Decisions that Slow and Stop Our Spiritual Growth
Notes
Transcript
DAMPERS ON OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
James 1:17–26
A damper is that which restrains or depresses. In the Christian life there are those things which depress and serve as a damper to spiritual growth. Let us consider four dampers to spiritual growth.
A damper/roadblock/barrier to our spiritual growth is filthy talk or profanity, cussing, dirty jokes. If we think about it, what usually “triggers” filthy words to come from our tongue? ANGER......... James tells us: James 1:19 “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
A damper/roadblock/barrier to our spiritual growth is filthy talk or profanity, cussing, dirty jokes. If we think about it, what usually “triggers” filthy words to come from our tongue? ANGER......... James tells us: James 1:19 “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
It is contrary to the Word of God for the Christian to use filthy talk: Scripture tells us not to use it. Period..Philippians 1:27 “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, (Do you think there is profanity in Heaven?) conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”
It is contrary to the Word of God for the Christian to use filthy talk: Scripture tells us not to use it. Period..Philippians 1:27 “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, (Do you think there is profanity in Heaven?) conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”
What we say, the words we use, It is a true revelation of our character: 2 Peter 2:7 “But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him.”
What we say, the words we use, It is a true revelation of our character: 2 Peter 2:7 “But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him.”
Paul tells the church in Ephesus: Eph. 2:3; 4:22.
Paul tells the church in Ephesus: Eph. 2:3; 4:22.
Ephesians 2:3 “All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” Ephesians 4:22 “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.”
Ephesians 2:3 “All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” Ephesians 4:22 “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.”
It is a revelation of the individual’s heart: OK, Do we as humans “wear” our character, our hard hearts, our anger out where all can see? Sooner or later, our true selves will come out.
It is a revelation of the individual’s heart: OK, Do we as humans “wear” our character, our hard hearts, our anger out where all can see? Sooner or later, our true selves will come out.
Matthew tells us: Matthew 12:34–35 “You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.” EXPLAIN WITH EXAMPLES.........
Matthew tells us: Matthew 12:34–35 “You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.” EXPLAIN WITH EXAMPLES.........
A catastrophe to spiritual growth includes the desires of the old man, (OLD SINFUL MAN) Our Spiritual growth will not happen if we allow the “old” self to take over.
A catastrophe to spiritual growth includes the desires of the old man, (OLD SINFUL MAN) Our Spiritual growth will not happen if we allow the “old” self to take over.
Romans 6:6 “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
Romans 6:6 “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
James 1:21 “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”
James 1:21 “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”
Christians should lay aside all wickedness: Jeremiah tells us in the OT.....Jeremiah 17:9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”
Christians should lay aside all wickedness: Jeremiah tells us in the OT.....Jeremiah 17:9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”
A destroyer to our spiritual growth is a nasty temper. (sound familiar?) James tells us again: James 1:19–20 , “19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”
A destroyer to our spiritual growth is a nasty temper. (sound familiar?) James tells us again: James 1:19–20 , “19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”
BAD TEMPER/QUICK TEMPER/HURTING TEMPER?????
BAD TEMPER/QUICK TEMPER/HURTING TEMPER?????
One of the most difficult things for the Christian to do is to control his temper:Paul tells the church in Philippi: Philippians 4:13 “13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
One of the most difficult things for the Christian to do is to control his temper:Paul tells the church in Philippi: Philippians 4:13 “13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
Soooooooo Where does this “temper” and “anger” come from?
Soooooooo Where does this “temper” and “anger” come from?
The temper is a product of the fleshly life: Galatians 5:24 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”
The temper is a product of the fleshly life: Galatians 5:24 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”
CLOSING SECTION. SO YOU HAVE BY NOW HEARD SCRIPTURE ON HOW WE ARE AS HUMANS, SINNERS. JUST LIKE 2,000 YEARS AGO, WE ARE THE WORST, THIS IS WHY GOD SENT JESUS. WE HAD NO OTHER WAY TO HEAVEN.
CLOSING SECTION. SO YOU HAVE BY NOW HEARD SCRIPTURE ON HOW WE ARE AS HUMANS, SINNERS. JUST LIKE 2,000 YEARS AGO, WE ARE THE WORST, THIS IS WHY GOD SENT JESUS. WE HAD NO OTHER WAY TO HEAVEN.
CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.....
CHRISTIAN CHARACTER.....
A damper, A slow down, an obstacle, a boulder.....you get my point...... If we are not “realizing” spiritual growth IN OUR LIVES, its because we are not developing our spiritual character. So, how do we do that? I preach on this EVERY WEEK!
A damper, A slow down, an obstacle, a boulder.....you get my point...... If we are not “realizing” spiritual growth IN OUR LIVES, its because we are not developing our spiritual character. So, how do we do that? I preach on this EVERY WEEK!
James tells us in chapter 1:22,....”But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” You heard this scripture just last week: Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
James tells us in chapter 1:22,....”But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” You heard this scripture just last week: Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Our Christian lives are not cultivated where there is failure to pray: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Never stop praying.” James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Our Christian lives are not cultivated where there is failure to pray: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Never stop praying.” James 5:16 “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
The Christian life or Christian Character is not cultivated if we are not in God’s Word: 2 Timothy 2:15 “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”
The Christian life or Christian Character is not cultivated if we are not in God’s Word: 2 Timothy 2:15 “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”
The Christian life is not cultivated where there is failure to hide God’s Word in the heart: We are told in Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
The Christian life is not cultivated where there is failure to hide God’s Word in the heart: We are told in Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Our Christian lives are not cultivated where there is failure to attend the house of God regularly: We are instructed in scripture to attend church. Some try to say it’s not necessary. However, it’s a must if we want to “develop” our Christian Character daily. Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Our Christian lives are not cultivated where there is failure to attend the house of God regularly: We are instructed in scripture to attend church. Some try to say it’s not necessary. However, it’s a must if we want to “develop” our Christian Character daily. Hebrews 10:25 “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
CLOSING PRAYER
CLOSING PRAYER
AMEN
AMEN