The Process of Spiritual Growth

Larry Siegle
03/09/25 - Sun AM

Link to sermon video: The Process of Spiritual Growth - L Siegle

EQUIPPED to ACCOMPLISH IV

“The Process of Spiritual Growth”

(II Peter 1:5-12)

Series:  EQUIPPED to ACCOMPLISH

Thesis:  God’s has a purpose for the Cortland congregation and how to be equipped to accomplish that purpose.

INTRODUCTION

1.     The title of this series is Equipped to Accomplish

2.     This is the fourth lesson in our study:  The Process of Spiritual Growth Defined

3.     Almost everything we experience in our daily lives involves a process that takes place over time, rather than

        something that happens instantly.

        a.     Modern convenience has come to demand that everything happens immediately rather than involving a period

                of time involving a process.

                1)    Instant coffee…

                2)    Instant Oatmeal…

                3)    Instant pudding…

                4)    Instant Rice…

        b.     What we understand is that most things involve the necessity of a process.

                1)    Car manufacturers and the use of an assembly line where each part is added as it moves along…

                2)    Home construction involves various aspects, as the builders add what is necessary to complete the project…

4.     Spiritual Growth does not happen instantaneously but takes place over the course of time as we mature and develop

        into what God wants each of us to become.

5.     The Spiritual Start menu (John 3:3-5; Acts 2:37-41, 47; I Cor. 12:13).

        a.     We  understand that one cannot join “the church” because it involves a ‘new birth’—to be “added” by the Lord to

                His church.

        b.     When someone asks us about what we believe and understand—what we “call” ourselves—we do not say, “I’m

Church of Christ” but rather the Biblical answer is “I am a Christian” because there is a difference (Biblical)

                between the individual and the collective aspect of our identity.

6.     The ‘new birth’ is the point in time, through obedience to the gospel, that God’s provides “forgiveness of sins” and

        through the shed blood of Christ, God declares us to be righteous (justification) (Rom. 3:24; 5:1; Titus 3:3-7).

        a.     By righteous we mean a ‘right standing with God’ (Eph. 2:8-10)—Because of our own thoughts, words, and

                actions, we had been alienated from God (Isa. 59:2; Rom. 3:23)—we have ‘fallen short’ of God’s very best life that

                He has for us.

7.     The seven aspects mentioned by Peter to be ‘added to faith’ falls into the category of sanctification—God has ‘set us

        apart’ to become the ‘righteousness of God in Christ’ (II Cor. 5:21).

JUSTIFICATION IS FOLLOWED BY SANCTIFICATION (SPIRITUAL GROWTH) WHICH IS A PROCESS

1.     Last week we discussed the differences between the Hebrew mindset and the Greek mindset where the one was

        more concrete and the other more abstract in nature.

        a.     Our spiritual growth and identity as believers is rooted not only in what we think, or what we say, but also in

                what we do—our actions (Luke 6:46-49; James 2:18-26).

        b.     There is an inseparable connection (relationship) between what we PROFESS to believe, how we IDENTIFY

                 ourselves as Christians, and what we DEMONSTRATE by our actions.

                1)    We may “talk the talk” but are we able to “walk the walk”—We need to “put FEET to our FAITH”

2.     Jesus warned His disciples at the very end of His earthly ministry that “difficult days” were going to come upon them

        (Matt. 10:16-23).

        a.     When Peter writes the second letter to them, the very days Jesus foretold were already coming upon them.

        b.     The “end of the age” was upon them, and now their faith and trust in God was being put to the test.

        c.     Jesus warned them of the days of “tribulation” (trouble) (John 16:25, 32, 33).

3.     Reminds us of the song written by Daniel Powder:

“So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh, you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

'Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work on a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

4.     God wants to strengthen our lives, to help us to grow into maturity with the ability to overcome whatever

        problems, situations, challenges, and obstacles we face everyday of our lives.

CONCLUSION

1.     God’s promise is to always be there to never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 12:1, 2, 22-28)

2.     Just as these believers came through in the first century, we need to know and understand that we stand on

        the firm foundation of God’s love with a sense of genuine steadfastness.