Grow in what you have been given!

Genesis 1:28 NKJV

28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

1. Grow in what you have been given.

Luke 2:41–52 NKJV

41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Focus Verse:

Luke 2:51–52 (NKJV)

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

we have been given gifts. they are divinely imparted to us by our creator.

they have been given to us for our management and deployment. (its up to us how proficient I am in them and whether or not I use them generously)

it takes about ten thousand hours to master a task.

I may have a natural talent, but it’s up to me whether or not I am going to lean into what God has given me or not.

Luke 12:48 NKJV

48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

2. Another way that we multiply is that we become someones successor.

a. Abraham had Issac.

b. Moses Had Joshua.

Joshua 1:5 NKJV

5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 3:7 NKJV

7 And the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

c. Elijah Had Elisha

2 Kings 3:11 NKJV

11 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.”

not all wisdom comes from personal experience.

I hope I don’t have to leave the pulpit not knowing the pastor who will come after me.

I hope I have years of life and ministry with that one that God has called next to me. I hope he sees the foundation and knows me inside and out.

I hope the Lord allows me to love on my successor.

3. Expanded vision is another way that we can ‘Grow in what God has given me.’

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

Luke 1:37 NKJV

37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Judges 6:12 NKJV

12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

We are Limited by our sight.

We have a sight.

I have to realize that God’s design is greater than my reality.

it’s God’s Testimony. Not mine, God will work it.

God sees us for who he made.