Get Growing

Get Growing (Phil. 2:12-16a; 3:10-19) A young man who dives for exotic fish for aquariums told a story that one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark. He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium you put it in. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet. That is like what happens to some Christians. There are plenty of 6-inch Christians swimming around puddles. But if you were to put them out into the ocean of sanctification, they could become formidable 8 to 10 foot warriors of the sea. Salvation is not an end, it is a beginning! Growing from spiritual immaturity Sign of immaturity Grumbling & Arguing (1 Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14; James 3: 14-18; 5:9; 1 Pe. 4:9; Rom. 12:8; Eph. 4:31-32) (Contrast: Joy in all circumstances) What gets you excited? What lights a fire under you? For what will you fight, tooth and nail, as though your very life, or the lives of those you love, depended upon your success in the struggle? Katergazomai, Gk. ”Working out”/Determined effort/Intense striving//Pressing on (see Heb. 6:1)/Giving whole-hearted performance necessary to achieve victory Epekteinomai, Gk. Reaching out/Stretching for (Phil. 3:13) Dioko, Gk. Chase after (Phil. 3:14) In the form of: Study of God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16) Ought to be teachers, not just readers or hearers (Heb. 5:12) Prayer (Rom. 15:30, James 5:16, Col. 4:12, fervent, energeo, Gk.) Ministering/Service to God/others Sanctification involves putting ourselves at God’s disposal “Work out your own salvation” (i.e. serve God) with fear and trembling (Ps. 2:11; Phil. 2:12, Heb. 12:28) It also requires living according to the truth as you best understand it (i.e. Maintaining your integrity)

Advancement in God’s Kingdom begins with faithful service (Luke 16:10) A heavenly focus is key (1 Cor. 9:24-25; Phil. 3:14; 1 Tim. 4:7-8) When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t know she was in line for the throne of England. Her instructors, trying to prepare her for the future, were frustrated because they couldn’t motivate her. She just didn’t take her studies seriously. Finally, her teachers decided to tell her that one day she would become the queen of England. Upon hearing this, Victoria quietly said, "Then I will be good." The realization that she had inherited this high calling gave her a sense of responsibility that profoundly affected her conduct from then on. As opposed to the earthly focus of God’s enemies It also involves accepting spiritual correction (Phil. 3:15) Imitating Christ/other mature Christians can help The word Christian means to be: of Christ or Christ-like Where can we find the will and the power to so strive? (see Rom. 7:2) God works within our hearts to enable us to both will and act according to His good purposes (2 Chron. 30:12; Phil. 2:14, Heb. 13:21) To “shine” in a perverse world (Prov. 4:18; Phil. 2:15, Matt. 5:16) God provides us with the “full armor” for the battle (Eph. 6:13) Truth, righteousness, The Gospel, faith, salvation, prayer (Eph. 6:14-18) Other keys Worship Fellowship Why bother? We were called by God to bear fruit (John 15:16) What kind of plant produces good fruit? Only a mature plant What is the proper place of a plant that fails to produce fruit? (Matt. 3:10; Luke 3:9; 13:9; John 15:2)