Progressing Spiritually
Notes
Transcript
2 Peter 3:17–18 (NLT)
17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
I. Believe in Christ
I. Believe in Christ
John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
A. We begin our spiritual journey by faith. When we repent of our sins and believe in Christ, we receive forgiveness.
A. We begin our spiritual journey by faith. When we repent of our sins and believe in Christ, we receive forgiveness.
B. Forgiveness brings a new life, our friends, amusements, desires, ambitions, and hopes for the future become new.
B. Forgiveness brings a new life, our friends, amusements, desires, ambitions, and hopes for the future become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
II. Belong to Christ
II. Belong to Christ
Romans 12:1–2 1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1–2 1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
A. Spiritual progress involves total commitment. When we surrender all to God, we are cleansed and filled with His love.
A. Spiritual progress involves total commitment. When we surrender all to God, we are cleansed and filled with His love.
1 John 1:7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
B. The Holy Spirit makes us pure and gives us peace and power, enabling us to persevere in trials and share Christ with others.
B. The Holy Spirit makes us pure and gives us peace and power, enabling us to persevere in trials and share Christ with others.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
III. Be Used by Christ
III. Be Used by Christ
1 Corinthians 3:8–9 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:8–9 8 The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.
A. The Christian life is not stationary. We are either going forward or backward. Many fail to make progress because they lack concern.
A. The Christian life is not stationary. We are either going forward or backward. Many fail to make progress because they lack concern.
B. Doing God’s work brings spiritual growth. Helping the less fortunate, visiting the sick, and witnessing to the lost encourages progress.
B. Doing God’s work brings spiritual growth. Helping the less fortunate, visiting the sick, and witnessing to the lost encourages progress.
Ephesians 4:31–32 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31–32 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
IV. Become Like Christ
IV. Become Like Christ
1 John 3:2-3 2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
1 John 3:2-3 2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
A. We should seek to be more like Christ. Imitating His love, compassion, and understanding brings maturity and growth.
A. We should seek to be more like Christ. Imitating His love, compassion, and understanding brings maturity and growth.
B. Progress precedes promotion to our heavenly home. There we shall be like the Lord, and we shall live with Him forever.
B. Progress precedes promotion to our heavenly home. There we shall be like the Lord, and we shall live with Him forever.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.