Growing Pains

Intro:

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

For the past few weeks, we’ve focused on the importance of discipleship. As Jesus left for heaven, He revealed His plan to His followers, now that I am going, you are to go and tell everyone about me.

Teach them, train them, and make disciples of them.

Jesus did not say, go and make church members or Christians. Instead, His plan is that we would go and make disciples.

Before we can fulfill the task of making disciples, we have to understand:

What is a disciple?

A disciple is a student of a teacher.

A disciple is an apprentice.

Therefore, our life’s goal is not to merely know about Jesus. It is to become a disciple of Jesus. According to the Great Commission, discipleship is nonnegotiable.

When we come to Jesus. we leave everything and identify our need for His help. Not just in forgiving the sins of our past, but helping us become more like Him in the present.

True disciples of Jesus, leave everything, prioritize Jesus in their lives, and realize there are not other options.

When we surrender to Jesus, we become His disciple. What happens in the discipleship process? GROWING PAINS.

Though I am not as tall as my brother, and I still haven’t reached six foot, I wasn’t born this tall, dark, or handsome. I remember having growing pains.

The mayo clinic defines growing pains as, are often described as an ache or throb in the legs — often in the front of the thighs, the calves or behind the knees. Growing pains tend to affect both legs and occur at night, and may even wake a child from sleep.

The process of physical growth is not easy. Likewise, the process of spiritual growth is not easy.

Salvation does promise instant spiritual maturity. Growing in God occurs through discipleship.

Therefore, when we enter the discipleship process, we will experience growing pains. To see this, I want to look at one of my favorite disciples, Peter.

What do we know about Peter?

Tonight, we will see Peter, one of Jesus’ most famous disciples, grew into his role. He experienced growing pains, because Jesus worked with him as he became who Jesus wanted him to become.

Let’s look at three areas where Peter grew as a disciple of Jesus.

1. Growing in Obedience

Luke 5:3–6 NKJV

3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

Luke 4:3–6 NKJV

3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

Early on, Jesus came to Peter and asked him to do something that was confusing. After a night of fishing and catching nothing, Jesus told him to go out deeper and cast their nets one more time.

Look at the contrast, Jesus was a rabbi, Peter was a fisherman. He was not an expert at catching fish. Peter didn’t want to obey because he knew more about fishing than Jesus, or so he thought.

He relented and when he did, they boat nearly capsized because of number of fish they caught. Peter realized the error of his ways and he started following Jesus from that point forward.

However, he was embarrassed that he didn’t immediately obey Jesus.

Why do people not obey God?

Obedience requires humility.

Disciples have to relinquish their pride and obey Jesus’ instruction.

Doing things God’s way is not always easy. Often times, it is painful. We get entrenched in the way we’ve always done something, and God says, do it this way.

More often than not, God doesn’t always tell us the WHY behind the WHAT. He didn’t say, cast your nets over and I promise you will catch so many fish your boat will sink.

He told them they would get a catch. He didn’t tell the specifics. As we grow in God, we have to grow in obedience.

Disciples do what God told them to do, even when they do not understand.

As Peter grew in the Lord, it became easier to obey Jesus’s instructions.

Matthew 17:

Matthew 17:27 NKJV

27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Later, Peter had a tax to pay, Jesus told him to go fishing, and the fish would have a gold coin in its mouth. Notice, Matthew doesn’t record Peter’s argument. His obedience is inferred.

2. Growing in Trust

Matthew 14:24–33 NKJV

24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Matthew 24:24–33 NKJV

24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!

In this familiar story, Jesus sends the disciples across the sea. En route a storm comes. Jesus comes near and they see Him walking on the water.

In fear they figured it was a ghost. Jesus calls out to them and tells them not to be afraid. Peter calls out, if it is you let me walk on water.

Some give Peter a hard time for wanting to walk on the water. I do not, I’d like to think I had enough faith to also walk on water. As he walks, suddenly he gets afraid and he starts to sink.

When Jesus reached out to him, he encouraged not to doubt.

As we grow in God, He wants us to trust and not doubt.

Why is trusting God hard at times?

As a disciple, Peter had to learn to trust Jesus. He was not only powerful over the small situations, He had power over EVERYTHING, including the wind and waves.

Because Jesus allowed Peter to come on the water, he needed trust that Jesus would carry him.

Learning to trust God is a process.

Our trust in Jesus grows as we see Him fulfill His word in and through us.

It is often difficult to fully trust Jesus when there are options around us that make sense in the natural. But as disciples of Christ, we have to go deeper in Him and trust Him even when it doesn’t make sense.

Obedience requires humility.

Trust requires faith.

3. Growing in Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21–22 NKJV

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21–35 NKJV

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Matthew

In Peter’s immaturity, he had the reputation of showing off his spirituality. Right after Jesus taught the disciples about forgiveness, Peter, wanted to know, how many times do I need to forgive someone?

Forgiving someone seven times seemed generous. But Jesus challenged his thinking. Do it seventy times seven, which is 490 times.

Jesus uses this figure to describe an unlimited amount of forgiveness. I find it interested Peter is the one who asked about forgiveness.

What would Peter eventually learn about Jesus’ forgiveness?

Peter would soon deny Jesus, turn his back on Him, and desert the Lord. Yet Jesus was rich in His love toward Peter.

After He denied Christ, promising he would never do something so bad, he wondered, where do I stand with Jesus? How will He fell about me since I denied Him?

John 21:15 NKJV

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”

John 21 NKJV

1 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” 6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. 14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead. 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” 20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” 23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

After the resurrection of Christ, Jesus asked Peter a question, do you love me? He gave him a chance extending the forgiveness Peter desired.

If we are to teach others about God’s forgiveness, we need to personally experience His forgiveness.

Forgiveness is supernatural.

Jesus never runs out of the ability to forgive.

As a disciple of Christ, we have to appreciate the depths of God’s ability to forgive. Satan prefers we walk in condemnation and guilt after Jesus forgave us.

However, His forgiveness is limitless. It is not as though on the 491st time of repenting, Jesus says, NO, I only forgive 70x7, you’ve exhausted my grace.

However, we have to grow in the confidence that comes with God’s forgiveness. What often happens, is we beat ourselves up and carry the guilt of the sin we’ve committed.

But then Jesus comes and asks, DO YOU LOVE ME? Then we remember, His love for us is overwhelming.

Close:

Discipleship is not always an easy process.

Growing pains accompany becoming the person Jesus wants us to become.

At first, obedience feels painful, because our sin nature wants to do things OUR way. But over time, obedience becomes a necessity for we realize God’s ways are higher than our ways.

Trusting God can feel painful, especially when God remains silent. However, as time goes on we realize we can trust God in EVERYTHING!

Forgiveness is difficult to comprehend at first. But overtime, we learn to accept God’s forgiveness, and then we can give forgiveness.

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There is a process God wants us to go through whereby we become who He wants us become. The process is called discipleship.

Since growing pains come, can we follow Jesus and ignore the call to discipleship?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German pastor during the Nazi Regime, answers the question by comparing what he calls cheap grace and costly grace.

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his good. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesu Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows Him.

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.

Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.

Is discipleship always easy? No! Is growing in Christ pain free? No!

But it cost Jesus everything to provide our salvation. Now we enter the discipleship process, learning from Him.

There are growing pains in discipleship, but it is worth it all when we have grown deeper in Him!