SUBJECT: Growth
TITLE: GROWING AND ABOUNDING SPIRITUALLY
PROPOSITION: To set forth the aspect of the Christian life which God describes as growing and abounding.
OBJECTIVE:That we grow and abound in spiritual matters.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 2 Peter 1:8-9; 3:18.
2. Regarding the text:
1) Inspiration, through Peter, gives us sight regarding spiritual realities.
2) This is a constant and consistent theme of the entire Bible.
a. Psalm 27:1;
b. Psalm 36:9;
c. Matthew 6:22-23;
d. John 1:4-5;
e. 1 John 1:6-7.
3) Inspiration tells us things that bring us to spiritual sight,
a. The “like precious faith,” 1:1;
b. “The knowledge of God,” 1:2; 1:3;
c. The Christian “graces,” 1:5-7.
4) Then we learn that God expects us to grow, and that in two areas, grace and knowledge.
5) Growing and abounding, then, is a “nut-shell” description of the Christian life.
3. Reference to Subject, Title, Proposition, and Objective.
DISCUSSION:Growing and Abounding, spiritually-
I. Is not “Spiritualism.”
1. Galatians 5:19-20.
2. Revelation 21:8.
II. Is not “EMOTIONALISM.”
1. Proverbs 14:12.
2. Proverbs 28:26.
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22.
4. Jeremiah 17:9-10.
5. 1 John 4:1.
III. Involves Knowledge.
1. John 8:32.
2. John 20:29.
IV. Requires Sincerity.
1. 2 Peter 3:1.(ASV)
2. Acts 2J:1 .
3. Acts 10:1-2, 22, 32; 11:14.
4. Sincerity is required, but sincerity alone is not enough.
V. Involves being filled with the fruit of righteousness.
1. Galatians 5:22-23.
2. Philippians 1:11.
VI. Glorifies God.
1. Ephesians 3:20-21.
2. Ephesians 1:12.
VII. Is growing.
1. 1 Peter 2:2.
2. 2 Peter 3:18.
3. Hebrews 5:12-14.
CONCLUSION:
1. We have seen that God expects us to grow and abound spiritually.
2. We have seen some practical ways to do this.
3. Let us grow and abound.