INTRODUCTION
UNDERSTANDING TRUE
GROWTH IN CHRIST (The Series)
Brother James, OIC
Eph 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Today more than ever we are closer to that time when tribulation of the Saints of God will escalate to where worldwide it will be a crime to believe and profess Jesus Christ. And the sentence for this crime will be death…will you be ready?
In many countries this is already the case. Here in the USA Christianity is allowed and more so if it looks, speaks and behaves as the American Dream. BUT Christianity isn’t a dream it’s the only reality and to enter its Kingdom requires much more than the false belief you answer an altar call and say a sinners prayer and “poof” instant new creation. Not that some that have answered the altar haven’t pressed forward into Christ yet many more then join a Church and its social events to stagnate and never give birth to the New Life within.
First it is important to know Christianity is not about feeling good emotionally. It is not about things you possess or how many people like you, how much education you have or the level of success and wealth you’ve accomplished career wise. Christianity is about YOU coming to the Knowledge of Truth in Gods Word and TRUSTING IT and this will, as you awake from the sleep of spiritual death, challenge you in every area you accepted as GOOD and EVIL in this world.
Many today have stagnated, stunted or even aborted their spiritual growth by following doctrines that are not true:
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
This happens because of a desire to live and succeed in the flesh:
2Ti 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
In this Series we will look into Understanding True Growth in Christ.
