GROWING UP SPIRITUALLY PART 1

AFTER THE SERVICE IS OVER, AFTER THE PRAISING IS OVER, AFTER THE SINGING IS OVER, AND AFTER THE FELLOWSHIP IS DONE, AND WE DEPART FROM HERE ,WE WILL SEE PEOPLE IN THE HALLS, AND SITTING IN THEIR ROOMS, AND GOING ABOUT IN ALL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION. DO THESE PEOPLE EVEN HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE LIFE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM IN AND THROUGH JESUS? THE ANSWER IS A VERY RESOUNDING NO IN MOST OF THEIR LIVES THEY DON’T HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE LIFE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM THROUGH JESUS. WE HAVE A PURPOSE AND THAT IS TO GIVE THEM A CLUE ABOUT THIS LIFE THAT IS WAITING FOR THEM. MANY PEOPLE IN CHURCH DON’T HAVE A CLUE AS WELL. IT IS TIME FOR US TO GROW UP AS CHRISTIANS AND BEGIN TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HAVE AN INFLUENCE IN THIS WORLD FOR CHRIST. THANK GOD FOR THE BLESSING, THANK GOD FOR THE BENEFITS, THANK GOD FOR THE VICTORY, AND THANK GOD FOR EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT, BUT IT’S TIME WE GET BACK TO BASICS AND REMEMBER THERE IS A DYING WORLD OUT THERE HEADED FOR HELL.
INFLUENCE: THE ACT OR THE POWER OF PRODUCING AN EFFECT WITHOUT APPARENT FORCE OR DIRECT AUTHORITY.
IN OTHER WORDS WE ARE GOING TO LEAD THEM BY HOW WE LIVE AND CONDUCT OURSELVES.
Hebrews 5:12-14
12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
PAUL SEEMED TO THINK THAT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME HAD PASSED IN THE CHRISTIANS LIVES HERE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE GROWN AND MATURED ENOUGH TO BE TEACHER, HOWEVER THEY HAD NOT. SAD TO SAY BUT A LOT OF CHRISTIANS TODAY ARE IN THAT BOAT. THEY HAVE BEEN IN CHURCH A LONG TIME AND THINK THEY ARE SO SPIRITUAL, BUT THEY ARE NOT, FOR THEY HAVE NOT GROWN AND MATURED. THEY ARE STILL BABES.

1 Corinthians 3: 1-3
1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
PAUL FOUND ANOTHER BUNCH THAT WASN’T GROWING HERE AT CORINTH.
1 COR. 3:4-8
4. For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
PAUL SHOWS THEM AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THEY WERE YET CARNAL AND INTO HERO WORSHIP AND PRIDE. THEN IN VERSE NINE PAUL BEGINS TO INSTRUCT THEM IN THE MILK OF THE WORD. HE STARTS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION THAT WE MUST ALL LEARN AND BUILD UPON.
1 COR. 3:9 PAUL TEACHES A VERY BASIC YET VERY NEEDED TRUTH IN THIS VERSE.
9. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
WORDS AND WORD PLACEMENT SPEAKS VOLUMES. THE MORE WE UNDERSTAND THIS THE MORE WE CAN INCREASE OUR INFLUENCE IN THE WORLD. SMALL WORDS CAN HAVE BIG MEANINGS.
3. THINGS WE MUST KNOW IN ORDER TO INCREASE OUR INFLUENCE IN THIS EARTH.
NUMBER ONE IS THAT WE ARE LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH GOD.
THERE IS A SMALL WORD IN THAT STATEMENT THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES. THAT WORD IS WITH, AND IT TELLS US FOUR THINGS. IF WE UNDERSTAND THESE FOUR THINGS AND SETTLE THEM IN OUR HEARTS WE WILL BE ON OUR WAY TO A GREATER INFLUENCE ON OTHERS IN THE WORLD. GOD WILL BE ABLE TO USE US TO BRING MANY INTO THE KINGDOM AND TO HELP THEM GROW.

