"Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. (Mark 4:3, NIV) Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." (Mark 4:8, NIV) Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop–thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown." (Mark 4:20, NIV)
One Lord
One faith
One baptism
Nurtured in Grace (vv7-13)
Gifts for growth
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers
Gifts to share
young child and sweets — share with your brothers and sisters
Growing in Grace (vv14-16)
Means of growth
Jesus
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5, NIV)
Results of growth
Willingness to serve
… to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:12, NIV)
Purpose of growth
Maturity
… until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13, NIV)
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in Him. Keep your roots deep in Him and have your lives built on Him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught. And always be thankful. (Colossians 2:6-7, ICB)
