Are you growing up? VFC’s strategy for your spiritual growth is to be centered on the cross. There are four sections on a cross: Growing Deep, Growing Up, Reaching Out, Reaching In. The goal is for all four of these to be working in equal amounts, where you stay the center. In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares how we can grow up into spiritual maturity.
1 Cor 15:34 “Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7 “God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.”
Ephesians 4:17-24
Just because God loves us, doesn’t mean He won’t instruct us.
Don’t sing “praise Him” with your lips, but scream “crucify him” with your lifestyle.
How to we grow up spiritually?
The Purity Progression:
- Practice Repentance: a change of mind, resulting in a change of direction.
Acts 3:19 “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Not repenting of your sins, is like mowing weeds instead of pulling weeds: they’ll just keep coming back.
Matthew 4:17 - Receive Righteousness: the state of being in acceptable condition to God.
Romans 3:22- “And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction.” - Embrace Sanctification: gradual growth thru grace and grit.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”
Training in sanctification comes from:
a) The word of God. John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
b) The Spirit of God. 1 Peter 1:2 “…the sanctifying work of the Spirit” - Walk in Holiness: righteousness in action.
1 Peter 1:14-15
2 Tim 2:21 “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
A holy Christian is a helpful Christian, and a holy Christian is a happy Christian.
Are you growing up?