INGREDIENTS OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH

TOPIC: INGREDIENTS OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH
TEXT: I Peter 2:1-5; 2 Peter 3:18; Acts I:5-8; 3 John 2

MEMORY VERSE: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2

CENTRAL TRUTH: You have not exhausted heaven's store house just because you have been healed, delivered or slightly prospered. You have not yet received everything that heaven has to ofer just because of the little material and for spiritual blessings you have now received. Great blessings from above await you.

Introduction
The new birth experience which marks the beginning of one's spiritual life also brings one into God's rich and inexhaustible grace, spiritual and financial blessing. And we are expected to grow in the grace of God to maturity for enduring fruitful service.
Many people remain childish in spiritual matters, mostly out of ignorance of the fact that the spiritual life is subject to growth just as the physical, such are unaware of the inexhaustible riches of God's grace. There are others who had received a measure of spiritual blessings from God only to turn around to laim
that they have reached the height of spirituality. That you have been sayed does not mean that you have reached the fullness of God'sspiritual blessings,yet, that is just the beginning. Much more is yet to come.

1. SPIRITUAL GROWTH EXPLAINED-Luke 24:47-49; Heb. 13:12, 13
As a result of the joy of salvation and the excitement of the new birth experience, those who have just been saved and justified by faith do not often see beyond the horizon of salvation. But the new birth is only the gateway into an exciting walk with God and not end of spiritual experiences. There are other Christian experiences which the believer stands to gain in the Lord. The sanctification experience is a very wonderful and important Christian experience subsequent to salvation, which makes the consecrated believer to be holy in thoughts, actions and affections.
Holiness experience is not the end of, the believer's spiritual quest. The sanctified believer can press forward and be baptized with the Holy Ghost. However, being baptized in the Holy Ghost does not mark the end of the believer's quest for spiritual progress but just the gateway into the supernatural.
The enduement "with power from on high" ushers the believer into the realm of miracles, signs and wonders.

2. HINDRANCES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
There are some spiritual foxes that hinder the spiritual growth of many God's children.
(Song of Solomon 2:15). A lot of people have either messed up their Christian lives or they
have become mediocre Christians by permitting little foxes to tamper with their spiritual lives
i) Secret Sins: A believer who indulges in secret sin cannot grow- Psalms 19:12
ii) Pride: Pride hinders God
iii) Backsliding: A backslider has no desire for spiritual growth being satisfied with his
spiritual state-Psalm 119:67
iv) Unhealthy companionship: In our daily living including partners in ministry-1 Cor. 15:33
 v) Worldliness and worldly pursuits Num. 1 1 :4-5; 1 John 2: 15
vi) Luke-warmness and laziness Rev. 3: 15, 16
Other hindrances to spiritual growth include self-satisfaction, unhealthy comparison, talkativeness and hypocrisy.
8. STEPS TOSPIRITUAl GROWTH
The Bible is replete with proven principles of spiritual growth. Firstly, there must be genuine conversion. Spiritual growth does not come by chance: there is need for preparation on the part of the believer: The counsel given in 1 Peter 2: 1,2 shows us the means as well as the principles of spiritual growth. There must be evidence of conversion and assurance of salvation.
Secondly, a believer who desires spiritual growth must have respect for the word. God's word ls a powerful instrument of spiritual growth (Jer. 15: 16; Matt. 4:4). Tnirdly, there must be thirst and hunger for higher spiritual heights (Matt. 5:6) one can only get what he earnestly yearns for.
Fourthly, the desire for spiritual growth must keep the believer separated from the world and unhealthy companionship. The believer must revolt and withdraw from every form of worldliness and unequal yokes. 2 Cor. 6: 14.

4. KEYTO ABUNDANT lIVING John 10:10; Col. 1:10; I John 3:8; Psalms 34:10; 35:27; Deut. 28:8,",12; Psalms 24:8; Gal. 3:13, M John 10: 10,
Jesus came to give abundant life we are to enjoy eternal life, good health and wealth. 1 John 3:8, the works of the devil are destroyed by Jesus: Sin, sickness and poverty inclusive.

Here is the key:
i. Tithes and offerings Gal. 6: 7-9; Mal. 3:8-1 1, Gen. 14: 19-20
ii. Forget not the Lord and His covenant and be faithful Deut. 8: 18; Psalm 89:34. The fruitful man shall abound with riches Prov. 28:20.
iii. Pay your vows Deut. 23:21 23
 It is time to break loose from financial and spiritual mediocrity and stagnancy. Do not sit on the periphery of spirituality and wealth. Launch into the deep.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. By what means can a believer make steady spiritual progress?
 2. Whatare possible setbackstospiritual growth?
3. Mention two spiritual laws of material increase?

My name is Ubong Kingsley Nsini. I am a preacher in Bible Christian Evangelical Church Inc. I am called by God to preach His good news and to help other preachers spread the good news all over the world.

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