Year: 2020

The importance of Growth.

We continue to learn and go through lessons that equip us to be prepared for the coming of Christ. That should be our primary goal knowing that we are going somewhere. Our focus today is on the importance of growth.

Matthew 28 : 18-20. Many christian’s are at that level where their christianity is primarily based on themselves. Their prayers and drive are solely concentrated on their own needs? In this scripture, God has commissioned us to go out and make disciples of all nations. We have assurance that in this quest, we are not alone, but have Christ to lead and guide us. However, in order to be able to fulfil this task, one must become mature in the things of God. You must posses the ability to overcome all challenges and barriers whilst standing firm and in full confidence in Christ. Spiritual maturity, allows you to grow in this ability. If you are teachable, and can also impart your knowledge on others then you can fulfil the task commissioned to us. Jesus does not want us to be passive with what we have learnt in our christian walk, but rather share it to the nations.

Hebrews 5 : 8 & 12. Even Jesus Christ learnt from and through His experiences and it is that knowledge and authority He left His disciples. In vs 12, there was an expectation that the people at that time to have progressed in spiritual maturity, yet they seemed to have remained at the same level. This bares the question, Do you behave in the same way as you did when you first gave your life to Christ? Are you still in the same position? It is imperative to feed your spirit, otherwise you will not be able to overcome bigger challenges. When you are mature, you know and truly believe in the authority of Jesus. You know that God has given you the Spirit of power and not timidity. When you are mature, nothing can move you from your faith. You have a solid foundation in Christ. Sometimes, we are not waiting enough to give God the chance in our lives. We are quick to be discouraged. How much time has God given you in your life, and in that time, ask yourself, how much you have grown. Remember, if a tree stops growing, it starts dying. So you must continue to grow daily in the things of God. Going to church for 20 years, does not qualify you to spiritual maturity, but rather how you deal with certain situations and your ability to look beyond yourself and become selfless in order to achieve the great commission.

Therefore , take time for self reflection. Are you growing in Christ? If you find yourself solely praying for your own needs, then you are not yet mature. You are not yet acquainted with righteousness. Challenge yourself, introspect and measure your growth and make steps towards maturity.

We need to take time to consider what kind of people we are, so that we can yield the goodness of God. The media today gives a certain perception, it magnifies this perception which then appears to be the truth. It then becomes the norm and as the viewer we become dependant on the way in which that perception is portrayed. In all this, we forget who we are, we forget our own story, our own identity, our own relationship with God. If you value yourself, you are able to value the things of God. If you let the word of God have authority in your life, then you can be the master of your own story. Remember, the farmer sows the same seed, the variable is the soil. You are the variable. You are the difference between the absorption of the word and learning from it, or hearing the word and nothing changing in your life.

Season of Pentecost
Acts 1: 8, 11-12 – As it is the time for Pentecost, though we may not meet as normal, we still need to remain in prayer to receive strength through the Holy Spirit. People needed the power of the Holy Spirit to do the work assigned to them by Jesus. Only after following instruction and receiving the Holy Spirit, did they have the ability and authority to fulfil their calling. They were propelled onto a higher level.

Main Word
Matthew 6:12- Understanding the power of forgiveness will help us grow in our relationship with God. It free’s us from a certain emotional bondage. Have you ever stopped to think that if you say this prayer without having the heart of forgiveness, you are not only deceiving yourself, but you are a liar in the eyes of God. Failure to forgive results in a loss of energy and hinders spiritual growth and development because your heart is burdened with unresolved feelings. In the book of Acts during the time of pentecost, had they had unforgiving hearts, they would not have received the Holy Spirit. You therefore cannot have a meaningful relationship with God if you lack the ability to forgive. You need to realise that FORGETTING, and situation does not mean you have forgiven. We know this to be true because everytime you experience a similar situation, the same hurt arises again. SILENCE, or keeping quiet, is not forgiveness either, but rather a form of avoidance. Pretending something does not exist does not nullify it. True FORGIVENESS, is being able to go back, confront the situation, deal with it then completely let it go. If a similar situation arises, there are no hurt feelings attached to it, but rather you simply move forward and progress. In life, there are two main things that are extremely valuable. You must learn to be 1, a learner, and 2, a teacher. Allow other people to speak in your life. There is always a lesson in every situation you are confronted with. And once you overcome a situation, you can therefore impart your knowledge to other people, that they too do not face the struggle in the same way as you have done. Did you know that lack of forgiveness can manifest in the form of passive aggression and can be seen in the manner in which you speak to or relate towards an individual? Holding a grudge means you are holding on to negative emotions inside your heart. How then can you love God with all your heart, when it is consumed with unresolved feelings. God hears the prayer of a forgiving heart and it is free and ready to receive Him. Many Christian’s of today, despite coming to Christ, still hold on to past behaviours. Challenge yourself? Is there a behaviour you still posses today despite repentence? Are you carrying unforgiveness in your heart? Write down all those people you have not forgiven. Pray about it and even contact them and let go of negative feelings you have harboured towards them. Remember we are ambassadors of Christ and our conduct should therefore reflect this. Be challenged to forgive!

