Main Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Last Sunday’s message was centered on changing and growing, and why we must experience both when we become Christians.
When we accept Christ, we become a new person. That does not mean we completely change overnight. The change is a process. In the natural world, humans do not come here as fully grown and fully mature. We come as helpless babies. We start out drinking milk, and later take on food with more substance. We continue to learn and grow until we become adults (hopefully, we continue to learn even after we are grown). The same is true of us spiritually. We start out learning more about God, His Will and His Ways. We learn to pray. We spend time with like-minded Christians. The Bible starts to make sense. Life starts to make sense. We see the beauty of God and His handiwork in this world, even in the midst of misery and pain. We trust what God is doing with and in us, and we gain godly confidence. We are growing up in the Lord.
We are a new creation when we accept Christ into our lives. Growth is the vehicle of that change.
One thing to remember about spiritual growth is that, unlike physical growth, spiritual growth is a choice. In the physical world, we do not make the decision if we will or will not grow. We don’t decide how tall we will grow, or how fast we will grow. That is determined by our physiology and our DNA. But we can choose to grow, or not to grow spiritually. Unfortunately, there are many Christians who choose to remain as spiritual infants. They may initially start to grow, but somewhere along the way, they choose to stop. But, when things stop growing, they live for a while, but eventually they die and start to decay.
How do you know when you’re growing spiritually? To answer that question, you must continually self-assess – to measure yourself. There are two very effective ways to do that. The first is to measure yourself against yourself. If you’ve been a Christian for a while, there should be a change. Are you the same person you were before you accepted Christ? Are you still mean-spirited and quick tempered? Do you still curse? Do you flip people off on the freeway, with a "I Love Jesus" sticker on your bumper? If someone is hurting or in need, do you simply not care, which is the same way you used to feel? Are you still focused on money and material things? Do you still cheat on your taxes, or do you still purchase items that you know are stolen? Do you still steal? Do you still cheat on your spouse, or treat your children badly? Are you still disobedient to your parents or belligerent with your boss at work? Are you disrespectful to your elders? If any of these examples describe the way you used to be – and also describe who you are today, it doesn’t appear you’re growing much, if at all.
The second, and even more important way we self-assess is by looking at the standards given to us in the Word of God. There are many. One good place to look is Galatians. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us a listing of those qualities that we find in Christians who are growing in the Lord. Likewise, Galatians 5:19-21 gives us a listing of character traits and actions that we find in those who are definitely not growing in the Lord. Read and assess. And be honest with yourself.
One thing to remember – when you self-assess, you’re doing just that. You’re looking at yourself. You are not comparing yourself to someone else (“well, at least I’m not as bad as him”)... You’re not going to grow by doing that. That’s like a person who committed a murder admitting he did it, but saying at least he’s not as bad as the other guy who killed two people. When we stand before God, He will not ask us about what the other guy did. We have to talk to God about our own lives and our own actions.
God does not leave us to grow alone. He is there to help us every step of the way. He is the Divine Gardener, who waters us, fertilizes us, and also prunes us. Water represents those things that are essential to our spiritual growth: Bible study, hearing the Word of God, prayer, fellowship with other Christians. The fertilizer represents those things that help promote growth — primarily Christian activities that nurture us. And the pruning represents the cutting away of those things that hinder our growth. This is usually the part we don’t like, but it is necessary for us to grow into who He created us to be. He will cut away bad attitudes, bad habits, even bad people – anything that come between us and Him. We have to accept God’s pruning; we must accept what we don’t like, as well as what we like. If it is from God, it is only for our good.
Matthew 13:4-8, as well as John 15:1-8 are good scriptures to read to get a better understanding of God’s desire for us in this area.
Remember, spiritual growth is a choice. What choice have you made today?
Be blessed …HGCF
September 6 and September 13 Sermons: "Admiration versus Devotion -- Which Do You Have?" (Parts I & II)
Main Scripture: Matthew 7:13-29
In the sermons Pastor Bob delivered the past two Sundays, he asked a singular question: are you an admirer of Jesus, or are you truly devoted?
That may seem like an odd question, but it really isn’t. A person can be an admirer of someone, but not exactly a devotee. For example, I admired Michael Jackson for his music. I purchased his albums and CDs over the years, knew the words to many of his hits, and was amazed at the artistry in some of his videos. I was saddened when I learned of his tragic and untimely death. However, I can’t call myself a MJ devotee. Many of the true Michael Jackson devotees were inconsolable when they learned of his passing. Some played his music non-stop in the days following his death. Others were glued to the television, as they spent untold hours watching Michael Jackson video marathons. A few who gave birth during that time frame named their babies after him. Many spent hours on the Internet trying to get tickets to his memorial service. Others donned a fedoras, white socks, and sequined gloves to express their feelings.
