From Hidden Years to Holy Growth: Lessons from Young Jesus (Part 2)
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Introduction
Introduction
Have you ever paused to consider why you’re here—in this time, in this place, with the gifts and opportunities you have? Many of us spend years trying to figure out our purpose, but in today’s message, I want to suggest something life-changing: your growth—in wisdom, stature, and in favour with God and people—is not just about your own self-improvement; it’s about God’s loving plan for this world.
Think about it. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16). We naturally connect that to Jesus, who was sent to grow into His mission, lay down His life, and rise again, defeating evil in the process.
The Bible shows us Jesus’ “hidden years,” a period when He wasn’t performing public miracles or preaching to the masses. Instead, He was growing—learning under teachers, developing His character, and stepping closer to His calling.
In Luke 2:52, we see the summary: “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man.”
Last Sunday we looked at Part 1 where we learned that 2 factors that contributed to Jesus’ growth in His Hidden Years were:
· The Priority of God’s House in His family (Jesus’ growth began at home with parents who prioritised God)
· Practice of Obedience that fostered wisdom. Jesus grew in wisdom because He was obedient to His Father in Heaven and to His earthly parents.
Our focus today is on the posture Jesus adopted, a posture that fuelled His growth—and how embracing that same posture can transform us into the gift God intends us to be for this world.
Proposition
Because Jesus humbly positioned Himself as a learner and grew in wisdom, stature, and favour, we, too, must adopt a Christ-like posture so that God can continue His loving work through us in our homes, communities, and the wider world.
Historic Context
In first-century Judaism, the temple was not just a place of sacrifice and ritual; it was a vibrant centre of study and debate.
Rabbis would sit in small circles with their disciples, discussing Scripture through questions and answers.
By “sitting among the teachers,” Jesus took on the role of a disciple, physically placing Himself under their authority. This was a cultural sign of respect, but it was also a spiritual act of humility.
Even though He was uniquely the Son of God, He didn’t isolate Himself with hidden knowledge, nor did He impose His authority on the crowd.
Instead, He chose to invest Himself in dialogue, seeking insight and wisdom.
Through that process, Jesus grew in every dimension of life—mentally (in wisdom and knowledge), spiritually (in favour with God), and socially(in favour with man) and even physically and emotionally as He grew in stature.
Today, I would like us to look at 3 postures we can adopt as believers when it comes to the calling God has placed on our lives and I pray that we would have a great desire, coupled with the strength and power to adopt the same posture that Jesus had throughout His time on earth as He fulfilled he calling God, His Father has placed on His life.
A Posture of Haughtiness - Impose
Haughtiness is the arrogant posture that says, “I know best,” seeking to impose one’s authority, gifts, or calling on others.
Interestingly, even Jesus—who had every right to assert His divine identity—avoided this attitude.
As a boy, He declared, “I must be in my Father’s house” (Luke 2:49), fully aware of His relationship with God. Yet He didn’t use this knowledge to lord it over people. Instead, He chose to sitamong the teachers, listening, and learning.
In our human nature, we’re prone to imposing our experiences, background, or relationships to get what we want.
But in God’s Kingdom, true growth—in wisdom, stature, and favour—does not emerge from self-exaltation.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”(James 4:6).
If we insist on pushing our way, we risk encountering God’s direct opposition.
· Biblical examples warn us of haughtiness—like the Pharisee who boasted in his own righteousness (Luke 18:9–14), missing his need for mercy.
Scripture shows consistently that a self-imposing spirit blocks the humility required for true kingdom growth.
Illustration
Imagine someone in the workplace who constantly reminds everyone of their credentials: “I went to the best university,” or “I have 20 years of experience, so my way is obviously right.”
That imposing approach might momentarily garner compliance, but it rarely cultivates genuine respect.
Likewise, if Jesus had wielded His divine status to demand allegiance, He might have gained superficial followers but lost the heart of His mission: a people transformed by grace.
Context: When we engage with others, whether in church, at work, or in family settings, we can be tempted to act out of arrogance or self-importance.