An investment in a relationship with God remains key. A relationship with God empowers Christians to be active in the word. A person deep rooted in the word of God will know and recognize that the battles they may face are not theirs to bare, but the Lords. Therefore the word of God is not to be listened to passively.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. The parable of the sower pertains to all of us. Everyone has a category that they fall under. Ask yourself this, how much of the word of God have you retained over the past few weeks? Evaluate then, which category you fall under!

Understand that the sower did not harvest what he expected to, in relation to what he sowed. The type of soil is what makes the difference. The seed is the same, the sower is the same so the variable is the ground. Therefore you hold the keys as to what type of person or soil you are. There are 4 different categories that have been identified in the scriptures.
1. Those who receive the word, but it does not stay with them. It is snatched away due to lack of understanding.
2. Those that lack depth in Christ. They are shallow and easily discouraged by troubles and hardships.
3. Those that lack focus. They are consumed by the worries of life and give priority to chasing the world. This chokes their faith.
4. Those that have an active relationship with God. They know their Father and understand Him and His expectations of them.

What you spend your time doing is that which you become. You therefore cannot expect to connect with God at the end of the week if you have spent that time invested in other things that do not concern Him.
Colossians 1:9. When the Spirit of God is in us, we get understanding. Your recognition and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit only comes from having a relationship with God.
Analogy – At a job interview, all employers are interested in 3 main things, knowledge, attitude and the skills. Knowledge alone does not make you competent, neither does attitude or skills on their own. Likewise spiritually, one must possess all the above to be competent as an effective christian. You need to understand what is “understanding ” in order to fully have a relationship with God.

Exodus 19:5. To recap on the last few sermons, it is paramount to remember that God wants a relationship with His chosen people. As the children of God, we are His chosen. Just as he has demonstrated His mighty power to the Israelites, God wants us to honour and worship Him.
2 Timothy 1:7. Apostle Paul emphasises that amongst the gift of love and self control, God has also given us the spirit of POWER. All these things work together. Power is unique as it gives you the ability to practise love and self control.

Isaiah 59:2. As a people we are not to allow our iniquity to separate us from God. The principle of POWER is relevant because it is the gift of power that will allow you to overcome the urge to commit sin. The Spirit of Power that Apostle Paul refers to in 2 Timothy 1:7, can manifest in two different ways. Firstly it can be portrayed through “STRENGTH “. One can have the understanding and the knowledge to refrain from sinning, but may lack the ability. Once you lack the strength to execute the things you need to overcome, then your relationship with God is compromised. Secondly, power can be portrayed through “AUTHORITY”. As Christians we require a higher level of spiritual authority. In principle, the greater the resistance, the greater the power or force to be applied. Therefore the greater the situation, the greater the authority that needs to be applied.
Ephesians 6:10 & 12. Here we are urged to be strong in the Lord. We are in essence the temple of God. If the temple has no power, then it ceases to be the temple. Remember then that even though the devil has power, God is superior and so is His power that has been gifted to us. That is why a close relationship with God is mandatory. In conclusion, the journey of a Christian is never easy. There will always be challenges, however with power you have the ability to pray for yourself, other people and even do extraordinary feats. The bible refers to peacemakers as blessed. One can only be a peacemaker if they posses the “power” to overcome, sin, conflict, anxieties, situations and negative thinking.

2 Timothy 1: 3-7. Apostle Paul acknowledges that Timothy had faith, however as an experienced teacher of the word of God, he understands that faith alone is not enough. So he encourages Timothy to fan into flame a gift that is already inside him. A gift received by laying of hands through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Paul in this instance can be likened to a modern day mentor. It is important in your walk as a Christian, to not only read and understand the word of God, but also allow mentors placed and proved by God to speak in your life.

Remember the Spirit of God has already placed within you a gift of power, love and self discipline.
The bible speaks about serving God with a clear conscience. In order to do so, you must have self discipline. It is the ability to do away with the things that affect the conscience and solely focusing on God. When someone comes across a barrier, naturally one concentrates on that barrier, but those whom have received power and self control from God are focused on the end goal, to serve God.
Understand your focus. Do not be a passive observer. Know where you are going. Know your purpose. Chose your battles and let go of things that are not important. Only then can you serve with a clear conscience. In everyday life, everyone faces challenges through general interaction with the people around us, hence the importance of self control. What starts, a thought or a feeling? Analyse your thought process. Dwelling on the negative can only result in negative feelings which determines your preceding actions. We often put blame on situations and forget the power of self control. Positive choices in thought result in positive actions. Therefore our actions towards one another have the ability to compromise our relationship with God. Remember eternal joy is internal, it is not governed by the external.
2 Timothy 2 : 3-6. Be loyal to God. The path of a christian is not easy and is full of hurdles. But if we have chosen God, then we must take part in the suffering and endure it. Be an active soldier on duty. Distinguish yourself above the ordinary. Remember everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. An athlete’s discipline determines their victory, likewise the life of a true Christian should attract Gods approval. Do not concern yourself with the physical pursuits of life, but in the will of the Father.