The Dangers of Spiritual Stagnation, and How to Avoid It Christians Should Fear Backsliding, and Stagnating in Their Walk With God Philippians 2:12,13

Introduction Philippians 2:12,13 God puts some things inside the believer – it is all part of being born again He puts His Holy Spirit in us – actually seals Him in He puts eternal life itself in us – passed from death unto life He puts a purpose – a calling – into our lives He expects us to work those things out through our fingers and toes But it doesn’t all happen naturally – takes effort This is going to be a warning about backsliding, and becoming carnal, not growing, drying up, growing lukewarm, and then cold! It will be a challenge to grow and glow hot and bright in this dark day and hour

Barren Lives Barren earth at creation (Genesis 1:1-3) Parable of the fig tree – no fruit (Luke 13:1-6) Barren wombs – no children Sarah (Gen 11:30) - Isaac Hannah (1Sam 1) - Samuel Elisabeth (Luke 1:7) – John the Baptist Barren Christians – most have no real fruit We were created by God to bear fruit

Unfruitful Lives Parable of the Thorny Soil (Matthew 13:18,22): Becomes unfruitful because of stress, worries, wrong priorities, and the cares of this world Boils down to the softness of the heart Fruitfulness is only accomplished by: Walking with God (Psalm 1:1-3) Abiding in Christ. Jesus saved us to enable us to be fruitful (John 15:1,2,5) – without Him we can produce nothing of value

False Fruit Gain the whole world’s wealth (Matthew 16:26) Have all of men’s admiration Full of Religious Zeal (Philippians 3:4-9) Hypocrite – actor – tares – put on a show

Christian Growth Starting with Faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:10,11) Adding seven Christ-like attitudes and actions – get them INTO you Let them work – turn them loose (2Peter 1:8) – they are the changing power Enjoy the fruit that results

Warning! If you don’t grow… If you backslide… If you cool off, and stay cooled-off… You will lose big-time (2Peter 1:9-11): Lose your sight – no spiritual awareness Lose your memory – forgetting spiritual victories Lose your progress – constantly fall back Lose your heavenly rewards

God’s Promises God has given us Four Things With such help “Divine power” (1:3) “Great and precious promises” (1:4) Seven spiritual ingredients to add to our lives A perfect “calling and election” (1:10) With such help You can’t but bear fruit (1:8) – it will come! You are promised to never fall (1:10) You will be rewarded in heaven (1:11)

A Christian’s Fruit Pleasure to God – by faith, walk the walk Changed life – new creature (2Cor 5:17) Godly life – more like Jesus A Christian family – saved and with one heart because of your changed life! Another “life” – soul-winning – spiritual children Our World turned “upside down”