Another example – the location we hold our worship services in is also the home hotel for the Oakland Raiders. On game days, there is absolutely no question who the Raider devotees are. I root for them, but I’m not going to paint my face silver and black to show my support! (quick note: the pastor is a former Denver Bronco but there are still members of the fellowship, even members of his family, who are Raider fans….sorry!)
The truly devoted will alter their thoughts, actions, and their very lives to follow the one they are devoted to.
Many of us who are believers are not shy about letting people know we are Christians. We attend church every Sunday, drive around with a fish on our cars, are quick to say “God bless you”, and won’t leave home without our cross necklaces or our WWJD bracelets. But how many of us are truly devoted? How many of us have really altered our thoughts, actions – our very lives – to follow Jesus?
In Matthew 7: 24 – 27, Jesus gives us a good litmus test. Those of us who are admirers only, in times of adversity (the rain), will react the same way we always would have in the past. When times get rough, we go back to getting drunk, abusing drugs, cursing, hurting others physically or verbally, dishonesty – nothing has really changed. However, those of us who are true devotees of Christ will strive, in times of adversity, to react as Christ would react. Will we be perfect every time? No. But, will we emulate the actions of Christ in those situations more often than not? Yes, we will.
The truly devoted will alter their thoughts, actions, and their very lives to follow the One they are devoted to.
Be blessed this week…HGCF
In the sermons Pastor Bob delivered the past two Sundays, he asked a singular question: are you an admirer of Jesus, or are you truly devoted?
That may seem like an odd question, but it really isn’t. A person can be an admirer of someone, but not exactly a devotee. For example, I admired Michael Jackson for his music. I purchased his albums and CDs over the years, knew the words to many of his hits, and was amazed at the artistry in some of his videos. I was saddened when I learned of his tragic and untimely death. However, I can’t call myself a MJ devotee. Many of the true Michael Jackson devotees were inconsolable when they learned of his passing. Some played his music non-stop in the days following his death. Others were glued to the television, as they spent untold hours watching Michael Jackson video marathons. A few who gave birth during that time frame named their babies after him. Many spent hours on the Internet trying to get tickets to his memorial service. Others donned a fedoras, white socks, and sequined gloves to express their feelings.
Another example – the location we hold our worship services in is also the home hotel for the Oakland Raiders. On game days, there is absolutely no question who the Raider devotees are. I root for them, but I’m not going to paint my face silver and black to show my support! (quick note: the pastor is a former Denver Bronco but there are still members of the fellowship, even members of his family, who are Raider fans….sorry!)
The truly devoted will alter their thoughts, actions, and their very lives to follow the one they are devoted to.
Many of us who are believers are not shy about letting people know we are Christians. We attend church every Sunday, drive around with a fish on our cars, are quick to say “God bless you”, and won’t leave home without our cross necklaces or our WWJD bracelets. But how many of us are truly devoted? How many of us have really altered our thoughts, actions – our very lives – to follow Jesus?
In Matthew 7: 24 – 27, Jesus gives us a good litmus test. Those of us who are admirers only, in times of adversity (the rain), will react the same way we always would have in the past. When times get rough, we go back to getting drunk, abusing drugs, cursing, hurting others physically or verbally, dishonesty – nothing has really changed. However, those of us who are true devotees of Christ will strive, in times of adversity, to react as Christ would react. Will we be perfect every time? No. But, will we emulate the actions of Christ in those situations more often than not? Yes, we will.
The truly devoted will alter their thoughts, actions, and their very lives to follow the One they are devoted to.
Be blessed this week…HGCF
August 30, 2009 Sermon: "The Cost of Following Jesus"
Main Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30
Pastor Bob painted a picture in last Sunday’s sermon that has stayed in my head all week:
A young man dated a young woman that he finally decides he wants to marry. He selects the time and place for his proposal. The big moment arrives. He wants to make his proposal one that she can’t resist – but he also wants to be completely honest with her, so there will be no surprises when they become husband and wife.
