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Growth
of Life
Spiritual Growth
One
night
a mother fixed a special meal for her family: turkey with mashed
potatoes and gravy
corn
green beans
cranberry sauce
and apple pie for
dessert. It was everyone’s favorite meal
especially when it came at a time
other than Thanksgiving. The aroma filled the house
and as the children came
in from playing they could hardly wait for dinner to begin. The last child
appeared only a few minutes before dinner time and sat through the meal without
eating
even though he especially loved those foods. Why? Because he had filled
up on peanut butter at a friend’s house. In settling for something good
he had
lost his appetite for the best.
The
same applies to our spiritual appetites. Some people don’t have much of an appetite
for spiritual truth because they have satisfied themselves with lesser things. ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Evidence of Spiritual Growth
We
have all been driving down a highway and noticed bright orange signs that
state
“BEGIN CONSTRUCTION” and “END CONSTRUCTION”. One thing about these signs
is that they tend to remain around long after the construction work is over.
If
one of us were to announce that-for the time being-God’s construction in our
lives was going to be halted
would our friends say
“I didn’t know any
construction was going on”? ── Michael P. Green《Illustrations
for Biblical Preaching》
Source of Spiritual Growth
Some
years ago
a study was done by an agricultural school in Iowa. It reported that
production of a hundred bushels of corn from one acre of land required
So
it is in spiritual realms: God causes the growth (1 Cor. 3:6~7). ──
Michael P. Green《Illustrations for Biblical Preaching》
Source of Spiritual Growth
When
James Garfield
later to become President of the United States
was principal
of Hiram College in Ohio
one father asked him if the course of his studies
could not be shortened so that his son might be able to complete his studies in
less time. “Certainly
”
When Pablo Casals
reached 95
a young reported threw him a question: "Mr. Casals
you are 95
and the greatest cellist that ever lived. Why do you still practice six hours a
day?" And Mr. Casals answered
"Because I think I'm making
progress."
Your goal is to make
progress every day of your life.── Dr. Maxwell Maltz
quoted in Bits &
Pieces
June 24
1993
p. 12.
On June 4
1783 at
the market square of a French village of Annonay
not far from Paris
a smoky
bonfire on a raised platform was fed by wet straw and old wool rages. Tethered
above
straining its lines
was a huge taffeta bag 33 feet in diameter. In the
presence of "a respectable assembly and a great many other people
"
and accompanied by great cheering
the balloon was cut from its moorings and
set free to rise majestically into the noon sky. Six thousand feet into the air
it went -- the first public ascent of a balloon
the first step in the history
of human flight. It came to earth several miles away in a field
where it was
promptly attacked by pitchfork-waving peasants and torn to pieces as an
instrument of evil!── Today in the Word
July 15
1993.
n the course of
their conversation at a dinner party
Albert Einstein's young neighbor asked
the white-haired scientist
"What are you actually by profession?"
"I devote myself to
the study of physics
" Einstein replied.
The girl looked at
him in astonishment. "You mean to say you study physics at your age?"
she exclaimed. "I finished mine a year ago." ── Today in the
Word
September 25
1992.
The work of Japanese
painter Hokusai spanned many years before his death in 1849 at age 89. But
toward the end of his life
the artist dismissed as nothing all the work he had
done before age 50. It was only after he reached 70 that he felt he was turning
out anything worthy of note. On his deathbed Hokusai lamented
"If heaven
had granted me five more years
I could have become a real painter." ── Today
in the Word
September 16
1992.
Over 2
000 years ago
a young Greek artist named Timanthes studied under a respected tutor. After
several years the teacher's efforts seemed to have paid off when Timanthes
painted an exquisite work of art. Unfortunately
he became so enraptured with
the painting that he spent days gazing at it. One morning when he arrived to
admire his work
he was shocked to find it blotted out with paint. Angry
Timanthes ran to his teacher
who admitted he had destroyed the painting.
"I did it for your own good. That painting was retarding your progress.
Start again and see if you can do better."
Timanthes took his
teacher's advice and produced Sacrifice of Iphigenia
which is regarded as one
of the finest paintings of antiquity. ── Today in the Word
September 2
1992.
In The Last Days Newsletter
Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque
village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather
patronizing way
one tourist asked
"Were any great men born in this
village?" The old man replied
"Nope
only babies." A frothy
question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in
this world or in the kingdom of God. Growth takes time
and as I Timothy 3:6
and 5:22 point out
even spiritual leadership must be earned.── William C.
Shereos.
One spring our
family was driving from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa
Florida. As far as the eye
could see
orange trees were loaded with fruit. When we stopped for breakfast
I ordered orange juice with my eggs. "I'm sorry
" the waitress said.
