Worship • July 11, 2021

Grabber

2 Peter 3:18 KJV 1900

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Introduction

Growing Up is exciting

I remember… I was in a hurry, were you?

being old enough to ride a bike

being old enough not to have a babysitter

being old enough drive

being on own, or at least college

Rachel, Caleb, David & Zach plans

Growing Up Physically is exciting

Is Growing Up Spiritually as exciting?

enough to teach a bible class?

to be a good Samaritan?

to give a devotional?

to evangelize, lead a personal bible study?

to lead songs?

to serve as a Deacon?

to serve as an Elder?

AS PARENTS WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT PHYSICLE MILESTONES

DO WE EXPECT OR ENCOURAGE OR DEMAND SPIRITUAL ONES???

Growing Up Like Christ

Luke 2:52 (KJV 1900)

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom(Iintellectually more than knowledge) and stature (physically), and in favour with God (spiritually) and man (socially).

Increased: word (prokopto) used 4 times in NT • to cut forward, through forrest or jungle.

Romans 13:12

12 The night is far spent (time), the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

Galatians 1:14

14 And profited (religious)in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

2 Timothy 3:9

9 But they shall proceed (wickedness) no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Word

Matthew 12:34 (KJV 1900)

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

James 3:10 (KJV 1900)

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Do you kiss your mama with that mouth???

Lifestyle?

Love?

Spirit?

Faith? Rom 10:17

Purity?

James 1:27 KJV 1900

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Examples

Gideon was:

without excuse

Judges 6:15 (KJV 1900)

15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

willing to live up to his potential

Judges 6:12 (KJV 1900)

12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Killed 300,000 man army with 300 following God’s plan • what if had not because of fear or just trying to improve upon it?

This had not happened when God called him a might man of valor • God sees our potential even when we cannot

David in 1 Sam 17 confronts Goliath

Was angry at the enemies audacity

1 Samuel 17:26

26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

Ephesians 4:26

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Are we angry at sin?

1 Timothy 1:18 KJV 1900

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

He announced his Ability (fought to be able to fight)

1 Samuel 17:32–37

32 And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.

• He was ready because he had taken steps,,,

• He defended his ability when frowned upon...

Joseph

• Left us an example in fleeing sin

Genesis 39:9

9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

• Left an example in faithfulness (through it all) and mercy (on his brothers)

Blame Game (started with Adam)

So many leave the church, especially the young...

Parents blame elders, preacher

elders blame preacher, parents, culture(first century was not worse?)

Preacher blame everybody

those who treat the church simply as a social club

elders who see it as a title not as the most important work a man can do...

Parents who treat physical things far above the spiritual, who don’t train their children in the most important thing that will determine the rest of their live and death...

What Can We Do?

Grow

2 Peter 3:18

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Grow Up in Christ Daily

Luke 9:23

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Purpose to Grow - Daniel 1:18.

Ponder Psalm 119:97 “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.”

Participate in Worship

Nehemiah 8:3

3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.

Nehemiah 8:5

5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

Grow Up in Christ Doing

Titus 2:14 (KJV 1900)

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Grow Up in Study

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

2 Peter 3:18 KJV 1900

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Conclusion

You can make a difference

Are You Ready for Your Departure?