Conversion: The Foundation of Spiritual Growth

Conversi= on

The Foundation of Spiritual Growth

The Priority of Spiritual Growth

We are commanded to grow spiritually!

2 Peter 5:18 = HCSB

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

What is spiritual growth?

Spiritual Grow= th is that transformational process by which we allow the indwelling Ch= rist to increasingly express Himself in and through us, resulting in a greater capacity on our part to bring God greater glory and experience H= is greater good for ourselves.

The Potential or Power for Spiritual Growth

The Two Major Instantaneous Res= ults of Conversion

1.   &n= bsp;     We died with Christ to our old life and to who we were.

2.   &n= bsp;     We are raised with Christ and have a new life.

John 3:3 HCSB

Jesus replied, “ I assure you: Unless someone is born again, The same Gk word can mean again or from above (also in v. 7). he cannot see the kingdom of God.”=

1 Peter 1:3 HCSB

=

Blessed be the God and Father of our L= ord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth.

Spiritual Life Is Necessary for Spiritual Growth!

Only living things grow

Spiritual growth presupposes that a spiritual <= u>birth has taken place.

Where life exists, there will be certain characteri= stics or results of life.

The same is true with spiritual life.

Conversion is= radical in character!

2 Corinthians= 5:17 HCSB

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed awa= y, and look, new things Ot= her mss read loo= k, all new thingshave come.

The Practical Results of Conver= sion

We Are Equipped with All We Need to <= u>Live and To Be Godly

2 Peter 1:3-4 HCSB

=

For His Lit As Hisdivine power has giv= en us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
By these He has given us ver= y great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nat= ure, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.<= /o:p>

A.        This includes the provision of sharing in God’s nature.=

1 John 3:9 HCSB

Everyone who has been born of God does= not sin, because His seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

B.        It also includes the power to escape the corrupting influences of sin.

C.        It includes the ability to advance in a process of spiritual growth

(2 Pet. 1:5-8)=

The Progress of Spiritual Growth

There are three primary stages of spiritual growth in God’s family:

1 John 2: 12-14 HCSB

= I am writing to you, little child= ren, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.
= 13<= /span> I am wri= ting to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who&nb= sp;is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have had victory over the evil one.
= 14<= /span> I have w= ritten to you, children, <= span class=3Ddynamicprose>because you have come to know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have come to know the One who&nb= sp;is from the beginning. I have writ= ten to you, young men, because you = are strong, God’s word remains in = you, and you have had victory over the evil one.

=

1.&n= bsp;            = ;     Fathers

The most mature

Have a deep knowledge of the eternal God

2.&n= bsp;            = ;     Young Men

Lack the mature experience of knowing God deeply

But they are sound or strong and healthy in doctrine

Grounded strongly in fundamental doctrines of the faith

Strong against sin and error and somewhat discerning

3.&n= bsp;            = ;     Little Children

Have only a basic awareness of God

Understand peace of forgiveness

Need to grow

Need special nourishing

            All are in God’s family and man= ifest Christ’s character at different levels.

= ;

The Prospect of Spiritual Growth

Becoming L= ike Christ in Our Character, Words, and Actions

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Ephesians 4:1= 3 & 15 NASB-UpD

Until we all a= ttain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.=

but speaking t= he truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.

Romans 8:29 N= ASB-UpD

For those whom= He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, = so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

<= /o:p>