PASTOR JOHN COWLES
BRIDGE CHURCH
THE CHURCH - BELONG – BECOME
Everyone Grows – Week 4
Philippians 2:12-13
James 1:22 NLT – But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
How do we grow?
*God
Philippians 2:13 ESV – For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
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John 15:4-8 ESV – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
He
We Change by “Working Out”- that which God Has done
Philippians 2:12 ESV – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
How do we grow? We grow when God works in us. And we grow when we daily work out the work that God has done.
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
How to Grow?
- Focus Your Eyes on Jesus
Philippians 3:13-14 ESV – But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
It begins with following Jesus.
It is ongoing training.
It involves knowing, loving, and obeying.
Discipleship is about all of life.
The goal is maturity.
What are you doing or going to do to grow in your faith starting today?