Bridge Church, Sunday, January 10, 2009 That’s a myth.
Growth in Christ
Ephesians 4:11-12, Connected, part 2
In CHRIST, On MISSION, For OTHERS
2ND Leg of the journey to connecting to life IN Christ is
making the necessary commitments for spiritual
growth.
Oh no, another sermon on commitment. We’re going
to get beat up today.
Like it or not commitment is an important part of
Spiritual Growth. If you can’t commit, you’ll never
grow closer to God or become more like Christ or
grow INTO CHRIST.
In Christ, now what? Ephesians 4:11-16
 God wants me to be EQUIPPED & BUILT UP. verses
11-12
 God wants me to MATURE & GROW UP. verses 13-16
Most people think, “As long as I believe in God & go to
church, I’m OK spiritually.” That is unless you want to
be close to God.
A few other myths about Spiritual
Growth:
(adapted from Rick Warren’s book Purpose Driven
Church)
Myth #1: Spiritual Growth is AUTOMATIC.
To grow spiritually you have to be intentional. It
requires effort & commitment.
Philippians 2:12-13
Myth #2: Spiritual Growth is for a SELECT FEW.
“I can’t grow spiritually, that’s the Pastor’s job.”
2 Peter 3:18 – “Grow in the grace & knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ.” This is a command for everyone
who is a believer.
Myth #3: Spiritual Growth is MEASURED BY
KNOWLEDGE.
Spiritual maturity is measured more by behavior than
beliefs.
“I believe the Bible, so I’m a growing Christian.”
- Did believing your text books make you an A
student? No, you had to learn it.
Myth #4: Spiritual Growth is PRIVATE &
PERSONAL.
Are you growing? “That’s my business.”

If you’re going to grow, you must be connected with
other Christians.
100’s of commands in scripture that you can’t obey
unless you’re connected.
Necessary Commitments for Spiritual
Growth:
1) I will GO PUBLIC WITH MY FAITH.
Matthew 10:32-33
A growing faith is a faith that is not a secret. Close
relationships are hard to keep a secret. If You care
deeply about someone, others will know & you’ll want
others know.
What does it mean to go public with my faith?
 IDENTIFYING with other Christians.
 PARTNERING with other Christians.
Actively cooperating with other Christians
through church membership.
Others need you and you need others.
 SHARING MY STORY WITH OTHERS.
You will begin to grow when you see how God
can use your story to influence other people.
Acts 4:20 (NIV)
20
For we cannot help speaking about what we
have seen and heard."
1) I will PLACE A HIGH VALUE ON MY FAITH.
Philippians 3:7-9, Matthew 6:19-21
Value is determined by investment. By what you are
willing to invest in something.
I’ve never known a growing Christian that didn’t
invest greatly in their faith & in God’s kingdom. And
when you begin to grow, that investment which
seems great, gets smaller & smaller.
I’m not growing? Well, what have you invested?
Philippians 3:7-9
Matthew 6:19-21
Where you invest is where your heart is going to be.
You want to grow spiritually. Invest yourself.
Where you invest or place value, there is a rope that
will pull your heart right along behind.
Two Investments, or test of how much you
value your faith:
 Investing my TIME WITH GOD. The Calendar
test.
○ Do you spend daily time with God in
Prayer & Bible reading?
○ Do you live every minute for God’s glory?
Giving your all at work, to the glory of
God?
 ○ Do you spend time doing what God is
doing in the community? Joining God in
His work?
 Defending the rights of the poor and
oppressed.
 Reconciling the world to Himself.

 Investing my TREASURE FOR GOD. The

Checkbook test. Where am I?
Tithing? That’s a good start. I have begun the journey. When? _____________________.
○ Regular, consistent, sacrificial gift to the
God’s kingdom. I have gone public with my faith.
○ Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38  Baptized ___________________
 Identified with _______________ Church
I’ve pinpointed the greatest growth in my life:  Shared my story with ________________.
– When I’ve spent time in God’s Word I am placing value on my faith.
– When I’ve built relationships with God’s people.  My personal time with God - __________________.
– When I’ve given of myself to help othes.
– When I’ve obeyed God’s Word about giving.  My weekly time with God’s people -
___________________.
 My investment in God’s kingdom - __________________.
When I do these things? My heart follows my
investment & I catch myself growing & impacting
others.

Remember: God placed a high value on you.

Romans 12:1 (ESV) - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the

mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy
and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.