Conditions for Christian Growth

Growing to be Like Jesus

1. Condition #1 – Photosynthesis: Are you experiencing the changing power of God’s indwelling Spirit (2 Corinthians 3)?

• His Indwelling (1 Corinthians 6:19; Romans 8:11-13)
• His Filling (Ephesians 5:18)
• Your Presenting (Yielding - Romans 6:13-19)

2. Condition #2 – Proper Nutrition: Are you daily being nourished from God’s Word?

• Feeding on the Word (John 17:17; John 15:3; 1 Peter 2:2)
o Bible Reading/Memory/Study (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-16)
o Bible Preaching (Proverbs 2:2; 1Timothy 4:11-16)
• Not feeding on the world (Galatians 5:17; Romans 13:14)

3. Condition #3 – Proper Sunlight: Are you being challenged by the Gospel of God’s Son?

• The light of the love of God (1 John 4:9-11; Titus 2:11-13; 3:2-3; Hebrews 1:2-3)
• The light of Gospel union with Christ (Romans 6:1-18)
• The light of His return (Son-Rise 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 1 John 3:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10-14)

4. Condition #4 – Proper Soil: Are you allowing the enemy of God to stunt your growth?

• Stay away from three-leafed enemy (1 John 2:15-17).
o World – 1 John 2:15-17
o Flesh - Galatians 5:13-26
o Devil - 1 Peter 5:8-11
• Cast aside hindering stones (Hebrews 12:1-2).

5. Condition #5 – Proper Cross-Pollination: Are you allowing the family of God to help you?
   • Love one another (1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22).
   • Admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Ephesians 5:19; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24).
   o Lord’s Table observance
   o Singing
   o Personal confrontation
   • Build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11).