Continuing to grow
Notes
Transcript
Growth Seminar
Growth Seminar
We all need to grow; needed in all areas, except maybe waistline.
We need to grow in our Christian walk too (Eph4:14-15; 1Pt2:2)
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Grow up in all aspects into Him!
2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
Grow in respect to our salvation
Grow in grace and knowledge of truth (2Pt3:18)
Grow in love toward one another (2The1:3)
Spiritual growth that is to be well-rounded, balanced.
In knowledge, in zeal, in faith, in good godly character and in good works.
(Transition) - Just a closer walk with thee in growing closer within ourselves so we can grow in unity and spirit with one another and be of great usefulness for the kingdom of God. - - - - again, just two points today and we put this series to bed. There are hindrances, there are suggestions for continued growth.
Hindrances to growth picture here
Lack of effort
Salvation is not of works (Eph2:8-9) but growth is not automatic
Many can still be a “babe” in Christ even when been Christian a long time; (Heb4:13) - only a partaker of milk, an infant, fleshly/carnal (1Cor3:1-2)
(Expand on the above)
Discouragement
Ever start off on something strong then get discouraged when it becomes harder, more difficult?
Some comparisons with Paul.
Problems on top of problems (2Cor11:24-29)
25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
Turn with me to 2Cor4:8-9 and see how he. and other apostles dealt with it, an example for us.
8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
They did not lose heart, maybe that is a inference to that. They acknowledged the things that could be discouraging, but knew it was not the destruction, end to them.
Paul and the apostles were willing to suffer, labor, knowing it was not in vain for the salvation of others (2Cor4:16-5:1)
2 Corinthians 4:16–5:1 “16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
Paul encourages us to not grow weary (Gal6:9; 1Cor15:58)
Take heed, use it or risk loosing it (Heb2:1)
We need to use, to exercise what we learn or risk loosing it, forgetting it
Look ath the Hebrew writer says
1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
Internal and external influences can hinder (1Jn2:16; Mk4:18-19)
Lust of eyes, flesh, pride of life
Choked out by the cares of the world
Examples: Work, school, home life, even I can get distracted by good godly things, but do not have enough time for God and me time.
(Transition) From hindrances to helps, or at least some suggestions for continued spiritual growth to bring the fulness of Christ to the mature man (consider Eph4:11-15)
Oh wait, let me read the passage it is important since we are talking about spiritual growth so to have a closer walk with Thee.
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Suggestions for spiritual growth picture inserted here
Engage in the work of the congregation (Ps84:10; Jn13:12-17)
Don’t delay, there is plenty of work for all (expand, roots, grows, etc.,)
It can be a source of great joy (Ps84:10)
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
When we do we are following Jesus example, and keeping His command as noted (ref: Jn13:12-17) - this is the footwashing
Don’t wait to be asked, offer (Isa6:8)
Offer to be of service, have an Isaiah mindset
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Leadership may be reluctant to ask for help
Isaiah saw the Lord, saw what He was doing and jumped at the chance to serve the Lord.
See a need, meet a need
Engage by when you see something that needs to get done, to do it. Don’t say what needs to be done by someone, be willing to be someone
Engage in helping not criticizing, be a part of the solution to getting things done, not complaining about why things are not done, Don’t criticize, energize, jump in and help.
Engage in regular personal/private study/devotions
Daily bible reading, prayer, praising
You don’t go a day without eating for the most part, don’t go a day without feeding spiritually too.
Engage in a small group, or family bible study
Small groups are great to help one another learn, grow together. Same as a family who reads, does devotions together too.
Engage in sharing the good news with others
Don’t feel qualified, do what Philip did (Jn1:40-46)
Self examination picture inserted here
Engage in self-examination (2Cor13:5)
5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?
Do I have better bible understanding, knowledge than a year ago?
Am I as interested in Jesus Christ today as I was a year ago, or upon salvation?
Do I enjoy being a child of God?
Do I live a good example as a Christian?
Am I engaged as a Christian?
Am I confident of my very salvation?
(Transition) - We have come to the end of the series, I hope you have gained some application to having a closer walk with Thee.
(Conclusion/invitation)
Through knowing what a disciple is and being one
By the principles and practice of prayer
By studying the bible, growing in true knowledge of Him, able to discern good and evil.
By the joy of singing together and alone
By our engagement in good deeds (works); sharing and in growing spiritually as we talked today.
INVITATION
(Prayer) (Exit)