Growing in Faith: Embracing Our Spiritual Legacy
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Arrows. Today, we celebrate Father's Day and reflect on the spiritual legacy left by our fathers and grandfathers. I shared a personal story about my grandfather, a man of deep faith who, even in his final days, ministered to me and expressed his unwavering confidence in his eternal destination. This morning, we delve into the theme of spiritual growth, inspired by 1 John 2:12-14. The title of our discussion is "You Know Because You Grow," emphasizing that true spiritual maturity is evidenced by the fruit we produce in our lives.
John's letter addresses three groups: children, young men, and fathers, each representing different stages of spiritual growth. For new believers, or "children," the message is simple yet profound: your sins are forgiven, and you know the Father. This foundational truth is something we must never outgrow. For "young men," or growing believers, the focus is on action and overcoming. These individuals are in a season of spiritual battles and victories, and they are encouraged to channel their energy into their faith. Lastly, "fathers," or spiritually mature believers, are those who have an experiential knowledge of God. They have walked with the Lord for a long time and have seen His faithfulness in their lives.
We also discussed the dangers of pretending and performing in our spiritual lives. Pretending minimizes our sin, while performing attempts to earn God's favor through our efforts. Both are detrimental to true spiritual growth. Instead, we should aim for a growing awareness of God's holiness and our own sinfulness, which in turn magnifies the significance of the cross in our lives.
I introduced a framework for understanding spiritual growth called the "cross chart." This chart illustrates that as we grow in our awareness of God's holiness and our sinfulness, the cross becomes larger in our lives. This growth is not about achieving milestones but about deepening our understanding and experience of the gospel.
In conclusion, we are called to commit to two things: repenting and reminding. Repenting involves turning away from sin and performing, while reminding ourselves of the gospel helps us stay grounded in the truth of God's love and forgiveness. As we grow in our faith, we should strive to be like my grandfather, leaving a legacy of spiritual maturity and confidence in our eternal destination.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual Growth and Legacy: Reflecting on the spiritual legacy of our fathers and grandfathers can inspire us to grow in our faith. My grandfather's unwavering confidence in his eternal destination, even in his final days, serves as a powerful example of spiritual maturity. We should strive to leave a similar legacy for future generations. [02:01]
2. Stages of Spiritual Growth: John’s letter in 1 John 2:12-14 addresses different stages of spiritual growth: children, young men, and fathers. Each stage has its unique focus—children are reminded of their forgiveness and relationship with the Father, young men are encouraged to overcome and grow in strength, and fathers are acknowledged for their deep, experiential knowledge of God. Understanding these stages helps us identify where we are and where we need to grow. [08:31]
3. Dangers of Pretending and Performing: Pretending minimizes our sin, and performing attempts to earn God's favor through our efforts. Both are detrimental to true spiritual growth. Instead, we should aim for a growing awareness of God's holiness and our own sinfulness, which magnifies the significance of the cross in our lives. This awareness leads to genuine spiritual growth and maturity. [16:20]
4. The Cross Chart Framework: The "cross chart" is a helpful framework for understanding spiritual growth. It illustrates that as we grow in our awareness of God's holiness and our sinfulness, the cross becomes larger in our lives. This growth is not about achieving milestones but about deepening our understanding and experience of the gospel. This perspective shifts our focus from performance to genuine transformation. [19:00]
5. Commitment to Repenting and Reminding: True spiritual growth involves a commitment to repenting and reminding. Repenting means turning away from sin and performing, while reminding ourselves of the gospel helps us stay grounded in the truth of God's love and forgiveness. Regularly practicing these disciplines helps us grow in our faith and become more like Christ. [24:39]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:01] - Reflecting on Father's Day and Spiritual Legacy
[03:16] - Introduction to Spiritual Growth
[04:14] - Context of 1 John 2:12-14
[05:43] - The Boldness of John
[06:57] - The Poetic Interlude in 1 John
[08:31] - Stages of Spiritual Growth: Children, Young Men, Fathers
[10:31] - Message to Children: Forgiveness and Knowing the Father
[11:46] - Message to Young Men: Overcoming and Strength
[14:05] - Message to Fathers: Experiential Knowledge of God
[16:20] - Dangers of Pretending and Performing
[19:00] - The Cross Chart Framework
[24:39] - Commitment to Repenting and Reminding
[28:11] - Legacy of Spiritual Maturity
[29:39] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 2:12-14
2. Matthew 7:21-23
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 2:12-14, what are the three groups John addresses, and what does he say to each group? [03:16]
2. What does the term "overcome" refer to in the context of John's message to young men? [11:46]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between pretending and performing in our spiritual lives? [16:20]
4. What is the significance of the "cross chart" introduced in the sermon, and how does it illustrate spiritual growth? [19:00]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does John emphasize the forgiveness of sins and knowing the Father as foundational truths for new believers? How does this foundation impact their spiritual growth? [10:31]
2. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus warns against merely performing religious acts without truly knowing Him. How does this warning relate to the sermon’s discussion on pretending and performing? [16:20]
3. The sermon mentions that spiritual fathers have an experiential knowledge of God. How does this experiential knowledge differ from simply knowing about God? [14:05]
4. How does the "cross chart" framework challenge the common perception of spiritual growth as achieving milestones? What does it suggest about the nature of true spiritual maturity? [19:00]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Which stage of spiritual growth (child, young man, father) do you identify with most, and why? How can you move to the next stage? [08:31]
2. The sermon highlights the dangers of pretending and performing. Can you identify any areas in your life where you might be minimizing your sin or trying to earn God's favor? How can you address these tendencies? [16:20]
3. The "cross chart" suggests that spiritual growth involves a growing awareness of God's holiness and our sinfulness. What practical steps can you take to deepen your understanding and experience of the gospel this week? [19:00]
4. The sermon calls us to commit to repenting and reminding. What specific sins do you need to turn away from, and how can you remind yourself of the gospel daily? [24:39]
5. Think about the legacy you want to leave for future generations. What actions can you take now to ensure that you leave a legacy of spiritual maturity and confidence in your eternal destination? [02:01]
6. How can you celebrate the victories of overcoming sin in your life and in the lives of others? Share a recent victory and discuss how you can support each other in your spiritual battles. [12:27]
7. The sermon encourages us to put the energy of youth into our faith. What specific areas of your spiritual life need more vigor and dedication? How can you channel your energy into growing as a disciple? [13:14]
Devotional
Day 1: Reflecting on Spiritual Legacy
Reflecting on the spiritual legacy of our fathers and grandfathers can inspire us to grow in our faith. The example of a grandfather's unwavering confidence in his eternal destination, even in his final days, serves as a powerful testament to spiritual maturity. This legacy is not just about the past but also about how we can live our lives in a way that leaves a lasting impact on future generations. By looking at the lives of those who have gone before us, we can find inspiration and guidance for our own spiritual journeys.
The legacy we leave is built on the foundation of our faith and the way we live it out daily. It is about more than just words; it is about actions and the fruit we produce in our lives. As we grow in our faith, we should strive to be like those who have left a positive spiritual legacy, living with confidence in our eternal destination and inspiring others to do the same. [02:01]
Psalm 78:4-7 (ESV): "We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."
Reflection: Think about the spiritual legacy you are building. What actions can you take today to ensure that your faith leaves a lasting impact on future generations?
Day 2: Understanding Stages of Spiritual Growth
John’s letter in 1 John 2:12-14 addresses different stages of spiritual growth: children, young men, and fathers. Each stage has its unique focus—children are reminded of their forgiveness and relationship with the Father, young men are encouraged to overcome and grow in strength, and fathers are acknowledged for their deep, experiential knowledge of God. Understanding these stages helps us identify where we are in our spiritual journey and where we need to grow.
Recognizing these stages allows us to appreciate the journey of faith and the growth that comes with it. It also helps us to be patient with ourselves and others as we navigate through different phases of spiritual maturity. By identifying our current stage, we can focus on the specific areas that need growth and seek guidance and support from those who are further along in their spiritual journey. [08:31]
Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: Identify which stage of spiritual growth you are currently in. What steps can you take to move forward in your spiritual journey?
Day 3: Avoiding the Dangers of Pretending and Performing
Pretending minimizes our sin, and performing attempts to earn God's favor through our efforts. Both are detrimental to true spiritual growth. Instead, we should aim for a growing awareness of God's holiness and our own sinfulness, which magnifies the significance of the cross in our lives. This awareness leads to genuine spiritual growth and maturity.
When we pretend, we hide our true selves and fail to acknowledge our need for God's grace. When we perform, we rely on our own efforts rather than trusting in God's grace. Both of these behaviors prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God's love and forgiveness. By being honest about our sinfulness and relying on God's grace, we can experience true transformation and growth in our faith. [16:20]
Isaiah 64:6 (ESV): "We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away."
Reflection: Reflect on areas in your life where you might be pretending or performing. How can you shift your focus to rely more on God's grace and less on your own efforts?
Day 4: Embracing the Cross Chart Framework
The "cross chart" is a helpful framework for understanding spiritual growth. It illustrates that as we grow in our awareness of God's holiness and our sinfulness, the cross becomes larger in our lives. This growth is not about achieving milestones but about deepening our understanding and experience of the gospel. This perspective shifts our focus from performance to genuine transformation.
