• SPIRITUAL GROWTH
#1
• Spiritual Growth Is A Choice

• Introduction
• Just as a healthy physical life is one of growth.
• So a healthy spiritual life is a process of growth.
• Sadly, not all Christians grow spiritually…
• Many have been Christians for years, with little change or improvement.

• Introduction
• They are no more, useful to the Lord than when they first became Christians.
• Often times they are less useful to the Lord.
• When they fail to grow – they become as a stagnant pool of water.

• Introduction
• That is because Spiritual Growth Is A Choice.
• It doesn’t happen by default (unlike physical growth).
• Spiritual growth (like emotional maturity) occurs only when we choose to grow.
• If we do not make that choice, and stick to it, there will be no spiritual growth!

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE COMMANDED BY GOD
• This command is implicitly stated in what we call the Great Commission.
• Matthew 28:18-20.
• Jesus commanded His apostles to make disciples,
baptize, and TEACH.
• Implicit in the command to teach, is that disciples would be obedient learners, i.e., constantly growing as they learned and obeyed their Lord.

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE COMMANDED BY GOD
• Commanded explicitly in the Apostolic Epistles.
• 2 Peter 3:18
• We are to grow in grace.
• We are to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE COMMANDED BY GOD
• Peter begins his second epistle describing how we are to grow (2 Peter 1:5-8).
• We must add to our faith such graces as virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc.
• Abounding in these graces, being fruitful, which implies growth.

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE COMMANDED BY GOD
• Christians who did not grow, were sternly rebuked (Hebrews 5:12-6:1).
• Spiritual growth is a not an option, reserved for a few select Christians.
• The Word of God commands growth!
• We should also remember that…

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT REQUIRES DILIGENT EFFORT
• This is unlike physical growth.
• People grow physically by default (unless … disorder).
• No effort is required on our part; we mature physically whether we want to or not.
• Don’t think that just because you grow older, you are growing spiritually!
• That is two different things.

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT REQUIRES DILIGENT EFFORT
• Spiritual growth requires concentrated effort…
• Jesus said it requires labor… John 6:27.
• Paul wrote that it requires work, pressing on…
Philippians 2:12; 3:13-14.
• Peter wrote that it requires diligence…
2 Peter 1:5,10.
• Like physical health, spiritual growth requires regular exercise… 1 Timothy 4:7-8.

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT REQUIRES DILIGENT EFFORT
• Spiritual growth is not easy.
• We must work at it.
• Today.
• Tomorrow.
• As long as we live and are able to function.

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT IS ASSISTED BY GOD
• We are not alone in our efforts…
• While we work out our salvation, God is at work in us… Philippians 2:12-13.
• God desires to complete the work He started when He saved us… Philippians 1:6.
• We are strengthened by God in our efforts…

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT IS ASSISTED BY GOD
• He strengthens us by His Spirit in our inner man…
Ephesians 3:16.
• He empowers us with unimaginable power that is in us… Ephesians 3:20.
• He provides the armor to stand strong in the power of His might… Ephesians 6:10-11.

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT IS ASSISTED BY GOD
• There is no excuse not to grow, for Christ strengthens us! … Philippians 4:13.
• With God as our aid, spiritual growth is possible.
• And not mediocre growth, but spiritual growth beyond what limits we might think hinder us!
• Finally, let us remember that…

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT IS BLESSED BY GOD
• The blessings begin in this life… 2 Peter 3:18
• As we grow we experience the blessings of the grace in which we stand.
• Such as peace with God, rejoicing in hope…
Romans 5:1-2.
• When we grow we experience the blessings of adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc. to our faith.

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT IS BLESSED BY GOD
• Such as a victorious life, in which we do not stumble
so as to fall… 2 Peter 1:10.
• Indeed, it is spiritual growth that ensures the “abundant life” – now that Jesus promised!
… John 10:10.
• The blessings continue into the life to come.
• We will experience an “abundant entrance” into the
everlasting kingdom… 2 Peter 1:11

• SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS A CHOICE THAT IS BLESSED BY GOD
• In some way, our works do follow us…Revelation 14:13.
• At the very least, we know that our labors will not be in vain! …
1 Corinthians 15:58

• WARNING ABOUT THE WRONG KIND OF GROWTH
• We have been talking about growth; but not just any growth, for not all growth is good…
• The hearts of some grow dull (Matthew 13:15).
• The love of many grow cold (Matthew 24:12).
• There is the danger of growing weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13).

• WARNING ABOUT THE WRONG KIND OF GROWTH
• There is possibility of growing corrupt according to deceitful lusts (Ephesians 4:22).
• There is danger of growing wanton against Christ
(1 Timothy 5:11).
• There are those who grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13).
• Like the growth of cancerous cells, the wrong growth can be deadly!

• WARNING ABOUT THE WRONG KIND OF GROWTH
• Is it a deadly kind of growth, creating dull hearts, love that
is cold, weariness in doing good, even moral corruption?
• Or is it a vibrant kind of growth in which we are
abounding in love, joy, and peace, being faithful and
fruitful in our service to Jesus Christ?
• The one kind of growth is often the result of neglect, the
other kind of growth comes only when we make the right
choice!
• If we desire to experience the blessings of the right kind of
growth, then never forget that Spiritual Growth Is A
Choice!

• Conclusion
• We have been talking about spiritual growth, the kind of growth that is…
Commanded by God
Requires diligent effort
Assisted by God
Blessed by God
• It is this kind of growth that Peter enjoined as he closed his epistle (2 Peter 3:18).
• What kind of growth is taking place in our spiritual lives?
• Each of us must give an answer.
• Are you making the right choice today and every day?

By Carey Scott from material by Tom Moore

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