Embracing Continuous Spiritual Growth and Humility

Spiritual growth is a journey that never truly ends. No matter how much we know, how skilled we become, or how long we’ve walked with God, there is always more to discover, more to learn, and more to develop within ourselves. Just as a garden flourishes with care and attention, so too does our spiritual life when we remain intentional and humble, always seeking to grow. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we’ve “arrived”—that we know enough, serve enough, or have matured enough. But the truth is, the moment we become comfortable and stop pursuing growth, stagnation sets in.

Learning and growth happen in stages. At first, we don’t know what we don’t know. Then, as we become aware of our gaps, we can intentionally develop new skills and understanding. Eventually, we may become so proficient that we operate on autopilot. But this is a dangerous place for the soul, because it can breed complacency. The only way to keep growing is to continually return to a posture of humility, recognizing there is always more to learn and more room to grow.

God’s plans always involve His people, and He equips each of us with unique gifts and abilities. Like the skilled artisans who built the tabernacle in Exodus, or David who honed his skills as a shepherd long before facing Goliath, we are called to discover, develop, and deploy our God-given talents. This requires discipline, intentionality, and a willingness to invest in our own growth—not just for ourselves, but for the sake of those we influence and serve.

Our participation in God’s work also extends to how we steward our resources. Giving—whether through tithes, offerings, or acts of service—is an act of worship and a vital part of spiritual discipline. It’s not about the amount, but about the heart and the willingness to trust God with all we have.

Ultimately, the call is to refuse to waste our opportunities. Each day is a chance to grow, to serve, and to become more of who God created us to be. Let’s not settle for comfort or autopilot, but instead, let’s press on, asking God to reveal our gifts and help us develop them for His glory and the good of others.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True spiritual growth requires humility and a continual desire to learn. No matter how much we know or how long we’ve been on the journey, there is always more to discover about God, ourselves, and the world. This humility keeps us from stagnation and opens us to deeper transformation. [48:04]
• 2. The stages of learning—moving from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence—mirror our spiritual development. While mastery is good, it can also lead to complacency if we stop challenging ourselves. The antidote is to regularly revisit what we don’t know, seeking fresh insight and renewed passion for growth. [53:59]
• 3. God’s plans always involve His people, and He equips each of us with unique gifts and abilities. Our responsibility is not just to recognize these gifts, but to actively develop and use them. Like David, whose skills were honed in obscurity before his moment of calling, our preparation today readies us for tomorrow’s opportunities. [75:06]
• 4. Stewardship—of both our finances and our talents—is a spiritual discipline and an act of worship. Giving is not about obligation, but about participating in God’s work with a generous and willing heart. When we trust God with our resources, we align ourselves with His purposes and experience His provision. [68:09]
• 5. Preparation and discipline are essential for meeting life’s challenges and seizing God-given opportunities. Prayer alone cannot substitute for diligent preparation; God works through what we have invested in ourselves. Don’t waste your life or your opportunities—invest in your growth, and God will use you in ways you cannot yet imagine. [90:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:31] - Worship and Opening Reflections
• [31:34] - The Power of Worship and Testimony
• [32:38] - Pastoral Prayer and Seeking God’s Presence
• [39:54] - Announcements and Community Life
• [41:39] - Offering and Children’s Dismissal
• [44:45] - Introduction to Spiritual Growth Series
• [45:44] - Why Pursue Spiritual Growth?
• [48:04] - The Stages of Learning and Spiritual Stagnation
• [53:59] - The Danger of Complacency in Spiritual Life
• [57:18] - Breaking Stagnation: Returning to Humility
• [64:04] - Discovering and Developing God-Given Gifts
• [68:09] - Biblical Principles of Stewardship and Giving
• [75:06] - God’s Plans and Our Preparation
• [77:26] - Lessons from David and Goliath
• [90:04] - The Importance of Preparation and Discipline
• [93:10] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV) — > Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Exodus 31:1-6 (ESV) — > The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you.”

1 Samuel 17:34-37, 40, 48-49 (ESV) — > But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. ... The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” ... Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine. ... When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

Observation Questions

1. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, what does Paul say is necessary to avoid being “disqualified” after preaching to others? How does he describe his approach to spiritual growth? ([54:55])
2. According to Exodus 31:1-6, who gave Bezalel and Oholiab their skills, and for what purpose were these skills given? ([01:13:28])
3. In the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), what past experiences did David mention to King Saul as preparation for facing Goliath? ([01:18:48])
4. The sermon described four stages of learning. What is the danger of reaching the “unconscious competence” stage in our spiritual lives? ([53:59])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for self-discipline and intentional effort in spiritual growth, even for those who are already serving and teaching others? ([54:55])
2. What does the example of Bezalel and Oholiab teach about the relationship between God’s calling, our natural abilities, and our responsibility to develop those abilities? ([01:13:28])
3. How does David’s preparation as a shepherd relate to his ability to face Goliath? What does this suggest about the importance of developing our gifts even when no one is watching? ([01:18:48])
4. The sermon warns against spiritual complacency. Why is it dangerous to believe we have “arrived” in our faith or spiritual maturity? ([53:59])

Application Questions

1. The sermon compared spiritual growth to tending a garden—requiring ongoing care and attention. What is one area of your spiritual life that you have neglected or allowed to become stagnant? What is one small step you could take this week to nurture growth in that area? ([45:44])
2. The stages of learning move from not knowing what we don’t know, to becoming skilled and even operating on autopilot. Can you identify an area of your faith or service where you might be “on autopilot”? What would it look like to return to a posture of humility and curiosity in that area? ([53:59])
3. The sermon highlighted that God gives each of us unique gifts and abilities, just as He did with Bezalel, Oholiab, and David. Do you know what your God-given gifts are? If not, what could you do to discover them? If you do, how are you actively developing and using them? ([01:04:04])
4. Stewardship was described as a spiritual discipline and act of worship, not just about money but also about our talents and time. How do you currently steward your resources—finances, time, skills—for God’s purposes? Is there an area where you sense God is asking you to trust Him more? ([01:08:09])
5. The story of David shows that preparation and discipline matter—prayer alone cannot substitute for diligent effort. Is there a challenge or opportunity in your life right now that you need to prepare for more intentionally? What practical steps can you take this week? ([01:30:04])
6. The sermon encouraged us not to waste our opportunities. Can you think of a recent opportunity to serve or grow that you let pass by? What held you back, and what could you do differently next time? ([01:32:14])
7. The pastor shared that he never felt he had “arrived” spiritually, always wanting to learn more. How do you keep a sense of humility and hunger for growth in your own walk with God? ([01:00:18])