Introduction:

A. Before we were born again we were carnal, worldly in our thinking and actions.

B. Spiritually speaking we are like a new born baby when we are born again. Our Spirit is born again but our mind is still carnal and many of our actions are still carnal

C. We must grow or we will stay immature

D. Takes action. Time alone does not produce spiritual growth any more than time alone produces physical growth. We must receive nutrients for our spirit the same as we receive nutrients for our body.

1 Corin. 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Chirst. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal.

1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.

I. Grow by the word: Spiritual food or nutrition. We read, study, meditate on Gods word and hear it also through sermons, teachings and books.

HOW DOES THE WORD CHANGE US?

A. Our mind is renewed or changed to think like our God rather than the god of this world.
B. We begin to act like our daddy.

John 8:38-45 says:
I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father." They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father." Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father--God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

We act like our daddy by walking in love, forgiveness, compassion, mercy, kindness, goodness, wisdom, peace, joy. How will the world know who we belong to if we are not different.

C. The word is like water, it washes sin away . It sanctifies.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkly or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Sanctification is a mark of a mature Christian.

II. Christian Fellowship (contributes to spiritual growth)

A. People need people.
B. We hold each other accountable.
C. Love, comfort, support each other.
D. Learn from each other.

However; our dependence must be on Jesus. He will never leave us, never forsake or hurt us.

III. Fellowship with God (even greater element in spiritual growth)

Build an intimate relationship with God. Do this the same way we do with people...by spending quality time with Him.

A. Prayer, conversation. 2-way. Sharing your heart with Him.
B. Worship: sitting in His presence, loving on Him and expecting to hear from Him.
C. Meditating on His word and on his goodness. Pray and ask Holy Spirit to teach you and give a greater revelation of who God is.

Conclusion: Spiritual growth is an ongoing process.

A. If we stop doing what it takes to grow we will loose ground and become carnal again.
B. Just as we daily give our body nutrients we should daily feed our spirits to grow. Even small amounts daily will help.
C. The more we eat the faster we grow. The good thing is that no matter how much spiritual food we eat our spirit cannot grow too fat unlike when we overfeed our bodies.