Series: Live Well [#13]
LIVE IN PROOF
2 Peter 1:8-11
Introduction:
While I was at my brother’s house in Borger for Thanksgiving, I was talking to my cousin about a concern that he has at his Church- His Pastor, (“out of the blue”) has preached 5 sermons about giving. He is pushing money in every sermon and people are getting up and leaving. He has become very involved in ministry, (for the 1st time in his life) and is very concerned. This brought on a conversation between several family members about this situation.
Some said that this type of preaching is necessary, while others said that it was not. I can see both sides; but I presented a different view- What if the preaching was more focused on spiritual growth and not money? My greatest concern about his story is that people are leaving. Most of those people that left are not only leaving that Church; but may not attend any other Church for a long time.
2 Peter 1:8-11
It is easy to say you are a Christian; but to live like Christ is very difficult. The Christian life begins with faith and that faith should result in spiritual growth. Spiritual growth brings practical results. Peter gives us 3 proofs of spiritual growth. The way Christians live their lives should be proof of their salvation.
Matthew 7:15-20
Proof of spiritual growth is…
1. Good fruit.
The more you live like Jesus Christ, the more fruit that is evident in your life. There are many Christians whose lives bear very little fruit. if any. The believer who is not growing, is barren. Spiritual fruit does not just happen in your life. It is like growing a fruit tree- You don’t just snap your finger and then have fruit. You must water the tree and prune the tree. Once the tree does bear fruit, you don’t cut the tree down and eat the fruit- You continue to take care of the tree each day, not neglecting it even when it is not bearing fruit.
Galatians 5:16-26
Spiritual fruit comes by allowing the Holy Spirit within you to work. This Scripture also lets us know that not only is there good fruit; but there is bad fruit. When you allow your flesh to take over, this bad fruit can become evident in your life. How could this be if a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. This simply means that if you are going to live like Christ, you must allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life and guide you in all you do.
John 4:35
They are ripe for harvest.
Proof of spiritual growth is…
2. Sight.
Nutritionists tell us that diet can affect vision and this is also true concerning your spiritual life. The unsaved person has been blinded by Satan; but when you are saved, your eyes are opened. Although a Christian’s eyes have been opened; sometimes, their vision is not very good. Another evidence of your spiritual growth is your spiritual sight. There are some Christians who see only their own little world, their Church, their Denomination, their friends, etc… They do not see a lost and dying world out there- They have become short sighted, not allowing the Holy Spirit to correct their vision.
Philippians 4:13
Proof of spiritual growth is…
3. Security.
A Christian that is growing is a Christian that is confident. If you are a believer that continually doubts your salvation or God’s presence in your life, it is because your spiritual fruitfulness and spiritual sight are lacking. A person that cannot find evidence of their salvation is the person that has no sense of security.
Conclusion:
As believers we are to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we will not stumble. With God, nothing is impossible. We can be victorious Christians living in spiritual growth, sight and security if we will allow God to grow us each day and that will happen when we feed upon His Word and stay in constant communication with Him.
