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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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FIVE
KEYS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH (THE
SCRIPTURES) Pastor INTRODUCTION A. If we ask ourselves,
“How does a Christian grow spiritually,” we would do well to look at the
early church and observe how they grew spiritually. One of the greatest
passages on the early church’s priorities is Acts 2:42ff. The early church
was continually devoted to certain priorities. The words, “continually
devoted” are actually one word in the Greek. It is from the root word, proskarteréō, which carries the basic idea of persistence or
devotion. It is constantly and diligently attending to something. To further enhance
the devotion of the early church, proskarteréō is used as a
present participle. This means that the early church was continually being
constant and diligent in giving attention to certain priorities. B. What were the priorities that the early
church devoted itself to? They were the Scriptures, Prayer, Fellowship,
Witnessing, and Service. C. Preliminary Thoughts: 1. Perhaps
these five keys are new to no one except brand new Christians. However,
mature Christians will delight in them because they know that these keys were
and are necessary for the spiritual growth in their own lives. 2. Perhaps some might think that these five
keys are too simplistic to have any real value for spiritual growth. The
truth of the matter is that complexity is not a prerequisite for spiritual
growth, obedience is. There are many truths in the Scriptures that are simple
to understand but obviously not so simple to apply. 3. The issue is, “Are you growing
spiritually?” If not, it could be that one or more of these areas are being
neglected in your Christian life. I. THE
IMPORTANCE OF THE SCRIPTURES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH A. The Scriptures
Are The Word Of God (1Th 2:13) 1. The
first key to spiritual growth is the Scriptures. Studying, knowing, applying the
Scriptures to one’s Christian life is absolutely necessary if there is going
to be any spiritual growth. 2. When we speak of the Word of God, it is
different from any other writings, both past and present. Other writings, no
matter how religious, truthful, or filled with inspiring anecdotes are only
the product of man not God (2Pe 1:20-21). 3. The Scriptures on the other hand are in
all reality (alęthṓs) as they say they are, the “word of
God” (lógon theoú). The Scriptures originated with and are
the product of God (2Ti 3:16 - theópneustos
- “God breathed”). 4. Not only are the Scriptures God’s word,
but they are accompanied with God’s power to “perform its work” (energéō - B. The Scriptures
Are The Basis Of Sanctification (Joh 17:17) 1. In
His High Priestly prayer, Jesus prayed for the sanctification of the
believer. “Sanctification” (hagiázō) literally means to make holy and is
the ongoing process whereby God works in the believer through His word to
make the believer more like Christ (Phi 1:6; 2:12-13). 2. Sanctification is accomplished as the
believer’s thoughts, words, and actions are renewed to live according to
God’s truth (Rom 12:1-2). 3. What or where is truth? Jesus states it
clearly; God’s word is truth and instructs us in the truth about God, about
man, about salvation, about doctrine, and about duty. 4. Christ has prayed for our sanctification
and spiritual growth, but it cannot take place apart from the Word. How could
you even define spiritual growth if it were not for the Word of God. The
believer’s spiritual growth depends upon the degree of time he spends in the
Word. C. The Scriptures
Are The Instrument Of The Holy Spirit’s Ministry (Eph 6:17) 1. In
Eph 6:17, the Scriptures are called the “sword of the Spirit.” The word for
“sword” is máchaira, which is a small sword (or large knife) used for
hand to hand combat. The context is speaking of the necessity of wielding the
word of God in spiritual warfare. 2. The fact that it is called the Spirit’s
sword reveals that the Spirit’s ministry in the life of the believer centers
around the Scriptures. This is especially true since another of the Holy
Spirit’s ministry was the process of inspiration (2Pe 1:20-21). 3. Furthermore, one cannot even spiritually
discern the Scriptures without the illuminating ministry of the Spirit (1Co
2:12-16). Only believers have the Holy Spirit and the issue is spiritual
growth. The only issue for unbelievers is salvation and new birth. 4. The Holy Spirit is going to use the word
of God in bringing the believer to maturity. Surely there are other ways in
which He works in the life of the believer. However, to neglect the
Scriptures would be to neglect the Spirit’s main instrument in spiritual
growth. II. THE
APPLICATION OF THE SCRIPTURES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH A. Personal
Commitment To The Scriptures (1Pe 2:2; Heb 5:12-13) 1. Since
the Scriptures are vital to the Spirit’s ministry in spiritual growth, every
believer must make a personal commitment to study and apply the Scriptures
daily. 2. Peter tells us in 1Pe 2:2, a true
believer will long (epipothéō
- strong yearning) for
the nourishment of the word. As he maintains a steady diet of the word, the
result (hína - purpose or result clause) will be spiritual
growth. 3. The result of not having a steady diet of
the word is stagnant immaturity (Heb 5:13 - nę́pios - infancy). The goal of maturity is to move from milk
(basic truths, abc’s) to solid food (deeper truths ) and even become teachers
of those truths (Heb 5:12). 4. Time must be set aside every day for
personal bible study, memorization, and family devotions if there is going to
be spiritual growth. If we were to approach our spiritual nourishment like
our physical nourishment, we would never miss a meal. B. Ecclesiastical
Commitment To The Scriptures (Act 2:42 cp. Acts 6:4) 1. When
we look at the model of the early church we observe their priorities. One of the main priorities that they were
continually committed to was that of the “apostle’s teaching.” The “apostle’s
teaching” comes first in the list for emphasis. 2. We also see that the apostles themselves
were committed to teaching the Scriptures in Acts 6:4 (note the use of proskarteréō
- “devote”). Therefore, the Scriptures were a priority in the ministry of the
apostles and it was a priority to those who listened. The result was
spiritual growth. 3. If there is going to be spiritual growth
in today’s church, it can only happen through a strong teaching ministry
through the Word of God. C. Commitment to
The Defense Of The Scriptures 1. If
spiritual growth is so dependent on the Scriptures, then believers and
churches must commit to the defense of the Scriptures. Satan’s strategy has
always been to question God’s Word and attempt to remove its authority (Gen
3:1-5). 2. The newest trend in the church which
subverts the Scriptures is a movement called the, “ 3. The worldview of
postmodernism – complete with an epistemology that denies the possibility of
or need for propositional truth – affords the [Emerging Church] movement an
opportunity to hop, skip and jump throughout the Bible and the history of
Christian thought in order to take whatever pieces they want from one
theology and attach them, like doctrinal post-it notes, to whatever picture
they would want to draw. (Mohler) 4. There can be no deconstruction or
reconstruction of Christian beliefs because its foundation is based upon the
inspired word of God, which is the basis for sanctification and the means for
spiritual growth. |
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