Growing Well

Find out how you Grow

—ideas are taken from a book “The Me I want to be” by Jon Ortberg.

Tonight I want to begin with a scripture -

1 Samuel 17 ESV

And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle. And the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. David was the youngest. The three eldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward and took his stand, morning and evening. And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.” Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him. All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.” Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?” And he turned away from him toward another, and spoke in the same way, and the people answered him again as before. When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.” When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron, so that the wounded Philistines fell on the way from Shaaraim as far as Gath and Ekron. And the people of Israel came back from chasing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, but he put his armor in his tent. As soon as Saul saw David go out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.” And the king said, “Inquire whose son the boy is.” And as soon as David returned from the striking down of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. And Saul said to him, “Whose son are you, young man?” And David answered, “I am the son of your servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.”

Imagine your david.

There you stand on the hill.

Goliah is ahead. you begin twirling that rock in circles.

Soon goliath would fall and you would be victorious!

But hit pause a moment.

What was it about david that led to his success?

Was it his strength? Was it his skill and practice while being a shepherd? Was it his reliance upon God in all of lifes moments? Ok.. yea that one.. ok for reliance for what? When?

Maybe he relied upon God when he twirled that leather slingshot, and prayed hard? Was it as he was walking down the hill he muttered a prayer under his breath?

Did he pray to yahweh while he carefully selected his smooth stones?

Did his hands sweat knowing he could soon die.

Or was his success simply due to his faith and trust that God would protect him, and defeat goliath... Or maybe, when he appeared before Saul and rejected sauls heavy bulky armor, that was the moment he won the battle.

Either way it was a battle - and he wanted to win.

His cause: God’s reputation… it was on the line. And he wanted to defend it.

How dare they!!

Who is David

When look at this shepherd boy… shepherd boys grew up in the hills.

Looking at scripture.. the book of psalms is mostly written by shepherd boy david, fleeing david, sinning david, and repentant king david. The Psalms are great!!

As a shepherd - It wasn’t his first fight. He’d had to have fought bears and lions before...

He knew what tools he was good at…

As we look at the passage - I specificially want to look at:

1 Samuel 17:38–40 ESV

Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.

Then King Saul steps in to help… here david.. haha you want to take down WHO?

No… you can’t do it you need… my armor and sword.

He figured whatever would be helpful to HIM, would be helpful to DAVID.

The problem: Saul was a foot or more taller than David..

Much larger bulkier, heavier armor.. would only be frustrating.

Saul was a man, David was a teenager - around 15.

The helmet was too big, the sword wayy to heavy, the armor would only slow David down.

Fortunately I beleive with God’s help… David partially won that day becuase he knew to refuse the help of Saul. He knew to use his sling. He knew God would help him if he chose that path… a path using what was unfamiliar could lead to defeat.

Saul in turn then said “Go and the Lord be with you”.

That was the best advice Saul could’ve given.

Many times in this story we highlight how God helped him in the moment of battle, I’d argue God helped him before the battle with the lion, the bear, and in the practice he had done with his sling.

This then created confidence… not false confidence but in his abilities… and because of his reliance on God, and we see in his psalms.. his longing for God… his relationship for god.

David had to try defeating Goliath, because he was taunting the God of heaven.

David was willing to stand up and defend God’s honor.

But he knew he had to tell “saul I cannot go in these”.

David would’ve likely lost that day… with a battle with the giant… if he would’ve used what Saul offered.

What worked for saul… didn’t work for David.

Your not an Appliance

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his appliance, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

NO.. “we are his masterpiece”.

“workmanship” or “masterpiece”… “A thing of his making”.

Notice it doesn’t say appliance.

How are masterpieces made, vs appliances?

Do comparison quickly...

You are unlike anyone else in the world. Your past, present, and future is different the the other 8 billion 222 million people on earth.

Your a masterpiece. Hand crafted.

Show hand crafted flute

But we often don’t think like that spiritually…

Some of you all have recently given your hearts to Christ.

1) Spiritual Growth is Essential

Whether you’ve known God for years or just committed to knowing Christ last week.

Growth is essential

Take this new plant.

Plant Illustration

What would happen if this plant stopped growing?

It would die?

Ok - now let me change the question - what are the factors necessary that cause this plant to flourish!?

Ok - duh - we say are you stupid…

Light - without light it dies… how much? Depends...

Water - without water it dies… how much? Depends...

Nutrients - without good soil, and neutrients… how much? Depends.

Reproducting itself - without that factor, after a long groth period.. it will die.. unless it “re-plants itself”.

1. Animal Pollinators (Biotic Pollination)

These include insects, birds, and mammals:

Bees – the most common pollinators; they collect nectar and pollen sticks to their bodies.

