Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:5-11

MY SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Intro.

1. Illus. Child is anxious to grow up (measure height).

2. Growth is vital to one’s physical well-being. Nutrition, exercise & a healthy lifestyle all contribute to the body’s growth & fitness.

3. How are you growing spiritually? – 2 Pet. 1:5-11

I. SPIRITUAL GROWTH DEPENDS ON:

A. Good Nutrition.

1. Bread of life (Jesus) – Jno. 6:35, 48-51.

2. His words – Jno. 6:63, 68; 1 Pet. 2:2.

B. Spiritual Exercise – Heb. 5:13-14; 1 Tim. 4:7-8.

C. Disciplined Lifestyle – 1 Cor. 9:24-27 (Heb. 12:1-2).

II. I AM GROWING WEAKER & AWAY FROM CHRIST IF:

A. My Heart Grows Dull to God’s Word – Matt. 13:15 (Acts 28:27).

1. Become a chore to read or hear God’s word.

2. No desire to consult God’s word before making life’s decisions.

B. My Love is Growing Cold – Matt. 24:12.

1. Obedience becomes a burdensome ritual - 1 Jno. 5:3.

2. Love for God and man is feigned & forced – Matt. 22:37-39.

C. Prayer Has Become an Afterthought in My Life – Lk. 18:1, 8; 1 Ths. 5:23. {Poem: No Time to Pray}

D. I Become Weary of Doing Good – Gal. 6:9 (2 Ths. 3:13).

1. No zeal (burning up, eager, enthusiastic) to do good – Tit. 2:14.

2. Forgotten that serving others is to serve the Lord – Matt. 25:40, 45.

E. I Am Increasingly Eager to Satisfy the Flesh – 1 Tim. 5:11.

1. Instead of putting off deceitful lusts, grow corrupt through them – Eph. 4:22.

2. Instead of fleeing/ abstaining from fleshly lusts – Curious &/or satisfy them – 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 2:11.

III. I AM GROWING STRONGER & CLOSER TO CHRIST IF:

A. I Speak & Live the Truth in Love – Eph. 4:13-15 (Matt. 12:34).

1. When I speak the truth it is to gain a soul, not win an argument.

2. The truth of God is the focus of attention – not myself, etc.

3. Speak truthfully with others – Eph. 4:25.

B. I Faithfully Do My Part as a Member of the Body of Christ – Eph. 4:16.

1. I am part of a whole – not independent of my brethren! – 1 Cor. 12:14-27 [Each Christian is vital (12:14-19), needed (12:20-22), honorable (12:23-24) & is to have mutual care of others (12:25-27)].

2. By doing my part the whole body is strengthened (Eph. 4:16).

C. My Personal Faith is Growing – 2 Ths. 1:3.

1. Love & patient endurance in the Thessalonians – 1:3-4.

2. Diligent, faithful labor – Heb. 6:10-12.

D. I am Growing in the Grace & Knowledge of the Lord – 2 Pet. 3:18.

1. Diligent holiness – 3:14-15.

2. Taught & learning, grounded – using Scriptures properly – 3:16.

3. Not led away by the error of the wicked – 3:17.

4. Thus, progress in the grace & knowledge of the Lord!

E. I am Putting Away Sinful Attitudes & Conduct – 1 Pet. 2:1-2.

1. Instead, partaking of the pure milk of God’s word.

2. Put off former conduct of sin & put on the “new man” – Eph. 4:20-24.

Conclusion

1. Spiritual growth is not completed in a day. In a real sense, it never comes to an end! (Phil. 3:12-14)

2. If you are growing weaker/away from Christ:

a. Full-grown sin produces death (Jas. 1:15-16).

b. Repent & change!

3. If you are growing stronger/closer to Christ:

a. Full-grown saint qualifies to be a partaker of “the inheritance of the saints in light” (Col. 1:9-12).

b. Endure to the end! (Matt. 10:22)