Growing in Grace: From Spiritual Infancy to Fatherhood

Devotional

Day 1: Grow continually in the grace and knowledge of Christ.

The abundant life calls for continual growth in both grace and knowledge of Jesus; this is not a one-time arrival but an active pursuit—spending time in the Word, prayer, worship, and relationship so that Jesus’ actions shape how you respond and live each day, not your old fleshly habits. [08:25]

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.

Reflection: What one concrete step will you take this week to deepen your relationship with Jesus—schedule three 15-minute scripture-and-prayer times (days and times), beginning when?

Day 2: Identify spiritual infancy and pursue maturity.

A spiritual baby expects to be carried and fed and reacts selfishly when denied; maturity means taking responsibility for your own spiritual feeding—opening Scripture, praying, engaging the body of Christ, and refusing to live by convenience or emotional whims. [14:56]

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 (ESV)
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Reflection: Who or what are you depending on to feed your soul—name one spiritual discipline (daily Bible reading, short prayer times, weekly worship) you will start today and commit to for seven consecutive days; when will you begin?

Day 3: Move through stages: child, young, then father.

Spiritual growth moves through stages—child, young man, father—and each stage bears distinct fruit: a child clings to being served, a young person produces and goes out in mission, a father knows God and shepherds others; the call is to advance, not to remain parked in comfort or hurt. [20:56]

1 John 2:12–13 (ESV)
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

Reflection: Which stage best describes you right now—child, young person, or father—and what one specific action will you take today (e.g., apologize, invite someone to be discipled, lead a small act of service) to move one step forward?

Day 4: Put away childish thoughts and behavior.

Maturing requires putting away childish reasoning, temper tantrums, and petty grievances; renewal of mind produces transformed behaviour—so choose to discard old hurts, stop nursing offenses, and replace childish reactions with Christ-like responses in how you speak and act. [28:32]

1 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

Reflection: What recurring “childish” reaction (sulking, gossip, entitlement, nursing a grievance) will you stop today, and what concrete replacement will you practice the next time the trigger happens (for example: call the person, pray before replying, or speak a short blessing)?

Day 5: Learn contentment in every circumstance through Christ.

A spiritual father has learned contentment under all circumstances because his peace rests in Jesus, not in changing situations; this maturity looks like trusting God in trials, pressing forward toward the upward call, and believing that God works even painful moments for ultimate good. [40:11]

Philippians 4:11 (ESV)
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Reflection: The next time anxiety or complaint rises, will you pause and say aloud “I have learned to be content,” take three deep breaths, and name one way God has been faithful to you in the past week—will you practice this the next time it happens today?

Sermon Summary

I walked in this morning unprepared, but the Lord was kind to aim our hearts at one thing: the abundant life Jesus promised is a mature life. Abundance isn’t more of me, it’s more of Christ living in and through me. As His life rises, mine decreases—my instincts, my opinions, my fleshly reactions lose the steering wheel, and the Spirit leads. That growth is not automatic. Grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus is a command, not a suggestion. It’s relational before it’s functional—Jesus does not know us by our gifts, but by our nearness. So the habits that cultivate nearness—Word, prayer, fellowship, obedience—matter.

We traced how Scripture sketches four stages of growth. There’s the baby stage: self-centered, demanding, easily offended, wanting to be carried. Then the child stage: more mobile and articulate, but still untruthful at times, dramatic, quick to feel persecuted, easily puffed up, doing only what benefits self. Neither stage is shameful—every birth in Christ starts somewhere—but it is tragic to stay there.

The young man/young woman stage is where strength, vision, and fruitfulness begin. We put away childish thinking, not by trying harder to be “nice,” but by having our minds renewed so our reactions look more like Jesus’ than our old selves. This is the season to reproduce—make disciples, give away what we’ve received—and to align words and actions so they tell the same truth.

