GROWTH (Discipleship) The 6 G’s – Part 2 Pastor Chuck Bernal 08-31-14 How do I grow? What does a spiritually mature person even look like? Why does it seem so hard and go so slowly? Can I ever be different. The message of Christianity is that transformation is really possible. Never easy - Rarely quick - But possible. If you have ever been frustrated with what you know of spirituality, and you’ve wondered if real change is possible, if you are confused and stuck – there is Good News! You are just the kind of person God wants to change, if you will let Him! (John Ortberg)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GROWTH FACT 1: All healthy things ____________________________________ FACT 2: Growth doesn’t just “ _______________________________” FACT 3: God _____________________________ to grow in your faith Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18 – LB) God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16 – Msg) From the distant past, His eternal love reached into the future. You see, He knew those who would be His one day, and He chose them to grow and be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29 – The Voice)
FACT 4: Growing in our faith is something we must ______________ Be like newborn babies, crying out for spiritual milk that will help you grow into salvation. (1 Peter 2:2 – The Voice) And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done. (Colossians 2:2-7 – LB)
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This underscores the importance of _________________________ ___
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There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Philippians 1:4-6 – Msg)
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO ABOUT GROWTH . . . train yourself to be a Godly person. For physical training and discipline is of some value, but Godliness has value for all things . . . (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
We must develop _____________________ that will facilitate growth in our lives . . . those who believed were baptized—about three thousand in all! They joined with the other believers in regular attendance at the apostles’ teaching sessions and at the Communion services and prayer meetings . . . Everyone was filled with awe, praising God . . . all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other . . . They worshiped together regularly at the Temple each day, met in small groups in homes and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness . . . All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41-47 – NLT)
HABIT 1: Get in the ____________________ and ___________________________ HABIT 2: Get _______________________________________ with other Christians HABIT 3: ___________________________________ consistently about everything HABIT 4: Sacrificially ______________________ and _________________________ HABIT 5: Share the __________________________________________ with others HABIT 6: _________________________________ all that God is doing in your life