OUR NEED FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

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OUR NEED FORSPIRITUAL GROWTH
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1 Corinthians 36

• I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the
  increase.

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GROWTH MUST BE WHAT PLEASES GOD

• Will not really grow if we use unscriptural
  methods.
• We will be swelling.
• IF we will just do what WE'RE supposed to do, God
  will do what He said He will do

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SPIRITUAL AND NUMERICAL GROWTH ARE INTERRELATED

• Spiritual growth WITH numerical growth ought to
  be our objective.
• Numerical growth must be linked to righteousness
  and truth.

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HOW WE BEGIN ON THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

• John 33 Jesus answered
  and said to him, "Most
  assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born
  again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
• John 35 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say
  to you, unless one is born of water and the
  Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

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1 Peter 123

• having been born again, not of corruptible
  seed but incorruptible, through the word of God
  which lives and abides forever

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1 Peter 22

• as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of
  the word, that you may grow thereby,

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HOW WE BEGIN ON THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

• A newborn is helpless.
• Cant care for itself.
• Parents first concern is that the baby grow.
• This is Gods concern for His children.

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WE NEED TO GROW SPIRITUALLY SO WE CAN DO THE WORK
OF GOD

• Fulfill our responsibilities in the kingdom.
• Matthew 201 - "For the kingdom of heaven is like
  a landowner who went out early in the morning to
  hire laborers for his vineyard."

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WE NEED TO GROW SPIRITUALLY SO WE CAN DO THE WORK
OF GOD

• Wouldnt expect a newborn to do the work of a
  grown person.
• We should not expect a new
  Christian to do the work of a
  mature Christian.

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Hebrews 512-14

• For though by this time you ought to be
  teachers, you need someone to teach you again the
  first principles of the oracles of God and you
  have come to need milk and not solid food. For
  everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled
  in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
  But solid food belongs to those who are of full
  age, that is, those who by reason of use have
  their senses exercised to discern both good and
  evil.

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1 Corinthians 1420

• "Brethren, do not be children in
  understanding however, in malice be babes, but
  in understanding be mature.

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HARD BATTLES MUST BE FOUGHT

• 2 Timothy 23 - "You therefore must endure
  hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

Good soldier
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1 Timothy 612

• "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
  eternal life, to which you were also called and
  have confessed the good confession in the
  presence of many witnesses."

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HARD BATTLES MUST BE FOUGHT

• 2 Timothy 23 - "You therefore must endure
  hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

Good soldier
Endure hardship
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Ephesians 617

• "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
  God.
• 2 Timothy 215
• Be diligent to present yourself approved to
  God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed,
  rightly dividing the word of truth.

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1 Timothy 612

• "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
  eternal life, to which you were also called and
  have confessed the good confession in the
  presence of many witnesses."

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DISCERNMENT MUST BE ACHIEVED

• Hebrews 514 - "But solid food belongs to those
  who are of full age, that is, those who by reason
  of use have their senses exercised to discern
  both good and evil."

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Galatians 63
John 832 And you shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.

• "For if anyone thinks himself to be something,
  when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
• James 122
• "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only,
  deceiving yourselves.

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DISCERNMENT MUST BE ACHIEVED

• Newborn Christians have not had the time to
  exercise their senses and cant see the danger.
• A mature Christian should be able to see the
  dangers.

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Matthew 527-28

• You have heard that it was said to those of
  old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say
  to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for
  her has already committed adultery with her in
  his heart.

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STRENGTH AND GROWTH MUST BE IN THE LORD

• Ephesians 610 - "Finally, my brethren, be
  strong in the Lord and in the power of His
  might.
• Ephesians 415 - "but, speaking the truth in
  love, may grow up in all things into Him who is
  the head Christ."

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GODS PLAN OF SALVATION

• Hear the gospel (Romans 1017).
• Believe the gospel (Mark 1616).
• Repent of sins (Acts 238).
• Confess faith in Christ (Romans 109-10).
• Be baptized (Acts 238).
• Live a faithful life (Revelation 210).
• Repent, confess, pray (1 John 19 Acts 822).