Finally, the father/mother stage is marked by knowing Him. Peace becomes native to the heart; contentment settles in across every season. Fathers and mothers rejoice in spiritual children, carry a long view, and refuse to live from old wounds. They can press on without denial because they trust that God weaves even the worst threads into good. Abundant life, then, is not louder experiences but deeper likeness to Jesus: yielded, separated unto Him, serving, Spirit-led, and growing up. It’s time to take off the baby clothes and put on courage—Christ-centered, Christ-formed, Christ-expressed maturity for the sake of the world He loves.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ’s life displaces our flesh As Jesus’ life increases in us, self-preservation loses authority, and the Spirit begins to govern our instincts and decisions. Maturity looks like less reactivity and more resemblance to Him. The aim isn’t sinless perfection today, but a clear trajectory of Spirit-led transformation that others can see. [03:10]
2. Growth requires effortful pursuit of Jesus Grace doesn’t negate effort; it fuels it. Drawing near in Scripture, prayer, and gathered worship builds a relationship, not a résumé, and that relationship is how we’re known by Him. He hasn’t moved—so we move, and He meets us. [13:20]
3. Put away childish thinking and reactions Childishness clings to grievances, rehearses wounds, and demands to be served; maturity prefers, forgives, and serves. This shift happens as our minds are renewed, not removed—our thought-patterns change, so our behaviors change. When Jesus becomes the reference point, offense loses its power. [28:32]
4. Align words and actions as one Integrity in the kingdom is not “do more, say less” but “let what you do and say match.” When our speech and behavior tell the same story, we embody truth and stop preaching a divided gospel. The Spirit aims to collapse the gap between confession and conduct. [11:44]
5. Mature believers know peace and reproduce Fathers and mothers in the faith carry a settled peace and a steady joy in raising spiritual sons and daughters. They’ve learned contentment without denial and invest their strength in others’ formation. Their legacy isn’t platform—it’s people. [38:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:10] - Less of me, more of Christ
[05:23] - What abundant life is
[08:25] - Grow in grace and knowledge
[11:44] - Words and actions in unity
[13:20] - Effort: Word, prayer, fellowship
[14:56] - Stage 1: Spiritual babies
[19:10] - Stage 2: Little children
[25:40] - Stage 3: Young men and women
[28:32] - Renew your mind; put away childishness
[34:20] - Stage 4: Fathers and mothers who know Him
[37:13] - The peace that guards hearts
[40:11] - Contentment in every circumstance
[45:02] - Abundant life now: reveal Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading (ESV)
2 Peter 3:18
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.

Observation questions

In 2 Peter 3:18 what are the two distinct things the reader is told to "grow" in? How might those two fit together?
The preacher said Jesus knows us by our relationship, not by our gifts (CeCe Winans example). What did he mean by that, and how does it connect to growing in knowledge of Christ? [08:25]
The sermon outlined four stages (baby, child, young man/woman, father/mother). What key behaviors or attitudes did the preacher associate with the baby stage? [14:56]
According to the sermon, what marks the father/mother stage—what life qualities signal that someone has reached this level? [34:20]

Interpretation questions (third person voice)

How would a person interpret "grow in the grace..." as a command rather than a feeling—what concrete spiritual practices would that person consider essential to obey this command? [13:20]
How should one understand the preacher’s statement "actions speak the same as words" (not louder than words)? In what ways does this interpretation change how someone judges spiritual maturity? [11:44]
When the sermon contrasts renewing the mind with "removal" of the mind, what kinds of thought-patterns would a person identify that need renewing rather than simply suppressing? [28:32]
The preacher warned against a "Peter Pan anointing" (refusing to grow up). How might a person recognize this attitude in themselves or their church community, and what would that recognition imply about next steps? [05:23]

Application questions (specific and personal)

Identify one regular spiritual habit you have neglected (reading Scripture, prayer, weekly worship, fellowship). What specific change will you make this week to draw near to Christ and begin obeying 2 Peter 3:18? Set a measurable goal. [13:20]
Think of a recurring grievance or small offense you hold onto. What is one concrete step you can take this week to let go (a short prayer you will say before interacting with that person, a conversation you will initiate, or a forgiveness exercise)? [31:29]
Which of the four stages described (baby, child, young man/woman, father/mother) best describes your current walk with Christ? Name two specific behaviors that show why you fit that stage and one action you will take in the next 30 days to move toward the next stage. [14:56]
The sermon urged Christians to "align words and actions." Pick one area where your words about Christ and your behavior don’t match (time spent on social media, generosity, anger in relationships, etc.). What two concrete changes will you implement this week to reduce that gap? [11:44]
For those in the "young man/young woman" season: identify one person you could intentionally invest in to reproduce spiritually. What will you do this month to begin discipling or mentoring that person (a conversation, invite to church, share a short devotion)? [25:40]
The father/mother stage is marked by contentment and peace in trials. When you next face a stress or setback, what short Scripture or truth will you memorize now to remind yourself of God’s purposes and help you practice contentment? (If you want, choose Philippians 4:11–13 or Romans 8:28.) [40:11]
The sermon said growth is relational before functional. Who in your life needs your nearness (not just your service or advice) this month? What practical step will you take to be near them (a meal, a phone call, shared prayer time)? [08:25]

(Use these questions to guide honest, specific conversation. Encourage people to name one practical commitment they will take away from the group.)

Sermon Clips

It's not just about what you are separated from, but what you are separated onto that is important. Because you can be separated from the world, or you can be separated from one addiction and live by another addiction. You can live by, you can be separated from one way of thinking and live by another way of thinking. So it's not just what we are separated from, but what we are separated to that is important. Because we need to be separated from the world and separated onto Christ. Then we looked at, it's the service life. We don't like that word. Sometimes it's a dirty word. Sometimes service. But it's not a take, take, take, take, take lifestyle. It's a give lifestyle. [00:04:39] (49 seconds) #SeparatedToChrist

The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to glorify, Jesus in us, which he does that by making us more like Jesus. And then the last one, which I'm going to look at tonight, is this. Tonight, this morning. Told you, I don't know where I am today. But the last one is this, that the abundant life is a mature life. I'm amazed how many people in the world never grow up. There is a Peter Pan anointing in the Church of Jesus Christ. And I'm telling you, that's not a gift of the Holy Spirit. The Peter Pan anointing is not a gift of the Holy Spirit and should not be prevalent in the Church of Jesus Christ. [00:06:10] (47 seconds) #MatureInChrist

