Someone said to me, "Pastor how can I grow?" I don't want to be at the same spiritual stage next year at this time. I wish there was a special little bottle of spiritual growth tonic to take every day but there isn't. Growth is a lifetime on earth experience and requires regular discipline. Remember the disciples became a disciple when they came to Jesus and grew as disciples the remainder of their lives because they stuck together at the place Jesus said He'd be.
I pointed out the role the church and it's teaching ministries have in spiritual development and want to remind you again why the ministries are important for our growth and development as disciples.
In 1 John 2:11-14 we find the 3 stages of growth and at each stage of development the teaching and fellowship is profitable. For the children it provides the required "food" for growth. New born again Christians can't get enough to fill their spiritual hunger and take it all in. For a new born again person to miss a service or not take part in a ministry destroys an appetite, invites malutritation, and slow spiritual starvation.
For the young men who have learned enough of the Word to effectively fight spiritual battles and overcome the evil one, it is a resource for more spiritual ammo and a rest from the battles. This is an age of practical growth for these believers coming with eagerness to apply the Word to daily life and decision making. For them not to take advantage of the ministries of a local church can leave them defeated by the enemy and discouraged spiritually.
For the grown-ups in the Christian life (called in the Scriptures fathers), fellowships are a time of rehearsal and remembrance. It's not that they know everything there is to know about God but they have grown into a daily intimate relationship and fellowship with God's people and Him, which at church make them glow. They love to be there because this is where Jesus is spoken about and exalted.
Church going is important to spiritual growth for disciples and that's why Jesus made it His habit. Maybe that's why we should too. A disciple does what His masters says and does. Jesus knew attendance and involvement at the ministries of a local church would grow us that's why He said what He did in Hebrews 10:25.
Yet when it's all said and done it's about the things we think are valuable. The choices for growth is ours and out of the things our heart says is important we will choose. Will church attendance be part of that choice?
I pointed out the role the church and it's teaching ministries have in spiritual development and want to remind you again why the ministries are important for our growth and development as disciples.
In 1 John 2:11-14 we find the 3 stages of growth and at each stage of development the teaching and fellowship is profitable. For the children it provides the required "food" for growth. New born again Christians can't get enough to fill their spiritual hunger and take it all in. For a new born again person to miss a service or not take part in a ministry destroys an appetite, invites malutritation, and slow spiritual starvation.
For the young men who have learned enough of the Word to effectively fight spiritual battles and overcome the evil one, it is a resource for more spiritual ammo and a rest from the battles. This is an age of practical growth for these believers coming with eagerness to apply the Word to daily life and decision making. For them not to take advantage of the ministries of a local church can leave them defeated by the enemy and discouraged spiritually.
For the grown-ups in the Christian life (called in the Scriptures fathers), fellowships are a time of rehearsal and remembrance. It's not that they know everything there is to know about God but they have grown into a daily intimate relationship and fellowship with God's people and Him, which at church make them glow. They love to be there because this is where Jesus is spoken about and exalted.
Church going is important to spiritual growth for disciples and that's why Jesus made it His habit. Maybe that's why we should too. A disciple does what His masters says and does. Jesus knew attendance and involvement at the ministries of a local church would grow us that's why He said what He did in Hebrews 10:25.
Yet when it's all said and done it's about the things we think are valuable. The choices for growth is ours and out of the things our heart says is important we will choose. Will church attendance be part of that choice?
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