1. MOST Growing As A Christian Feel a need to grow-
Have a desire to grow-
Acknowledge a need for assistance to grow
Title Slide: Growing as a Christian. MOST…
1. Feel a need to grow-
2. Have a desire to grow-
3. Acknowledge a need for assistance to grow…

2. The Need For Spiritual Growth
We are told to – Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; Thessalonians 4:1
The parable of the soils – Matthew 13: 3-17; 18-23
The Need for Spiritual Growth
1. We are told to – 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Thes. 4:1
2. The parable of the soils – Mat. 13: 3-17; 18-23
3. The need to be teachers – to be skilled in the word – to be able to discern between good and evil – Heb. 5:12-14
4. That we may be pleasing to God – Col. 1:9-12

3. The Need For Spiritual Growth
The need to be teachers–to be skilled in the word-to be able to discern good and evil Hebrews 5:12-14
That we may be pleasing to God– Colossians 1:9-12
The Need for Spiritual Growth
1. We are told to – 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 1 Thes. 4:1
2. The parable of the soils – Mat. 13: 3-17; 18-23
3. The need to be teachers – to be skilled in the word – to be able to discern between good and evil – Heb. 5:12-14
4. That we may be pleasing to God – Col. 1:9-12

4. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Simple – Not elaborate or complex -
Nothing new – nothing amazing or mystical - mostly things we already know.
Difficult – No shortcuts - Takes time, great effort and patience.
The Path to Spiritual Growth:
Simple…
Nothing new…
Difficult…

5. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Commitment –
Can’t be double-minded Kings 18:21; Acts 11:23
Must choose with purpose- Joshua 24:15; Matthew 6:33
Must approach with diligence—Hebrews 6:11; Peter 1:5,10
The Path to Spiritual Growth: COMMITMENT
Can’t be double-minded—1 Kings 18:21; Acts 11:23…
Must choose with purpose—Joshua 24:15; Matthew 6:33
Must approach with diligence—Hebrews 6:11; 2 Peter 1:5,10

6. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Bible Study –
Psalms 1:2-3 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”
Bible Study: Psalm 1:2,3…

7. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Bible Study –
The only source of saving faith- Romans 10:17
The only source of true spiritual growth Acts 20:30; Corinthians 14:1-5; Peter 2:2
The Path to Spiritual Growth: BIBLE STUDY
1. The only source of saving faith- Romans 10:17
2. The only source of true spiritual growth- Acts 20:30; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5; 1 Peter 2:2

8. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Bible Study –
Requires regular and consistent study— Psalm 1:2; 119:97; Acts 17:11; Timothy 4:13
Must possess proper attitude- Acts 17:11; Matthew 5:6; Psalm 119:16, 72,127, 162; Timothy 2:15
The Path to Spiritual Growth: BIBLE STUDY
1. Requires regular & consistent study – Psa. 1:2; 119:97; Acts 17:11; 1 Tim. 4:13;
2. Must possess proper attitude - Acts 17:11; Mat 5:6; Psa. 119:16, 72,127,162; 2 Tim 2:15
3. Must apply what we learn - Jam 1:21-25; Mat 7:24-27

9. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Bible Study –
Must apply what we learn— Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46; James 1:21-25; Matthew 15:8,9
The Path to Spiritual Growth: BIBLE STUDY
1. Requires regular & consistent study – Psa. 1:2; 119:97; Acts 17:11; 1 Tim. 4:13;
2. Must possess proper attitude - Acts 17:11; Mat 5:6; Psa. 119:16, 72,127,162; 2 Tim 2:15
3. Must apply what we learn - Jam 1:21-25; Mat 7:24-27

10. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Bible Study Accomplishes –
Greater knowledge— Peter 3:16-18; Timothy 3:16,17
Gives Wisdom— Psalm 19:7; Timothy 3:15
The Path to Spiritual Growth: BIBLE STUDY Accomplishes…
1. Greater knowledge - (1 Pet. 3:16-18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
2. Gives Wisdom - (Psalm 19:7; 2 Tim. 3:15)
3. Discouragement from sin - (Psa. 119:11; Prov. 2:10,11)
4. Equips us for service - (Eph. 4:11-16; 2 Tim. 3:17)

11. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Bible Study Accomplishes –
Discouragement from sin—Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 2:10,11
Equips us for service— Ephesians 4:11-16; Timothy 3:17
The Path to Spiritual Growth: BIBLE STUDY Accomplishes…
1. Greater knowledge - (1 Pet. 3:16-18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
2. Gives Wisdom - (Psalm 19:7; 2 Tim. 3:15)
3. Discouragement from sin - (Psa. 119:11; Prov. 2:10,11)
4. Equips us for service - (Eph. 4:11-16; 2 Tim. 3:17)

12. Fervent Prayer - Supplication (Request – averting of evil) Prayers
(Request – obtaining of good)
Intercession
(For others)
Thanks
(Gratitude for blessings)
Fervent Prayers…
1. Supplication
(Request – averting of evil)
2. Prayers
(Request – obtaining of good)
3. Intercession
(For others)
4. Thanks
(Gratitude for blessings

