Things that are properly cultivated grow. "Sometimes it's fruit; sometimes it's root. It's always growth season for believers."
"When Growth starts, decay starts"
We grow… 1. From Strength to strength Psalm 84:7 (NIV) They go from strength to strength,
If growth is your goal, being sustained won't be a problem.
2. From Glory to glory Christianity is not simply a transformed life. It's a life of transformation.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Psalm 92:12-15 (NIV) 12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."
Cedars of Lebanon. 🇱🇧 Psalm 104:16 (NLT) The trees of the Lord are well cared for— the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 1. Majestic 2. Evergreen 3. Resistant & repellent of est. 4. Longevity 5. Useful 6. Fragrant
"We only flourish naturally if we are rooted deeply!"
3. From Knowing Jesus to Knowing Jesus . Philippians 3:8–12 (NLT) 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ…10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death…12 I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
Cultivating Roots. 1. Persistent in Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) 6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Depth requires devotion.
1 Peter 2:2–3 (NIV) 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The Word + Prayer
2. Plugged into the house Psalm 1:1–3 (NIV)1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Acts 2:42 (NLT) All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper ), and to prayer.
-They were not Just devoted to Jesus, they were devoted to one another!
Luke 17:11-19 (NLT) 11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, "Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" 19 And Jesus said to the man, "Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you."
1. Jesus is troubled by ungratefulness. 2. Jesus provides health and wholeness. 3. Wholeness is connected to Gratitude. Luke 17:19 (NIV) "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
"Gratitude increases our faith because we keep the one we trust before us." The Spirit of Gratitude is the prerequisite to a healthy soul.
3 John 1:2 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
"It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy."- unknown
Mindsets that hinder a grateful spirit: 1. Entitlement What you are entitled to is so much less than what God promises you! 2. Victimhood The difference between victims and victorious is their posture in the battle. 3. Negativity Complainers are drainers. Negativity comes out of those who have not nurtured an internal culture of gratefulness.
Gratitude is the will of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT) 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Thankfulness not just a command OF you; it's a command FOR you!
Counting blessings Colossians 3:15-17(NIV)Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with Gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
1. Consider the blessings Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly! Psalm 103:1–5 (NIV) 1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
2. Celebrate your blessings Ephesians 1:3 (NLT) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.
Find the melody in the moment. Praise points: Provision,Providence, Promise.
3. Commit to an attitude of gratitude. "Gratitude is not an act; it's an attitude." Colossians 3:17(NLT) And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
7 Days of Gratefulness. #1. Complete the following statements: Today I am thankful that God is ___________. Today I am grateful for_________. #2. Write them down #3. Avoid grumbling, complaining, or whining.
Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV) 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Our consecration, not our compromise, will influence the culture.
Daniel 3:8–18(NLT) 8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Honoring Up. Honoring the Lord In Babylon Babylon: A dark world and the power behind it. 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 (NLT) 3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News… John 3:19 (NLT) God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
Resistance. The refusal to bow
A. God calls us to faithfulness. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT)The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Many are more interested in their comfort in Babylon than their commitment to Christ. 1 John 5:21 (NLT)Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. 1 John 5:21 (NIV) Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. An idol is anything that would rob our dependance on or devotion to God.
“Satan doesn’t have to have your devotion he will be content with distraction.”
B. Don’t get comfortable in the culture. Complacency always leads to compromise.
C. Embrace your contrast! 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
2. Resolve. Daniel 3: 18(NLT) But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Compliance is virtuous until it is not.
We’ve talked about wisdom a lot in this seres….. “Obeying God is always the wisest decision.” Proverbs 9:10 (NLT) Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Daniel 3:19-27(NLT) 19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched.They didn’t even smell of smoke!
3. Resilience. “Some will never see Jesus in the fires of persecution because they never passed the test of pressure.
We are resilient because he is with us.
Facts: 1. We will come under fire. 2. Jesus will be with us in the fire. 3. We can come out unfazed with the fragrance of Christ instead of the fragrance of the flames.
Daniel 3:28-30 (NLT) 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.
Our consecration, not our compromise, will influence the culture.
Isaiah 43:2(NLT) When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
