"spiritual growth" Tagged Sermons
A Crash Course in Church Growth
Pivoting from theological discussion into life application, Paul urges the readers to “live a life worth of the calling you have received” (4:1). This section offers a theological framework for individual spiritual growth that fits within a framework for corporate spiritual growth. The individual parts of the body grow as the entire body grows through focused cultivation of unity, active use of spiritual graces, and formation by God toward maturity in Christ. Ephesians 4:1-16 SERMON OUTLINE “I urge you to…
Multiplied Joy
Philippians 4:4-23 highlights the call “rejoice in the Lord always” as Paul brings this letter to a close. Sermon Outline “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Choosing Joy (4:4-7) The decision for joy The gentleness of joy with others The resulting peace in prayer Thinking Joy (4:8-9) The joyful virtues Practicing virtues that bring joy The resulting peace in life Reciprocal Joy (4:10-23) Paul’s joyful contentment in God (4:10-13) The Philippians’ joyful sharing…
Joy that Grows
This week, Pastor Matt unpacks Philippians 3:15-4:3 and explores themes of spiritual growth in relation to joy. Sermon Outline “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters.” (Philippians 3:17) Paul’s Example of Growth (3:10-14) Knowing Christ fully, in His death and resurrection Forgetting the past and straining for what is ahead Unfinished but pressing on for the prize The Right Mindset for Growth (3:15-21) The maturing mindset (3:15-16) Learning from good examples (3:17) Turning from bad examples (3:18-19) Looking…
Dying to Live
In Colossians 2:16-23, Paul addresses the tendency to be deceived by human rules or pseudo-spirituality, calling believers toward the heart of spiritual formation, which is about growing in Christ through the gospel. Sermon Outline “Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules?” (Colossians 2:20) Don’t Let Anyone Judge You (2:16-17) Rules based in religious observance Shadows of realities found in…
Rooted in Jesus
In Colossians 2:6-15, Paul builds upon the centrality of Christ with a call toward spiritual growth individually and corporately. This is rooted in the gospel and contrasts with our own abilities and any sort of false spirituality built upon human activity. Sermon Outline “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)…
Growing Together
Exploring what it means to be together as a community, as seen in the book of acts. (Acts 2:42-47) Sermon Outline allelon—one another Useful tools use their words to build one another up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:25, 29-30; Colossians 3:16) unwholesome—rotten fish teaching—instruct one another, share insights, truths, and wisdom with each other admonition—to warn or to caution others about danger or sin First—Check your _________________________________ (1 Corinthians 4) Second—Check your _________________________________ (1 Corinthians 4) Third—Check your _________________________________…