An Invitation to Grow

Growing to maturity

Steve McClure

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An Invitation to Grow

1. An invitation to Follow – Jesus is Enough 2. An invitation to Grow – Growing to Maturity

3. An invitation to Build – Building to Last 4. An invitation to Labour – God’s Harvest 5. An invitation to Go – A cause to Die for

6. An invitation to Serve – The Worth of the Individual

7. An invitation to Pray – The Lord of the Harvest

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The Growth Metaphor

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SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Spiritual Growth vs Indicators of Growth…

Conformed vs Transformed…

Into the likeness of Christ…

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).

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THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

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CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH – THE STATE

OF OUR HEARTS

THE PATH (HARD HEART)

Example of the Path5 ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.

Jesus’ Explanation11 ‘This is the meaning of the parable: the seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

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Lesson of the Path: Be humble and receptive to

God

THE ROCKY SOIL (ROOTS)

Example of the Rocky Places 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 

Jesus’ Explanation13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 

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Lesson of the Rocky soil: Be

rooted for lasting growth

THE THORNS (DISTRACTIONS)

Example of the Thorns7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 

Jesus’ Explanation14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

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Lesson of the Thorns: Be

ruthless with Distractions

THE GOOD SOIL (PRODUCING CROP)

Example of the Good Soil8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.’

Jesus’ Explanation

 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

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Lesson of the Good soil:

Potential for much growth

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CONDITIONS FOR GROWTH – REMAINING

IN CHRISTFruitfulness is dependent on remaining (John 15v4)

Remaining (abiding) is about intimacy with Christ (v4)

Fruit is a sign of a health relationship with Jesus (v5)

Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) AND fruit in others (v12-16)

Gathering fruit for eternal life (John 4:35-36)

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IMPLICATIONS OF SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY

“…by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” Hebrews 5:12-14

“Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly – mere infants in Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:1AN INVITATION TO GROW – GROWING TO MATURIYT

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HELPING OTHERS – SPIRITUAL PARENTING

“Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” 1 Cor 4:15

“... Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 1Thess 2:7-8

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thess 2:11-12

AN INVITATION TO GROW – GROWING TO MATURITY

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HELPING OTHERS TOWARDS MATURITY

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To

this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”

Colossians 1:28-29

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HELPING OTHERS TOWARDS MATURITY

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of

Christ may be built up13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and

become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and

blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their

deceitful scheming.  Ephesians 4:11-14

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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. What are your reflections on your own spiritual growth over the past year? What has God been doing in you or teaching you?

2. What kind of soil do you think that your heart like? To what extent are you ‘remaining in Jesus’ right now?

3. How is your life bearing fruit ? What would enable you to be more fruitful in producing lasting fruit? (Think about you and others)