Sermon Tone Analysis

Growth

the process of increasing in size

the process of developing physically, mentally, or spiritually

the process of increasing in amount, value, or importance

The Apostle Paul makes a distinction between our carnal and spiritual nature.

See 1 Corinthians 3:1 (NKJV)

Believers who have not obtained the Holy Spirit cannot grow in the sense that Christ intended.

Christ says, in John 14:16

John 14:16 -17 (NKJV)

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

Even as he commissioned the Disciples, he reminded them to ‘tarry’, i.e wait for the Holy Spirit to come and infill them, giving them power.

Having established that Jesus’s disciples needed the Holy Spirit to grow in the purposes of Christ, I will now show you that this requirement remains the same:

As John the baptist was preaching to the Pharisees and Sadducees about fleeing the coming Judgement, he told them how Christ would baptise them with the Holy Spirit and fire!

Of course this was before Christ’s own Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit, with which John was charged by Christ himself!

Christ further delegates this to his Disciples as he was about to depart:

We are called to live in the Spirit: 1 Peter 4:6 and Galatians 5:25

The apostle Paul describes this well when he writes to the Galatians, saying, Galatians 2:20 “20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Those who continually sin willfully cannot in certainty have Christ living in them, nor be infilled by the Spirit of God, for their fruits (of sin), speak of sin and other spirit that lives in them.

Otherwise how can we reconcile that Christ who lived a sinless life has become a party to sin? God’s will is above sin, and his Spirit continually prompts and guides the repentant Christian.

Those who are infilled by the Holy Spirit, are convicted in their hearts when they are about to fall into sin, and they are able to make prompt correction and steer clear of such pitfall.

Ephesians 3:16

A growing Christian bears good fruit.

The Apostle John says in Matthew 3:8 “8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,” This is when he was preaching to the Pharisees and Sadducees, as they came to be baptised.

Matthew 3:10

The above speaks to the coming Judgement.

If you have not borne any fruits, woe to you! Jesus highlighted this when he taught the crowds in the parable of the Wheat and Tares.

A growing Christian:

Has departed from the things of the world, and is focused on the things of heaven Colossians 3:1–2

knows who the enemy is, and is prepared for the fight, strengthened by the Holy Spirit Ephesians 6:12

Knows to trust God at all times 1 Timothy 4:10

Accepts the teachings of Christ, and knows not to lean on their own understanding Proverbs 3:5

Understands the power of Grace granted to them, and is thankful and obedient Romans 1:5