Growing in Christian Maturity in 2022

Growing in Christian Maturity in 2022

The Challenge

Are we resolved to sowing the seed of the kingdom or repeating  the same mistakes of 2021 by following our own resolutions?

What is the definition of insanity?

Are you looking for different results?

Make This Our Resolution

Matthew 28 Has Commanded The Marching Orders: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

No Excuses Allowed

2 Peter took away any excuses. Chapter 3 verse 3, which states: Confirming OUR Calling and Election His (Jesus) divine power has given us (Christians)everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory
and goodness.

Here Are The 4 Tools Of Success Given To Us By Jesus. 1.Ability 2.Knowledge 3.Strength 4.Opportunity

Ability

Matthew 25:15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.”

Knowledge

Luke 12:47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows.

James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

“I don’t know how”
is no excuse and not found
in Jesus’ commandments.

Strength

Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please  ourselves.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Opportunity

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced greatly in the LORD that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

Awaiting Opportunities

Work Of The Church

Mark 13:34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

Who has the most important task?

Awaiting Opportunities

Everyone of the tasks are of equal importance. Why? Because jesus said they were. Whether you are standing by the door or in the house preparing a feast for the master’s return, there is a job for you based on your ability.  And Jesus knows and expects you to perform your task until he returns.

Awaiting Opportunities

Giving

Acts 11:29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Awaiting Opportunities

Good Influence

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Awaiting Opportunities

Teaching/Saving Others

Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word
wherever they went.

Acts 16:17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”

Awaiting Opportunities

Encouragement

Acts 18:27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

Acts 27:22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.

Awaiting Opportunities

Forgiving

Matthew 18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Awaiting Opportunities

Visiting/Hospitality

Matthew 25:36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Awaiting Opportunities

Defending The Gospel

Philippians 1:16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense, no
one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

Awaiting Opportunities

Responsibility

Romans 14:12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Galatians 6:5 for each one should carry their own load

Why don’t people do their part?

Some Are Lazy

Matthew 25:26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

Why don’t people do their part?

Some Are Ignorant

Luke 12:48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Why don’t people do their part?

Some Are Indifferent

Revelation 3:15-16 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Why don’t people do their part?

Some Have Selfish Interest

Matthew 8:21-22 Another disciple said to him, “LORD, first let me go and bury my father.” 22But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Luke 12:18-20 “Then he said, “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

Why don’t people do their part?

Some Are Too Proud

John 4:9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Doing our Part and More

To Imitate Christ

John 9:4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

John 13:14 Now that I, you LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

Doing our Part and More

To Imitate Early Christians

Acts 11:29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.

Doing our Part and More

Lest We Be Condemned

Matthew 25:25-30 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Doing our Part and More

To Be Happy

John 4:36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Doing our Part and More

To Glorify God

1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.