Spiritual Growth - intro

Spiritual Growth and the disciple   •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  59:45
0 ratings
· 258 views
Files
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout

From newness of life

Welcome to a new series for the disciples of Jesus Christ with an aim to look at, study, apply things that help us to grow in Christ.
We are redeemed and renewed so to walk in the newness of life (Col1:13-14; Tit3:5-7; Rom6:4)
Redeemed and transferred (conveyed-NKJV)
Colossians 1:13–14 NASB95
13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The means in which this happens.
Titus 3:5–6 NASB95
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Titus 3:7 NASB95
7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
According to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing by Holy Spirit. (Tit3:5-6)
And that brings us to application; reason of the redemption, regeneration, renewing.
Romans 6:4 NASB95
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
So that we might walk in the newness of life (Rom6:4)
(Insert Spiritual Growth is a choice slide here)
Notice the word “might” that means there is a choice.
Christians find their renewal in Christ Jesus so that we may grow in Christ Jesus and for Christ Jesus.
Many Christians, are not true disciples of Jesus Christ and are not growing through loving obedience to the have life full in Christ. Not all Christians grow spiritually for it takes a decision, direction and determination to do it.
Just as a healthy physical life is a process of growth, so is a disciples spiritual life.
Spiritual growth is different from physical growth, physical is a natural growth, Spiritual is a choice and takes application to grow.
Decision, direction, determination and repeat daily and you will grow.
A disciple is a learner, follower of a teacher, in our case of Jesus Christ. Not just a follower but an ad-hearer to the teaching that will spur spiritual growth (Heb6:1)
Hebrews 6:1 NASB95
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
We need to leave behind the elementary and press on to maturity. (Heb6:1; Heb5:12-14)
I think to be fair, I need to back up on this Hebrews passage to see that while many had been Christians not all were growing and they should have been growing.
Hebrews 5:12–13 NASB95
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
Hebrews 5:14 NASB95
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Question to start with for the night, look at Heb5:12-14, what is the Hebrew writer saying should be and what is the reality?
(Transition) this series will be all about helping the disciple (the one who has made a choice to be a disciple) to grow spiritually and to the uncommitted or unmoved to make the decision and grow spiritually.
So tonight we are going to look at a few introductory points to start us on this journey together. I hope that we will have a mixture of teaching and preaching in the series, tonight I’m setting the stage for this series.
Spiritual growth is commanded by God.
Spiritual growth takes diligent effort.
Spiritual growth is empowered by God.
Spiritual growth is blessed by God.

Commanded by God

Jesus said that if you love Him you will keep His commandments (see Jn14:15). The commandment for spiritual growth can be seen throughout the New Testament. May we take a few minutes and look at direct and implied commandments regarding spiritual growth.
From the words of Jesus in the great commission (Mt28:18-20; ref: Eph3:19)
Matthew 28:18–19 NASB95
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:20 NASB95
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
So the teacher, the one with all authority says “go” and gives direction on what to do as you go.
Make disciples
Baptizing the disciples
Teaching them to observe (obey) all that was commanded
If there is a teacher as it calls for here, there is to be a learner, someone who wants to be taught. We are all to be disciples, learners who want to grow to the fulness of God (Eph3:19) grow in maturity, but it takes observing (applying) what we learn.
From the teaching of the apostles
Peter commands to grow (2Pt3:17-18)
2 Peter 3:17–18 NASB95
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Question: There is instructions and reason given with intended results in (2Pt3:17-18) can you see it as a disciple studying God’s word?
We are to be on guard
So not carried away by error
We are to grow in grace and knowledge
Reason: So To Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior would have the glory today and for all eternity.
Peter describes how to grow (2Pt1:5-8)
Adding graces and let me give them to you quickly
2 Peter 1:5–6 NASB95
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
2 Peter 1:7–8 NASB95
7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The command is to grow in grace, grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ (very similar to 2Pt3:17-18)
Question: On your own look at (2Pt1:5-8) and list down the different graces we are to add to our spiritual walk as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Unknown Hebrew writer speaks of, rebukes, those who do not grow (Heb5:12-6:1)
We have already gone over those verses so no need to read them again here.
(Transition) - Spiritual growth is a choice, but according to scripture it is a command and not optional, not reserved for a select few, but for all. It is a choice that will take decision, direction and determination (effort).

