“The Process of Growth” - Pt 1
Notes
Transcript
BACK TO BASICS - #10
“The Process of Growth” – Part 1
So far in our series on BACK TO BASICS we have studied the PLAN OF GOD, the PROBLEM OF SIN, and the WORK OF SALVATION. This morning we come to “The Process of Growth!”
"What is the process of growth in the Christian life?"
INTRODUCTION: “Growth or Increase” in the NT!
INTRODUCTION: “Growth or Increase” in the NT!
“Grow/increase” (auxanō) is used in the NT 25 times as a verb and twice as a noun.
It is used of…
A. BIOLOGICAL GROWTH!
A. BIOLOGICAL GROWTH!
Of PLANT LIFE.
28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread.
31 He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
32 It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.”
8 Still other seed fell on good ground and it grew up, producing fruit that increased thirty, sixty, and a hundred times.”
Of PEOPLE.
John the Baptist – (Luke 1:80) – “The child grew up…”
Jesus – (Luke 2:40) – “The boy grew…”
B. NUMERICAL GROWTH!
B. NUMERICAL GROWTH!
7 So the word of God spread (ηὔξανεν), the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.
However, the growth we want to center our attention on this morning is not biological or numerical, but rather the growth most of the NT focuses on:
C. SPIRITUAL GROWTH!
C. SPIRITUAL GROWTH!
I'd like to show you how many ways the Bible looks at spiritual growth!
1. You can grow in INFLUENCE!
1. You can grow in INFLUENCE!
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Used of the influence of the Word of God!
24 But the word of God spread and multiplied.
20 In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed.
Also used of the influence of the Church (as the Temple of God)!
21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
2. You also grow in RIGHTEOUSNESS!
2. You also grow in RIGHTEOUSNESS!
10 Now the one who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will also provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
3. You can also grow in FAITH!
3. You can also grow in FAITH!
15 We are not boasting beyond measure about other people’s labors. On the contrary, we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged,
4. We also grow in MATURITY!
4. We also grow in MATURITY!
15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.
2 Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation,
5. There is a growth in KNOWLEDGE!
5. There is a growth in KNOWLEDGE!
10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God,
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
There is SPIRITUAL GROWTH in all these areas!
All these things are good, but I don't think they tell the whole story!
There's more in the Word of God on this subject—some very practical insights into both the WAY we grow in Christ (the steps or path of spiritual growth), as well as how we can MEASURE our spiritual maturity!
LESSON:
12 I am writing to you, little children, since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one.
14 I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, God’s word remains in you, and you have conquered the evil one.
There are at least three major stages or levels of growth in the Christian life:
I. SPIRITUAL PEDIATRICS!
I. SPIRITUAL PEDIATRICS!
The Bible uses three terms to describe this level: babies (τεκνία), toddlers (νήπιοι), and children (παιδία).
A. BABIES (τεκνία)
A. BABIES (τεκνία)
Most people don't want to think of themselves as "babies," and yet, it's often true that Christians who have known the Lord a great many years chronologically, are still babies in the Lord and don't know it!
And if you've ever worked in the nursery, you don't want to think of yourself as a “toddler!”
And “children?” Maybe—as long you mean humility and faith! But not in age or behavior!
Nevertheless, according to the Bible, that is a level of growth in the Lord!
(v.12) - "I am writing to you, little children (τεκνία)..."
(v.13c) - "…I writen to you, children (παιδία)"
There's a difference between the two words: One refers to babies, (v.12), and the other, (παιδία), we would call primary, or junior age level, and as you might guess, there’s a big difference between the two.
“What does it mean to be a BABY (τεκνία) in the Lord?”
Just for fun, let’s suppose this morning that you are a baby in the Lord. We’ll take a look at you and ask several things about you:
“What is the BASIC NEED of a baby in the Lord?”
12 I am writing to you, little children, since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
"What's the number one thing a baby Christian begins to doubt?"
Whether or not he/she is really saved! "Why?" You accept Christ, and the next day you wind up doing something you shouldn’t do as a Christian!
1. Their BASIC NEED: ASSURANCE!
1. Their BASIC NEED: ASSURANCE!
2. Their BASIC PROBLEM: DOUBT and QUESTION!
2. Their BASIC PROBLEM: DOUBT and QUESTION!
3. The GREAT GOAL at this LEVEL: COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE!
3. The GREAT GOAL at this LEVEL: COMPLETE ACCEPTANCE!
You need to learn that your sins are forgiven, and that God has accepted you, not because of your performance, but because of what Jesus has done for you!
“How does God make babies feel that they are completely accepted?"