“Darling”, he starts, “you are the woman for me. I want to make you my wife. I will cherish you and take care of you for the rest of your life. I will buy the biggest house anywhere you want to live. Jewelry, furs, cars – whatever you ask for will be yours. You will vacation in the most luxurious locations on earth. You will never have to lift your hand to perform manual labor”.
The young woman’s eyes glistened as she hung on her love’s every word. Her dreams were about to come true. No girl could ask for anything more! “There is but one thing I ask of you,” the young man states as he concludes his proposal. “For 364 days of the year, I’m all yours. I will be what you want me to be and do what you want me to do. All I ask is that you not object or get angry on the one day each year – only one day – I spend with my girlfriend…..”
The young man was willing to commit most of himself to his intended wife, but not all. Some people probably would think this is a good deal! But, if the young woman truly loves the young man, why would she settle for a situation like that? The things cannot take the place of the one thing her heart yearns for, which would be him.
But think about it: many of us ask God to settle, don’t we? We are willing to commit most of ourselves, but not quite all. We may live “good” lives; we work, we don’t steal, we give to charities, we may even work at the local soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. We’re nice to the dog and we put a toy in the Toy Drive box every Christmas. We feed our kids and we don’t cheat on our spouses. God should be happy with that, shouldn’t He? So what if there are a few little things you still do, or are not willing to give up. You’re only human, right?
In Matthew 19:16-30, we learn about a rich young man who wanted to find out from Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life. The young man was a good person. He obeyed all of the laws of his religion. But Jesus challenged him on the one thing that prevented him from committing himself totally. The young man could not give up his wealth. His wealth was an outward symbol to everyone that he was blessed and highly favored of God, wasn’t it? How could Jesus ask him to give it all away?
You don’t have to sell your house, leave your family, and move to a deserted island to prove your devotion to God, unless God explicitly tells you to do so! But you should search your heart and your life and ask yourself, honestly, what is standing between you and God? What is keeping you from making God first in your life? What personality traits do you continue to possess that you know are not pleasing to God?
My brothers and sisters, to get it all, we have to give it all.
May God bless and keep each one of you this week....HGCF
Pastor Bob painted a picture in last Sunday’s sermon that has stayed in my head all week:
A young man dated a young woman that he finally decides he wants to marry. He selects the time and place for his proposal. The big moment arrives. He wants to make his proposal one that she can’t resist – but he also wants to be completely honest with her, so there will be no surprises when they become husband and wife.
“Darling”, he starts, “you are the woman for me. I want to make you my wife. I will cherish you and take care of you for the rest of your life. I will buy the biggest house anywhere you want to live. Jewelry, furs, cars – whatever you ask for will be yours. You will vacation in the most luxurious locations on earth. You will never have to lift your hand to perform manual labor”.
The young woman’s eyes glistened as she hung on her love’s every word. Her dreams were about to come true. No girl could ask for anything more! “There is but one thing I ask of you,” the young man states as he concludes his proposal. “For 364 days of the year, I’m all yours. I will be what you want me to be and do what you want me to do. All I ask is that you not object or get angry on the one day each year – only one day – I spend with my girlfriend…..”
The young man was willing to commit most of himself to his intended wife, but not all. Some people probably would think this is a good deal! But, if the young woman truly loves the young man, why would she settle for a situation like that? The things cannot take the place of the one thing her heart yearns for, which would be him.
But think about it: many of us ask God to settle, don’t we? We are willing to commit most of ourselves, but not quite all. We may live “good” lives; we work, we don’t steal, we give to charities, we may even work at the local soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. We’re nice to the dog and we put a toy in the Toy Drive box every Christmas. We feed our kids and we don’t cheat on our spouses. God should be happy with that, shouldn’t He? So what if there are a few little things you still do, or are not willing to give up. You’re only human, right?
In Matthew 19:16-30, we learn about a rich young man who wanted to find out from Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life. The young man was a good person. He obeyed all of the laws of his religion. But Jesus challenged him on the one thing that prevented him from committing himself totally. The young man could not give up his wealth. His wealth was an outward symbol to everyone that he was blessed and highly favored of God, wasn’t it? How could Jesus ask him to give it all away?
You don’t have to sell your house, leave your family, and move to a deserted island to prove your devotion to God, unless God explicitly tells you to do so! But you should search your heart and your life and ask yourself, honestly, what is standing between you and God? What is keeping you from making God first in your life? What personality traits do you continue to possess that you know are not pleasing to God?
My brothers and sisters, to get it all, we have to give it all.
May God bless and keep each one of you this week....HGCF
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