Sermon About Spiritual Growth: Grow As An Individual

Our journey of faith is a remarkable expedition toward spiritual maturity and growth. Just as plants need nourishment to thrive, our souls require intentional steps to develop and flourish in our relationship with God. Today, we will explore essential steps to spiritual growth that can lead us to a deeper, more profound connection with our Creator.

Spiritual growth is an important part of life. It helps us become better people, and it also helps us connect with others in a meaningful way.

2 Pet. 1:5-10 – areas of growth

Based upon faith (v. 5)
Fruit of knowledge (v. 8)
Produced by reminding (v. 12)

I. Persevere Through Faith (Hebrews 10:32-39)

The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to persevere through faith, as seen in Hebrews 10:32-39. We are reminded of our past endurance and encouraged to continue trusting God's promises. Perseverance in the face of challenges strengthens our faith, deepens our relationship with God, and ensures that we receive the promises He has in store for us.

II. Love Perfectly (1 John 4:17-18; 5:3-4)

The apostle John speaks of the perfect love that casts out fear in 1 John 4:17-18. As we grow spiritually, our love for God and others should mature as well. By embracing this love, we align ourselves with God's desires, leading to obedience and victory over the world's influences, as mentioned in 1 John 5:3-4.

III. Deny Self (Matthew 16:24)

Jesus' command to deny self, found in Matthew 16:24, challenges us to put God's will before our own desires. Spiritual growth involves surrendering our selfish inclinations, allowing Christ to reign in our hearts. This self-denial opens the door to transformation and a deeper alignment with God's purposes.

IV. Seek Wisdom From Above (James 3:13-18)

James 3:13-18 emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom from above. As we grow in our relationship with God, we become more attuned to His wisdom, leading us to live lives characterized by purity, peace, and good fruit. The wisdom from above enriches our faith and guides our actions.

Spending time alone with God will help you grow as a person. This is because when you spend time with God, you learn more about yourself and gain insight into your life.

Put off, put away Eph 4:32 Co3:8

Clean sweep, things you used to ‘wear’, now you put them away, off, clean sweep. What things

All malice – Greek word is ‘evil’, there are many forms of evil, all put off
All deceit – cunning, trickery, treachery, to catch with bait
Hypocrisy – pretense, say one thing believe and do something else, another
Envy – one man begrudges another something he himself desires but not possess

Sadness accompanied by the thought of anothers good, reject others prosperity

V. Having the Mind of Christ (Philippians 2:3-5)

The apostle Paul encourages us in Philippians 2:3-5 to have the mind of Christ. This step challenges us to embrace humility and selflessness, just as Jesus did. When we align our thoughts with Christ's, we become more attuned to His will and develop a heart that reflects His love and compassion.

VI. Doing Good You Know to Do (James 4:17)

James 4:17 reminds us of our responsibility to do the good that we know to do. Spiritual growth is not just about knowledge; it's about putting that knowledge into action. As we obey God's commands and seek to make a positive impact on others, we experience growth and transformation in our own lives.

VII. Sanctifying the Lord in Your Heart (1 Peter 3:15)

In 1 Peter 3:15, we are called to sanctify the Lord in our hearts and always be prepared to give an answer for the hope within us. This step involves dedicating our innermost thoughts, desires, and intentions to God. When we hold Him as the focal point of our hearts, our faith deepens and our witness becomes more powerful.

VIII. Pray Daily.

Prayer is one of the easiest ways to grow spiritually. If you pray regularly, you will notice changes in your life. You will feel more connected to God, and you will begin to see things differently.

How might God prompt us to pray?

His word, the Holy Spirit, people we meet, obstacles, and opportunities to become stronger... just to name a few.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Maybe what happens to us is not just random but is God's (and the HS's) way of telling us to get to work.

Romans 8:26

The avenue of prayer

1. We can cast our cares on God -1Pe 5:7
2. Jesus often withdrew Himself to pray –Mk 1:35, Lk 5:16
3. We should follow the same example –Mt 6:6

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IX. Read The Bible Every Day.

Spiritual growth includes knowledge, skills, wisdom, vision, character development

One of the best ways to grow spiritually is by reading the Bible every day. It is an amazing source of wisdom and guidance. Reading through the Bible helps us understand who God is and what he expects of his followers.

How do we get the milk of the word into us?

Hearing the word of God – coming to Church, radio, TV
Reading the word of God – opening your Bible, reg devotional time
Studying the word of God – Bible study, either personal or part of group
Takes more effort on your part than hearing or reading
Memorizing the word of God – retraining your brain in a certain way of
Thinking Ro12:2
Meditating on the word of God – devotional, chewing over the words and thinking deeply about the word Ps1:2 Jer15:16

The Word of God is important to believers J8:31-32 and Job 23:12, Psalm 119. It is sufficient for our growth Is 55:0-11, it is necessary Mt4:4

Essential ingredient of growth is the word of God

Spiritual Growth Is By The Word

Made Complete By The Word

2 Tim. 3:16-17 – Scriptures instruct us.

1. Word of God which gives us two key advantages:

Spiritual growth -1Pe 2:2
Spiritual discernment –He 5:12-14
His word gives us life –Jn 5:39, 6:68, 12:48

Sermon About Spiritual Growth: Grow As An Individual

Conclusion:

The steps to spiritual growth are not mere suggestions but essential components of a thriving faith. Through perseverance, love, self-denial, and seeking wisdom from above, we embark on a transformative journey that draws us closer to God. As we walk these steps, we open ourselves to God's molding hand, allowing Him to shape us into vessels of honor and purpose.

May we remember that spiritual growth is not a destination but a continuous process. Let us be persistent in our faith, allowing love to drive out fear, embracing self-denial for God's glory, and seeking the wisdom that leads to righteous living. As we walk this path of growth, may we experience the abundance of God's blessings and the joy of a life fully surrendered to Him.

May each step we take be a testament to God's faithfulness and grace, as we journey toward spiritual maturity and a deeper connection with our Heavenly Father. Let us walk with determination, love, humility, and wisdom, knowing that in doing so, we are nurturing a faith that will stand the test of time and bring glory to God's name

Sermon About Spiritual Growth: Grow As An Individual