Grow in Grace

A. The Christian life begins with a birth

1. Upon receiving Christ we are born again ()

2. Jesus explained the new birth to Nicodemas ()

B. This is what separates the gospel from religion

1. Religion is man’s effort to reach up to God.

2. Salvation is God coming down to man and making him a new creation.

C. But after birth comes growth.

2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

What is Growth in Grace?

A. What it is not:

1. It is not becoming more saved than at the moment of new birth.

2. It is not becoming more pardoned than when first saved.

3. It is not becoming more justified then at salvation.

B. What Christian growth is:

“When I speak of growth in grace I mean increase in the degree, size, strength, vigor and power of the graces which the Holy Spirit plants in a believer’s heart” (J. C. Ryle)

C. Consider the expectations of physical growth

1. In a child, a flower, a tree

2. The gardener and his garden

D. Consider the Bible evidences of growth in men

1. Peter: From backsliding to blessing

2. Paul: From the Damascus road to the Roman road

3. John: From the Son of Thunder to the disciple of love.

What are the Evidences of Growth?

A. An increase of love (; )

1 Thessalonians 3:12 NKJV

12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 NKJV

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more;

1. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples ()

John 13:35 NKJV

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

2. How we know that we have passed from death to life ()

1 John 3:14 NKJV

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

3. We are nothing without love ()

B. An increase in faith ()

2 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

1. Great promises come with this fruit of the spirit!

2. Most of us are but in the kindergarten of faith.

C. An increase of the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10)

Colossians 1:10 NKJV

10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

1. What you saw in Christ when you accepted Him compared to now?

2. Do you know more about God now than when you first believed?

D. A greater desire for holiness in life ()

Philippians 3:13 NKJV

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

What Are the Means That God Uses to Help Us Grow in Grace?

A. He uses His Word ()

1 Peter 2:2 NKJV

2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

1. God’s Word is the food that feeds our growth

2. There’s a new you coming each day

3. Look at the book first

B. He uses trouble and experience ()

C. He uses our private devotional life

D. He uses public worship of believers

E. He uses the fellowship of believers

1. How our needs are met by others ()

2. What friendships and fellowships do to

Conclusion:

A. Are you growing?

B. If not…Why not?