What Every Christian Needs To Do To Grow Series

1.The Priority of Spiritual Growth

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Peter begins this letter with a summary statement of the same instruction with which he began it (1:2–11) to pursuing Christian maturity/growth and a desire for them to deepen their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ will lead to doctrinal stability and prevent a Christian from being led astray.

Illustration: A group of tourists were traveling through Europe visiting historical sites. They were impressed that so many small villages were the birthplaces of great artists, poets, composers, and political leaders. While the group was strolling through a particularly picturesque village, one of the tourists approached a man who was sitting in front of a building and asked, “Excuse me, but...were any great men or women born in this village?” The old man thought for a moment and replied, “No. Only great babies!”

You may be tempted why do I need to grow. Well Peter tells us here in verse 18 that God be glorified in our lives. This is a command by God to grow not a suggestion. Every one of us starts off as a baby—with the opportunity to grow into greatness. This is true not only in the world but also in the kingdom of God. When we become Christians, we are “born again” as “babies in Christ.” We have to grow.

The writer of the Book of Hebrews rebukes Christians who did not grow in their faith;

Hebrews 5:12-14 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! [13] Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. [14] But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Every believer is to be a teacher (Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:15; cf. Deut. 6:7; 2 Tim. 3:15).

Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

If these Hebrews had really obeyed the gospel of Christ, they would have been passing that message on to others. Knowledge without obedience does not advance a person. This Hebrews were regressing in their understanding concerning the Messiah. They had long enough been exposed to the gospel to be teaching it to others, but were babies, too infantile and unskilled to comprehend, let alone teach, the truth of God.

2. The Definition of Spiritual Growth

Before I tell you what’s is Spiritual growth, first let me tell you what is not; It is not mystical, sentimental, devotional, or psychological. It’s not a result of some clever secret or formula.

Spiritual Growth is simply matching your practice with your position.

3. 6 Reminders that Keeps us on Track

Reminder # 1 = Spiritual Growth has Nothing to do with our Position in Christ – A person doesn’t grow into a Christian @ conversion. It’s not an instantaneous miracle. When God sees us in our sinful nature, He sees Christ in us “perfect.”

Col. 2:10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

Positionally we are perfect, practically however we fall short and growth is the process by which is true of us positionally becomes more and more a reality in practice as well. We need to match our position.

Reminder # 2 = Spiritual Growth has nothing to do with God’s Love. God doesn’t like us better the more spiritual we become (or religious we become) I have heard parents tell their children “If you don’t behave, the Lord won’t like you.” How ridiculous? God’s love for us is not conditional upon our behavior.

Romans 5:6-10 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! [10] For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!