A “haughty” posture imposes opinions or gifts on others without considering their perspectives or needs.
This attitude can surface in ministry (e.g., dominating a ministry or fellow volunteers with our attitude), in marriage(e.g., insisting your view always prevails), or in leadership (e.g., refusing to receive feedback).
Definition: We impose our gifts, opinions, and calling on others without a spirit of humility. We talk over people, claim authority prematurely, or force our ideas without listening.
Result: Rather than being blessed by our contributions, others feel overwhelmed or dismissed.
Imposition hinders genuine relationships and stifles our holistic growth.
A Posture of Haughtiness gives birth to the greatest enemy of your calling: PRIDE.
And the sooner we learn to discern pride in our own lives, the quicker we can avoid that fall that follows after pride.
Application:
1. Recognize the Tendency
- What to do? Humbly admit that all of us naturally gravitate toward pushing our own agendas.
- Why? We’re often driven by insecurity or a desire for control. Realizing this helps us see the need to guard our hearts against haughtiness.
2. Seek Accountability
Invite trusted mentors or believers to speak into your life. Ask questions like: “Do I come across as domineering or unteachable?”
External perspectives reveal blind spots. Even Jesus surrounded Himself with teachers, then later with disciples—He embraced relational input rather than isolating Himself.
3. Adopt a Servant Mindset
Follow Jesus’ example of humble service (Mark 10:45). Lead, if called to lead, but with a spirit of gentleness and willingness to learn from those you serve.
This posture opens doors to deeper relationships and mirrors Christ’s heart. People respond far better to a servant-leader than a self-imposing authority.
4. Pursue Kingdom Growth over Personal Gain
Remind yourself that true success in God’s economy is measured by growth in Christlikeness—wisdom, character, and favour with God and man.
Imposing your will might achieve a short-term goal, but it often leads to broken trust and God’s opposition. By seeking kingdom fruit—through humility—you allow the Holy Spirit to increase your influence in a God-honouring way.
In sum, haughtiness promises quick control but ultimately stunts spiritual maturity.
A Posture of Hiding - Isolate
Definition: We withdraw out of past hurt, fear, or pride, effectively hiding our calling and refusing to receive input from others.
Result: Our gifts remain undeveloped, and we miss the wisdom we could gain from fellow believers.
Isolation often stems from pain but leads to stagnation instead of healing.
Isolation: A Response to Hurt and Pain
Often, people withdraw and isolate themselves—not because they lack gifts or calling, but because they’ve experienced hurt or rejection in the past.
Painful words, betrayal by those once trusted, or disappointment in church or ministry settings can leave deep scars.
As a result, someone might decide, “I’ll protect myself by keeping my distance. If I don’t open up, I won’t be hurt again.”
Yet choosing isolation in response to hurt can rob us—and the people around us—of the blessing our gifts were meant to offer.
Our calling remains unshared, our potential unused, and our contributions missed. While it’s understandable to want to shield ourselves from further pain, true healing often happens in the context of safe, godly relationships.
Jesus, who was eventually betrayed and abandoned by friends, still chose to invest His love and wisdom in people.
Though He knew rejection firsthand, He did not allow the fear of pain to hinder His ministry or His growth.
Likewise, learning to step out of isolation—gradually and with trusted individuals—can lead to renewed confidence, deeper relationships, and the very healing we crave.
If past hurt is driving you to isolate, consider taking gentle steps back into community. Seek out a mentor, counsellor, or caring group of believing friends who can walk with you.
Over time, sharing your gifts and calling, even hesitantly, can open the door for mutual encouragement and restoration.
God can use your experiences—painful as they are—to shape you into someone who ministers hope and understanding to others.
Biblical Examples
· Elijah (1 Kings 19): After a mighty victory against the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled to the wilderness in fear of Jezebel’s threat. He ended up alone in a cave, lamenting that he was the only faithful prophet left. Though God cared for him, Elijah’s isolation stemmed from fear and discouragement, causing him to lose perspective on God’s continued work in Israel.
