Several months ago, we were blessed to have Dr Mel Blackaby come to serve as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. As part of the Blackaby family, I knew we were in for some insightful Bible teaching, but it didn't take long to figure out that his messages had profound meaning that my friends in the 'blog world' might benefit from too. For that purpose, and a desire of my own to have all my notes in one place, I decided to start a new blog that contained these messages. There will also be a few things from other speakers that I've heard over time, but those will be noted on the sidebar as they are added. I hope you get as much from these messages as I do!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Growing in Christ

Colossians 1:9-12

Colossians 1:9-12 - "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

***God's word is the plumb line for truth

***Salvation is the beginning of a new life in Christ

***A healthy Christian is one who is growing in Christ

***Are you progressing toward God?

***Paul prays for four things:
**That they would be filled with the knowledge of God
**That they may be fruitful
**That they may be strengthened (knowledge alone does not enable obedience)
**That they may be thankful

***A sign of spiritual maturity is if a person is functioning within the family of God

***You can't live your life in isolation from the family of God and grow into all that God calls you to be

***Take the test of maturity - Look at how your life in Christ has connected you to the body of Christ

***Paul's prayer is answered in Christ. He is our knowledge, our fruit, our strength (Phil 4:13 - "I can do everything through him who gives me strength"), and our gratitude (Phil 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus")

***Faith is not something to think about and discuss. It is something to be lived.

***Are you growing in your relationship with Jesus Christ? Have you set your heart to know Him?
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