IT’S TIME TO GROW UP

Trinity’s Values

‘We are not meant to remain as children at the mercy of every chance wind of teaching… But we are meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and to grow up in every way into Christ the head.’ Ephesians 4:14 (Phillips)

I. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INTENTIONAL…. A CHOICE

Conversion
‘Except a man be born again, he shall not see the kingdom of God.’ John 3:3 (KJV)
Baptism
‘Those who accepted his message were baptized..’ Acts 2:41 (NIV)
Membership
‘.. And the same day there were added unto them 3,000 souls..’ Acts 2:41 (NIV)
Ministry
‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Maturity
‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.’ 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

II. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INCREMENTAL… A PROCESS

*The Process: Know Christ…. A Personal Relationship
Love Christ… Worship
Grow In Christ… Discipleship
Serve Christ… Ministry
Share Christ… Evangelism

*It Was: Modeled In Acts 2
‘Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.’ Acts 2:41-41, 46-47

Explained In Ephesians 4
‘And he gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some Evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the Fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, Even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every join supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.’ Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV)

Prayed For in John 17

Summarized in The Great Commandment & The Great Commission

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:30-31

‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

III. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS PERSONAL…. ACCORDING TO OUR S.H.A.P.E

S. Spiritual Gifts
‘Now about the fits of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.’ I Corinthians 12:1 (TNIV)

‘Each of you has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.’ I Corinthians 7:7b (TNIV)

‘God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful…’ I Corinthians 12:4-7

H. Heart
‘Heart is where you are centered, where you desire to serve, the altar upon which you wish to place your talents. Giftedness is what you are. Heart is where you will most likely apply what you are. Heart refers to empathy, attraction, or ‘draw’ towards a group of people, a field of expertise, or a particular type of service. Evaluating your heart helps you determine where you might best use gifts, where you wish to serve and whom you wish to serve.’ Tom Paterson: Living The Life You Were Meant To Live

*The Key: 1. Know What Drives You
2. Know Who You Care About
3. Know The Needs You Will Meet
4. Know The Cause You Will Help Conquer
5. Know Your Ultimate Dream For God’s Kingdom

‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.’ Colossians 3:23-24

A. Abilities
‘God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.’ Romans 12:6a (NLT)

P. Personality
‘Like stained glass, our different personalities reflect God’s light in many colors and patterns.’ Pastor Rick Warren

E. Experiences
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ Romans 8:28 (NIV)

‘The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be so wonderful if there were not dark valleys to traverse.’ Helen Keller

‘Live can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.’ Unknown

IV. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS HABITUAL

‘Take the time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit.’ I Timothy 4:7b (Ph)
- ‘Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.’ (NASV)

‘Habit’ – ‘A continual, often unconscious inclination to do a certain activity through frequent repetition’… ‘An established disposition of the character’… ‘A customary practice.’

‘..you have put off the old self with it’s HABITS, and have put on the new self… which God is continually renewing in his own image, to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.’ Colossians 3:9-10
Four Habits Every Growing Believer Needs to Have:
1. Regular Time In God’s Word
‘If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’ John 8:31-32
2. Prayer
‘If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish and you shall have it… in this way you become my disciples.’ John 15:7-8 (GN)
3. Tithing
‘The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives.’ Deuteronomy 14:23 (LB)
‘None of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’ Luke 14:33 (JB)
4. Fellowship
‘Love each other just as much as I love you. Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.’ John 13:34-35

Tools To Help You Develop Spiritual Habits:
1. Journaling
2. Devotional Book/Material
3. Podcast/ On Line Message Outline
4. Bible Study Group
5. Courage Crossing/Small Groups

IV. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS RELATIVE

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:30-31

‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ Matthew 28:18-20

‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ John 13:34-35 (KJV)

‘If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.’ I Corinthians 13:1 (Message)

Ways To Grow Relationally:
1. Get In A Group

2. Get a Spiritual ‘Coach’

3. Become A Spiritual ‘Coach’
‘You have been Christians for a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead… you need someone to teach you… When a person is still living on milk, it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life… He’s still a baby Christian!’ Hebrews 5:12-13

VI. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS MULTI-DIRECTIONAL

YOU GROW: Warmer Through Fellowship
Deeper Through Discipleship
Stronger Through Worship
Broader Through Ministry
Larger Through Mission

*It Takes All 5 Purposes To Grow!

VII. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS SEASONAL

VIII. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INCARNATIONAL

‘Christ carried our sins in His body on the cross so that freed from our sins, we could live a life that has God’s approval. His wounds have healed you.’ I Peter 2:24

‘Our greatest wish and prayer is that you will become mature Christians.’ 2 Corinthians 13:7

‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.’ Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

‘..Christ in you, the hope of Glory.’ Colossians 1:27 (KJV)