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Scott Worthington
Growing as Jesus Followers
The Life of a Jesus Follower 2024
Oct 6, 20242 Peter 3:18
As we wrap up our series, The Life of a Jesus Follower, Pastor Scott taught from 2 Peter 3:18. The Bible tells us that God desires for us to grow as Jesus followers! How do we continue to grow in our relationship with God, in our relationship with one another, and in our relationship with the world? Check out this sermon to learn more!
Sermon Notes
The Life of a Jesus Follower
Week 8: Growing as Jesus Followers
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
The life of a Jesus follower is all about relationships!
1. Abide – a Relationship with God
2. Connect – a Relationship with One Another
3. Share – a Relationship with the World
How does a Jesus follower grow in these relationships?
If you don’t have a plan for getting where you want to go, you will not get there.
“… Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:27b-28
“… my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” Galatians 4:19
“The most important thing about your church is if you have a plan to make disciples. The second most important thing is if your plan works.” Dallas Willard
1. God Desires Us to Grow as Jesus Followers
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
“For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” Romans 8:29a
2. Formation is Inevitable. Spiritual Formation is Intentional
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“Formation is not optional. Every thought you think, every emotion you let shape your behavior, every attitude, every decision you make, each word you speak, every relationship you enter into, the habits that make up your days, social media and how you use it, how you respond to pain and suffering, how you handle failure or success—all these things and more are forming us.” John Mark Comer
Spiritual Formation:
Spiritual Formation is the process of becoming like Jesus through a partnership with the Spirit of God for the glory of God.
“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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
Three Aspects of Salvation:
1. Justification
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
1. Justification
2. Sanctification
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.” Augustine
1. Justification
2. Sanctification
3. Glorification
3. We Have Been Placed Here at Hope on Purpose for Progress
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” Ephesians 4:11-13
How do we help Jesus followers grow?
We help people understand where they are on their spiritual journey and how to take their next step.
More specifically…
We believe that every person is in one of four spiritual stages. We help them discover what stage they are in and determine what steps they can take to grow as a Jesus Follower.
Four Spiritual Stages:
1. Seeking - Someone who is searching for purpose and needs a relationship with Jesus
2. Believing- Someone who has a relationship with Jesus and needs to be discipled
3. Growing- Someone who is learning, serving, and maturing as a Jesus follower and should disciple others
4. Leading - Someone who is influencing others to multiply Jesus followers
“The only thing more dangerous than trying to track someone’s spiritual growth is NOT tracking spiritual growth.” Dallas Willard
Crucial Disclaimers:
1. There are dangers in trying to chart spiritual growth
2. Spiritual growth is not linear!
3. These are not labels given to people!
Spiritual Formation Discovery Tool: https://hopechurchlv.com/spiritual-formation/
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Sermon Notes
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