True Spirituality I. Introduction II. Background ( Objective Context of Spirituality ) III. Technical Development A. Three Considerations of True Spirituality (Rejected-Slain-Raised) B. Three Spiritual Categories of Men C. Three Conditions of True Spirituality IV. Spirituality and Spiritual Growth V. Key Passages VI. Summary

True Spirituality I. Introduction II. Background ( Objective Context of Spirituality ) III. Technical Development A. Three Considerations of True Spirituality (Rejected-Slain-Raised) B. Three Spiritual Categories of Men C. Three Conditions of True Spirituality IV. Spirituality and Spiritual Growth V. Key Passages VI. Summary

Key Spiritual Growth Passages 1. 2 Peter 3:18“grow (AUXANŌ) in the grace…” 2. 1 Peter 2:2“that you may grow (AUXANŌ)” 3. James 1:21“receive the word implanted” 4. Ephesians 4:11-16“to a…perfect (TELEIOS) man” “may grow (AUXANŌ) up” 5. Romans 12:2“be transformed (METAMORPHOŌ by the renewing (ANAKAINŌSIS)” 6. 1 Corinthians 10:13not tested beyond spiritual ability 7. Philippians 3:7-15Paul’s testimony of ongoing growth 8. Ephesians 4:20-24“put on the new man (spirituality)” & “be renewed (spiritual growth)”

“grow” auvxa,nw (AUXANŌ) Vine’s: “to grow or increase, of the growth of that which lives, naturally and spiritually.” “perfect” te,leioj (TELEIOS) complete (with regard to spiritual development), mature “transform” metamorfo,w (METAMORPHOŌ) to change from one form to another “renewing” anakai,nwsij (ANAKAINŌSIS) Vine’s: “the adjustment of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon the life.”

Spirituality…Maturation…Retrogression… Ron Merryman pg. 5 “Nowhere is the believer ever commanded to become “more spiritual” than he is at that moment; he is commanded to grow in grace and knowledge, but not in spirituality. 2 Pet. 3:18 commands all believers to grow, surely some addressed were considered “spiritual”—they too were to grow! Spirituality is absolute; growth or maturation is relative.”

Spirituality…Maturation…Retrogression… Ron Merryman pg. 11 “Christian maturation is that quality of growth in the new man, the new creation in every believer, which manifests itself in: 1) an increasing occupation with Christ; 2) an ongoing faith-rest in the Lord and His promises; 3) a positive acceptance of life with its privileges and responsibilities, and 4) an enlarging capacity to express God’s viewpoint to others.”

Spirituality…Maturation…Retrogression… Ron Merryman pg. 14 “Do not be deceived, there is no magic pill for instant maturation; there are no short cuts! Without proper orientation to God’s Word (quality study), without testings, without experience in knowing the Lord under all sorts of circumstances, there is no way of reaching maturity!”

True Spirituality I. Introduction II. Background ( Objective Context of Spirituality ) III. Technical Development A. Three Considerations of True Spirituality (Rejected-Slain-Raised) B. Three Spiritual Categories of Men C. Three Conditions of True Spirituality IV. Spirituality and Spiritual Growth V. Key Passages VI. Summary

Spirituality Expressions 1. Walk in the SpiritGal 5:16; Rom 8:4 2. Be filled with the Spirit/Eph 5:18 Let the Word of Christ dwell in youCol 3:16 3. Abide in Me/Him (Christ)John 15: Fellowship (with Him)1 John 1:3, Walk in the light1 John 1:7; Eph 5:8 6. Walk in loveEph 5:2 7. Walk in wisdom/truth/commandmentsEph 5:15; Col 4:5; 3 Jn Walk in newness of lifeRom 6:4 9. Walk in manner worthy/pleasing Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1 Th 2: Sanctify Christ as Lord of the heart1 Pet 3: Put on the Lord Jesus ChristRom 13:14

YIELDEDNESS DOCTRINE SPIRITUALITY CONFESSION Spiritual Man (Young Believer) APPLICATION WALK IN THE SPIRIT

YIELDEDNESS DOCTRINE APPLICATION SPIRITUALITY CONFESSION Spiritual Man WALK IN THE SPIRIT

YIELDEDNESS DOCTRINE APPLICATION CONFESSION Carnal Man WALK IN THE SPIRIT SPIRITUALITY

Robert Dean, Jr. “The fruit is the result of the believer’s process of walking in dependence on the Holy Spirit. Fruit is character produced by the Holy Spirit, not the believer. The believer is to abide in Christ, and to walk by the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit produces the fruit…. “The Spirit does not operate in a vacuum, but always in conjunction with the Word of God, the light of divine revelation…Emphasis on the Holy Spirit without equal emphasis on learning and applying the principles of revelation would inevitably lead the believer to a subjective mystical approach. In contrast, emphasis on study apart from the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit leads to knowledge for knowledge’s sake, a merely academic emphasis confusing human morality with [fruitfulness in truth] produced by the Holy Spirit.” Abiding in Christ: A Dispensational Theology of the Spiritual Life (Part 2 of 3), CTS Journal 7 (October-December 2001), pp. 17, 23. Abiding in Christ: A Dispensational Theology of the Spiritual Life (Part 2 of 3), CTS Journal 7 (October-December 2001), pp. 17, 23.

YIELDEDNESS DOCTRINE APPLICATION SPIRITUALITY CONFESSION Spiritual Man WALK IN THE SPIRIT