13. Power in prayer - (1 Peter 3:12; James 1:5; 5:16)
Fervent Prayer -
Power in prayer (1 Peter 3:12; James 1:5; 5:16)
Need for habitual prayer (Psalm 55:16-17; Daniel 6:10; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Fervent Prayer…
1. Power in prayer - (1 Pet. 3:12; James 1:5; 5:16)
2. Need for habitual prayer - (Psa. 55:16-17; Dan. 6:10; Luke 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17)
3. Must be coupled with faith - (James 1:6; Mark 11:22-24)
4. According to God’s will – (1 John 5:14)

14. Must be coupled with faith-(James 1:6; Mark 11:22-24)
Fervent Prayer -
Must be coupled with faith-(James 1:6; Mark 11:22-24)
According to God’s will (1 John 5:14)
Fervent Prayer…
1. Power in prayer - (1 Pet. 3:12; James 1:5; 5:16)
2. Need for habitual prayer - (Psa. 55:16-17; Dan. 6:10; Luke 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17)
3. Must be coupled with faith - (James 1:6; Mark 11:22-24)
4. According to God’s will – (1 John 5:14)

15. God-Centered Worship -
Deliberately God-focused - (Worship is about God and for God, affects content, mood, organization, and elements)
Worship takes effort - Easy to let minds wonder – be distracted – requires focus
Requires preparation – true worship is not accidental
God-Centered Worship…
1. Deliberately God-focused - (Worship is about God and for God, affects content, mood, organization, and elements)
2. Worship takes effort - Easy to let minds wonder – be distracted – requires focus
3. Requires preparation – true worship is not accidental

16. God-Centered Worship -
Must be with reverence (Leviticus 10:3; Hebrews 12:28,29)
Must be from the heart according to truth- (John 4:21-24; Colossians 3:16,17)
God-Centered Worship…
1. Must be with reverence - (Lev. 10:3; Heb 12:28,29)
2. Must be from the heart and according to truth - (John 4:21-24; Col. 3:16,17)
3. What we are doing (singing, praying, hearing, thinking, examining) – 1 Cor. 14:40
4. Meaning of the Lord’s supper (body, blood, death)

17. God-Centered Worship -
What we are doing (singing, praying, hearing, thinking, examining) (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Meaning of the Lord Supper-(body, blood, death) (1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
God-Centered Worship…
1. Must be with reverence - (Lev. 10:3; Heb 12:28,29)
2. Must be from the heart and according to truth - (John 4:21-24; Col. 3:16,17)
3. What we are doing (singing, praying, hearing, thinking, examining) – 1 Cor. 14:40
4. Meaning of the Lord’s supper (body, blood, death)

18. Service Prompted By Love
Obey God – (Matthew 22:36-40; John 14:15,21,24; 1 John 5:3)
By love serve one another - (Gal. 5:13; Mat. 22:39; Gal. 6:2; Cor. 13:4-7; James 4:17; 2:15-17)
Weep & rejoice (Rom. 12:15)
Restore (Gal. 6:1)
Encourage (Heb. 10:24)
Participate (Eph. 5:16)
Service Prompted by Love…
Obey God…
By love serve one another…
Weep & rejoice—Rom.12:15
Restore—Gal.6:1,2
Encourage—Heb.10:24
Participate—Eph.5:16

19. Submit to those over you in the Lord – Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 4:11- 16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13;
Apostles & prophets – i.e., respect their writings – (Eph. 4:11; Acts 2:42)
Evangelists, pastors and teachers, - (2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 20:28; 1 Thess. 5:12,13
Submit to those over you in the Lord…
Elders…
Apostles, prophets—respect their writings as inspired
Evangelists, pastors, teachers—instruction being given…No schism or division—1 Cor.12:25…

20. The Results of Spiritual Growth
Can resist falling – 2 Peter 1:5-10
Can stand strong in the Lord – Ephesians 6:10-18
Able to discern good from evil – Hebrews 5:14
Can help others overcome sin – Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1
The results of Spiritual Growth…Explain the spiritual benefits….

21. The Results of Spiritual Growth
Able to lead others to Christ – Acts 8:4; Hebrews 5:12
Able to help others grow – Timothy 2:2; Romans 15:1,2
Able to bear fruit – Galatians 5:22,23; John 15:1-10
Victorious over death – HEAVEN – Revelation 2:10
The results of Spiritual Growth…Explain the spiritual benefits….

22. Spiritual growth is a divine requirement for every believer.
The Word of God is the divine provision for spiritual growth.
Summary—some conclusions…

23. The Path To Spiritual Growth
Simple – Not elaborate or complex -
Nothing new – nothing amazing or mystical - mostly things we already know.
Difficult – No shortcuts - Takes time, great effort and patience.
The Path to Spiritual Growth: Review…
Simple…
Nothing new…
Difficult…

24. Are you growing in Christ?
We never stay the same – we will either grow spiritually – or we will spiritually die!
Are you IN CHRIST? – Have you by faith repented – confessed – been baptized?
Are you growing in Christ?
Invitation…