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 ________________.

A.      We need members who are:

1.       Committed to their __________ personal growth and development.

2.       Committed to the ____________________ growth and development.

B.       As we go into 2006 let us realize:

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

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

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

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

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

2.       Spiritually, I must improve my __________, develop my _____________,

3.       Spiritually, I must become a better:

a)       ________________ and ____________________

b)       ____________________ and ____________-_____.

II. God expects each of us to __________________.

A.      2 Pet. 2:1-3 – Look at _____________________ challenge.

B.       Heb. 6:1-3 – How did the ____________________ writer encourage them?

C.     1 Cor. 3:1-3 – the __________________ 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 ___________ _________.

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

4.       4:24 – put on the ___________ self.

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

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

7.       5:8 – walk as children of ____________.

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

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

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

III. Today’s specific challenge:

A.      Let’s take our ____________ ________ to a new level.

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

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

D.     Let’s work to grow to a new level of ___________ 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.