· Jonah (Jonah 1 & 4): Called to preach to Nineveh, Jonah tried to escape God’s presence by boarding a ship in the opposite direction. Even after God turned him around, Jonah withdrew in anger outside the city, isolating himself from the people he was called to reach. His self-imposed loneliness revealed a hardened heart toward others.
C.S. Lewis poignantly wrote, “Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact…lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable.”
Isolation may protect us from new hurt, but it also keeps us from new growth.
Application
Acknowledge Your Reasons for Hiding
o Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal any fear, disappointment, or pride that’s led you to withdraw.
o Identifying the root cause of isolation is the first step toward healing and re-engagement.
Seek Safe Community
o Rather than trying to jump back into every activity, find one or two trustworthy believers, friends, or mentors with whom you can share openly.
o God often uses a supportive community—no matter how small—to draw us out of hiding and into meaningful connections.
Respond to God’s Call
o Like Elijah and Jonah, we sometimes forget God’s bigger purpose when we’re isolated. Ask the Lord how He wants to use your gifts or calling today.
o Recognizing that God still has a plan for you (even after disappointments) empowers you to step forward in faith, rather than remain hidden in past hurts.
Embrace Incremental Growth
o Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready; take small steps to re-engage: join a small group, serve in a ministry, or share your story with someone who understands.
o Healing and community-building are processes. God honours each step you take away from isolation and toward constructive fellowship.
Ultimately, a posture of hiding locks away the gifts and calling God has entrusted to you. Though you may feel protected, you also miss the blessing of partnership, accountability, and spiritual growth that thrives in open, genuine relationships.
By choosing to come out of hiding, you align with God’s design for a vibrant, supportive community of faith.
By transitioning from isolation to intentional investment, you allow the Holy Spirit to bring beauty from ashes, turning your past hurt into a testimony of grace and growth.
A Posture of Humility - Invest
Jesus: Secure Identity, Humble Posture
When we look at Jesus in the temple, we see that humility didn’t diminish His divine identity; it expanded His capacity to fulfil His calling.
He grew “in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52) precisely because He neither imposed Himself nor hid what God had given Him.
This is humility at its finest: instead of erasing our God-given worth, humility enhances it, propelling us into the fullness of who God created us to be.
A question worth asking is: “At whose feet are you learning right now?”
Of course, we sit at Jesus’ feet by studying His Word and praying, but we also need to learn from others.
If the Son of God benefited from time spent with real people—listening to them, sharing questions, and doing life with them—how much more do we?
Jesus didn’t just isolate Himself with Scripture in solitude. He forged meaningful relationships with teachers and friends He could speak to face-to-face.
Later, His own disciples learned at His feet by literally following Him, day by day.
That’s one reason why the local church is so vital. It’s not about exalting pastors or leaders; it’s about growing under shepherds who know you and care for you personally.
You can listen to all the podcasts or follow every online ministry, but there is something special about in-person interaction with leaders and friends who can challenge you, encourage you, and walk alongside you.
Sadly, in a world of unlimited information, many believers have become lazy learners.
We grab hold of any bite-sized teaching that resonates with us, share it across social media, and rarely pause to study, question, or wrestle with Scripture ourselves.
The more data we have at our fingertips, the easier it is to be gullible—simply because we’re too lazy to examine the truth claims before us.
But Jesus demonstrated a healthier pattern: He was actively involved in dialogue, willing to engage in discussion—even when it led to disagreement or a sharpening of viewpoints.
So, once again: Whose feet are you learning at?
Are you embracing the posture of humility—willing to learn from Scripture, yes, but also from those you trust and do life with?
A posture of humility that learns and then invests in others!
Explanation
Much like the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30), we are stewards rather than owners of our gifts.
God entrusts us with abilities, knowledge, relationships, and insights—not so we can hoard them, but so we can invest them for His glory and others’ good.
Humility helps us recognize these gifts without arrogance and use them diligently without fear.
