Growing in Christ

Growing in Christ Text: 1 John 2:12-17

Understanding Spiritual Growth

• It does not affect your position before God

• It does not affect God’s love for you

• It is not measured by how long you’ve been a Christian

• It is not measured by how much you know about God

• It is not measured by ministry success or fruitfulness

• It is not an emotional feeling or internal sense of closeness to God

Little Children & Children

• “LITTLE CHILDREN” – all that are born of God

• vs. Children of Satan

• Your sins have been forgiven

• For His Name’s sake, and For His glory

• “CHILDREN”

• Those under parental instruction and care

• You know the Father

• Basic understanding of the special relationship

• “Da-Da”

Spiritual Adolescents and Young Adults

CHARACTERISTICS

• Strong in the Truth

• His Word is in you

• You have overcome the evil one

Spiritual Parents

• Because you know Him

• “Who has been from the beginning”

• A breadth and depth of understanding spiritual truths

• A supernatural intimacy with God

• A life of worship and service

• A life of growing obedience

• A reproducing life

• Pouring out to others – Sharing the Gospel

• Pouring into others – Discipling

The Ground for Growth

• Nurtured by the Word of God

• Hear it

• Read it

• Study it

• Memorize it

• Meditate on it

• APPLY IT TO EVERY SITUATION AND CIRCUMSTANCE OF LIFE

The Evidence of Growth

• A diminishing love for the world & its...

• Lust of the flesh

• Lust of the eyes

• Boastful pride of life

• An increasing obedience to God

Spiritual growth only comes by the obedient application of the Word of God to YOUR LIFE!

Source Material:

MacArthur, John; The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 1-3 John, Moody Publishers, Chicago, 2007, pp. 69-92.