1. 1 Hindrances to Spiritual Growth

2. 2  Dullness of Hearing, Lk. 8:10; Matt. 13:15 Dull: Thick, fat, callousDull: Thick, fat, callous Hearing: Give audience, attend toHearing: Give audience, attend to Closed mind, Lk. 8:5, 12Closed mind, Lk. 8:5, 12  Unbelief, Jno. 6:60-66  Hard heart, Heb. 3:7-8

3. 3 Hindrances to Spiritual Growth  Lack of endurance, Lk. 8:13 Joyful, but shallow faithJoyful, but shallow faith Emotional mind - Fails to count the cost of following Jesus, Lk. 14:27-33Emotional mind - Fails to count the cost of following Jesus, Lk. 14:27-33 Endure to the end to be saved, Matt. 24:13 (Heb. 12:1)Endure to the end to be saved, Matt. 24:13 (Heb. 12:1)

4. 4 Hindrances to Spiritual Growth  Prevalence of lawlessness, Matt. 24:12 Grows & destroys, 2 Tim. 2:16-17; 3:13Grows & destroys, 2 Tim. 2:16-17; 3:13 Association with world affects growth, 1 Cor. 15:33-34Association with world affects growth, 1 Cor. 15:33-34 Sin’s deception chokes out the word of God, Lk. 8:14 (Mk. 4:18-19)Sin’s deception chokes out the word of God, Lk. 8:14 (Mk. 4:18-19) Wandering mind without focusWandering mind without focus Escape temptation! 1 Cor. 10:13Escape temptation! 1 Cor. 10:13

5. 5 Hindrances to Spiritual Growth  Commands/doctrines of men, Col. 2:18-23 Growth comes from holding fast to ChristGrowth comes from holding fast to Christ When we submit to men’s doctrines we replace…When we submit to men’s doctrines we replace…  Christ (head) with man  Imperishable truth with perishable things  Kingdom of heaven with the world  Potent truth with impotent error  Nutrition with junk food (Gal. 1:6-9)  Valuable with counterfeit (Col. 2:23)

6. 6 Hindrances to Spiritual Growth  Spiritual fatigue, Gal. 6:9; 2 Ths. 3:13 Lose heart: Faint, exhausted…despondent, unresponsiveLose heart: Faint, exhausted…despondent, unresponsive  Will reap in “due season”  Labor in Christ is not in vain, 1 Cor. 15:58 Continue to “do good”, Gal. 6:9-10Continue to “do good”, Gal. 6:9-10 Be patient & wait on the Lord, Jas. 5:7-9Be patient & wait on the Lord, Jas. 5:7-9

7. 7 Hindrances to Spiritual Growth  Forgetfulness Past blessings, 2 Pet. 1:9Past blessings, 2 Pet. 1:9 Present privileges & responsibilities, 2 Pet. 1:3-4; Heb. 13:16Present privileges & responsibilities, 2 Pet. 1:3-4; Heb. 13:16 Future reward, 2 Pet. 1:10-11Future reward, 2 Pet. 1:10-11

8. 8 Hindrances to Spiritual Growth  Neglect, 1 Pet. 2:2 Stop craving truthStop craving truth  Stop learning, assembling, praying, living Abide in Christ, bear fruit, Jno. 15:1-6Abide in Christ, bear fruit, Jno. 15:1-6 Honest, renewed heart holds fast to the word of God, Lk. 8:15Honest, renewed heart holds fast to the word of God, Lk. 8:15  Apathy will cause many to be lost (Rom. 12:11)

9. 9 Hindrances to Spiritual Growth  Stumbling blocks laid by others, Matt. 18:6-10 Treatment of others can help or hinder someone’s growth (Gal. 6:1-2)Treatment of others can help or hinder someone’s growth (Gal. 6:1-2)  Words & deeds (Prov. 15:1-2, 28; 1 Cor. 9:22; 8:9-13) Regardless of others, we must remain faithful to Christ (Josh. 24:15)Regardless of others, we must remain faithful to Christ (Josh. 24:15)

10. 10 Spiritual Growth (Eph. 3:14-19)  Strength in Christ when we live by faith  Spiritual growth is not… Miraculous, accidental or automaticMiraculous, accidental or automatic  Result of taking personal responsibility & refusing to be hindered (Eph. 6:10)