GROWING IN GRACE
2 Peter 3:18


Christians are compared to trees because of their growth {Isa 61:3; Hos 14:5}


THE RIGHT MANNER OF GROWTH

I - Christians must grow less in their own eyes {Psa 22:6; Job 42:6} 
- Grow in grace not in conceit
- As you look inward and see your sin, you should like yourself less and less

II - Grow proportionately in one grace as in another {2 Pet 1:5} 
- Grow equally in knowledge, meekness, brotherly love, obeying, giving, etc



9 INCENTIVES TO MAKE US GROW

I - Growth is the purpose of the Bible {1 Pet 2:2}

II - Growth is the best way to tell if there is life

III - Growth is the beauty of the Christian

IV - The more we grow in grace, the more glory God gets {John 15:8}

V - We need to grow in grace {2 Sam 3:39; Luke 17:5; 1 Thes 3:10}

VI - The growth of grace will hinder the growth of sin

VII - We can't grow too much in grace 
- If we stop growing, you are spiritually dead {2 Thes 1:3}

VIII - Those that do not grow in grace decay in grace 
- As Christians, we can only move forward or backward. There is no standing still

IX - The more we grow in grace, the more we'll flourish in glory {Luke 19:17}



SIGNS THAT YOU ARE NOT GROWING

I - You have lost your spiritual appetite {Matt 5:16; Psa 42:1-2, 63:1-2, 84:1-2}

II - You are growing more worldly {Col 3:12}

III - You are less troubled with sin {Rom 6:1-2,21}



YOU ARE GROWING IF THE ABOVE IS OPPOSITE IN YOUR LIFE AND...

I - You've outgrown old knowledge and desire to learn new things {Heb 6:1-3}

II - You're firmly rooted in your religion {Col 2:7; Eph 4:14}

III - You have a more spiritual frame of heart 
- When you have convictions based on the study of God's Word

IV - When opposition comes at you and you stand firm {Acts 4:7-11}



HOW YOU CAN GROW - IF YOU ARE NOT.

I - Take heed of what hinders growth and stay away from it! {Song Of Solomon 2:15}

II - Exercise yourself unto Godliness {1 Tim 4:7}

III - Be humble Christians {1 Pet 5:5}

IV - Pray for spiritual growth {Heb 12:10}