1. THE WORD WITH IMPLIES GOD IS THE LEADER. HE IS THE LEADER.
2. WE ARE THE FOLLOWERS
EXAMPLE. SAY I WAS ASKED BY THE PASTOR IF I WOULD BE IN CHARGE OF CLEARING OFF EVERYTHING ON THE PLATFORM. ALL THE CHAIRS AND EQUIPMENT SO THEY COULD RE-CARPET. I ACCEPT THE JOB, HOWEVER I CAN’T DO IT ALONE SO I GO ASK ANOTHER MAN IF HE WOULD HELP ME DO THIS TASK. WHEN HE SAYS YES HE BECOMES A FOLLOWER AND I BECOME THE LEADER IN THE TASK. IF WE ARE GOING TO BE FOLLOWERS, LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH THE LORD THEN WE MUST SETTLE IT ONCE AND FOR ALL THAT HE IS THE LEADER, AND WE ARE THE FOLLOWERS.
3. HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK. HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK. WHO DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK? HE DOES. HE LORD DOES. THERE MAY BE SOME AREAS HE WANTS US TO WORK IN THAT WE MAY NOT WANT TO WORK IN, HOWEVER WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT WE UNDERSTAND THAT HE DETERMINES WHERE WE ARE TO WORK AND THAT WE AS FOLLOWERS MUST WORK WHERE HE SAYS.
4. HE DETERMINES WHAT WORK IS TO BE DONE.
THAT MEAN ONLY WHAT HE SAYS TO DO IS WHAT WE DO. WE MIGHT SEE SOMETHING WE WOULD LIKE TO STICK OUR HANDS INTO BUT WE MUST NOT. ONLY WHAT HE SAYS TO DO IS WHAT WE DO. WE MUST FOLLOW AND NOT TRY TO LEAD.
THERE IS A SIMILAR WORD TO LABOURERS AND THAT IS AMBASSADORS.
11 COR. 5:20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
WE ARE LABOURERS TOGETHER AND AMBASSADORS FOR HIM.
AN AMBASSADOR SPEAKS ON THE BEHALF OF THE ONE HE REPRESENTS.
IF WE ARE GOING TO BE CHRIST’S AMBASSADORS THEN WE MUST TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO HIM. WE MUST FIND OUT WHAT WE SHOULD SAY WHEN WE ARE FUNCTIONING IN OUR ROLE AS AMBASSADOR.
1. WE SPEAK ON THE BEHALF OF THE ONE WE REPRESENT
2. AN AMBASSADOR PROMOTES THE INTERESTS OF THE ONE HE REPRESENTS.
THAT TELLS ME THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF THE FATHER WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO DISCOVER THE INTERESTS OF THE FATHER.
FIRST WE MUST HAVE A FOUNDATION IN OUR LIVES IN ORDER TO BE THE RIGHT INFLUENCE , AND TO BE ABLE TO PROMOTE THE TRUE INTEREST OF THE FATHER.
THAT FOUNDATION IS THIS.
FIRST AND FOREMOST THE NUMBER ONE WE HAVE TO KNOW WHO OUR FATHER IS. THE FIRST NECESSARY NEED OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TO KNOW THE FATHER, NOT JUST KNOW OF HIM. IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE FATHER YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO LOVE AS HE LOVES, YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO FORGIVE AS HE FORGIVES, WE ARE TO IMITATE OUR FATHER.
Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV.
1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.
FOLLOWER IN THIS SCRIPTURE MEANS TO IMITATE
Ephesians 5:1-2 NEW LIVING BIBLE
1. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage Ephesians 5:1-2:
1. THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].
2. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a [a]slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.(A
THE MAIN PURPOSE IN JESUS COMING TO EARTH WAS TO RECONCILE US AND REDEEM US BACK TO GOD, HOWEVER HE HAD MANY OTHER THINGS HE DID ALONG THE WAY. HE ALSO WAS A FOLLOWER AND AN AMBASSADOR OF THE FATHER. HE CAME TO SHOW US THE FATHER.
JOHN 14:8-11
8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10. Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.


JESUS WAS SAYING IF YOU HAVE SEEN ME THEN YOU HAVE SEEN THE FATHER. HE IMITATED HIS FATHER , HE DID WHAT THE FATHER SAID WHERE HE SAID TO DO IT, AND IN DOING SO SHOWED US THE FATHER. WE ARE TO DO THE SAME THUS SHOWING THE FATHER TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD, AND INFLUENCING THEM TO COME TO THE FATHER.

Conversion

CONVERSION
THE ACT OF BEING CONVERTED:
1 a : to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another b : to bring about a religious conversion a : to alter the physical or chemical nature( or properties of) b (1) : to change from one form or function to another
I WAS LISTENING TO DAVID JEREMIAH RECALL A TIME THAT HE HAD TO BORROW A CAR TO GO SOMEWHERE HE HAD TO BE. A FRIEND LOANED HIM HIS CAR. HE GOT READY TO GO AND THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED LOW FUEL. HE WENT TO A SERVICE STATION AND WAS GOING TO FILL UP. THE CAR HAD DIESEL EMBLEMS ON THE FENDERS AND THE GAS CAP SAID DIESEL ONLY, SO HE FILLED IT WITH DIESEL, AND WENT ON HIS WAY. AS HE WAS GOING THROUGH A SMALL TOWN ALONG THE WAY THE CAR STARTED TO SPUTTER AND BUCK AND STOPPED DEAD. AN OLDER MAN STOPPED TO SEE IF HE COULD ASSIST. HE RAISED THE HOOD AND SAID THIS IS NOT A DIESEL IT HAS SPARK PLUGS. DAVID CALLED HIS FRIEND AND FOUND THAT HE HAD CONVERTED IT TO A GASOLINE ENGINE AND HAD FORGOTTEN TO TELL HIM.

