fromthepreacherspc

SPIRITUAL GROWTH #3
Goals For Spiritual Growth

INTRODUCTION
A. Thus far in our study of spiritual growth I have sought to establish the following…
1. Spiritual growth is a choice that we must make
a. Commanded by God
b. That requires diligent effort on our part
c. Yet we are assisted by God in our effort
d. We are blessed by God both in this life and the next
2. Spiritual growth is too often hindered by low self-esteem
a. Too many Christians sell themselves short, because they do not view themselves capable of attaining higher levels of spiritual growth
b. Not believing in their God-given capability, they are prone to making excuses for not trying, and therefore not growing
3. Yet because God commands us to grow, we need to have faith that we can grow
B. But what should be our goals regarding spiritual growth?
1. For what are we to strive, making diligent effort?
2. By what measurement can we determine that spiritual growth is taking place?
C. As with any venture, having goals and attaining them is essential to success…
1. The athlete excels when he sets goals, and attains them
2. The successful business man understands the importance of goals
D. So it is with the Christian.
1. We must have goals, and ways of attaining them.
2. I want to offer some thoughts in this regards.
DISCUSSION
A. BEHAVIORAL GOALS
1. Our Ultimate Goal Is To Be Like Christ
a. Jesus intimated such in talking about discipleship
1) A disciple is to become like his teacher… Luke 6:40
2) Jesus wants us to become His disciples… Matthew 28:19-20
b. Paul made it clear that this is the goal of our redemption
1) God’s desire is that we be conformed to the image of His Son… Romans 8:29
2) As we are being transformed, it is in the image of Christ… 2 Corinthians 3:18
3) We are to be renewed according to the image of Christ… Colossians 3:10-11
c. So an essential element of spiritual growth is to become more Christ-like, renewing our behavior to conform to the example of Jesus Christ
2. This Involves Growing In The Knowledge Of Christ
a. Which Peter commanded in 2 Peter 3:18
b. Not just academic knowledge, but personal knowledge through character development… 2 Peter 1:5-8
1) We must add spiritual graces to our faith, such as virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love
2) It is with the development we are truly fruitful in the knowledge of Christ… 2 Peter 1:8
c. These graces were best personified in Jesus Christ; the more we grow in them, the more we truly know and understand our Lord and Savior!
3. The Challenge Of Reaching Our Behavioral Goals
a. It requires diligent effort… 2 Peter 1:5, 10
b. It requires sustained effort… Galatians 6:7-9
c. As stressed before, such growth does not come naturally; if we are not careful, we may revert back to our former conduct and character… 2 Peter 2:20-22
4. True spiritual growth demands a renewal of mind and character (cf. Rom 12:1-2), in which the goal is to become like our Teacher, Jesus Christ! There are also…
B. FUNCTIONAL GOALS
1. The Church Is A Body With Many Members
a. In which every member is important… 1 Corinthians 12:12-22
b. In which not every member has the same function… Romans 12:3-5
c. Every member must do its part… Ephesians 4:16
d. The Lord’s church grows only as each member does his part in the body of Christ
2. As Members Of The Body, We Must Grow
a. We must find and develop our unique function(s) in the body of Christ… Romans 12:6-8