The SAME WAY a baby learns who his/her family is—acceptance by, and association with, other Christians!
"Why do many baby Christians walk out the back door and struggle the rest of their life and seemingly don't grow?"
Because they are not accepted by Christians around them! That’s why the Bible teaches that we need to accept people exactly as Jesus has accepted us!
16 From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
The baby Christian finds assurance and acceptance from the Lord when he or she sees that other Christians also accept him into their fellowship and circle of love!
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The exhortation goes both ways!
As important as it is for believers to accept new people into our fellowship, it is equally crucial for baby Christians to “…not neglecting to gather together.”
25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
If you are a new Christian, I urge upon you to seek the fellowship of God's people!
And to the older Christians, if you know a new Christian is around, you need to do everything in your power to make them feel loved and accepted!
Don't leave them out in the cold! You wouldn't do that to your little babies! Why would we do this with our spiritual babies!
7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nurse nurtures her own children.
8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
B. TODDLERS (νήπιοι)!
B. TODDLERS (νήπιοι)!
Toddlers are cute—especially when they belong to someone else!
They’re adorable, but they don't pay attention very well!
I believe it’s when we are toddlers our parents begin using our FULL NAMES!
The Bible talks about toddlers! – From Greek [NEPIOS] – “without speech.”
They know words, but they don't put their sentences together. They're very active and move around a lot, and often they are trouble!
The Bible uses this term at least two different times to describe this stage of growth:
14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.
One writer says of this passage, “This is the cult stage...”
False teachers of this world prey on spiritual toddlers!
11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand.
12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.
13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant.
14 But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.
In the case of the BABY; he's asking, "Am I saved?"
In the case of the TODDLER, he's asking, "What's wrong with that? What does that mean? Why can't I do that?"
1. Their GREAT NEED: DISCERNMENT!
1. Their GREAT NEED: DISCERNMENT!
Parents of toddlers are always saying, “No! Put that down! Don't touch that!”
Wouldn't you like to say just once, "Oh, yes! That was wonderful what you just did! You are such a precious child—you're so obedient!" THAT'S NOT A TODDLER!
2. Their GREAT PROBLEM: DECEPTION!
2. Their GREAT PROBLEM: DECEPTION!
A lot of false doctrine and deception is thrown at a person at this stage and they don't know enough of Scripture to protect themselves!
3. The GREAT GOAL: PERSONAL STABILITY!
3. The GREAT GOAL: PERSONAL STABILITY!
4. The METHOD: KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE!
4. The METHOD: KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE!
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you,
15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
You know you’re moving out of the toddler stage when you know the answer to a certain moral dilemma is in God's Word (even if you don't know where it is).
Your also know you’re moving out of this stage when you no longer trust someone's opinion--you want to know for yourselves what the Bible teaches!
NOTICE: The stability you are after is in the Lord, and NOT in a particular church!
It's amazing how people are willing to simply trust in what their church says about the Bible instead of learning for themselves what the Bible teaches!
If you believe something just because "that's what our church believes," you are still at the toddler level.
Please don’t misunderstand! It's not bad to be at this level, it's bad to stay at this level!
C. CHILDREN (παιδία)!
C. CHILDREN (παιδία)!
14 I have written to you, children, because you have come to know the Father…
This is a wonderful stage! So much possibility. So much potential!
Once they grow out of toddlers, don’t you just love them for the tremendous potential!
1. Their BASIC NEED: DISCIPLINE!
1. Their BASIC NEED: DISCIPLINE!
The very word used in Greek means, "a disciplined one."
According to the Bible, there is a stage of growth in the Lord in which our greatest need is discipline!
You can tell this stage by the questions that are asked: "Why is this happening to me?"
2. The PROBLEM: DISCOURAGEMENT!
2. The PROBLEM: DISCOURAGEMENT!
Q: “I don't understand why I have to go through this!”
A: BECAUSE IT'S YOUR NEED!
Some have called this the most difficult stage of Christian growth.
It's the time of the sandpaper—events that cause friction, but God uses them to round off rough edges!
It comes through a variety of ways: verbal, sickness, financial setback.
3. The GOAL: GREATER PATIENCE!
3. The GOAL: GREATER PATIENCE!
The Bible describes maturity as patience!
Unfortunately, God puts us through this stage, not just once, but several times!
4. The METHOD: TRIALS and SUFFERINGS!
4. The METHOD: TRIALS and SUFFERINGS!
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
Often people try to run away at this point! "If I just change locations, things will be better!"
That never works!
CONCLUSION: “WHERE ARE YOU?”
CONCLUSION: “WHERE ARE YOU?”
