Acts 2:42: They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer
A
commitment to the habits necessary for spiritual growth.
en we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful men, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, Who is the head. (Ephesians 4:14-15)
Misconceptions
about Spiritual Growth
1. Growth is automatic: "In fact, though
by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the
elementary truths of God's word all over again." Hebrews 5:12
"..
.Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who
works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
Philippians 2:12-13
Truth: Spiritual growth is intentional.
2. Growth is mystical and intended for a few:
“But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep
yourself in training for a Godly life.” 1Timothy 4:
Truth: Spiritual maturity is available to all believers but there are no shortcuts!
3. Growth is instant
Truth: Spiritual growth is a process that takes time.
4. Growth is only knowledge: "Show me
your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."
James 2:18
"For
though once your heart was full of darkness, now it is full of light from the
Lord, and your behaviour should show
it" Ephesians 5:8
"You
will know them by their fruits." Matt. 7:16
Truth: Spiritual maturity is demonstrated more by how you act than by what you know.
5. Growth is only personal: "And let us
consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good works. Let us not
give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another..." Hebrews 10:24-25
"For
anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom
he has not seen." I John 4:20
Truth: Spiritual maturity requires family-like relationships and sometimes that means that we rub each other up and even offend each other at times.
6. Growth is through study only
Truth:
Spiritual maturity requires all the purposes of God in your life.
Spiritual
growth begins with a commitment, is a gradual process, involves developing
habits, and is stimulated by the relationships that you find in the church.
A
great commitment to the Greatest Commandment and
Great Commission will produce a Great Christian
"..
.Your faith in God has become known everywhere." 1 Thessalonians 1:8
"Any
of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."
Luke
14:33
Disciples
are known by what they are committed to
To
grow up in every way to Christ takes commitment to the habits necessary for
Spiritual Growth
“But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.” (2Peter 3:18)
So
what is “Spiritual Maturity”?
“And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God: we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ’s full stature.” Ephesians 4:13
Spiritual
maturity is being like Christ.
“Those whom God has already chosen He also set apart to become like His Son, so that the Son would be the first among many brothers. And so those whom God set apart, He called: and those He called, He put right with Himself, and He shared His glory with them.” Romans 8:29-30
Spiritual
Maturity is not a gift.
“There has been enough time for you to be teachers- yet you still need someone to teach you the first lessons of God’s message. Instead of eating solid food, you still have to drink milk. Anyone who has to drink milk is still a child, without any experience in the matter of right and wrong.” Hebrews 5:12-13
Spiritual Growth is intentional
Spiritual
Maturity takes DISCIPLINE: “But keep away from those godless legends, which are
not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life.” 1Timothy 4:7
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