Active Pursuit of Spiritual Growth in Christ
Summary
In our gathering today, we have delved deeply into the heart of spiritual growth, exploring its essence, its necessity, and the transformative power it holds in our lives as believers. Spiritual growth is not a passive or automatic process; it is an active pursuit of knowing more of Jesus and living more like Him. It is the evidence of the saving work of Christ within us, a reflection of our status as new creations, and a testament to our identity as ambassadors of the King.
We are called to grow spiritually, not as a means to earn God's favor, but as a response to the grace and power He has already provided. This growth is both intellectual and experiential, involving a deepening knowledge of Christ and a practical application of His grace in our lives. As we grow, we become more effective disciples, better equipped to combat sin and share the gospel with others.
Our spiritual growth is rooted in the grace and power of God, yet it also requires our intentional effort. We must engage with God's Word, apply what we learn, and help others in their spiritual journey. This is not a solitary endeavor but a communal one, where we support and encourage one another towards maturity in Christ.
As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded of the new covenant in Christ's blood, which not only saves us but empowers us for spiritual growth. We are to be rooted and built up in Him, reflecting His character and ways more each day. This growth is not linear or without struggle, but it is marked by a trajectory towards Christlikeness, bearing the fruit of the Spirit as we abide in Him.
Let us leave today with a renewed commitment to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, knowing that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual growth is an active pursuit that reflects the saving work of Christ in us. It is not about earning God's favor but responding to the grace and power He has provided. As we grow, we become more like Christ, bearing fruit that is evidence of our salvation and transformation. [01:07:19]
2. The pursuit of spiritual growth is both intellectual and experiential. It involves deepening our knowledge of Christ and applying His grace in our lives. This dual aspect ensures that our growth is not just about acquiring information but about experiencing transformation. [57:27]
3. Intentional effort is required for spiritual growth. While God's grace and power are the foundation, we must engage with His Word, apply what we learn, and help others grow. This effort is not about striving in our own strength but about cooperating with the Spirit's work within us. [01:22:56]
4. Spiritual growth is a communal endeavor. As we grow individually, we contribute to the growth of the body of Christ. Encouraging and supporting one another in our spiritual journeys is not just beneficial but essential for the health and maturity of the church. [59:02]
5. The Lord's Supper serves as a powerful reminder of the new covenant in Christ's blood, which not only saves us but also empowers us for spiritual growth. As we partake, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes, and we commit to living out the transformative grace He has bestowed upon us. [01:36:15]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV) - "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
2. Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV) - "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
3. Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV) - "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Peter 3:18, in what two areas are we called to grow?
2. What metaphor does Paul use in Colossians 2:6-7 to describe spiritual growth?
3. In Ephesians 4:15-16, what is the result of each part of the body working properly?
4. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of spiritual growth as both intellectual and experiential? [56:13]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as mentioned in 2 Peter 3:18? How can this growth be both intellectual and experiential? [56:13]
2. How does being "rooted and built up" in Christ, as described in Colossians 2:6-7, help believers in their daily walk with God?
3. What practical steps can believers take to ensure they are contributing to the growth of the body of Christ, as mentioned in Ephesians 4:15-16?
4. The sermon emphasizes that spiritual growth requires intentional effort. What are some specific ways believers can engage with God's Word and apply what they learn? [01:23:01]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual growth. In what ways have you grown in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ over the past year? What areas need more attention? [01:29:00]
2. The sermon mentioned that spiritual growth is a communal endeavor. How can you support and encourage others in your small group or church community in their spiritual journey? [01:24:01]
3. Think about a recent struggle or challenge you faced. How did your knowledge of Christ and His grace help you navigate that situation? How can you apply this experience to future challenges? [01:14:02]
4. Identify one specific aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that you want to cultivate more in your life. What practical steps can you take this week to grow in that area?
5. The sermon highlighted the importance of the Lord's Supper as a reminder of the new covenant in Christ's blood. How does participating in the Lord's Supper impact your commitment to spiritual growth? [01:36:15]
6. How can you intentionally make time for studying God's Word in your daily routine? What changes might you need to make to prioritize this practice? [01:25:04]
7. Think of someone in your life who is newer to the faith or struggling in their spiritual journey. How can you come alongside them to help them grow in their knowledge and application of the gospel? [01:27:31]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Pursuit of Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual growth is a deliberate journey towards Christlikeness, reflecting the transformative work of salvation within. It is not a passive state but an active pursuit, requiring a conscious effort to know Jesus more intimately and to live in a manner that mirrors His life. This pursuit is the natural response to the grace that has been bestowed upon believers, a grace that does not demand repayment but inspires a heartfelt desire to grow. As one engages in this journey, the fruits of spiritual maturity begin to manifest, serving as evidence of an inner renewal and a deeper connection with the divine. [01:07:19]
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." - 2 Peter 3:18
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to actively pursue spiritual growth in your relationship with Jesus?
