THINGS WHICH MUST GROW
January 2, 2000 AM
Sermon Outline
1 Thes 3:12,13
INTRO: This is, according to most, the first Sunday of a new century and a new millennium. The doomsday prophets have been once again proven wrong, and time marches on. It is no time for us to rejoice in the status quo. Rather, it is time for us to go forward in faith. Doing so will require reminders of commitments and needs so essential to forward progress. So, this morning I would like to think with you of things which must grow.
I. GROW IN LOVE
A. 1 Thes 3:12,13 ... increase ... in love ...
1. love is a fruit of the Spirit - belongs in us
2. there is no law against it ... can be in us without limit!
3. it is something which can grow limitlessly
B. ... one toward another, and toward all men ...
1. certainly, in our love for God, for Jesus
2. but here it is specifically toward others
3. how manifested? Gal 5:13 - serving
II. GROW IN FAITH
A. 1 Thes 1:3 ... your faith growth exceedingly ...
1. with Lk 17:5
2. faith takes us through day to day events
3. faith steadies us in events which are trial
B. Faith and love certainly have a relationship
1. Gal 5:6 faith which worketh by love
2. not only does love manifest itself by serving; so, too, faith manifests itself by working
3. so, Jas 2:17 & 26 ... good works? works of kindness? consideration?
III. GROW IN GRACE
A. 2 Pet 3:18 But grow in grace ...
1. grow in appreciation of blessings
2. grow in anticipation of blessings
3. grow in conviction about the source of blessings
B. Could this be the entire spiritual life?
1. Rom 5:2 in grace is where we are
2. so, I suggest that the entire realm of spiritual life and living is a subject for growth
3. so, Rom 8:5-7 a life pleasing to God
IV. GROW IN CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR
A. 1 Pet 2:1-3 ... that ye may grow ...
1. v.1 is critical to the point
2. such things as are listed there are so common, so worldly, so immature ... yet, they persist
3. such things harm both individual in himself and relationships ... and the body
B. Growing, maturing is a must
1. experience? so many folks do not grow
2. it is seen in their speech, their choices, their fragile relationships
3. 1 Cor 3:3 for ye are yet carnal ...
V. GROW IN KNOWLEDGE
A. 2 Pet 3:18 But grow ... in knowledge ...
1. Col 1:9 ... the knowledge of his will ...
2. Col 1:10 ... in the knowledge of God ...
3. knowing Jesus, knowing God, knowing their will ... filled ... increasing!
B. There is no mystery about knowledge
1. mind applied to the material ... application is experience ... knowledge
2. many today are belittling idea of knowable truth ... but scoff though they might, without this knowledge there is no growing
3. emotion based faith is not faith - ignorance based faith is not faith ... Rom 10:17
CLOSE: To the Corinthians Paul wrote his desire that their fruits of righteousness increase (2 Cor 9:10). Fruits (results, produce) of righteousness can only grow in the presence of the grace, the knowledge, the love of God.
Cecil A. Hutson
02 January 2000