Sunday Worship ServiceDeeper Life Campus FellowshipKwaZulu-Natal Province

PREPARATION FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH2 Peter 3:18

IntroductionGrowth is a major prove of life. A seed is planted with the expectation of growth. God expects continuous growth in all His children. This is possible when we allow the word of God in a fertile soil of our heart through:Quickening from deadness to sin Eph 2:1Passion and desire for growth - 1 Peter 2:2.Daily commitments to growing Hosea 6:3Yieldedness and devotion to God Job 23:10;27:6 God wants us to live far about spiritual defeat, overcoming daily and prepared for Christ coming hence Apostle Peter admonishes but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Points to ConsiderDESIRE FOR GROWTHDISEASES AFFECTING GROWTHDYNAMICS OF GROWTHDECISION OF THE GODLY

DESIRE FOR GROWTHRevelation 3:1; Matthew 13:13-15; Proverbs 14:14; Revelation 3:14-19; Psalms 42:1,2; 63:1-2. The normal and natural desire of a real child of God is to grow spiritually. The spiritually dead (in sin) cannot grow, neither do they have a desire to grow. Some people glory in being nominal, professing Christian without a desire to grow more into Christ. To them, God says, thou has a name that thou livest, and art dead (Rev 3:1). The sinner and backslider in heart has no desire for spiritual growth. Though self-satisfied, they are self-deceived. Christs verdict concerning them is that they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. The desire for growth is an unquenchable thirst for all who are spiritually alive. Their soul thirsteth for the living God [daily], as the hart panteth after the water brooks. They desire to have more of the nature of God, life of Christ and the love of the Lord in their lives.

DISEASES AFFECTING GROWTHSong of Solomon 2:15; Psalm 19:12; Hosea 7:8-10; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Timothy 5:6.Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines Just as there are diseases that hinder growth in men physically, the same is also true in the spiritual. Some of these spiritual diseases looks so minute, negligible to the extend many feel it doesnt matter. These include secret sin, pride, worldliness, cares of this world (Mk 4:19), foolish comparison, loose-talking, hidden allegiance to the devil, laziness, prayerlessness, hypocrisy and self-deception. These and many others entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful (Mk 4:19). Search your heart and get rid of these little little foxes if you really want to grow and be more life Christ.

DYNAMICS FOR GROWTH1 Peter 2:1,2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Philippians 3:10-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.Growth is not automatic. The environment must be conducive. First, sinners and backsliders must repent and believe on the Lord to experience His life and salvation, in order to walk in the newness of life.Growth therefore comes as we:Realization of our current and true state.Repentance, reconciliation with God and Restitution.Readiness to submit to Gods word and ordinances.Reading and Meditating on the word, daily and night (Joshua 1:8)Regular, continuous prayer and devotional lifeResolve to separate completely from the world and its allurementRededication to seek CURRENT Christian experiences Reaching out to others to testify about Christs saving powerWhatever spiritual heights we have attained, we must always be desirous for more of the mind and characteristics of Christ.

DECISION OF THE GODLYJohn 6:66-69; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 John 3:1-3; James 1:12.Believers who desire to know and have more of Christ must be willing to go the extra mile, despite the rough and hard road of the Christian life. Miracles are good, but there is something beyond miracles, healing, deliverance and prosperity. In the midst of difficulties and perplexing situations in life, we must cling to the Lord like Peter: ...Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.Growth is not static. Our decision must be to keep on following the Lord, abounding in His love, word, work and grace, living a pure and holy life, overcoming temptations and enduring till the end.