LAWS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH #2

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INTENTIONAL…. A CHOICE

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INCREMENTAL …. A PROCESS

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

S. Spiritual Gifts

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

‘Each of you has 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 mot 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 Patterson, 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

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.’ 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

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

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS HABITUAL

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

‘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
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
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)
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 of his possessions.’ Luke 14:33 (JB)
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 13:3435

Tools To Help You Develop Spiritual Habits
Journaling
Devotional Book/Material
Podcast/On Line Message Outline
Bible Study Group…
Courage Crossing…

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 (NIV)
‘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 done love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.’ I Corinthians 13:1 (Message)
Ways To Grow Relationally

Get In A Group

Get A Spiritual ‘Coach’

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

SPIRITUALLY 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

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS SEASONAL

Everything In Nature Grows Through Seasons….

Each Season Has A Purpose

We Need To Cooperate With Our Seasons

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: (LB)

‘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)