Tuesday, November 22, 2016

November 23, 2016

"Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." II Peter 3:17-18

Perhaps you have found an old favorite sweater in the corner of your hall closet or at the bottom of an old dresser drawer and when you tried it on you were surprised how snug it was!

What used to be so very comfortable now puts the squeeze on you!

So, what happened?

You grew and your sweater didn't!

Or, when you put on your favorite pair of jeans on Friday after your Thanksgiving feast and you quickly notice they fit much tighter than they did on Wednesday!

What happened?

You grew and your jeans haven't.

It is always awkward and uncomfortable when you get too big for your britches!

I have discovered over the years that those who feel uncomfortable in a growing  church or those who feel as they no longer fit in their growing church do so because they are not growing WITH the church. Their church is growing but they are not growing spiritually. Therefore, it doesn't feel as comfortable as it once did.

A growing church requires and results from the growing people within that church. And ideally, the members of the church grow spiritually at the same pace the church grows numerically.

That is the challenge Paul gives to the Christians in the First Century Church is to grow in grace and mature steadily in the Word so each of them are able to keep pace with their brothers and sisters in the congregation.

Obviously, if FredWes is going to go to our new location at New Post, we will need to grow here so we can go there! So, we will need each of our FredWes family members to be intentional in their individual spiritual growth. If you will grow spiritually as the church grows numerically it is far less likely you will not feel left out, uncomfortable or lost in the crowd.

A great illustration of what I am saying is seen in the story of Heritage Wesleyan Church in Rock Island, IL. There are people in key leadership today (at 3,000) who were leading in the church when it was averaging 25 people!  

How did that happen?

These Brothers and Sisters intentionally obeyed the admonition to grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Growth means living in the Word and then living out the Word. Growth means praying regularly, obeying regularly and staying regularly in the Word.

Are you doing that?

Will you take responsibility to intentionally and regularly grow in His Grace and knowledge here so we will be ready, able and willing to grow HERE so we will be able to go THERE (New Post)?

Will you begin today?