Intro – Truth in Review
3G Napkin Version
Gather (1st G)
• Jesus said, “I will build my church…” (Mt. 16:18)
• “Church” from ‘ekklesia’ meaning to assemble or gather
• Followers of Jesus Gather together in community, worship, as friends…
As we Gather, the Lord is working, building His church… and the Gathering propels us to the other two Gs.
Today: GROW
Text: Colossians 1:9-14
How important is ‘GROW?” Very!! If you don’t pursue Christ and grow in your relationship with Him… If you don’t grow in wisdom and understanding…
You will NOT be able to
• Live a life that is worthy of Jesus or be pleasing to Him.
• Bear good fruit…
• Understand the fullness of who God is…
You’ll find yourself weak, failing and impatient.
I’ve talked with plenty of people who live in frustration because, while they know the basic truth of the Gospel… they know enough to know that God has abundant life for us – but they are not pursuing Christ and GROWING in their relationship with Him… Their understanding and wisdom has not progressed and there’s frustration!
What’s the solution? Pursue Christ and GROW in Him!
Listen to what Paul wrote to the ‘ekklesia’ in Colosse.
Read TEXT
Paul’s Prayer:
That God would fill them with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
The increase of spiritual wisdom and understanding is what we are talking about with this “G” – Grow. When this increase is accomplished in the context of relationship with the Lord… this is spiritual growth for the Christian!
When this spiritual growth happens in the life of a disciple, notice what Paul says will be the result:
1. A life that is worthy of the Lord and is pleasing to Him in every way.
2. Good fruit happens in every good work.
3. Growth in the knowledge of God
4. Strengthened with all power
a. According to God’s glorious might
b. So that you have great endurance and patience
c. Worship – ‘joyfully giving thanks to god who has qualified you…’ (Worship from an understanding of the Gospel! Verses 13-14)
This is what Paul prayed for the church. Spiritual Growth is what God wants for all of us. It’s what we do as disciples… we GROW in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We GROW in wisdom and understanding.
The result is a Christ-like life. This is God’s agenda for you and me… to make us into the very image of His Son.
Paul knew the importance of growing spiritually. He knew what was at stake!
Colossians 1:24-29
24Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
For several years these verses (28-29) have been a theme passage for me when it comes to preaching. Paul’s passion and conviction is convicting to me… and it is again this morning.
My preaching would
1. Proclaim Jesus (nothing else)
2. Admonish and teach everyone (a catalyst in your life for spiritual growth…
3. With all wisdom (I must be one who is growing in spiritual wisdom and understanding…)
4. Presenting everyone perfect in Christ (accepting as my agenda God’s agenda – to conform us into the image of Jesus.)
Vs 29 – labor, struggle… yes! But depending on the energy that Jesus supplies…
So, this is God’s agenda for you – to make you like Jesus.
This is the purpose of my ministry is to be used by God, if even in a small way, to spur you on to Christlikeness.
This happens as you GROW in spiritual wisdom and understanding.
The question this morning is – will you make it your intention too?
Will you take ‘Next Steps’ in your relationship with Jesus and GROW in spiritual wisdom and understanding?
If yes, listen to the Holy Spirit – He will lead you in the steps He would have you take next.
As we think about this G; Grow – I want to suggest that your spiritual growth will be in one of these three areas.
1. Heart – this is a love relationship
2. Head – there is much to know; understand
3. Habits – there is a lifestyle to live… one that reflects Jesus
Heart Matters
We did a 9 week series on HEART back in May, June, July. “If you do the right things with the wrong HEART, it’s the wrong thing.”
I think of the Apostle Peter who denied the Lord 3 times (and then the rooster crowed…). Remember after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus asks Peter 3 times the question… do you remember? “Peter, do you love me?”
(John 21:15-17)
• Of all the things Jesus could have asked Peter, He asked him about his love.
• Adoration… a crazy kind of love that changes who we are foundationally is what Jesus is asking about.
• It’s a question that He is asking us. Do we love Him?
And like Peter, our actions and words deny Him at times… and He asks, ‘Do you love me?’
• This is the question! Heart matters.
Revelation 2:2-5
2I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
The activity that we do here at Norkenzie: Daily Devotions Even consider the word! Devotions
Through moments of sitting at the Lord’s feet, listening and learning from Him, we demonstrate and grow in our love… our devotion.
Head Matters
Colossians 1:10 - And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…
There is more of God to know and understand.
Those who are more mature in Christ, who have spent more years growing in the knowledge of Him… who know more than we do about His character and awesome power – these are the FIRST to say, ‘Yes, there’s more of God for me to come to know!”
Growing in the knowledge of God is a bottomless reservoir.
So we don’t grow in knowledge to the point where we totally understand God. It’s actually the opposite! The more we grow in knowledge, the more in AWE of God we become.
So what do we do? We gather together to STUDY the Bible. We sit under spiritually gifted teachers who help us understand more about God and His Word. And we understand that this knowledge leads us to Worship – we are in AWE of our Great God!
Habits Matter
In our spiritual growth and understanding, our Habits are a major area of growth. What we do with our time… where our feet go… what our hands do… these all matter!
Have you noticed how sin is often habitual? We get into sinful patterns of living and what is needed is a break of habit.
To have habits of good works, worship, loving attitudes and relationships… these too are often habitual! And they make a difference and bring glory to Jesus Christ!
It’s easy to have bad habits, have you noticed? It takes NO work whatsoever!
• Selfishness
• Sleeping in; skipping devotions; Bible Study or church.
If you ever feel like not coming, please know that that is normal! Come anyway and watch! God will meet with you and you’ll be so glad you came!
• Bad attitudes; a discouraging spirit
All of these come naturally – no effort required!
You have to GROW into good habits.
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Much of your Discipleship will come down to the Habits you choose to form… or the ones you naturally fall into! Ask, and God’s Spirit will point out your Habits.
What are your next steps? Is it getting up 30 minutes earlier so you can spend quiet time with Jesus before your day begins? Maybe it’s going to bed 30 minutes earlier so you can get up 30 minutes earlier!
Conclusion
The word “Disciple” means “learner.” There is much to learn about our Great God! There is a lot that the Holy Spirit wants to teach you… much of Himself that He wants to show you… will you sign up for the class? The University of the Holy Spirit!
The curriculum will focus on your personal growth… your spiritual growth… Growth of Heart, Head and Habits. Do you agree? There is MUCH to learn!
Consider the distance between all that God is and what you currently know about Him… Is there room to GROW? Is there more of God it understand? Is there more of Jesus’ character that you need to become like? Are you perfectly demonstrating the fruit of God’s Spirit? (hee hee)
Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
GROWING in this relationship with Christ and becoming more like Him is what Jesus’ followers do. What is your next step?
COMMITMENT SONG: “God of Ages”
