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Progress Of Life

 
Continuing To Grow
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Growth is necessary in all areas of life: business
science

 industry
etc.
 
2. This is especially true in our lives as Christians - Ep 4:14-15;
 1 Pe 2:2; 2 Pe 3:18; 2 Th 1:3
 
3. But spiritual growth must be well-rounded
balanced growth
 a. The Christian must grow in knowledge
in zeal
in faith
in
 Christ-like character
in good works
 b. The Christian must not be full of knowledge while his disposition
 remains un-Christlike
 
4. This final lesson is intended to help us continue growing ever
 closer to God and more productive in our service to Jesus Christ
 
[It is beneficial to be aware of those things which act as...]
 
I. HINDRANCES TO GROWTH
 
 A. LACK OF EFFORT...
 1. Growing in Christ is not automatic
 2. One may still be a "babe" after many years - cf. He 5:13;
 1 Co 3:1
2
 3. Growth requires effort
but those who are spiritually lazy
 will simply follow the course of least resistance; such will
 forever remain "babes"
if they do not fall away altogether
 
 B. DISCOURAGEMENT...
 1. Some people make a good beginning
but get discouraged and
 quit
 2. Reasons may vary: church troubles
personal problems
lack of
  encouragement from others
etc.
 3. But consider the example of the apostle Paul:
 a. Few of us would ever have the problems he had 
 - 2 Co 11:24-29
 b. Yet he did not "lose heart" (become discouraged) 
 - 2 Co 4:8-9
 c. Why? Because he knew his labor was not in vain 
 - 2 Co 4:16-5:1
 4. And so he encourages us not to grow weary in doing good 
 - Ga 6:9; 1 Co 15:58
 
 C. THE LAW OF DISUSE...
 1. A knife stays bright when used
but unused it becomes rusty
 2. So it is with Christians
we lose what knowledge
ability
and
 opportunity we have when we do not use them!
 3. To use another metaphor
unless we are earnest in our
 endeavor
we will simply "drift away" from the Lord - He 2:1
 
 D. THE LAW OF INTERFERENCE...
 1. Crops
trees and flowers do not grow well when crowded
 2. So our spiritual growth will be hindered if we allow others to
 crowd out our spiritual life
  a. Businessmen may become too busy to attend to God's business
 b. A woman may get so occupied with housekeeping that she has
 little time for God
 c. Young people may be so busy with school activities that
 prayer
worship
good works and Bible study are crowded out
 d. Preachers might get so tied down with meetings

 administrative duties
etc.
that they too do not have time
 to spend alone with God
 3. Jesus warned about the danger of interference - Mk 4:18-19
 
[In an effort to prevent succumbing to these hindrances
here are 
some...]
 
II. SUGGESTIONS FOR CONTINUING YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
 
 A. BECOME ACTIVE IN THE WORK OF THE CONGREGATION...
 1. Begin immediately!
 a. It is important not to delay (remember the "hindrances")
 b. There is work for everyone
and it is best to start with
 something you are able to handle
 c. Even the most humble service can be a source of joy for
 those who are doing it to please God - cf. Ps 84:10;
 Jn 13:12-17
 2. Offer your services to the elders!
 a. These men will be glad to find work for you to do in
 keeping with your ability
 b. Sometimes they hesitate to call on people for work if they
 are not sure the people are willing
 c. But let them know that you have the attitude of Isaiah:
 "Here am I! Send me." - Isa 6:8
 3. Look for work needing to be done!
 a. The best servant is one who can see things to be done and
 does them without having to be told every step to take
 b. Most of us are good critics; here is how we can put that
 ability to good use:
 1) Whenever we see something we want to criticize
take
 that as an opportunity to SHOW (not tell) how it should
 be done
 2) Someone else's failure is often our opportunity to be of
 service
 3) In other words
"Don't criticize
energize!"
 
 B. START A PROGRAM OF REGULAR PRIVATE DEVOTIONS...
 1. Spend time each day alone with God
engaged in prayer
Bible
 study
singing praises
 2. Such time consistently spent will supply the spiritual
  nourishment necessary for spiritual growth
 3. Many Christians do not grow because they try to exist on a
 "spiritual starvation diet"!
 
 C. PARTICIPATE IN AN INFORMAL BIBLE STUDY GROUP...
 1. Meet weekly with other Christians in an informal setting to
 study the Bible together
 2. This provides opportunity for mutual sharing and encouragement
 which leads to even more knowledge and spiritual growth
 
 D. BECOME INVOLVED IN LEADING PEOPLE TO CHRIST...
 1. Begin implementing the suggestions in the lesson on increasing
 opportunities to share the gospel
 2. Even if you don't do the actual teaching
you can do what
 Andrew and Philip did: lead a friend to Christ! - Jn 1:40-46
 3. Those involved in leading others to Christ rarely ever stop
 growing in Christ themselves!
 
 E. PRACTICE CONSTANT SELF-EXAMINATION...
 1. The Scriptures call us to examine ourselves in our relation to
 Christ - 2 Co 13:5
 2. Here are some questions we should often ask ourselves:
 a. Do I have a better Bible knowledge than one year ago?
 b. Am I as interested in Jesus Christ today as when I was
 baptized?
 c. Have I helped someone else to become a Christian?
 d. Am I enjoying life as a child of God?
 e. Am I improving my life
my disposition
and becoming more
 like Christ?
 f. Do I set a good example for other Christians?
 g. Am I growing in such activities as Bible study
prayer

 worship?
 3. Self-examination is not an easy process
but true spiritual
 growth is impossible without it!
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Though we have come to the end of this series of studies
if we
 implement the suggestions in this lesson and those preceding
we
 will successfully embark on a spiritual journey with Christ that
 will last through eternity!
 
2. It is sad
but true
that many Christians are often just religious
 enough to be miserable; but the life of the Christian is intended to
 be one filled with love
joy
peace
and so much more! - Ga 5:22-23
 
3. It is my prayer that these lessons may be useful in helping you to
 truly experience the ABUNDANT LIFE that Jesus provides! - Jn 10:10
 
 "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely
and may
 your whole spirit
soul
and body be preserved blameless at the
 coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful

 who also will do it." (1 Th 5:23-24)

－－《Executable Outlines》