A Personal Perspective
A Personal Perspective
I have been learning in the last few months that “the world of the generous gets larger and larger.” That doesn’t just apply to finances—though God has called me to be generous there, too—but also to the talents and perspectives He’s entrusted to me.
By humbly recognizing my gifts and investing in my own development, I’m able to invest more of myself in other people’s lives.
And as I do, I’ve noticed my world expanding: fellow pastors across the UK and parts of Europe have begun to welcome some of my experiences, viewpoints, and approaches.
I’ve chosen not to impose my methods as the only right way, and I also refuse to hide the gems of wisdom God has given me.
Instead, I share freely, stewarding what He’s entrusted to me. This openness has its risks—people sometimes misunderstand me, and I’ve been hurt more often than I wish. I’ve had moments of wanting to fight or flee. But God reminds me: “Just show up, trust Me to give you strength, and allow Me to use even a wounded heart to bless those around you.”
In that tension, I see Jesus’ example—He didn’t force His way, nor did He retreat into a corner. He invested Himself for God’s glory and the sake of others.
When we adopt that same posture, we find no need to impose or isolate.
Application
Invest in Your Own Growth
What to do? Deliberately improve your God-given talents and nourish your heart through prayer, Scripture, and guidance from mentors.
Why do it? You cannot pour from an empty cup. The more you develop your gifts, the more effectively you can serve others.
Invest in Others’ Growth
What to do? Share your time, insights, skills, and support. Cultivate genuine friendships where you freely offer encouragement and help.
Why do it? Like the Parable of the Talents, God wants us to multiply what He’s given—not for our glory, but for His kingdom. Genuine humility fuels that multiplication.
Embrace the Risk
Understand that investing in people might lead to misunderstandings or hurt. Keep going despite setbacks, trusting God’s presence and healing power.
Understand that investing in people might lead to misunderstandings or hurt. Keep going despite setbacks, trusting God’s presence and healing power.
Jesus risked rejection at every turn, but His humility opened doors for growth and ministry. We follow His path, confident that God will redeem even our painful moments for His purposes.
When we posture ourselves with humility and choose to invest rather than impose or hide, we experience an ever-growing world—one in which God expands our capacity to bless others and brings greater meaning to our own journey of faith.
Jesus never denied who He was as the Son of God.
When He sat at the feet of other teachers in the temple courts (Luke 2:46), it wasn’t because He felt insecure about His identity or calling.
Let Jesus’ example remind us: humility doesn’t diminish our identity or calling—it clarifies and empowers it, leading us into deeper wisdom, truer relationships, and a richer experience of God’s kingdom.
Conclusion (Recapitulation and Exhortation)
Recapitulation:
Jesus’ example in the temple underscores one transformative truth: real growth flows out of humility. He did not lose His identity by learning from others; rather, He stepped further into it. We, too, face a choice—will we impose our ideas, isolate in fear, or invest our gifts and energy in the community God has placed around us?
Exhortation:
Remember that God has adopted you into His family.
And in the same way He sent His only begotten Son to increase in wisdom, stature and favour with God and people in fulfilling His mission in this world, so does He send His adopted sons and daughters to increase in wisdom, stature and favour with God and people to fulfil their God mission in this world.
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ
But what if, on a different scale, God has also given you as a gift to the world out of His great love?
What if your growth truly matters in the grand scheme of God’s plan?
What if your growth truly matters in the grand scheme of God’s plan?
What if your growth truly matters in the grand scheme of God’s plan?
Could it be that, like Jesus, you’re meant to invest in becoming everything God created you to be so that others can experience His grace through you?
Determine today to follow Jesus’ pattern.
Sit among trusted believers, mentors, and peers with a humble spirit.
Ask questions, listen, and allow others to speak into your life.
In doing so, you mirror the posture of the One who “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man.”
Embrace humility—not as a denial of who you are, but as a catalyst for who God has called you to be.
Then watch how the Lord deepens your wisdom, matures your character, and expands your impact in His kingdom.