Growing

I was looking back over my sermon notes from last summer and came across this sermon from the Beachy church which I was attending at the time.

The topic was on our growth and growing. I have added some of my own thoughts on the subject in italics throughout the sermon notes.

The minister started out by saying that it is not imporant where we are now, but it is important where we are going. He stressed that several times throughout his sermon as well.

He also stressed that along with growth comes an expectation and responsibility and said if you have growth, you have life and health and if you do not have growth then you have death.

There are three steps to growing in the Lord.
1. Personal growth & development
2. Family growth & development
3. Church growth & development

Spiritual growth is harder than physical growth as said in 2 Peter 3:18.

Church growth will not happen until personal growth happens. If you point the finger at someone else, you cannot do anything. You must point the finger at yourself in order to help the Church grow and determine where your weaknesses lay.

Family growth falls more on mom and dad's shoulders. Children should focus more on their personal growth because that will also help the family growth. DO NOT GIVE UP ON FAMILY OR CHURCH! If everyone gives up on their family and church's growth, there will be none!

Everyone wants to be a part of a church that is prospering. Nobody wants to be a part of a church that is struggling. I think that is only natural that we want the good times and we do not want the bad times which come along with the good. It was mentioned that if we saw a minister stumbling or drifting down a wrong path it would be appropriate to bring the matter up to him so that he could correct his ways in order to not lead the church down a wrong path. Even when a preacher is lacking, God still requires you to follow Him.

When a church "drifts" it shows a lack of faith. When a church falls on hard times and it seems that there are many changes, I understand it's hard sometimes to have faith in those who are leading the church, but as members (and even visitors) to a church, we cannot lose our faith in those who are leading us and we must realize that God is leading the ministers. Our biggest test in church growth is if we can maintain our faith that the brothers will follow God's leading and lead the church in the direction God has planned for it.

What does God see?

God sees that we must start with our own personal responsibilites first.
He sees that slow growth is not always bad, but we must have realistic expectations.
As long as we do not diminish then the rate at which we grow is not important (2 Peter 1:2-10)

We need faith, it is necessary.
We need knowledge in Christian experience
We need patience (James 1:3)
We need Godliness (Romans 6:5)

"Love is unselfishness". Can we be love? Can we be unselfish at all times?

Brotherly kindness is a "double-dose" of kindness. Imagine if the whole world practiced brotherly kindness. But for now, let's focus on ourselves and our families. We have to start somewhere and grow from there :)

Blessings in Christ,