The Infant

**Sermon Adapted from 4 Chair Discipling by Dann Spader**

John 1:35-43

John 1:35–43 ESV

35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”

Recap

The Lost need Christ.

Jesus modeled how we can reach lost people…

A. Left the comforts of home.

B. Made himself available and intentionally built relationships

C. Responded to those who showed interest.

D. Challenged the seekers to repent and believe.

Simple Challenge…

-Lost? Ask questions, seek answers.

- Believer? Seek the lost as Jesus did.

Jesus’ next challenge- “Follow Me”

Spiritual Infancy Begins with an Extraordinary Transformation...

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Celebrated Through Baptism!

1.) The portrait of the Believer (Spiritual Infant)

Newborn

Hebrews 5:13 ESV

13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

Infant- Nepios: One totally dependent on another

Child- Teknion: Term of affection toward a child, not an insult.

When we are infants in the faith we must rely on others to spiritually care for us.

Who is in your “spiritual bullpen”?

2.) The Believer Needs to Grow Up...

The problem with most churches is they’re filled with babies who’ve been that way for a long time and are content in staying that way.

Learn to FEED YOURSELF

-Inductive Bible study, Observe, Principles, Apply

-Resources- Many online- You version, Faithlife, podcast, etc.

-Time + consistency + prayer= understanding

Learn how to WALK

…how Jesus walked

-dependence on the holy spirit

-centrality of prayer

-obedience to the Father’s will

-making God’s word a foundation to life

-exalting the father in every area of life

-building intentional relationships of love and integrity

Learn how to TALK

-To God- Prayer

-Telling God’s story

-Telling Our story- without Christ, how I found him, what my life is like now.

Be POTTY TRAINED

-we still sin from time to time

-Know what to do when it happens

-breathe! exhale (confess), inhale (receive forgiveness)

-Learn and Grow

3.) The Believer wants to become a worker

-Don’t settle for just being a believer, grow to play a part in the kingdom

-It’s hard to grow if you aren’t being nourished and part of a family

-get involved! have a drive to grow.