IT STILL LOOKED LIKE A DIESEL FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE HE NEVER CHANGED THE EMBLEMS AND WARNINGS. IT HOWEVER NOW RAN ON A DIFFERENT FUEL THAN IT USE TOO. IT DID NOT MATTER HOW LONG IT RAN ON DIESEL BEFORE, IT NOW RAN ON GAS, AND DIESEL WOULD CAUSE IT PROBLEMS.
New Living Translation (NLT)Passage Matthew 18:3:3. Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Passage Matthew 18:3:3. And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving], you can never enter the kingdom of heaven [at all].
King James Version (KJV)Passage Matthew 18:3:
3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
CONVERTED: TO TURN ONE THING INTO ANOTHER, TURN AROUND

King James Version (KJV)Passage Luke 22:31-32:
31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
CONVERTED HERE MEANS TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE CHANGE, A DELIBERATE CHOICE. CONVERSION IS A VOLUNTARY ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION OF TRUTH.
AT CONVERSION YOU STILL LOOK THE SAME. IT’S THE INNER PERSON THAT HAS CHANGED FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. YOU ARE STILL HUMAN. YOU LOOK THE SAME. THE ENGINE OR YOUR HEART IS DIFFERENT. IT HAS BEEN CONVERTED. YOU CAN NOT RUN IT ON THE SAME FUEL THAT IT USE TO RUN ON. IT USE TO RUN ON THE THINGS OF DARKNESS BUT NOW NEEDS LIGHT TO FUEL IT. AS A CHRISTIAN YOU WILL SPUTTER, STALL, AND EVEN STOP DEAD, AND EVEN POSSIBLY SHIPWRECK THE LIVES OF OTHERS IN THE PROCESS IF YOU TRY TO KEEP RUNNING YOUR LIFE ON DARKNESS.
LIGHT FUELED HEARTS CAN NOT RUN ON DARKNESS. DARKNESS FUELED HEARTS CAN NOT RUN ON LIGHT.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT FUEL DARKNESS
King James Version (KJV)Passage 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent(LACKING SELF CONSTRAINT OR CONTROL) good,
4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Fear, gossip, being judgemental,and anything else that kills, steals, destroys, or hurts is in the kingdom of darkness.


THINGS THAT FUEL LIGHT.

Passage 1 Corinthians 13 :
1 Corinthians 13
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
.PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8

4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE TO FUEL OUR CONVERTED LIVES WITH . ISAIAH.5:20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
THERE ARE PEOPLE DOING THAT ALL THE TIME. AND CAUSING PEOPLE WHO TRUST THEM TO END UP A SHIPWRECK . SO MANY CHRISTIANS AND PASTORS AND DENOMINATIONS ARE DOING JUST THAT. THEY TEACH FOR TRUTH THE TRADITIONS OF MEN AND THE DOCTRINES OF DEVILS. WHEN I GOT SAVED I WAS TOLD SO MANY THINGS ABOUT GOD THAT WAS NOT THE TRUTH. THINGS LIKE GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS HEAL. THE BIBLE SAYS JUST THE OPPOSITE. GOD SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED. GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER. THERE IS NO SHADOW OF TURNING IN HIM. THAT IS JUST ONE PLACE THAT WRONG TEACHING HAS SHIPWRECKED MANY LIVES. I FOUND IN THE WORD OF GOD THAT HE HAD JESUS TAKE ALL OUR SICKNESS AND DISEASES AND BY HIS STRIPES WE WERE HEALED. I HAD TO CHOOSE IN THE FACE OF TRUTH TO CONVERT SOME WRONG THINKING INTO RIGHT THINKING. THE CHURCH HAD ME SO BEAT DOWN AND SICK, BUT GOD HAD A PROVISION TO GET OUT OF ALL THAT AND I FOUND IT AND LAID HOLD OF IT. THE SICKNESS THAT CAME EVERY YEAR NOW HAD TO STOP AND IT DID.
WE MUST LOOK INTO GOD'S WORD AND STAND ON IT AND IT ALONE. OUR SPIRIT IS CONVERTED IN A INSTANT, HOWEVER OUR MIND AND BELIEFS ARE CONVERTED DAILY AS WE CONFRONT TRUTH FROM THE BIBLE AND CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IT OVER ANYTHING ELSE. AS WE DO THAT WE ARE TRANSFORMED INTO THE CHILD OF GOD THAT WE SHOULD BE. IF WE CHOOSE TO NOT ACCEPT THE TRUTH WE STAY CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.

Romans 12 KJV.
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
TRANSFORMED: TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER, IMPLYING CHANGE.
SOME OF THE MEANINGS OF CONVERTED WERE VERY SIMILAR.
CONVERTED: TO TURN ONE THING INTO ANOTHER, TURN AROUND, TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE AND DECISIVE CHANGE, A DELIBERATE CHOICE. CONVERSION IS A VOLUNTARY ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE PRESENTATION OF TRUTH.
IN THE PRESENCE OF TRUTH, LIGHT, AND LIFE CHOOSE THESE OVER FALSEHOOD,DARKNESS, AND DEATH.