Grow in Grace
September 2, 2012
Series on Growth 2 Peter 3:18
I. Introduction
A. The Christian Life Begins with a Birth
1. Upon receiving Christ we are born again (John 1:12–13)
2. Nicodemas and the new birth (John 3)
B. This is What Separates the Gospel from Religion
1. Religion is man’s effort to reach up to God
2. Salvation is God coming down to man and making him a new creation
C. But After Birth Comes Growth
II. Body
A. What is Growth in Grace?
1. What it is not:
a. It is not becoming more saved than at the moment of conversion
b. It is not becoming more pardoned than when converted
c. It is not becoming more justified than at salvation
2. What Christian growth is: “When I speak of growth in grace I mean increase in the degree, size, strength, vigor and power of the graces which the Holy Spirit plants in a believer’s heart” (J. C. Ryle)
3. Consider the expectations of physical growth
a. In a child, a flower, a tree
b. The gardener and his garden
4. Consider Bible evidences of growth in men
a. Peter: From backsliding to blessing
b. Paul: From the Damascus road to the Roman road
c. John: From Son of Thunder to the disciple of love
B. What are the Evidences of Growth?
1. An increase of love (1 Thess. 3:12; 4:9–10)
a. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples (John 13:35)
b. p 126 How we know that we have passed from death to life (I John 3:14)
c. We are nothing without love (1 Cor. 13)
2. An increase of faith (2 Thess. 1:3)
a. What great promises attend this fruit of the Spirit!
b. Most of us are but in the kindergarten of faith
3. An increase of the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10)
a. What you saw in Christ when you accepted Him compared to now
b. Do you know more about God now than when you were saved?
4. A greater desire for holiness in life (Phil. 3:13)
C. What are the Means that God Uses to Help us Grow in Grace?
1. He uses His Word (1 Peter 2:2)
a. You never outgrow your need for milk
b. There’s a new you coming every day
c. Look in the book first
2. He uses trouble and experience (Rom. 5)
3. He uses the private devotional life
4. He uses public worship and service
5. He uses the fellowship of believers
a. How our needs are met by others (1 Cor. 12)
b. What friendships and fellowships do to us
III. Conclusion
A. Are you Growing?
B. If not … Why Not?
Roger F. Campbell, Preach for a Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1997). 125-26.
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