Transformative Spiritual Growth: An Inside Job

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, it's essential to understand that spiritual growth is not a product of sheer willpower. You can't simply decide to be more patient, joyful, or loving and expect immediate results. True transformation is an inside job, cultivated by the Holy Spirit. Just as you can't turn a eucalyptus tree into an orange tree by tying oranges to it, you can't force spiritual fruit to grow through external efforts. The Holy Spirit works within us, gradually transforming us from the inside out.

This transformation is a process, not an event. As the scripture says, "as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him." This indicates a gradual, step-by-step journey towards spiritual maturity. It's not instant; it's incremental. When God wants to create something enduring, like an oak tree, it takes time—60 years, in fact. In contrast, a mushroom can be made in just six hours. The question we must ask ourselves is whether we want our spiritual lives to be like a mushroom or an oak tree.

As your pastor, I am here to guide and support you on this journey. However, I cannot offer a quick fix or instant maturity. It takes time and patience to grow into the person God intends for you to be. Just as it took time to develop your habits and hang-ups, it will take time to peel back the layers and allow the Holy Spirit to work within you. Remember, the journey to becoming more like Christ is a gradual process, one that requires dedication and perseverance.

Key Takeaways:

- Spiritual growth is an inside job, cultivated by the Holy Spirit, not by willpower. Attempting to force spiritual fruit through external efforts is like tying apples to a tree and calling it an apple tree. True transformation comes from within, as the Spirit works in us. [00:12]

- The Holy Spirit's work in our lives is gradual and incremental. As we allow the Spirit to work within us, we become more and more like Christ. This process is not instant but requires patience and perseverance. [00:57]

- God takes time to create something enduring. Just as an oak tree takes 60 years to grow, our spiritual maturity is a long-term process. We must decide if we want our spiritual lives to be like a mushroom or an oak tree. [01:18]

- As a pastor, I can guide and support you on your spiritual journey, but I cannot offer instant solutions. True growth takes time, and there are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. [01:36]

- The journey to becoming more like Christ involves peeling back the layers of our lives, one step at a time. Just as it took time to develop our habits and hang-ups, it will take time to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us. [02:17]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - The Inside Job of Spiritual Growth
[00:28] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[00:41] - Transformation from Within
[00:57] - Gradual Work of the Holy Spirit
[01:18] - Oak Tree vs. Mushroom
[01:36] - The Role of a Pastor
[01:53] - No Instant Maturity
[02:06] - Peeling Back the Layers
[02:17] - Becoming More Like Christ

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
- Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, why is willpower insufficient for producing spiritual fruit? ([00:12])
2. What analogy does the pastor use to describe the futility of trying to force spiritual growth? ([00:28])
3. How does the sermon describe the process of the Holy Spirit working in our lives? ([00:57])
4. What comparison is made between the growth of a mushroom and an oak tree, and what does it signify about spiritual maturity? ([01:18])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the phrase "more and more like Him" suggest about the nature of spiritual transformation? ([00:57])
2. How might the analogy of tying apples to a tree relate to attempts at self-improvement without spiritual guidance? ([00:28])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual growth is similar to peeling back layers of an onion? ([02:17])
4. How does the pastor's role in guiding spiritual growth differ from providing instant solutions? ([01:36])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to change a personal habit through sheer willpower. How did that compare to allowing the Holy Spirit to work within you? ([00:12])
2. Consider the analogy of the oak tree and the mushroom. What steps can you take to ensure your spiritual growth is more like an oak tree? ([01:18])
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to be more patient. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cultivate this fruit in you? ([00:57])
4. Think about a habit or hang-up that took years to develop. What is one practical step you can take this week to begin peeling back its layers? ([02:17])
5. How can you support others in your small group on their journey of spiritual growth, knowing that it is a gradual process? ([01:36])
6. What is one specific way you can practice perseverance in your spiritual journey this month? ([01:53])
7. Reflect on the role of your pastor or spiritual mentor. How can you better utilize their guidance in your spiritual growth process? ([01:36])

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation from Within
True spiritual growth is not achieved through external efforts or sheer willpower. It is a profound transformation that occurs from the inside out, cultivated by the Holy Spirit. Just as tying apples to a tree does not make it an apple tree, attempting to force spiritual fruit through external means is ineffective. The Holy Spirit works within us, gradually transforming our hearts and minds to reflect the character of Christ. This transformation is a divine process that requires surrender and openness to the Spirit's work. [00:12]

Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to work within you? How can you invite the Spirit to transform these areas today?


