As we are closing in on the end of the year, there is a tendency to run after other things except after Christ. But this is the time to really focus our attention on the Lord and seek Him. You may have gained many things throughout the year but if you can’t see any spiritual growth then you are at a loss!

The aim of being part of church, be it in any of the meetings, is so that we grow spiritually.

If today you examine yourself and others look at you and there is no evidence of ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’, then you are not growing spiritually.

It should be our utmost goal to have an encounter with Lord and allow Him to change you from the inside out; to grow and mature and look more like-Christ.

Just as we see our babies grow into children and into adults so also our Father in heaven desires to see us grow spiritually! He doesn’t want our growth to be stunted. Transformation means that growth is taking place. Our growth interests God more than bigger churches and bigger buildings.

Paul was irritated with the church of Corinth because they were not growing and the writer to the church in Hebrews was frustrated with them. They were still feeding on milk not ready for solid food because they were still worldly (1 Cor. 3:2-3; Heb. 5:12-14).

Examples on growth:

• the child grew and became strong in Spirit (Luke 1:80)
• the boy Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52)
• the boy Samuel continued to grow in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and people (2 Sam. 2:26)
• grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)
• continue to live our lives in him, rooted and built up in him (Col. 2:6-7)

Hindrances to spiritual growth (Luke 8:13-14):

1. The devil comes to take away the word – he works to ensure that the word doesn’t dwell richly in us.
2. We believe only for a while – because the word of God has no root in our lives, we fall away when temptation comes.
3. Worries of this life – The things that we are constantly chasing after, the cares, riches and the pleasures of this life; these bring no fruit to maturity.

Why do we need to grow spiritually? To reach unity in the faith and knowledge in the Son of God, then we will no longer be infants. We will no longer be tossed back and forth by every wind of teaching and the crafting of people (Eph. 4:13-14).

Marks of spiritual growth:

1. Walking in holiness and in the fear of the Lord.
2. Prayer life must be on fire, not only alone, but corporately as a body.
3. Character change. Becoming like Christ in every aspect of our character.

How do we grow spiritually?:

1. Abiding/Remaining in Christ (John 15:4-5)
2. Prayer (Acts 2:42)
3. Desiring to grow (1 Pet 2:2-3)
4. Seek an encounter (Job 42:5)