How should we pray? So many people I’ve met have this struggle.
How can I grow in Christ? Have we ever wondered about our growth as a Christian? Do we look back on the past year and see a difference? Or are we at a standstill? Why might that be?
In today’s sermon pick, I have taken many of the answers given and turned them into questions. I hope you check this out and that the video is beneficial to you. If anything stands out, I’d love to hear your comments below.
- Scripture Focus – 1 Peter 1:02 & Acts 4:33
- Getting rid of sin is necessary, preliminary – but this is not growth
- What is growth of grace?
- When God gives life, what does Charles Spurgeon say He also gives?
- “Our spiritual lives must be as nourished as our physical lives.” – Douglas Wilson
- The Christian life is not a series of what says Doug Wilson?
- Why is the Holy Spirit often missing in greeting?
- When God gives gifts, He has nothing to give us but what?
- Grace and peace should be heard in what way?
- We grow, our eyes are opened – we will always be learning because we are finite
- The work of the Spirit functions in the church body, every individual
- What should we yearn for according to Doug Wilson?
- How does a plant connect to the Christian life?
- “Growth happens when grace and peace are added.” – Douglas Wilson
Christians are called to mortification (putting to death) of sin.
- 1st level – Crucified the flesh
- 2nd level – What backslidden Christians are called to
- 3rd level – Daily and ongoing
- Define and expand the 3 levels
- What does growing with grace mean? What is its connection to the 3rd level?
3 aspects of growing in grace
- Worship – church attendance, not forsaking the assembly, keeping the covenant, edification (what does it do?), the Lord’s supper, the sermon, how do these things connect? Also remember – worship is a daily act, too. We worship God with everything we do or we don’t.
- Read the Word – What are problems we can experience if we do not read the Bible? “Bible readers are God fearers.”
- Pray – Prayers of the congregation are not our individual dual prayers and do not replace them. They help train us and encourage us. Private prayer is a trouble spot for a lot of people – Douglas Wilson.
- Start for the Lord’s prayer. Start taking risks for asking for daily things. Ask for specific things. What is Doug’s reasoning for this?
Continued points about the 3 aspects of growth in grace.
- Will the doctrines of Sunday School be enough for a believer? No, why not?
- Mark a difference between an emotional charge (which is gone in a vapor) to something lasting – how does this connect to edification?
- A mini message (little scripture) is hindering in what way?
- If we are worshipping daily and consistently as Christians, we will see growth and change six months to a year, to two years, etc.
- Referring to scripture – “Our lives should marinate in it.” – Douglas Wilson
- “If you struggle to pray, say the Lord’s prayer, and ask God to teach you to pray.” Douglas Wilson
- “Let the Lord’s prayer be your training wheels.” – Douglas Wilson
- Do not be proud to come into God’s presence in prayer. Be honest. Tell Him what you are thinking. Worship Him. Listen to Him through His word.
- “If it’s big enough to bother you, it’s big enough to bring to Him.” -Douglas Wilson
Check out: Honest With God | Grown In Grace by Doug Wilson
The Gospel Message– The Gospel message is good news, which means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)
If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?
Scripture To Meditate On – 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.“
Community Prayer – March ’22
Christian Topics/Series Covered
Personal Blog: Peeking Beneath
Second Blog: UnAshamed Christian Housewife
Godly Men & Women I Recommend: Link To List
Resources For False Teaching: Recommended Websites For False Teachers/Teaching
Video Playlist: Christian Questions, Topics, False Teachers, Insights
Video Playlist: New Christian Believer
Video Playlist: Understanding False Teachings
Video Playlist: Sermons To Grow From
Social: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
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