Now & Next Faith (Part 2)

Introduction

Attention:

Show growth chart

Imagine if your faith had one of these — what would it show?”

Faith doesn’t stop growing once you say yes to Jesus; it starts there.

Tonight: Now & Next Faith (Part 2)

Need:

Dry seasons

What do we do? (Summer)

The Big Idea:

Keep growing your faith.

The Big Question:

How can you keep growing your faith?

Keep following Jesus

Colossians 2:6 ESV

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

Explanation:

Context:

Paul

In prison

False teachers

The supremacy of Christ

According to this verse, what have believers done with Christ?

Believers have “received Christ”

A one time act

Accepting Jesus = receiving Jesus

The HS

What is the command for believers in this verse?

Believers “walk”

A metaphor for living

Ongoing process

Following Jesus

Christian = “little Christ”

Being a disciple who makes disciples

Living as Jesus lived

Loving as Jesus loved

The temptation to follow the world

Following Jesus = not following the world

Hard to “keep going”

So how?

According to this verse, how do believers walk (or in what way)?

Believers walk “in Him”

Jesus is the goal AND the how you get there

“Let your actual life as believers be guarded and guided by this Lord thus received.”

Live daily in the reality of Christ

Illustration:

GPS

Application:

Does your life look like Jesus’?

In what ways are you tempted to follow the world?

What areas of your life are not currently committed to Christ?

Keep following Jesus = Keep growing

The Big Idea:

Keep growing your faith.

The Big Question:

How can you keep growing your faith?

Keep following Jesus

Look for ways to grow

Colossians 2:6–7 ESV

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Explanation:

According to verse 7, people who have received Christ are...

Rooted

Past tense, already happened (with ongoing result)

Goes along with “received Christ”

What’s the first word/phrase in verse 7 used to describe spiritual growth?

Built up

Ongoing act

Construction upon a foundation (or roots)

How do we “build up” our faith?

Spiritual disciplines

Reading your Bible

Prayer

Serving

Sharing your faith

Giving

Fellowship

Actively looking for opportunities

What’s the second word/phrase in verse 7 used to describe spiritual growth?

Established

“Firming up” what you have been taught, making faith steady

Not only adding new things; fine-tuning what has been added

Can never hear the same thing too many times

Illustration:

Lego building

Application:

How are you growing in your faith right now?

What opportunities for growth do you see?

Every spiritual struggle is a growth opportunity

Keep looking; keep growing

The Big Idea:

Keep growing your faith.

The Big Question:

How can you keep growing your faith?

Keep following Jesus

Look for ways to grow

Practice gratitude

Colossians 2:6–7 ESV

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Explanation:

What’s the first word for us to take notice of here?

Abounding

Overflowing

What’s the second word for us to take notice of here?

Thanksgiving

Spilling out in thankfulness

A lot to be thankful for

Salvation

God’s specific blessings

Spiritual growth

Cultivate a spirit of gratitude as you grow

Look back as you move forward

Be thankful for your progress along the way

Illustration:

Gratitude jar

Application:

Do you have a spirit of gratitude?

What are you thankful for?

Write down one thing that you are grateful for each day

Grow with thankfulness

Conclusion

Visualization

Painting of two different believers:

one who receives Christ but never grows

One who keeps walking, learning, and growing

Which one will still be standing strong 10 years from now?

Seems complicated, but...

The Bottom Line:

What started your faith will strengthen your faith.

Reiteration

Your faith is meant to keep growing.

It grows the same way it started; faith

Keep following Jesus — not just once, but daily.

Look for ways to grow — through practice and discipline.

Stay grateful — it fuels growth and joy.

PRAY

Small Group Questions:

How excited are you for summer? What are you looking forward to the most?

What parts of summer break can make it harder to stay strong in your faith?

How could you use this summer as a chance to grow spiritually?

What’s something you’re thankful for right now?

What would it look like for you to practice gratitude every day this summer?