Topical Studies

Scripture Reading:  2 Peter 1:5-11

MY SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

Intro.

1.     Illus. Child is  anxious to grow up (measure height).

2.     Growth is vital to one’s physical well-being.  Nutrition, exercise & a healthy lifestyle all contribute to the body’s growth & fitness.

3.     How are you growing spiritually? – 2 Pet. 1:5-11

 

I. SPIRITUAL GROWTH DEPENDS ON:

    A.    Good Nutrition.

        1.     Bread of life (Jesus) – Jno. 6:35, 48-51.

        2.     His words – Jno. 6:63, 68; 1 Pet. 2:2.

    B.     Spiritual ExerciseHeb. 5:13-14; 1 Tim. 4:7-8.

    C.    Disciplined Lifestyle – 1 Cor. 9:24-27 (Heb. 12:1-2).

 

II.    I AM GROWING WEAKER & AWAY FROM CHRIST IF:

    A.    My Heart Grows Dull to God’s Word Matt. 13:15 (Acts 28:27).

        1.     Become a chore to read or hear God’s word.

        2.     No desire to consult God’s word before making life’s decisions.

    B.    My Love is Growing ColdMatt. 24:12.

        1.     Obedience becomes a burdensome ritual - 1 Jno. 5:3.

        2.     Love for God and man is feigned & forced – Matt. 22:37-39.

    C.    Prayer Has Become an Afterthought in My Life – Lk. 18:1, 8; 1 Ths. 5:23.   {Poem:  No Time to Pray}

    D.    I Become Weary of Doing GoodGal. 6:9 (2 Ths. 3:13).

        1.     No zeal (burning up, eager, enthusiastic) to do good – Tit. 2:14.

        2.     Forgotten that serving others is to serve the Lord – Matt. 25:40, 45.

    E.    I Am Increasingly Eager to Satisfy the Flesh1 Tim. 5:11.

        1.     Instead of putting off deceitful lusts, grow corrupt through them – Eph. 4:22.

        2.     Instead of fleeing/ abstaining from fleshly lusts – Curious &/or satisfy them – 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 2:11.

 

III.  I AM GROWING STRONGER & CLOSER TO CHRIST IF:

    A.    I Speak & Live the Truth in Love – Eph. 4:13-15 (Matt. 12:34).

        1.     When I speak the truth it is to gain a soul, not win an argument.

        2.     The truth of God is the focus of attention – not myself, etc.

        3.     Speak truthfully with others – Eph. 4:25.

    B.    I Faithfully Do My Part as a Member of the Body of Christ – Eph. 4:16.

        1.     I am part of a wholenot independent of my brethren! – 1 Cor. 12:14-27  [Each Christian is vital (12:14-19), needed (12:20-22), honorable (12:23-24) & is to have mutual care of others (12:25-27)].

        2.     By doing my part the whole body is strengthened (Eph. 4:16).

    C.    My Personal Faith is Growing – 2 Ths. 1:3.

        1.     Love & patient endurance in the Thessalonians – 1:3-4.

        2.     Diligent, faithful labor – Heb. 6:10-12.

    D.    I am Growing in the Grace & Knowledge of the Lord – 2 Pet. 3:18.

        1.     Diligent holiness – 3:14-15.

        2.     Taught & learning, grounded – using Scriptures properly – 3:16.

        3.     Not led away by the error of the wicked – 3:17.

        4.     Thus, progress in the grace & knowledge of the Lord!

    E.    I am Putting Away Sinful Attitudes & Conduct – 1 Pet. 2:1-2.

        1.     Instead, partaking of the pure milk of God’s word.

        2.     Put off former conduct of sin & put on the “new man”Eph. 4:20-24.

 

Conclusion

1.     Spiritual growth is not completed in a day.  In a real sense, it never comes to an end!  (Phil. 3:12-14)

2.     If you are growing weaker/away from Christ:

    a.     Full-grown sin produces death (Jas. 1:15-16).

    b.     Repent & change!

3.     If you are growing stronger/closer to Christ:

    a.     Full-grown saint qualifies to be a partaker of “the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:9-12).

    b.     Endure to the end!  (Matt. 10:22)