Growing Spiritually Strong Together
Notes
Transcript
Intro: One of the pitfalls for preachers is to pass over opportunities to preach sermons on the basics. The longer a man is in the pulpit, the less likely they are to cover the basics. The drive to give new and deeper truths is strong, and that can leave the basics beliefs with no preaching time.
Today, we could dive deep and once again pass over the basics, but I have decided it would be best for us to hear them again for two reasons. The first reason is that we never know who is listening online or if our more recent attenders have heard our perspective of these basic Bible teachings. The Second reason is that we all should be encouraged to hear them again as we examine our own lives and see how we are going in our Christian walk.
Theme: Our lives, and the life of everyone we interact with, is better when we grow spiritually and are strong in our faith.
Who is Paul addressing?
Who is Paul addressing?
1. Brethren = ἀδελφός
1. Brethren = ἀδελφός
Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains:
ἀδελφός (adelphos), … fellow believer both male and female, believer in the believing community
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Paul has no doubt that they have trusted in the finished work of Jesus for their salvation. Paul is writing this letter long before being a cultural Christian was a thing!
From the beginning of the church, it has been obvious that acceptance of Salvation, and mature Christian living are not the same. When a person becomes a believer, we encourage them into the church so they can grow from the worship (fellowship, singing, prayer, giving, and study of the Word) as can only be found in the church. But just because someone has Christ and attends a church, even a church started by a good church planter, does not mean they are spiritually mature.
2. Brethren, but still “babes in Christ”.
2. Brethren, but still “babes in Christ”.
Several descriptions are used:
Carnal 1,3, 4
Incapable of receiving solid food 2
2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
Milk is fine. Pretty much everyone starts life on milk. I still enjoy milk as part of my life. Cereal just is not the same without it.
2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
We need more than milk in life. If you know me well, you know I love a nice thick beaf steak, or BBQ pork ribs. They are harder to digest and should not be given to infants.
We get more nutrients from a variety in our diet. We need those nutrients as we build muscle, develop stamina, and even develop our brains. Paul has to tell this church that though they have been born again, they have not grown up.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
People who are not living like God. 3-4
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?
When we see people who claim to be Christians constantly engaged in:
Envy - immature jealousy for something that belongs to someone else.
Strife - bitter conflict for conflicts sake
Divisions - continual factions, and a dividing out of the body of believers
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
Politics in church leadership v4
Throughout history people have been pushed into binary choices. Paul or Apollos, Labour or Liberal, progressive or conservative, Anglican or Baptist, - the list is long. Christianity is not about following human leaders, saints, or even constitutions and church polity. Christianity is about following Christ, knowing Him, and changing our lives each time we get to know God better.
Paul tells this church to “Beware!” When people act out in Envy, Strife, Divisions, and play Politics with church leadership - they do not mature spiritually! As I have often seen in ministry over the decades, sometimes you have to grow over the top of these kind of people. Otherwise they bring the whole church down with their non-Christian lifestyle.
People who live “worldly”, do church like it’s a club, and manipulate others are “behaving like mere men”, or “walking according to human standards.” See how verse 4 ends?
A call to be spiritually strong
A call to be spiritually strong
We would want to fall in the group who Paul could “speak to as spiritually mature people.” He encouraged the church in Ephesus in this very direction.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
This was not a new outcry towards a mature relationship with God. God has wanted this throughout history.
6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
The book of Joshua is full of encouragement to “be strong and courageous.” That is to say, “Be spiritually strong and then take the actions required of us.”
Later, King David wrote:
14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Paul will tell the young Pastor Timothy the same thing.
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
How do we do this? How are we “strong in the Lord” or “strong in His grace”?
It starts with learning what He has said about Himself.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
Read His Word, Study His Word! Make notes of what God has said about Himself! Make notes of the things that He is and wants us to be. Notice the His attributes. Mentally record what He has done that are far greater than any human can ever do.
While He created in Gen 1, He has often asked His people to make things. These two are different, but not unrelated.
Next, spend time in worship with Christ’s Church. Worship is what we do as a church. I pray that never changes!
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The next verse talks about how they served one another. The 2 verses after that talks about how they were giving.
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Conclusion: Our lives, and the life of everyone we interact with, is better when we grow spiritually and are strong in our faith.
Conclusion: Our lives, and the life of everyone we interact with, is better when we grow spiritually and are strong in our faith.
28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Immaturity shows. It is obvious to even a casual observer. The thing is, we don’t have to stay that way. We can grow spiritually strong. We can see the strength of our spiritual walk having an impact on those around us.
Q1 How sure are you that you are in the faith?
Q2 What stands out in your life as a stepping stone on the path from babe to maturity in Christ?
Q3 We are not in this alone. Who can we encourage to grow in Christ? What would that look like?