Spiritual Growth

1 Thessalonians 5:12–22 NIV84

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

1. Keep your spiritual fervor

Rom. 12:11 “11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Some people lack spiritual zeal

Quenching the Holy Spirit hinders the growth of the church and your growth

We must be on fire for God

The manifestation of the Spirit’s presence is attractive, increasing the growth of the church

2 Cor. 3:17 “17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

2. Be friendly in speech and behavior

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly” (Prov. 18:24).

Church members are often cliquish

If they are neglectful and unfriendly, visitors will leave the church feeling unwanted and rejected

Eph. 4:32 “32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

We must exhibit warmth and friendliness

This helps people feel welcome and they will want to return

3. Stay faithful in service to God

Many Christians are not dependable in church work

They are habitually late or absent

Their lack of concern is detrimental to God’s cause

Eph 5:16 “16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Dedicated, diligent, and dependable Christians cause the church to move forward and upward

We must be faithful, taking time for God

4. Become fruitful in soul-winning

John 15:16 “16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

We can’t make withdrawals without making deposits first

Some are overly concerned about temporal and material pursuits

They are selfish, and they neglect to reach out to others

Prov 11:30 “30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”

We must be concerned about the lost, taking time to pray and making an effort to win sinners to Christ

Personal victory and church growth will result

Be wise by winning souls for Christ

Make deposits in the Kingdom of God

See first His Kingdom and righteousness

Then things are added to you