1. KEYS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH

2. The Bible has a great amount of information on attitude. Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Mark 7:21-23 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.'' Biblical examples of attitude. Negative—10 spies.Positive—12 apostles. Have A Positive Attitude.

3. Everyone should realizes the importance of a positive attitude. We are what we think. As children of God we must have a positive spiritual attitude. We cannot be victorious without it. Our attitude will determine our destiny. A positive attitude is a key to: Church growth; Positive thinking combats negativism. Attitude determines altitude. Our own personal spiritual growth.

4. Have Unwavering Faith In God Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. It is important to have a faith that will withstand the strongest storms. Sometimes it’s easy to give up when we feel beaten down. That is what Satan is trying to do to us. I Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.

5. We must put our faith and trust in the all powerful Creator of the universe. God is the source of our:HopePower Jesus said we need to have mountain moving faith. Often the biggest mountains that need to be moved are between our ears. DoubtFearWorryNegative thinking These things will not allow us to grow. Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalms 37:5; 55:22 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.

6. Trust In The Power Of God. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. No matter what the task all things are possible with God. Success does not depend upon our power, but upon God’s. Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing will be impossible.'' We need to believe that with the power of God great things will happen.

7. Be Goal Oriented. Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We can’t hit targets we don’t have. This will require planning and setting specific objectives. Reaching heaven should be our ultimate goal.

8. Make Jesus Christ Your Lord. If you are unwilling to do this then the rest of the points in this lesson are mute. Spiritual growth starts here. God has made Jesus Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'' I Peter 3:15 But in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Peter called Jesus Lord.

9. Paul talks about Christ as Lord. Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. We make Christ our Lord by becoming obedient unto Him. Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

10. Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” HAVE YOU MADE JESUS YOUR LORD?

11. Given by David Hamlin on 5-24-09 pm Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.orgwww.hollisterchurchofchrist.org