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God’s Call to Spiritual Growth

God’s Call to Spiritual Growth. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23,24.

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God’s Call to Spiritual Growth

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  1. God’s Call to Spiritual Growth The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23,24 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8

  2. Faith Believing God as He Promised in His Word Acts 27:25

  3. Introduction - Christianity begins with FAITH (Acts 27:25) • Faith is believing and trusting in God • You start with faith as the first step of a new life, and then constantly add to it. • 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "We walk by faith, not by sight." • We don't live by the media; we don’t live in fear! We live by faith in the eternal God. • God wants us to live in absolute dependence on Him. That’s belief – that’s faith! • I can't get very upset over troubles when I know everything is under God's control – that’s faith!

  4. Two kinds of Faith:Wrong Faith… Wasted Faith • It is a Blind faith, guessing kind of faith, hoping, trying, wishing for something to happen, with no idea and no guarantee that it will happen • It is a neglecting faith that leaves firm beliefs to parents, to pastors, and to religious fanatics • It is trusting ANY other source for truth other than the Bible – period! • Your Experiences – “well, I know what I saw…” • Your Feelings – “I just can get over how I feel…” • Your Past – “How could God ever forgive ME?” • Astrology, evolution, superstitions

  5. Two kinds of Faith:… and Right Faith – Real Faith • Real faith has substance • Real faith is precious (rare) • Real faith is common – it is universal • Real faith is proven • Real faith is Biblical (1Thes 2:13)

  6. The Effect of Faith • Accesses the free gift of forgiveness and salvation from hell (Ephesians 2:8,9)! • Accesses peace with God (Romans 5:1) • Pleases God – not your efforts, but your faith and confidence in Him (Hebrews 11:6) • Gets answers to your needs (Mark 11:24) • Brings all good things into your life (2Peter 1:3) - just by personally knowing Jesus!

  7. How to Grow Your Faith(Luke 17:5; Mark 9:24) • Constantly Feed it (Rom 10:17) • Constantly Force it • Constantly Fight with it • Constantly Live in it There are NO short-cuts… We fail in our Christian life because we fail at THIS step! What Will You Do With Your Faith Now?

  8. The Dangers of Spiritual Stagnation, and How to Avoid It Christians Should be Weary of Backsliding, and Stagnation in Their Walk With God Philippians 2:12,13

  9. Philippians 2:12,13 • God puts some things inside the believer – it is all part of being born again • He puts His Holy Spirit in us – actually seals Him in • He puts eternal life itself in us – passed from death unto life • He puts a purpose – a calling – into our lives • He expects us to work those things out through our fingers and toes • But it doesn’t all happen naturally – takes effort • This is going to be a warning about backsliding, and becoming carnal, not growing, drying up, growing lukewarm, and then cold! • It will be a challenge to grow and glow hot and bright in this dark day and hour

  10. Barren Lives • Barren earth at creation (Genesis 1:1-3) • Parable of the fig tree – no fruit (Luke 13:1-6) • Barren wombs – no children • Sarah (Gen 11:30) - Isaac • Hannah (1Sam 1) - Samuel • Elisabeth (Luke 1:7) – John the Baptist • Barren Christians – most have no real fruit • We were created by God to bear fruit

  11. Unfruitful Lives • Parable of the Thorny Soil (Matthew 13:18,22): • Becomes unfruitful because of stress, worries, wrong priorities, and the cares of this world • Boils down to the softness of the heart • Fruitfulness is only accomplished by: • Walking with God (Psalm 1:1-3) • Abiding in Christ. Jesus saved us to enable us to be fruitful (John 15:1,2,5) – without Him we can produce nothing of value

  12. False Fruit • Gain the whole world’s wealth (Matthew 16:26) • Have all of men’s admiration • Full of Religious Zeal (Philippians 3:4-9) • Hypocrite – actor – tares – put on a show

  13. Christian Growth • Starting with Faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:10,11) • Adding seven Christ-like attitudes and actions – get them INTO you • Let them work – turn them loose (2Peter 1:8) – they are the changing power • Enjoy the fruit that results

  14. Warning! • If you don’t grow… • If you backslide… • If you cool off, and stay cooled-off… • You will lose big-time (2Peter 1:9-11): • Lose your sight – no spiritual awareness • Lose your memory – forgetting spiritual victories • Lose your progress – constantly fall back • Lose your heavenly rewards

  15. God’s Promises • God has given us Four Things • “Divine power” (1:3) • “Great and precious promises” (1:4) • Seven spiritual ingredients to add to our lives • A perfect “calling and election” (1:10) • With such help • You can’t but bear fruit (1:8) – it will come! • You are promised to never fall (1:10) • You will be rewarded in heaven (1:11)

  16. A Christian’s Fruit • Pleasure to God – by faith, walk the walk • Changed life – new creature (2Cor 5:17) • Godly life – more like Jesus • A Christian family – saved and with one heart because of your changed life! • Another “life” – soul-winning – spiritual children • Our World turned “upside down”

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