Growing up Spiritually

Read your Bible

Pray everyday (3x)

Read your Bible, and Pray everyday

If you want to grow.

Remember this?

You likely do. This has been the mantra of any christian child right from kindergarten.

Amazingly, we all forget the weight this very simple song carries. In our world today, you'd hear people make prayers to God, asking that He shows them how to grow but how can God re-do what's been done already?

You have the example of Jesus, and that of his disciples. You also have the Apostles of the early church and the letters to the churches. Ultimately, you've got God's word - the scriptures and this very light song too.

The things of God aren't always spectacular and if you seek spectacularity in everything, you'd most certainly miss the hand of God.

God works with us differently, understand that. Run with it. Make it a watch word. Let it soak In.

Don't box the power of God in a corner simply because you're waiting for something extraordinary.

You must understand that sometimes, all you might need is a diligent study of what the word has said. The words of the Bible are God's direct words to you in this age and time.

Read: Our Lives: A Call to Reflection

As a child growing up, you know what you know now from observing people around you, whether it's your mode of communication or you behavior or intellectual skills, it's something you learnt- from people.

Technically, spiritual growth isn't far from this either. You have to learn from the men God has ordained you to be under. You must also stay faithful and humble to learn.

What's really spectacular about the apostles of the early church? Why did we see so much demonstration of the supernatural?

1. The apostles of the early church were disciples of Jesus' and they trained other faithful men-this is called discipleship. You learn by being a faithful disciple. In 2nd Timothy 2:1-3, Paul admonished his disciple, whom he referred to as "my son, to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. He further admonished him to commit to faithful men, the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses - so that they may be able to teach others also.

    [3]Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.


Timothy was Paul's son- his disciple, an extremely faithful one too.

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Teaching is a commandment from Jesus. You grow by learning and the apostles stayed faithful to learning from Jesus.

When you extensively study the book of acts, you'd see the marvel's the apostles orchestrated.

It was because they were with Jesus.

They learnt from Jesus.

Paul and Silas didn't just start singing and dancing in the prison. They understood what they were doing because they were taught and guided. Or Do you think any normal person would give thanks in a situation like death?


Paul and Silas weren't babies. They knew for a believer, in the midst of adversary you don't bow to sorrow or sadness- instead you break out in laughter and rejoice.

The apostles of the early church exhibited abundance In demonstrating the supernatural, but how many of that can you truly see today?

They were people like you and I, but they deliberately gave themself to prayer, diligent study and preaching the gospel.

They had tremendous "blind faith" in the power of God and what it can Do.

What's happening now?

What changed?

It most certainly wasn't God or his giving grace.

What changed is our understanding of the scriptures.

The scriptures have been diluted and twisted.

No, this isn't what Jesus wants.

This isn't why Jesus died for his church.

Jesus died for his church to give them life.

He died for his church to bring them into sonship with God, now we can call God our Father.

Romans 8:14-15

[14]For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

[15]For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

    The Apostles of the early church had another amazing thing, they were in unity.

    Acts 2:1-4

    [1]And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

You see, they were in unison and it aided their growth. Their knew that the local church had to be united, so it started with them. The didn't let offense stay within them!


Conclusively,

3. They were willing and deliberate about their service. They didn't pretend like they cared for lost souls.

They actually cared!

They didn't pretend In prayer so people would see and praise them. No!

They didn't throw their acts of service into the face of people.

They were focused.

They gave themselves to prayer.

Acts 6:4

[4]But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

They were intentional.

They knew what they're fighting for and they wouldn't stop until they've had it!

They stayed right where God wanted them to be in.

To be a good son, study your father's work.

Your acts of service to the father would change after putting this to work.