Spiritual Growth is Not for Babies

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Spiritual Growth is Not for Babies

• 2 Peter 317-18
• 11 December 2005

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2 Peter 317-18

• Therefore, dear friends, since you already know
  this, be on your guard so that you may not be
  carried away by the error of lawless men and fall
  from your secure position. But grow in the grace
  and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
  Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!
  Amen.

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The Goal?

• The primary goal of spiritual life is human
  transformation.

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Misconceptions of Maturity

• Spiritual maturity comes with age
• Spiritual maturity is automatic or instant
• Spiritual maturity is as a result of a lot of
  Christian activity
• Spiritual maturity is directly related to
  how much biblical information youve
  acquired

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The Meaning of Maturity

• What do we mean by spiritual growth?
• Spiritual maturity incremental developing of
  Christ-like-ness in us
• . . . until we all reach unity in the faith and
  in the knowledge of the Son of God and become
  mature, attaining to the whole measure of the
  fullness of Christ. Ephesians 314

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Steps to Maturity

• By practicing, living out certain attitudes and
  behaviors, growth will occur.

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Steps to Maturity Step One

• Get Accountable
• Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you
  will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 62
• Maturing flourishes with accountability

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Steps to Maturity, Step Two

• Making bible-reading a part of your everyday
  experience
• Now the Bereans were of more noble character
  than the Thessalonians, for they received the
  message with great eagerness and examined the
  Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was
  true. Acts 1711

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Steps to Maturity, Step Three

• Be deliberate and passionate about worship
• Let us not give up meeting together, as some are
  in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
  anotherand all the more as you see the Day
  approaching. Hebrews 1025

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Steps to Maturity, Step Four

• Tell others about what Jesus is doing in your
  life
• This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much
  fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
  John 158

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Steps to Maturity Step Five

• Take time to pray
• If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
  ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
  John 157

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Steps to Maturity, Step Six

• Honor God by investing your time, skills, and
  resources in your local church
• Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that
  there may be food in my house. Test me in this,"
  says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not
  throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out
  so much blessing that you will not have room
  enough for it. Malachi 310