Growing Spiritually 1 Peter 2:1-5 The Christian life begins once a sinner is converted to Christ. Conversion indicates a change (Matthew 18:2-3), “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Thayer (you are converted” strephō) - 1) to turn, turn around; 2) to turn one’s self; 2b) metaphorically to turn one’s self from one’s course of conduct, i.e. to change one’s mind Peter speaks of this change in 1 Peter 2:1-5 (1 Peter 2:1-5), “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Lay aside the old tendencies and actions (vs. 1) Come to Jesus our foundation (4) Offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God (5) Paul agrees with this sentiment in Romans 12:1-2 (Romans 12:1-2), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Our lesson consists of examining the means by which we can promote our own spiritual growth… Note: Lesson taken from basic outline supplied by Roy Cogdill in his book The New Testament Church. 1 Peter 2:1-5

Things that promote spiritual growth: A Spiritual Appetite 1 Peter 2:2 From our text, consider the motivation needed: (1 Peter 2:2), “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” That is why many preachers feel that they must almost be motivational speakers. They are trying to get you to want to grow Ultimately such efforts will fall short if the desire is not strong within you! To be sustained, growth must come from an inherent, inner desire The desire comes because (vs. 3) “you have tasted that the Lord is gracious”

Things that promote spiritual growth: Exercise Hebrews 5:13-14; 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Paul might have been a sports fan. He uses exercise and athletic activity to illustrate spiritual principles quite often in his writing: Exercise (the use of God’s word) brings growth and improvement (in knowing the difference between good and evil). (Hebrews 5:13-14), “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Think of lifting your Bible everyday a spiritual workout routine. Diligence makes you stronger. (1 Timothy 4:7-8), “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Aside from exercising yourself “in the word” you must also “exercise yourself toward godliness.” A golf analogy. Work on your chipping and putting. By practicing you will make more pars and improve your score. If you consistently choose the godly path, you will grow spiritually

Things that promote spiritual growth: Heeding What We Hear Hebrews 2:1-3 (Hebrews 2:1-3), “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.” Listening to sermons and bible class sessions, are you giving “the more earnest heed”? “give the more earnest“ (Thayer: more in a greater degree; more earnestly, more exceedingly) (Strong: more superabundantly) “heed” (Thayer: to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive) Growth does not come through osmosis. You don’t just passively soak it in. Pay attention and make application. You are bound to grow if you do!

Things that promote spiritual growth: Diligence and Active Service 1 Timothy 4:13-16 (1 Timothy 4:13-16), “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” The phrases show diligence and action Such diligence brings progress Such progress brings salvation! Such progress may even effect the saving of others!

Things that promote spiritual growth: The Right Diet Spiritually 1 Timothy 4:5-6; 6:3-4; 2 Timothy 2:14-16, 22-23 Health advocates often say, “You are what you eat.” Eating junk food brings obesity, and health issues Eating nourishing foods brings physical health The analogy holds spiritually as well. (In verses 1-5, Paul tells Timothy to warn the brethren of spiritual junk food, “deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” In verse 6, he identifies nourishing words “faith” and “good doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6), “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” (1 Timothy 6:3-4a), “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing...” Consider the contrast (2 Timothy 2:14-16), “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:22-23), “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”

Things that promote spiritual growth: Purity of Mind and Heart Titus 1:11-14; James 4:6 Paul describes to Titus men who are defiled, and calls him to purity (Titus 1:10-16), “For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” An arrogant man who refuses to submit to God’s words gives himself over to defilement. They disqualify themselves. This is why so often, false teachers and the disobedient are identified in scripture as proud! (James 4:6), “But He [God] gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Things that promote spiritual growth: Prayer and Communion with the Lord Philippians 4:5-7; James 1:2-6 Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 4:14-16 So many passages teach us that praying to God, and invoking the name of our Savior Jesus Christ brings us strength and spiritual growth… (Philippians 4:5-7), “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (James 1:2-6), “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” (Hebrews 7:25), “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 4:14-16), “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Conclusion We are striving for perfection! Keep growing! We are striving for perfection (complete, of full age, mature). So we must keep growing! (Ephesians 4:11-13), “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13