#ALLIN Sermon Series: Growing in Christ.

#ALLIN

Grow In Jesus: Dr. Jeremy Westrbook

1 John 2:12-14

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹² I am writing to you who are God’s children
    because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.^[a]
13 I am writing to you who are mature in the faith^[b]
    because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I am writing to you who are young in the faith
    because you have won your battle with the evil one.
¹⁴ I have written to you who are God’s children
    because you know the Father.
I have written to you who are mature in the faith
    because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
I have written to you who are young in the faith
    because you are strong.
God’s word lives in your hearts,
    and you have won your battle with the evil one.

Footnotes:

1. 2:12 Greek through his name.
2. 2:13 Or to you fathers; also in 2:14.

“Unapplied truth is like paint.” –Unknown

We are filled with worship services, church, and bible studies, but what are you applying?

Matthew 7:24

New Living Translation (NLT)

Building on a Solid Foundation

²⁴ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

1.     Showing up does not always equal growing up.

1 Peter 2:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

² Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment.

There are so many atheist that have read the bible from front to back, and I know a bunch of Christians who haven’t even read half the bible.

We wouldn’t go into war and not know how to fire a weapon?

2.     Spiritual Growth is not accidental, but intentional.

Philippians 2:12-13

New Living Translation (NLT)

Shine Brightly for Christ

¹² Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

We all have to learn in the small things. Be faithful in the small things and He will know you are faithful in the big things. What kind of deposits have you made?

He hasn’t called you to become a God, but to become Godly.

You aren’t going to do this by becoming someone else. He has called you to be you, and do what you do. Learn from your spots in life.

We are not called to live a life of imitation, but a life of habitation.

(Do not be like someone else, be you with CHRIST in YOU.)

I made you. We are unique. He has made us in His own image. We have to work to know Him, and to grow in our walk. Be indwelt with the Holy Spirit.

Consistency: what it takes to be there in Christ.

We get discouraged as Christians when we don’t feel certain things. It’s about who you are in Christ and spiritual truth. It’s when you feel like you are on the mountain, you know the same as in the valley.

It’s dangerous to live our lives emotionally based as Christians.

3. God care more about who you are than what you do.

Colossians 3:23

New Living Translation (NLT)

²³ Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Are you becoming more and more like Christ?

God has not called us to be comforted, but transformed, into Christ creation.

We need to grow up.

He has not called us to be comforted but transformed. I want you to be conformed to me. And not let your circumstance dictate you. When it’s just you and me, then I will do our greatest work in your life. We get frustrated in our circumstances. Often times when we are being comfortable we are not being transformed.

3.     You decided to become a disciple

Some of us today need to put away our childish behavior and spiritual mature in Christ. You must decide to become a disciple. You are called. You must decide.

Sometimes in our lives spiritually, there is a slow leak going on. We are drifting and we don’t even know it. You cannot keep on saying, well I don’t have anyone around. I don’t come from a family that is good. The Holy Spirit inside of you is the greatest teacher around. He will teach you, and guide you.