It’s A New ThingGrowing Spiritually

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away.; behold all things have become new. II Corin. 5:17

Growing Spiritually

Getting saved, giving your life to Christ is a wonderful thing but that is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning.

Salvation is the miracle of the moment. It happens immediately when you ask Jesus into your life.

Spiritual Growth occurs over a lifetime.

Growing Spiritually

Growing spiritually is a life long process, not a one time event?

So how do we grow in our faith in God?

Growing Spiritually

Growing Spiritually

Reading the Word of God to learn of Him.

II Pet. 3:18-”But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.

I Pet. 2:2-(ERV)

2 Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow up and be saved.

The Word of God is an important part of our Christian walk, we cannot walk victoriously in Christ without reading the book (the bible)

Growing Spiritually

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)16 All scripture is given by inspiration of

God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Growing Spiritually

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (TLB)16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration

from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.

17 It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. (Helps us be prepared and to have everything they need to do every good work.)

Growing Spiritually

We Can’t Grow Spiritually Without the Word of God

Ps. 119:9-16 (MSG)9-11 How can a young person live a clean life?

By carefully reading the map of your Word.I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.

Growing Spiritually

Ps. 119: 12-16 (MSG)-Be blessed, GOD;train me in your ways of wise living.I’ll transfer to my lipsall the counsel that comes from your mouth;I delight far more in what you tell me about livingthan in gathering a pile of riches.I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,I attentively watch how you’ve done it.I relish everything you’ve told me of life,I won’t forget a word of it.

Growing Spiritually

Growing Spiritually

Prayer-Talking with God. Open communication; and waiting for an answer from God.

I Thess. 5:17 (NKJV)-Pray without ceasing.

Seek the Lord while He may be found.

I Chron. 16:11-Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face ever more!

Pray that you enter not into temptation

Growing Spiritually

Matthew 26:41 (NIV)41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into

temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Ephesians 6:11 (TLB)11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be

able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan.

Growing Spiritually

Parts of Your Armor

What’s on your head

What’s in your hand

What’s around your chest

What’s around your waist/loins

What type of shield do you have

What’s on your feet

How often and how should we pray?

Growing Spiritually

Grow SpirituallyFellowship: Heb. 10:25- Forsake not the

assembly of ourselves together but exhort (talk/share) with one another.

Hebrews 10:25 (TLB) Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near

Growing Spiritually

FellowshipProv. 27:17 (TLB)-A friendly discussion is as

stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron.

Prov. 27:17(ERV)-As one piece of iron sharpens another, so friends keep each other sharp.

Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)-Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance (facial expression) of his friend.

Growing Spiritually

To Grow Spiritually

Need His Spirit

God’s spirit-The Holy Spirit assist us in producing fruit in our lives so we never go lacking in anything.

Gal. 5:22-23(TLB)-22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.

Growing Spiritually

Growing Spiritually

Correction-Heb. 12:5-6 & 11

Don’t forget the exhortation:

Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him. For He whom the Lord loves He chastens,

Heb. 12:11-Now no chastening seems to be joyful at the present, but is painful, nevertheless, afterwards it yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Growing Spiritually

Heb. 12:5-7-So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?

My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,but don’t be crushed by it either.It’s the child he loves that he disciplines;the child he embraces, he also corrects.

Growing Spiritually

Heb. 12:7-8-God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live?

Growing Spiritually

Heb. 12:9-11-While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.

Growing Spiritually

Don’t get discouraged in your walk with God

Don’t let situations or task take preeminence over and be more important than your relationship with Him.

Let seeking God 1st and spending time with Him to get to know Him. Let that be your focus.

Fruit in your relationship with Him takes time to grow, it doesn’t occur overnight.

*Phillip Brooks said “Don’t pray for task/duties that equal our powers; pray for power equal for our task/duties.

Growing Spiritually1. David A. Lied about money

2. Alexander B. Eaten by worms for not giving glory to God

3. Ananias & Sapphira C. Fought Moses and Aaron’s leadership

4.Epaphroditus D. Called a true son of the faith. Was commanded to set things in order and appoint Elders.

5. King Herod E. Murdered Uriah and committed adultery with Bathsheba

6. Achan F. Nigh unto death for the work of God.

7. Dathan & Abiram G. Lost their first Love

8. Church of Ephesus H. Resisted the words of Paul

9. King Zedekiah I. Being obedient, refused to drink wine

10. Titus J. Sons killed for making strange fire before the Lord

11. Jehu k. Destroyed Baal from Israel but didn’t uphold God’s laws with all his heart

12. Sons of Rechab L. Refused to listen to the word of God from Jeremiah and he was blinded by the Chaldeans

13. Nadab & Abihu M. Took and hid an idol when Joshua told them to bring nothing back from battle

Growing Spiritually

Poem-I’ll GoI’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord, real

service I desire; I’ll sing a solo anytime dear Lord but don’t ask me to join the choir.

I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord, I like to see things come to pass. Don’t ask me to teach girls and boys, dear Lord, I would rather just sit in a class.

Growing Spiritually

I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord, I yearn for the kingdom to thrive, I’ll give my nickels and dimes dear Lord but don’t ever ask me to tithe.

I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord, I’ll say what you want me to say. I’m busy with myself right now dear Lord so I’ll help some other day.

Growing Spiritually

Gain New KnowledgeEncouraging everyone in 2015 to read and

study the entire bible in 1 year. Prov. 22:20-21 (NKJV)-Have I not written to you

excellent things of counsels and knowledge, That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth. That you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?

Growing Spiritually

Next Wednesday:Topic-Our Authority In Prayer

Scripture for Review prior to Bible Study:II Kings-Chapters 18-19Matt. 6:1-24Matt. 7: 1-29

Growing Spiritually

ReferencesDr. J Allen Blair-Glad Tidings message;

bbnradio.org-1/7/15