brought those who were sick and demon possessed to them.

3. A hoard of people gathered at the door, wanting to be healed either physically or spiritually. And Jesus healed many who had various kinds of diseases.

4. And he drove out demons that had taken possession of the people who were brought.

5. Then notice V35: Very early in the morning. Very early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

6. Now typically when you hear a sermon on these verses, it’s with an emphasis on prayer. And that’s appropriate and I’ve preached such sermons myself.

7. But what I want us to notice is that Jesus sought out a solitary place. So what’s that?

8. A solitary place is a place that’s secluded and doesn’t have anyone else around. You might hear a solitary place referred to as a “lonely place,” implying that the place itself is by itself—there’s nothing in the place but the place itself.

9. Now, a place being solitary doesn’t guarantee that it’s quiet. I suppose you could go to a cabin deep in the woods and when you get there turn on loud music, and start shouting and making lots of racket.

10. But a solitary place not only implies that no one else is there. It implies that it’s quiet. Frankly, most noise is generated by people, not by nature.

11. In fact, the noise of nature tends to be relaxing and quieting rather than distracting and intrusive.

a. The sound of babbling is not usually a pleasant sound. But if it’s a brook that’s babbling, that’s another story.

b. Saying someone is long winded is not generally a compliment. But the sound of wind that’s blowing can be very relaxing and calming.

c. And though I’ve heard some pretty annoying woodpeckers and crows in my day—birds chipping and singing is not typically seen as annoying or intrusive.

12. Obviously Jesus loved people—he gave his life for them. But he also felt the need to get away from people regularly and seek out a solitary place. A place where he could be alone and where he would find QUIET.

13. Can we agree that if the Son of God had the need to separate himself from the distractions and noise of daily life—that it’s a safe bet that you and I need to as well?

14. But notice what happens in V36. The disciples of Jesus noticed that he was missing when they got up for the day. So they go looking for him.

15. In V36 they find him: Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’

16. You will discover, if you haven’t already, that not everyone wants you to be in a solitary place of quiet. In fact, it can downright annoy them—it annoyed Jesus’ disciples!

17. Jesus, why are you out here wasting your time? People are looking for you. People need you. What could you possibly be accomplishing in a quiet place like this?

18. The answer follows in 38: Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”

19. Please notice 2 important things. It was in the quiet place that Jesus received godly direction. It was in the quiet place that Jesus was confirmed in what he should be doing.

20. Again, if the Son of God needed affirmation regarding the right direction. And if the Son of God needed confirmation regarding his mission and purpose. Is it conceivable that we would need the same?

21. The lesson of these verses is not only that prayer is crucial in the life of a disciple. But that we all must seek out a solitary place of quiet if we expect to grow as disciples.

22. There are no rules given here. No specific format to follow. We only know from many verses in the New Testament that this was not an anomaly for Jesus—it was his pattern.

23. Solitude and quiet reflection were regular habits of Jesus’ life. And he wanted his disciples to pick up the pattern themselves. So he modeled it.

24. But they were a bit slow to pick it up. Kind of like you and me. Or maybe just me.

25. I know for me it’s a struggle in the modern world to set aside time in a solitary place for quiet. But it’s crucial for any disciple to do so. And it’s worth the battle.

26. Let me strongly encourage each one of us to make the habit of silence a regular priority in our journey as disciples.

27. A quiet time to think, to reflect, to pray, to read, to ponder, to probe, and to seek guidance for the issues of life and for the challenges of life.

28. And when we find ourselves rationalizing. That it’s not a priority. Or that it’s no big deal if we program this aspect of our lives out of our lives.

29. Just turn back to MK 1:35-38 and be reminded that if the habit of silence was a priority in Jesus’ life—then we dare not neglect it ourselves.