Growing As Christians

The secret club

• Little Raskels “He man women haters club

• Adult Clubs – Masons

• These clubs just wont let you in on what is happening inside

It seems like in life churches tend to do this also

• We don’t let the outside world know the secrets of Christianity

• Members of our churches act in many different ways

• Some members claim to be Christians but the problem is they don’t act like one.

• Some of these members were baptized as a child and think ‘once saved always saved’

• Life long members- and they will always be members no matter what they do

• I’m in

Some people think they are legacies

• There parents are Christians and members of the church so they believe this is good enough to get them in as well

• Some people get saved but continue on the same path they were on before salvation

• They have no regards to the sins they are committing

• Because They don’t count any more

• I’m Saved

What we need to understand is that None of us are finished products,

• Every Christian, every person here is in a process called growth

• If you came here today looking for the perfect church your not going to find it

• Because we are a building in progress.

• There is always construction going on in our lives ELAB

• Nothing stays the same

• Were on a journey

• We have to put forth effort if we are going to grow

Three things have to understand about growing as a Christian

1 Our faith must be exercised

• Stagnant – Joints Stiffen Up – When You Need Strength It’s Not There

2 Parts of our lives have to be torn down and reconstructed

• We always have opportunities to grow

3 There will always be obstacles to over come and temptation to resist

First we need to have a plan or a blueprint to follow that tells us how to build

• You don’t start building a house without a blue print / Skyscrapers (New York)

Acts 2:42 gives us that blueprint

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

If we are going to continue to grow as Christians

• One of our highest priorities must devotion and perseverance

Once upon a time there was a small train engine (smaller than the rest) and one day while it was out it came to a great hill and he though to himself I think I think can, I think I can.

Not one to be discouraged he said this over and over to himself until the next thing he knew he has half way up the hill

He continued on saying I think I can, I think I can and in the end perseverance paid off and he made it over the top

Life is always easier on the downside of the hill as opposed to the uphill struggle

• We must not be stopped by discouragement

• Because it happens, life as a Christian is not a happily ever after story,

• It is filled with hard work, devotion, perseverance

• We should never allow hurt feelings or discouragement to stop us,

• To slow us down or make us give up

• We must never stop to struggle against sin and temptation

This is what Acts 14:22 tells us

21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God Acts 14:22

Hebrews 12:1

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

The Christian life is often compared to a race

• IM not talking a 50 or 100 yard dash Some short wind sprint

• The Christian life is an all out 10k run

• Were gonna Sweat / Have to move / and it takes time / a lifetime

• That is why we must run with Patience / Perseverance / Determination

• And there Is a prize to be won

The prize Isn’t Heaven because

• We have already gotten that prize

• Salvation is a gift we receive

• Salvation was Bought and paid for by Jesus Christ when He went to the cross