Spiritual Growth - Communion Service 7.5.15

Sermon Date:  July 5, 2015

Sermon Topic: Spiritual Growth

Scriptures: Hosea 4: 6, John 12:28, 1 Peter 2:2, Psalm 119:33, 2 Peter 1:11, Romans 8:28, Romans 5:3, James 1:2 , Proverbs 17:9, Proverbs 26:17, Proverbs 26:20, Proverbs 26:21, Ecclesiastes 7:20

Sermon Notes:

 Spiritual growth is possible but you need to know how to grow. There are people who don’t know about the spirit. Hosea 4: 6 – My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. When you forget about God you put yourself in a precarious situation. John 12:28 –  Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

There is a day where we all will have to stand before the judgment of Christ.1 Peter 2:2 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. You have to get a hunger for the word of God. The physical body you can over eat and become overweight but too much of the word makes you spiritually strong. The word renews our strength.

Cultivate your understanding of the truth. You can hear it but you must understand it. Have an attitude of change, a transformed mind. Psalm 119:33 – Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Order my steps in your word. Give me understanding and I shall keep your law. The law of God is different from the law of the land. I shall observe it with my whole heart. My contentment and happiness comes from the ability to discern spiritual truth to apply to my situation. Every spirit is not of God. You need discernment to judge the evidence that’s before you.

Since we are the light of the world we are supposed to take the truth and share it with the world. The world needs the saints to be the witness so others will know. Let your light shine before men. The Holy Spirit will guide you to the truth but you need the right attitude.

Guidance is given to the humble.

When you look at obedience – obedience is a higher priority than religious acts. We can’t be obedient in one area and disobedient in another. Spiritual growth assures an abundant life.

Abundant life isn’t dependent upon material things. Abundant life is abundant peace, abundant joy and abundant contentment. When you seek the kingdom make that a priority and all things will be added.

Don’t love the world or the things of the world. 2 Peter 1:11 – For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Be committed to the gospel. You shall never fall – there is no failure in Christ.

Spiritual growth is a choice. Change is inevitable – growth is optional. You don’t have to grow.

To grow you must control your emotions and moods. When I control my attitude, I can understand the value in difficult times. Romans 8:28 – It doesn’t look good but you have to have the faith to believe that it’s working for your good.

James 1:2 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Romans 5:3 - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.  Glory in tribulation.

Keys to spiritual Growth

1.      Avoid negative self-talk – Stop saying “I can’t”, “I won’t” “I don’t have”

2.      Watch the conversations you have with yourself. Look in the mirror when you feel like speaking negative to yourself it will discourage you. Words are spirit and life. The more effort you make the more you will have. Galatians 6:7-9 – Don’t get weary. Keep on trying even when you get tired. Put 1 foot in front of the other and say, “Let’s go!” Talk to yourself.

Things that disrupt good friendships and remove you from God’s anointing:

1.      Don’t repeat everything. (Proverbs 17:9) A lot of friendships have been destroyed. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

2.      Don’t meddle in affairs that aren’t your own – it’s none of your business.

3.      Don’t be a mess magnet (Proverbs 26:17) - He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

4.      Don’t be a tale bearer (Proverbs 26:20) - Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

5.      Don’t overstay your welcome (Proverbs 26:21) – A negative attitude discourages other people. You can’t grow in an environment like that. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

6.      Recognize your past condition – don’t judge. (Ecclesiastes 7:20) For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. All have sinned and come short of God’s glory. By the grace of God and his mercy.

We should never get to a point in our lives where we don’t need to grow.