July 31, 2016

God Grows Me Through People

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: How God Grows Me Scripture: Ephesians 4:14– :16

How God Grows Me
God Grows Me Through People
Ephesians 4:14-16

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God has designed us so that we must have relationships to grow into all that He desires us to be.

Roles Other People Can Play In Our Growth

1. Connection

“so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5)

“As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'” (1 Corinthians 12:20–21)

“and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” (Colossians 2:19)

Sometimes, people get more into “religion” and less into the connectedness the Bible prescribes!

We are designed not just to believe, but to belong

People are looking for real friends, not just “friendly churches”

2. Discipline & Structure

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

Question: Where do we get self-discipline or self-control?

God often uses “other-discipline” to help us develop the fruit of self-discipline or self-control

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

“A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.” (Proverbs 15:12)

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

3. Grace & Forgiveness

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” (1 Peter 4:10)

The head and the heart work in different ways:

  • Head: Information gathering
  • Heart: Experience gathering

“We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.” (2 Corinthians 6:11–13)

Grace can be available to us, but we may not be available to grace

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)

4. Strengthening & Supporting

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

5. Modeling & Discipling

“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6–7)

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

“And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:13–14)

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:1–2)

My Commitment to Growing God’s Way

Recognizing that people are an essential part of God’s growth plan for my life, by God’s grace I will incorporate authentic Biblical community into my life more powerfully by…

 

other sermons in this series

Aug 7

2016

God Grows Me Through Problems

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12–19 Series: How God Grows Me

Jul 24

2016

God Grows Me Through His Word

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16– :17 Series: How God Grows Me