Spiritual Growth - Manifested in the Life of Peter

Temple Baptist Church - 11-9-2025

John 1:35-42

 

Introduction:

A. This morning, I want to look at the advancement of the faith of the Apostle Peter. Peter often struggled in the early days of his ministry for Christ, but eventually, he became a giant in the faith. Peter is mentioned 162 times in the New Testament.

 

1. Here, in John chapter one, we find our Lord calling His disciples. Two disciples followed Jesus, with only one being named, Andrew. Andrew then told his brother Simon that he had seen the Messiah.

 

2. Jesus then calls Simon Cephas, a stone. Simon Peter had no idea how this moment would change his life forever!

 

3. In the 3 ½ years following, the Lord Jesus would turn this poor fisherman into a giant of the faith and a pillar of the early church.

 

B. We, as God’s children, grow up in Christ also. Lives that are up and down at times, but gradually upward. I picked Peter instead of Paul (163 times) for just this reason. Not everyone can be an Apostle Paul, but we all can become a “Peter!” Both ups and downs marked Peter’s ministry.

 

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (Admonition means exhortation. To exhort us on!)

 

C. Having said that, let’s take a short look at the life of Peter.

 

1. Spiritual growth involves a beginning. Peter had faith in Christ as his personal Saviour. Peter’s faith received Him as Saviour in the beginning. We will never end right if we do not start right!

 

John 1:41-42 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (42) And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

 

2. Spiritual growth involves observation. Peter marveled at His miracles during His ministry. Before the Lord used Peter, He manifested His power to him. The Lord wants us to know that He not only created all there is, but He can do anything, anywhere, and at any time!

 

Luke 5:4-8 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. (5) And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. (6) And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. (7) And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. (8) When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

 

3. Spiritual growth involves faithfulness. Peter faithfully followed Christ, beholding Him in all His glory. Faithfulness is the key to living a life for Christ.

 

Mark 9:2-3 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. (3) And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

 

4. Spiritual growth involves determination. Peter’s spiritual life was up and down during his early years with Christ. There will be times of glory and failure in our lives, as these are essential to our spiritual growth. These were years of spiritual growth for Peter.

 

Up. Matthew 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

Down. Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

 

Up. John 6:67-69 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? (68) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (69) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God

 

Down. Mark 4:37-40 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (38) And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (40) And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

 

5. Spiritual growth involves failure. Peter denied Christ thrice on the night He was taken. There have been times when we all denied Christ by being silent instead of bold.

 

Matthew 26:33-35 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. (34) Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. (35) Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

 

6. Spiritual growth involves trust. Peter cowered in fear after His resurrection. There will be times when we fear the unknown instead of trusting what God said. In the end, we find out that God had everything in control.

 

John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

 

7. Spiritual growth involves resilience. Peter went back to his old life because of his shame. I have seen times when people were “put on the shelf” for a while. Do not stay there! Get up, shake the dust off, and begin to move in the path that you were on.

 

John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

 

8. Spiritual growth involves recognition. Peter was restored before the Lord could use him. I John 1:9 is a verse that we need to have on “speed dial!”

 

John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

 

9. Spiritual growth involves testimony. Peter boldly preached after Pentecost. The time came when Peter was no longer a novice but ready for the work that the Lord had called him to do.

 

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

 

10. Spiritual growth involves finishing. Peter followed Christ for the rest of his life and died as a giant in the faith at the end. As Paul finished his course, Peter finished his, and we must finish ours.

 

John 21:18-19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (19) This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

 

Conclusion: Life is just that, life! Give your best to the MASTER and the MASTER will give the best to you!

Steps Of Spiritual Growth

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-28-2025

1 Corinthians 3:1-12

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  I preached through 1 Corinthians years ago, but for the most part, it was topical.  This time, it is more expositional.  This is good as it shows positive growth in your pastor and begets spiritual growth in the church. 

 

B.  When preaching on these verses, all the messages I have heard focus on soul-winning. Though soul-winning plays a role in the text, it is just the first step for the child of God.  After the first step comes the second and third steps.

 

1 John 3:1-3  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

1.  The sons of God.

 

2.  We shall be like Him.

 

3.  We shall see Him as He is.

 

C.  A biblical principle requires a biblical interpretation before making a practical application.  Dr. Harold B. Sightler would say, “A text taken out of context becomes a pretext.” 

 

D.  The context has nothing to do with soul winning.  Nothing in the first three chapters speak of being a soul winner.  The context is carnality that brings envy, strife, and division!

 

E.  Verse 4.  Carnality made them followers of men, not God.  Thus, dividing the flock.  Paul was trying to unite them while Satan was dividing them.  Division within a local church is always satanic.

 

1 Corinthians 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 

 

1.  Paul planted the seed that brought the Corinthians to Christ, thus establishing a local church there.

 

2.  Apollos, a great orator with extensive knowledge of the Bible became their teacher.

 

3.  In chapter one, some had followed Cephas, or Peter, because they were a part of the “strangers scattered” because of the persecution in Jerusalem.  Here, in chapter three, Cephas was no longer mentioned because he was the Apostle to the Jews and remained in Jerusalem.

