IT’S TIME TO GROW

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   We often use the words:  “It’s time to…”

1.    It’s time to go.

2.    It’s time to get ready.

3.    It’s time to take the test.

4.    It’s time to eat.

5.    It’s time to get serious.

6.    It’s time to quit playing nice.

7.    It’s time to leave.

 

B.   When we say the word:  “It’s time to…”, there are several implications that might be made.

1.    A certain time has arrived.

2.    A lot of time has been wasted and now one needs to focus.

3.    The circumstances have developed in such a way that something needs to be done.

 

C.   In this lesson, we want to discuss the subject:  “It’s Time to Grow.”

1.    If a person is a new Christian, that time has now arrived in his life.

2.    For some who have been Christians for a long time, a lot of time has been wasted and now is the time to focus and get serious about growth.

3.    In churches and within the brotherhood at large, circumstances happen that cry out for individuals to grow in order to accomplish that which needs to be done.

 

I.             GROWTH IS COMMANDED

 

A.   Growth specifically stated:

1.    Ephesians 4:15

 

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

 

2.    1 Peter 2:2

 

As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

 

3.    2 Peter 3:18

 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

B.   Growth is implied:

1.    Increasing (Col. 1:10)

 

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.

 

2.    Adding (2 Pet. 1:5)

 

And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith…

 

 

 

3.    Prosper (3 John 2)

 

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

 

4.    Perfect, perfection

a.    Matthew 5:48

 

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

 

b.    Hebrews 6:1

 

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection…

 

II.           GROWTH IS PICTURED

 

A.   Human maturity

1.    Babes:

a.    We saw that we are to be as newborn babes desiring the word of God so that we may grow (1 Pet. 2:2).

b.    Those who remain babes are rebuked.

1)    The Corinthians (1 Cor. 3:1-2)

 

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

 

2)    The Hebrew Christians (Heb. 5:12-14)

 

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat.  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness:  for he is a babe.  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

 

B.   Plant life

1.    Psalm 1:2-3

 

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

 

2.    Psalm 92:12-14

 

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:  he shall grow like the cedar of Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.

 

C.   Light (Prov. 4:18)

 

But the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

 

D.   Positions

1.    We noted Hebrews 5:12 in a previous point.  Paul tells the Hebrews Christians that they should have grown to become teachers.

2.    In Ephesians 4:11-12, Paul discusses various positions in the body.  These positions are to filled in order for those who are therein to assist others in their growth (2 Tim. 2:2).

 

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

 

3.    David went from shepherd (1 Sam. 17:15) to a harpest for Saul (1 Sam. 16:16, 23) to an armorbearer (1 Sam. 16:21) to a fighter (1 Sam. 17:32) to a soldier (1Sam. 18:5) to a king (2 Sam. 2:4, 5:3-4) and to a prophet (2 Sam. 23:2).

 

III.         GROWTH IS MEASURED

 

A.   Knowledge:  We have already seen that we are to increase and grow in our knowledge.

 

B.   Participation

1.    As a child grows, he participates in the household.

As a worker grows, he participates in the company more.

As a player grows, he is involved in practice and the games more.

2.    As a Christian grows, he, too, should be involved more and more:  worship, Bible study, works of the church, using his/her talents, fulfilling roles in the body,

 

C.   Experiences (Rom. 5:3-4)

 

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulations worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope.

 

D.   Positions (1 Tim. 3:1)

 

This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

 

E.   Fruit (Matt. 13:8)

 

But the other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty-fold.

 

F.    Discipline

1.    Temperate, self-controlled

2.    1 Corinthians 9:27

 

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:  lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

G.   Attitudes

1.    Faith not Doubt or Fear         Great Faith versus Little Faith

2.    Positive not Negative

3.    Love not Hate

4.    Kind not Hateful

5.    Patience not Giving Up

6.    Content not Discontent

7.    Encouraging not Judgmental

8.    Rejoice not Complain

9.    Seek peace not Strife

10. Listening not Speaking

11. Calm not Distressed

12. Selfless not Selfish

13. Voluntary not Begged

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Growth is normal.

 

B.   Growth is useful.

 

C.   Growth is beautiful.