GROWING SPIRITUALLY

Text: I Peter 2:1-3.

Purpose:  To learn what we can from this summary statement about Christian growth, in order to experience it ourselves!

Introduction

Men sometimes work very hard to avoid work. Sometimes Christians work very hard to avoid the simple prescription God has given for spiritual growth. God's ways are simple. Man complicates God's arrangements by his own ideas. But God's ways always produce the results God seeks, and God always receives the glory. Let us learn God's way to true spiritual growth, and put it into practice.

Body

I. Peter himself fell and rose again (Luke 22:31ff). He knew from experience both the necessity and the means of growth in Jesus.

   A. Now he writes to believers to encourage them in Christian growth (5:12). Some scholars believe that First Peter was a sort of homily for a baptismal service, instructing new converts as they began their life in Christ.

   B. More than once the apostle calls Christians back in memory to the beginning of their Christian walk (1:3; 3:21, 22).

II. Some things are to be put off or laid aside, just as one puts off fleshly impurity by washing in water (3:21; see James 1:21; Ephesians 4:22-24).

   A. Malice (eagerness to hurt another).

        1. Jacob was a man of guile.

        2. Nathanael was a "son of Jacob" without guile.

        3. The Greek word was used of a cardsharp.

   B. Hypocrisy (false pretense). See Mark 7:6ff.

   C. Envy (this prompts a desire to hurt others).

   D. Evil-speaking (see James 4:11; II Corinthians 12:20).

III. Desire the spiritual milk of God's Word.

   A. As newborn babes (literally, "breast-babies," or "sucklings.").

   B. This is pure (sincere) nourishment that results in well-balanced growth.

   C. Preachers and teachers must give more of God's own Word and less human opinion and comment. Christians must learn to desire God's Word and encourage rather than discourage teachers who try.

IV. That ye may grow thereby (some manuscripts add "unto salvation").

V. If ye have tasted that the Lord is good. Christ (Christos) is kind, gracious or good (chrestos). The Christian's own experience in the Lord should encourage him to seek more fellowship with God and blessing in the Word.

Conclusion

There are no short-cuts to the growth that matters. Christians must lay aside sinful impediments to growth, then fill their hearts with God's pure Word. Their past experience with the Lord proves that He is kind and seeks their welfare; this can now encourage them to go on in Christian growth day by day.

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