Christian Growth
Date: 27 December, 2021
Text: 2 Peter 3:18
Introduction:
ill. One of our children's gifts....
- Tiny garden tools.
- Glass jar
- Soils, clay balls, charcoal, mosses.....
exp. Terrarium - micro climate -
ill. Another gift this year was a chrystal growing set - they are being examined daily for growth.
Growth is exciting - whatever is growing is getting better and better....
- We enjoy this in our families
- Birth - 1st tooth, 1st real smile/laugh, first scoot, crawl, steps, words, day of school...graduation, wedding, family....
note: GROWING WELL IS OFTEN A CHOICE.
- physically - diet, exercise, habits
ill. Playing video games late into the night and a fast food diet with no exercise.... is unhealthy.
- academically - discipline, desire, direction
ill. You can't sleep through your classes, never crack a text book and grow in knowledge.
exp. 2022 CAN BE A GREAT YEAR OF GROWTH FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE PHYSICALLY.
I would challenge our young people - to put themselves in the best position for good growth.
FAR MORE IMPORTANT - FOR ALL OF US......WE NEED TO SPIRITUALY GROW IN 2022
exp. Christian growth is a choice - as we come into 2022.....
You can either make choice the help your Christian growth - or hurt it.
OUR TEXT: SPEAKS OF 2 VITAL AREAS OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Make 2022 a great year of Christian growth.
ARE YOU GROWING? How did you do this past year? DID 2021 SEE YOU GROW?
I. Grow in Grace.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
exp. Grow in grace.... ok - what is grace?
def. gk word - charis (khar'ece) the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life
- The unmerited favour of God.
ill. The Christmas story - Mary found "charis" in the eyes of God. (unmerited favour of God)
She walked in the loving favour of God and embraced God's gift.
exp. When you find grace - you need to stay in it AND GROW.
ill. Israel - whirlwind tour - briefly at the Jordan River - a lot of people want to get their feet wet in the Jordan river. *They think there is spiritual benefit to that."
exp. There is no spiritual benefit to the Jordan river - but there is GROWTH for those who keep their feet constantly in the river of God's grace.
hymn: "Grace is flowing like a river"
Grace is flowing like a river From the mount of Calvary. Look to Jesus Christ the Giver; He from sin can set you free.
Chorus
Grace is flowing like a river; Millions there have been supplied. Still it flows as fresh as ever From the Savior's wounded side.
Verse 2
Heaven's fountain ever floweth; All our need has been supplied. Taste His love, receive His mercy; No one yet has been denied.
question: Are you staying in grace? (You won't grow in grace if you do not.)
A. Grow in grace through humility.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
ill. Radio speakers - enjoyed taking them apart - we knew they had magnets in them - fun to get opposing magnets and try to puch them together. Invisible power thrusting one away from another.
exp. If you are a proud person, you are not going to receive God's favour. He resisteth the proud.
1. Humility to value God's gift.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
ill. Christmas time - we enjoyed giving gifts - from us - to someone else. Many nice gifts were given - but nothing compares to God's gift.
exp. God's gift was his Son - born to die - to pay for our sin - so that God could give us forgiveness and everlasting life.
app. Jesus is a priceless and wonderful gift. Humility bows the knee and marvels at the gift.
a. Many people in pride think God's gift is affordable.
ill. Why should you go to Heaven? - "because I am a good person." (You think you can afford?)
b. Many people in pride think God's gift is laughable.
exp. They mock the idea that God had to take on flesh and die to pay for their sin.
app. If that is you - you are far away from grace - humility is needed.
1) I can not earn my own salvation.
2) I need God's incredible gift of salvation.
2. Humility to understand your unworthiness of God's goodness.
ill. Katie was hoovering a bit this week - and Mac suggested that one of the boys get docked allowance.... (He was happy to note that they didn't deserve....other times the kids have docked themselves....)
exp. That ought to be us - we ought to recognize how unworthy we are to have God be good to us.
Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Hymn - Only a Sinner Saved by Grace
1 Naught have I gotten but what I received;
Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;
Boasting excluded, pride I abase;
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!
Refrain:
Only a sinner saved by grace!
Only a sinner saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—-
I’m only a sinner saved by grace!
app. If you want be planted in grace - humbly understand your unworthiness.
3. Humility to accept your need for assistance from God.
exp. It is humbling to allow someone to help you.
ill. Katie's dad - just turned 70. He's been a boat fisherman all his life - putting his boat into the Muskegon River and going Steelhead fishing. He laughed about going to Alaska and standing on the dock - thinking really hard before stepping into the boat - and having the guide reach out and help him.
exp. IF YOU NEED HELP - YOU NEED HELP, humility accepts the assistance. (Keep your pride you may just do a one legger between the boat and the dock.)
John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
exp. (THIRST is aknowledging your need for help.)
ill. Woman at the Well. - Divorced 5 times, living in fornication
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
exp. Here life was messed up. Jesus had the solution to her need. She received it and told others
app. Do you know your need for God's help today? Humility? If you are walking in humility - you are in a place where you can grow in grace.
B. Grow in grace through discipline.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
exp. When saving grace came - it taught - get away from wicked and worldly desires. (Sober up, get righteous, live godly!)
ill. Drug Campaign from my youth
- This is your brain (egg) - This is your brain on drugs (frying pan egg) - any questions?
STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS and be clean.
- "Just Say No."
note: When grace saved you - it came teaching - STAY AWAY FROM SIN and BE GODLY.
ill. We have a funny video - of Logan and Benson when they were very little - played in the dirt in a church car park - filthy- and very guilty looking....
exp. They were dirty because they didn't discipline themselves to stay away from dirt. Their filth took them out of our good favour.
note: Saving grace - cleaned you up - but we need to stay clean if we are going to grow in grace. (God's good favour.) THIS WILL TAKE DISCIPLINE.
ill. My wife - asked the boys if we should run in a 5k in May. If that's going to happen - some serious discipline is needed - exercise routine....
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
app. Grace is for those who are disciplining themselves 'denying ungodliness and worldly lusts' - if you aren't saying, "no" to the flesh - you have ceased to grow in grace.
C. Grow in grace through trials.
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
exp. Sometimes - God puts us in the place of grace through trial. He's the God of all grace - who allow us to suffer - but then matures, establishes, strengthens and settles us.
ill. Paul's thorn in the flesh
2 Corinthians 12:
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
ill. Annie Johnson Flint - orphaned at 8 - crippled in her 20's - love for poetry - an eye for detail....
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labours increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that your need shall exceed His provision, Our God ever yearns His resources to share; Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing; The Father, both you and your load will upbear.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
question: If you need grace - God has the grace that you need for every situation of life.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
app. Trials aren't a stream of grace which we chose. But, in time of trial, we can chose to avail ourselves of God's super abundant grace. Are you letting your trials be a means of growing in grace?
transition: Christian growth - grow in grace - humility, discipline, trials.....
II. Grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
ill. The Loxley's and Glenda know Missionary Dan Hassman - Dan and I are good friends - we grew up together - Dan and I aren't just alike - but there are a lot of similarities because of the time we spent with one another growing up.
YOU ARE LIKE PEOPLE YOU SPEND TIME WITH.
app. Growing in our knowledge of Jesus is going to increase our likeness with Christ.
A. Grow in knowledge through His Teaching.
exp. You can really get to know someone through books they have written.
ill. My wife gave me a book for Christmas - Paul Chapel - lessons he's learned in ministry.
exp. I don't know Pastor Chappel personally. We have never met. But, I feel like I know Him.
- I have listened to him teach and preach.
- I am reading a book which He has written.
- He is a gracious, kind, compassionate man who demonstrates a desire to follow Jesus.
ill. You and I can not walk with Jesus as the disciples did - but we can get to know Him through his teaching and preaching. (HIS WORDS)
note: Another name for the Bible is "THE WORD OF GOD."
It is WHAT GOD SAYS - it is THUS SAITH THE LORD.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
exp. That which reflects - like a mirror - the glory of God into our lives - is the Gospel - God's truth.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
app. If you don't know God today, the place to start is in God's Word. Pick up His Book, read His truth.....(Christian - you can get to know Him through His Word - but you need to spend time in it - you need to meditate on His truth and let it change you....)
B. Grow in knowledge through His Biography.
exp. Another great way to get to know someone is to learn their story. See what they have done in different situations and experiences.
ill. If you are a politician - you may be interested in reading a biography of a prime minister.
If you are in business - you would benefit from reading about someone like Steve Jobs, apple.
exp. Seeing how they reacted positively and negatively - can help you in business or politics.
app. Reading Jesus biography - in God's Word - far better - he is the perfect example.
1. Learn to walk like Him.
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
- Jesus walked by faith (praying,
- Jesus walked in obedience (Always doing the will of the Father
- Jesus walked in love (having time for everybody,....)
app. WWJD - never a big fan - popular fad - A BRACELET DOESN'T MAKE YOU LIKE HIM. But if you learn to do as he did - WALK LIKE HIM. (You are getting to know Him.)
2. Learn to purify yourself like Him.
note: Jesus is WITHOUT SIN. To know Jesus is to know THE RIGHTEOUS ONE.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
exp. Jesus knows the weakness of human flesh - without the failure of human flesh.
1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
app. You will not know Jesus if you don't deal with your sin so that you can BE LIKE HIM.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
C. Grow in knowledge through His presence.
1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
exp. The more we know His presence - the greater our likeness to Himself.
hymn: "Every Day with Jesus"
Every day with Jesus
Is sweeter than the day before
Every day with Jesus
I love Him more and more.
Jesus saves and keeps me
And He's the one I'm waiting for
Every day with Jesus
Is sweeter than the day before
ill. Have you ever noticed that married couples look like one another?
- The longer they are married - the more similarities
- They think alike, etc.
app. The longer you are a Christian, the more of Jesus we ought to see in your life.
conclusion:
- I look forward to seeing Logan's terrarium thriving and growing.
- I look forward to seeing Nelson's chrystals growing
WHEN THINGS GROW - THEY GET BETTER AND BETTER
2 AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO GROW IN 2022 -
GROW IN GRACE AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS.
- Are you in the place of grace? (humility, discipline, trials)
- Are you getting to know Jesus more and more? (His Word, biography, presence.....)
