Growth Is God’s Will - Herbert Cooper

GROWTH IS GOD’S WILL SAMUEL GREW 1 Samuel 2:21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel GREW up in the presence of the Lord. (NIV) 1 Samuel 2:26 And the boy Samuel CONTINUED TO GROW in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people. (NIV) KING DAVID GREW 2 Samuel 3:1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David GREW STRONGER AND STRONGER, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. (NIV) SAMSON GREW Judges 13:24 The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He GREW and the Lord blessed him, (NIV) JOHN THE BAPTIST GREW Luke 1:80 And the child GREW and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel. (NIV) JESUS GREW Luke 2:52 And Jesus GREW in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (NIV) 2 Peter 1:8 The more you GROW like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT) Colossians 1:9–10 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, GROWING in the knowledge of God, (NIV) Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion UNTIL the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV) 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may GROW UP in your salvation, (NIV) 1. THE HANGUP OF DESIRE 2. THE HANGUP OF GRACE Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (NIV) 2 Peter 3:18 But GROW in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (NIV) 3. THE HANGUP OF AN OVER DEPENDENCE ON PEOPLE Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling, (ESV) Colossians 2:6–7 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, YOU must CONTINUE to follow him. 7 Let your roots GROW down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will GROW strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (NLT) SPIRITUAL GROWTH PLAN 3A. Yearly pray and fast 3B. Monthly tithe 3C. Weekly attend and serve at church 3D. Weekly attend a small group 3E. Daily spend time with God (First 15) 4. THE HANGUP OF AN UNDER DEPENDENCE ON PEOPLE 1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. (NIV) 5. THE HANGUP OF SELF-CENTERED LIVING Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant. (NIV) 6. THE HANGUP OF DISTRACTED LIVING Luke 8:11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The SEED is the word of God. (NIV) 6A. DISTRACTED BY THE DEVIL Luke 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. (NIV) 6B. DISTRACTED BY TRIALS Luke 8:13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. (NIV) 6C. DISTRACTED BY WORRIES Luke 8:14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not MATURE. (NIV) 6D. DETERMINED TO GROW Luke 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by PERSEVERING produce a crop. (NIV)