 

4.  The local church suffers the same division in our day as, instead of following the pastor that God gave, TV and Radio preachers along with parachurch schools of higher learning become the leadership, though they teach contrary to the doctrine they were taught.

 

F.  Verse 5.  These ministers, Paul and Apollos, were just instruments that God used.  The word “minister” means servant: one who executes the commands of another.

 

1 Corinthians 3:5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

 

1.  Paul reminds the Corinthians that he and Apollos were not the basis of their salvation, but only the instruments God chose to use. 

 

2.  All of God’s children had people who were instrumental in bringing them the gospel of salvation and teachers to teach them God’s Word.

 

3. Paul and Apollo were not men to be praised.  Their eyes were not to be upon their ministers, their eyes were to be upon their Master!

 

a)  The Lord said, “Follow me!”  He is the Great Shepherd, and to be like Him is our great goal.

 

b)  Paul said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 11:1) 

 

G.  Verse 6.  Three essential steps of the believer.

 

1 Corinthians 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

 

1.  Planting.  Paul was the Missionary. “one planted”  Paul planted a seed that brought about salvation.  Without salvation, spiritual growth would not be possible.

 

1 Corinthians 3:10-11  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  (11)  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

Romans 15:20  Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

 

2.  Teaching.  Apollos was the Teacher.  “one watered” Apollos was the Teacher. Building up the saints through teaching God’s Word.  Without the Word of God, there would be no freedom to serve.

 

Matthew 28:20  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.

 

Acts 18:24-26  And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.  (25)  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.  (26)  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

 

3.  Increasing.  God was The Sovereign.  “One gave the increase” 

 

a)  Salvation through Grace.  Neither is there salvation in any other!

 

b)  Sanctification through Growth.  Spiritual growth requires God’s Word.

 

H.  Verse 7.  God is to be glorified and He alone!  We can plant all we can, water all we see, and sinners still die without Christ. 

 

1 Corinthians 1:30-31  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  (31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 

Galatians 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

 

J.  Verses 8-9.  A Work of Unity. 

 

1 Corinthians 3:8-9  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  (9)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

 

1.  We may never see the harvest come in, but our reward is sure if we plant and water.

 

2.  Our reward is sure, as God is not unrighteous to forget our labor of love for Him.  (Hebrews 6:10)

 

3.  We are labourers together with God.  Not ahead of Him and not behind Him, WITH Him.

The Word of God and Spiritual Growth

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-28-2024

Psalm 119:33-40

 

Introduction. 

 

A.  Tonight, we will look at the 5^th stanza of Psalm 119: HE is the 5^th letter in the Hebrew Alphabet.  It carries the meaning of Lo or Behold.  The best Biblical definition of the word “Lo” is found in the New Testament.

 

Matthew 28:20  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.  (“lo” – you need to get a firm grip on what I am about to say.)

 

B.  The first 4 stanzas of Psalm 119 dealt with undefiled or purity, holiness and meditation, unhappiness, depression and discouragement which are often a by-product of spiritual growth or the lack thereof. 

 

C.  Physical growth is something that God does with which we can help.  Spiritual  growth is something that we do that God helps with!  Two of the things that will stunt both physical and spiritual growth:

 

1.  A lack of appetite. Healthy children and adults will have a healthy appetite.  When a person becomes sick or old, they will often lose their appetites and it is vitually impossible to get them to eat.  They do not eat because they do not feel like eating.  How often, in the end of life of a loved one, tell them that they have to eat for strength, but they refuse food.  Thus the physical man and the spiritual man will lose strength.

 

2.  An appetite for the wrong things.  I love buying cakes at Walmart.  You know, the ones with an inch of icing and all the flowers and designs add to the icing MADE OF PURE SUGAR.  I love ice cream which, I am sure, is not the healthiest of foods.  Meat, bread, and vegetables grow strong bones and muscles.  Cake and ice cream grow big bellies and fat.  Physically and spiritually, we must eat a proper diet.

 

D.  The Apostle Paul spoke of this in one of the Warning Sections of the Book of Hebrews: “Dull of Hearing.”

 

Hebrews 5:11-13  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.  (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.

 

This is an age-old problem as all believers tend to get “a little out of sorts” at times.  This is because, though saved, we are still human.  The problem is not the condition; it is remaining in that condition.

 

E.  Peter addressed spiritual growth in 1 Peter 2:2: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

 

F.  In our stanza for tonight, HE (Lo or Behold), the verses show us essentials of spiritual growth.

 

1.  Verse 33 – Teach me.  The importance of the teaching of God’s Word.  Taught by the Spirit of God; taught by personal reading and study; taught by being faithful to the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

 

A believer will never spiritually grow as they should until they become learners. A person can go to college, spend a fortune, goof off and party, and never get an education.  One must apply themselves to learn properly.