1) For some, it may be laboring in the Word (preaching, teaching)
2) For others, it may involve ministering to others (visiting, serving)
3) For many, it may involve a multitude of talents and abilities
b. We must utilize our gifts (functions) in the service of God… 1 Peter 4:10-11
1) Those who speak, doing so as the oracles of God
2) Those who serve, with the strength God supplies
c. Failing to grow brings reproach (e.g., Heb. 5:12-14), for we are guilty of wasting what God has given us
3. The Challenge Of Reaching Our Functional Goals
a. The challenge of determining our function(s) in the body of Christ
1) Not all members have the same function; what is mine?
2) Am I lacking in certain talents, or are they simply needing to be developed?
3) Am I truly a one-talent individual, or using that possibility as an excuse not to develop what I am truly capable of?
b. The challenge of developing our function(s) in the body of Christ
1) While some skills may come naturally, others may take time and energy
2) Is my lack of development the result of indifference or laziness?
3) Am I selling myself short through negative self-talk?
4) Am I allowing the allurements of the world to preoccupy my time and energy?
c. We need to be honest with ourselves; indeed, the Day of Judgment will reveal whether or not we have been honest (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; Mat. 25:14-30)
4. Finally, a thought or two about…
C. CONGREGATIONAL GOALS
1. Individual Growth Is Intertwined With Church Growth
a. A primary function of the church is the edification of the saints… Ephesians 4:11-16
b. We are challenged to minister our gifts to one another… 1 Peter 4:11
c. As we grow individually, so we grow as a church, and vice versa
2. Church Goals Should Incorporate Individual Goals
a. A congregation’s goals should allow for the fulfillment of individual goals
1) Providing encouragement through its educational programs
2) Providing opportunity for Christians to serve in their various roles
b. A congregation’s goals will require the fulfillment of individual goals
1) Does a church have a goal for growth? It requires teachers and others who minister to the flock
2) Does a church have a goal for spreading the gospel? It requires preachers and those who will support them… Romans 10:14-15
c. To grow individually, we benefit greatly with the help of congregational goals!
3. The Challenge Of Reaching Our Congregation Goals
a. It depends heavily upon the cooperation of all the members
b. If we are not united in the need for spiritual growth, it is unlikely we will set congregational goals that will nourish such growth
c. If we are not growing individually, any congregational goals will unlikely be met
d. If we desire to grow as a congregation, we need to be growing as individuals, and set our goals for such!
CONCLUSION
A. Spiritual growth requires the setting and obtaining of goals…
1. Individuals must have both behavioral and functional goals
2. Both individuals and congregations must have similar goals
B. As we obtain our goals as individuals and as congregations…
1. Christ will be glorified!
2. As disciples and as members of His body we will become what He desires us to be!
C. If we desire to grow spiritually, then we need to set and strive for behavioral, functional, and congregational goals that will inspire us in the right direction!

