New Year, New Growth

Opening Comments:

Today is the first Sunday of the New Year , because of that, I want to challenge us from scripture regarding growth in the coming year. We will do that by looking at two simple verse of scripture from a part of the life of Christ that we actually know little about.

Meet me in your Bible in:

Luke 2:51–52 NKJV

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Introduction:

Our text this morning is part of a broader portion of scripture that begins in vs.41. It’s the conclusion of the only passage of the Bible that covers Jesus’ childhood. It is also a very important section of scripture because it includes Jesus first claim to Him being the Messiah.

Luke 2:49 NKJV

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

There are a myriad of valuable lessons we can draw from this text, but for today I want us to zero in on the end of the passage in vs. 51-52 where we see, outside of this one event at the temple, the only thing we know about Jesus life up until He’s about 30.

He increased or grew in favor with God and man.

Growth is important in every aspect of life. We should always be desiring to grow in every aspect of life year over year.

At Christmas we spent some time with my wife’s parents and it had been about four months since we last saw them. When they saw the boys, they said something like this, “My goodness they’ve grown a lot since September.”

I wonder in a few months from now or next year at this time, will we or someone else be able to look at us and say “Wow, you’ve really grown.”

Joke: and be talking about more than just our waist lines. LOL.

There are four areas that are mentioned here in which Jesus grew and they are applicable to our own growth in the new year as well.

Let’s observe them together this morning.

1.) He grew Mentally.

“…increased in wisdom...”

Luke 2:40 NKJV

40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

A.) Be learners

Jesus learned from teachers, personal study, thought, etc. as any child would. The only difference being that he learned perfectly, and didn’t fall short in any areas.

It’s interesting to me how few believers actually follow the example of Jesus and truly seek to learn. If we’re honest, most of us only do the minimum and really do not pursue excellence.

Let me say this clearly, in 2021 we need to learn more. If there is one thing we should never stop being is learners.

Philippians 1:9 NKJV

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

B.) Be rememberers

Jesus fought temptation with scripture that he remembered.

Do we know enough Scripture to get ourselves out of/keep out of trouble?

C.) Be understanders