If you have knowledge of Jesus Christ, you will grow in grace. Because Jesus Christ is the picture, the epitome of grace himself. And if we grow in our, if we have a greater knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives, we will grow in grace towards one another. Grow in grace. See, it calls for a continual spiritual growth. A deepening of our understanding of Jesus. It's a continual spiritual growth. It's not a one-time thing. I'm born again. I'm saved. Hallelujah. Thank God for that. Now I've arrived. No, no, no, no. It's a continual growing. We are continued to grow. [00:08:14] (42 seconds) #GrowInGrace

``If your lifestyle hasn't changed in 20 years, you are not following Jesus. Because you cannot be in the presence of Jesus and come out the same. Because if Jesus doesn't revolutionize us, if Jesus doesn't change us, if Jesus doesn't make us more like him, then we haven't got the real Jesus. And I'm telling you, if your lifestyle does not reflect what comes out of your mouth, then what comes out of your mouth is a lie. See, actions don't speak louder than words in the Bible. That's a worldly saying. The Bible says what I say and what I do are exactly the same. Jesus didn't do what I say one thing and do another. [00:10:59] (55 seconds) #LifeChangedByJesus

A man of God, a woman of God put away childish things. They put them away. They don't keep taking them out and playing with them for a few hours and then putting them back. They put them away. That means I don't think like a child anymore. Childish thinking, oh, the church needs a little bit more backbone and a little less wishbone. See, spiritual growth. You see, the verse 1 Corinthians 13, 11 teaches us, it refers to that if we are to grow physically and mature for spiritual understanding, then we need to put away childish things. This refers to discarding immature or incomplete ways of thinking and reasoning to achieve a more complete understanding. [00:28:50] (60 seconds) #PutAwayChildishThings

We are transformed, how? By the renewing of the mind. Many Christians are transformed by the removal of the mind. It's not the same thing. The renewal of the mind. That means the way we think. You see, when you grow older, you think a different way. You see, I don't think the way I did when I was 18 years of age. I had beliefs back then I don't believe anymore. I had views back then that I've put away. If I got upset every time somebody hurt my feelings, I'd be walking around like a blubbering mess every day. [00:29:53] (36 seconds) #RenewYourMind

Let me suggest nobody in this room will ever go through what Jesus went through to set you free from all the things that hold you captive. Let me suggest nobody will ever go through all the pain, the torment, the torture, the isolation, the ridicule, being spat upon, being hung naked on a cross in front of everybody. Complete humiliation. And how did he respond? Father, forgive them. They don't know what they do. Let me suggest more than his feelings were hurt. [00:32:28] (40 seconds) #ForgiveLikeJesus

When we know him, we will be more like him. Don't tell me you know Jesus in a church on a Sunday when you live like the devil Monday to Saturday. Don't tell me you know Jesus on a Sunday when you react like the devil Monday to Saturday. Don't tell me you know Jesus when you speak to people like the devil would Monday to Saturday. It's time to mature a church. It's time to grow up. It's time to move on. It's time to step out of where we've parked our car. Where we've pitched our tent. Because it's easier being a baby. You don't have to do anything. But from then on, it takes effort. [00:33:58] (79 seconds) #LiveLikeJesusDaily

The Christian life has to be focused on Christ, has to be Christ living through us, has to be Christ-centered, Christ-focused, and Christ-expressed. And he's rejoicing in it. He's rejoicing in it. Jesus did that. It says, for the joy set before him, he endured the cross. What's the joy set before him? So to the person next, he'll say, it's you. For the joy set before him, that's you and me. And yet we can't tolerate each other. We can't put up with each other. And he knew everything you'd done, everything I'd do, everything you would do, everything you, I would do, everything you're doing right now, everything I'm doing right. He knows. And he still went there worth it. [00:38:37] (53 seconds) #ChristCenteredLife

Maturing in Christ is learning to be content in all situations. You know why? I can't be content because, don't get me wrong, I'm not always happy when things don't go my way. I'm not happy when things attack me. But I know he's enough. He's all I need. You say that, don't you? Some people, oh, that's all I need. But he is. He's all I need. Thank God for my wife, but I need him more. I rejoice in the wife he gave me, but I still need him more. [00:41:58] (43 seconds) #ContentInChrist

The world doesn't need you or me. It doesn't even need the upgraded, better version of me. It needs him. And you don't need the better version of me either. You need him. So the abundant life is a yielded life. It's a service life. It's a separated life. It's a spirit-filled life. And it's a mature life. Time to take off the baby groves. To throw off them little, tiny, little shoes. You remember the tiny little shoes your kids have in the book? Come on. Time to put the big man and the big woman pants on. And it's time to grow up into the people we've always been called to be. A mature church is a God-revealing church. Amen. [00:46:48] (82 seconds) #YieldedLife

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