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.tullstar.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

SPIRITUAL GROWTH #2
Spiritual Growth And Self-Esteem

INTRODUCTION
A. In our previous lesson we saw that “Spiritual Growth Is
A Choice”
1. Commanded by God (2 Pet. 3:18)
2. Requiring diligent effort (Phil. 2:12)
3. Assisted by God (Phil. 2:13)
4. Blessed by God (2 Pet. 1:8-11)
B. Yet many Christians do not reach their potential for
spiritual growth…
1. Character development is minimal, abilities likewise
underdeveloped
2. Years pass by with little progress
C. I am persuaded a major reason is poor self-esteem…
1. This Causes Christians to underestimate their potential
2. Hindering their efforts to grow
D. What is self-esteem? How does it affect our spiritual
growth? Let’s begin by taking a look at…
DISCUSSION
A. SELF-ESTEEM AND THE CHRISTIAN
1. Understanding Self-Esteem…
a. Self-esteem is our internal feelings and evaluation of
ourselves based on our “perceived” self-image
1) How we feel about ourselves
2) Based on how we view ourselves
b. Self-esteem and self-image are closely related, they
are based mostly on feedback during childhood
1) Feedback may come first from others (parents, peers,
other important figures)
2) But then reinforced by our own self-talk (what we tell
ourselves)
c. Healthy self-esteem is enhanced by childhood
experiences that include:
1) Being praised
2) Being listened to, being spoken to respectfully
3) Getting attention and hugs
4) Experiencing success in sports or school
5) Having trustworthy friends
d. Childhood experiences that lead to low self-esteem
include:
1) Being harshly criticized, yelled at, or beaten
2) Being ignored, ridiculed or teased
3) Being expected to be “perfect” all the time
4) Experiencing failures in sports or school
5) People with low self-esteem were often given
messages that failed experiences (losing a game,
getting a poor grade, etc.) were failures of their
whole self
e. The consequences of poor self-esteem:
1) Can create anxiety, stress, loneliness and increased
likelihood for depression
2) Can cause problems with friendships and relationships
3) Can seriously impair academic and job performance
4) Can lead to underachievement and increased
vulnerability to drug and alcohol abuse
f. These negative consequences themselves reinforce the
negative self-image and can take a person into a
downward spiral of lower and lower self-esteem and
increasingly nonproductive or even actively self-
destructive behavior
2. The Christian’s Basis For Self-Esteem…
a. The Christian has two primary reasons for having
healthy self-image:
1) Dignity by virtue of divine generation
a) We were created in God’s image _ Genesis 1:26-27
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
b) We were created to exercise dominion _ Gen 1:28
And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
c) God has further demonstrated His high estimation of
mankind by His love _ John 3:16; 1 John 4:10;
Romans 5:8
2) Dignity by virtue of spiritual regeneration
a) Yes, we were sinners, but we have been regenerated
_ Titus 3:5
b) We are now loved as His children _ 1 John 3:1
b. Christians have other reasons for having self-esteem
1) The blessing of continued forgiveness when we sin
_ 1 John 1:9-2:2
2) The blessing of God’s family (the church) to help us
_ Hebrews 3:12-13; Hebrews10:25
3) The blessing of God’s own assurance never to
forsake us _ Hebrews 13:5-6
c. There is much that could be added to the fact that God
highly esteems His children. Even though we sin, He
wants us to have the proper estimation of ourselves. But
now let’s address more directly the subject of…
B. SELF-ESTEEM AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH
1. Poor Self-Esteem Hinders Spiritual Growth…
a. Not believing they are capable of growing, some say:
1) “I could never do that (teach a class, preach etc.)…”
2) “I will make too many mistakes…”
b. Prone to giving up too soon, some tell themselves:
1) “I just don’t have the ability…”
2) “I am only a one talent individual…”
c. Poor self-esteem on an individual basis can easily
carry over to how the group feels
1) “We are too small as a church to do…”
2) “We are too poor…”
d. All such excuses are indications of poor self-esteem, and
prevent spiritual growth from occurring!
2. Proper Self-Esteem Enhances Spiritual Growth…
a. Consider the healthy self-esteem the apostle Paul had:
1) For himself _ Philippians 4:13
2) For others _ Philippines 1:6; 2:12-13
b. We should have a similar estimation of ourselves
1) We can do whatever God wants us to do, because
Christ strengthens us!
2) Instead of making excuses, say _ Phil. 4:13
3. Practical Steps For Improving Self-Esteem…
a. Identify and accept your strengths, weaknesses –
everyone has them, no one is perfect
b. Take an “I can” attitude and offer yourself
encouragement along the way
c. Set realistic goals, and then take joy in your
achievements (giving God the glory!)
d. Don’t try to be someone else – be thankful who you are©
e. Explore your own talents, learn to love and appreciate
the unique person you are (God loves you, your brethren
love you, shouldn’t you?)
f. Eliminate negative self-talk; consider the following:
1) It takes about 20 positive statements about ourselves
(the foundation of our self-esteem) to counteract even
just 1 negative personal statement!
2) It doesn’t take a continual repetition of negative
statements from our parents, peers, and others
throughout our childhood to cause low self-esteem.
3) Once we get a couple in our head, we can use them
over and over again; again and again we take those
false negatives and repeat them unconsciously
(completely unaware) – it’s like having a constant
heckler with you
CONCLUSION
A. Poor self-esteem is a major hindrance to spiritual
growth
1. We make excuses for not trying
2. We often give up before we make progress
B. On the other hand, spiritual growth greatly enhances
self-esteem
1. As we grow, our achievements encourage us to do more
2. As we grow, we gain confidence that we are on the right
track
C. Rather than let a mistaken estimation of self to hinder
our service to God…
1. Allow God’s estimation of us to enhance our self-image
and self-esteem
2. Allow God’s estimation of us to encourage the spiritual
growth He desires
3. We will feel better about ourselves when we do!

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com