"I can't bring you orange juice. Our machine is broken." At first I
was dumbfounded. We were surrounded by millions of oranges
and I knew they had
oranges in the kitchen--orange slices garnished our plates. What was the problem?
No juice? Hardly. We were surrounded by thousands of gallons of juice. The
problem was they had become dependent on a machine to get it. Christians are
sometimes like that. They may be surrounded by Bibles in their homes
but if
something should happen to the Sunday morning preaching service
they would
have no nourishment for their souls. The problem is not a lack of spiritual
food--but that many Christians haven't grown enough to know how to get it for
themselves.── Leroy Eims
The Lost Art of Disciple Making.
Sometimes when we
read the words of those who have been more than conquerors
we feel almost
despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step
by step by little bits of wills little denials of self little inward victories
by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees
these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment
but even so
those
small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That
is the work of the moment. ── Amy Carmichael quoted in: Tim Hansel
Holy
Sweat
1987
Word Books Publisher
p. 130.
"GETTING READY TO GROW"
INTRODUCTION
1. Not all churches are prepared to grow in number and in spirit... a. Consider the church at Laodicea b. Even if a successful evangelist had come and converted many
how many would have remained faithful in a spiritual environment such as that? 2. For churches to grow
they must look beyond their evangelistic efforts... a. For the mortality rate of new converts is often high b. Unless a congregation is prepared to assimilate and nurture new converts
any success in evangelism may be short-lived 3. To have real
enduring growth
we must get ready to grow! a. Preparing ourselves as a congregation b. Preparing ourselves as individuals members of a congregation [What is necessary in "Getting Ready To Grow"? First
allow me tosuggest...] I. WHAT WE MUST DO AS A CONGREGATION
A. OFFER ASSEMBLIES THAT EDIFY... 1. The first exposure many have to the gospel is by visiting a local congregation a. What do they see and hear? Do they see love? - cf. Jn 13:34-35
b. Does it draw them closer to God? - cf. 1 Co 14:25b c. Do our visitors experience courtesy
warmth
and interest in spiritual matters? -- Not all churches provide the right environment conducive for worship and spiritual growth - e.g.
1 Co 11:17; 14:26b 2. New converts often depend heavily upon the spiritual nourishment provided by the assemblies
and rightly so - cf. He 10:24-25 a. Excited by their new-found faith
anxious to grow quickly
they attend all the services of the church b. What do they find? Half-hearted services? Sparsely attended by older members? 3. If we are serious about growing... a. Those who lead us in our assemblies will take their tasks seriously 1) Coming prepared to serve their role 2) Doing so gladly and with enthusiasm b. Every member will do what they can to make our assemblies edifying to all 1) Arriving early to welcome and visit with visitors
other members 2) Participating whole-heartedly in the singing
prayers
etc. 3) Staying around and visiting afterward B. ASSIMILATE AND NURTURE NEW MEMBERS... 1. As valuable as our assemblies may be
they are not always adequate by themselves a. New members may remain "on the fringe" 1) Left out of the "family life" of the congregation (activities that members do together) 2) Remain "on the fringe" for long
and they may begin looking elsewhere b. Babes in Christ often require special attention and nurturing 1) New converts often bring with them many personal problems 2) They need the concern and care of interested
mature Christians - Ro 15:1-3 3) Otherwise they may soon "wither away" [What does it take for a congregation provide such things? It beginswith what we are willing to do individually
for a congregation is nostronger or ready to grow than its members are willing to be. Let metherefore suggest...] II. WHAT WE MUST DO AS INDIVIDUALS
A. STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD... 1. Why is this so important? a. Others must see in us the blessings of walking with God - not simply the pride of knowing about the Lord! b. We cannot share what we do not have! 2. No matter how strong our relationship with God
we can always improve a. Paul recognized this in his own life - Ph 3:12-15 b. Peter wrote that our spiritual growth must always be increasing - 2 Pe 1:5-8 3. Therefore we must continue to add to our faith virtue
to virtue knowledge... a. Much of this is accomplished through personal and daily devotions - Psa 1:1-3 b. But personal efforts must be accompanied by frequent assembling - He 10:24-25 B. STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER... 1. Why is this important? a. Our love and unity is a powerful witness for Christ - Jn13:34-35; 17:20-21
b. A strong network of Christians is essential to assimilate and nurture new Christians 2. No matter how strong our relationship with one another
