Growing in the Lord

1
Growing in the Lord

• 2 Pet. 314-18

2
Growing in the Lord

• Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such
  things, be diligent that ye may be found of him
  in peace, without spot, and blameless. And
  account that the longsuffering of our Lord is
  salvation even as our beloved brother Paul also
  according to the wisdom given unto him hath
  written unto you As also in all his epistles,
  speaking in them of these things in which are
  some things hard to be understood, which they
  that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do
  also the other scriptures, unto their own
  destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye
  know these things before, beware lest ye also,
  being led away with the error of the wicked, fall
  from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace,
  and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
  Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for
  ever. Amen.
• 2 Pet. 314-18

3
We Must Have Priorities.

• God must have our top priority. (Matt. 633)
• We must love God more than our own families.
  (Matt. 1037)

4
We Must Have Priorities.

• God will not accept our excuses. (Luke 1416-27)
  
• We must put God before
• Property and possessions (v. 18)
• Building a house
• Buying a house
• Selling a house
• Cleaning a house
• Remodeling a house
• Yard work
• Buying a car
• Selling a car
• Repairing a car

5
We Must Have Priorities.

• God will not accept our excuses. (Luke 1416-27)
  
• We must put God before

• Business and livelihood (v. 19)
• Business to run
• Job that conflicts
• Family and relationships (v. 20)
• Preparing a meal for visiting family
• Stay at home to prepare big meal
• Ourselves

6
We Must Have Priorities.

• After God, we must put our family second. (Eph.
  522-64)
• Thirdly, we have the needs of others.(Matt.
  2026-28)
• Lastly, we have self.
• Satisfying one's personal lusts cannot take
  priority over service to God, service to one's
  family, or service to others.

7
We Must Have Priorities.

• The Bible also deals with those who dont have
  their priorities in this order.
• Phil. 318-19
• 2 Tim. 34-5

8
We Must Grow

• If we arent growing, were dying.
• We must grow in all aspects of our lives.(Acts
  2020)
• Public Worship
• Private Worship

9
Growth in Public Worship

• AttendanceHeb. 1024-25
• Are you present at all times that you can be?
• Bible Study, Services, Gospel Meetings
• If not, recall your end is destruction (Phil.
  318-19) unless you make correction.
• We just finished our gospel meeting, and some
  visitors here Sunday morning for Bible study,
  services, and every night of the meeting. Others
  were here in the mornings when they could make
  it. Were you?

10
Growth in Public Worship

• Bible ClassHeb. 512-14
• Are you present?
• Are you prepared?
• Do you pay attention and not let your mind wander?

11
Growth in Public Worship

• Giving1 Cor. 161-2
• Do you SACRIFICE in your giving?
• Mark 1242-44 Widow and the two mites
• She gave all she had while others merely scraped
  a little off of the top of their riches.
• Do you give of yourself first to the Lord?
• 2 Cor. 85
• Do you give freely and cheerfully?
• 2 Cor. 96-7

12
Growth in Public Worship

• Lords Supper1 Cor. 1123-29 Acts 207 Acts
  242
• Do you reflect on the sacrifice Christ made?
• 1 Cor. 1124-25 This do in remembrance of Me
• - OR -
• Do you let your mind wander?
• Punishment of doing this is in 1 Cor. 1127-29.

13
Growth in Public Worship

• SingingCol. 316 Eph. 519
• Do you sing?
• God knows if you are singing or not.
• Others can also tell many times, and its a
  discouragement.
• Do you focus on the words and meaning of song?
• 1 Cor. 1415 With Understanding
• Do you mouth the words and let your mind wander?
• 1 Cor. 1415 With the Spirit

14
Growth in Public Worship

• PrayerActs 242
• Do you pray along with prayer being led?
• 1 Cor. 1415 - Pray with understanding
• Do you focus on the words and thought of prayer
  or do you let your mind think on other things?
• 1 Cor. 1415 - Pray with the spirit

15
Growth in Public Worship

• SermonActs 242 Mk. 1615 2 Tim. 41-4
• Do you have an open heart? (James 121)
• Do you meditate on whats being taught?
• Do you study whether the things taught are so or
  not? (Acts 1710-11)
• Do you sleep during the sermon?

16
Growth in Public Worship

• After servicesGal. 610 Eph. 219 Acts 246-47
• Do you leave as fast as you can?
• Do you stay around and talk to fellow Christians?
• Its sad when the elders or person giving
  announcements tells of someone being sick or
  having troubles, and the only thing you can think
  of is WHO?

17
Growth in Private Worship

• Bible Study2 Tim. 215 1 Pet. 315
• When was last time you read Bible, not for
  preaching, teaching, or doing your Bible lesson?
• You may know the main Bible characters but there
  are other interesting stories in the Bible you
  may not know.
• If I said that someone drives like Jehu, who
  understands what I mean? (2 Kings 920)

18
Growth in Private Worship

• Prayer1 Thes. 517 1 Tim. 28
• How often do you pray?
• When you wake up
• When you eat your meals
• When someone is sick
• When someone is having a hard time
• Driving to work
• On way home from work
• Before going to bed
• Anytime
• We can always pray more than we do.

19
Growth in Private Worship

• BenevolenceGal. 610 Eph. 428 Luke 1025-37
• There are always people in need.
• Sick
• Loss of loved one
• Needy
• When the need arises, do you give to others in
  need? (Matthew 2531-46)
• Money
• Transportation
• Clothing
• Food

20
Growth in Private Worship

• Personal EvangelismMatt. 2819-20 Mk. 1615
• Home Bible Studies
• Correspondence Courses
• Tracts on all subjects
• Tapes or slides of applicable sermons
• Inviting others to services

21
Conclusion

• We always have room to grow both in our private
  and in our public service to God.
• We must strive to give our first fruits to our
  Master.

22
Plan of Salvation

• Hear Rom. 1017
• Believe John 2030-31
• Repent of Your Sins Luke 133
• Confess Jesus as the Christ Rom. 109-10
• Be baptized for the remission of your sins Acts
  238
• Remain faithful Matt. 1022
• Continue growing 2 Pet. 318

23
Plan of Salvation

• Repent of your sins Acts 822
• Confess your faults James 516
• Pray for one another James 516
• Remain faithful Matt. 1022
• Continue growing 2 Pet. 318