The cross chart helps us to see that spiritual growth is a continuous process of becoming more aware of God's holiness and our own sinfulness. As we grow in this awareness, the significance of the cross and the gospel becomes more profound in our lives. This framework encourages us to focus on our relationship with God and the transformative power of the gospel rather than on our own achievements. [19:00]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How can you use the cross chart framework to deepen your understanding and experience of the gospel in your daily life?
Day 5: Commitment to Repenting and Reminding
True spiritual growth involves a commitment to repenting and reminding. Repenting means turning away from sin and performing, while reminding ourselves of the gospel helps us stay grounded in the truth of God's love and forgiveness. Regularly practicing these disciplines helps us grow in our faith and become more like Christ.
Repenting is an ongoing process of turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness. It requires humility and a willingness to acknowledge our shortcomings. Reminding ourselves of the gospel helps us to stay focused on God's love and grace, which empowers us to live out our faith. By committing to these practices, we can experience continuous growth and transformation in our spiritual lives. [24:39]
Acts 3:19-20 (ESV): "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to practice repenting and reminding in your daily life? How can these practices help you grow in your faith and become more like Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Know that your sins are forgiven. Know that you have a Father who loves you and that that can change your life. So what does this mean to be forgiven? It means that your sins are as far as the East is from the West. It means there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. You are accepted by God the Father. You are adopted into his family. You are free to live a life pleasing to him and you're destined to be with him for eternity. Your Heavenly Father loves you and knows you and you can know him. And that is good news for us this morning. Amen?" [10:31] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Imagine the peace. Not just then, but today also. Knowing that you don't have to perform. You don't have to pretend. But your sins are forgiven. Imagine the joy you could have knowing that no one's perfect, but with Jesus, anything is possible. Imagine the love you can experience knowing that everyone else is on the same journey. We're all trying to grow. Imagine the hope you can have knowing, an experiential knowing, him who was from the beginning." [28:54] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Friends, a stone lying in the sun can't help but get warm. And when we spend time with our heavenly father, reading his word, praying, we remind ourselves of the good news. We can't help but be shaped by him. My grandpa was shaped. By a lifetime spent knowing his heavenly father and it's evidenced by the thumbprints and the notes and the torn pages. I want to be that man. When I come to my last days, I want to be the man who's able to give my family that same confidence, that same peace that I know where I'm going." [28:11] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I want to be that kind of grandfather someday. I want to be someone who has grown in their faith to the point where I can confidently say that. I know where I'm going. Don't worry about me. How about you? This morning, we're going to talk about spiritual growth and how we get to that point of spiritual maturity, where we can confidently say that." [02:01] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "This morning, I want to just let us know it is not attainable. God's holiness, God's holy standard is something that only God can attain and we need Jesus, we need his sacrifice and we need to stop performing. On the bottom side, pretending. Pretending my sin isn't that bad. I'm not as bad as some other person. Hopefully you can see how that also shrinks the cross and minimizes Jesus' work in our lives. We're pretending that something doesn't exist that we absolutely know does. God knows it exists and Jesus' blood covers all of it. So there's no reason to hide it." [22:06] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Some of us are producing much spiritual fruit in our lives. We probably can think of the fruit that is coming or the fruit that we see in others. But this morning, I think the challenge to us is that some of us are pretending. Some of us are performing, but we're not producing." [03:16] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Young, I would say growing believers. These are the folks, the language here is action. It's action oriented. It's verbs, it's overcome, right? Strength. Some of us are in a season of overcoming, right? I think the thing here we need to do is celebrate. We need to celebrate with those who have overcome. You've overcome sin in your lives. You've overcome the evil one. There's lots of things we can celebrate for those who have those victories and we should share that with one another." [12:27] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I think about Matthew chapter seven. We were in Matthew earlier this year here at Arrows. And Robert preached this. And these verses to me are potentially scary verses for us. Jesus said, Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, do we not prophesy in your name? And in your name, drive out demons. And in your name, perform many miracles. Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers. Man, that's a scary verse, right? How can we be sure that we're producing not just pretending or performing?" [16:20] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I also think reminding ourselves of the gospel can become a regular occurrence in our lives. I wish it worked that we learned things once and we did them perfectly forever, but we don't, at least I don't. As I said earlier, my experience is a little bit more like spiritual amnesia. I need a regular reminding of the gospel, of the good news. As we said to little children, your sins are forgiven. Your father loves you." [26:53] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I think we could commit this morning to two things. Repenting and reminding. Repenting is truly just a turning, right? So if I'm going this way and I recognize, hey, I'm performing right now. It's just a turning around and going the other direction. I think there's a lot of moments where I'm tempted to minimize the cross in my life and I would say this, committing to repenting and repentance doesn't mean that over time, doesn't necessarily mean over time we're going to sin less. It definitely does mean we're going to repent more. Because again, I think as we grow in Christ, we're becoming more aware of our sinfulness." [25:20] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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