we can always improve a. As Paul exhorted the Thessalonians - 1 Th 4:9-10 b. As Peter wrote to Christians in general - 1 Pe 1:22 3. Therefore we must seek out opportunities to strengthen our bond in Christ... a. Regular attendance is certainly a great help - He 10:24-25 b. And so is simple hospitality (both offered
and accepted) - 1 Pe 4:8-9 C. DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LOST... 1. Why is this important? a. Light must shine in darkness to be of much value - Mt 5:14-16
b. If people are sick
those with the cure must be willing to be among them - cf. Mt 9:10-13 c. The right example can prepare people to receive the Word - cf. 1 Pe 3:1-2 d. Relationships with the lost can serve as the basis for continued relationships with them after they are saved 2. Developing relationships with the lost is an on-going process a. If an effort to share the gospel is not well-received
we may need to move on - Mt 7:6 b. Just as Jesus could not stay in one place
we cannot limit our outreach to just a few friends
relatives
and neighbors - cf. Lk 4:42-44 3. Therefore we must always be on the lookout for new relationships with the lost... a. Simple hospitality will go a long way (both offered and accepted) - cf. Mt 9:9-13 1) Matthew extended hospitality to his friends soon after Jesus called him 2) Jesus accepted the opportunity to eat and be with the lost b. Inviting the lost to our assemblies can be very profitable 1) Giving them an opportunity to meet other Christians 2) With whom they may also develop relationships CONCLUSION
1. To be useful to the Master
an individual must prepare himself - 2 Ti 2:21-22 2. The same is true regarding churches... a. A congregation that has prepared itself will be used by the Lord b. Just as the Lord was willing to provide an open door for the church in Philadelphia 3. As we have seen
we must prepare ourselves both as a congregation
and as individuals... a. But the onus rests mostly upon us as individuals b. For a chain is no stronger than its weakest link c. If we as individuals fail to do our part
any effort by the congregation as a whole is greatly weakened
if not mortally wounded! Do we really want to grow? As with the physical body
the onlyalternative to growth is gradual decay and death. Shall we be like the church at Laodicea
or the church at Philadelphia The answer may very well be found on whether we are "Getting Ready ToGrow"!
Note: The main idea and several thoughts from this lesson were taken
from a lesson by Gary Henry. The URL for his web site containing manyexcellent articles and sermon outlines is: http://www.brasstacks.org
－－《Executable
Outlines》
"SECRETS OF THE ABUNDANT LIFE"
INTRODUCTION
1. Suppose I could offer you a life that is guaranteed to give you... a. A "joy" that is greater than any other b. A "blessedness" that is happiness in its fullest measure c. An "assurance" of entering the everlasting kingdom of our Lord d. A "peace" that surpasses understanding -- Would you be interested? 2. I cannot
but Jesus does...! a. He came to provide the way to an abundant life - Jn 10:10 b. He shares with us the "secrets" to this life through His teaching - Jn 15:11 3. Through His teachings
then
we can learn the "Secrets Of TheAbundant Life"...
a. Many of which are found in this very chapter (Jn 15) b. Where Jesus pictures Himself as the Vine and His disciples as the branches - cf. Jn 15:1-5 [As branches we are to bear fruit
and this leads us to the first secretof the abundant life...] I. THE SECRET OF LIVING IS BEARING FRUIT
A. DIFFERENT KINDS OF FRUIT WE CAN BEAR... 1. Winning souls to Christ and helping them to grow - Ro 1:13 2. Sharing with those in need - Ro 15:28 3. Developing a Christ-like character - 2 Pe 1:5-8; Ga 5:22-23 4. Praising God and giving thanks - He 13:15 -- These are "fruits" that we can bear as branches of the Vine B. THE BENEFITS OF BEARING SUCH FRUIT... 1. Joy for those who win souls - 3 Jn 4; 1 Th 2:19-20 2. Happiness for those who share with others - Ac 20:35 3. Assurance for those who develop a Christ-like character - 2 Pe1:8-11; Ga 5:23b
4. Peace for those given to thanksgiving - Ph 4:6-7 -- Such are the "benefits" of the abundant life Jesus offers [And what is the secret? Being a branch of the True Vine (Jesus) andbearing fruit! But Jesus also shares the secret to bearing fruit...] II. THE SECRET OF BEARING FRUIT IS ABIDING
A. NOTE THE USE OF THE WORD "ABIDE".... 1. Jesus uses the word "abide" ten times - Jn 15:4-10 2. We must abide in Him
and He in us
to bear fruit 3. Without Him
we can do nothing -- The secret to bearing fruit is abiding in Christ! - Jn 15:5 B. ABIDING IN CHRIST EMPOWERS THE CHRISTIAN.... 1. Paul wrote what the power in Christ meant in his own life - Ph4:13
2. He wanted others to know of the power available to them - Ep 1:18-20; 3:20
3. He gave examples of how this power could transform people - e.g.
1 Co 6:9-11 -- Abiding in Christ empowers us to bear fruit
and therebyexperience the abundant life!
