Growth 2 - Spiritual Growth Is A Choice 2008-10-12

Spiritual Growth Is A Choice

Windhoek Church of Christ Sun 12 Oct 2008 Stefan Wolmarans

Growth Follows Planting  At conversion all old wood is chopped out and we are planted anew  Titus 3:5 – “... He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,”  Romans 6:4 – “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”  The renewal we find in Christ involves the concept of spiritual growth. Just as a healthy physical life is one of growth, so a healthy spiritual life is a process of growth  Sadly, not all Christians grow spiritually. Many have been Christians for years, with little change or improvement. They are no more, often less, useful to the Lord than when they first became Christians. Failing to grow, they become stagnant, like a pool of rotting water.  Why? Because "Spiritual Growth Is A Choice”  It doesn't happen by default (unlike physical growth)  Spiritual growth (like emotional maturity) occurs only when we choose to grow  If we do not make that choice, and stick to it, there will be no spiritual growth!

Not all Growth is Good  The hearts of some grow dull / hard /     

calloused - Mt 13:15 The love of many grow cold - Mt 24:12 There is the danger of growing weary in doing good - Gal 6:9 There is possibility of growing corrupt according to deceitful lusts - Eph 4:22 There are those who grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived - 2 Ti 3:13 Like the growth of cancerous cells, the wrong growth can be deadly!

Growth is Commanded By God  Implicitly Stated In The Great Commission  Mt 28:18-20  After baptizing, teaching them to observe all things He commanded  Implicit in the command to teach, is that disciples would be obedient learners, i.e., constantly growing as they learned and obeyed their Lord

 Explicitly Stated    

2 Pet 1:5-8 Peter begins his letter describing how we are to grow 2 Pet 3:18 Peter ends his letter with a command to grow

 Lack of Growth Rebuked  Heb 5:12-6:1  Christians who did not grow, were sternly rebuked

 Spiritual growth is a not an option, reserved for a few select Christians. The Word of God commands us to grow!

Growth Requires Diligent Effort  Don't think that just because you are growing

older, you are naturally growing spiritually!  Spiritual Growth Requires Concentrated Effort  John 6:27  Jesus said it requires labour / work  Phil 2:12; 3:13-14  Paul wrote that it requires work, pressing on  2 Pet 1:5,10  Peter wrote that it requires diligence and focused effort  1 Tim 4:7-8  Like physical health, spiritual growth requires regular exercise

 Spiritual growth is not easy. We must constantly work at it.

Growth is Assisted By God  We Are Not Alone In Our Efforts  Phil 2:12-13  While we work out our salvation, God is at work in us  Phil 1:6  God desires to complete the work He started when He saved us

 We Are Strengthened By God In Our Efforts

 Eph 3:16  He strengthens us by His Spirit in us  Eph 3:20  He empowers us with unimaginable power that is in us  Phil 4:13  There is no excuse not to grow, for Christ strengthens us!

 With God helping us, spiritual growth is possible. And

not mediocre growth, but spiritual growth beyond what limits we might think hinder us!

Growth is Blessed By God  The Blessings Begin In This Life  2 Pet 1:10  The blessing of a victorious life, in which we do not fall

 The Blessings Continue In Everlasting Life  2 Pet 1:11  We will experience an "abundant entrance" into the everlasting kingdom

Summary  Spiritual growth:    

Commanded by God Requires diligent effort Assisted by God Blessed by God

Heart Check  What kind of growth is taking place in my spiritual life?  Is it a deadly kind of growth, creating a dull heart, love that is growing cold, weariness in doing good, moral corruption?  Or is it a vibrant kind of growth in which I am changing to be more like Jesus Christ?