IT'S TIME TO GROW UP
Rick Warren
"We are not meant to remain as children at the mercy of every chance wind of teaching.... But we are meant to hold firmly to the truth in love, and to grow up in every way into Christ the head."
Ephesians 4:14 (PH)
THE LAWS OF GROWTH
1. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INCARNATION
"You are God's temple and God's Spirit lives in you."
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)
"(It's) ... a life renewed from the inside and working itself out into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you."
Ephesians 4:23–24 (MSG)
REALITY: SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS BOTH MYSTICAL AND PRACTICAL
2. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INTENTIONAL
Spiritual growth is a choice.
MYTH: Growth is automatic.
REALITY: WE GROW BY MAKING COMMITMENT.
"COME & SEE" to "COME & DIE"
Jesus start moving people from come and see to commitment.
"if you love me, take up the cross and follow me"
Dangerous surrender (taking the cross, cross is symbol of torture)
"Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground and building lives of obedience into maturity until finally we all believe … and become full-grown in the Lord—to the point of being filled full with Christ."
Ephesians 4:13 (LB)
Come and see, come and join, come and serve, come and go...
TOOLS WE USE:
1. Weekly spiritual commitment card.
We grow by making commitment. If want buy car, should sign and commit it.
2. The covenant. (Promises) membership, maturity, ministry, mission Class 101,201,301,401...
"'Because of all this we again promised to serve the Lord! And we, and our princes and Levites and priests all; put our names to this covenant.' I, Nehemiah signed this covenant. The others who signed it were ... " Nehemiah 9:38–10:1 (LB)
3. Message note (handout)
We shouldn't forget what we learned.
"The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25 (NIV)
We might forget the thing we learn.
1. People listen better.
2. People remember more.
3. Increases participation.
4. Cover more scripture in less time.
5. Can review the message for years to come.
6. Allows small group discussion.
7. Can study multiple translations.
8. Visitors don't bring Bibles.
3. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS INCREMENTAL
MYTH: GROWTH IS INSTANT
REALITY: WE GROW THROUGH STAGES
Step by step... Gradually grow.
" ... our lives are gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (MSG)
Knowing Christ, Loving his family, Growing in Christ, Serving Christ, & Sharing Christ
TOOLS: THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE DEVELOPMENT CLASSES
4. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS PERSONAL
REALITY: WE GROW ACCORDING TO OUR SHAPE.
"Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else." Galatians 6:4 (NIV)
We should encourage each other to grow and not comparing.
TOOLS WE USE:
1. Personally counselor prayer. Pray for the growth of someone.
2. Personal shape interview.
3. Personal spiritual assessment guide.
5. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS HABITUAL.
REALITY: WE GROW BY DEVELOPING HABIT.
"Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more...." Hebrews 10:25 (TEV)
TOOLS WE USE:
1. Email devotional
2. Audio devotional
3. Journal (life lesson)
4. Bible reading guide (website or apps)
5. Homework assignment (class in church)
Take six weeks become HABIT.
6. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS RELATIONAL (Communal)
We need other people in our life.
MYTH: YOU CAN ATTAIN MATURITY BY YOURSELF
REALITY: WE ONLY GROW IN COMMUNITY
Church is a body of Christ. If we cut of from the body, we cannot grow. We learn only from relationship.
"Under Christ direction, the whole Body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."
Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
TOOLS WE USE:
1. Small group (cell group or life group)
2. Retreat (men treat, women retreat...)
3. Spiritual partner.
7. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS BEHAVIORAL.
MYTH: MATURITY IS MEASURED BY BIBLE KNOWLEDGE
I only believe the part in the bible that I do. If I'm not do it, which mean I don't believe it.
"While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church."
1 Corinthians 8:1 (NLT)
REALITY: IT TAKES ALL FIVE PURPOSES TO GROWTH
Warmer through fellowship
Deeper through discipleship
Stronger through worship
Broader through ministry
Larger through mission
"Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us." James 1:27 (NLT)
8. SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS SEASONAL.
"As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night." Genesis 8:22 (NLT)
REALITY: WE GROW IN SPUR
THE TOOLS WE USE: Growth campaigns
(E.g. 40 days of love)
HEAR IT! READ IT! DISCUSS IT! MEMORIZE A VERSE! DO IT!
The purpose driven strategy is built on these 8 laws.
"My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to My Father."
John 15:8 (NLT)
Did you reproduce fruit?
POINT TO PONDER:
There are no shortcuts to maturity.
VERSE TO REMEMBER:
“God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.”
PHILIPPIANS 1:6 (NCV)
QUESTION TO CONSIDER:
In what area of my spiritual growth do I need to be more patient and persistent?
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