How You Can Grow Spiritually This Year

All of our members and many of our friends want this to be a strong, effective, successful congregation. But to build this kind of congregation – there are several essential components necessary: (1) Good leadership on every level. (2) Challenging; positive preaching that builds faith in God. (3) Good teaching & learning opportunities. (4) A willingness to deal with the real needs of our members. (5) Committed, involved, serving, members. God expects us to use the talents and abilities we have for service in His kingdom. Lk. 12:42-48 - To those who have been given much, much is expected.

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

A.      We need members who are:

1.       Committed to their own personal growth and development.

2.       Committed to the congregations growth and development.

B.       As we go into 2006 let us realize:

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

2.       We must work with a desire to do it at the highest level of my ability.

C.     The more we grow and develop spiritually, the more spiritually secure the congregation becomes.

D.     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.

II. God expects each of us to grow.

A.      2 Pet. 2:1-3 – Look at how Peter challenges them.

B.       Heb. 6:1-3 – How did the Hebrew writer expect?

C.     1 Cor. 3:1-3 – the Corinthians had not grown as to accept instruction. 

D.     Ephesians 4-5:

1.       4:14-16 – every Christian must grow, mature, and develop.

2.       4:22 – lay aside the old self.

3.       4:23 – be renewed in the spirit of your mind

4.       4:24 – put on the new self

5.       4:25-32 – this will be seen in practical areas of life

6.       5:1-2 – become an imitator of God

7.       5:8 – walk as children of light

8.       5:10 – learn what is pleasing to God

9.       5:11- do not participate in unfruitful deeds of darkness

10.   5:15-16 – be careful of how you walk, making most of your time.

III. Today’s specific challenge:

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

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

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

D.     Let’s work to grow to a new level of closeness with the family at Brownsburg.

Conclusion:

A.     Imagine how the spirit and spiritual atmosphere in our congregation will grow to levels we’ve never seen.  (1 Cor 15:58)

B.       There is 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.