Butterflies & Moths – attracted to colorful or fragrant flowers.

Birds – especially hummingbirds, pollinate large, tubular flowers.

Bats – pollinate night-blooming flowers in tropical and desert areas.

Other Insects – like beetles and flies, also contribute.

2. Wind Pollination (Abiotic)

Wind carries lightweight pollen from one plant to another.

Common in grasses, many trees (like pines, oaks), and some crops like corn.

3. Water Pollination

Rare, but happens in aquatic plants (like seagrasses), where pollen floats on or under water to reach other plants.

Living things live.

Dying things die.

Plants must grow.

People must grow.

Back to the story of David - How you grow may be different then the person beside you.

Your a masterpiece. Not an appliance.

“Spiritual Growth is hand crafted, not mass produced, God does not do a “one size fits all”.

And that’s ok.

God is building a masterpiece, not a bunch of appliances, or robots to do God’s bidding.

Jesus was stern with the rich young ruler.

kind with the woman caught in adultery.

etc...

Spiritual Growth is about a Person

In the same way plants grow.

Spiritual Growth has a Base line.

Many ask if you’ll do these three things you’ll grow.

LIke -

Read your bible for at least 15 minutes a day… thats good! Do it!

Pray at least 15 minutes a day… That’s good! do it!

Be surrounded by Good friends at least 15 minutes a day… That’s good do it!

Attend worship, and have communion etc… that’s good! Do it!

But is it more than that?

Your main measure of your devotion to GOd is not your devotional life, but is your life.”

This is a much harder and a profoundly freeing answer.

Trying to grow without

A different statement:

John 17:21 ESV

that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

But If it’s true you each are a masterpiece… that mease God on purpose, intensionally, hand-crafted you with different passions and desires.

What’s the baseline?

Intake God’s word, live in fellowship with GOod believers, remain surrenderd, and live “in an attitude of prayer.”

How do you do it… well that depends on how much light, nourishment, water, etc. you need.

remember the plant?

Remember the Holy Spirit… the holy spirit is also in your life guiding and directing you.

Being One with Jesus - How To?

What’s it look like to be one with Jeuss.

It means to follow him, listen to him, be in a relationship with Him.

If I were to tell you all we were all going to the fairgrounds in york - center of york. Meeting there after school for a fun family event…

If we all took a route... Would we all take slightly different paths?

YES!

In the same way -

We are to chase the person of Jesus -

How?

Here are a couple paths people can follow to get to know God.

Naturalist - Finds God in Nature

Aesetic - Drawn to Disciplines

Traditionalist - Loves Order, and Liturgies

Activist - Comes

......

Also - are you a book nerd… or hate books...

Do you love hanging out with people or hate it.

Growing with Jesus

Is simple.

Do the basics. Like a few scriptures or a bible study each day.

But also figure out what you enjoy.. and take that path towards Jesus.

For example if you like audio books. begin listening to a passage of scripture, and begin listening to some good books taht discuss scripture.

I can gaurantee you’ll become more like Jesus and grow deeper in your walk with him.

If you like solitude… and nature… take an art book out in nature and open your bible and combine his word, with his natural beauty he created.

You’ll begin to really enjoy it.

Do you like to taste, see, touch, smell - sensate. You should someday travel to the holy land to see Jerusalem, or travel to the bible museum in DC to see and hear and feel the parchment that the holy scriptures were written down on.

Are you an Enthusiast - you grow by being with people.. and being enthused. Then join a bible study with friends… or start one. If you want to we can help and give you free matierals to get you started.

Are you an intellectual. IE - you love to read. Then read away… God needs people with PHD’s who are really smart who can study for hours on end.

Are you a servant… you love to serve people, to help people… then use it and help people, pray while you help them, and then say a quick prayer with them in person.

All throughout this… weave Jesus, weave his word, and weave prayer to God and you’ll soon be shocked by what God begins to do inside you and through you...

God doesn’t want you to somehow fit perfectly into his perscribed mold.

A different statement:

John 17:21 ESV

that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

God - the creator. Wants to be ONE with you.

The Goal: To Be one with Jesus. Period.

At work.

At home.

At school.

At Church.

Last week we discussed the Holy Spirit.

He is the best guide… follow his leading.

Dig into the word!

Pray about everything! at all times!

Do things that push you towards Jesus.

It’s incredible to get to know God.

I have here my personal journal.

It’s wonderful to walk with Jesus...

Remember the plant, we need to show signs of life.

We need to stay hydrated, get sun, and ...

We need to do the basics and ingest his word, and pray

We need to remember that god is right now forming you and me into a masterpiece.

Find something you love to do… and pair with Jesus, and his word.

And growth with happen!!

Life will continue.

Close in Prayer