Stages of Christian Growth

Christian Growth

The Lion in the Marble

There was once a sculptor who worked hard with hammer and chisel on a large block of marble. A little child who was watching him saw nothing more than large and small pieces of stone falling away left and right. He had no idea what was happening. But when the boy returned to the studio a few weeks later, he saw, to his surprise, a large, powerful lion sitting in the place where the marble had stood. With great excitement, the boy ran to the sculptor and said, “Sir, tell me, how did you know there was a lion in the marble?”

This question - which is quite real is at the essence of many Christians who ask does God have a plan for my life. The answer is in 1 Phil 1:6 “6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

However, that work - which starts at salvation is an ongoing process that will not be finished until the day of Jesus Christ, which is a reference to the Judgement seat of Christ. So we are working towards that judgement so that we are not ashamed that day where we will stand before Christ and see whether we have work that will not be burned up.

I want to first focus on one of the issues that will be central at the judgement seat of Christ. Did you tell others the gospel of Jesus Christ. It can’t be avoided guys. The most important thing in the Christian faith outside of your relationship with Jesus Christ is your testimony as a witness of Jesus Christ.

The world is lost and without hope and those lost people are on their way to devils hell, and the only thing that can rescue them is the gospel of Jesus Christ, as Romans 10:14 “14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” That’s you Christian. Regardless of age, sex, height, weight, in the sense that a preacher is someone who is testifying of Jesus Christ that is all of us.

Nobody said it would be easy though.

Turn to 1 Corinthians 1:18.

As Paul says in 1 Cor 1:18 “18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

Further, look at 1 Cor 2:14 “14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Turn a few more chapters over to 2 Cor 5:17 “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

So prior to salvation you are just a slab of marble, full of potential but no work has started. It will take a Christian, seeing you, as someone with potential and slowly begins to tell you of your sin, of the fact that there is no hope without Christ. And slowly, the marble begins to fall as Christ and the Holy spirit begin to work on a lost sinner

After salvation, you are a new creature and with the baptism of the Holy spirit. Turn to 1 Cor 12:13 “13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Further in Col 2:12 “12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Once we are born again we are a new creature in Christ. As a new creature that means that we have new purpose and identity in Christ.

It is at this point can begin talking about Christian progression.

This process is also referred to as sanctification. When you are saved, the soul is saved, Col 2:11 “11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:”

The Spirit is Born again. Also referred to as the spiritual resurrection.This is the literal resurrection of an unsaved man’s dead spirit by way of the new birth:

Romans 6:1–4 KJV 1900

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

look at Ephesians 2:1-2

Ephesians 2:1–2 KJV 1900

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

The soul is saved, the spirit is quickened, which was dead, which is why they also refer to it as spiritual resurrection but your body, the flesh is still capable of sin. This is where spiritual growth runs into a problem.

As Ruckman says: While the modern, carnal Christian (the baby in Christ) has been bragging about his gifts, he has ignored, slighted, stepped on, shelved, and ditched the great truths of Biblical Christianity. These have to do with sanctification, justification, imputation, regeneration, and adoption. So, when we talk about these great truths we are talking about Bible truths that deal with the doctrines of the word of God. As we have said many times, our job is to give you what the Scripture say about the Scripture and not what they are merely presumed to teach.

In regeneration your nature was changed, and in adoption your position was changed. When you were lost you were of your father the devil and when you are saved you are adopted as a child of God. Imputation means that Christ paid the full payment, and His glorious, holy righteousness has been imputed to me and charged to me. See 1 John 3:2 “2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” Further we are predistinated to be conformed to the image of his son. Christ righteousness becomes my righteousness.

I understand that these are deep theological terms, but they are also essential terms that you must have in your tool box and you need to understand them and be able to explain them to others. Today we are going to focus on the term of sanctification.

Sanctification is the fruit of a justified life. For example, Jesus Christ said in John 10:36, “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified....” Christ said, “And for their sakes I sanctify myself” (John 17:19). Simon Peter said, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts,” (1 Pet. 3:15). Sanctification is the will of God for every believer (1 Thess. 4:3). The subject of holiness (or sanctification) is mentioned 1,066 times in the Bible.

You can think of sanctification as the process by which we are working towards holiness. It is the process of making us like Christ. Given, we will never reach holy perfection in this mortal flesh, but we must strive towards the goal of being holy and sanctified before the Lord.

I am going to approach this using more common language such as Christian growth.

The Bible speaks of three unique stages, that of “infants,” or “Children,” “teenagers,” and “adults”. Keep in mind that these stages do not refer to age or time as a Christian, but rather spiritual stages that Christians will find themselves in.

Spiritual infancy or being a new born babe. This is in line with the language of being born again. When you are born again you are a new babe in Christ. This is exemplified in 1 Pet 2:2 “2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

What characterizes this stage? Christians in this stage have to first overcome the tendency to leave the church. You have to get grounded in the Word and the church.

It is important in this early phase to be aware of the enemies you will face (these are found in the Victorious Christian Life), which is part of our discipleship program.

One, spiritual enemies, and James alludes to these in James 3:15 “15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” Here is where you will face with the world, the flesh and the devil.

The World. Col 2:8 “8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Beware of the leaven of the scholars.

Your going to have to deal with your flesh, Gal 5:17 “17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

You will have to deal with inherent need towards self-preservation. Look at Deut 8:17 “17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.” The flesh and the world will try to convince you that you can do it on your own.

The tendency towards self-gratification, look at Heb 13:5 “5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” You must learn to be happy with what you have. You must learn to be content.

You’ll notice that all of these deal with you. How you are dealing with the world. So these stages are not just progressive. They are stages that we all have to deal with. The goal is to begin taking on the characteristics of the more advanced Christian life.

Second you are going to move to a stage some refer to teenage years. 1 Cor 13:11 “11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 John 2:12 “12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.”

At this point you are continuing in discipleship, taking classes if possible.

You’ve maybe read through the entire Bible.

You are more boldly witnessing.

Here is where you must not only deal with the temptations of the world, but you must actively deal with the fear of men and being persecuted. You may have to deal with not being liked, being made fun of.

Look at Gal 2:12 “12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” Do you see what is happening here. If you find yourself acting differently with one group of friends than another, you are under the same charge. Being of two minds.

This is important. James 1:8 “8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” You must take every effort to be consistent in your life.

Be certain in your witness. Various examples.

Here are 5 things we should be doing as new Christians:

Take in the pure word, as in 1 Pet 2:2 “2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

Prayer, you will need to pray often as in 1 Thess 5:17 “17 Pray without ceasing.”

You need to put into practice what you learn from God’s word James 1:22 “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Be a part of the church and apply what you are learning Heb 10:25 “25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Continue with period checkups of your spiritual health, 1 Cor 11:31 “31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

Finally, the final stage of maturity is being a servant. Some would say leadership, but leadership as a Christian is being a servant.

1 John 2:13-14 “13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”

I think this stage is really about moving forward. I think most Christians do a good job of managing the two stages of Christian life, dealing with self and learning to love others which is the second. The last stage of servant hood tends to be relegated to a calling.

This area leads to a calling and whether there is a call on your life. I would say this. If you allow yourself to be used in ministry, God will use you. If you are waiting for someone call you from a bullhorn, it may not happen.