Growing in Jesus
Steve McKenzie August 25, 2019
Colossians 1:9,10; 2:6-7
Growing in Jesus

Mission Statement: Compelled by the Gospel to become disciples who make disciples.

Definition of a Disciple: Someone who worships Jesus through ongoing surrender, with obedience to God in everyday life, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Three Characteristics of a Disciple:

  1. Abiding in Jesus
  2. Growing in Jesus
  3. Fruitful in Jesus

 

ABIDE | Growing in Jesus

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

  • “As you receive Christ the Lord, so walk in him” | (see Ephesians 2:8)
  • We are saved by grace, through faith, in Jesus
  • We grow by grace, through faith, in Jesus

BECOME | Growing in Jesus

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” Colossians 1:9-10

  • Knowledge, Wisdom, and Understanding – wisdom is the rightful application of knowledge.
  • Our knowledge about God must move beyond mere information. It must give birth to a transformed heart and life.
  • If we teach the greatest doctrine and pure doctrine but do not address the transformation of our hearts then we will have failed as a church.

 

CULTIVATE | Growing in Jesus

  • The Sower & The Soil (Luke 8:4-15)
    • Seed along the path = devil distracts and steals the Word
    • Seed fell among rocks = no roots and fell away when trials happened
    • Seed among the thorns = faith choked out by the cares and or pleasures of the world
    • Seed in good soil = those who hear and hold fast with patience and practice.

 

God’s Word Abiding in us

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

  • Meditate, don’t just memorize