Day 2: Intellectual and Experiential Transformation
The path to spiritual growth encompasses both the mind and the heart, requiring a deepening understanding of Christ's teachings and a lived experience of His grace. It is not enough to simply accumulate knowledge; one must also allow that knowledge to transform their actions and character. This dual approach ensures that faith is not an abstract concept but a tangible force that shapes every aspect of life. By engaging both intellectually and experientially with the teachings of Jesus, believers can experience a holistic transformation that touches every corner of their existence. [57:27]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18
Reflection: How can you apply one teaching of Jesus in a practical way to your life today?
Day 3: Intentional Effort in Spiritual Discipline
Spiritual growth is not a passive occurrence but the result of intentional and disciplined practice. While it is God's grace that enables growth, believers must actively engage with His Word, applying its truths to their lives and aiding others on their spiritual journeys. This effort is not about self-reliance but about cooperating with the Holy Spirit's transformative work within. It is through this disciplined approach that one's faith is strengthened and their capacity to reflect Christ's love is enhanced. [01:22:56]
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:12-13
Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can practice this week to deepen your engagement with God's Word?
Day 4: Community's Role in Spiritual Growth
The journey of spiritual growth is not meant to be walked alone but in the company of fellow believers. As individuals grow, they contribute to the collective maturity of the body of Christ. The community plays a crucial role in providing support, encouragement, and accountability, which are essential for personal and corporate spiritual development. In this shared pursuit, the church is strengthened, and its members are better equipped to embody the love and wisdom of Christ. [59:02]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25
Reflection: Who can you encourage or support in their spiritual growth this week, and how will you do it?
Day 5: The Lord's Supper as a Catalyst for Growth
The Lord's Supper is a profound reminder of the new covenant established through Christ's sacrifice, which not only secures salvation but also empowers believers for spiritual growth. As one partakes in this sacred act, they are called to remember the transformative power of Christ's blood and to live out the grace that has been given. This sacrament serves as a catalyst for growth, urging believers to root themselves more deeply in Christ and to reflect His character in their daily lives. [01:36:15]
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." - 1 Corinthians 11:26
Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper inspire you to live out the transformative grace of Christ in your daily life?
Quotes
1) "Spiritual growth is evidence of the saving, transforming work. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. He makes us ambassadors. And if the character of the King is not on display by those who claim to be ambassadors, then the questions are, do you really know the King?" [01:10:06] (Download | )
2) "We study the word of God. Secondly, apply what you learn. Please do not become an egghead of the Bible... No, train yourself in godliness. Take a knowledge of what it means to put off something and to put on something else and to apply that, to live that out." [01:27:03] (Download | )
3) "Help others with their spiritual growth. You want to grow spiritually? Bring others along with you. There is someone who knows less of Jesus and what it looks like to live like Jesus than you do most likely." [01:27:38] (Download | )
4) "The simplest way that I think the scripture's point is to is in Galatians chapter five and six, it's putting the fruit of the spirit on display. What does spiritual growth look like? It's this, knowing more of Jesus and living more like Jesus a year from now than we do today." [01:29:27] (Download | )
5) "There should be evidence in your life, in my life, that Jesus is more present and real to me with each passing year. And that's not just purely a feeling, it's putting his fruit on display." [01:30:19] (Download | )
6) "Spiritual growth is not something that you engage in so that God would love and accept you. It's something that's part of who you are and that God, by his Spirit that indwells you, has empowered you to experience." [01:18:52] (Download | )
7) "God calls us to spiritual growth. God commands us. This is something that he says is to be a part of your life and my life. So it doesn't matter if I'm coming in and saying, I think spiritual growth is important, guys. We should really consider the place that this has in our life. God comes to us, as we heard in 2 Peter already, and he says, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." [01:17:01] (Download | )
8) "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in Thanksgiving." [59:02] (Download | )
9) "Spiritual growth is this process in which day by day, year by year, what we're doing is we are learning Christ. We are putting on Christ more and more." [01:03:35] (Download | )
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