Spiritual Growth

John 6:66-68From this time many of

his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. You do not want to

leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered

him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

JessieJessie

Three Point Checklist1.Is this a sickness unto

death?2.Is this sickness the

result of sin?3.Is this sickness for

God’s glory?

Three Point Checklist1.Is this a sickness unto

death?2.Is this sickness the

result of sin?3.Is this sickness for

God’s glory?

The Greatest Tragedy in the Christian Church is the Believer

Who Refuses to Grow Up.

Christians are not all on the same spiritual level.

John 21:15-17When they had finished eating, Jesus

said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than

these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said,

"Feed my lambs."

"Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he said to him,

"Simon son of John, do you even like me a lot?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He

said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I like you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Again Jesus said

Romans 14:1, 15:1Accept him whose

faith is weak, without passing

judgment on disputable matters…

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to

please ourselves.

Hebrews 5:11-6:1We have much to say about this, but it is hard

to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though 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 6:1-3 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to

maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts

that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the

laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

1 John 2:12-14I write to you, dear children,

because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I write to you, fathers, because

you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you,

young men, because you have overcome the evil one.

childrenchildren

young menyoung men

fathersfathers

childrenchildren

young menyoung men

fathersfathers

Exercise: How far along are you in your personal journey to maturity?

Where are you on the spiritual growth line? Are you pleased with your

progress?

In addition to our spiritual growth, we see in 1 John 2:12-

14 a deepening in our love relationship with Christ.

1 John 2:12-14

Spiritual Children:Sins forgiven

Who their Father is

Spiritual Fathers: “Know him who is from the beginning”“Know him who is from the beginning”

Brie“Mama!”

Brianna

The Father’s purpose is to mature his children to

look like Jesus.

Romans 8:28-29

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according

to His purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be

conformed to the likeness of his Son.

Romans 8:28-29

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according

to His purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be

conformed to the likeness of his Son.

What He does promise is that every single experience we have is designed and allowed by the father for the good purpose of

maturing us to look like Jesus.

ADAM SETH

God’s Image

Genesis 2

The FallGenesis 3

Man’s Image

Genesis 5

JESUS

God’s Image No Image

on Earth

Crucifixion

BURIAL

Ascension

Resurrection

40 days

God’s Image No Image of God

►

Ascension Pentecost Believers Indwelt

Holy Spirit

10 days

No Image of God Image of God

Kim Phuc

Unfortunately, many Christians don’t look much

like Jesus-especially in the early stages of their spiritual

journeys.

Do people think of Jesus when they think of

you? What do they think of? Who do you

know that looks the most like

Jesus?

Do people think of Jesus when they think of

you? What do they think of? Who do you

know that looks the most like

Jesus?

Tom, is it possible for me to draw out in real time another spiritual growth graph at this point in the presentation? My ppt computer program allows me to write in real time in a ppt. presentation? On a chalk board or easel? Let me know, please.