Feb 07, 2011 Pursuing Spiritual Growth
Originally posted on December 11, 2003
This past Sunday, I preached a vision message looking forward to 2004. I gave three prayers for our church that would become three pursuits of our church. The first prayer pursuit is that Grace would experience the greatest year of spiritual growth in the history of our church in 2004.
That is certainly a bold prayer request and an ambitious pursuit. Because we believe that spiritual growth is something that only God can supply, is it right to pray for, pursue, and even plan for spiritual growth? I believe it is. Here’s why.
1. God promises those who seek Him will find Him.
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29: 13-14
2. God has commanded us to cooperate with the spiritual work He is doing in us.
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you.” Philippians 2:12-13
3. As humans, we will pursue something. We are made that way. Spiritual growth is the worthy pursuit.
“Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
4. Every great goal needs a plan. Jesus needed to communicate with God the Father while on earth, so He made a plan to do so. His pattern was to get up early or slip away during the day to pray. You can read about Jesus’ plan in these verses; Mark 1:35, 6:46; Luke 5:16, 6:12.
As we move into 2004, I will be sharing with you more about the Grace plan for spiritual growth and also how you can plan for a great year of growth in your life.
Scott Patty