Spiritual Growth

Introduction

This is my son Hudson, he was born about 6 months ago.

We took him to the doctor last week, and she was worried because he was small for his age. She wanted adjust his diet and get blood tests.

It may seem strange, but a new baby that is not growing properly can be very dangerous.

When we trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins, we are born again. A spiritual rebirth. Spiritually you are just like small baby, and growing will continue for your entire life.

spiritual growth is a big topic, the Bible has many things to say about it. If you have a way to write things down, i would encourage you too. This is too much for me to remember, and likely is for you as well.

What Spiritual growth is not

more acceptance or favor from God

receiving more of the Holy Spirit

having more spiritual power to do things for God

Being happy and having an easy life.

Spiritual Growth is:

Becoming Mature

Knowing God and understanding his word.

Learning to submit every part of your life to God’s will.

Following Jesus, shaping your life like His.

What is growing Spiritually like?

It is natural, no talent or skill required.

We obey, God causes the growth

takes time and effort (like physical growth takes eating and rest)

difficult and uncomfortable (growing pains)

Measured with Christ as the standard, not other Christians.

How do I grow?

God causes the growth, we focus on the relationship.

Galatians 2:20 CSB

I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Our life is defined by our relationship with Jesus. If we have our sins forgiven by Christ, then we have an eternity ahead of us more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

Philippians 3:8 CSB

More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

We have been rescued from an eternity of suffering and have inherited an eternity of blessing. No pleasure or comfort in this world is wroth comparing to this reality. The only, ONLY thing that makes sense is to spend the rest of this short, painful life telling as many people about Jesus as we possibly can.

in light of this, What does growth look like?

Reading God’s word.

Eternity with Jesus begin now. God’s word is how God has chosen to speak to us today. Every word is 100% true, and contains everything you need for life and godliness. Every day we depend on reading and studying God’s word for spiritual nourishment.

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2. Set aside time to pray.

a. Prayer is nothing more than talking to God. It is not a religious ritual, it you telling your heart to God. The good and the Bad. God’s word teaches us how to pray to God. Making time every day to talk personally with God is essential to your spiritual growth.

I need to talk to my son every day to build a relationship and meet his needs.

3. Sharing your faith.

The more times you share, the better you understand your new life.

4. Community with other believers.

a. God has designed us to thrive in community with other believers. Together, God’s people are called the church. It is not possible to grow spiritually apart from community with other believers. God intended this. God’s primary way of giving blessing in this life is through people, you cannot expect to experience God’s blessings apart from those people.

Why do I use the word community? Because this is more than organized meetings and events. We need to do life with other Christians. Make other believers our best friends in this life. Support each other in hard times. Serve with each other. Pray and study God’s Word together. Eat together! Our lives should be built around this.

Summery

These 4 things are essential to our growth. All they really are is relationship building. Spiritually, this lis like eating and exercising. Growth will naturally happen with these things happening, God causes the growth.

Why is this important?

Satan is actively trying to make us useless.

(he uses temptation, distraction, and suffering to steer us away from God's commands)

Psalm 119:35–37 CSB

Help me stay on the path of your commands, for I take pleasure in it. Turn my heart to your decrees and not to dishonest profit. Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in your ways.

We will be as miserable as an unbeliever without God's words.

There is always more that we don't know.

We forget easier than we realize.

99% chance someone has told us something incorrect about the Bible. (only the Bible itself is 100% accurate)

It is commnded

2 Peter 3:18 CSB

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.

We must not waste the amazing privilege to know Jesus Christ, both now and in eternity.