The Measure and Means of Growth
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DescriptionSpiritual Growth 2 Timothy 3: 10-17Intro: This is the time of year in which we try to Measure Growth. • Financial Growth • Intellectual Growth…. Grade Reports • Physical Growth (marks on closet wall)… Scales… Have you Measured Your Spiritual Growth? (Progress in 2009?) T/S – a Paragraph provides insight into the Measure and Means of Spiritual Growth (What it Is and How to achieve it) 2 Timothy 3: 10-17 Review their Relationship READ The Measure of Spiritual Growth (17) Exp – Spiritual Growth makes us fully equipped for Service. “Equipped” = Outfitted (imagine soldier or craftsman) Ready to be productive in the Work! • Note – Spiritual Growth is Not About What I Know How I Feel ILL – Someone got stuck in the snow outside my window • Not dressed; no rope; weak cars; … • Man in 4X4; boots & gloves; tow rope…pulled out! App – He Builds Us UP FOR SERVICE! Ask Not Do I feel better at night? Do I know more stuff? Ask Am I making a difference? (family; church; ... Your Family Needs You! WE Need You! T/S – How can I Rise Up…. Equipped for Service? The Means of Spiritual Growth Exp – Paul reminds Timothy of the process of “outfitting”… Note: Passive participle “Fully equipped” = God’s Work! God’s Way of preparing us for Service… Teachers Exp – God used people to Teach/Train… Model/Mentor Timothy. Vs. 10 – Paul provided instruction and Example Vs. 14b – 15 – From whom…. 2 Tim. 1:5 App – Who Is your Teacher? Who are you Teaching? Trails Exp – Paul speaks of the difficulties of his life and Tim’s Day. Suffering; persecutions; deception; difficult days.. Trails produce Spiritual Growth Ill – “I walked a mile with pleasure; she chattered all Key Words: “Endure” (11) = Stay Under “Continue” (14) --- YOU, However App – God will use trials to equip us, if we will just hang on! Time Exp – Timothy has been learning from Paul for over 20 years! He has been learning All His Life…. (15) Spiritual Growth Takes Time! ILL – I am planning to plant a Tree in 2010…. Seed/Acorn Psalm 1 – Image of Productive Growth = TREE App – Start NOW! If you want to be a Tree…. Training our Children! Want to be a Wise old Person… Dependable Leader Truth of God’s Word (16) Exp – Not really a technical theological statement…PRACTICAL The Scriptures Work! Profitable for Spiritual Growth! • God Breathed (source of Bible is the source of Growth) • Put yourself under God’s Word! --- Personal; family; congregational…… Ill – Ministry of the Word is like a sower sowing seed! App – Read your Bible Through this Year! Put yourself under the Preaching/Teaching of the Word Control your children’s Diet! (Junk food) Next week…. Dr. Kelly… Parables of Matthew Conclusion Spiritual Birth precedes spiritual growth. Vs. 15 – “…salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus!” ILL – Nicodemus came to Jesus as Teacher… “Unless you are born again… never see the Kingdom” --- Born from above…by Spirit |