Dear Friends,
Last night at our elders meeting we were discussing the importance
of spiritual growth. During our discussion the question was asked, “What sermon
topic do our people need most to hear from the pulpit.” We all agreed they
always need to hear how the gospel can change lives, and our staff is united in
our commitment to proclaiming a gospel centered message each Sunday. Everyone
coming to church needs to hear the Good News, and how it can transform lives.
But as our communication ensued, I shared that besides hearing how
to know Jesus, people need to hear how to grow in Jesus. There are too many
stunted saints sitting in our seats, those who haven’t gone far enough to
discover the true joy that comes in growing spiritually. Knowing Jesus is only
the first step in spiritual transformation. What happens next determines whether
you remain a still born saint or a full-fledged disciple.
Sometimes in talking with church members I will ask, “How have you
grown in your faith this past year? How are you different today than you were
yesterday, and what is their spiritual growth plan?”
The Apostle Peter reminds us that we are to "grow in grace
and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ". (2 Peter 3:18). "Like
newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your
salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good" (1 Peter
2:2-3).
Growth is not automatic for as Tennessee Ernie Ford used to say (I
know this reference really dates me) "Too many people start out at the
bottom and sort of like it there." How sad that many of our
lives are spiritually stunted, maybe we stopped growing many years ago, and
sadly we are now learning that death begins where growth ends.
I
don't remember who said it, but I copied a quote that I have never forgotten:
"When someone misses the opportunity for growth and improvement, he may
feel regret. If he goes long enough without growing, he begins to feel he has
had an unused life. And that is not unlike an early death".
How
unlike the words of William Barclay, the author of one of the best New
Testament commentaries ever written who said, "We should count it a wasted
day when we do not learn something new and when we have not penetrated more
deeply into the wisdom and the grace of God."
It
is easy to be like the child who decided he would quit school. He said
"I hate school; it is an awful place. All they do is ask a lot of
questions. I can't write. I don't know how to read, and they won't let me talk.
There is nothing to it, so I quit." "But son," the dad
said, "you are only in kindergarten." And there are some
who still may be at the kindergarten stage of their spiritual development. They
haven't gone far enough for the fun. They are spirituality stunted, stagnant
saints who have never learned that death begins where growth ends.
Only
toadstools pop up overnight. Growth takes time, it takes effort, and it
takes a steadfast commitment to daily self-improvement. One of my favorite
writers was the legendary basketball coach John Wooden who once said, "It
is what you learn after you know it all that counts."
So,
my encouragement to all of us, myself included, is to examine our spiritual
life and ask, “Am I growing in my faith and if not, why not?”
Today can be the start of a new commitment to spiritual growth,
and a good place to begin is at Genesis 1:1 and a wonderful place to end is
Revelation 22:21. I promise if you read everything in between you will be a
different person, maybe becoming a spiritual giant in comparison with what you
were a few years ago.
Let me encourage you to join a Bible study or a small group or a Sunday
school class. Look for a place to serve, commit to worshipping weekly, giving
generously, and serving passionately. Make a difference in someone
else's life, and you will make a difference in yours as well.
I
end with the words of a senior saint who ends his correspondence, with these
closing words: "Yours at 83 and still growing."
May
each of us capture his spirit.
Yours
in faith and friendship,
Pastor Tom
No comments:
Post a Comment