Christian Growth

Christian Growth

(2 Peter 3:18)

(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.

We are to grow. We can’t stay dormant. We must improve ourselves.

The word Grace means favor. Jesus, himself, grew. (Luke 2:52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

We are to imitate Christ, so we are to grow in wisdom also. We must grow socially also. We can only influence the people we know.

But we must also grow in knowledge. How do we grow in knowledge?

How does a third-grader grow in the knowledge of Math? Study

Can School Children learn without study? Neither can a Christian learn the will of God without study. Paul told Timothy to study so he would be approved, not ashamed. Are you approved or ashamed?

(2 Tim 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Timothy was told to study, even though he knew scriptures from a kid. (2 Tim 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.

The Christian needs to learn the Will of God, so he can practice the Will of God. MED SCHOOL RULE: You can’t practice it, until you learn it.

This lack of Biblical knowledge has been the highest factor in the breakdown of the American Home.

Have you ever planted a seed? Farmers lay down a seed and then expect crop growth. They know there has to be growth before harvest. Farmers are always interested in growth.

Ever notice a newborn baby? Don’t they weigh and measure the baby every week to measure growth? If a baby doesn’t grow, how long will a mother wait before she calls the Doctor?

How about the growth of a babe in Christ? The Lord expects you to grow also. Some in the Church are content to get their Bible instruction 3 times a week. Sunday morning, Sunday Night & Wednesday Night is not enough Bible to provide Christian Growth.

Do you still need “First principles”? (Hebrews 5:12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Babies don’t stay on breast milk forever. Neither should Christians. We need growth in scriptures or we can be ready. We need to sanctify the Lord in our hearts. (1 Peter 3:15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Are YOU ready to give an answer? Do you have an answer to give?

Christian Growth comes from association also. Our parents used to tell us “Bad companions corrupt good morals.” That isn’t KJV, but it IS true. We need Christian friends and Christian fellowship. (Hebrews 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

We gain from each other, that’s why we go to Church. We edify each other, we help each other grow. Studying Bible together, Praying together, singing together, giving together, uniting for the Lord supper. All of these things build Christian Growth.

HOW’S YOUR CHRISTIAN GROWTH? Babe/Student/teacher

Are you truly a Christian?

You can be, today.

We have to believe in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, (John 8:24) “For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” Belief in Christ is essential. There is NO other way.

We must repent of our sins. Jesus said in “(Luke 13:3) “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Unless we repent, we perish. That is the consequence of SIN.

We must confess that Jesus is the Christ, The only begotten son of God. Jesus said in (Matt 10:32) “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

We must be baptized. “(Mark 16:16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. The eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? (Galatians 3:27) “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Romans 6:4) "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Eph 4:5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (Col 2:12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (1 Peter 3:21) “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”

Have you left the faith and now need to return back to God? Return and come to God as we stand and sing.