GROW IN GRACE IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO A
LOCAL CHURCH WHO DETERMINES TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD.
( II Peter 3:18 ) But grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and
for ever. Amen.
1. GROW IN GRACE IN MATURITY IN CHRISTIAN LIFE.
(Ephesians 4:11-16) [11]And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12]For the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13]Till we all come in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto
the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14]That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive;
[15]But speaking the truth in
love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[16]From whom the whole body fitly
joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to
the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body
unto the edifying of itself in love.
* God put the qualified people of that will minister in equipping new
and weak Christians to grow and mature spiritually in their Christian life.
* Baby Christians need milk of spiritual food for them and those that
are growing in Christian life need to feed them meat spiritual food
(1 Peter 2:2) As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
* Growing Christian needs more spiritual food..
( Hebrews 6:12-14 ) [12]For when for the time ye ought
to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first
principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk.
2. GROW IN GRACE IN REACHING LOST PEOPLE WITH URGENCY.
( II Timothy 4:2-5 ) [2]Preach the word; be instant in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.
[3]For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap
to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[4]And they shall turn away their
ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
[5]But watch thou in all things,
endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy
ministry.
* The Lord Jesus Christ is our model soulwinning with urgency.
( John 9:4-5 ) [4]I must work the works of him
that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
[5]As long as I am in the world, I
am the light of the world.
* Christ encourage His disciples to look on the fields for they are
white already to harvest.
( John 4:35 ) [35]Say not ye, There are yet four
months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and
look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
* Jerusalem Church was courageous and faithful to reach the lost at any
cost inspite there is persecutor that hinder them to go soulwinning.
( Acts 5:26-29 ) [26]Then went the captain with the
officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest
they should have been stoned.
[27]And when they had brought
them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
[28]Saying, Did not we straitly
command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
[29]Then Peter and the other
apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
* Antioch Church also experience persecution in winning lost people but
the Hand of the Lord was with them.
( Acts 11:20-24 ) [20]And some of them were men of
Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the
Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
[21]And the hand of the Lord was
with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
[22]Then tidings of these things
came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth
Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
[23]Who, when he came, and had
seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of
heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
[24]For he was a good man, and
full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
* The growth of Jerusalem Church continues and do not stop. Their growth
was cannot number.
(Acts 6:5-7) [5]And the saying pleased the
whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and
Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
[6]Whom they set before the
apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
[7]And the word of God increased;
and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great
company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
3. GROW IN GRACE IN GIVING TO GOD WITH TOTAL LOVE AND
SACRIFICE.
( II Corinthians
8:1-5 ) [1]Moreover,
brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of
Macedonia;
[2]How that in a great trial of
affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the
riches of their liberality.
[3]For to their power, I bear
record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
[4]Praying us with much intreaty
that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints.
[5]And this they did, not as we
hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of
God.
* Macedonian Church gave themselves first in times they faced poverty in
their time.
* Macedonian Church are model in giving to God with willingness and
readiness
(2 Corinthians
8:11-12) [11]Now
therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so
there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
[12]For if there be first a
willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to
that he hath not.
* They gave to the Lord from their heart and with cheerfulness giving
glory to God in their giving.
( II Corinthians
9:6-8 ) [6]But
this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which
soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7]Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for
God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8]And God is able to make all
grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work:
* Take a look on verse 8 .
2 Corinthians 9:8 ) [8]And God is able to make all
grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work:
* The great promise of God in (Malachi 3:10-12 ) in giving our tithes and offering.
[10]Bring ye all the tithes into
the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now
herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of
heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive
it.
[11]And I will rebuke the devourer
for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither
shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of
hosts.
[12]And all nations shall call you
blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
4. GROW IN GRACE IN SERVING GOD BOUNTIFULLY IN THE
MINISTRY OF THE LORD.
( I Corinthians
15:58 ) Therefore,
my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
* The work of God is great and honourable. So we all the reasons to
serve the more and bountifully.
( Psalms 111:1-5 ) [1]Praise ye the LORD. I will
praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the
congregation.
[2]The works of the LORD are
great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
[3]His work is honourable and
glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
[4]He hath made his wonderful
works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
[5]He hath given meat unto them
that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
5. GROW IN GRACE IN THANKSGIVING TO GOD FOR ALL WE
RECEIVED FROM HIM.
( IThessalonians
5:18 ) In every
thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(Colossians 3:16-17)
[16]Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord.
[17]And whatsoever ye do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the
Father by him.
a. King David is a good model in giving thanks to God.
(Psalms 118:1-6) [1]O give thanks unto the LORD;
for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
[2]Let Israel now say, that his
mercy endureth for ever.
[3]Let the house of Aaron now say,
that his mercy endureth for ever.
[4]Let them now that fear the LORD
say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
[5]I called upon the LORD in
distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
[6]The LORD is on my side; I will
not fear: what can man do unto me?
b. There are many many reasons that we can thanks God in our lives.
* First is the Salvation of our soul, God always bless of many bountiful
blessings that we not deserve to receive.
(Psalms 105:1-5) [1]O give thanks unto the LORD;
call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
[2]Sing unto him, sing psalms unto
him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
[3]Glory ye in his holy name: let
the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
[4]Seek the LORD, and his
strength: seek his face evermore.
[5]Remember his marvellous works
that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6. GROW IN GRACE IN BEING FIELD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR
CHRISTIAN LIFE.
( Galatians 5:22-23
) [22]But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith,
[23]Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law.
a. The Holy Spirit always gives us power and wisdom in serving God.
( Acts 1:8 ) But ye shall receive power, after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth.
( John 16:13 ) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew
you things to come.
* The Holy Spirit help us to overcome our walk in the Spirit.
( Galatians 5:16,
& 25 ) [16]This I
say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
[25]If we live in the Spirit, let
us also walk in the Spirit.
7 . GROW IN GRACE IN PRAYER WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH
TO GOD.
( Acts 12:1-5 ) [1]Now about that time Herod the
king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
[2]And he killed James the brother
of John with the sword.
[3]And because he saw it pleased
the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of
unleavened bread.)
[4]And when he had apprehended
him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to
keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
[5]Peter therefore was kept in
prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
* The Lord Jesus Christ always encourage His disciples to pray always
and not to faint in praying.
(Luke 18:1) And he spake a parable unto them
to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
* God gave the Church the privilege to pray to throne and He promise to
receive the answer to our prayers.
(Hebrews 4:16) Let us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need.
* (2 Chronicles
7:14) If my
people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and
seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
* Jerusalem Church are always ready and active in prayer without ceasing
in the Church.
( Acts 1:13-15 ) [13]And when they were come in,
they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John,
and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of
Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
[14]These all continued with one
accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brethren.
[15]And in those days Peter stood
up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were
about an hundred and twenty,)
* God challenge His Church to unto IN prayer and He will answer great
and mighty things which thou knowest not.
( Jeremiah 3:33 ) Call unto me, and I will answer
thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
* God bless you all always *
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