Day 2: The Gradual Work of the Holy Spirit
The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a gradual and incremental process. As we allow the Spirit to work within us, we become more and more like Christ. This journey towards spiritual maturity is not instantaneous; it requires patience and perseverance. Just as an oak tree takes years to grow, our spiritual growth is a long-term process that unfolds over time. Embracing this gradual transformation allows us to develop a deep and enduring faith. [00:57]

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 practice patience in your spiritual journey, trusting in the gradual work of the Holy Spirit? What small step can you take today to align yourself more closely with Christ?


Day 3: Enduring Growth
God takes time to create something enduring, like an oak tree, which takes decades to mature. Similarly, our spiritual maturity is a long-term process that requires time and dedication. We must decide if we want our spiritual lives to be like a mushroom, which grows quickly but lacks depth, or like an oak tree, which is strong and enduring. Choosing the path of enduring growth means committing to a lifelong journey of faith and transformation. [01:18]

James 1:4 (ESV): "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Are there areas in your spiritual life where you have been seeking quick fixes? How can you shift your focus towards long-term, enduring growth in your relationship with God?


Day 4: The Role of Guidance
While spiritual growth is a personal journey, having guidance and support is essential. Pastors and spiritual mentors can offer wisdom and encouragement, but they cannot provide instant solutions. True growth takes time, and there are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. Embracing the guidance of others while remaining committed to your own journey allows you to grow in faith and character. [01:36]

Proverbs 11:14 (ESV): "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."

Reflection: Who are the spiritual mentors or guides in your life? How can you seek their wisdom and support as you continue on your journey of faith?


Day 5: Peeling Back the Layers
The journey to becoming more like Christ involves peeling back the layers of our lives, one step at a time. Just as it took time to develop our habits and hang-ups, it will take time to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us. This process requires dedication and perseverance, as we continually surrender our lives to God's transformative work. By embracing this journey, we open ourselves to the profound change that only the Holy Spirit can bring. [02:17]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Reflection: What is one habit or hang-up that you feel God is calling you to surrender? How can you take a step today to peel back the layers and allow the Holy Spirit to work in this area?

Quotes

"and how does God produce the fruit in your life not by willpower you don't go out and say I'm going to be a more patient person doesn't work I'm going to be a more joyful person doesn't work I'm going to be a more loving person willpower does not work fruit is an inside job the Holy Spirit has to grow it on the inside you trying to say I'm going to be more patient I'm going to be more loving it's like saying I think I'm going to go out and tie a bunch of Apple on my tree outside and you got these apples tied on I'm going to go out and take my you know the uh the eucalyptus tree in the front we're going to tie some oranges on it and call it an orange tree it doesn't work that way fruit can only come from the inside it's got to be his Spirit living through you" [00:02:56]

"now how does the Holy Spirit work in your life the answer is gradually a little bit at a time look at this next verse as the spirit of the Lord Works within us we become more and more like him Circle more and more that means it's a gradual process it's step by step it's not instant it's incremental now when God wants to make a mushroom he takes six hours when God wants to make an oak tree he takes 60 years the question is do you want your life to be a mushroom or an oak tree" [00:54:52]

"as your pastor who loves you I can help you get from here to here I can help you grow to be the person you want to be but I cannot show you how to do it overnight there is no such thing as instant maturity it takes time it is a small stepbystep gradual incremental more and more process you see you didn't collect your Hurts Habits and Hang-Ups overnight it took you a long long time to get as messed up as you are I mean it just didn't happen overnight" [00:96:47]

"sometimes I'm out on the patio and somebody comes and says Pastor Rick I I need you to solve my marriage problem I said well how long have you been married 15 years how long have you had this problem 10 years and you want a 5-second answer it ain't going to happen you got to peel that onion that baby one layer at a time the Holy Spirit Works within us become gradually more and more like him" [00:126:75]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?