 

Isaiah 54:13  And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

 

John 6:45  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

 

2.  Verse 34 – Enlighten me.  Help me to understand God’s Word.  Learning can be a set of facts memorized, but enlightenment gives the learner the wisdom and knowledge it takes to excel.  The Enlightener is the precious Holy Spirit

 

Proverbs 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

 

Psalms 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

 

3.  Verse 35 – Lead me.  In order to follow God’s lead, we need to learn to trust the Lord in His leading.  “Make me to go!”  Asking the Lord to remove all our ways and force us to do His will. 

 

Psalms 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 

Give me no options! Believers are free moral agents.  God has given to each of us the right of choice, but the serious child of God does not want to unknowingly make the wrong choice. 

 

I often ask God to close all other doors so that I have only the right door to choose.  I personally wanted out of the Bible Belt.  My desire was to go to New Hampshire and start a church but each night I would say, “Dear Lord, if New Hampshire is not your will for my life, close the door.”  He did and I am here!

 

 

James 1:22-25  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  (23)  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  (24)  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  (25)  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

4.  Verse 36 – Draw me.  Draw us near in heart through the Scriptures.  That we may spend quality time with the Lord.  Relationships are established with conversion.  You speak to God in prayer and allow God to speak to you through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.  One of the greatest enemies of the believer in these days of plenty is the sin of covetousness.  Can’t hep its and gotta have its.  Through the lure of the world, so many believers have lost their excitement and desire for God’s Word. 

 

Romans 8:6-8  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

1 John 2:15-17  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  (17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 

5.  Verse 37 – Turn me.  One of the three areas of sin concerns the eyes.  Eve saw and took; Lot vexed his righteous soul by hearing and seeing.  In today’s society, we see more by accident than people in years gone by saw on purpose. 

 

Turn my eyes from: Things that are not good, things that are temporal instead of eternal, things that tear down instead of build up, things that are ungodly or worthless.

 

We cannot help what we see but we need the help of the Lord to turn our eyes from the sinful sights.  Ask God for “spiritual blinders.”

 

Proverbs 4:25  Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

 

Genesis 3:6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

 

2 Peter 2:8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

 

6.  Verse 38 – Establish me.  Stabilize us.  Establishment in the unshakable Word.  Help us to be stable minded instead of doubleminded.    The world and churches are full of unstable people.

 

One of the most important aspects of spiritual growth, stability, having a firm foundation found in the Word of God. 

 

James 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

 

John 8:31-32  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

7.  Verse 39 – Encourage me.  In the Word, in the Lord, and in the church.  Every child of God needs encouragement.  This is why the Bible commands us to faithfully assemble.  Faithfulness and communion bring about encouragement. 

 

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

Verse 40 – Quicken me.  Biblical spiritual growth makes the child alive in righteousness. 

 

Psalms 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 

Three Sevens in the Christian Life - Part 3 - Seven Results of Lack of Spiritual Growth

Temple Baptist Church - 11-27-2022

2 Peter 1:8-15

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  We saw:

 

1.  Seven things that God left the Saints.  The Lord has given to us all things pertaining to both life and godliness.  Verse 3.

 

2. Seven things that we need to Add to our Faith.  These are spiritual building blocks that lead to spiritual maturity.

 

3.  This morning, I want to look at the 3^rd set of sevens: Seven Results of Lack of Spiritual Growth.

 

B.  Spiritual growth is both a responsibility and a blessing.

 

1.  Verse 8.  The blessing.  If we add these things that God gives us the ability to all, we will abound in Christ.

 

2.  Verse 9.  The lack of blessing.  If we fail to add these things, we are blind to spiritual things and the rewards that go along with spiritual growth.  Therefore, we live in the days of 2 Timothy 3 where the professing “believers” have:

 

(a)  Verse 13.  Complacency where they are comfortable and having no desire for change.

 

2 Timothy 3:5-9  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (8)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  (9)  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

 

(b)  Verse 15.  Instability where they cannot seem to become faithful or useful.

 

Proverbs 20:6  Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

 

C.  The Results of Lack of Spiritual Growth:

 

1.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Barrenness.  Verse 8.  “barren”  John 15:1-2  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  (2)  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

 

God wants us to produce spiritual fruit.  John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  (God wants us to be productive.)

 

2.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Ignorance.  Verse 8.  “unfruitful of the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”  2 Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  (God wants us to grow in knowledge.)

 

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

 

3.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Blindness.  Verse 9.  “blind”  Revelation 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  (18)  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  (God wants us to see afar off.  Short sightedness vs. Long sightedness.)

 

4.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Fearfulness.  Verse 9.  “and cannot see afar off”  Psalms 53:5a  There were they in great fear, where no fear was:

 

1 John 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  (God wants us to rest in Him.)

 

5.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Lack of Assurance.  Verse 9.  “hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins”  1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.  (God wants us to know that we are saved and saved forever.)

 

1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

 

6.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Spiritual Failure.  Verse 10.  “shall … fall”  2 Peter 3:17-18  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.  (18)  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 

Ephesians 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  (God wants us to stand.)

 

7.  A Lack of Spiritual Growth Produces Loss of Reward.  Verse 11.  “entrance … abundantly”  Matthew 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

2 John 8  Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  (God wants us to receive a full reward.)