Monday, October 12, 2009

October 12, 2009

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Matthew 28:18


Moving to health is essential if a church is to grow. Things that are healthy will grow! It is the law of nature. Often, churches commit to methods in order to grow and they see some immediate growth. But at some point the healthy new growth collides with the inheathy issues or structure in the church and conflict results.
It makes more sense to concentrate on getting healthy first and then letting growth arise out of the health of the body. The first step of that process is to commit to knowing God. Next, plan to grow in God.
GROW IN GOD


Jesus is calling you out to grow in Him. Growing in God is a result of what you do after you get to know Him.

Jesus called these 11 disciples to this meeting because they had grown in Him. There was one missing who didn’t grow in Him.

Jesus gave them authority to do what He was asking them to do – live out their faith!


Jesus is calling you out! He is calling to know Him and grow in Him.


HOW?

YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GIVE UP
One thing required for spiritual growth is sacrifice. You need to be willing to give up anything that hinders your relationship with God. It might be a habit, it might be a relationship, it might be a secret sin, or it may be an emotional hurt that will require some therapy. But, whatever the issue, God calls His followers to "give up in order to go up".


YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GIVE IN
Another thing necessary for spiritual growth is surrender and Jesus hits the nail on the head right here with the authority issue. One of the last areas we are willing to surrender is our authority - our will - our control issues. To be filled with His authority - His power and His holiness - you must surrender your authority to His. There is no way you can have healthy growth if you are relying on your power. If you have to control it you will kill it!


YOU MIGHT HAVE TO GET
Along with sacrifice and surrender, growth requires that you get spiritual supply from God. You are the one who is spiritually ill and He is the Great Physician. To get healthy, get Him! Whatever you need to grow He has!

How do I know when I am growing? You live and look more like Jesus than before. You see life-change happening in you and through you. You break habits. You live with less fear and more authority. Is there evidence of growth?
What do you need in order to grow?
What sacrifice?
What surrender?
What supply?