Spiritual growth requires diligent effort

Spiritual growth is not for faith but from faith, it is not for salvation but from salvation, not under compulsion but under love that we are commanded to grow and make the effort to grow.
(Physical growth slide inserted here)
Physical growth requires time not necessarily effort
It is a nature cause of events that a baby grow to child, to teenager (and some do survive the teenage years) to a young adult.
No effort, in general is required we grow and mature physically if we want to or not.
(Transition) Now, don’t think just because you are older you are wiser or growing spiritually. For Wisdom does not necessarily come with age, experience does.
(Click on the slide for the spiritual growth picture to appear)
Spiritual growth requires diligent (concerted) effort.
I know this has not been too scripture rich as of yet, well, hold on now it is time to start bringing in some scripture to help us in our intro to this series on spiritual growth and the disciple
Jesus said that growth (spiritual growth implied) requires labor (Jn6:27)
John 6:27 NASB95
27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”
Paul says we need to work out our salvation (Php2:12)
Philippians 2:12 NASB95
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
Paul also says, by his own example, that we need to press on (make effort) (Php3:13-14)
Philippians 3:13–14 NASB95
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Peter says it takes diligence (2pt1:5, 10)
2 Peter 1:5 NASB95
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
Question: what kind of diligence does Peter mention in (2Pt1:5)?
Applied diligence.
2 Peter 1:10 NASB95
10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
Question (v.10) From applied (v.5) to be what, and why according to (v.10)?
all the more diligent so to make certain about your calling, also, so you will never stumble.
Paul’s instructions and challenge to Timothy regarding spiritual discipline (exercise) (1Tim4:7-8)
1 Timothy 4:7–8 GNB
7 But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life. 8 Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future.
(transition) Spiritual growth takes decision, direction and determination. It does not happen without diligent effort. We are not at it alone, we have the best trainer and assistant to help us grow spiritually.

Spiritual growth: Assisted by God

God does not leave us alone to grow on our own. We do not even have to operate under just our own power. He is with us to help us, assist us, guide and and grow us.
Not alone, God is with us (Php2:12-13; Tit3:5; Php1:6)
Philippians 2:12–13 NASB95
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Question: Who is doing the work in us according to (Php2:13)?
We are not alone, God is at work in us!
The same power that regenerated us (Tit3:5) works in us still.
God is faithful, God will complete the work He started in you
Philippians 1:6 NASB95
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Question: What is the work that God has begun in you and that will perfect us according to (Php1:6)?
God has begun good work in you.
(Transition) God started a good work in us, salvation, and God will complete the good work, final salvation, one day, what a glorious day that will be! Remember we are not alone, God is with us, God will work in us and through us.
We are strengthened by God in our concerted, deliberate effort (Eph3:16, 20, 6:10-11; Php4:13)
Ephesians 3:16 NASB95
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Question: How does strength and power come (Eph3:16)?
According to the riches of His glory and the power of His Spirit.
Ephesians 3:20 NASB95
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
The power at work in us, the Holy Spirit is able to do more, far more, far more abundantly beyond what we ask or think.
He provides armor for us (Eph6:10-11) so we can stand strong, strong in the power of His might.
God’s power in us, God’s work in us, God’s will in us, we have no excuse to not grow.
Philippians 4:13 NASB95
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
(Transition) Spiritual growth is a decision, a direction and determination is needed but it is also, blessed by God.

Spiritual Growth: Blessed by God

Who wants a blessing? OK, that really is a rhetorical question, we all do. And beyond wanting a blessing we want to be a blessing to God because of all that He has done for us. Spiritual growth is blessed by God, in this life and for the life to come.
Blessings in this life (Rom5:1-2; 2Pt3:18; 2Pt1:10; Jn10:10)
First it starts with peace with God (Rom5:1-2)
Romans 5:1–2 NASB95
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
We are then challenged and blessed to grow in grace (2Pt3:18)
2 Peter 3:18 NASB95
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
As we add to, are determined, and put into action growing in grace we will never stumble (2Pt1:10)
2 Peter 1:10 NASB95
10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
(Transition) Jesus told us He came to give us life full, or more abundantly (Jn10:10) and that happens more abundantly when we grow spiritually. Not only are the blessings for the here and now, they are in preparation and for the life to come
Blessings continue into the life to come (2Pt1:11; Rev14:13; 1Cor15:58)
An abundant entrance into the eternal kingdom (2Pt1:11)
2 Peter 1:11 NASB95
11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
Our works of faith (not from faith) will bring blessings for the deeds that will follow with us into the eternal kingdom (Rev14:13)
Revelation 14:13 NASB95
13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”
Knowledge that our works, steadfast, immovable, will not be in vain (1Cor15:58)
1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB95
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
(Transition) whew, now is that an intro to a new series, I’m exited about this to see how it goes and how we grow spiritually and as disciples of Jesus Christ together.
In closing I want to go back just for a moment to where we started
2 Peter 3:18 NASB95
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
(Insert from PowerPoint invitation slide- I am a product of God’s Grace)
do invitation (Song) (exit)
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more