How You Can Grow Spiritually This Year

2006001

Topic # 1141 encouragement

Introduction:

A.     1 Cor. 15:58 – our labor is not in vain.

1.      All of our members and many of our friends want this to be a strong, effective, successful congregation.

2.      to build this kind of congregation – there are several essential components necessary:

a)      Good leadership on every level.

b)      Challenging; positive preaching that builds faith in God.

c)      Good teaching & learning opportunities

d)      It must be willing to deal with the real needs of our members

e)      It must have committed, involved, serving members.

B.      Taking a look at these 5 areas – we have a great start in many of them.

1.      In fact, we may be far ahead of many congregations w/what we have in place.

2.      But that is not our measuring stick.

3.      God expects us to use the talents and abilities we have for service in His kingdom.

C.     Lk. 12:42-48 - To those who have been given much, much is expected.

1.      As individuals & as a congregation, are we being sensible stewards?

a)      if so – we will be blessed – 12:42-44

b)      if not – God will be displeased – 12:45-48

2.      12:48b – here’s the point…

3.      We must use our abundance of talent, resources to glorify God by moving in faith.

4.      How do great congregations succeed?  By the dedication of individuals within the congregation that are motivated to become more like God.

 

I.  The key to a strong, effective congregation lies with me.

A.     Nothing can make us what we need to be w/o the commitment, involvement, and service of our members.

B.      We need members who are:

1.      Committed to their own personal growth and development.

2.      Committed to the congregations growth and development.

C.     Each of us must understand this truth. As we go into 2006 let us realize:

1.      Key to our spiritual success is our individual spiritual growth.

2.      I must never be content just to be a Christian – I must never stop dreaming of what I can yet become as a Christian.

3.      Everything I do, I must do it well now, work to do it better in the future, and look to grow someday to the point where I can do it at the highest level of my ability.

D.    When we do this, we do it for our benefit as well as the congregations.

1.      More we grow/develop spiritually – more spiritually secure the congregation becomes.

2.      The quality of my faith powerfully contributes to the good of the congregation.

E.      Let us all make a commitment today where we:

1.      Realize how much God & my brethren depend on me.

2.      Spiritually, I must improve my mind, develop my abilities,

3.      Spiritually I must become a better:

a)      Servant and worshipper

b)      Student and pray-er.

5.      We have the responsibility to grow and develop as God’s children.

6.      We have the responsibility to assist God’s purposes and objectives in His family; His kingdom; and this congregation of His people.

a)      Only when we are growing spiritually can each of us accept these responsibilities.

 

II. God expects each of us to grow.

A.     2 Pet. 2:1-3 – Peter addresses scattered, suffering Christians.  Look at how Peter challenges them.

B.      Heb. 6:1-3 – Hebrew writer addresses Christians enduring severe persecution & hardships.

1.      discouraged – willing to give up

2.      Look at the challenge they received.

C.     1 Cor. 3:1-3 – writing to Corinthians who needed instruction but had not grown to the point where they were able to accept it. 

D.    Ephesians 4-5:

1.      4:14-16 – every Christian needs to grow, mature, and develop into the image of Jesus.

2.      He tells them how to do it:

a)      4:22 – lay aside the old self.

b)      4:23 – be renewed in the spirit of your mind

c)      4:24 – put on the new self

d)      4:25-32 – this will be seen in practical areas of life

e)      5:1-2 – become an imitator of God

f)        5:8 – walk as children of light

g)      5:10 – learn what is pleasing to God

h)      5:11- do not participate in unfruitful deeds of darkness

i)        5:15-16 – be careful of how you walk, making most of your time.

3.      All of these need to be individual commitments we make.

 

III. Today’s specific challenge:

A.     I challenge each of us to grow & mature spiritually in 2006

B.      I challenge each of us to grow/mature to a spiritual level you have never before reached.

C.     Let’s take our prayer life to a new level.

1.      Take more time to pray than you have ever taken.

a)      Work to better understand what prayer is and how to pray.

b)      Grow to the point where you can talk to God about anything.

c)      Give more thought to prayer than you ever have.

2.      1 Tim. 2:1 – 4 types of prayer. Learn to better pray all these types of prayer.

D.    Let’s grow to a new level of worship.

1.      Let’s work to where we will possess a great understanding of the nature and meaning of worship.

2.      Let your worship declare God’s place in your heart & in your life.

3.      Make a commitment to attend all the worship assemblies. Remember, we come to worship God, not to observe, criticize, or critique.

4.      God will be praised and honored by my actions, my voice, my heart, my mind.

E.      Let’s reach a new level of service.

1.      Help us to remember to remember that we serve, because we belong to God. 

2.      Not only will we follow through w/better service, but it will be seen by the possession of a better attitude, positive motivation, and an uplifting spirit.

3.      Let us resolve that our relationship with God will be the foundation of our service.

F.      Let’s work to grow to a new level of closeness in our association with the family of God at Brownsburg.

1.      Seek to contribute to the warmth, the love, and the sense of caring that IS our congregation.

2.      Seek to be a healthy, caring, attentive part of God’s family & the Brownsburg family.

3.      Work to where you have the mindset that this body of Christians will be blessed because of your part in this spiritual family.  

4.      I challenge you to make powerful relationships in this congregation.

5.      I challenge you to help others build relationships

6.      I challenge you to encourage and uplift fellow Christians every week!

 

Conclusion:

A.     Somewhere in all these helpful suggestions is one thing that you can focus on & improve your spiritual life.

B.      Imagine if each one of us focuses on these priorities and works hard in the areas needing greatest improvement in our life.

1.      Imagine how the spirit and spiritual atmosphere in our congregation will grow to levels we’ve never seen.

2.      1 Cor 15:58

C.     None of us knows what we’ll experience in the coming year.  But…what ever they may be:

1.      Let us face them with the most powerful, most mature relationship with God and each other that we have ever known.

2.      Whatever happens will be OK – because the God we serve has defeated death.

D.    No more positive way to begin the New Year than with a positive relationship with God. 

1.      Become a Christian today and let God make you part of the family.

2.      Make your life right for yourself and for the good of this congregation.

3.      I N V I T A T I O N