Title: Faith to Grow/Ephesians 4:13-15
Contents
<< Faith to grow
(Ephesians 4:13 - 15)>>
As soon as we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are saved. When we receive salvation, we will be completely reborn. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We become sons of God. (John 1:12-13) Newly born children are cute and pretty. But if you continue to stay as a child, it's a big deal.
Just as the body grows, so must the saved faith grow.
1. Why should we grow? (Necessity of Growth)
(1) Because faith is life.
The characteristic of living things is growth. Animals, plants, and all living things grow. If it doesn't grow, it's either dead or sick. Our faith is also life. We are a new life born as children of God. Therefore, if our faith does not grow, it becomes a dead faith or a sick faith. Even if you believe in ten years, if it is the same or if you are regressing, you are seriously ill.
(2) To act as a person of faith.
Children are undoubtedly human too. But it doesn't function as a person. Even young trees are trees. but it does not bear fruit. Likewise, the first believer will be saved. However, they cannot live like those who have been saved. The reason many Christians today are being pointed by the world is because of those who have not grown in their faith. If your faith does not grow, you cannot act as a person of faith.
(3) To live a victorious life that does not fall into the world's winds and temptations.
The characteristic of young children is that they are prone to temptation (verse 14). If we continue to have faith as children, our faith will be shaken by the tricks of men, world trends, and temptations.
2. How long should it grow? (Standard of Growth)
No matter how much a person grows up, he is treated like an adult and acts as a human being. So, to what extent should your faith grow? Verse 15, “In all things shall grow up into him. He is the head, even Christ.” Our standard of growth is Jesus. You must grow as much as Jesus in all things, whether in words or deeds or in all things. Even if we grow throughout our lives, we cannot grow as much as the Lord.
Therefore, this means that we must grow throughout our lives. Faith must continue to grow.
Don't be proud of how many years you've grown, don't stop and keep growing until the day you die.
3. How do you grow? (Method of Growth)
(1) We must diligently eat the Word.
You can't grow if you don't eat. You have to eat diligently. The food of faith is the Word of God. You must read, meditate on, and eat these words every day. Even if you don't understand it well, you have to keep eating. When we eat food, we do not know all the nutrients and structure of the food and eat it. By eating, you will know and live.
(2) We must pray without ceasing.
Prayer is like breathing. You have to keep breathing. Also, prayer is a conversation with God.
A child learns to speak and learns and grows through words. How can we learn God and imitate Him without talking to Him?
(3) The spiritual movement, service, must be active.
The child keeps moving. If you don't move, you're sick. In order to grow in your faith, you must keep moving. Church attendance, fellowship of saints, volunteer work, etc., are necessary to continue to exercise to grow.
(4) The care of the family and mother is necessary.
Living things grow healthy in a good environment. People need a home. You can't grow up right away from home. Therefore, for a good environment, those who believed first should create a good atmosphere and a beautiful church.
She also has to take on the role of a mother. The person who evangelized is a spiritual mother. A child cannot grow up alone. A mother's continuous sacrifice and care is needed. Raising a child is harder than having a child
More effort is needed. Therefore, you should not end with evangelism once, but continue to take on the role of a mother.
** Conclusion: Let's grow every day, show that we are alive, bear many fruits, glorify God, and become each other who wins over the temptations and winds of the world.