[But does Jesus also reveal the secret to abiding in Him? Yes...] III. THE SECRET OF ABIDING IS OBEYING
A. OBEYING THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS... 1. By keeping His commands we abide in His love - Jn 15:10a 2. By keeping His commands we will be His friends - Jn 15:14 3. By keeping His commandments we abide in Him - 1 Jn 3:24a -- Obedience is the key to abiding in Christ! B. THE PRINCIPLE OF ABIDING THROUGH OBEYING... 1. Governed Jesus' relationship with His Father while on earth a. He kept His Father's commandments
and so abided in His love - Jn 15:10b b. Passages which illustrate Jesus' desire to keep His Father's Will - Jn 4:34; 5:30; 6:38 2. And should govern our conduct as Christians as well a. We abide in Christ by keeping His commandments - 1 Jn 2:3-6 b. Otherwise we are liars if we profess to know Him and do not keep His word! -- One cannot abide in Christ without obeying His commands! [To be successful in obeying His commands requires the right motivation.From Jesus we learn...] IV. THE SECRET OF OBEYING IS LOVING
A. THREE DIFFERENT REASONS TO OBEY... 1. We can obey because we have to (the level of fear) a. In order to avoid punishment b. Like a child who obeys his parents to avoid a spanking 2. We can obey because we need to (the level of selfishness) a. In order to get what we want b. Like a teenager who obeys his parents to gain favors 3. We can obey because we want to (the level of love) a. Because we love the person we are obeying b. Like mature children who obey their parents out of love -- People often obey Jesus they feel like they have to or need to B. JESUS DESIRES OBEDIENCE OUT OF LOVE... 1. He appeals to our sense of love - Jn 14:15
23 2. He knows that without love our obedience will falter - Jn 14:24 3. The secret to consistent obedience is loving! a. Those who obey because they have to or need to will never be consistent b. Once they meet their feeling of necessity
they cease to be obedient c. As an example
take the command to assemble - cf. He 10:25 1) Those who obey only because they feel they have to or need to will assemble as little as it takes to salve their conscience 2) Those who obey because they want to
out of love for Jesus and their brethren
will assemble at every opportunity -- Why do we obey Jesus? Have we matured to obeying Jesus out oflove?
[When true love moves us to obey
we will abide in Jesus and bear fruitthrough our union with Him
resulting in the abundant life He offers.But what is the secret to having a true love for Jesus...?] V. THE SECRET OF LOVING IS KNOWING
A. THIS SHOULD BE SELF-EVIDENT... 1. Love between husband and wife is based upon knowledge and understanding 2. Strong friendships are also based upon knowing each other well 3. Brethren who love one another are those who have made the effort to know each other -- Should we expect it to be any different with Jesus? B. THE MORE WE KNOW JESUS
THE MORE WE LOVE HIM... 1. Especially as we grow in understanding His love for us - cf. Jn15:13; 1 Jn 3:16
2. We are more likely to walk in love
if we know His love for us - Ep 5:2 -- Increase our knowledge of Jesus
then
and our love for Jesuswill increase!
[This leads us to the final secret we shall consider in this study...] VI. THE SECRET OF KNOWING IS READING
A. THIS IS ALSO SELF-EVIDENT... 1. As seen in our humanly relationships a. Where there is communication
relationships grow b. Where there is none
relationships flounder 2. Even more so with our relationship with God and Jesus a. The more we communicate
the better we know b. And how does Jesus communicate with us? Through His Word! -- The only reliable source for Jesus' words is the Bible B. THE MORE WE READ
THE BETTER WE KNOW JESUS... 1. As simple as it sounds
Bible reading is the catalyst to the abundant life a. By reading we come to know b. By knowing we come to love c. By loving we come to obey d. By obeying we come to abide e. By abiding we come to bear fruit f. By bearing fruit we experience the abundant life 2. Yet many Christians neglect the Word of God a. Even though its value in bearing fruit is seen even in Psa1:1-3
b. How sad when we now have the full revelation of the New Testament -- Neglecting the Word of God is why many do not experience theabundant life!
CONCLUSION
1. In Jn 15:11
we find Jesus saying... "These things I have spoken to you
that My joy may remain in you
and that your joy may be full."
2. My purpose for sharing these "secrets" has been the same... a. Every person ought to be filled with the joy of Christ b. Every person ought to experience the abundant life He offers Let the words that Jesus spoke
revealed only in the Word of God
theBible
be the catalyst that begins the chain reaction leading one to atruly abundant life! Note: The general idea for this lesson was taken from "Five Secrets Of
Living" a small booklet written by Warren W. Wiersbe. I also have a
five lesson series based on this theme which you can view here.
－－《Executable
Outlines》