R sbc
May 20th 2007
Sunday
Series: “Christ The Sum and Substance of The Bible”
Sermon # 118
Subject: “ THE PURPOSE OF GROWTH”
TEXT: 2 PET 3:18
Intro: When we speak of growth, we are speaking of going forward. Growth is essential to the physical make, as well as the spiritual man. The body sometimes out grows the mind in the natural man, and sometimes the spiritual man does not mature as fast either.
Two things are true about growth, (1.) You do grow or something is wrong. (2.) As you grow it is evident. This is true in both realms natural and spiritual. Ps 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Man is said to start his growth in the womb: Ec 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
He speaks of the spiritual man desiring the milk of the word so to grow thereby: 1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
In this message this morning we see that growth has two purpose and as we look at them we wish to examine them in light of the word of GOD. Of course we are not talking about the physical man, but the inner man.
Three main thoughts from this text:
1. Grow in grace
2. Grow in the Knowledge of Christ.
3. Growth’s the ultimate goal...
I.. GROW IN GRACE: VS 18
When a sinner is saved by grace, then they began the journey in this pilgrimage learning and growing in the grace of the LORD. It was said of Jesus early Lu 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
(1.) Grace shows what we are in growth: 1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
a. The source of what he was: By the grace of god I am what I am
b. The supply of grace was fruitful... bestowed not in vain.
c. The superior element in his labors... the grace of God which was with me.
(2.) Grace shows us when we grow in it, that we are nothing and the LORD JESUS CHRIST is all in all:
Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. When we grow in grace we recognize our unworthiness and his worthiness....
(3.) Grace when we grow in it shows us a better and more enduing life..
To live for the LORD, to obey his commands, to praise him, to show others about him, to worship him, is the most enduring thing that life has. All other things, all others, pale in comparing Christ to them.
Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Rom 6-4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
We have a new heart, a new life, a new hope, a new destination, a new service to render, a new likeness, a new home one day in heaven. Living in this better and more enduring life is the most profitable thing that could ever be given us in CHRIST our LORD.
II.. “GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD”
(1.) This was an old testament principle likewise:
2Ch 30:22 And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
When Hezekiah was King of Judah he sent letter two both Israel and Judah telling Israel that they needed to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover. He told them in the letters sent by runners don’t be like your fathers stiff-necked and hard hearted...do like your are supposed to do.
a. Doing this was a matter of humbling themselves: 2 Chron. 30-8-9
b. Doing this would bring about mockery.2 Chron. 30-10
c. Doing this was the right thing to do...2 Chron 30-11-12
d. Doing this brought about the favor of the LORD..2 Chron 30-25-27
When we grow in the knowledge of the Lord we are most blessed. Note it does not say joy but great joy was in their souls. Nothing like it nothing will take it’s place. It is the joy of the LORD in us....
(2.) It should be our upmost goal.. Php 3-3-10
a. The heart..vs 3
b. The accomplishments of Paul..vs 4-6
c. The conclusion of Paul..vs 7-8
d. The desire of Paul...vs 9-10
What a testimony to the grace of knowing the LORD JESUS CHRIST. When we reach this point in our life Christian life we have our focus right. We loose not people when we have this in our hearts.
Eliza E Hewitt and John Sweney put the words and music to a great hymn, “More about Jesus would I know, more of his saving fulness see, More of his love who died for me more, more about Jesus, More more about Jesus More of his saving fullness see, more love who died for me..
III... THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF GROWTH... “ THE GLORY OF CHRIST BOTH NOW AND FOR EVER....
1st. Christ deserves the glory:
a. He deserves because of who he is
He is God: John 1-1
He is the word made flesh: John 1-14
He is the son of man.. John 5-27
He is the head of the church: Eph 5-23
He is the mediator of a better covenant: Heb 8-6
He is the propitiation for our sins: I John 2-2
He is all of this and much more.
B. Christ deserves it because he earned it:
Re 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
c. Christ deserves it because grace and truth came by him: John 1-17
d. Christ deserves it because he really alone can bring glory to the Father: Rom 16-27
e. Christ deserves the glory because he is the only foundation: 1 Cor 3-11
f. Christ deserves the glory because he reveals to us the glory of GOD;
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
G. Christ deserves it because of what he did for me and you personally...
Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,