Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Windhoek
Church of
Christ
Sun 12 Oct 2008
Stefan Wolmarans
Growth Follows Planting
At conversion all old wood is chopped out and we are planted anew
Titus 3:5 – “... He saved us through the washing of rebirth and
renewal by the Holy Spirit,”
Romans 6:4 – “We were therefore buried with him through baptism
into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
The renewal we find in Christ involves the concept of spiritual growth. Just as
a healthy physical life is one of growth, so a healthy spiritual life is a process
of growth
Sadly, not all Christians grow spiritually. Many have been Christians for years,
with little change or improvement. They are no more, often less, useful to the
Lord than when they first became Christians. Failing to grow, they become
stagnant, like a pool of rotting water.
Why? Because "Spiritual Growth Is A Choice”
It doesn't happen by default (unlike physical growth)
Spiritual growth (like emotional maturity) occurs only when we choose to
grow
If we do not make that choice, and stick to it, there will be no spiritual
growth!
Not all Growth is Good
The hearts of some grow dull / hard /
calloused - Mt 13:15
The love of many grow cold - Mt 24:12
There is the danger of growing weary in
doing good - Gal 6:9
There is possibility of growing corrupt
according to deceitful lusts - Eph 4:22
There are those who grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived - 2 Ti 3:13
Like the growth of cancerous cells, the wrong
growth can be deadly!
Growth is Commanded By God
Implicitly Stated In The Great Commission
Mt 28:18-20
After baptizing, teaching them to observe all things He commanded
Implicit in the command to teach, is that disciples would be obedient
learners, i.e., constantly growing as they learned and obeyed their Lord
Explicitly Stated
2 Pet 1:5-8
Peter begins his letter describing how we are to grow
2 Pet 3:18
Peter ends his letter with a command to grow
Lack of Growth Rebuked
Heb 5:12-6:1
Christians who did not grow, were sternly rebuked
Spiritual growth is a not an option, reserved for a few select
Christians. The Word of God commands us to grow!
Growth Requires Diligent Effort
Don't think that just because you are growing
older, you are naturally growing spiritually!
Spiritual Growth Requires Concentrated Effort
John 6:27
Jesus said it requires labour / work
Phil 2:12; 3:13-14
Paul wrote that it requires work, pressing on
2 Pet 1:5,10
Peter wrote that it requires diligence and focused effort
1 Tim 4:7-8
Like physical health, spiritual growth requires regular
exercise
Spiritual growth is not easy. We must constantly
work at it.
Growth is Assisted By God
We Are Not Alone In Our Efforts
Phil 2:12-13
While we work out our salvation, God is at work in us
Phil 1:6
God desires to complete the work He started when He saved us
We Are Strengthened By God In Our Efforts
Eph 3:16
He strengthens us by His Spirit in us
Eph 3:20
He empowers us with unimaginable power that is in us
Phil 4:13
There is no excuse not to grow, for Christ strengthens us!
With God helping us, spiritual growth is possible. And
not mediocre growth, but spiritual growth beyond what
limits we might think hinder us!
Growth is Blessed By God
The Blessings Begin In This Life
2 Pet 1:10
The blessing of a victorious life, in which we do not fall
The Blessings Continue In Everlasting Life
2 Pet 1:11
We will experience an "abundant entrance" into the
everlasting kingdom
Summary
Spiritual growth:
Commanded by God
Requires diligent effort
Assisted by God
Blessed by God
Heart Check
What kind of growth is taking place in my
spiritual life?
Is it a deadly kind of growth, creating a dull
heart, love that is growing cold, weariness in
doing good, moral corruption?
Or is it a vibrant kind of growth in which I am
changing to be more like Jesus Christ?