Growing in your Inner Being

To Become a Disciple in God’s Kingdom is a continual daily journey of growing as to become a mature disciple of Jesus and leader who will mentor someone else

1 Peter 2: 1-2 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” Expect to grow and mature in your understanding of Christ and His Kingdom

Conversion or Maturity Acts 2: 38 Repentance CHANGE Acts 3: 19 Conversion or Maturity --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Change Your Mind Your Thoughts Change Your Behavior Your Actions Your Habits

Hebrews 5: 12 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. You need milk, not solid food!  Be mature and be constantly growing – trained to distinguish good from evil

Elisha and Elijah Example Each Step is Not a One-Time Choice but a Daily Continual Choice and Re-Commitment to the Growth Journey

1 Kings 19:19 Begins with the Call of God on his life (Elijah) God uses Elijah to recognize God’s call on Elisha Elisha burns his plough (vocation) Used the fire to consume sacrifice of his oxen

Luke 14: 25 -35 Discipleship will cost you something

2 Kings 2: 1-25 Elijah takes on Elisha – Mentoring, Maturing, Preparing him for his calling

A Disciple is STILL a Follower Your journey BEGINS by becoming a disciple - but it does not stop there Every Disciple is to Mature and become a Leader

2 Kings 2: 1 – 25 Elijah Mentors Elisha on a Journey of Development : Maturing his inner being Developing his spiritual power Become a true leader for God 2 Kings 2:1 – pass the baton to the next generation

Gilgal : Place of Beginning - Place of Surgery - Place of Rolling Away

Joshua 5: 9 – God dealt with the Reproach of Egypt by circumcision All begin at this place dealing with the reproach of the world in our life

Everyone has Potential – but it must be developed - or it is nothing We cannot move in God’s full power without spiritual surgery in our lives Gilgal will expose our motives/desires

Gilgal was not Elisha’s final destination – it was a LANDMARK Satan wants to keep us - in a cruel cycle of sin continuously sinning and forgiving – remaining spiritual babes

You must be tested as the next landmark takes you DEEPER in God Elisha made an INTENTIONAL COMMITMENT to continue growing

Bethel : The house of God – the Place of Revelation

Genesis 28– Jacob is confronted with a Divine Revelation of his identity and God’s plan for his life Jacob built a Memorial calling the place Bethel “house of God”

Lessons from Bethel: As we grow and wrestle with God, we desire to hear from God Develop an increased ability to hear from God

Jacobs’ Revelation was not enough for Elisha We cannot rely on someone else’s Revelation – we must grow and mature in our own Bethel experience

We begin to learn the full significance of servitude Being comfortable in Bethel will encourage us to be spiritually overweight Bethel is not our destination!

Jericho : The Place of Battle – Place of Obedience

Jericho : Testing of faith and obedience Battle in your own strength or in obedience to God’s authority?

Lessons from Jericho: Through Submission - we learn how obedience and authority flows together Authority must be anchored TO and LINKED WITH our Obedience to God

Some choose to remain in spiritual warfare in Jericho Jericho is only a Landmark to lead us to the fullness of God’s power!

Jordan: The Place of Promise – Place of Double Portion

Jordan : represents Death and Resurrection We must die to self before we can position ourselves to receive ALL God has prepared for us

Lessons from Jordan: We must DESIRE and ask largely from God The anointing for our next level of growth is available but we must die to our agenda

This span of time between God’s Call on our life -- and place of God’s double portion -- is an Opportunity to Walk by faith Allow ourselves to grow/be mentored Get to a Position to Receive

Make a New Commitment Today! Search our hearts and make firm commitments to become True Disciples – to Both be Discipled and to Disciple Others Make a New Commitment Today!