Grow for it in 2022

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*CHURCH UPDATES: Digital and paper connect Card

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

SVCC is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, and we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

WHY?…

It’s a common experience to see a child you’ve not seen for months, perhaps a distant relative or the child of a friend, and to say, “My, how you’ve grown!”

Will anybody be able to say of us one year from now, “My how you’ve grown”? We need to make a commitment to grow in the coming year as Jesus grew.

Opening Scripture:

Luke 2:40 NLT

40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Luke 2:52 NLT

52 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.

I. We Need to Grow Mentally

A. We need to learn more. The one thing we will never stop being is learners (Phillipians 1:9; Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 1:5).

B. We need to remember more. Jesus quoted Scripture when He was tempted. Do we know enough Scripture to get ourselves out of trouble? Do we know enough Scripture to keep from getting into trouble?

C. We need to understand more (Ephesians 1:8; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Colossians 1:9). It will do little good to learn and remember if we do not understand what we have learned.

1. Solomon urges us to apply our hearts to understanding (Proverbs 2:2).

2. In the Psalms we are urged to understand (Psalm 119:169).

II. We Need to Grow Physically

A. All of us need to be healthier. We are God’s temple.

B. We need to get proper rest.

C. We need to get proper exercise. It may be, as Paul says, that it profits little, but it does profit (1 Timothy 4:7, 8).

D. We need to eat a proper diet.

E. We need to be temperate in all things (1 Corinthians 9:25).

III. We Need To Grow Socially

A. We need to be kinder to our friends (Ephesians 4:32). Friendship is never to be taken lightly. Abraham was called “the friend of God” and Jesus called his disciples friends.

B. We need to make friends of others (Proverbs 18:24). Friendship can be a bridge for bringing people to Christ. Many times we try to influence people without first making them our friends. It seldom works.

C. We need to know how to treat our enemies (Luke 6:27). Jesus not only told us how to treat our enemies, He showed us how to treat our enemies. His last miracle before the Crucifixion was for an enemy (Luke 22:50, 51). One of His last prayers was for an enemy (“Father forgive them for they know not what they do”).

IV. We Need To Grow Spiritually (2 Peter 3:18)

A. We will have to pray more.

B. We will have to read the Bible more.

C. We will have to give more.

D. We will have to resist temptation more.

E. 2 Peter 1:5–7 tell us how to do this. We begin with faith. Faith alone is not enough, we must next add virtue. Faith must find its expression in character. Character demands knowledge. We must know what is right and wrong. Notice that faith is in the heart, character in the life, knowledge in the head.

Growth must be outward as well as inward. So the apostle Peter adds self-control. Children do not grow steadily, but we must grow steadily and never stop growing. This is steadfastness. Such steps will lead us to godliness and brotherly affection and love.

Illustration:

Many parents make a mark on the wall by the door to indicate a child’s height as the child grows year after year. If the Heavenly Father did that, would some us be shorter instead of taller, more immature instead of more mature? Or would we stand taller every year?

Conclusion/Reflection:

At the end of this year will God be able to say to us, “My, how you’ve grown”?

Bibliography:

Robert Shannon, Sermon Outlines for Special Days, ed. Sam E. Stone, Standard Sermon Starters (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 1995), 7.TODAY: Grow for it!